Health Assessment and Family Adoption Programme: Insights from a Rural Health Camp in Gujarat, India

Background: The Family Adoption Programme (FAP) links medical education to community health in underserved regions. This study assessed participants' socio-demographic characteristics, health conditions, anthropometric measurements, cardiometabolic risk factors, and the camp's effectiveness in addressing community health needs. Methods: A cross-sectional study took place at a multidisciplinary health camp in rural Gujarat, India, involving 141 participants. Data collected included socio-demographic information, medical histories, physical examinations, and anthropometric measurements, analyzed. Results: The average participant age was 39.9 ± 24 years; 67.4% were female. Most had primary education (42.6%) and came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The mean BMI was 23.8 ± 6.2 kg/m², with 57.5% at risk based on waist-hip ratio. Diabetes prevalence was 8.3%, hypertension 15.6%, and 51.3% had moderate anemia. Among children under 5, 50% experienced stunting. There were no significant links between anthropometric measures and diabetes or hypertension. Anemia prevalence was 51.3%, with notable gender and pregnancy differences (χ² = 17.3, p = 0.00). Average hemoglobin was 10.6 ± 1.3 g/dL. Conclusions: The study uncovers elevated prevalence of anemia (80.5%), diabetes risk (23.9%), and childhood malnutrition (50% stunting) in rural Gujarat. Waist-hip ratio indicated 57.5% at risk, uncorrelated with diabetes or hypertension. Results emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions addressing anemia and childhood nutrition, underscoring the value of regular health camps in tackling community health needs and enriching medical education through the FAP.