Clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors – Syndemic approach: Is sit a time to shift toward integrated noncommunicable disease clinic?

Background: The concurrent occurrence of many noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors is common, and it can play a synergistic role in occurrence of NCDs. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the magnitude of clustering of NCD risk factors, patterns of risk factors emerged in clustering, and variations in clustering of risk factors based on socioeconomic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in an urban area of Puducherry among 2399 adults during 2014–2015. Sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors were assessed through a validated STEPS survey tool. Individuals with three or more risk factors were classified to have clustering of NCD risk factors. Socioeconomic positions in relation to clustering were identified through Chi-square analysis followed by multiple logistic regression where clustering at family and area was adjusted through multilevel modeling techniques. Results: Of the 2399 adults, 1741 (73%) had clustering of NCD risk factors. Inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, high salt intake, and high waist circumference are the three predominant risk factors across all subgroups. Adults belonging to Christian religion (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR]: 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–5.2), aged 35 years and over (adjOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–6.0), and illiterates (adjOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–5.5) are more likely to have clustered NCD risk factors compared to others. Conclusions: Clustering of NCD risk factors is highly prevalent in this region and mainly driven by dietary practices and obesity measures. There is an urgent need to reorient the health system toward integrated approach with mandated inclusion of nutritionist in NCD health service delivery.

Evaluation of a rapid immunochromatographic device for the detection of IgM & IgG antibodies to Dengue viruses (DENV) in a tertiary care hospital in South India.

This study has evaluated the performance of a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) device in detecting antibodies to Dengue virus (DENV) in a tertiary hospital in South India. Sera from hospital attendees, with requests for DENV antibody testing, were tested with the Panbio Dengue Duo Cassette and a reference antibody capture assay for the detection of IgM (Dengue IgM capture ELISA-National Institute of Virology, India) and IgG (Dengue IgG capture ELISA-Panbio Diagnostics Inc., Australia) antibodies. The ICT results were compared with results of antibody capture tests for the detection of the IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Accuracy indices for IgM and IgG detection, respectively were - sensitivity 81.8% and 87.5%, specificity 75.0%, and 66.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) 61.0% and 72.9% and negative predictive value (NPV) 89.6% and 83.9%. The device performs poorly in detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to DENVs and is not recommended for use as a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Screening for HIV infection by health professionals in India.

BACKGROUND: Stigma and discrimination, particularly in access to healthcare, remains a major problem for people Infected with HIV in most parts of India. METHODS: We did a multicentre study (n = 10) with a cross-sectional survey design using a standardized, interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 2200 healthcare providers participated. The knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to HIV service delivery were very poor with a mean overall KAP score of only 49.7% (CI: 49.1-50.3). Only 5%, 5% and 1% of the participants scored more than 75% separately for the dimensions of knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. Only 24.4% and 36.7% of responders knew that HIV screening was not recommended prior to surgery and pre-employment check-up. Many doctors (19.4%) had refused treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) at least some of the time and nearly half (47.2%) identified and labelled them; 23.9% isolated them in separate care areas and 13.3% postponed or changed treatment based on the patient's HIV status. Screening for HIV prior to elective surgery was done by 67% of providers. While 64.7% of responders were aware of the existence of national guidelines on and recommendations for HIV testing, only 38.4% had read the policy document. CONCLUSION: There is a growing need to provide care, support and treatment to a large number of PLHA. The capacity of healthcare providers must be urgently built up so as to improve their knowledge of and attitude to HIV to enable them to deliver evidence-based and compassionate care to PLHA in various healthcare settings.

A 5-yr prospective epidemiological study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural south India.

In a prospective epidemiological study from 1981 to 1986 in four villages belonging to the KV Kuppam block of North Arcot Ambedkar district in Tamil Nadu, we detected 328 patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) amongst the 9946 inhabitants who were aged 30 yr or more. Majority of the population was from the lower income group and they were agricultural workers residing in these villages which were generally free from atmospheric pollution. Of the 328 patients with COPD, 198 were males and 130 were females showing an overall age specific prevalence of 33.0/1,000 with a prevalence of 40.8/1,000 for males and 25.5/1,000 for females, respectively. In nearly half of the patients who had chest radiography, changes consistent with COPD were observed; only one patient had clinical, radiological and electrocardiographic evidence of cor-pulmonale. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) along with height (cm) were measured in 258 patients and compared to the predicted normal values. Most of those tested showed evidence of airways obstruction; severe defect was observed in 106 patients. Among the males, 122 gave a history of smoking; majority of the heavy smokers amongst them had severe impairment of PEFR. Females from these villages denied any history of smoking. Cooking for long hours using firewood and cowdung cakes could have contributed to the development of COPD in these village women.