Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences
Not a member yet
1473 research outputs found
Sort by
Echocardiographic evaluation in systemic hypertension
Get PDFEchocardiography can detect cardiac morphologic and hemodynamic change caused by systemic arterial hypertension, echocardiography is a powerful tool for the evaluation of target organ damage, which is essential for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk. This study was conducted at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narkatpally,Telangana State. The aim of this study was Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac status in systemic hypertension patients. All patients of systemic hypertension whose diastolic blood pressure was persistently over 90mm Hg, were selected for study. This includes 50 hypertensive patients of age 30-60 years of both sexes. There were 33 males and 17 female. Hypertension was more common in mean age of 49 years, males are mostly effected than females. Left ventricular hypertrophy seen in 76% of patients, 58% of patients have diastolic dysfunction,6% patients have systolic dysfunction and 12% had both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. About 24% had no left ventricular dysfunction. Congestive heart failure was seen in 10% of patients, among them 4% with LV diastolic dysfunction, 2%systolic dysfunction and 4% with both dysfunctions were noticed
Effects of COVID-19 in Pregnancy
Get PDFThe novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged to be one of the scariest contagious diseases in recent times. It was first identified in December 2019 in a city named Wuhan in China. Since, then over millions of cases have been reported, with the numbers still rising, affecting over 150 countries and causing millions of deaths. The disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 and the main presenting symptoms are cough, fever, chills, fatigue, sore throat, and myalgia. While the health-line workers all over the world are fighting to combat this virus, there is a lot fear and anxiety prevailing among people but there is an increased tension among the pregnant women. A lot of questions are being raised like should the pregnant individuals be extra cautious? Do they have an increased risk of suffering a miscarriage? Is there an increased risk of giving birth to preterm babies? Is it even advisable to plan for pregnancy during these tough times? In general, in pregnancy due to a change in the hormone levels and immune system functions there is an increased risk to catch a lot of infectious diseases prevailing around us, but a lot of case studies suggest that pregnant women do not seem to be at a greater risk for COVID-19 than other individuals. However, it is important to address this issue as the numbers have been rising rapidly with no specific cure available as of now
Burden of Diabetes Mellitus in a Community Resident in an Area Designated as “High Risk” for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin in Sri Lanka
Get PDFChronic kidney disease (CKD) where etiology cannot be attributed to any known etiology is named CKD of uncertain etiology (CKDu). The main aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), treatment coverage, and glycemic control and its effect on renal function of patients with DM in a rural community affected by CKDu in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional representative household survey (n = 4803) was conducted in Anuradhapura district. A random blood sugar (RBS), blood pressure, bio-impedance measurements, and renal profile were measured using standard instruments and protocols. Prevalence of DM based on self-reports verified by records was 7.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.1–8.7). Among the 4425 who did not give a history of being diagnosed ever as having DM, 2.1% (95% CI: 1.7–2.5) were classified as “possible diabetes” (RBS of more than 200 mg/dl with no history of DM). Although 76.2% were on treatment, glycemic control was poor in 40.2% (95% CI: 34.9–45.0). The presence of DM was associated with poor renal function. One in ten individuals in the rural district of Anuradhapura has possible DM. DM poses a significant burden to CKD even in populations affected by CKDu. Hence, public health initiatives should be implemented to control both CKDu and DM in these rural communities
Community Prevalence and Risk Factors for Psychological Abuse in India
Get PDFViolence against women has been recognized by the United Nations as a fundamental violation of women’s human rights. Although there is a good amount of research on physical violence, very little on psychological abuse from Indian researchers. In India too, domestic violence is prevalent in all sections of the community. The objectives of the study are to find the prevalence of psychological abuse in different stratum in India and the risk factors of psychological violence. A cross-sectional study based on 9938 women in rural, urban, and urban non-slum sites across India was conducted in 1998–1999. Logistic regression was done to find the risk factors of psychological violence. Despite the limitations of the 9426 women responded psychological violence, 3306 (35.1%) (95%CI: 23.1, 47.0) reported any psychological abuse in the past 1 year. The women who had lower education, from lower socioeconomic status (SES) and whose mothers-in-law not satisfied with dowry had higher risk for psychological abuse. There was a synergistic effect in psychological abuse if the woman is from low SES and the husband is an alcoholic and the risk is 7.4 times higher as compared to women who did not have both. However, alcoholism had significant independent effect when this was interacted with satisfaction of dowry. We suggest that the families should avoid asking and giving dowries. Besides these, the newly married women should be counseled to handle the conflicts at the family level so that the physical and psychological abuses can be avoided
An Overview on Renowned Traditional Ancient Plant: Terminalia arjuna
Get PDFThere are many systems of medicine in the world and Ayurveda is one among them. This is one of the most ancient traditional system of medicine that are practiced in India. It deals with the health of the person and cures diseases. The main objective of this review was to explore knowledge regarding Arjuna. Now peoples are very protective towards their health, so they all wanted to use herbal plants, remedies, etc. to cure diseases and maintain their healthy lifestyle. Due to this, Ayurveda markets grows very rapidly and Ayurvedic products are in great demand. Arjuna is one of them. Botanically this plant is Terminalia arjuna (family–Combretaceae). Traditionally this plant is used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (hridya roga). Classically this plant is known by various names i.e. Arjuna, Dhavala, Veervriksha, Partha etc. This plant is found throughout India and grows upto the height of 20 to 25m. Arjuna grows commonly in the banks of rivers, that’s why one of the synonyms is nadisarja. Major chemical constituents arjuna are hydrolysable tannins, triterpenoids acid, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, phytosterol, arjunolic acid, etc
Post-operative Reduction in Intraocular Pressure after Small Incision Surgery
Get PDFIntroduction: This study aims to compare pre-operative and post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) after small incision cataract surgery (SICS). Materials and Methods: A total of 120 eyes of as many patients above the age of 40 years were operated for cataract through SICS. IOP was recorded preoperatively and postoperatively on 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months with Goldmann applanation tonometer. The above data were statistically analyzed using paired “t-test.” Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in IOP after SICS as compared to mean pre-operative IOP. IOP decline started at 1 week, decreasing further at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months, respectively. Conclusion: IOP starts to decrease significantly after SICS at 1 week and keeps on decreasing till 3 months
A Rare Case of Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Presenting with Ruptured Umbilical Hernia
Get PDFLow-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is a rare malignancy with symptoms varying depending on the clinical manifestations. The most worrisome complication of this particular neoplasm is seeding of mucin into the adjacent peritoneum, leading to pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). We present an unusual case of a 70-year-old female found to have LAMN with PMP who presented with ruptured umbilical hernia
Engaging Construction Workers in Identifying Determinants and Deciding on Measures to Address Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption: An experience from Sri Lanka
No full textHigh consumption of tobacco and alcohol is a public health issue that impairs health and well-being significantly. Consumption is seen to be high in industries such as building construction. This study aimed at identifying determinants of tobacco and alcohol consumption among building construction workers and to decide measures to address them. The sample comprised mostly of tobacco and alcohol consumers (n = 48). A community-based health promotion approach was used. The process of identifying determinants took an average of 2½ months. A series of collective group discussions with the principal investigator (PI), self-administered questionnaires, and a determinant checklist were used to identify the determinants. Discussions with the PI and participants were recorded, transcribed and translated to English, and analyzed using content and thematic analysis. Demographic data obtained through the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The identified determinants were, peer pressure, hosting parties at night, availability of tobacco and alcohol products, forcing others in the group to consume, and availability of money. Construction workers were able to identify and prioritize determinants through collective open discussions – through relatively small inputs given by the PI. The workers suggested actions for the deciding on measures and implemented them to reduce or stop tobacco and alcohol consumption
Dental and Oral Problems among Diabetic Patients: A Developing Country Local Perceptual Study
Get PDFBackground: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that is globally considered as a commonly encountered, non-communicable disease. Aim: The main study objective was to gauge how a section of diabetic patients in a developing nation does perceive the general complications of DM with a special emphasis on the oral health. It also aimed to evaluate their knowledge and practice of oral hygiene and dental health care in general. Methodology: A cross-sectional Arabic language questionnaire-based study was performed. It included 24 questions. Study sample was those diabetic patients attending the different themes of the university health outpatients clinics. It included patients, suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Obtained data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for version 26.0. Armonk, NY, IBM Corporation. Results: Nine hundred and eighteen diabetic patients were included in the study. They were 507 females and 411 males the female-to-male ratio of 1.2–1. Their average age ranged from 10 up to 68 years. Studied sample showed 532 illiterate patients (58%). The remaining 386 literate ranged from elementary education up to university. Five hundred and seventy patients (65%) suffered of DM for more than 12 years. Among the total studied 918 patients, 165 (18%) were smokers. Three hundred and seven patients (40%) were highly oriented with the dental and oral complications of diabetes with different perceptual levels. Conclusion: Although DM patients are highly susceptible to suffer of an increased risk of developing dental caries, their knowledge and perception dental health was deficient. However, most of them attained satisfactory knowledge about different. Medical complications of diabetes and the effect of DM on the body systems. There overall practice of oral hygiene is found to be good. Despite the limited sample size of the current study, it highlighted the necessity of inaugurating a more intensive community educational program to educate the general population about the general health complication of DM with a special of focus on oral and dental health. It is recommended to carry other similar studies with higher numbers in the future to assure the efficacy of public educational programs
A New Alkasite Restorative Material – Cention N
Get PDFIvoclar Vivadent has launched a new restorative material that belongs to the group of Alkasite materials. Cention N is recently introduced tooth-colored material with self-curing and additional light-curing system. The alkaline filler that is contained in its inorganic part increases the release of hydroxide ions to regulate the pH value during the attacks with acid. As a result, the demineralization can be prevented. In addition, the release of large amounts of fluoride ions and calcium forms a solid basis for the remineralization of tooth enamel. The initiator system allows for a good chemical self-cure