ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Lack of awareness is one of the major reasons for the high morbidity and mortality associated with cancers. The present study was aimed to evaluate the awareness of prevalent cancers among the rural population in a district of north India and its association specifically with mobile phone usage. Methods: Using a stratified random sampling technique, households in three villages of Gautam Buddh Nagar district of India were selected. A house-to-house survey on cancer awareness was conducted among adults in selected households and data were analyzed to check for the association of such an awareness with sociodemographic factors and internet usage. Results: The study included 59 males and 145 females, with majority (115) being in the age group of 18-30 yr. Although most (96.5%) of the participants were aware of cancer, the common risk factors and warning signs of cancer were known to only a few. Specific risk factors for cervical and breast cancers were, however, not known to a majority (79.9% and 72.2%). A significant association between the awareness of general risk factors and warning signs as well as specific aspects including risk factors for breast, cervical and oral cancer, HPV vaccine and the education level of the participants (P<0.05 for all). Knowledge of risk factors, warning signs and cancer prevention modalities was higher among mobile phone users who accessed internet for health information. There was no significant association between age group and cancer risk factor awareness, though females were more aware of the risk factors for breast cancer (P=0.002). Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the existing low level of awareness of cervical and breast cancers among the rural population. The association of cancer awareness with education level and mobile phone-based internet usage suggests the potential utility of internet-based platforms such as m-health programmes for cancer prevention activities
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Background:Chronic mouth breathing in children leads to pathological adaptations in the postural and morphological characteristics of the stomato-gnathic system. Such unfavourable developmental changes predispose the child to many problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, which is now a growing public concern. Hence; we planned the present study to assess breathing pattern among mouth breather child. Methods: 30 children were selcted, 15 of which were mouth breathers (MB) and 15 of which were nose breathers (NB). The age of the patients ranged from 8-10 years. In this study, the following variables of the respiratory cycle were analyzed by the plethysmography: tidal volume (Vt), respiratory frequency ( f ), minute ventilation (VE), ratio of time to peak inspiratory flow to inspiratory time (PifT/Ti), mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti), rib cage contribution towards Vt(%RC/Vt), and phase angle (PhAng). Results: A total of 10 subjects were present in both the groups each. The mean age of subjects on group MB was 8.89 years and in group NB was 9.11 years. Number of male patients in group MB was 6 and in group NB was 5. The variables in MB and NB groups were comparable and statistically non-significant. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, this can be concluded that there was no significant difference in the breathing pattern between nose breathers and mouth breather children.
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Background: Obesity and body fat distribution are important predictors of coronary heart disease. Pulmonary function tests are usually carried out for assessing the functional impairments and to make diagnosis. Hence; we planned the present study to evaluation of association of anthropometric indices related to obesity with pulmonary function tests in female medical students. Methods: The present investigation included assessment of association of Anthropometric Indices Related to Obesity with Pulmonary Function Tests in Female Medical Students. Total of 150 female medical students were included in the present study. Measurement of the height, hip circumference, and weight of all the subjects was done. Waist circumference was measured and value of equal to or less than 80 cm was considered as normal, while subjects with value of more than 80 cm were considered at high risk. In the sitting position by using the nose clips, spirometry was performed in all the subjects. The pulmonary parameters recorded included Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Flow {FEF (25-75%)}, Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1: FVC. Respiratory Rate (RR) was also noted. Results: Mean FVC and FEV1 in the present study was found to be 2.5 and 2.3 respectively. Mean respiratory rate was found to be 15 per minute. We obtained significant correlation between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical studies. Conclusions: Significant correlation exists between difference anthropometric variables related to obesity and lung function tests in female medical students.
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Background: Hypertension is deemed as the tip of the iceberg due to the mortality and morbidity associated with it. A major factor accounting for inadequate treatment of hypertension is poor compliance. Methods: Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Questionnaire was used for a cross sectional study. The term compliance is defined as the extent to which the patient’s behaviour coincides with the clinical prescription, implying that the patient defaults by not following the advice of the health care provider Results: Mean age of the participants was 59.2yrs (S.D. 10.37 yrs). Compliance was found to be good 71.3% of respondents, medium in 20.4% and poor in 8.3%.52.8% had one or two other ailments (diabetes, asthma etc.). Conclusions: Patient’s medication compliance is a multifactor behaviour in which the role of patient’s attitude is very important. Patients related factors known to affect compliance were equally distributed among good, medium and poorly compliant participants
ABSTRACT
Background & objective: Japanese encephalitis (JE) outbreaks are common in Assam, northeastern State of India. Information on resistance in known JE vectors in the affected area is important for effective control measures. This study was undertaken to determine the species abundance of JE vectors endemic to Sibsagar district of Assam, and their susceptibility against DDT and deltamethrin. Methods: Adult mosquitoes were collected using CDC light trap and aspirators from human dwellings from 13 endemic villages falling under three Primary Health Centres. Collected mosquitoes were identified and unfed female mosquitoes were used for DDT and deltamethrin sensitivity bioassay. The bioassay was performed following WHO protocol using standard susceptibility test kit. Knockdown time (KDT) was monitored at every 10 minutes intervals, whereas mortalities were recorded 24 h post-exposure. Vector density and resistance status were mapped using geographic information system (GIS) technique. Results: A total of 7655 mosquitoes were sampled under three genera, i.e. Anopheles, Culex and Mansonia, and nine species, the JE vector Cx. vishnui group (31.78%) was the most predominant species, followed by Ma. uniformis (16.81%) and Ma. indiana (16.45%). All vector species were suspected to be resistant to DDT and sensitive to deltamethrin, except Ma. indiana, which was suspected to deltamethrin resistant. The KDT50 and KDT95 values of vector mosquitoes for DDT were significantly higher as compared to deltamethrin. The probit model used to estimate KDT50 and KDT95 values did not display normal distribution of percentage knockdown with time for all the vectors tested for DDT and deltamethrin, except for Ma. indiana for deltamethrin assay and Cx. gelidus for the DDT assay. Interpretation & conclusion: Differences in insecticide resistance status were observed between insecticides and vector species. The results of this study provided baseline data on insecticide resistance in known JE vectors of Sibsagar, Assam. The maps generated may allow better communication in control operations and comparison of changes in susceptibility status of these vectors over time.