Browsing by Author "P, Namitha"
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Publication Breastfeeding Indicators Among Mothers in Kerala, India: A Descriptive Cross-sectional study(Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON), 2024) P, Namitha; P J, Mercy; K, Rajamohanan; K G, SwapnaAbstract: Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) advocate for comprehensive breastfeeding indicators to enhance current breastfeeding rates in the community. These include the early initiation of breastfeeding, six-month exclusive breastfeeding, and continuation of breastfeeding, along with complementary feeds for at least a biennial span or beyond. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of breastfeeding among mothers in the community. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among 945 mothers having children aged from two to three years in the community. A multistage cluster sampling was done to select the mother-baby dyads. The data were collected using a validated semi-structured interview schedule and analyzed by descriptive statistics (Frequency and percentage) using SPSS version 27. Results: The early-initiation rate of breastfeeding in the study group was 76%. Among this 65% (breastfed within half an hour) for normal delivery, and 48% (within 0 - 1 hour) for Caesarean section. The exclusive breastfeeding rate was 71% and the continuation of lactation till two years and beyond was 77.78%. Conclusion: The present study shows the breast milk feeding within the first hour after birth and exclusive breastfeeding were 76% and 71% respectively. Although there has been improvement, Kerala needs to improve the early commencement of breastfeeding and exclusive breast feeding.Publication Diagnostic Accuracy of Axillary and Forehead Thermometer Compared to Tympanic Thermometer among Children(Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON), 2024) Swapna, Kunnumpurath Gopalan; GS, Harikumaran Nair; K, Rajamohanan; P, NamithaAbstract: Background and objectives: Fever is a common manifestation of illness among children which results from infectious and non-infectious processes. Different types of measuring instruments are used at various sites to monitor body temperature. No methods accurately approximate peripheral body temperature to core temperature. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of axillary and forehead thermometers in comparison with tympanic thermometer among children (1 to 5 years) and to compare the comfort during the three measurements. Methods: This observational study of diagnostic accuracy had a sample consisted of 728 consecutively selected children. Temperature measured using forehead thermometer (index test), axillary thermometer (comparator) and tympanic thermometer (reference test). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated. COMFORT-B scale used to assess comfort. Reporting format- STARD-2015. Results: The sensitivity and specificity for axillary method were 93%, 94% and for forehead thermometer were 95%, 96% respectively. The Receiver Operator Characteristics- Area Under the Curve (ROC AUC) for axillary thermometer was 0.982 and for forehead thermometer 0.99. Median (IQR) scores were 14 (7) for axillary and 14 (6) for forehead and tympanic measurements. The median comfort scores were statistically not statistically significant. (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both methods were good as screening methods for fever in children in the age group of 1-5 years. The forehead thermometer had a better diagnostic performance and accuracy and more comfortable.