Indian Journal of Community Health
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Adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccination among health care professionals of Himachal Pradesh- a Rapid Survey.
Background: The rolling out of the COVID -19 vaccination programme was accompanied by several doubts including the safety and occurrence of adverse effects after the vaccination. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst the health care professionals working in the state of Himachal Pradesh to assess the frequency and types of side effects associated with the administration of Covid-19 vaccines using a semi structured questionnaire floated through a Google form. Result: Of the 187 responses received, after the 1st dose, 37.5% participants reported malaise, 31% myalgia, 36.4% low-grade fever, while 18.5% high-grade fever. Mild reactions at the injection site were reported by 37.5%, headache was reported by 3%, low back ache, drowsiness, giddiness and diarrhea were reported by about 3%. No reactions were reported by 18.5% of the participants. After the second dose, 51.8% did not report any adverse event, 17.1% reported malaise,15.2% reported low grade fever, 3% reported high grade fever, 20.1% reported mild reactions at the site of injection while 4.2% reported drowsiness, breathlessness on exertion, nausea, low back ache and diarrhea. Conclusion: The frequency of adverse events with COVID -19 vaccines is not higher than those observed with other commonly used vaccines
Dengue outbreak in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh: Entomological investigation and community awareness
Dengue is the most common arboviral infection worldwide. This study aimed to determine the entomological and community-related factors involved in dengue spread during the outbreak in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, 2018. This was a cross-sectional study. The household survey was done to find out the vector responsible for disease transmission and favourable breeding containers. Susceptibility of larvae towards the larvicide being used was carried out. A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken to find out the awareness of residents in the area towards dengue. House index, Container index, and Breteau index were 92.31, 33.14 and 123.34, respectively. Larvae were susceptible to the larvicide being used by the local health department. A high number of wet containers available were contributing to high vector breeding. Community awareness was low in the affected area. Water storage practices and conducive climatic conditions lead to increased vector breeding
Health Communication in Media: An Analytical Study of Coverage of World Blood Donor Day in Leading National Dailies from Jaipur
As we know Print media is known for its credibility. It is believed that whatever is published in newspapers is true and authentic. Newspapers have a wide reach and huge readership and it can be said that campaigning with mass media like newspapers are associated with many benefits. Firstly it can reach a large number of people. Secondly, it is considered to be a credible source of information. Thirdly through the newspapers the readers can be reminded about the issues at hand their beliefs reinforced on regular basis. Newspapers have a large readership throughout the world. They can contribute maximally to health education awareness of people by publishing articles on health related issues. Global daily circulation of newspaper was 5.19 million having a readership of 2.3 billion in 2010. This was 20% more than the internet users worldwide. In the age of internet still newspapers are relevant and represent 8% of total media consumption time (https://www.journalism.org/fact-sheet/newspapers/). In India Registered newspapers are 82,237 and Hindi language newspapers are leading the race followed by English and other regional languages. Thus, we can say that Newspapers are very important tool to disseminate health education among people and it can bring change in society. (http://rni.nic.in/
Prevalence of complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its association with different risk factors in Urban Etawah, Uttar Pradesh
Background- India is experiencing a rapid health transition, with large and rising burdens of chronic diseases, which were estimated to account for 53% of all deaths in 2005. Earlier estimates projected that the number of deaths attributable to chronic diseases would rise from 3·78 million in 1990 (40·4% of all deaths) to 7·63 million in 2020 (66·7% of all deaths). Aims and Objectives- To find out the prevalence of Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its association with different risk factors in Urban Etawah (U.P.) including tobacco, alcohol, fatty meals and physical activity. Material and Methods- The present study is a community-based study performed among 400 participants using cluster sampling technique in the field practice area of Urban health training centre, Department of Community Medicine, UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah. The participants were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire using Diabetes Complication Index. Results- Among the diabetics, the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), cataract, neuropathy and foot problems were 24%, 24%, 7%, 15.4%, 38%, 26% and 2% respectively. A statistically significant association was seen with fatty meals and complications. Conclusion - All the diabetic complications observed need to be addressed in prevention and control strategies in the study area. Heath screening camps will be organized for the people for awareness
Do salt storage practices affect the iodine content of salt? - A school-based study in North India
Introduction: In India, IDD has been identified as a public health problem. At present best source for iodine supplementation is iodinated salt in the form of "Iodised Salt" containing potassium iodide (KI) and "Iodated Salt" containing potassium iodate (KIO3). Objectives: To find out salt storage practices in the houses and association of storage practices and iodine content. Methods: From 1st to 5th standard children (age group 6–12 years) were the “sampling units.” The required sample was selected by “Multistage sampling” by doing a sub-sampling. The sample size (N) calculated was 879. However, a total of 950 participants were included in the study. To check on spot salt storage practices, 70 families of school children were visited. The iodine content of salt samples was tested with spot testing kit (STK). Results: Out of 950 students, most of them (92.1%) used to take powdered salt. Out of 915 salt samples, collected, 79.0% samples were iodized and only 16.1% of salt samples had >15 ppm iodine content. Salt was kept in containers in 36 (51.4%) houses, but only 6 (8.7%) families were using airtight containers. The percentage of nil iodine was highest in open packets (35.7%). As the distance of salt storage from chullah increased, the level of iodine content was also improved. Conclusions: School children and their families should be told about the importance of taking adequately iodized salt and to follow correct salt storage practices. Sustained IEC activities should be carried out more vigorously to sensitize the students and community
A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Levels of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Objective: In the present study, demographic profile, knowledge and motivation of COPD patients attending tertiary hospital, the level of anxiety and depression is assessed. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive patients with COPD during their routine out- and in-patient visits in the tertiary care hospital during 4 months (April 2019 to July 2019). Physician confirmed cases of more than 1-year duration were included in the study. Thus 194 COPD patients were admitted in the ward. They were interviewed by using HADS scale and Modified Morisky scale. The diagnosis of COPD was confirmed by Chest X- ray and Spirometery test and a history of exacerbation or hospitalization over past 6 months was also obtained. The chi square-test, t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used in the univariate analyses, whilst regression was used in the multiple variable analyses.Results: A total of 194 COPD individuals, 124 Males and 70 Females were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 49.16 ± 8.20 (25-62) years. The mean scores for anxiety and depression were 19.12± 2.38 and 11.54± 2.50 respectively. Both anxiety and depression scores were statistically significant between the gender. Among males 70 % cases were having no comorbid conditions; however, 57.10 % females were having more than two comorbid conditions. Conclusion: Present study illustrates that anxiety and depression are common in patients with COPD, furthermore, patients with depressive disorders have more comorbidities in comparison with patient with anxiety
Impact of newer initiatives on treatment compliance and outcome in tuberculosis patients of rural Delhi and rural Ghaziabad – a comparative study
Background: India has the highest burden of Tuberculosis in the world, having about one-fourth of the total global incident cases of the disease in 2017. The RNTCP program started many newer initiatives in 2015 to improve compliance and treatment outcomes, reduce the incidence of resistance and control the TB-HIV co-infection. Objectives: To assess the improvement in patient compliance, to find out and compare the improvement in nutritional status of the patients after initiation of treatment and Direct Benefit Transfer and to compare the treatment outcomes of the enrolled subjects in the two areas. Material and Method: Data was collected from the DOTS centers under CHC, Muradnagar and TB and Chest Hospital Karawal Nagar, between January 2019 to September 2019. Details of the enrolled patients were taken from the centers and these patients were contacted individually. Of the registered patients, 59 patients from Muradnagar, Ghaziabad and 70 from Karawal Nagar, Delhi had completed treatment at the time of data collection and they were further evaluated for different parameters. Results: 62% of the registered patients at DOTS centre, Muradnagar, had completed treatment, 35.1% were cured, 1.7% died during treatment while only 1.2% of the patients did not show good compliance. 54% of the registered patients at DOTS centre of Karawalnagar, East Delhi, had completed treatment, 25.5% were cured, 2.7% of the patients had died during treatment while only 2.7% of the total patients did not show good compliance. More number of patients registered at Ghaziabad had either completed the treatment or were cured (97.1%) as compared to Delhi (79.5%). The mean gain in weight was 5.39 kg and 5.04 kg for Ghaziabad and Delhi respectively. This gain in weight had no relationship with Direct Benefit Transfer
Profile of Clients & HIV positive patients attending the ICTC of a tertiary care center of Bihar: A situational analysis
Background: The services provided in an ICTC help in awareness about HIV and help the clients to undergo HIV test in a comfortable and confidential environment. Periodical evaluation of counseling, testing, and referral services is mandatory to find out any existing deficits and barriers of all functions of ICTCs. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile of ICTC attendees and to find out sero-positivity of these clients. Methods: The present study was carried out among ICTC attendees in the ICTC unit, at All India Institute of Medical Sciences of Patna district. A retrospective collection of data from available records of all clients who attended ICTC of our hospital between January 2019 and December 2019 was carried out after approval from institutional research and ethics committee. Results: A total of 28876 clients were tested during January-December 2019 and among them all (100%) of tests were provider initiated. Out of the total attendees, 223 (0.77%) were found to be positive. It was also observed that the number of clients attending the ICTC has increased every month. Conclusion: It shows a high illiteracy and high spouse positive rate among the reactive cases. The young age group was found to be affected more and it definitely raises a cocern
An epidemiological study of health and morbidity profile among geriatric population in field practice area of a Medical College in Navi Mumbai
Background: Geriatric population is a very vulnerable group, potentially can suffer many kinds of illnesses “ALL AT ONCE”. There is a need for proper planning to tackle the social, financial, psychological and physical problems encountered during old age. In India, proportion of old age population is estimated to rise up to 19% by 2050.[1] Objectives: To study the socio demographic and health profile, morbidity prevalence and patterns of various diseases seen in the geriatric age group. To assess the health seeking behavior and the demand for healthcare services in geriatric population. Methodology: This is an epidemiological community based cross-sectional descriptive study on 240 participants aged 60 years and above. Study subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire followed by taking thorough health and morbidity history. General physical examination and Systemic examination was done. Morbidity pattern was analyzed and associations with various determinants were derived. Results: Out of the total 240 subjects, 208 (86.67%) had at least one morbidity and 32 (13.33%) of them dint have any. Association of different parameters with presence or absence of “presenting symptoms, morbidity and multi system morbidity” was analyzed. Variables significantly positive (P <0.25) in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis and binary logistic regression model was applied. Lack of sleep, reduced appetite, nutritional deficiency, low literacy, reduced physical activity and history of addictions all have significant association (P <0.05) with either physical symptoms or systemic morbidity. Conclusion: These risk factors worsen the natural aging process and hamper the process of healthy ageing. Measures must be taken to reduce these modifiable risk factors at younger age in order to prevent multi-factorial causation of chronic diseases in old age as we’re heading towards a demographic shift soon
Epidemiological investigation of a food poisoning outbreak: a study among hostel dwelling students and resident doctors of a tertiary healthcare facility of India
Background: During second week of February, 2021 several cases of food poisoning were reported from hostels of a tertiary healthcare facility, thus this epidemiological investigation was undertaken, to confirm existence of a food poisoning outbreak, describe cases as per person, place, time and predominant food source, identify the attributes associated with the outbreak. Methods: To investigate the suspected food poisoning outbreak, an online unmatched case control study was conducted among 440 hostel dwelling students and resident doctors of a tertiary healthcare facility of eastern India during February, 2021. Results: The proportion of the study subjects who reported to have experienced food poisoning symptoms was 23.9%. Most of the food poisoning event reported to have occurred during 10th February, 2021 (26.6%). In the multivariable logistic regression model, predominant consumption of food from girls’ hostel mess [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 7.83 (1.58-38.79)] and canteen 1 [AOR: 4.83 (1.13-20.69)] were found to be multivariable predictors of food poisoning events adjusted with age, gender, designation and residing hostel. Conclusion: One in every four study participants opined to have experienced food poisoning symptoms during the study period. This confirmed the existence of a multi-source food poisoning outbreak in the study population