Indian Journal of Community Health
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Awareness, acceptance, and consumption pattern of millets among ever-married women in an urban area of Delhi: A cross-sectional observational study
Get PDFBackground: Millets are a great source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins and are well-known for their excellent nutritional value. They have been part of traditional diets in India. Aims & Objectives: The study was conducted to assess millet awareness, acceptance, and consumption among married women in an urban area of Delhi. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information on a sample of 262 married women residing in the Tilak Nagar urban area of Delhi. Results: It was found that 78.9% of middle-class women consume millets at least once a month, compared to 64.9% of lower-class women (P value 0.044, ?2 =4.053). 70.9% of the women who were aware of millet significantly consumed it. Conclusion: The findings showed that consuming millet is strongly linked to both socioeconomic status and awareness about millet
Perceived Medical, Social, and Psychological Issues due to the COVID-19 Pandemic among Elderly: A Descriptive Analysis
Get PDFElderly individuals are more likely to suffer from both short and long-term consequences of COVID19, including exacerbation of existing illnesses, psychological issues, and increased risk of death. This study aimed to understand the medical, perceived psychological, and social health problems faced by the elderly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This hospital-based study included 225 elderly patients (aged ?60 years) with chronic health conditions. Hypertension (70.2%) and diabetes mellitus (64.0%) were the most common morbidities among the study participants. At least 34.7% of the participants had one or more symptoms suggestive of psychological problems due to COVID-19 pandemic. Among the participants, 56.9% had difficulty with routine activities, 10.2% had trouble accessing medications and 8% faced issues in receiving routine medical care. There is a need to protect the interests of the elderly and suggest potential preventive measures and solutions for their medical, social and psychological problems
Assessment of disability index and dermatological life quality among acne vulgaris patients attending tertiary care centre in south India: A Cross Sectional Study
Get PDFBackground: Individuals with Acne vulgaris experience significant psychological and social disability, struggling with self-consciousness and personal relationships. Aim & Objective: to determine the psychological influence of acne on QOL (quality of life) of adolescents in both rural and urban areas. Settings and Design: tertiary care hospital and cross-sectional study design Methods and Material: Total 229 study participants were selected using a purposive sampling method from the Dermatology OPD. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used as the study tool, which included CADI, DLQI. Data was collected by interviewing the study participants. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics and kruskal wallis test were applied Results: Most common type of acne was facial acne observed in 88.7% of study participants. The majority fell into the low-grade category of the CADI, comprising 53.04% of the study participants. 25.65% reported a very large effect on their life as indicated by the DLQI grade
Effect of training on awareness of Biomedical Waste Management among nursing staff at a tertiary health care facility of Uttar Pradesh: An interventional study
Get PDFBackground: Effective Biomedical waste management reduces the risks to healthcare workers, patients, and the community while promoting sustainability. As healthcare services expand, addressing biomedical waste challenges remains vital for a healthier future. Aim & objectives: To educate the staff nurses on the latest developments on Biomedical waste management and thereby evaluating the effectiveness of the training session. Methodology: A quasi- experimental study was conducted among 119 staff nurses for four sessions on four consecutive days. Data was collected on a structured questionnaire to assess awareness of staff nurses regarding BMW management. After pre-intervention data collection the study participants were trained on BMW management and then posttest was done. Results: The study showed majority of the participants had an average knowledge in terms of BMW management. A significant improvement was observed in the knowledge after the intervention. Discussions made regarding the problems faced during BMW segregation helped in finding a solution which was reflected in the practices of the staff nurses. Conclusion: Implementing guidelines for regular training session on BMW management can help in adherence to the BMW rules and regulation. Timely availability of the BMW consumables will help in the practical application of the knowledge which will assure the ideal practices for BMW management
Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients and its associated risk factors
Get PDFBackground: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and one of the severe complications of diabetes mellitus. It affects almost half the diabetic population and worsens quality of life of the patient. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and associated risk factors. Aims and Objectives: To assess the Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) among Type 2 DM patients and its associated risk factors. Material and Methods: A community based survey was conducted over a period of one and a half year. Cluster sampling technique was used to collect the study sample in urban Etawah. Study participants aged ? 30 years residing in urban Etawah with known history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of ? 5 years were included in the study. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) was diagnosed using 10 g monofilament test. Results: A total of 400 DM patients were enrolled in the study. Out of which 28% (n = 112) patients were diagnosed with DPN using Semmes-Weinstein (SW) 10-g monofilament test. Statistically significant association was also noted with Family history of DM, BMI, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Family history of HTN and History of Smoking. Conclusion: The current study found a high prevalence of DPN (28%) and it was found to be significantly associated with advancing age, duration of diabetes and history of smoking
Feasibility of Community Needs Assessment Tools as an Alternative For Health Survey in Describing Health Profile of A Community - A Mixed Method Study In Muddungere, Karnataka, India
Get PDFIntroduction: In India, even with planned health services, it is difficult to reach the health goals without community participation. While Community needs assessment approach (CNAA) tools like Focussed group Discussion (FGD), Village mapping and matrix ranking have been effective in quickly gathering information, surveys have been conventionally preferred. Aim & Objective: The present study compares qualitative and quantitative methods to understand feasibility of using CNAA tools in place of survey as an alternative tool Methodology: Mixed Method research employing Survey and CNAA methods of FGD, Village Mapping, transect walk and Matrix ranking score was carried out as a part of academic activity of National Service Scheme(NSS). Data was represented in form of percentages and frequency tables. Association was measured using Chi Square using Epi Info TM version 7.2.1software. Results: Using quantitative survey, we found that 71% used piped supply and 93.1% of the households used toilets. But 6.9% of them still preferred open fields for defecation. Amongst the participants of FGD, it was found that 90% participants preferred going to government hospitals. Comparable data found for variables like Maternal and child health indicators, Sanitation practices and burden of Non communicable diseases. Partially comparable results were found for burden of communicable diseases. Conclusion: CNAA research tools demonstrated comparability with survey in most areas of health concern and reduced the time required for conducting research without compromising the quality of result
Future prediction of Population, Birth and Fertility rates in India
Get PDFBackground: Fertility rates have been declining worldwide over the past fifty years, part of a phenomenon known as “the demographic transition”. Aims & Objectives: To draw on life history theory to examine the relationship between population density and fertility rate in India over 74 years. Material &Methods: The association between population versus Birth rate and population versus fertility rate was found using Correlation Analysis, to fit the models using Least square methods. Results: A robust association was found between population and fertility rate, population and Birth rate over the analyzed time period. Population, Birth rate, and Fertility rate for one decade were also forecasted using the best least square method. Conclusion: The analysis shows that the population is on an increasing trend and the Birth rate and fertility rate have decreased tendency
Health seeking behaviour among the farm house residents in Vijayapura district, Karnataka. A Cross sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Health seeking behaviour as defined by Kasl and Cobb is any activity undertaken by individuals who perceive themselves to have a health problem or to be ill for the purpose of finding an appropriate remedy. More often than not, a country has a mixture of both public and private health care systems to ensure an equitable distribution of quality health care. Objectives: To identify the health seeking behavior and distance travelled to access the health care among the farm house residents. Material & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the farm house residents in rural areas of Vijayapura district. A Sample of 450 farm house residents were interviewed by prestructured proferma containing information regarding socio demographic profile, health seeking behaviour and distance travelled to access the health care among the farm house residents. PSUs were selected with probability proportional to size sampling and 5 households in a selected PSU were selected by random sampling. All characteristics were summarized descriptively, Chi-square (?2) test was employed to determine the significance of differences. Results: Majority of the participants took treatment from government hospital followed by private practitioner when they are sick and majority of participants travelled between 1-5KM. (61.3%) and for the past illness it was (33.2%). Conclusion: The present study concludes that availability of government health facility constitute about (93.8%) compared to private (6.2%)
The Impending Global Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Call for Urgent Action
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health issue driven by antibiotic misuse and overuse in various sectors, leading to the emergence of resistant microorganisms and represents an impending pandemic. Against the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and the escalating impact of anthropogenic climate change, the emergence and rapid escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represent one of the most significant and imminent global public health threats of the 21st century.(1) As bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites increasingly evolve resistance to drugs that once treated infections effectively, the ‘superbugs’ such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis, bacteria that are difficult to treat have emerged. This has brought humanity to the brink of a post-antibiotic era, where re-emergence of common infections is being noted. With resistance on the rise, surgical procedures like organ transplants and cesarean sections, cancer treatments where antibiotics are crucial, and management of life-threatening infectious diseases such as pneumonia, TB, HIV, and malaria are at risk of becoming dangerous due to the high potential for untreatable infections. (2
Yoga Intervention and Sleep Quality in Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases: Insights from a Tertiary Care Center in Central India
Get PDFBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges globally, with asymptomatic carriers forming a notable proportion and concerns regarding isolation resulting in stress and sleep disturbances. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of tele-based yoga interventions in improving sleep patterns among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Material and Methods: A pre-and-post- study design was employed, implementing structured breathing exercises and mindful meditation via telemedicine to evaluate their impact on sleep quality. Participants consisted of asymptomatic individuals aged 18 to 85 years who tested positive for COVID-19. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after a fourteen-day tele-based yoga program. Results: Analysis of 86 participants revealed a pre-intervention mean global PSQI score of 10.22 ± 2.22, indicating poor sleep quality. Following the intervention, the mean global PSQI score improved to 5.99 ± 1.81. Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant enhancements in various sleep domains, including subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and sleep disturbances. Discussion: The findings suggest efficacy of yoga interventions in ameliorating sleep quality in patients with sleep disturbances among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Tele-based yoga interventions showed promise in improving sleep patterns among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. Further research is warranted to investigate long-term effects and refine intervention strategies for optimal sleep management