HEALTH PROFILE OF THE ARTS JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AN URBAN AREA

DR RAVINDRA BALARAM GURAV

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2016

HEALTH PROFILE OF THE ARTS JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AN URBAN AREA

Dr Ravindra Balaram Gurav

Abstract :

This observational study was conducted to know the health status of the students studying in a randomly selected Arts Junior College in an Urban Area. 344 students present took part in the study. Of these, 106 (30.81%) were males and 238 (69.19 %) were females. The mean age of the whole group was 16.73 years with standard deviation of 0.7 year. The mean weight of the whole group, boys, and girls was 49.12, 52.62, 47.56 kg with standard deviation of 7.39, 6.72, 7.15 kg respectively. Similarly, the mean height was 151.64, 155.10, 150.10 cm with standard deviation of 5.81, 6.02, 5.01 cm respectively. Also, the mean BMI was 21.31, 21.93, 21.04 kg/m2 with standard deviation of 2.43, 2.47, 2.37 kg/m2 respectively. The mean weight, mean height and mean BMI of boys and girls are compared; the difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). 84 (79.24%) boys and 202 (84.87%) girls were having BMI within normal range i.e.18.50 to 24.99 kg/m2. The BMI of 07 (6.60%) boys and 24 (10.08%) girls was less than18.50kg/m2 (p < 0.05). 15 (14.15%) boys and 12 (5.04%) girls were overweight (i.e. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). One girl was obese (i.e. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Of the 344 students, 83(24.13%) were having a health problem. Of which, 16 (19.28%) were boys and 67 (80.72%) were girls (p < 0.05). 03 (2.83%) boys and 28 (11.76%) girls were having pallor (p < 0.05). Ophthalmic, ENT, musculo–skeletal and skin problems were also seen among the participants. 09 (3.78%) girls were having menstrual problems like dysmenorrhoea, irregular menses, pain in abdomen. Periodic medical examination and regular health education sessions are essential to reduce morbidity among this group. Health Insurance scheme should be implemented effectively for the students. Additional health care services should be provided to the girls. These interventions will definitely improve academic performance of the students.