ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever has become one of the major public health problems in all developing countries. It is essential to create awareness among people as it can be prevented by simple practices. The study was conducted to find the awareness among the people thus determining the need to educate the people regarding the preventive measures of dengue fever.Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted among the outpatients and their attenders visiting a Rural Health Training Center of private Medical College and Hospital, belonging to Alandur block in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu during January 2019 to March 2019. 260 subjects within the age group of 18 to 82 years were selected by convenient sampling method. The data was collected by interviewing and by using questionnaires. Analysis of the structured data was done using SPSS software version 16.Results: The study included 260 respondents who gave their consent for the study. 60.8% of the study group were males. Mean age of the study group was 35.36 years. 58.1% of the individuals were educated more that 10th standard. Knowledge about the mode of transmission was correctly stated by 85.8%. Around 15% were not aware of breeding places of mosquitoes.Conclusions: From this study it was evident that there is a definite gap in understanding the various aspects of dengue fever. Thus, we conclude that regular awareness programs should be conducted in the form of campaigns and house visits to create awareness among all individuals.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anaemia, which is defined as a low oxygen carrying capacity of blood, is a major public health problem. It is a condition in which there is a decrease in the total number of red blood cells in the blood, either due to decreased production or increased destruction or both. Anaemia, one of the most prevailing nutritional disorders, has a worldwide prevalence of approximately 52%. The burden of anaemia is high especially among females of reproductive age group where India ranks the top. The study is aimed to establish the prevalence of anaemia among female patients of reproductive age group (15-49 years).Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 254 females of reproductive age group, attending Anakaputhur, an urban field practice area of Sree Balaji Medical College. Convenient sampling method was used. Data was collected by discussion using a pretested semi-structured questionnare and haemoglobin estimation was done by venous sampling method.Results: The mean age of the study participants were 34.6±12.4 years with 9.05% uneducated and 8.6% graduate females. 26% gave history of symptoms of anaemia and prevalence of anaemia was reported to be 42.12% with 24.4%, 12.2% and 5.5% of mild, moderate and severe anaemia, respectively.Conclusions: Prevention and its treatment in women is much essential at this point, hence programmes and policies should be implemented based on the needs of the community, and health education should be imparted with respect to measures that can prevent and help in early diagnosis of anaemia.