ABSTRACT
Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) refer to chronic diseases of long duration and generally with slow progression. NCDs are affecting Indian population, both in urban and rural areas. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the major NCDs is the leading cause of death worldwide. The rising prevalence of behavioral and anthropometric risk factors for these lifestyle diseases is postulated to be the cause for the alarming increase of NCDs including CVD. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is also increasing in tribal population. Objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases among the tribal population aged 18 years and above.Methods: A community based, observational, descriptive study was conducted at Kharagpur-II block of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal from August 2013 to July 2014 among 540 tribal population aged 18 years and above selected by cluster random sampling method.Results: About 64% individuals were addicted to tobacco product. Prevalence of current smoking and tobacco chewing was 9.1% and 60.2% respectively. Prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 48.9%. About 91% individuals took extra salt with meal. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 7.8% and 3.5% only according to WHO recommended classification for Asian population. However, higher level of physical activity was found among the study population.Conclusions: The study revealed high prevalence of extra salt intake, tobacco and alcohol consumption among the study population which may endanger their life by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
ABSTRACT
Background: Due to their occupation, health workers are always at-risk of developing life-threatening infections. “Standard precautions” acts as a protective barrier against this. There is a lack of information about awareness on standard precaution among auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), the frontline health personnel working at Sub-centres. The aim of the study was to assess the current awareness on Standard precautions among ANMs.Methods: This descriptive study with cross-sectional design was conducted at sub centre level of Bardhaman Sadar North subdivision, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal. In this study, conducted between September-November 2017, three blocks were chosen from the seven blocks in the subdivision through simple random sampling. All ANMs working in these blocks were approached and data were collected on background characteristics and knowledge on key elements of Standard precautions using a pre-tested and pre-designed self-administered questionnaire. Items assessing standard precaution were scored one (for correct response) and zero (for incorrect/missed response). Maximum possible score was fourteen and minimum was zero. Statistical analysis used association of acceptability of knowledge with background characteristics were assessed using bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression.Results: Median (IQR) of the score obtained was 10 (9, 12). Out of total 138 subjects, 64.5% had acceptable knowledge (score ≥10) regarding standard precautions. Participants’ age had a statistically significant association with acceptable knowledge in the bivariate analysis; however, in the final model, only training status of the participants remained significant [AOR-0.304 (0.098-0.938)].Conclusions: It emphasized the importance of regular training on Standard precautions for ANMs.
ABSTRACT
Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) among blood donors can be used to monitor the prevalence among apparently healthy adult population. The present study was conducted to determine the profi le of blood donors and seroprevalence of TTI among them. Retrospective analysis of the donors of a blood bank attached with a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata in 2011 was carried out. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 17. Majority (85%) of the donors were male, two-third in the age group of 21-40 years. Among the donors 2.79% were positive for any of the screened TTIs. Seroprevalence was highest for hepatitis B (1.41%) followed by human immunodefi ciency virus (0.60%) and hepatitis C (0.59%) and least for syphilis (0.23%). Seropositivity increased with age up to 50 years. There was no signifi cant difference in seropositivity between male and female. Highly sensitive donor screening and public awareness program can make transfusion of blood products safe.
ABSTRACT
Integrated Child Development Services, a national programme of the Government of India has health, nutrition, and pre-school education components of services. To ascertain awareness, perception of mothers about functioning and different services of ICDS a cross-sectional community based study was conducted between June to September 2007 in Howrah and Purulia districts of West Bengal. A total of 1235 mothers were included as study subjects. As per opinion of the mothers 73% AWCs opened regularly, behaviour of the AWWs was friendly (71.6%) and 63% mothers opined that ICDS is beneficial to their children. 84.2% mothers were aware of any ICDS services. Quantity and quality of supplementary food was acceptable to 88% and 72.7% mothers respectively. 79.2% and 87.5% mothers did not receive any advice on child feeding and growth chart. Making beneficiaries aware about services by targeted interventions will ensure better utilization of ICDS.