ABSTRACT
Objective: To study various determinants of hypertension in faculties of various colleges in Bhavnagar city. Method: The present study was conducted among faculties of various colleges in Bhavnagar city. Total 407 faculties were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of hypertension was done according to JNC VII criteria. Result: We found 27.5% prevalence of hypertension among the faculties. Non modifiable determinants of hypertension like age, gender and family history of hypertension were significantly associated with hypertension. Modifiable determinants of hypertension like smoking, extra salt intake, sedentary life style, co existence of diabetes mellitus and Obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension is a major health problem and both non modifiable and modifiable determinants affect hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Background: College students may start smoking when they are away from family or with peer pressure or as a curiosity. This is the commonest time to habit formation. Objectives: To study practices of smoking and behavior changes in medical student and to find out factors associated with smoking. Material and Methods: A Cross study was conducted among the 200 medical students of Shri M.P.Shah Medical College, Jamnagar from different batches who were ready to participate and to give response. Study period was15/01/2007 to 30/01/2007 by pretested oral questionnaire method. Statistical analysis was done by excel software. Results: 18.5% students were smoker, 67.55% smokers’ fathers were smoking, and 56.75% of student had history of smoking for more than 6 months. Peers played a major role in initiation of smoking in 70.27% of smokers. 54.05% of students started smoking to relieve exam stress. 56.75% students wanted to quit smoking. Increased smoking frequency was observed in 78.37% students during exam periods. Conclusions: Smoking was significant problem among the male medical students and usually started by peer pressure or family history or exam stress.
ABSTRACT
Research Question: What is the situation of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and salt consumption in Bhavnagar district? Hypothesis: The prevalence of IDD has increased markedly as a result of medical as well as socio-economic factors. Objective: To assess the magnitude of IDD in Bhavnagar district and also assess the salt consumption patterns in the region. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary schools in rural areas. Study Tools: Clinical examination of study population for goitre, laboratory assessment of casual urine sample for urinary iodine estimation of I2 content of salt samples collected from sub-samples of study population. Participants: Study was conducted among 2,940 School children in the age group of 6-12 years were selected for study using WHO 30-cluster methodology, urine samples were collected from 15% of selected children and salt samples from 43% of sub-sample. Ethical Concern: No ethical issues were involved. Results: An overall goitre prevalence of 34.19% was observed in the region. Females had a prevalence of 32.9% and males 35.4%. The median urinary iodine excretion in the region was 11.0 μg/l (range: 29.0-190.0 μg/l). Ninty-seven percent of subjects had biochemical iodine deficiency with 73.87% having severe deficiency, 21.38% having moderate and 4.04% mild iodine deficiency. In Bhavnagar region, only 34.27% households consume powdered salt having an Iodine content of greater than 15 ppm. Conclusion: Present study showed severe goiter prevalence in primary school children in Bhavnagar district.
ABSTRACT
Research Question: What is the situation of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) and salt consumption in Amreli district? Hypothesis: The prevalence of IDD has increased markedly as a result of medical as well as socio-economic factors. Objective: To assess the magnitude of IDD in Amreli district and also assess the salt consumption patterns in the region. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary schools in rural areas. Study Tools: Clinical examination of study population for goiter, laboratory assessment of casual urine sample for urinary iodine estimation of Iodine content of salt samples collected from sub-samples of study population. Participants: Study was conducted among 2,940 School children in the age group of 6-12 years were selected for study using WHO 30-cluster methodology, urine samples were collected from 15% of selected children and salt samples from 43% of sub-sample. Ethical Concern: No ethical issues were involved. Results: An overall goitre prevalence of 25.2% was observed in the region. Females had a prevalence of 25.4% and males 25.1%. The median urinary iodine excretion in the region was 120.0 μg/l (range: 29.0-190.0 μg/l). Forty-eight percent of subjects reported biochemical iodine deficiency with 5.2% having severe deficiency, 6.7% moderate and in 26.4% mild iodine deficiency. In Amreli region, only 39.29% households consume powdered salt having an Iodine content of greater than 15 ppm. Conclusion: Present study shows moderate goitre prevalence in primary school children in Amreli district.