ABSTRACT
Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major health burden globally. The four main NCDs (heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancers and chronic respiratory diseases) share four modifiable risk factors: Tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. To minimize the burden of NCD epidemic, main risk behaviors common among young people must be curbed. Measurement of NCD risk factors is necessary to plan out the interventions and would also serve as a stepping stone in achieving primordial prevention of NCDs. Objective: The objective of the study was to measure the modifiable risk factors of NCDs among school-going adolescents of urban Ahmedabad. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to January 2017 among two schools of Girdhar Nagar ward, Ahmedabad. 581 adolescents of a private and a government-run school, studying in class 8th–10th, of ages 12–16 were interviewed using GSBHS tool after taking informed consent. Appropriate anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken. Statistical analysis: Epi info ver. 7.0 and MS Excel 2007 used for analysis. Chi-square test, t-test, and multiple regression were applied. P < 5% was considered significant. Results: 52% (303) of the subject studied were boys and 48% (278) were girls. Among all, 66% (384) were physically inactive, 88% (511) were not consuming ≥5 servings of fruits and vegetables/day, 65% (376) and 78% (452) regularly consumed soft-drinks and fast food, respectively. 1.5% (9) of the subjects smoked and 3%(15) consumed smokeless form of tobacco. No student admitted consuming alcohol. 11% (65) were overweight and 13% (73) were obese. Raised systolic BP (>140 mmHg) was found in 3% (18) and raised diastolic BP (>90 mmHg) was found in 0.5% (3) of study subjects. Conclusion: One or more risk factors were found to be prevalent in all subjects. The presence of one or more modifiable risk factors in every adolescent point toward the dire need of school-based interventions for the prevention of NCDs in future adults.
ABSTRACT
Background: The lack of national oral health policy and organized school oral health programs in the country call for affordable, accessible, and sustainable strategies. Objectives: The objectives were to compare the oral hygiene, plaque, and gingival status among school children receiving oral health education by doctors with help of audiovisual aids and brochure. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about oral health were also assessed. Materials and Methods: Interventional study was done in 340 students of class 4–6 (9–11 years), who were present at time of study over period of 6 months. Conveniently, two schools were selected from Gandhinagar district. Predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the demographic background, oral health KAP of young school children about their oral health, and dental treatment. Oral health education was given, and oral check was done. Post-intervention was done after 6 months on 301 children due to absent of 39 students. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2007 and Epi Info and χ2 test were applied. Results: A total of 87 (28.9%) children would brush their teeth twice per day, and 172 (57.1%) would brush only once per day. Practice regarding oral hygiene was improved after intervention. Association between oral hygiene and socioeconomic status (S.E.) status was found statistically significant (P < 0.05). A total of 240 (79.7%) students had good oral hygiene after intervention as compared to before intervention (68.4%) and it was statically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant improvement seen in oral hygiene and practice regarding oral hygiene after intervention. Study signified that lower S.E. class has poor oral hygiene compared to higher S.E. class.