S O C IOECONOMIC STA T U S & RESIDENTIAL CONDITIONS IN TWO AREAS OF PUNJAB

Abstract

Many factors like genetics, immunology, climate and environment, affect the prevalence of various diseases
in a society or in an area. Social factors including personal hygiene, general cleanliness, housing conditions,
availability of clean and safe drinking water also affect. In order to see the prevalence of disease and effects ofthese factors in a mixed socioeconomic group, a study was undertaken in urban and rural areas of Faisalabad and  Sheikhupura. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Three villages, which are located away from the urban areas and have not seen the ray of pollution as yet, were selected for survey. The urban areas include the colonies, which are well build with most of the basic residential facilities available to the residents. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to find out the disease prevalence and social conditions in urban and
rural areas of Faisalabad and Sheikhupura. MATERIALS & METHODS: The field workers visited the areas with a precoded performa, which included information on the, household number and name of the respondent,
relationship of the respondent with the head of the household, total number of persons in the household, education of the household and morbidity in the family during last month. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Sixty-seven families with population size 265 were evaluated in this survey. In this study the respondents were mainly the heads of families or their wives (28%). Mostly belonged to higher socioeconomic status (44.7%). Majority of them were living in pacca houses (61.20%). A significant proportion has reasonable number of rooms (59.86%). Sixty percent of the families enjoyed separate kitchen. Similarly high percentage of families (63.2%) has flush system as far as toilet facility is concerned. However, high percentage was deprived of good drinking water (71.6%) and they depend on borehole water supply. Similarly significant proportion was using old source of energy as fuel i.e. wood (44.8%). High number of people developed sickness including fever, abdominal disorders in the recent past of the survey. Maternal care was below satisfactory conditions. Most of the families (73.10%) preferred to get delivered at home and (62%) had approach to a Dai of whom proper training was doubtful. CONCLUSION: Ailment in this population is due to its moderate socioeconomic group. Although they have good residential and sanitation conditions but approach to safe drinking water and good health facilities particularly for maternal care were not satisfactory. The ailments, which have come into picture during survey, may be due to these deprivations.