ABSTRACT
A total of 792 pregnant women from three hospitals of Jaipur were surveyed to assess and compare their knowledge and attitudes regarding various aspects of AIDS. Observations revealed that level of knowledge was significantly higher in pregnant women from upper income group than low income group (P < 0.05). The misconceptions regarding various aspects of AIDS viz. symptoms and signs, transmission and prevention and opinion towards the AIDS patients, indicate that there is strong need of AIDS education compaign in pregnant women too.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Desert Climate , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Income , India , Pregnancy/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Rural HealthABSTRACT
In rural areas of desert of western Rajasthan crude opium is consumed with a social sanction by a notable proportion (7.1%) of adult males. It is believed that prevalence of opium addiction is high in TB cases as they may use it to suppress cough. Prevalence of opium addiction among TB cases from rural desert (16.1%) was compared with that in general population (7.1%) and the difference was found significant (X2 = 11.6, p > 0.001). The difference became a little more prominent after age adjustment. A case control analysis of matched pairs showed significant association between opium addiction and pulmonary tuberculosis (Odd's ratio = 2.61 and attributable risk = 0.099). Results were consistent in different age and ethnic groups. In cases with opium addiction, the addiction always preceded the pulmonary tuberculosis.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Narcotics , Opium , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Rural Population , Substance-Related Disorders/complications , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In a house to house study of leprosy cases at Jaipur (148) a majority (91) had NL leprosy, 50 had LL leprosy and remaining 7 had indeterminate leprosy. More cases (84.5%) had a poor housing, overcrowding, low socioeconomic status. Out of 59 persons giving history of contact a majority had it at home and others at work places. The period of contact was more than five years in 74.6% cases. Most of the cases had lesions on exposed or easily accessible parts of the body.