ABSTRACT
Introduction: As reported by WHO, hypertension is the third ‘killer’ disease, accounting for one in every eight deaths worldwide. Many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are found to be associated with the disease. The present study aims to determine the role of dietary management and physical activity in the control of hypertension in a given population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that. Study included all hypertensive patients (290) from the field practice area of a tertiary care institute. A self-constructed, pretested questionnaire was used to enquire about the socio- demographic factors and other risk factors associated with hypertension. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23 and valid conclusions were drawn by using the chi-square test. Results: Out of 290 patients, 204 (70.3%) were females and 86 (29.7%) were males. Univariate analysis identified decreased salt intake, decreased fatty food consumption, physical activity, stress management, and spiritual help as highly significant factors affecting hypertension. On multivariate analysis, physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were found to be significant. Conclusion: The study showed that physical activity, stress management and spiritual help were significantly associated with hypertension control among the elderly. Measures should be taken to create awareness about lifestyle modifications in the control of hypertension.
ABSTRACT
The biomedical waste, if not properly managed, can harm the surrounding environment, cause various infections and injuries to the healthcare workers, patients, their attendants. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among different cadres of health care providers in a tertiary care institute. Expecting that 50% of the study population had precise knowledge about the rules and legislation of biomedical waste management, with an allowable error of 10%, at 95% confidence interval, and accounting for the finite population correction for 1700 participants, a minimum sample size of 426 was taken. Data analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS. Results: Out of 426 subjects, 138 (32.4%) were nurses, 35 (8.2%) were lab technicians and 253 (59.4%) were housekeeping staff. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding biomedical waste management and handling were significantly (p<0.05) higher among the nurses as compared to other health care providers. Conclusions: Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the collection, segregation, rules, and disposal of biomedical waste management was more among nursing staff compared to other health care workers. Hence, emphasis on adequate training is required among other health care workers for the safe handling and disposal of biomedical waste management.