Indian Journal of Community Health
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Prevalence, patterns and determinants of tobacco and alcohol use among construction site workers in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
No full textBackground: The construction industry is a vast industry in India, employing millions of workers. Higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use is seen among its workers. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, patterns and determinants of tobacco and alcohol use among them. Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at a construction site on 401 study participants, using a pre-designed and pre-tested schedule. Socio demographic and other data about tobacco and alcohol use were taken from them. The data was analyzed by using Chi-square test of significance for testing the associations of various variables with tobacco and alcohol use. Results: Prevalence of tobacco use was 73% and alcohol was 38.4%. Age, gender, marital status and education were found to be significantly associated with both tobacco and alcohol use. Conclusion: The high prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use by the workers warrants strong measures so that they remain healthy and tobacco free
Workplace Holistic Health & Wellness: Primary care program to address lifestyle disorders
No full textThe global upsurge in lifestyle diseases, which account for 74% of global fatalities, poses a critical threat. Life style diseases including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are increasingly burdening low and middle income countries. The aim of this article to address integration of primary healthcare with public health strategies, as advocated by the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration. This approach emphasizes community participation and equitable access to care. Adopting a holistic wellness paradigm—encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being—extends beyond the traditional definitions of health. This integration fosters sustainable, community-centred health systems capable of effectively managing the Life style disease crisis. The study proposes a workplace wellness model, emphasizing its positive impact on individual and organizational productivity. Implementation of this model through sensitization, need assessment, economic productivity in terms of sound health and wellness for organisation. Similar program through Youth upliftment and awareness: journey towards optimism, strength and harmony (YUWA JOSH) among university students aims to improve academic and social performances, creating a healthier youth community. A wellness program, as a primary care strategy, addresses lifestyle diseases by promoting awareness and preventing diseases before complications arise. This approach is crucial as it links early wellness habits to long-term productivity and health resilience
Reinforced Media Communication Improves Turnout in Pulse Polio National Immunization Days: “Findings from a Grounded Theory Approach” from an Immunization Clinic in Odisha, India
No full textBackground: To maintain India\u27s polio-free status since March 27, 2014, periodic Pulse Polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) continue to be critical for preventing resurgence, especially in states in the north and east of the country, given their proximity to neighboring nations, wherein cases of Polio persist. However, participation in these campaigns has declined, potentially due to reduced media reinforcement. Objectives: To explore how reinforced media communication influences community participation in NID pulse polio campaigns during the elimination phase. Methods: According to the grounded theory methodology, a survey was conducted at an urban immunization clinic in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during the January 2024 NID, and the performance was compared to that of the 2022 NID. Thirty caregivers were interviewed using semi-structured guides for in-depth impressions. Data was analysed through open, axial, and selective coding to generate themes, develop an emergent theory, and matched against the actual quantitative figures reported in the years of the campaign being considered i.e. 2022 and 2024. Results: Three major themes emerged: A. Reinforced Media as an enabling behavioural trigger; B. Trust through repetitive authoritative messaging; and C. Normalization via community behaviour. The core theory suggests that reinforced media communication fosters a sense of urgency and collective responsibility, which improves turnout. Using the media dissemination for 2024, a nearly 99% increase was seen in the recipients of the Polio vaccine in 2024 as compared to 2022. Conclusion: Reinforced and culturally sensitive media communication remains crucial even in the polio elimination phase. Sustained investment in strategic media messaging should be integral to NID planning and micro-implementation
Health-Seeking Behaviour and its Determinants Among Adult Population: A Comparative Study Between Urban and Rural area of Western Uttar Pradesh
Get PDFBackground: Health-seeking behaviour is any remedial action adopted by an individual for his/her health issue. It is essential to know health seeking behaviour of a community and the factors affecting it in order to provide the needed health care services. Aim & Objective: To assess health-seeking behaviour and factors affecting it among adults in rural and urban areas of Meerut. To estimate their awareness about health insurance policies. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural and urban adult population of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh from 1st July to 30th September, 2023. Methods and Material: A sample size of 200 each from rural and urban areas was estimated. Selection of study participants was done by multistage sampling. A pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured schedule was used for data collection. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed with Epi Info. Results: Out of 400 study subjects, positive health-seeking behaviour was shown by 91% in urban area and 60% in rural area. Majority of them preferred public health facilities in both the areas. Convenience of approach was major factor affecting health-seeking behaviour in rural, while it was low cost of treatment in urban. Most of rural adults were unaware of health insurance policies, while around half of urban adults were aware of it. Conclusions: Urban adults have better positive health seeking behaviour and awareness on health insurance policies compared to rural adults
Practices and Knowledge about Safe Pesticide use- a Cross sectional Study amongst Farmers of a district in Odisha, India
Get PDFBackground: With agriculture being the second largest workforce sector in the world, the knowledge and practices on safe pesticide use among farmers is of paramount importance. Aim & Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the farmers’ knowledge and practices on safe use of pesticides. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 421 farmers from December 2020 to September 2022 in the second populous district of the state. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire using demographic and occupational data, knowledge & practices on safe pesticide use. Data was entered into Microsoft excel and analysed using Epi Info statistical software. All categorical data was presented using frequency and percentages & continuous data in mean±SD. Results: The mean age was 40.53±6.7 years (18 to 65 years). Maximum (62.94%) were in the age-group of 40-60 years; 83.37 % were males and 79.33% literate. All the farmers used pesticides, 47.50% of them had an experience of >15 years in farming and 68.65% were using pesticides since 5-15 years. The overall knowledge was poor (68.4%).Conclusion: The overall knowledge on safe use of pesticides was poor, their practices still poorer. Most of them had not attended any training on integrated pest management
Technology-Driven Approaches to Tackle the Antimicrobial Resistance: A Scoping review
No full textAntimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat that demands novel and strategic interventions to curb its progression. This review examines how technology-based interventions can help tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within community settings Focused interventions include mobile apps for antibiotic education, telemedicine platforms for monitoring antibiotic use, artificial intelligence (AI) applications for AMR awareness, and the development of low-cost diagnostic kits to ensure rational drug use. These technologies promise to empower communities, improve healthcare delivery, and mitigate the misuse of antibiotics
Exploring the Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Menstrual Health in Undergraduates Across Different Academic Disciplines
No full textBackground: Menstrual disorders are associated with high stress in females. The current study was carried out to assess the extent of perceived stress and its impact on the menstrual health among female students enrolled in various undergraduate courses, both medical and non-medical. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, with the objective to find out the association of stress with menstruation health problems. Around 300 participants were selected, from MBBS, Nursing, and Paramedical/Engineering/Management. Two scales PSS-14 and GHQ-12 were used to detect emotional disturbances and level of stress. Results: The mean Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score was 26.24 ± 6.411, with a minimum score of 11 and a maximum score of 47 among the study subjects. Maximum perceived stress was observed among nursing students, followed by students in other courses. The prevalence of Menstruation Disorders was recorded at 69.3% with the highest proportions observed among nurses. Among participants experiencing menstrual health problems, 31 (14.9%) reported no stress, while 177(85.1%) reported high stress levels. The results indicate a significant association between menstrual health problems and stress levels (?² = 4.405, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Early evaluation of stress among students will help reduce psychiatric morbidity and can also improve their academic performances
Mahakumbh 2025 – ‘Holy’Grail for Public Health Personnel
No full textThe Kumbh Mela stands as the world’s largest religious gathering, a unique confluence of spirituality, culture, and public health challenges. Held every 12 years at four sacred locations in India—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik—this event draws millions of devotees who converge to take a sacred dip in holy rivers. The primary religious belief behind this ritual is that bathing in these rivers during an auspicious period can cleanse the soul, wash away sins, and lead to moksha (spiritual liberation). The Kumbh Mela is a mix of faith, tradition, cultural history, and public health challenges on an unprecedented scale.
Among these, the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj stands as the grandest and most significant. Occurring once every 144 years, it attracts over 100 million participants from India and across the globe. This exceptional gathering transforms Prayagraj into a temporary city, requiring vast infrastructural developments, from sanitation systems and healthcare facilities to law enforcement and transportation. Managing such an enormous influx of people necessitates meticulous planning, logistics, and most critically, public health preparedness
Spiritual and Cultural Significance of the Mahakumbh - While the Kumbh Mela is rooted in profound religious traditions, its appeal spans beyond the spiritual realm. People from diverse backgrounds—devotees, traders, artisans, scholars, and healthcare professionals—gather, creating a microcosm of India’s vast cultural diversity. Many pilgrims view the Mahakumbh as a personal spiritual journey, a form of pilgrimage where families or individuals seek blessings from divine forces through ritualistic cleansing. For others, it is an opportunity for spiritual discourse. Renowned saints, scholars, and monks gather to discuss and disseminate teachings on ancient scriptures, providing a platform for intellectual exchange. The Mahakumbh, therefore, represents not only a religious pilgrimage but also a cultural and social hub, fostering deep community connections and vibrant economic activity. The diverse assembly of scholars and saints at the Kumbh Mela, representing various schools of thought, can be considered one of the earliest forms of an academic conference in human history. These sages and intellectuals would gather knowledge from across the world and engage in profound discussions during the Mela. The event, held in rotation across the four sacred locations, was timed according to the alignment of the Nakshatras (stars and planets), further emphasizing its spiritual and intellectual significance
Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception of Dentists towards implant preference
No full textBackground: There is a dearth of evidence from the providers (dentists’) perspective, their attitudes, cognitive knowledge toward implant treatment and maintenance. This can impact the treatment objectives. Miniscule studies have investigated the qualitative and quantitative analysis of population of dentists’ in shifting from crown and bridge practice to dental implant therapy and oral hygiene related to dental implants. Aims & objectives: To evaluate knowledge, perception and awareness of dentists’ in shifting from crown and bridge practice to dental implant therapy in Pune city. Methodology: A self-administered validated 24- item questionnaire, was administered among general, academic and non-academic practitioners. Descriptive analysis was done. Results: Dental implants are the treatment of choice (55.6%) over crown and bridge. Majority of participants had an overall better knowledge regarding practice of implant-based dentistry over crown and bridge but not regarding periimplantitis. Conclusion: Our study showed that dental practitioners in Pune possess good knowledge of dental implant as a therapeutic option. However knowledge about parameters for assessing oral hygiene around implants was inadequate
Human Resource Challenges and Service Delivery in Indian Public Health Centres: A Case Study of Nagpur District
No full textPrimary Health Centres (PHCs) are pivotal in delivering healthcare services to rural populations in India. However, challenges in human resources significantly impact their efficiency. A descriptive study was conducted across 16 talukas in Nagpur district, Maharashtra, covering a population of 772,601. Data were collected using structured questionnaires focusing on infrastructure, accessibility, human resources, and patient care quality. Findings revealed substantial deficits in specialized medical staff, inconsistent availability of medicines, and limited training programs. Despite infrastructural setups, service delivery was compromised due to understaffing and inadequate resource allocation. Addressing human resource challenges is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of PHCs. Policy reforms focusing on mandatory rural postings, improved funding allocation, and enhanced training for medical personnel are recommended