Articles Archive for June 2010
Preventive medicine »
Regular antenatal visits are necessary to ensure wellbeing of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy
Ideally a mother should visit the antenatal clinic
once a month till 28 weeks
once in 2 weeks from 28-36 weeks
once a week from 36 weeks
If any complications are detected, the frequency of visits should be modified suitably
In developing nations like India, it may not be possible to stick to this schedule due to various reasons
The antenatal clinic may be far away from home
Going to the clinic may result in loss of wage
Other personal / family problems …
Preventive medicine »
Proper diet is essential to maintain the health of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy
Pregnancy has a total energy expenditure of 60000 kcal over and above the normal requirement
A lactating woman requires and additional 550 kcal per day
Average weight gain in a normal healthy pregnancy is about 12kg
Studies indicate that the weight gain in poor women in India averaged 6.5 kg
Maternal weight gain in pregnancy is directly related to the birth weight of the baby and the risk of infections and other complications in the infant
Another important factor is …
Preventive medicine »
Home visits are an integral component of MCH care
Even if the pregnant lady comes for regular antenatal checkups, it is necessary to visit her at home
Home visits are conducted by Female Health Worker or Public Health Nurse (India)
At least one home visit should be conducted
More home visits should be conducted if delivery is planned from home
The pregnant lady will be at ease in the home environment and it is easier to build up rapport
Proper prenatal advice should be given during home visits
It is also possible to assess the social and environmental …
Preventive medicine »
Antenatal care refers to care of pregnant woman. The main objectives of antenatal care are:
Maintenance of health of mother during pregnancy
Identification of high risk cases and appropriate management
Prevent development of complications
Decrease maternal and infant mortality and morbidity
Remove the stress and worries of the mother regarding the delivery process
Teach the mother about child care, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene
Advice about family planning
Care of under fives accompanying pregnant mothers
Surgery »
Free gas under the diaphragm - Xray
Click on image for an enlarged view
Free gas under diaphragm (also known as air under the diaphragm) is a finding in the chest Xray seen in case of perforation of hollow viscus.
When there is perforation, gas within the hollow viscus escapes into the peritoneal cavity along with other contents
When an chest xray is taken in the upright position, gas being …
Acronyms, Preventive medicine »
DANIDA stands for:
Danish International Development Agency
Preventive medicine »
CARE – Co-operative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere – is a non profit organisation which aims to provide emergency aid and long term developmental assistance in different parts of the world
It was formed North America in 1945 after the II World War
CARE started its services in India in the year 1950
Initially it focussed on providing food to children in the 6-11 year age group
By 1980, it shifted its attention to providing food in the ICDS (Intergrated Child Development Services)
The other projects which it is involved in are:
Intergrated Nutrition and Health …
Preventive medicine »
The international conference on primary healthcare held at Alma Ata (USSR) in September 1978, stressed the importance of primary healthcare. It defined primary healthcare as:
‘Primary healthcare is essential healthcare made universally accessible to individuals and acceptable by them, through their full participation and at a cost the community and country can afford.’
The Alma Ata conference proposed that primary healthcare will play a major role in the attainment of Health for All by 2000 AD. The concept of primary healthcare is equally valid for both developed and developing countries, although it …
Preventive medicine »
Healthcare delivery system is organised at 3 different levels. They are:.
Primary
This is the most basic level of health care
Healthcare delivery is through primary health centers, sub centers, multipurpose health workers, village health guides and trained dais.
Most of the common illnesses can be treated at this level
The focus is not only on treatment of diseases, but also on its prevention
Cases requiring specialised care are referred to secondary and tertiary care centers
Secondary
This is the first referral level
It is consists of district hospitals and community health centers
Tertiary
Tertiary level provides the most specialised care
It …
