ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever is a rapidly spreading viral infection. The incidence of dengue fever cases in Kerala is still rising from the year 2006 onward in spite of several measures. The pattern of dengue fever distribution is not uniform in all the districts. Only some districts are reporting a high number of cases in every year. Based on this background, the present study conducted to observe and analyze the spatial distribution pattern of dengue fever incidence in Kerala state. Objectives: The objectives of the present study are to assess the spatial auto-correlation of dengue fever incidence in Kerala state and to identify the significant spatial clusters having a high or low incidence of dengue fever in Kerala state. Materials and Methods: The present study is a retrospective observational study using the secondary data of Kerala state. Year wise incidence of dengue fever cases in each district was measured. Since 2011, hierarchical maps of the incidence of dengue fever in different districts were created using QGIS software. Spatial auto-correlation of dengue fever incidence in every year was tested using GeoDa software. Global Moran’s i value was measured in each year, local indicators of spatial association maps prepared to observe the spatial distribution of dengue fever incidence in Kerala. Results: Incidence of dengue fever cases is in increasing trend in every district, but in the year 2014 and 2018, the incidence was decreased compared to the previous year. Among all the years, 2013, 2016, and 2017 showed significant positive global spatial auto-correlation. Kollam district is showed a high-high spatial pattern. Low-low cluster areas were observed in North Kerala from 2011 to 2013 and in central Kerala in the years 2016 and 2018. Conclusion: Spatial distribution of dengue fever incidence is not uniform every year. Kollam district significantly reporting the high incidence and surrounded by high incidence districts. Kannur, Malappuram, Palakkad, Wayanad, Thrissur, and Ernakulam districts significantly reporting the low incidence of dengue fever and they were surrounded by low incidence districts. This type of analysis helps identify areas where control efforts can be intensified strategically thus optimizing resources Larger studies can be conducted at subnation or nation level, to eliminate the border issues between states and for better identification of local spatial clusters of dengue fever incidence.
ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a global health problem both in the developed and developing countries. Patient education forms an important part in the management of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge about osteoporosis and its correlates among women aged ≥ 40 years attending an urban health centre in India and to identify their sources of information on osteoporosis. Knowledge about osteoporosis was assessed using the Osteoporosis Questionnaire (OPQ) in 243 women over 40 years of age, attending an urban health centre in the city of Mumbai located in the state of Maharashtra in western India. This exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of eight months. The OPQ analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 13.0. The scores were expressed as mean ± SD (Standard Deviation). The one sample-t test was used to study the differences in the mean scores between socio-demographic variables. The mean total OPQ score was 0.91 (SD ± 5; range -9 to 10; maximum possible score 20). There was a significant difference in the total OPQ scores by the level of education and family history of osteoporosis (p<0.05). The main sources of information identified were television/radio (55%), family and friends (23%), newspapers (22%) and doctors (20%). The study reveals lack of knowledge about osteoporosis in the present sample, and the need for increased involvement of doctors in educating patients about osteoporosis.
ABSTRACT
There has been a change in the lifestyles of populations, including reduced physical activity and consumption of foods high in calories. Overweight and obesity are now replacing the more traditional public health concerns such as under-nutrition and infectious diseases as some of the most significant contributors to ill health. Determination of the body mass index (BMI) profile and nutritional status of adults of two rural coastal villages in Northern Malaysia was part of a community diagnosis in a community survey. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. Blood pressure was measured using a manual sphygmomanometer according to WHO guidelines. A standardized questionnaire was used to interview the villagers concerning their health. Out of the total population, 504 were above 20 years of age. Data was available for 441 persons for analysis. There were 210 (47.6%) males and 231 (52.4%) females. The prevalence of underweight was 9.8% (n=43), overweight 25.9% (n=114) and obesity 17% (n=75). The problem of over-nutrition was significantly higher among females, especially housewives. (p< 0.05). Those in ages 41-70 years were the majority with problems of over-nutrition (p=<0.05). More than half (52.9%; n=39) of those who were obese had hypertension (p=<0.05). Results show that a higher number of women especially housewives were obese and more than half of those obese subjects had hypertension. A more thorough nutritional profile using waist, hip and body fat measurement as well as an assessment of the dietary intake and activity regime of these villagers is needed. Interventions need to be carried out before more serious complications of obesity become rooted in this community.