ABSTRACT
Background: Worldwide, approximately 830 women died every single day due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth in 2015. Many researchers revealed that the quality of health care delivery in a system can be identified by studies on maternal deaths. In recent years, women who survived the critical events during pregnancy and childbirth, called as maternal near miss cases, are explored as an adjunct to maternal death inquiries, as these cases occur more frequently than maternal deaths and can identify problems that had to be overcome for the provision of better healthcare services. This study aims at evaluating determinants of such maternal near miss events among postnatal women admitted in KIMS Hospital, Hubli. Methods: A case-control study was done on postnatal women admitted in the KIMS Hospital. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 82 participants (27 cases and 55 controls). Information about biodata, sociodemographic characteristics, medical illnesses, previous pregnancies and the current pregnancy with its outcomes and complications was collected. Results: Most women were satisfying the criterion for admission to ICU followed by hypertensive complications and severe anemia, to be considered as cases. The study showed height, type of family, religion, presence of danger signs during pregnancy as significant determinants of maternal near miss events. Conclusions: The factors showing significance in our study are non-modifiable risk factors of maternal near miss events. With early identification of such cases and appropriate antenatal care, such events can be prevented and reduced.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a significant public health issue worldwide and can have deleterious effects on the health when it is not under control. Adherence to antihypertensive medications is thus necessary for better control of blood pressure and to reduce the risk of complications. There are various factors which support or hinder the patient’s adherence to anti- hypertensive treatment. Thus this study was done to reflect the factors influencing the adherence to antihypertensive drugs among urban and rural population.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in urban and rural field practice areas of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection among the known hypertensive patients. The data was entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS software.Results: Most of the hypertensive patients were aged 45 and above (89.5%). A total of 73.5% of the participants were adherent to antihypertensive medications and adherence was more among urban (76%) as compared to rural population (71%). Knowledge regarding complications of uncontrolled hypertension was the major factor for adherence in both the areas. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was controlled in patients who were adherent.Conclusions: There is a higher level of adherence to antihypertensive medications in urban population as compared to rural population of Hubballi. The findings suggest patient factors, clinical factors and socio-demographic factors play an important role in determining the adherence to the medication.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose and is recognized as an important cause of premature mortality and morbidity. Self-care practice in diabetes patient is a critical factor to achieve glycaemic control thus in preventing or delaying its complications.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 140 type 2 diabetic patients attending the outpatient department in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi during the period of June-July 2018. Diabetic patients diagnosed more than 3 months were included. Data was collected by interview method using pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire which consists of information on socio-demographic data, diabetic profile, self-care practices and dietary barriers. Statistical analysis was done using SSPS package.Results: This study showed that 67.9% of study participants were consuming diabetic diet, 17.1% practice exercise for more than 3 days a week, 93.6% were taking medication regularly, 15% practised foot care for >3times a week and 89.3% monitored their blood glucose regularly. The main barriers for dietary practices were lack of knowledge (24%) and lack of motivation (18%). Compliance to diabetic diet was more among the urban population compared to rural (p=0.025).Conclusions: Study concludes that the practice of self-care activities was poor in almost all aspects except for blood sugar monitoring and adherence to medication which necessitates the need to create awareness regarding self-care practices and its importance among diabetic patients.