Indian Journal of Community Health
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A Study of Malaria in Jharkhand State
Get PDFBackground: The aim of India is to reach zero Malaria cases by 2027 and then wait for three years before WHO can grant Malaria-free status certification. It is already the beginning of 2022 and India is about to reach the halfway mark of the Malaria Elimination framework period of 2016 to 2027. Objectives: To see how far Jharkhand has reached about Malaria elimination targets. Methods: By reviewing documents published by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). Results: The Latehar District of Jharkhand had a very high Annual Parasite Incidence (API) of 10.86 during 2018. Conclusions: If interventions like the treatment of positive patients and asymptomatic carriers occur, the API will be expected to decrease drastically
Clinico-epidemiological study of safe and unsafe chronic suppurative otitis media
Get PDFIntroduction: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) remains one of the most commonest chronic infectious diseases worldwide particularly in children and adolescents. India has been classified as the high prevalence country with national prevalence of 4%. Knowledge of differential regional prevalence of risk factors is required for adequate health education of masses and for customised preventive and control measures in respective areas. Aims: To study the clinical and socio-demographic profile of patients with CSOM. Methods: The study was carried out in the department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh from November, 2017 to December, 2019. Patients with CSOM attending the otorhinolaryngology OPD and those admitted in IPD were included in the study. Results: A total 200 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media including both safe (mucosal) and unsafe (squamous) type were studied. The mean age of participants was 22.8 ± 15.18 years. Of the total participants, 111 (55.5%, 95% CI 48.6 to 62.2) were males, 89 (44.5%, 95% CI 37.8 to 51.4) were females and the majority (60.5%, 95% CI 53.6 to 67) of them were from rural background. Around one-fourth of the patients were illiterate (23%, 95% CI 17.7 to 29.3) and the patients mostly belonged to lower side (lower middle, upper lower and lower) of the spectrum of Kuppuswamy socioeconomic classification. The distribution of age-group, gender and laterality (side of involvement) was similar (P>0.05) in both safe and unsafe type. Overall, 151(75.5%, 95% CI 69.9 to 80.9) patients were found to have conductive hearing loss, 30 (15%, 95% CI 10.7 to 20.6) with mixed and 19 (9.5%, 95% CI 6.2 to 14.4) did not have any hearing loss at presentation. The distribution of patients with regards to hearing loss was found to be similar in both safe and unsafe groups (P = 0.311). Conclusion: CSOM particularly afflicts younger age populations from rural background with poor socioeconomic status. Appropriate timely interventions in the form of health promotion, education about the risk factors and improvement in the living conditions will result in decrease in incidence and prevalence of the disease. Moreover, knowledge of symptoms and signs of the disease is likely to result in early seeking of healthcare and hence better treatment outcomes and prevention of complications
How does Nursing Students Knowledge and Attitude correlate in relation to Rabies? An institutional based Cross-Sectional study in Assam
Get PDFIntroduction: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease. Every year, Rabies causes 18 000-20 000 deaths in India and dogs are responsible for 99 % of all human deaths.Objectives: 1) To assess the knowledge and attitude about rabies among the nursing students.2) To assess whether there is any difference of knowledge and attitude about Rabies among different academic year of the nursing students.3) To assess whether there is any relation between scores of knowledge and attitude.Material & Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 142 students of B.Sc. Nursing College, Dibrugarh, Assam in January 2022 using Google form containing pre designed structured closed ended questionnaire by convenience sampling. Knowledge and attitude was assessed by a scoring system. Results were expressed in proportion, percentage, mean, standard deviation. ANOVA and Spearman”s correlation was applied. Results: Mean knowledge & attitude score was 15.7±3.6 and 23.6±2.6.Majority (82.4%) of the students had good knowledge about rabies.Almost all (97.9 %) students had positive attitude towards rabies. There was no significant difference between knowledge score and attitude score among different academic year of the students. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitude of the students.Conclusion: The study revealed good knowledge and positive attitude regarding rabies among the students
Perceptions of Undergraduate Medical Students towards Online Learning in a Medical College in the National Capital Region (NCR), India
Get PDFBackground: Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, it has not been possible to conduct traditional classroom teaching in view of the closure of schools and colleges in our country since March 2020. Hence, it is important to study the highlights, demerits, and bottlenecks in the implementation of online education from a student’s perspective. Methods: The present study was carried out to assess perceptions regarding virtual classroom among undergraduate students of a tertiary medical college in U.P. A pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was used. Study was conducted through an online survey. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 377 participants were included in the study. More than half of the participants (54.9%) preferred a mixed mode of learning which includes both online and offline learning. Lack of interaction with teachers (66.3%) and fellow students (57.6%) and lack of quiet space at home to listen to online classes (44%) were a few of the perceived demerits of online classes. Internet speed was found to be one of the most challenging issues faced in online learning (78.5%). Conclusion: Students’ perception of the blended learning mode was positive. They were, however, less enthusiastic about online learning than they were about conventional classroom learning
An exploratory study using the OMI scale to assess the opinion toward mental illness among young adults
Get PDFBackground: Public perception of mental illness is critical for successful treatment seeking behaviour as well as for early diagnosis and surveillance of disease. Two hundred eleven young patients were interviewed at Department of psychiatry, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Varanasi with the help of consecutive sampling method. Objective: To assess the opinion towards mental illness among young adults by using the opinion on mental illness scale (OMI). Methods: Data was collected using the opinion about mental illness scale (OMI) which consists of 51 questions out of which, 15 questions directly related to the cause, care, and management of mental illness were randomly selected and analyzed. Analysis was done showing Percentage and chi-square tests to see the significance of scores between the respondents. Results: The finding shows that more than 70% of respondents believe that mental illness is a consequence of bad behavior, lack of willpower, or negative beliefs and gap in the treatment seeking behavior and understanding the cause of disease was found. Conclusions: Opinions on Mental health have received increasing attention as a useful strategy to promote early identification of mental illness, reduce stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviors. As part of the National Mental Health Programme, there is a need to raise awareness in order to enhance understanding of mental illness in facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of disease
To study the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among medical students
Get PDFBackground: Risk of developing latent tuberculosis infection increases in medical students with their higher exposure to TB care facilities. Objective: To study the prevalence of latent TB infection among students attending professional degrees MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, MDS at King George’s Medical University, India. Methods: This study was carried out with Tuberculin skin testing among students and active TB cases were excluded. A standard dose of 0.1?mL of purified protein derivative was slowly injected intra dermally into non-dominant forearm. After 48-72 hours, the reaction was estimated by measuring the transverse diameter of the induration. Results: Total 561 students had given consent to get enrolled. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection was significant with period of clinical exposure (p-value < 0.05), average size of induration (p-value < 0.001), and history of prior Tuberculin Skin Test (p-value < 0.001). However it was not significant with the age (p-value > 0.05), gender (p-value > 0.05), and history of contact with active cases of TB (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection is higher in post graduate students followed by interns and final year students due to more exposure to patients in wards and clinics at King George’s Medical University, India
Diffusion of coronavirus and awareness among the people of western India: Analyses the role of print media
Get PDFIntroduction: Media is considered the most powerful platform to create awareness in human society. It plays an important role in spreading public awareness and disseminating information about pandemic diseases such as coronavirus. A survey through a questionnaire was used and the descriptive analysis of questions as asked to the people on COVID 19 published by the leading newspapers of Rajasthan, western India was done to analyze the role print media played in spreading awareness about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The objectives used both quantitative and qualitative methodology. In the quantitative method, a self-structured questionnaire was circulated among the various professionals. A descriptive method of secondary sources was also used to measure the effect of articles and advisements on the people published in the newspapers. Results: A total of 106 various professionals participated in the study. The research reveals that 56 percent of males and 43 percent of females are part of this research; more than 80 percent of respondents belong to the age group of fewer than 40 years. Among the active respondents, 91 percent are said to read the newspaper regularly. The study also shows that 96 percent of respondents are read articles, news, columns related to COVID-19 and particular about Coronavirus. Nearly 91 percent of respondents are in favor that media coverage of COVID-19 has improved their knowledge of Coronavirus. Around 93 percent of respondents agree that media spreading awareness among the people on Coronavirus through newspaper published articles, news, and advisements. The study exhibits that 95 percent of respondents expressed their views that print media has played an active role in disseminating the government directives on Coronavirus and almost 97 percent of the respondents are opined that print media will play a more effective role in spreading awareness on coronavirus. Conclusion: The respondents expressed that print media has played a vital role in spreading awareness on the pandemic of coronavirus disease. The newspaper spread awareness among the people on coronavirus through newspaper published articles, news and advisements. The newspaper also published a variety of queries and doubts as asked by the people to Doctors on coronvirus
A disappointing Budget -2022 so far as Health Insurance Protection is concerned especially during the critical period of covid influence
Get PDFThe expectations were soaring amongst the general public just before the 2022 budget with hopes in respect of reduced Income Tax rates or increased exemption limits etc. One of the biggest expectations was in respect of upward revision in Section 80 D limits which refers to health insurance premium paid and the same has not been revised for long time. Over the years, the health insurance premium has increased substantially and more so due to huge claims from Covid in last two years. But, much to shock of all Income Tax Payers, the, Section 80 D limits remains untouched. There are also other policies which comes under the broad category of Health Insurance that does not qualify for Income Tax exemption but merits serious consideration. Health Insurance policies are subject to GST of 18% which is certainly too high especially when the Government should have looked at initiating major step to boost the health insurance penetration and make feel people more secured. For an individual to manage one’s health risk properly, he/she need to have more than one type of health insurance policies for adequate amount with all applicable riders or add-on covers which matters and all dependents like spouse, children and parents being completely covered
Effect of Prenatal Dietary Pattern on Maternal Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Rural Areas of Kanpur
Get PDFBackground: In India, the dietary pattern of women from low socioeconomic status are almost same during pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactating periods. Additional foods are required to improve weight gain in pregnancy and birth weight of infants. Aim & Objective: To identify the impact of prenatal dietary pattern on maternal anemia and low birth weight in rural areas of Kanpur Nagar. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study conducted amongst mothers who recently delivered (RDW) in rural blocks of District Kanpur Nagar. Data was collected by interviewing study subjects using a semi-structured interview schedule after applying multistage random sampling technique. Results: Out of 102 women studied, 39.2% women had consumed >90 IFA tablets, 49.1% of mothers had practiced MMF and 47.1% of women practiced MDD during their prenatal period and 40.1% babies of current pregnancy were born as LBW. IFA consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with maternal anemia. MMF during pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW. Conclusions: In our study it was found that IFA consumption, MMF and MDD during antenatal is a key preventive measure to reduce anemia status in pregnant females and birth weight of baby during prenatal period
A Systematic review of factors affecting compliance toward oral iron-folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in India.
Get PDFBackground: Iron-folic acid deficiency is the most common complication during pregnancy. Iron deficiency is responsible for various health complications among pregnant women. Compliance with IFA supplementation is variable across India several factors are associated with compliance with IFA supplementation. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to assess the factors affecting compliance toward oral iron-folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in India. Methods: The primary search was carried out using PubMed, Google scholar, the WHO website, and Research Gate which provide access to full?text research articles from January 2012 to 25th January 2022 published data were searched. Result: A total of 74 studies were identified, and 20 were included in this review. Out of the 20 studies, sixteen were cross-sectional, two mixed methods, and two randomized control trials. knowledge of IFA, education, socioeconomic status, the timing of registration and number of antenatal visits, type of family, and age of the pregnant women were the factors that affect the compliance of IFA supplementation. Conclusion: Knowledge of iron-folic acid supplementation, Timing of registration and number of Antenatal Care visits, educational level of the pregnant women, and age of the pregnant women were factors associated with the compliance of IFA supplementation among pregnant women in India