ABSTRACT
Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) is found to be positively co-related with the increased prevalence of elevated blood pressure among younger individuals. The present study was designed to find out the prevalence of pre-hypertension and its relationship with BMI among the medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June - July 2013 among 306 medical students of Agartala government medical college, chosen by stratified random sampling. Results: Prevalence of pre-hypertension, hypertension and optimum BP were found to be 45%, 4% and 51% respectively. Mean BMI was found to be 21.68 ± 3.55, 80% of the students had ideal waist hip ratio, 19% were underweight, 61 % had normal weight, 18 % were overweight, and 2% were found to be obese. Pre-hypertension was significantly more prevalent among the senior medical students (χ2 = 4.933, P = 0.026), males (χ2 = 10.826, P = 0.001) and those who had family history of hypertension (χ2 = 4.228, P = 0.039). Pre-hypertension was significantly higher among the obese medical students (χ2 = 6.941, P = 0.008). Logistic regression analysis revealed that medical students had 12.8% more chance of having pre-hypertension with one unit increase in their BMI. Conclusion: Prevalence of pre-hypertension among medical students is high and BMI is found to be significantly associated with pre-hypertension. Hence it can be used as an effective tool for predicting pre-hypertension and development of hypertension among medicos later on.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest malignancy among women in developing world and is considered to be preventable. Knowledge in this regard and timely screening is crucial for prevention. Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted during April to May 2014, using a validated interview schedule among a representative sample of 289 women attendees of a tertiary care centre of Tripura chosen by systematic random sampling. Descriptive statistics and χ2 test were used to present data. P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Cervical cancer was known as preventable by 61.9% women, 59.2% knew multiple sex partners, 42.6% knew early sexual intercourse, 72.7 % knew poor personal hygiene, 26.0% knew it as a familial disease, 16.3% knew that vaccine is available for preventing cervical cancer, 41.2% knew early diagnose is possible, 59.86% knew it as a treatable disease, 31.5% knew surgery as the main mode of treatment, 15.57% have heard about PAP smear test, 10.38 % underwent PAP smear test, lack of medical advice was the commonest reason for not undergoing PAP smear test and media was the main source of information for them. Conclusions: Despite knowing cervical cancer as common among Indian women, knowledge regarding its early diagnostic methods, preventability and treatability is found to be low. Regarding the sources of information, health functionaries played poorer role than media and others. Health functionaries should gear up extensive IEC and BCC activities for making people aware and motivated regarding screening for cervical cancer to minimize preventable deaths in this community.
ABSTRACT
Background: Agartala is one of the fastest growing cities in India. With rapid increase in the number of bikes and other motor vehicles, road traffic accidents (RTA) are also increasing sharply. Ocular trauma and resultant ophthalmic morbidities following RTA is common. Aims & Objective: To study the epidemiology and pattern of ocular trauma among the road traffic accident cases. Materials and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during February to July 2013 among 700 road traffic cases attending Ophthalmology and Casualty Department of Agartala Govt. Medical College, Tripura. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used for presenting data. Results: Out of 700 RTA patients 82.86% (580) were male and 17.14% (120) were female. Majority i.e. 76% (532) of the RTA cases occurred among the two- wheeler users, 42 (35.29 %) were drunk and 17% (119) of the RTA cased sustained ocular injuries. Among the ocular injury cases, 60% (72) suffered from ecchymosis. Out of 119 RTAs with ocular injuries, 22 (18.48%) had no PL at reporting due to due to ocular nerve injury and all of them failed to recover even after treatment. Conclusion: Two-wheeler accident is common and an important cause for loss of vision following RTA. Victims of RTA reporting with loss of vision due to optic nerve injury had poor visual prognosis. Hence, primary preventive approach through behaviour change communication among the bikers for promoting safe riding practices and strict implementation of traffic rules like riding at safe speed, wearing helmet and avoiding alcohol before driving are needed to prevent RTA associated blindness.
ABSTRACT
Background: Consecutive decline in sex ratio of our country signals an impending crisis. Gender preference of women may have a role in determining sex ratio. Aims & Objective: To study the gender preference and the factors affecting gender preference of mothers. Material and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during August – September 2013 among 390 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Agartala Government Medical College using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test and logistic regression were used. Results: 40.8% had son preference, 29.7% preferred daughter and the rest had no particular preference regarding the outcome of their current pregnancy. Significantly higher son preference was observed among the rural, illiterate and nullipara or women having no male child (68.24%, 58.33% and 68.24% respectively, p < 0.05). Higher son preference was also observed among housewives (58.00%), primigravida (54.61%) and women from joint families (61.18%), though it was not significant. Preference for son was higher in both the presumed situation of having either one or multiple children. Reasons for son preference were ‘better security in old age’ 39.1%; ‘generation continuation’ 31.1%; ‘status symbol’ 18.8%; and ‘better earning’ 11.1%. Reasons for daughter preference were, ‘daughters are more trust worthy’55.1%; ‘daughters help in household work’ 19.67%; ‘daughters are laxmi of family’ 15% and non-specific reasons 10.23%. Conclusion: Improving social security at old age, facilities favouring girl children and steps for elimination of dowry from the society may help in improving the preference for girl children leading to a balanced population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dental carries is transmissible infectious disease and mother is the major primary source of infection for their children. Aims & Objective: To assess knowledge and practice of mothers of under-five children regarding dental caries. Material and Methods: 140 mothers having < 5 years old children selected through simple random sampling were interviewed using semi-structured schedule to assess the knowledge of oral health to prevent dental caries. Results: In the survey, 73.5% mothers knew about avoiding consumption of sweets/sweet fast foods/sugar beverages. A larger proportion of literate mothers were aware of regular cleaning of mouth, necessity of cleaning mouth after each feeding, sweets / sweet fast food & unclean mouth causes caries (p>0.05). They offers sweet/sweet fast food / sugar beverages more frequently, use toothpaste and brush for cleaning mouth for their children’s (p=0.010, p=0.008). A larger proportion of mothers who had an income > 3000 `/month were aware of sweets / sweet fast food & unclean mouth causes caries, necessity of regular cleaning after each feeding (p>0.05). But in spite of greater awareness of mothers a significantly lesser proportion of their children used toothpaste while brushing, do self-brushing and assisted brushing (p=00.007, 0.025, 0.022). An age group of >24 years and income > 3000 `/month were the predictors of good oral hygiene practice by mothers. Conclusion: Mothers of the study area had basic knowledge of caries prevention. However, their theoretical knowledge has been not fully reflected in the way they cared for their children's teeth.
ABSTRACT
Background: Intimate partner violence is increasing day by day and has become a matter of public health concern. Methods: To estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, to find out the pattern of violence and its determinants, a hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1005 women admitted in the maternity wards of Agartala Government Medical College and Mohanpur Community Health Centre using multistage sampling and structured interview schedule during 20th November 2009 to 19th November 2010. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Mean age of the study women was 23.21 (± 4.229). Prevalence of physical assault during pregnancy was 23.8 %, verbal abuse 40.6 %, forced intercourse 21.2 %. Violence was faced by 43.2 % women before pregnancy, and in 29.5 % cases, it continued during pregnancy also. 37.815 % violence occurred without any reason; 34.873 % due to financial matters, 12.605 % due to family affairs, 6.302 % for not giving birth to son, 8.403 % due to household work and suspicion of infidelity. Violence was more prevalent among Christian, daily labours (n = 31, 75.6%), illiterate and rural women. Women faced more violence from addicted husbands (n = 239, 26.3%) and in families where decision makers were illiterate (n = 201, 47.2%). Conclusions: Improving literacy, eliminating addiction and marriage of women with men of lesser age difference may help in minimizing intimate partner violence in Tripura.
ABSTRACT
Background: Contraceptive use in India is poor so this study was designed to detect the prevalence of contraceptive use and its determinants among eligible couples in an urban slum of Tripura. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study, conducted in the urban field practice area of Agartala Government Medical College during 15th June 2010 to 14th August 2010 among 180 eligible couples chosen by systematic random sampling. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. Results: Majority were Hindu from nuclear families. 56.7% wives and 62.8% husbands studied up to secondary level. Prevalence of contraceptive use was 43.9% and 88.9% of the study couples were aware about family planning. Tubal ligation was the most adopted and condom was the least practiced method. Decision regarding family planning was mostly made by the husband and wife jointly. Public health facilities were the main source of family planning materials and most of the study couples opined family planning as essential. Commonest reason for not practicing family planning was the desire for a son and the rest were fear of adverse effects and some non-specific reasons. The affect of caste, religion, occupation, education etc. was insignificant in determining the practice of family planning. Conclusions: Despite a high rate of desire to limit family size, less than half of the couples were currently using contraception. It was mostly due to desire for more male babies. Hence behaviour change communication for eliminating preference for male babies and measures favouring girl children may promote couple protection in this community.