Background: Optimal childhood growth and nutrition are essential for lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Despite national efforts, India faces persistently high rates of growth deficiencies among children, especially in underserved regions. Himachal Pradesh, with its socio-economic diversity, offers a unique context for understanding public knowledge regarding childhood growth monitoring and nutritional needs. Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to October 2024, targeting adults aged 18 and above who were residents of Himachal Pradesh for at least 12 months. A sample of 400 participants was recruited using online platforms to ensure broad reach. Data were collected through a structured Google Forms questionnaire covering socio-demographic information and knowledge-based questions on childhood growth monitoring, nutrient needs, dietary sources, and common deficiency signs. Each correct response earned one point, with scores categorized as follows: >80% (Very Good), 60-79% (Good), 41-59% (Fair), and <40% (Poor). Statistical analysis of responses was conducted using Epi Info V7 software to calculate frequencies and percentages.Results: The study revealed moderate awareness levels regarding childhood growth and nutrition. While 53.5% of participants could identify essential nutrients necessary for a child’s growth, only 32.5% recognized Vitamin A deficiency's impact on vision, and 44% knew that iron deficiency leads to anemia. Awareness of preventive practices, such as growth monitoring’s role and balanced diet, varied, with 61.5% understanding growth milestones and 48.5% identifying a balanced diet as critical. Knowledge of government nutrition support initiatives was limited, with only 43.5% aware of Anganwadi services and 41.5% familiar with the Midday Meal Scheme. Overall, 24.5% of respondents scored “Very Good,” 36% scored “Good,” 26.75% scored “Fair,” and 12.75% scored “Poor.”Conclusion: This study identified both strengths and critical gaps in public awareness regarding childhood growth monitoring and nutrition in Himachal Pradesh. Limited knowledge of specific nutrient functions and available support programs points to the need for targeted educational campaigns. Initiatives focusing on nutrient-specific education, the preventive role of growth monitoring, and greater visibility of government programs could improve public knowledge and encourage proactive health practices for child development.

Background: Scoliosis, a complex spinal disorder, often manifests during childhood and adolescence, posing significant challenges to physical development and quality of life if left undiagnosed or untreated. Public awareness of scoliosis, particularly in rural regions such as Hamirpur, is crucial for early detection and timely intervention. However, knowledge gaps and socio-economic barriers hinder effective management and treatment, exacerbating the burden of the condition.Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study assessed the awareness and knowledge of scoliosis among the general population of Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 participants aged 18 and above, encompassing socio-demographic details and 20 multiple-choice questions on scoliosis awareness. Data collection included both online and in-person surveys. Responses were scored and categorized into four knowledge levels: Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis.Results: The study revealed significant insights into scoliosis awareness. Of the 400 participants, 45.5% were male, and 54.5% were female, with a majority (69%) from rural areas. While 78% correctly identified scoliosis as a spinal curvature, only 65% understood its hereditary nature, and 62% were aware of surgical treatment options like spinal fusion. Knowledge scores categorized 27% as Very Good, 35% as Good, 29.5% as Fair, and 8.5% as Poor. Financial constraints (71%) and lack of access to healthcare facilities (68%) emerged as significant barriers to treatment.Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to bridge critical knowledge gaps and promote early scoliosis detection and management. Integrating scoliosis awareness into school health programs and addressing socio-economic barriers through subsidized healthcare initiatives could significantly enhance outcomes. These efforts are vital to mitigating the long-term impact of untreated scoliosis on individuals and communities in Hamirpur.

Background: Proper nutrition and monitoring of growth milestones are critical for ensuring optimal child health and development. This study aims to evaluate the awareness and understanding of nutritional requirements and growth milestones among the general population of Chamba, identifying gaps to inform targeted interventions.Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 residents of Chamba district between August and October 2024. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring representation from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds. Data were collected using a pre-validated structured questionnaire divided into two sections: socio-demographic details and knowledge assessment. The questionnaire included 20 multiple-choice questions on nutrition and growth milestones, with correct answers categorized as Very Good (>80%), Good (60–79%), Fair (41–59%), and Poor (<40%). Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Epi Info V7 for descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.Results: The study had 55% female and 45% male participants, predominantly aged 26–45 years (60.5%), with 66.5% residing in rural areas. Educational attainment varied, with 27.5% holding undergraduate degrees but 12.5% reporting no formal education. While most participants recognized key nutritional practices such as the importance of iron (78%) and exclusive breastfeeding (81.5%), knowledge of technical aspects like growth monitoring frequency (68%) and age-specific milestones (67.5%) was moderate. Knowledge scores revealed that 27% demonstrated very good awareness, 36% good, 29% fair, and 8% poor knowledge, highlighting significant gaps in understanding.Conclusion: The findings underscore a foundational understanding of nutrition and growth milestones among the population, but critical knowledge gaps persist, particularly in technical areas and among less educated groups. Addressing these gaps through targeted community health education, integration of nutrition programs into healthcare services, and leveraging digital tools can empower families to support child development effectively. 

Background: Postmenopausal syndrome (PMS) is a natural transition in a woman’s life characterized by a range of physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms. Despite its widespread prevalence and potential health implications, awareness of PMS remains limited, particularly in rural and underserved regions like Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Early education about menopause can enable women to adopt preventive measures and seek timely medical interventions to mitigate associated risks such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health challenges.Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate awareness and understanding of PMS among reproductive-age women in Kangra. A structured questionnaire-based survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of menopause symptoms, risk factors, and management strategies. A sample size of 350 participants was selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and chi-square tests were applied to determine associations between socio-demographic variables and awareness levels.Results:The study revealed diverse socio-demographic backgrounds, with 61.4% of participants from rural areas and 26.7% holding undergraduate degrees. While 81% recognized the importance of regular health check-ups, knowledge gaps persisted, particularly regarding the connection between menopause and cardiovascular risks (66.2%) and mental health challenges (64.3%). Overall, 33.3% of participants demonstrated very good knowledge, 37.1% had good knowledge, 21% showed fair knowledge, and 8.6% exhibited poor awareness. Socio-cultural barriers and limited health literacy in rural areas emerged as significant challenges.Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for community-driven, culturally sensitive educational initiatives to improve awareness of PMS. Integrating menopause education into existing maternal health programs and leveraging digital health platforms can bridge knowledge gaps and encourage timely healthcare-seeking behaviors. Addressing socio-cultural barriers and engaging families in awareness campaigns will further support women in managing this critical phase of life effectively.

Background: Diarrhea is characterized by three or more loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements per day and can lead to dehydration due to fluid loss.Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess mothers’ knowledge regarding the prevention and home-based management of diarrhea in their under-five children in Tikrit City.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted on 200 mothers whose children suffered from acute diarrhea and were admitted to Salah Al-deen General Hospital in Tikrit City between June 10, 2020, and June 10, 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the different treatment measures taken by mothers for their children aged 2 months to 5 years. Diarrhea was defined as acute if it lasted less than 14 days, with or without blood, fever, or vomiting. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge about diarrhea, and its management.Results: The study found no significant distribution of children by age and sex, although 58% of cases were females, and most were under 24 months of age. The majority of children came from rural areas, and over one-third of mothers were illiterate, with 25% having completed primary school. A significant association was found between type of feeding and the educational level of mothers (P<0.01). The prevalence of bloody diarrhea among the children was 11%, and 82% of the children drank tap water. Nearly half of the mothers (51%) used antibiotics to manage diarrhea, 5% used sagwa, and 15% used ORS. Mothers primarily relied on relatives or media (50%) for knowledge about using antibiotics, while 80% of those who used sagwa did so based on information from relatives. Most mothers learned about ORS from physicians and TV. A significant relationship was found between maternal education, knowledge sources, and management actions taken for diarrhea, suggesting that higher maternal education levels were associated with lower incidences of diarrhea in children.

Background: Premarital screening (PMS) is a major preventative strategy used to diminish the chance of inherited conditions and infections transmitted sexually. Aim: To understand students' knowledge and attitudes toward PP in southern technical university in Basra city. Methods: A cross-sectional design used to study carried out at southern technical university students (sample 250) (19-31) years in Basra in three college and two technical institutes. The sample collected by direct interview through questionnaire consisted from two parts: Frist part: socio-demographic characteristic for students and Second parts: included students' knowledge and attitudes toward premarital program (PP). The Pearson Chi-square test (2-test) used to study association among qualitative data, P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study reveals that 84.7% of the students with positive attitudes towards the (PP) is thinking essential to carry out, the mean of them was 2.54±0.761.  Also shows that the highest percentage 50.0% of the participants report that the reason for agreement with PP was to avoid passing of illnesses to their children, while 35.6% of them reported that reason for disagreement with PP was Afraid that the test results will not support my choice. A high percentage (85.2%) of the students were thinking appropriate time to do PP before marriage. The highest percentage (30.4%) of the participants report that cancel engagement in PP if informed children affected. Overall score of attitude(59%) of the students have neutral attitudes towards PP. The study found that there is statically significant correlation between positive (personal and family history) and positive attitudes of the students (P. value ≤0.05). Conclusion: The majority of the students have positive attitudes towards PP is thinking essential to carry out. Overall score of attitude (59 %) of the students have neutral attitudes towards PP. There is significant association between the positive attitudes of the students and positive (personal and family history) of them (P. value 0.017, 0.014) respectively.

Background: Dietary supplement use has increased over the past decade in college students. However, even among medical students, the knowledge and understanding of vitamin and mineral supplements is limited and restricted. Objectives: To study the prevalence and patterns of dietary supplements usage among students at Tikrit University. = Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 313 students with an average age of 23 years, predominantly females. The sample was collected from various colleges from Tikrit university, with the majority from the Colleges of Nursing and Medicine. Results: The findings reveal that 55.2% of participants have used dietary supplements continuously over the past six months, with no significant difference in usage between genders or across different colleges and academic years. The most cited reasons for supplement use were on the advice of health experts, to improve overall health and to boost immunity. Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc and Fish oil/Omega-3 emerged as the most commonly consumed supplements. Notably, the choice of supplements was primarily influenced by health experts' advice, supplemented by personal research. However, a quarter of the users (26.6%) reported experiencing side effects, including nausea, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, vertigo, and digestive problems. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of dietary supplement use among university students and underscores the importance of informed decision-making, guided by professional advice, to mitigate potential adverse effects. The patterns and motivations identified in this research could inform targeted health promotion strategies within university settings.

Background: Blood clotting disorders, or coagulopathies, pose significant public health risks globally due to their potential to cause severe conditions like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Understanding and awareness of these disorders are essential for early diagnosis, effective management, and prevention of complications. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of blood clotting disorders among adults in District Ambala, Haryana, India. Material and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was employed for this study, conducted between January 2024 and May 2024. The target population included adults aged 18 and above who had been residents of District Ambala for at least 12 months. A sample size of 400 adults was determined using a 95% confidence level and an estimated knowledge level of 50%. Data were collected using a Google Form questionnaire, which included socio-demographic information and 20 structured questions about blood clotting disorders. The questionnaire was pre-tested for clarity and validity by field experts. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Epi Info V7 Software, with appropriate statistical tests applied. Results: The study collected data from 400 participants, showing a fairly even age distribution and slight male predominance (56%). Most respondents were married (53.3%) and Hindu (70.5%). Employment and education data revealed that 52.8% were employed and 45.5% were graduates. High awareness was noted regarding the definition (70.8%), complications (68.8%), and possibility of a cure (69%) for blood clotting disorders. Moderate awareness was observed for symptoms (61.3%), available treatments (56.5%), and preventive measures (54.5%). Significant gaps existed in knowledge about diagnosis (54.5%), risk factors (45.5%), inheritance (48.3%), types of disorders (41.8%), and impact on daily life (40%). Overall, 23% demonstrated Very Good knowledge, 27.3% Good, 30.3% Fair, and 19.5% Poor knowledge. Younger age groups, males, married individuals, Hindus, employed persons, and those with higher educational attainment showed better knowledge levels. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to address knowledge gaps regarding blood clotting disorders in District Ambala, Haryana. Educational campaigns tailored to specific socio-demographic groups are essential to improve awareness and understanding, leading to better health outcomes and reduced burden of these disorders in the community.

Background: Hepatitis B and C virus infection is an issue for public health worldwide. We conducted this study to assess the Knowledge about HBV infection and its association with HBsAg positivity among residents of Kaza sub- division of district Lahaul & Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. Material & Methods: From June 2015 to October 2017, the study was carried out at Kaza, a division of Lahaul & Spiti, by the department of gastroenterology, community medicine, and microbiology of Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla. By using the cluster sampling technique, the target sample size of 4000 was attained. 40 Clusters were chosen using probability proportionate to size sampling, and 100 research participants were added to each Cluster. For data collection, a pretested interview plan was used. Five millilitres of blood were drawn from each study participant and tested for HBsAg. Results: Around 53% participants had not heard about the disease. Breast feeding as a mode of transmission was known among 18.8% of population. Traditional medicine was thought to be the cure of Hepatitis B in 13.9% population. Around one fourth of the population knew that there is no effective treatment for hepatitis B (25.2%) and there is a vaccine to prevent the same (25.7%). Around one third of the study population (32.6%) who have heard about Hepatitis B infection were tested to be positive for the same as compared to 34.1% among those who have had no knowledge about it. (OR: 0.93; 95%CI:0.80-1.09; p: 0.41). There was 50% less risk of HBsAg positive among vaccinated as compared to those who were not (p<0.001) Receiving information about HBV infection from more than one source (print media, health service providers and entertainment media) had 80% less risk of HBV infection as compared to those who have never heard of the infection (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.07-0.61; p:0.01). Immunization against HBV was a significant independent protective factor against the infection as compared to non immunized (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.40-0.68; p<0.001).  Conclusion: Present study concluded that knowledge of source of infection, and immunization against HBV emerged as independent factors associated with HBsAg positive test after adjusting for confounders.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and a leading cause of dementia, particularly among older adults. The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease globally, including in India, poses significant public health challenges, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. This study aims to assess the awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among the general population of District Kullu, identifying gaps that can inform targeted public health initiatives. Material and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to May 2024 in District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. A total of 400 adults, aged 18 years and above, who had been residents of the district for at least 12 months, participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included 20 questions assessing participants' knowledge of Alzheimer's disease symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and management strategies. The data were analyzed using Epi Info V7 software, with results presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: The study found that while 77.5% of participants were aware of Alzheimer's disease, specific knowledge about its symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and management varied significantly. Memory loss was recognized as a primary symptom by 69.3% of participants, but fewer were aware of confusion (63.8%) and behavioral changes (57.8%). Knowledge of risk factors such as age (70.8%) and family history (64.8%) was higher than awareness of lifestyle factors (57.8%) and head injuries (54.5%). Regarding prevention, 66.8% knew that staying mentally active could help, but awareness of other preventive measures was lower. Knowledge of management strategies was relatively strong, with 68.0% understanding the importance of early diagnosis, though fewer recognized the role of caregiver support (59.3%). Overall, 25.5% of participants demonstrated very good knowledge, while 15.8% had poor knowledge, indicating a need for targeted educational interventions. Conclusion: The study highlights significant knowledge gaps in understanding Alzheimer's disease among the population of District Kullu, particularly regarding symptoms, risk factors, and preventive strategies. Addressing these gaps through targeted public health initiatives is essential for improving early diagnosis, effective management, and overall outcomes for individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease. 

Background: Pediatric nutrition plays a crucial role in child growth and development, particularly during the formative years. Limited awareness and education about proper nutrition often led to malnutrition, stunted growth, and other health issues in children. This study aimed to explore the public understanding of pediatric nutrition in Chamba and examine its impact on child growth and development. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chamba, a rural district in northern India, from January to June 2024. The study included 300 parents and primary caregivers of children aged 6 months to 5 years. Participants were selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which assessed demographic information, nutrition knowledge, and child growth indicators. Anthropometric measurements were taken following WHO standard protocols. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses employed to identify associations and predictors of child growth outcomes. Results: The study revealed significant gaps in nutrition knowledge among participants, with only 54.0% correctly identifying essential nutrients and 48.7% understanding balanced diets. A high prevalence of malnutrition-related growth issues was observed, with 29.0% of children stunted, 23.0% underweight, and 17.3% experiencing wasting. Caregivers' knowledge of essential nutrients and balanced diets was significantly associated with better child growth outcomes (P < 0.001). Socio-economic factors, particularly low income, were also linked to poorer growth outcomes. Key barriers to proper pediatric nutrition included economic constraints (60.7%), lack of nutrition education (47.7%), and limited access to healthcare services (37.0%). Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of public understanding of pediatric nutrition in shaping child growth outcomes in Chmba. The findings highlight significant knowledge gaps, socio-economic challenges, and cultural barriers that contribute to the high prevalence of malnutrition in the region. Targeted public health interventions focusing on nutrition education, economic support, and improved healthcare access are essential to promote healthier child development and address the malnutrition crisis in Chamba.