Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences
Not a member yet
1473 research outputs found
Sort by
Food Intake, Oral Hygiene Practices, Self-reported Oral Problems, and Knowledge of Oral Diseases among Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women Attending Community Health Center, Child Care Center, and Tertiary Care Hospital in Urban Ajmer
Get PDFAim: The aim of this study was to determine food intake, the level of knowledge of oral diseases, practices regarding oral hygiene, and self-reported oral problems among pregnant and non-pregnant women attending community health center, child care center, and tertiary care hospital in urban Ajmer. Materials and Methods: This was a quantitative, questionnaire-based, and cross-sectional study, in which 300 respondents of 20–35 years of age. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Participants in the knowledge of oral diseases were 26% gingivitis signs including gum swelling (5.7%) and bleeding (9.7%). Of all the participants, 21.3% practiced tooth brushing twice/day, 65.7% used toothpowder, and dental floss (17.7). Self-reported oral problems included reddish gums (8%), painful gums (10.7%), burning mouth (15.7%), dry mouth (28%), and bad breath (7%). Conclusion: Majority of women studied no basic knowledge of oral diseases and only few knew the causes. All respondents performed tooth cleaning however, majority did not know the appropriate practices, and only few had oral problems. Integration of oral health care to general health promotion and oral therapy given to pregnant women at high risk is recommended to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes
Body Mass Index as an Indicator of Depression and Stress-induced Eating Disorders among College Students in Delhi, India
Get PDFObesity accounts for a wide range of psychosocial, medical, and health consequences in adolescence leading to depression and low self-esteem which further aggravate eating disorders among individuals. The aim of the study is to observe the association of eating disorders and depression among college students with their body mass index (BMI) status. The study consisted of 460 students studying in different colleges of Delhi from varying disciplines and academic years. The study utilized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire to assess the depression levels of participants and their level of eating disorder. The study also collected data on the height and weight of the study participants. The association of weight status with eating disorder and depression severity was assessed using multivariate analysis of variance. Significant difference in levels of eating disorder and depression was observed (Wilks’ lambda: 0.897) among study participants by BMI status. The post hoc tests exhibited mean differences for eating disorders and depression by BMI groups to be higher for overweight compared to underweight (1.196) and normal (0.817) categories at P < 0.001. Mean depression score was also observed to be significantly higher for overweight individuals compared to underweight (3.42) and normal (2.53). The study emphasizes the need for strategic plans to increase awareness among the youth on the health implications of eating disorders and its effect on mental health of individuals. The present study suggests perceived body image as a potential risk factor for unhealthy eating habits and signs of depression among college students
Antibiofilm Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Nutmeg Oil against Bacillus subtilis
Get PDFBiofilm is formed by one or different types of microbes that can grow on different surfaces. Bacteria, fungi, and many protists can form biofilms. Biofilm formation requires cell to cell signaling mechanism which is defined as quorum sensing. In this work, we have studied about the antibiofilm activity of methanolic extract of nutmeg against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis bacteria. Our test extract inhibited biofilm production as well as eradication of pre-formed biofilm in B. subtilis. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) is the biopolymer of microbial origin in which biofilm producing microbes are embedded. When test extract was treated with organisms producing biofilms it can also reduce the production of EPS of biofilm. All the quantitative analysis of this work concludes that methanolic extract of Myristica fragrans seed extract inhibited biofilm formation by 47%, eradicated the pre-formed biofilm by 28.5%, and inhibited EPS formation by 60%. All these quantitative tests were confirmed by microscopic analysis. All Our study concludes that M. fragrans seed extract can inhibit biofilm formation and can destruct preformed biofilm in Gram-positive bacteria
Cardiometabolic and Hematological Consequences of Subclinical Hypothyroidism – A Hospital-based Study
Get PDFIntroduction: Cardiometabolic syndrome is a major public health problem that effects various groups of population world over. Overt hypothyroidism is reported to be associated with both adverse cardiometabolic events as well as hematological picture. However, cardiometabolic and hematological consequences of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are yet to be evaluated in different population. In the present study, we evaluated cardiometabolic and hematological consequences of SCH in a middle aged population from Agartala, Tripura, India. Methodology: The study was conducted on 193 patients attending the ENT OPD of Tripura Medical College and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital, Hapania, Agartala. Subjects having diabetes mellitus, hypertension, patients having thyroxin, antithyroid drugs and antilipidemic drug users, established cancer patients, pregnant woman, and women receiving oral contraceptive pills were excluded from inclusion in the study. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 40.13 years, and females constituted around 65 % of total subjects. The analyses showed a significant difference the RBC count, HB concentration, and a non-significant difference in WBC count between euthyroid and hypothyroid subjects, while platelets showed no significant difference between the groups. There was a significant increase in total cholesterol level and level of LDL cholesterol as well as blood pressure, blood sugar level, and waist circumference in hypothyroid subjects in comparison to euthyroid subjects. Conclusion: The study concluded that the subjects with hypothyroidism have worse cardiometabolic parameters with alteration in lipid profile. Thyroid dysfunction affects all blood parameters except platelets. The follow-up of patients with hypothyroidism should include the complete blood count and evaluation of lipid profile and other cardiometabolic parameters
Amelioration of Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Myoglobinuric Acute Renal Failure by Citrullus lanatus Seeds
Get PDFCitrullus lanatus (Thunb.) (Cucerbitaceae) is a trailing annual herb native to India, Nigeria, and Africa, commonly known as Matsum and Nakai. It thrives in all tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas with hot summers. In India, seeds have long been used to treat hypotensive and diuretic effects, as well as kidney stones and urinary passages. This study looked at the effects of a methanol extract of C. lanatus seeds (MCL) on rhabdomyolysis-induced myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF) in Wistar rats. Five groups (n = 5) of male Albino Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g were formed. A single intramuscular injection of glycerol (GL) (8 ml/kg) was used to induce ARF. Following GL injection, all animals were sacrificed and blood was collected. Renal function tests utilizing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were performed on freshly separated serum. The right kidney was stored in 10% buffered formalin for histological sectioning, and the amount of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity were all measured. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s test. *P > 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Animals pre-treated with MCL (100 and 300 mg kg-1, p.o.) for 7 days before GL dramatically altered and restored serum creatinine, BUN, creatinine clearance, urea clearance, and renal morphology in comparison to the GL-treated group. Oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation, SOD, CAT, and GSH were also dramatically improved. The findings of this study suggest that C. lanatus seed has a possible anti-GL-induced ARF effect, verifying its ethnomedicinal use
Prevalence and survival in patients with bladder cancer: a study in high cancer incidence zone
Get PDFBackground: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract caused by the uncontrollable division of cells lining the bladder. The clinicopathological characteristics of BC determine largely the prognosis and aid in the treatment and management of disease. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of BC in our region. Materials and methods: The study prospectively screened all the patients who were diagnosed with BC between 2018 and 2020. Detailed history of 235 patients was taken and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of 137 BC patients was also performed to evaluate any possible association between various clinico-pathological characteristics, with respect to overall survival (OS) and recurrence in terms of disease free survival (DFS). Results: Among BC cases, 78.72% (185) patients were males and 21.27% (50) were females with a male: female ratio of 3.7:1. The frequency of BC was observed to be 36.17% (85) in cases that belonged to the age group of <50 years whereas 63.82% (150) cases belonged to ≥50 years. Of all cases 67.65% (159) patients were active smokers. The pathological characteristics of BC cases included 59.14% (139) cases of low stage (pTa/pT1) versus 40.86% (96) of the high stage (pT2/higher). Moreover, non-smokers, females and patients exhibiting low grade and stage had significant and better OS and DFS than the rest (Log rank P < 0.05). Conclusion: BC remains one of the leading cancers in our region despite absence of many occupational exposures except smoking
Study the Indicators of Academic Facilities and Academic and Life Difficulties or Challenges of Online Learning/Teaching during COVID-19 Pandemic among School Students in India
Get PDFBackground: The COVID-19 impact was everywhere, which resulted in the closure of schools and other educational institutions. Initially, most governments have decided to temporarily close the schools to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Later, it was reopened for a few grades, which increased the number of infection rates and then closed again. The study was planned to analyze the indicators of academic facilities and academic and life difficulties or challenges of online learning/teaching during COVID-19 pandemic among school students. Survey also looked for to solicit participants’ feedback regarding their experience in online education and academic difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional observational study with a convenience sample conducted in a school at India. An online structured questionnaire was developed using Google forms, with a consent form appended to it. In few cases, structured questionnaire was filled offline. The target population comprised undergraduates of school students in class XI–XII standards. The respondents in the target population were sampled by a convenience sample. An analysis of descriptive statistics was conducted to illustrate the demographic and other selected characteristics of the respondents. Categorical data were described by the number (n) and percentage (%) of subjects in each category. All statistical calculations will be performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0. Data will be expressed in n (%). Results: Male student participants were more in number in comparison to female medical students in 11th and 12th standard classes. Majority of the student’s participants were staying at city or town areas. Uninterrupted internet facility at home was available almost 79–83% cases among participants. Online instructions were used almost 100% cases during lockdown period. Laptops were used mostly commonly by students (53–58%) followed by smart phones (19–25%) for online teaching. On an average 3 h per day, online classes attended by students (53–64%) followed by 4 h/day (23–31%) during lockdown period. Type of online class portal used was more with Zoom (100%) followed by Google meet 11–16%). Google classroom has been used almost 100% cases to share notes, video lectures, online class tests, and other communications. Conclusion: Ability to focus on academic work (69–72%) and difficulties with online learning (23–31%) were the most commonly cited issues related to academics. Ability to focus on academic work was also a significant predictor of somatic problems, together with problems in completing assignments and tests. The findings, further, revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had the greatest impact on the quality of the learning experience and students’ mental health
Impact of Personality and Parenting Style on Bullies and Bully-Victims among Adolescents
Get PDFThis study is carried out with the objectives of investigating the impact of personality and parenting style of the bullies and bully-victim among adolescents. The sample of the present study consists of 300 adolescent boys (150 bullies and 150 bully-victims). Purposive sampling is used for the collection of data. The age range of participants is 15–18 years. The sample is collected from nearby areas of Kanpur and Lucknow. Illinois bully scale by Espelage and Holt, Extraversion-Introversion scale by Singh and Singh, and Parenting scale by Bharadwaj et al. (1998) are used as tools. ANOVA have been applied for the analysis. The result revealed that there is a significant difference in the personality and parenting style of bullies and bully victims among adolescents. Findings indicate that bullies are more extroverted in nature in comparison to bully-victims whereas introversion will be higher in bully-victims in comparison to bullies. Bully-victims have comparatively positive parenting in comparison to bullies
A Cross-sectional Study of Factors associated with Health Seeking Behaviors of Nomadic Tribes 20 to 60 Aged People in the Area of Medchal Telangana State
Get PDFBackground: Health seeking behavior (HSB) is outlined as “any activity undertaken by people WHO known themselves, to have a health problem or to be sick for the aim of finding an acceptable remedy.” The tribes WHO aren’t recognized by the Govt. and don’t have Govt. identity such as Aadhaar and citizen id and other people those who are migrating from one place to totally different place are known as unsettled tribes or nomadic tribes. Objectives: (1) To assess the HSB of nomadic tribes of Medchal Telangana. (2) To find out the factors Associated to HSB within the nomadic tribes. Methodology: The study has been meted out among nomadic tribe people of Medchal district. Pre-tested structured questionnaires are going to assess the HSB of nomadic tribes and to see the factors associated to HSB of the nomadic tribes. Results: During this study total 100 respondents out of 100 are interviewed, during this study men are 58% (n = 58) and ladies are 42% (n = 42). From those 100 respondents, 15 respondents are plagued by chronic illness and from 4 respondents aren’t taking any treatment and remaining 11 respondents are seeking allopathic treatment. There is less association between chronic illness of HSB of nomadic tribes and associated factors, because the P > 0.05 and high association between acute illness of HSB and associated factors, because the P < 0.05. Conclusion: Nomadic tribe people are conscious of chronic health illness but not acute illness, so HSB of chronic illness is more than acute illness
Assessment of Post-COVID Syndrome Manifestations among COVID-19 Subjects in Kannur District of Kerala
Get PDFA 6-month community-based, prospective, and cohort study was conducted among 250 post-COVID subjects in Kannur district of Kerala by assessing dietary diversity score (DDS), comorbidities, symptoms during COVID and post-COVID, fatigue, stress, and insomnia. Out of the 250 patients, 47.2% were male and 52.8% were female and 48% belonged to the 18–29-year age group. Among the patients, 22% had a high DDS. The most common comorbidities observed were hypertension (26%), followed by diabetes mellitus (23.2%) and cardiovascular disease (15.2%). During the period of infection, the most common symptom among patients was the loss of appetite (93.2%), followed by dry cough (92.4%) and tiredness (92%). Headache (92%) and breathlessness (90%) were the other significant symptoms. The most prevalent post-COVID symptoms were breathing difficulty (94.4%), joint pain 92.4%), (weakness (89.2%), and abdominal pain (87.2%). During COVID, 21.6% of the patients were severely fatigued, 48.8% of the patients had a moderate level of perceived stress, and 38% of the patients had subthreshold insomnia. During post-COVID, 56.8% were severely fatigued; moderate stress was found in 53.2%, of the subjects; and 56% of the study subjects had subthreshold insomnia. Through analysis of variance analysis, it is concluded that exercise has an impact on fatigue, stress level, diet pattern, and sleep pattern. Using Karl Pearson correlation coefficient of different parameters, the positively correlated variables were sleep and fatigue, sleep and stress, and stress and fatigue. The prevalence of new-onset fatigue, perceived stress, and insomnia was significant among COVID-19 survivors