S K Mishra’s research while affiliated with GSL Medical College & General Hospital and other places

Introduction: PIH is pregnancy specific, finding of Hypertension without proteinuria on atleast two occasions with six hours apart after 20 wks of gestation. It is one of the commonest disorders associated with increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, and is one of the main public health problems. Objectives: The study was carried out with following objectives: 1) To compare the sociodemographic profile of booked and unbooked PIH patients. 2) To compare the Maternal outcome in Booked and Unbooked Pregnancy induced hypertension cases. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, record-based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Information regarding demographic details, maternal and labour outcome parameters were recorded in a prestructured proforma and compared in booked and unbooked PIH patients delivered at GSL Medical College & General Hospital, Rajahmundry. Results: In rural population there was a significant difference, Unbooked constituting 65% and booked of 35%. Majority (80%) of unbooked cases were illiterates. PIH was more common among primigravida in both the groups which was statistically significant (p=0.03). Gestational age was significantly lower in Unbooked (p=0.01). It was observed that severe PIH and complications were more in Unbooked than Booked cases. Statistical Analysis: The results were presented in means and percentages. Chi-square test was used for comparing the groups. For all statistical analysis p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Pregnancy induced hypertension is a major worldwide health problem seen associated with pregnancy especially among young primigravidas, who remain unbooked during pregnancy. Maternal morbidity and mortality can be reduced by strengthening antenatal services, encouraging population, early recognition and institutional management. © 2016, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.

Background: Low birth weight is one of the most serious challenges in maternal & child health in both developed & developing countries. It has been emphasized that a community based prospective study would help to define the exact role of various factors affecting birth weight. This helps in preventing Low birth weight (LBW) babies through good prenatal care & intervention programmes rather than the treatment of LBW babies later. Objectives: 1.To study the risk factor of LBW due to socio-demographic & economic causes.2. To study the risk factors due to obstetric causes & factors due to personal origin. Materials And Method: Around 120 mothers who gave birth to low birth weight babies in the month of September 2011 to December 2011 who were admitted in G.S.L Medical College & Hospital were examined, & interviewed with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire. Their socio- demographic, economic, physical profiles were studied. Results: Lower age group of mother, illiteracy, socio economic status, decreased BMI, passive smoking, habit of taking caffeine etc are significant risk factors for low birth weight babies. Conclusions: There is need of population based interventions in terms of improving maternal education & socioeconomic status. The results of this study suggest that for reducing LBW, the strategy needs to focus attention on nutrition education to facilitate better weight gain during pregnancy, encouraging appropriate birth spacing, avoidance of tobacco chewing & exposure to passive smoke & discouraging teenage smoking. © 2015, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All Rights Reserved.

Background: The advances in technology & diagnostic facilities have opened up avenue for girl haters & those preferring male child, leading to serious disturbances in sex ratio resulting in decline of child sex ratio. This has led to enforcement of Preconception & Prenatal diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act since 1994 & its amendment in 2002 & 2003 (PC- PNDT) act. The PC & PNDT act is very helpful for reducing the rate of female feticide which is the root cause for this disturbance. Hence the present study is an effort to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice related to PC & PNDT Act among the pregnant women so that the various reasons of declining sex ratio can be known. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude & practice related to PC & PNDT act among the pregnant women & to study their socio-demographic profile. Materials And Method: About 2000 antenatal women who came for ultrasonography examination to the department of Radio-diagnosis from 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012 were interviewed with the help of a pretested questionnaire & data was analyzed. Results: Out of 2000, antenatal women, 43.08% had knowledge about PC & PNDT act & 56.2% did not have any knowledge about it. The more the literacy status, the more was the knowledge about PC & PNDT act. Illiterates had more preference for male child. The attitude regarding PC & PNDT act was more positive in the lower middle class. About 85% of antenatal women say that they will contribute to prevent female foeticides. Conclusions: There is a need to educate women, particularly from under privileged population about the PC & PNDT act through intensive Information, Education & Communication Campaigns. © 2015, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All Rights Reserved.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the improvement in Visual Acuity (VA), Visual Functions (VF) and Vision Related Quality Of Life (VRQOL) after cataract surgery at a tertiary hospital. Methods: In this hospital based prospective, observational study, a total of 60 patients, who were scheduled to undergo cataract surgery at this centre were included. Pre operative VA (recorded using Illuminated Snellen's or Illiterate E Chart) and VFQ 25 Score (with NEI VFQ 25 Questionnaire) was obtained. Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) and Posterior Chamber Intra Ocular Lens (PCIOL) implantation by Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) was performed on these patients. Results: Out of the 60 patients, 51(mean age 60.9years, 68.6%female) attended follow up visits till 6 weeks. These patients were re-evaluated and the postoperative parameters of VA, VFQ 25 Score were obtained. Conclusions: We conclude that visual acuity testing alone is not a reliable measure of success of cataract surgeries and assessment of visual functions, vision related quality of life by a suitable and valid questionnaire provides better analysis of patient perceived outcomes and thus helps in the improvement of interventions for visual rehabilitation. © 2015, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.

BACK GROUND: The AIDS pandemic continues to be an escalating health problem throughout the world. Mental health of PLHIVs is one of the neglected aspects in the Continuum care and most often it is under diagnosed as well as under treated. This study was proposed to assess the prevalence of depression and loneliness among PLHIV so that adequate measures could be taken to address their needs, and if required treatment of mental illness could be prioritized, which would rather be a more holistic approach. OBJECTIVES: To review key mental health issues such as loneliness and depression in the continuum of care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) & to provide a framework for integrating mental health services into HIV/AIDS interventions. METHODS: 380 PLHIV from the districts of East Godavari & Vishakhapatnam were interviewed using the SRQ-10 depression scale and R-UCLA loneliness scale for assessing the depression and loneliness respectively the responses were graded according to the standard guidelines and the mean scores for each scale were obtained. Statistical analysis was done using the student t-test and Chi square for categorical variables number and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: An overall 71.84% of subjects were depressed and 66.57% were found to be lonely. Loneliness & depression was significantly higher in female population. Depression as well as loneliness was found to be significantly associated with their educational status, financial status and the presence of opportunistic infections. CONCLUSION: The mental health indicators depression and loneliness need more stress in the continuum of care of PLHIV.

The first Millennium Development Goal calls for the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and its achievement is crucial for nati onal progress and development. Nearly one third of the under five children (about 195 million ) in the developing world are either underweight or stunted 1 . In developing countries about 40% of preschool chil dren are estimated to be anaemic 2 . Due to micronutrient deficiencies, one million ch ildren die before the age of five and 100,000 infants are born with preven table physical defects each year 3 . Malnutrition is a process whose consequences are oft en extended not only in later life, but also into future generations. The present study was under taken to find out the prevalence of under nutrition in rural schools around Rajahmundry, East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Total 337 students (between 6 to 10 years) were examined for height, weight and for micronutrient deficiency in the form of Iron & Vitamin A deficien cy. Undernutrition was found to be 19% (Grade II), 6 % (Grade III) and 1% (Grade IV). Clin ical features of iron deficiency were found among 36% school children and Vitamin deficiency wa s found among 3% of children