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Introduction :Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of mortality in the world, more so in the perimenopausal age group due to decreased levels of estrogen and diminished ovarian function because of ageing. To find out the magnitude of CVD risk among perimenopausalObjective: women residing in rural Bengal and its associated determinants. A cross-sectional study wasMethod: conducted in a rural area of Barasat block I during April-July 2021 on 150 peri-menopausal women selected by cluster sampling. A pre-designed pretested questionnaire was used for data collection and a 10-year probability of CVD risk was assessed using Framingham Risk Score. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out the associated factors. Intermediate & high CVD risk was present in 28 (18.7%) and 63Results: (42%) participants respectively. Among 150 participants, 62% were hypertensive, 44.7% were diabetic,, 51.3% with borderline high total cholesterol and 76% had low HDL cholesterol. Factors significantly associated with intermediate to high CVD risk were high mental stress [AOR=6.96, 95%CI=2.17-22.31], family history of chronic illness [AOR=14.46, 95% CI=4.26-49.06] and presence of chronic morbidities [AOR=6.84, 95%CI=1.93-24.22]. A significant proportion of perimenopausal women were atConclusion: risk of developing CVD. Thus, awareness campaigns in the community would help in empowering women in maintaining their health through regular screening and timely intervention when deemed necessary
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Introduction: Awareness regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among antenatal women is necessary for early diagnosis and management of the disease for ensuring a safe motherhood and a healthy child. Objective: This study envisaged to assess the awareness regarding GDM and its determinants among antenatal women attending healthcare facilities in a rural area of West Bengal and to explore the perspectives of health workers with regard to gaps in proper awareness generation activities among antenatal women. Method: This mixed-method study was conducted from April 2021 to July 2021 at 4 health facilities in Singur, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 195 antenatal women using a pretested questionnaire which were analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected via in- depth interviews among 6 health workers working in the health facilities and were analysed thematically. Results: Overall, 75.4% of participants were not aware of GDM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that secondary education and below (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42), no history of GDM among family & relatives (AOR=7.24, 95% CI=2.12-24.66), lesser number of antenatal visits (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42) and non-receipt of counselling regarding GDM during antenatal visits (AOR= 3.09, 95% CI =1.45–6.58) had a significant association with poor awareness. From health workers' perspectives, lack of reorientation training, shortage of supplies for testing, and overburdening with other responsibilities were the major gaps identified in proper awareness generation activities. Conclusion: Present study revealed majority of study participants possessed poor knowledge regarding GDM. Reorientation training of health workers, organizing awareness campaigns at the community level, and relevant counselling regarding GDM during each antenatal visit should be given utmost priority for improving knowledge about the disease
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Background: Aging, an integral part of living, typically is accompanied by gradual but progressive physiological changes and an increased prevalence of acute and chronic illness. Although neither a disease nor disability per se, aging nonetheless is associated with a high incidence of physical impairment as well.The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of activities of daily living (ADL) disability in elderly living in Palam village of Delhi.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of ADL disability in elderly living in Palam village of Delhi using Barthel ADL index. It uses ten variables describing ADL and mobility. The sample size was estimated to be 350 and systematic random sampling was used to choose the study subjects.Results: The prevalence of ADL disability was found to be 20.3% in the study population. This was found to be 16.3% in males and 23.9% in females.Conclusions: After obtaining adequate data on elderly having difficulty in performing their routine activities of daily living, appropriate steps needs to be taken to mitigate its ill effects which should also address their health care needs and help them to live a healthy and good quality life.
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Aging, an integral part of living, typically is accompanied by gradual but progressive physiological changes and an increased prevalence of acute and chronic illness and is further compounded by impairment of special sensory functions like vision and hearing and difficulties in performing their routine daily activities seriously affecting the economic, social and psychological aspect of life of older people with disabilities. Objective: To estimate the magnitude of functional disability and its association with various socio-demographic variables among the elderly persons in Palam village of Delhi. Material and Methods: People aged more than 60 years of both sexes and willing to participate were included in this community based cross-sectional study. Barthel ADL index was used for assessment of activities of daily living disability, Snellen's distance vision chart for visual acuity assessment and whisper test was used for hearing assessment. The participants were categorized as functionally disabled if either ADL disability or better eye presenting vision <6/60 or bilateral hearing impairment or a combination of either these were present. Results: The prevalence of functional disability was found to be 23.1% in the study population and was more unmarried/widow/widower group, among illiterates, lower socio-economic class and financially dependent group. Conclusion: Research and studies on elderly in India especially in field of functional disability are less and community dwelling elderly has been neglected at large. Hence it would be useful to estimate the burden of functional disabilities among elderly so that adequate and timely preventive and rehabilitative measures can be taken.
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Background. The occupational health scenario of workers engaged in the manufacturing sector in India deserves attention for their safety and increasing productivity. We reviewed the status of the manufacturing sector, identified hazards faced by workers, and assessed the existing legislations and healthcare delivery mechanisms. Methods. From October 2014 to March 2015, we did a literature review by manual search of pre-identified journals, general electronic search, electronic search of dedicated websites/databases and personal communication with experts of occupational health. Results. An estimated 115 million workers are engaged in the manufacturing sector, though the Labour Bureau takes into account only one-tenth of them who work in factories registered with the government. Most reports do not mention the human capital employed neither their quality of life, nor occupational health services available. The incidence of accidents were documented till 2011, and industry-wise break up of data is not available. Occupational hazards reported include hypertension, stress, liver disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, eye/ hearing problems, cancers, etc. We found no studies for manufacturing industries in glass, tobacco, computer and allied products, etc. The incidence of accidents is decreasing but the proportion of fatalities is increasing. Multiple legislations exist which cover occupational health, but most of these are old and have not been amended adequately to reflect the present situation. There is a shortage of manpower and occupational health statistics for dealing with surveillance, prevention and regulation in this sector. Conclusion. There is an urgent need of a modern occupational health legislation and an effective machinery to enforce it, preferably through intersectoral coordination between the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, factories and state governments. Occupational health should be integrated with the general health services. Natl Med J India 2016;29:277–81