Potential Risk Factors for Congenital Malformations in Neonates: A Case Series Study in Two Tertiary Care Hospitals of Lahore City

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess health status, needs and available services of
the community.
Material and Methods: It was a cross sectional study of 50 participants, studying
medical/public health in various institutes, belonging to different areas of Punjab. In addition to
collecting basic demographic details, questions were asked to assess the health needs (in their
particular community area). All the data were noted down on a short structured questionnaire.
Categorical data were presented as percentages and in form of graphs while descriptive and
frequency distribution was used for quantitative analyses.
Results: There were an equal proportion of males and females in our respondents. The mean
age of our respondent was 23±2 years. Out of total 50 respondents only 40 had access to health
facility within 5 km range. Only 25 (50%) participants responded a satisfactory health status of
their family. 43 participants responded to their family disease status as chronic diseases and 07
responded as infectious diseases. Allopathic treatment was the most preferred one. 55% of the
participants responded that they had sufficient access to health facilities in their areas. With
respect to improvement in health needs 85% participants responded that they need improvement
in health facilities in their communities.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of the participants responded to their family disease status
as chronic diseases which may be due to changing patterns and exposure to certain risk factors.
Awareness regarding health needs was demonstrated by only 40% of the participants in their
respective communities. This information demonstrates that family health is still an important
indicator of health need assessment and needs to be evaluated.