Socio-Demographic Profile and Morbidity Pattern of Patients in a Rural Field Practice Area of Government Medical College, Miraj, Maharashtra

Introduction: The shifting trend of diseases from communicable to non-communicable diseases pose a dual threat in India will also add to the burden of morbidity. In view of this, the present study was conducted to assess the common morbidity pattern among the rural population of Maharashtra. Material and methods: A cross sectional study were conducted among the rural population of field practice area of Government Medical College, Miraj, Maharashtra. The study was conducted from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018. Patients attending Out Patient Department (OPD) services of Rural Health Training Centre and willing to participate in the study were included. Data on the current morbidity among the patients attending OPD services was gathered by the health workers. Analysis was conducted using the percentages. Results: It was observed that majority of patients attended the OPD services were females i.e. 54.3% and 45.7% patients were males. The most common morbidity observed among the participants was res- piratory infections i.e. 29.8%. Other morbidities seen were muscu- loskeletal diseases in 17.3% participants, nutritional problems in 17.1% participants and non-communicable diseases in 13.6% study subjects. Conclusion: The study revealed dual burden of communicable as well as chronic and non-communicable diseases in the rural population.