ABSTRACT
Background: Lockdown had hindered persons’ ability to engage in regular physical activity. Our study analysed bone trauma patients who visited the orthopedic department based on the mode of injury, kind of extremity involved, and the bone implicated. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients visiting the orthopedic surgery department of a North Indian tertiary health care centre. Patient data was recorded from the case sheets. Results: A total of 792 patients’ data was collected, out of which 250 patients were those of during lockdown, and 542 patients were of non-lockdown phase. During the lockdown phase, the patients who have undergone RTA were 37 (14.8%), those admitted for domestic trauma were 128 (51.2%), and those for miscellaneous causes were 85 (34%). During the non-lockdown phase, RTA were 145 (26.739%), domestic were 318 (58.608%) and miscellaneous were 79 (14.652%). During lockdown, the site of injury was upper limb in 59 patients, lower limb in 154 patients, vertebrae in 37 patients. In the non-lockdown phase, the upper limb was injured in 95 patients, lower limb in 377 patients, vertebrae in 52 patients and hip bone in 17 patients. Femur was the most affected bone. Conclusions: There was a decrease in the number of instances during the lockdown. During both the periods, the majority of geriatric patients were from rural areas. Domestic trauma cases were most prevalent in the older age range, and the most common extremity implicated appeared to be the lower limb, with the femur being the most involved bone in both stages.
ABSTRACT
Background. The sudden death of 10 children in a tribal village of Kandhamal district, Odisha in eastern India led to this investigation. Methods. We conducted a door-to-door survey to identify cases. Antibodies for Chandipura, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and West Nile viruses were tested by ELISA in probable cases. Chandipura virus RNA was tested from both human blood samples and sand flies by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We conducted vector surveys in domestic and peridomestic areas, and collected sand flies. Results. Entomological investigations revealed the presence of Phlebotomus argentipes and Sergentomiya sp. Thirty-five patients presented with fever, 12 of them had altered sensorium including 4 who had convulsions. The blood samples of 21 patients were tested; four samples revealed Chandipura virusspecific IgM antibody. Conclusion. Chandipura virus infection causing encephalitis affected this tribal population in eastern India at 1212 m above sea level. Natl Med J India 2015;28:185–7
ABSTRACT
Background: Violence against women is widely recognized as an important public health problem. However, the magnitude of the problem among pregnant women is not well known in several parts of India. Hence, the prevalence and characteristics associated with various forms of domestic violence against women in pregnancy were studied in Eastern India. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional sample survey covering married women with a history of at least one full-term pregnancy (n 1525) was carried out in the Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand states of India. Interviews were conducted using a pre-piloted structured questionnaire to inquire about physical, psychological and sexual domestic violence. Data on socioeconomic characteristics and behaviours were also collected. The association of independent variables with domestic violence were examined by using logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual domestic violence during a recent pregnancy was found to be 7.1%, 30.6% and 10.4% respectively, and the lifetime prevalence during all pregnancies was 8.3%, 33.4% and 12.6% respectively. Urban living, higher maternal age and husbands’ alcoholism were the factors associated with domestic violence in pregnancy. Women belonging to lower social groups were less likely to have physical domestic violence. Factors such as higher prevalence of undesirable behaviours like denying adequate rest and diet, demand for more sex, not providing antenatal care and pressure for male child were also associated with domestic violence in pregnancy. Conclusions: Considerable proportions of women experience some type of domestic violence during pregnancy. Health-care providers should be able to recognize and respond to pregnant women’s victimization and refer them for appropriate support and care.
ABSTRACT
Hazardous wastes are considered highly toxic and therefore disposal of such wastes needs proper attention so as to reduce possible environmental hazards. Industrial growth has resulted in generation of huge volume of hazardous wastes in the country. In addition to this, hazardous wastes sometimes get imported mainly from the western countries for re-processing or recycling. Inventorisation of hazardous wastes generating units in the country is not yet completed. Scientific disposal of hazardous wastes has become a major environmental issue in India. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 have been framed by the Central Government and amended in 2000 and 2003 to deal with the hazardous wastes related environmental problems that may arise in the near future. This paper gives details about the hazardous wastes management in India. Health effects of the selected hazardous substances are also discussed in the paper.