ABSTRACT
Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer are usually exposed to high level of mental stress and hence invariably lend in psychological distress. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress amongst cancer patients and determine its association with socio-demographic factors. Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at a cancer research institute of district Dehradun. Purposive sampling was used to select the hospital and recruiting patients. All eligible patients, giving written consent for the study were interviewed and distress related information was gathered using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The data were collected for two months and sample size of 208 was achieved. Data was entered in SPSS 22.0 and association of different variables with psychological distress was determined by chi-square test.. Results: The mean age of the surveyed cancer patients was 51.05±15.68 years and the male female ratio was 1.7. Prevalence of psychological distress was found to be 38.5% and significantly more female patients than male patients (47.4% and 33.3% respectively) had distress. The association between psychological distress and increasing age, sex, literacy and employment status was found to be significant. Conclusions: Approximately 39% of cancer patients had psychological distress (anxiety/ depression/ both). The prevalence of psychological distress was found to be significantly higher in female patients, older age, patients with no formal education, unemployment and lower socio-economic status. Appropriate psychiatric interventions/ counselling following diagnosis and during therapy may be effective in reducing distress and improving quality of life in cancer patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: In developed countries, stroke is the third most common cause of mortality, following cancer and coronary heart disease. The increase risk is often seen in individuals with diabetes and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes (including higher mortality). That’s why assessment of risk factors for stroke are important.Methods: This age and sex matched hospital based case control study assessed the risk factors of ischemic stroke in tertiary care hospital for a period of one year. Sample size was calculated for matched case control (1:1 ratio) by n-master software and came out to be 189 pairs. All patients under WHO case definition were enrolled as cases for study purpose, controls were selected from the same hospital with disease other than stroke. Analysis was conducted through calculation of odd ratio (OR) and confidence internal (CI) by using SPSS 22.0 program. Odds ratio (OR) of risk factor was calculated using bivariate analysis.Results: Results revealed that male: female ratio among the case and control was 2.1:1, mean age of case and control were 58.86±13.03 and 58.21±12.67. Out of 189 Case, 59 (31.2%) were suffering from diabetes, while only 39 (20.6%) controls were having diabetes mellitus. P value was 0.02, which is significant.Conclusions: In the present hospital based case control study, it was found that diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor among the ischemic stroke patients.
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Abstract: Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases account for a large proportion of all deaths and disability worldwide. Hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease deaths in India. Studies have shown a high prevalence of hypertension in both urban and rural areas. Although there is generally a lower prevalence of hypertension in rural Indian population, there has been a steady increase over time in this rural population as well. Methodology: This observational cross sectional study was conducted in a randomly chosen block in district Dehradun. Overall 457 people were interviewed and measurements were taken to know the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors. The collected data was entered and analysed in SPSS software (21.0 version ). Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% and male subjects had higher prevalence than females (26.2% and 21.5%respectively). With increasing age, prevalence of hypertension increased significantly. Age, sex, marital status, family type and occupation were found as important bio-social predictors of hypertension. Conclusion: Increasing prevalence of hypertension in rural areas and in younger age groups is of concern to the public health. In developing countries like India, preventive strategies should be directed towards masses with focus on behaviour change communication.
ABSTRACT
Background: Today, tobacco use causes 1 in 10 deaths among adults worldwide – more than five million people a year. By 2030, unless urgent action is taken, tobacco’s annual death toll will rise to more than eight million. Material & method: A community based cross sectional study was undertaken in district Dehradun. Multistage stratified random sampling was done for selection of study area. A sample of 632 was taken for study purpose. Kish method was used for selection of respondents in selected household. Statistical analysis: Chi-square test, Mantel Haenszel Odds Ratio and Multi Variate Logistic Regression Analysis was done to develop results. Significant level was assumed at p<0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of ever use of tobacco was 24.4%. It was more (32.9%) in rural area as compare to urban area (15.8%). Tobacco use was directly proportional to age, more prevalent in Muslims and was indirectly proportional to education & socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Legislation pertaining to tobacco and alcohol sale and use does exist. However its strict enforcement is required in order to reduce the menace.