ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide public health problem. India has the highest TB burden in the world. India accounted for a quarter of global incident TB cases, 24% of multi drug resistance (MDR) TB cases and highest TB mortality rate in 2017. Thus it is important to understand the profile of TB patients. The objective of the study was to assess the profile of TB cases attending a directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) center in North Kerala.Methods: A retrospective record based, descriptive study was done in the DOTS center of Government Medical College Kannur, in North Kerala, to assess the profile of TB patients who attended the centre from January 2015 to July 2018. Details of 548 patients were collected from the record maintained at DOTS center. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using Epi info7 software.Results: The age group of 21-60 years was most affected. 68.53% of the patients were males. 45.62% of patients had extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB). Among the pulmonary TB patients, 74.27% tested positive for acid fast bacilli. Among cases of EPTB, most common type was TB lymphadenitis (40.8%) followed by tuberculous pleural effusion (22.4%). 87.59% of TB patients were started on category I treatment under DOTS.Conclusions: In our study, affected population was mostly males and those in productive age group. This is the group that has maximum chances of exposure to TB patients. 45.62% patients had EPTB. Total number of cases is on the rise each year, with maximum cases in 2018.
ABSTRACT
Background: Genital infections, a major cause of illness among women in reproductive age group, affect their quality of life and social living. Early diagnosis and treatment of STI/RTI is also an important aspect in prevention of HIV transmission. As there are only a handful of studies in Kerala and none in Kannur assessing the prevalence, associated factors of genital infections and health seeking behaviour among women in reproductive age group, this study stands important.Methods: A community based descriptive study was conducted in Kulappuram area of Cheruthazham Panchayat which is the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Kannur, Pariyaram from June, 2017 – July, 2018. A total of 404 women in reproductive a group were studied. A semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Data was analyzed using SPSS-version 19 software.Results: The mean age of the study population was 32.20±10.741years. 52.7% of the study population had genital infection, with 40.6% having symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) and 12.1%, symptoms of Urinary tract Infections (UTI). The presence of these was significantly associated with menstrual disorders, cloth as menstrual pad users, marriage, sexual activity and absence of infertility. Only 39.0% of the women with infections had sought treatment.Conclusions: Although there was high prevalence of genital infections among the study population, treatment seeking behaviour was very low. There is a need for sustained motivation and support to promote women to seek timely medical care than to suffer silently.
ABSTRACT
to reduce the burden of the disease, it is important to know the level of modifiable risk factors in the population. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and associated factors among the population aged over 30 years in a rural area in north Kerala, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to find the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among 533 residents of Kulappuram village. The fasting blood glucose level, total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index of the residents were also assessed. The significance of association of hypercholesterolaemia with age, sex, body mass index and blood pressure was tested using the chi-squared test. Logistic regression was carried out to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR). Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was 63.8%. It was more prevalent in women (adjusted OR: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–2.27), in those with body mass index in the range 23.0–24.9 kg/m2 (adjusted OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04–3.02) and in those with blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg (adjusted OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.1–2.38). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is high in the study population.