Assessment of Health Status and Impact of Pollution from Thermal Power Plant on Health of Population and Environment Around the Plant in Udupi District, Karnataka

Background: Coal?fired thermal power plants (TPPs) have a serious impact on soil, air, and water quality resulting in deterioration of health and environment around the plant. Objective: The present study was undertaken with the objectives of assessing the respiratory health status of the population around the plant and to measure selected heavy metals in fly ash, air, water, and soil samples. Materials and Methods: The current cross?sectional study was conducted among 3533 adult residents living in two strata within 10 km radius around the TPP in Udupi district of Karnataka state. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire and spirometry and environmental air monitoring by DustTrak aerosol monitor, water, and soil samples were collected for analysis. Results: Majority of the study participants were in the age group of >45 years (41.4%). 70.6% were females and 0.39% were trans?genders. 4.3% were suffering from various respiratory problems. Bivariable logistic regression showed subjects aged 46–65 years and >65 years have 2.91 times and 4.42 times higher odds of respiratory disease as compared to those with age ?45 years. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant association between higher age group (P < 0.0001) and in subjects who had closed window during cooking (P < 0.006). Levels of heavy metals in soil samples and particulate matter 2.5 were well within permissible limits whereas the ground water samples had excess levels of iron, manganese, and copper. Conclusion: The present study has implications for policymaking to protect the environment and health of vulnerable populations in industrial clusters and the vicinity of power plants.

Ocular Morbidity among Students in Relation to Classroom Illumination Levels.

Objective: This cross-sectional study was done to find the prevalence of eye strain and other ocular morbidities among students in Udupi, Karnataka. Methods: The study protocol included interview, visual acuity examination using Snellen chart, and measuring classroom illumination through lux meter. Results: 26% students had visual morbidity and the most prevalent symptoms of eyestrain were headache (38.6%), watering of eyes (25.7%), pain around eyes (15.6%) and blurred vision (11.9%). 55.5% classrooms and 88.4% blackboards did not have proper illumination. Conclusions: Low classroom illumination levels may be a possible factor for development of visual morbidity.

Exploring attributes of effective teachers - student perspectives from an Indian medical school.

Introduction: Attributes of an effective teacher is a passionate area of research for medical educators. Teaching at Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), Manipal University, India, is assessed periodically as a part of the institution’s program evaluation process. The present study was undertaken to determine the highly rated attributes of a medical teacher, as felt by three batches (preclinical, para-clinical and clinical batch) of medical students at MMMC. Methods: A questionnaire focusing on twelve attributes of effective teaching was developed and administered to three batches of students. Students were requested to select the five most important attributes from the questionnaire and rank them accordingly as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The responses were analyzed using cross tabulation and percentages of the grades provided by the participants were reported for each of the batch. Results: The ability of a teacher to motivate and inspire students was rated to be the best attribute of an effective teacher. Students also felt that defining objectives and clarifying concepts was an important quality that medical teachers should possess. The importance of being an effective communicator was also emphasized. Discussion: The present study underpins the need for a healthy teacher-student relationship in medical schools. Communication with international students in an Indian scenario may be a challenging task, keeping in mind the diverse cultural background of students. Probing qualities that students identify with an effective teacher may help us respond to these challenges.

Myoepithelioma of soft tissue.

Myoepitheliomas and mixed tumors involving deep subcutaneous and subfascial soft tissues of limb or limb girdle are rare lesions as against salivary lesions that are well established conditions. Here, we report a 22-year-old female who presented with painful hard swelling in the left gluteal region of 1(1/2) year duration. MRI showed a large ill-defined heterogeneous mass lesion measuring about 7-8 cm. in the left sacral region eroding the left sacroiliac region and left sacroiliac joint. With a clinical diagnosis of chondrosarcoma, the tumor with the surrounding tissue was resected in segments at surgery. Histomorphology revealed nests, sheets and cords of round to spindled cells with extensive squamous metaplasia in a myxoid to fibrous stroma. These cells extensively infiltrated muscle and bone. The tumor cells expressed immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and S-100.

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use in a highly literate rural community in southern India.

BACKGROUND: The adverse effects of tobacco use on the health of an individual are well known. It is essential to identify factors leading to tobacco use to plan strategies to limit its use. Education is known to influence the prevalence of tobacco use. We aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use in a rural community with a high literacy rate and to examine the socioeconomic and demographic correlates of tobacco consumption in the area. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using personal interviews was carried out on 832 individuals > 15 years of age. The prevalence of current daily use of tobacco was used as the outcome measure. The main analytical methods used were chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use was 17.5%, being common among older persons, the lower socioeconomic group and those who were less educated. Tobacco was used predominantly in smokeless forms (chewing, snuff or both). The commonest reason cited for initiating tobacco use was to relieve toothache. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings in this rural community suggest that improvement in the educational and socioeconomic status may lead to a decline in the use of tobacco. Health education to improve dental hygiene may also help to reduce tobacco use in this community as it is predominantly used in the chewing form.