Indian Journal of Community Health
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Evaluation of skill-based training program on Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI)
Get PDFObjectives: To assess student reactions to the skill-based training program on IMNCI. To assess student learning in the skill-based training program on IMNCI by OSCE and retro-pre feedback. To assess the reaction of students to OSCE as an assessment tool. Material and Methods: It was a mixed method interventional educational research. Students were assessed by using OSCE stations, retro pre feedback, and open ended questions about the training program and OSCE. Results: Retro?pre feedback of self?assessment of the 75 students shows that, after the training program, there is a significant increase in the self perceived post-test scores of Knowledge of Importance of IMNCI (2–4), Chart booklet (1.5–3.9), Skills of assessing the child for danger signs (1.7–3.9), cough (1.9–3.9), diarrhoea (2.1–4.2), anemia (2.2 –4.1), malnutrition (2.2 –4.2), counseling the care giver of the child (2-4.2). The students liked the skills taught interactively through videos, case scenarios, and role plays. Student liked the OSCE because of the clinical scenarios, photos, diverse cases were evaluated. Conclusions: Overall, the training program was taken well by the students and their IMNCI skills were improved
Impact Assessment of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation with and Without Intensive Health Education in Pregnant Women of Rural Area of District Etawah: An Interventional Study
Get PDFBackground: Low birth weight , post-partum haemorrhage still births and maternal deaths are associated with anaemia in pregnancy. If prevalence of anemia will be reduced then there will be improvement in maternal and child health and its outcome. Aim & Objectives: To evaluate the changes in the hematological profile of the study subjects and to determine the impact of intensive health education intervention on anemia status of pregnant women. Methodology: A Community based interventional study was conducted among 200 Pregnant women of selected villages in rural area of Etawah district (100 women in each interventional and non-interventional group) using a self-developed, pre designed, pretested, structured and validated questionnaire. statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the data. Result: After health education intervention there is significant increase in the haematological profile of study participants of interventional group (p<0.05) as before intervention values of mean Hb was 10.58±1.79 gm/dl which became 11.72±1.48 gm/dl There were 34 (73.9%) participants in the interventional group that were originally anaemic before the study, but after the intervention, they became non-anaemic. Conclusion: Health education sessions helped the pregnant women to improve their knowledge regarding anemia in pregnancy, as well as improve their ability to select iron rich foods, increase compliance with iron supplementation, and raise their haemoglobin levels
Level of Internet Addiction & its correlates among Undergraduate Medical Students During Covid-19 Pandemic
Get PDFBackground: The beginning of the 21st century world has witnessed an explosive growth of internet usage, particularly in developing countries like India. The Internet has enriched our life but for many, internet use can grow into a problem, particularly health problems. Objectives: To find & correlate the Pattern of Internet use & Internet addiction level among undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students (sample size=394) during the COVID-19 pandemic (July-August 2022) period by using the Internet Addiction Test scale. Levels of internet addiction and frequency distribution like percentage and proportion were used for analysis. Results: About 49.60% of the students were found addicted to the Internet as per the analysis of the Internet Addiction test (IAT) scale; among them, 71% were addicted mildly, 24% moderately, whereas 5% were found severely addicted to Internet use. The most common reason of internet use among the students was to download/watch videos/movies. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, quarantine & online classes made compulsion to use smartphones Internet has allowed spending more time on the Internet
Tracing footprints for a greener tomorrow; A cross-sectional study to assess the carbon footprint of the urban households of Vijayapura city
Get PDFBackground: The concept of carbon footprint is rooted in measuring the volume of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting from human activities. India has witnessed a significant surge in greenhouse gas emissions due to rapid economic growth and population expansion, making it the world\u27s third-largest CO2 emitter. This upsurge intensifies the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global temperature rise, ocean acidification, and heightened risks to human health. Objectives: To assess the Carbon Footprint generated by urban households of Vijayapura. Material and methods: This study employs a cross-sectional approach targeting urban households residing within the operational area of the urban health center in BLDE(DU), Vijayapura City. The sample, comprising 150 households, was selected via systematic random sampling. Data was collected through household visits and interviews with the family heads using a semi-structured questionnaire. and analyzed utilizing SPSS Software Version 26. Results: The analysis of carbon emissions highlights that primary emissions surpass secondary emissions. Notably, households categorized under the upper socioeconomic class exhibit a statistically significant carbon emission rate of approximately 39.47 tonnes per month. Conclusion: This study\u27s assessment of the carbon footprint emanating from urban households illuminates the pivotal connection between day-to-day choices and the broader ecological context
Zoonotic Diseases: A Changing Landscape Demands Global Action
Get PDFDuring recent years, the globe-wide zoonotic disease landscape has evolved drastically posing significant challenges to the health of the individual and environmental sustainability. Zoonotic illnesses, which occur in animals and are transmission-capable to people, have been an ever-present risk throughout history. According to the “World Health Organization (WHO)”, an estimated 60% of known infectious diseases and around 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin. These illnesses have the potential to inflict widespread morbidity and mortality, along with severe economic losses. However, today\u27s dynamics of our changing environment, which include urbanization, climate change, and growing human-animal interaction, are increasing the probability of zoonotic spillover occurrences. (1) The worldwide spread of the consequences of zoonotic illnesses underscores the critical need for collective effort through international leadership frameworks integrating government, private industry, and civil society. “The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA)” and the WHO are collaborating on projects to address these concerns and improve global health security. The WHO launched the "One Health Joint Plan of Action," which intends to inscribe health hazards to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. It emphasizes the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health. (2
Spectrum of young visually disabled patients reporting for disability certificate at tertiary eye care Hospital
Get PDFBackground: Visual impairment as a form of disability that can causes social isolation. The study emphasis on factors of Visual impairment and their health outcome. Aim & Objective: The study analyse the demographic profile and causes of visual disability in patients below 40 years attending the tertiary eye care hospital and its implementation in health planning. Material &Methods: 172 patients with visual disability were chosen as subjects. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical history and complete ocular examination. The main causes of blindness, visual Impairment in these patients were determined in terms of age group and category and percentage. Results were compared with data from studies on blindness certificates and population based studies. The data was analysed and categorise according to the guidelines for visual disability by ministry of social justice and empowerment of government of India. Results- out of 172 patients, 41.27% were in the age group of 31- 40 years, 64.53% were found to be males and 18.02% were having 100% visual disability.73.25% cases belong to rural area. Ocular trauma is found to be most common causes of monocular blindness(20.93%). Retinitis pigmentosa found to be a major cause (21.51%) of visual disability in binocular blindness mostly inyoung adults. Conclusion: It is also important to raise awareness about getting treatment immediately following injuries. Increasing RP cases might be connected to rising consanguinity and shortage of genetic counselling
Challenges of Frontline health workers on reduction of anaemia among adolescents: A Qualitative enquiry
Get PDFPurpose: High prevalence of anaemia is a severe public health problem in several low- and middle-income countries like India. In adolescents, anaemia has been linked to impaired physical and mental development and increases reproductive morbidities among adolescent girls during their womanhood. To tackle this high prevalence, number of government programs have been launched in India. However, a slow decline in the prevalence of anaemia has been reported in Indian adolescents over the recent past. Therefore, it is important to unfold the issues in reduction of prevalence of anaemia and the current study was carried out to identify challenges in reducing anaemia among adolescent girls. Methods: 33 frontline health workers were recruited from 6 randomly selected villages (out of 6, 2 villages were having population less than 2000, 2 villages were having population 2000 to 5000 and 2 villages were having more than 5000 population) of Kashi Vidyapeeth block, Varanasi. between January 2022 to April 2022. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were carried out in local language using an interview guide. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcribed data was analysed manually for theme extraction. This study was granted ethical permission by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Following major themes were extracted during the data analysis: (i) Poor knowledge about adolescent health-related issues; (ii) non-adherence to program guidelines; (iii) Irregularity in the supply chain; (iv) Beneficiary’s lack of interest in only education about anaemia in the community; (v) Excessive administrative burden; (vi) Dissatisfaction in terms of monetary remuneration. Conclusions: The emerging findings throw light on the knowledge & perspective of Frontline health workers about program guidelines and also highlights the different challenges in implementing anaemia prevention strategies faced by them at the grass root level
Neck Circumference as A Screening Tool for Childhood Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFIntroduction: Obesity is found to be one of the most common modifiable risk factor for lifestyle diseases, its screening has become crucial to identify it at an early stage. This study aims to find whether neck circumference is a reliable indicator to measure childhood obesity. Objectives: To analyse neck circumference as a marker of abdominal obesity in children. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 220 children between 6-11 years of age group by visiting their school. Data was analysed using MS Excel and SPSS (version 20.0). Results: 220 students were included in the study. Age, waist circumference, hip circumference and BMI are positively correlated with Neck Circumference. Conclusion: Neck circumference is a reliable tool to measure childhood obesity
Evaluation of Particulate matter and air pollutants level in the ambient air of Bengaluru city
Get PDFBackground: Air pollution has been a global environmental concern, and its effects on human health in the past have played an important role. Thus, this study investigated the concentrations of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) in four distinct areas of Bengaluru over one year. Materials and Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing secondary data from the Central Pollution Control Board\u27s National Air Quality Monitoring Programme. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, expressing descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and maximum concentrations. Results: The study reveals varying air quality levels, with PM10 peaking at 102 µg/m³ in Silk Broad (August 2023) and NO2 spiking in February 2023. SO2 peaks at Majestic (March 2023), while CO poses health risks, peaking in January 2023. Silk Broad shows highest PM10; Majestic has elevated NO2, SO2, and CO. Conclusion: The study reveals fluctuating air quality, with PM10 peaking at 102 µg/m³ in Silk Broad station (August 2023) and NO2 spiking in February 2023. SO2 and CO levels also vary, posing health risks, particularly at Majestic station. Regional disparities highlight the need for targeted pollution control
Smartphone use and its addiction among Jammu adolescents
Get PDFBackground: Smartphones play a crucial role in our everyday life. Smartphones help users to develop social connections with others, gain information and entertain themselves through various applications. With the widespread use of smartphone, the number of smartphone users has been increasing worldwide. As smartphones are getting popular, smartphone addiction has become a serious mental health problem among adolescents. Objectives: To find out significant differences in smartphone addiction among adolescents with respect to their gender and locale. Methodology: Descriptive survey method was used for conducting the study. The sample consists of 200 adolescents of government and private schools from Jammu and Kathua. ‘Smartphone Addiction Scale’ (2021) developed by Vijayshri and Masaud Ansari was used for data collection. Results: It was found that smartphone addiction was significantly higher among female adolescents (M=65.34) as compared to their male counterparts (58.61). Further, it was also found that smartphone addiction was significantly higher in urban adolescents (M=64.37) than rural adolescents (M=59.08). Conclusion: In order to combat smartphone addiction among adolescents, we advise the creation of healthy environment at the family and school levels. Teachers should provide knowledge to the students about smartphone security tips and educational programmes should be organized for protecting psychological well-being of the adolescents