Publications (9)9.46 Total impact
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Article: A multicentric study on validation of spot testing kit.
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ABSTRACT: To assess the validity of the Spot testing kit (against the Standard iodometric titration) in the semi-quantitative estimation of iodine in salt. The project was conducted at four centers in the country, namely, Vadodara, Jodhpur, Dibrugarh and New Delhi (AIIMS, coordinating centre). Uniform protocol was utilized at all the four centres. The school going children were asked to bring 30 g of iodine from their kitchen in an auto-seal polythene pouche with an identification slip. The iodine content of 3,010 salt samples (more than 700 salt samples from each center) was estimated independently by two different methods i.e., Iodometric Titration (used as reference standard) and Spot Testing Kit (STK) method, and the results were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the STK method in relation to the Standard iodometric titration (SIT) were calculated. From total of 3,010 salt samples, majority (98%) of the salt samples collected were of powdered salt. The specificity of various research centers ranged from 60.5% to 88.9%. The positive predictive value of the various research centers ranged from 69.9% to 98%. The NPV of the various research centers ranged from 96.8% to 100%. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the STK method (against IT method) for four centers together was 99.6% and 66.7%, respectively. The STK method is reliable for semi quantitative estimation of iodine content in salt and it can be used for monitoring the quality of iodized salt available in the community.The Indian Journal of Pediatrics 11/2011; 79(6):751-4. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Status of iodine content of salt in four regions of India.
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ABSTRACT: To study the Status of Iodine Content of Salt in four regions of India. At each of the four centers (Vadodara, Dibrugarh, Jodhpur, New Delhi), High Schools were selected randomly from list of schools obtained from district education office and more than 700 salt samples were selected from each center. A total of 3,010 salt samples were collected from students of High Schools (consumed at their households), selected randomly from four centers and iodine content of salt by Standard Iodometric Titration Method (IT) was estimated. Analysis revealed that majority of salt sample collected at 4 centers were of powdered variety of salt. Analysis of iodine content in salt by IT method revealed that high proportion of school children (51.6%) consumed salt having inadequate iodine content (salt samples with less than 15 ppm of iodine) in Jodhpur district followed by Vadodara (19.8%), New Delhi (8.5%) and least in Dibrugarh (1.2%). The percentage of consumption of adequately iodized salt was highest in Dibrugarh (98.8%) among the four regions of India. Status of iodine content is varying from state to state i.e. highest at Dibrugarh and lowest at Jodhpur. This indicates that consumption of iodized salt in Jodhpur is low and needs more attention. Government may adopt different strategies in different states. There is a strong need of iodization of salt in addition to creating awareness among rural inhabitants for consumption of iodized salt especially in Jodhpur District. More attention is required for monitoring quality of iodized salt available in the community.The Indian Journal of Pediatrics 12/2010; 78(6):684-7. · 0.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Assessment of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in School Age Children in Jodhpur dictrict of Rajasthan
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ABSTRACT: In the present paper magnitude of Iodine deficiency disorders(IDD), total goiter rate, nutritional deficiencies and their association with related factors have been studied. The sample of 105 school children (12-15 years) of Jodhpur district were assessed by clinical examination of thyroid gland using the standard method as recommended by the joint WHO / UNICEF / ICCIDD consultation, morbidities, Iodine in urine and salt using standard laboratory technique. Total goiter rate was 11.4 %, all of them had grade I goiter. The goiter prevalence in male and female was found to be 7.4 % and 15.7% respectively. The median urinary iodine excretion was 166.2 μg/ l. Proportion of the children in severe grade (<20 μg/l) was 5.0 %. Overall high proportion of school children (81.5%) consumed salt having inadequate iodine content and proportion was significantly higher in females than males (P<0.05).The proportion of households consuming adequate iodized salt increased with decline of income. The proportion of households consuming adequate iodized salt increased with increase of housing conditions grades, found statistically significant. Sickness at the time of survey was 16.2 % and the overall morbidities observed were significantly higher in females (19.6 %) than males (P<0.05). Total goiter rate was high and only 18.5 percent of salt had adequate iodine content indicating that the consumption of iodized salt in desert area is extremely low in spite of the national programs in operation and needs more attention. In addition to iodization of salt, there is a strong need of formulating nutritional intervention packages for this region.Human ecology 02/2010; · 1.40 Impact Factor -
Article: Micronutrient deficiency status among women of desert areas of western Rajasthan, India.
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ABSTRACT: To assess the magnitude of three micronutrient deficiency disorders (iron, vitamin A and iodine), nutritional deficiencies and their association with related factors. Using the three-stage sampling technique, a study was conducted in twenty-eight villages of Jodhpur district. A total of 1193 women, 384 pregnant, 400 lactating and 409 non-pregnant non-lactating controls (15 years and above, women who have not attained their family status) were examined for three micronutrient deficiency disorders, nutritional deficiencies, dietary and associated factors. Majority of the women were anaemic. Anaemia was higher among pregnant and lactating women (80.7 %). Severe anaemia was three-fold higher among pregnant and lactating women in comparison to controls (4.1 %). Vitamin A deficiency was observed to be higher among pregnant women (8.8 %). A high proportion of women (80.8 %) consumed salt, having inadequate iodine content. Median urinary iodine values were less in pregnant and lactating women than the WHO cut-off points. Consumption of pulses and legumes was low besides leafy vegetables. Average intake of nutrients showed deficiency of protein and energy, iron and folic acid and vitamin A deficiency. Anaemia and iodine deficiency disorder were found to be inversely proportional to education and income. The proportion of anaemia in this study was higher in comparison to national-level studies besides the low consumption of normal iodised salt. Only 19 % of salt samples had adequate iodine content, which calls for caution. In addition to iodisation of salt, the study suggests the development of nutritional packages utilising local dietary aspects.Public Health Nutrition 06/2008; 12(5):624-9. · 2.17 Impact Factor -
Article: Chronic energy deficiency and its association with dietary factors in adults of drought affected desert areas of Western Rajasthan, India.
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ABSTRACT: To asses the impact of drought on nutritional status of adults of a rural population in desert area. Threestage sampling technique. 24 villages belonging to 6 tehsils (sub units of district) of Jodhpur district, a drought affected desert district of Western Rajasthan, in 2003. 1540 adults were examined for their anthropometry, dietary intake and nutritional deficiency signs. Overall chronic energy deficiency (CED) was found high (42.7 %). Severe CED was 10.7 percent, significantly higher in males than females. Regarding vitamin A deficiency, overall prevalence of Bitot spot and night blindness was 1.8 and 0.2 percent respectively, higher in females than males. Regarding vitamin B complex deficiency, angular stomatitis, cheliosis, and glossitis was 1.0, 2.6 and 5.4 percent. Anemia was 35.6 percent. Overall mean calorie and protein intake deficit was very high (38 and 16.4 %). The comparison of present drought results with earlier studies in desert normal and desert drought conditions showed higher deficiencies of calories and proteins in their diet. Severity of malnutrition is critical as CED was more than the cut-off point of 40 percent stated by World Health Organization. Vitamin A and B complex deficiencies, anemia, protein calorie malnutrition along with deficit in calories and proteins in their diet were higher in comparison to non desert areas, which may be due to the harsh environmental conditions in desert areas. Efforts should be made to incorporate intervention measures to ensure the supply of adequate calories and proteins to all age groups.Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition 02/2008; 17(4):580-5. · 1.13 Impact Factor -
Article: Studies on the nutritional status of children aged 0-5 years in a drought-affected desert area of western Rajasthan, India.
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ABSTRACT: The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of drought on the nutritional status of pre-school children aged 0-5 years from a rural population in a desert area facing drought conditions very frequently. The sampling design for assessment was the three-stage sampling technique. The study was carried out in 24 villages belonging to six tehsils (sub-units of district) of Jodhpur District, a drought-affected desert district of western Rajasthan, during a drought in 2003. A total of 914 children were examined at household level, with nutritional status assessed by anthropometry, dietary intake and clinical signs of nutritional deficiency. The results revealed growth retardation. Stunting (malnutrition of long duration) was observed in 53% of children and underweight in 60%. Wasting, an indicator of short-duration malnutrition, was present in 28% of children. The extent of malnutrition was significantly higher in girls than boys (P<0.05). Vitamin A and B complex deficiencies were found in 0.7 and 3.0% of children, respectively. Prevalence of marasmus (protein-energy malnutrition, PEM) was 1.7% (2.3% in boys and 1.1% in girls). Overall deficits in mean energy and protein intakes were very high (76 and 54%, respectively). Comparison of the present drought results with earlier studies in desert normal and desert drought conditions showed higher prevalence of PEM and higher dietary energy and protein deficiencies. The prevalence of wasting was high, greater than the cut-off point of 15% stated by the World Health Organization to indicate that the severity of malnutrition is critical. PEM, vitamin A and B complex deficiencies and anaemia, along with dietary deficits of energy and protein, were observed to be higher than in non-desert areas. This may be due to the harsh environmental conditions in desert areas where drought occurs quite frequently and adversely affects the economy, largely by eroding the coping capacity and economic potential of the people as a result of heavy livestock losses and reduced harvests, leading to increased poverty and poor food intake of the inhabitants. Due to inadequate consumption of daily food the children were suffering from wasting and PEM. Efforts should be made to incorporate measures, such as ensuring the supply of adequate energy and protein to all age groups and especially pre-school children, into ongoing nutrition programmes in order to improve the food security of local inhabitants in this area.Public Health Nutrition 01/2007; 9(8):961-7. · 2.17 Impact Factor -
Article: Childhood illnesses and malnutrition in under five children in drought affected desert area of western Rajasthan, India.
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ABSTRACT: The study was undertaken to asses the impact of drought on childhood illnesses and nutrition in under five children of rural population using three stage sampling design. The study has been carried out in 24 villages belonging to 6 tehsils of Jodhpur district which was a drought affected desert district of Western Rajasthan in 2003. A total of 914 under five children (0-5 years) could be examined for their childhood illnesses, malnutrition, dietary intake and clinical signs of nutritional deficiency. Childhood illnesses observed at the time of drought were respiratory (7.5 %), gastroentrological (7.5%), and 5.6% fever (viral, malaria and jaundice), higher in males than females. Children suffered from recent and long term malnutrition were 39% and 26% respectively as per National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards. The extent of malnutrition was significantly higher in females than in males (p<0.01). Vitamin A & B complex deficiencies were 0.7% and 3/% respectively. The protein energy malnutrition (PEM) was observed in 44.4%. Overall mean calorie and protein intake deficit was observed to be very high (76.0 & 54.0 %). The comparison of present drought results with earlier studies in normal and drought conditions showed higher prevalence of PEM and deficiencies of calories & proteins in their diet. Respiratory, gastroentrological and fever were main childhood illnesses observed and were higher in males at the time of drought. PEM, vitamin A & B- complex deficiencies, anemia along with deficit in calories and proteins in their diet was observed higher in present study as compared to non desert areas, which may be due to the harsh environmental conditions in desert areas and paucity in the consumption of daily food intake. Due to inadequate consumption of daily food, the children were suffering from PEM resulting in several childhood illnesses. Effective measures making availability of adequate calories and proteins to all age groups especially to under five children through the ongoing nutrition programs needs to be ensured.The Journal of communicable diseases 04/2006; 38(1):88-96. -
Article: Occupational morbidities and their association with nutrition and environmental factors among textile workers of desert areas of Rajasthan, India.
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ABSTRACT: In Rajasthan 21,000 workers are engaged in hand processing textile industries (process gray/raw cotton cloth). They are exposed to hazards of the textile industries besides the harsh conditions of the desert which contributes to adverse effects on their health. To explore the occupational health problems of the desert textile workers and their association with nutrition and environmental factors, investigations were carried-out in two districts, Jodhpur and Pali. Data on occupational disease conditions, environmental factors, nutritional deficiency signs and anemia were collected for a total of 1,240 individuals out of which 845 were textile workers and 395 were comparative group workers of the same age groups. The main disease conditions, i.e. aches (19.4%), respiratory (12.1%) and fever (7.7%), were higher in textile workers than the comparative group. Dyeing group workers suffered the most (25.5%) from aches, significantly higher than the comparative group (11.6%), may be due to a higher percentage of severe anemia, besides physical labour. Printing and bleaching group workers suffered from respiratory problems (15.5%) almost twice as much as the comparative group, possibly due to exposure to fumes of acids and use of chemical dyes. Housing conditions, personal hygiene and education showed negative associations with disease conditions but positive associations with anemia. The study revealed that in the textile industry, disease conditions vary with the categorization of work. The findings suggest the need for implementation of safety measures according to the type of work in textile industries, besides extension of health and nutrition education and welfare programs.Journal of Occupational Health 10/2005; 47(5):371-7. · 1.55 Impact Factor -
Article: Smoking pattern among the workers engaged in textile industries of desert districts of Rajasthan.
Indian Journal of Medical Sciences 12/2004; 58(11):486-8.
