Total population covered under the study was 685 persons. Out of which 316 (46%) were females and 369(54%) were males. About 57% of population was in reproductive age group. About 14% of population was under 6 years of age. Overall literacy rate was 76.4%. The female literacy rate was 62.9% and male literacy rate was 88.7%

61.6% houses were not having adequate ventilation and 65.2% houses were not having adequate light. 7.1% houses were devoid of electricity connection. 46% houses had their own toilets and the rest use municipal common toilets. All houses were connected with municipal underground sewerage line. Only 58% of houses had closed bathing facility, rest used open space for bathing. This is important aspect as it affects the personal hygiene especially of females.

Details of illness episodes for each of the family members were collected using the different recall periods. The recall period for Acute Illnesses treated without hospitalization (as out patient) was 15 days, for hospitalization, chronic illnesses and maternity it was one-year period.

Figure 1

Table- I Types of morbidities reported

It gives the prevalence of morbidity for a selected community.

There were total 78 episodes of acute illnesses reported in the study area. Out of which 17.9% episodes were not treated. No. of episodes were more in females (67%) than in males. This difference is statistically significant (chi-square value – 12.59 p< 0.001). As per diagnosis 45.3% of episodes were of Cough (Respiratory Tract Infection), followed by 23.4% episodes were of Fever and 7.8% episodes were of other communicable diseases like Measles, Chicken pox and typhoid. The total burden of communicable diseases was found to be 76.6% (total 49 episodes) on the community.

Figure 2

Table-II Hospitalized episodes per 1000 person

The average age of patients hospitalized was 26.6 years. The average duration of stay for hospitalization was 9.3 days. 33.3% episodes of hospitalization were due to surgical cause, followed by 25.9% for infectious diseases like Hepatitis and Typhoid. 18.5% cases were of Malaria and 7.4% cases were of accidents or injuries.70.4% patients had case papers while only 29.6% of them had bills. 96.3% patients were admitted in general wards.

For chronic illnesses all episodes observed during survey was taken in the study. The prevalence of chronic morbidity per 1000 person was 45.2 (53.8 for Females & 38.0 for Males). The prevalence per 1000 persons in age above 65 was 200 and in age group 46-64 it was 78.6. Which shows higher prevalence in that age group. The average age was 41.3 years.

Prevalence of Hypertension per 1000 person was 10.2 and of Tuberculosis was 7.2 per 1000 persons. 9.9% cases were of Thyroid disorders, 9.9% of Psychiatric illnesses, 6.6% cases were of Rheumatic Heart Diseases and 3.3% cases were of Coronary Heart Disease.

Average duration of treatment was 6 years. For Tuberculosis it was 7 months and for Hypertension it was 45 months.

Figure 3

Table-III- Source of treatment for various type of morbidities (in percentage)

It is evident from the table-III that community depends heavily upon private practitioner for the acute illnesses treated as out patient. It was the found that no male sufferer has gone to public facility for treatment of acute illnesses treated as out patient. People also avoided going to Public facility because of long queue and loss of time due to the same.

The average duration of acute illness episodes treated as out patient can be considered as an indicator of the seriousness of illness. However, a prompt treatment can moderate the duration. In this study average duration of illness was 3 days. 80% of patients have sought treatment without delay and others have delay of average 1 day.

Table-II shows very high no. of hospitalization in the study area particularly in males. Since Hospitalization involves high expenditure and complete disturbance of family routine generally, women avoid getting admitted in hospitals. This may be true for the study area too.

Table-III also shows that for hospitalization, main source was public hospitals (18 out of 27). The most important reason for seeking treatment at public hospital was free and or inexpensive treatment. Trust hospitals and Private hospitals do have their share as per two factors namely closeness and good reputation in the community. 42% were taking treatment from the public hospitals, 38% from the private health providers and 10% were taking no treatment at all.

Three out of Five Tuberculosis patients were on Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) while 2 were on treatment from private providers.

51% patients of chronic illnesses were found to be on irregular treatment and the major reasons were ignorance and affordability. Out of 7 Hypertension patients 4 were on irregular treatment while 1 out of 5 Tuberculosis patient were on irregular treatment.

There were total 19 births in one year in the study area. Data for antenatal care and births were recorded from all. Four Antenatal women were also interviewed. Out of four, one was not registered. Average registration time was 4 months of amenorrhea. 81.8% were registered at the General Hospital and rest 18.2% were registered with the private Hospitals. Average no. of visit to the source was five. Only 50% of antenatal women registered with the Public hospital received free medicine. Tetanus Toxoid coverage was 100% for these women.

All deliveries were hospital deliveries. All births were also registered births. 88.9% deliveries took place at the General hospital. Average duration of stay was 4 days and average distance of source was 3 kilometers.