My paper on BirthWeights in IJCM

Dear Friends
here is the ABSTRACT to my recent papper on Birthweights

Background: Low birth weight remains a major reason behind childhood malnutrition. The NFHS findings show no dent in this problem. Objective: This study was undertaken to explore change in birth weights in a period from 1989 to 2007 and any associations thereof. Materials and Methods: All birth records of a private rural hospital spanning two decades (1989-2007) were analyzed for birth weight, age of mother, gender, birth order of the baby, proportion of pre-term babies and low birth weight babies. Results: No change was observed in the average birth weights (average 2.71 kg) over the period. Although the birth weight shows some expected variance with the age of mother, it was found to have no relation with the baby's birth order and gender. The low birth weight proportion is about 24% and shows little difference before and after the series midpoint of year 1998. Conclusion: The birth weights have hardly changed in this population in the two decades.



The link is: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2010;volume=35;issue=2;spage=252;epage=255;aulast=Ashtekar;type=0

Shyamashtekar-arogyavidya: Arogyavidya-E book on health in marathi

Shyamashtekar-arogyavidya: Arogyavidya-E book on health in marathi: "Dear friends In Feb 2010, we published a 1000 p illustrated and interactive marathi E book on primary health. To date it has had 27000 visit..."

Health banks- Arogyabanks

Dear friends
The quintessential village of India still needs an answer for its health services. Nearly 60% villages are still craving for primary care services. Sadly the NRHM has stymied the potent ASHA option to a fetcher of cases. We need to put a full-size option for raisning a health care facility for every village. (What is more, even small towns need proper public health care systems). Hence we need an optimal  solution to fit th bill. Essentially this calls for a trained health worker (ASHA can be trained), management support, self-supporting economics, links & support, and backing/approval of the Gramsabha. There is some legal work to do on use of medicines by health workers, accreditation etc. when I was in Maharashtra open University, we started around 40 Arogyabanks in various districts with help of other agencies--in Jalna, Nagpur, Nashik, Ahamadnagar, Osmanabad, amaravati..These units are over one year old and still doing well. In some units we have even got donors to give computers. The health workers are using our Ebook CD to give info and offer interactive diagnostic help to needy people. Arogyabanks are expected to offer services on small payments including checking BP and urine sugar. We are encouraging agencies to start more such centers or convert their services into this form. We are open to suggestions and help..
Indeed, I would like help people and agencies strat this facility.

Arogyavidya-E book on health in marathi

Dear friends

In Feb 2010, we published a 1000 p illustrated and interactive marathi E book on primary health. To date it has had 27000 visits in about 27 weeks-about1000 per week. Arogyavidya also received ashared first award in a website competition held by the state Govt with help of CDAC mumbai. We have also published a CD for users who do not have easy access to internet. I am expecting more users as days roll by and  updating/enrichment of the open source. I request your suggetions on how i can takethe project further, and also inother Indian languages.We need resources too.
Through this, wewant to strengthen the consumer side, address info-asymmetry in health, improve self care options and enhance freedoms.
We expect that the E book will be used in health centers, libraries, schools and homes acorss the marathi speaking world.  Bye!
You can see the E-book on http://www.arogyavidya.org/
my cell is 09422271544