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Background: Road traffic accidents are an emerging global health problem. It is projected that road traffic injuries will move up to the third by the year 2020 among leading causes of the global disease burden.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 248 truck drivers in Dunkuni area Hooghly for a period of 2 years from August 2017 to July 2018. By simple random sampling 248 truck drivers were selected from 641 registered drivers of the two-truck driver’s association. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics committee of AIIH and PH, Kolkata. After getting informed written consent for participation, the pre-designed pre-tested schedule was filled up. Data was analysed using SPSS16 version and bivariate analysis was done. For knowledge score (12 items), each item of positive response was scored as +2 and for negative response +1. Stress among truck drivers was assessed using perceived stress scale.Results: Mean age of the participants was 37 years. 24.2% participants studied up to secondary school and 134 (54%) belonged to class IV. 21.0% had history of alcohol addiction, 80.6% had high stress. Adequate knowledge of traffic sign was observed among 79.8% participants and overall adequate knowledge was found among 135 (54.4%) participants.Conclusions: Regular behavioural change communication sessions and intermittent sessions on safe-driving methods among truckers may prove beneficial in preventing road traffic accidents.
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Background: Preventable medical emergencies and accidents accounts for a major share of mortality worldwide. First-aid is the provision of initial, on spot management for an illness or injury, meted out by a trained person, who is not an expert, till professional medical assistance is available. School children have often been projected as a potentially promising agent for radically revolutionizing the health scenario of our society, if properly mentored. The aim of study was to assess the changes in knowledge and attitude of adolescent school children towards first-aid management, after appropriate educational intervention.Methods: It was a school based quasi-experimental study conducted among 201 adolescent children. Baseline knowledge and attitude about first-aid management of selected medical emergencies were assessed using pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Then, educational intervention was administered in the form of lectures and demonstrations. Post-interventional evaluation was done using the same questionnaire, after two weeks of intervention. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16.0.Results: Health professionals (29.2%) and teachers (26.1%) were the primary source of knowledge. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was carried out to determine effect of intervention on knowledge and attitude scores of the students. There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge (Z=-10.982, p<0.001) with large effect size (r=0.54) and an increase in attitude, though not statistically significant (Z=-1.949, p=0.05) with small effect size (r=0.09).Conclusions: There is a need for a uniform, interactive module including hands on activities and periodic mock drills to be incorporated as a separate entity to encourage participation.
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Background: Emergency Contraception (EC) is an important option for women exposed to unprotected sex to prevent unintended pregnancy and induced abortion. EC has a potential to offer women an important option for fertility control. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge about Emergency Contraception among currently married women of reproductive age in a rural area of West Bengal. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 608 currently married women of reproductive age for 1 year from May 2017 to April 2018. Questionnaire was administered to women on knowledge of emergency contraception (EC). Data was analyzed in SPSS version 16. Results: Among the study participants 66% had knowledge of emergency contraception. A small number (8.9%) of the total participants ever used EC to prevent pregnancy. Only 65.3% of them had correct knowledge regarding timing of EC. Effectiveness of post-coital pill was known to them while none of these women were aware of the existence of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) insertion as an option for EC. Conclusions: Marked lacunae were observed regarding knowledge and practice of emergency contraceptives among the WRA. Proper and correct knowledge on Emergency Contraception is of urgent need among all sexually active women especially in this country for population stabilization.
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Background: Cancer of cervix is the third most common cancer in women in India accounting for 21.7% of cancer deaths among women. Unhealthy cervix, characterized by presence of any abnormal growth, ulcer, or vasculature, is a clinically detectable early stage in the life history of cervical cancer. Very few studies have been conducted to determine risk factors of unhealthy cervix. Methods: A clinic-based cross-sectional study was conducted among currently married women of reproductive age group attending Urban Health Unit and Training Centre, Chetla, Kolkata. A total of 189 women attending the clinic was selected using systematic random sampling method was who were interviewed and examined using pre-designed pre-tested schedule. Analysis was done using (SPSS version 16). Results: Among 189 women, 45.5% were diagnosed with unhealthy cervix. Hierarchical logistic regression showed that educational status, PCI, frequency of cleaning external genitalia and extramarital relationship of the spouse were significantly associated with unhealthy cervical condition. Conclusions: Most of the risk factors of unhealthy cervix are behavioral and modifiable. Health education and behaviour change communication of women of reproductive age group would help in reducing their morbidity as well as mortality from cervix related conditions that includes cervical cancer.
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Background: Menstruation, a phenomenon unique to the females, is the cyclical shedding of the inner lining of uterus. It is associated with myths and misconceptions and poor knowledge of the normal physiology. Above all, poor menstrual hygiene is a precursor of various morbidities related to the reproductive tract. This study was conducted among women of reproductive age (WRA) group with the aim to assess their socio demographic characteristics, to elicit the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding menstruation and to find the factors associated with the menstrual hygiene practice.Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 women aged (15-49 years) during December 2017 to January 2018 in Lockgate area of Chetla, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices towards menstruation were obtained from structured questionnaire. Outcome variable was menstrual hygiene practice. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data by using SPSS 16.0 version.Results: The mean ages of the participants were 27±8 years. Inadequate knowledge, negative attitude and unsatisfactory practice towards menstruation were 73.7%, 65.1% and 62.5% respectively. Significant correlates were Lower level of education [AOR=1.6 (1.3, 2.1)] and less per capita income [AOR=4.7(1.4, 15.5)] for inadequate knowledge. Less per capita income [AOR=4.7(1.9, 11.1)] for negative attitude. Increasing age [AOR=1.1 (1, 1.2)] and lower level of education [AOR=1.3 (1.2, 1.6)] for unsatisfactory menstrual hygiene practice when adjusted with other variables in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions: Women need to be educated about the significance of menstruation, importance of high quality menstrual hygiene management, use of satisfactory absorbent material, proper and hygienic disposal of menstrual absorbent so as to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life.
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Context: Oral health means more than only good teeth. It is a state-of-being-free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infections, periodontal diseases, tooth decay or loss, and other diseases/disorders. The age distribution of the world's population is changing. With advances in medicine, the proportion of older people continues to increase worldwide. Aims, Setting, Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 158 elderly (>60 years) residing in a slum of Kolkata during the period from April 2017 to June 2017 to assess the impact of oral health on general health. Data were collected using a pretested predesigned schedule containing Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. Data analysis was performed in R software. Poisson regression was used to find the associates of the impact of oral health. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age was 68.54 (5.9) years. A total of 104 (65.8%) participants reported; foul breath as a problem and 88 (55.7%) reported gum bleeding as a problem. All participants used to clean their teeth daily but only 36.1% used to clean their teeth at least twice daily. More than half the participants reported that they have limited the kind of food they eat due to dental/gum condition and trouble chewing. Conclusion: There is a need to provide sensitive oral health services that are accessible, affordable, appropriate, and acceptable. Knowledge regarding oral health and hygiene should be provided to all elderly, especially diabetics. Further research with the broader conceptual framework, in different age groups and in different settings are warranted.
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Background: Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death and disability. Quitting tobacco use at any age will help in improving the quality of health. Objective: To find out the intention to quit tobacco smoking and its predictors among adult male smokers. Methodology: A cross–sectional clinic based study was conducted for 2 months (July–august 2017) among 123 adult male current smokers. Nicotine dependence was assessed using Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) questionnaire and intention to quit tobacco smoking and its various predictors were assessed using structured schedule. Logistic regression was done to establish association. Results: Intention to quit tobacco smoking significantly associated with higher educational status (AOR=3.04. CI=1.32–6.98),low nicotine dependence(AOR=3.85, CI=1.52–9.73),less duration of tobacco smoking( AOR=2.33, CI=1.02–5.31),previous H/O quit attempts (AOR=2.73, CI=1.17–6.32) Conclusion: The low rate of quitting intention among adult smokers underscore the need for comprehensive policy initiatives that would encourage smokers to think about quitting. Keywords: Tobacco smoking, Nicotine dependence, Intention to quit smoking
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Background: HIV/AIDS is a serious challenge globally. Plethora of morbidities due to crippling immune system reduces quality of life (QOL). The advent of HAART has changed this deadly disease to a chronic manageable illness with focus shifting from fighting virus to ensuring a good QOL. Objective of the study was to assess stigma and discrimination among PLHA and factors influencing, if any in Indian setting.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 220 male aged >15 years (PLHA) attending ART centre of centre of excellence in HIV care in India (CSTM, Kolkata) from May 2012-April 2013 using a pre-designed and pre-tested schedule regarding socio-demographic characteristics and social stigma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0 and p<0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Nearly half (45%) and one-fifth (20.9%) of the study population were discriminated by the family and community respectively. Most (74.5%) of the study population had disclosed their HIV status to their family members. Maximum participants (96.4%) agreed that those who know their HIV status will tell that to others. In the multivariate model with increase in PCI the odds of score of dependant variable increases, so the odds of social stigma decrease (as increase in score means decrease in social stigma).Conclusions: The results show that factors associated with stigma should be further explored as it’s important in considering public health interventions to improve care of PLHA in India
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Background: RTI/STIs have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide, the symptoms of which often goes unnoticed and women suffers from devastating consequences. The present study was conducted to analyse the prevalence of RTIs based on a syndromic approach among women of 15 to 49 years age, supported by both laboratory and clinical diagnosis to measure the actual magnitude of morbidity associated with RTIs among the study population. The objective of the study were to study the prevalence of reproductive tract infection among the women of reproductive age group (15-49 years), to find out the etiological diagnosis and to assess the socio-demographic profile of the study population.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 312 women aged 15-44 years in a rural area in West Bengal, using the WHO-Syndromic Approach for diagnosis and management of RTIs/STIs.Results: The prevalence of RTIs among the reproductive age group women was 43.6% based on their symptoms of RTI, with majority having abnormal vaginal discharge. According to laboratory investigations the most common cause of RTI was bacterial vaginosis which was 67.4% (using Amsel’s criteria) and 31.7% (as per Nugent’s score), followed by Vulvovaginal candidiasis which was found in 12.4%.Conclusions: RTI among women of reproductive age is quite a common morbidity.It is the need of the hour to educate women about reproductive health issues and encourage them to seek treatment for their problems and wherever possible both clinical and laboratory findings should corroborate self reported morbidity to know the exact prevalence of any disease in the community.
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Background: Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy as it is associated with increased maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Objective: To study the knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding IFA supplementation during pregnancy. Methodology :A cross–sectional study was conducted for 2 months (May –July 2017) among 108 pregnant women in their third trimester attending the antenatal at Singur. Knowledge and practice assessed using structured schedule. Logistic regression was done to establish association. Results : Poor knowledge significantly associated with lower age(AOR= 0.80,CI=0.67–0.95), lower educational status( AOR= 3.75, CI= 1.5–9.34),lower per capita income ( AOR= 3.09, CI= 1.24–7.72). Poor practice associated lower educational status(AOR=3.30, CI=1.45–7.53) and improper guidance from health–care worker(AOR=3.15, CI=1.29–7.72) Conclusions : The present study indicated poor knowledge and practice regarding IFA supplementation. So intensive counselling, motivation and implementing this into practice would help in reducing the incidence of anemia during pregnancy.
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Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito borne disease with epidemic potential. There is no specific treatment available till date and apart from vector control, vaccination of individuals is considered as a safe and effective measure for prevention. Vaccination campaign among 1-15 years is being carried out with full vigour from 2015 onwards in West Bengal. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of the care givers of 1-15 years old children about JE and its prevention and to find out the factors associated with vaccination status of the children. A cross sectional, community based study was conducted from May-June 2016 in a slum of Chetla, Kolkata, which is within the service area of Urban Health Unit and Training Centre (UHU&TC), Chetla of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata, where the campaign prior to the study was completed in March 2016. Care givers of 90 children of aged 1-15 years were interviewed with a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured schedule. Mean age of the surveyed children was 6.34 years (SD 3.76) and 88% of them were vaccinated during the campaign. 56.7% of the caregivers had poor knowledge about JE and 84.95% were sensitized about the campaign by relatives/friends followed by health workers (33.7%). Low socio-economic status and good knowledge of JE had significant association with vaccination of the child after adjusting with other factors (age and sex of the child, education and occupation of parents, type of family). Enhancement of knowledge and awareness about JE with appropriate health education programmes and special emphasis on sensitization campaigns for JE vaccination at both mass and individual level would prevent emergence of JE epidemics in future.
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Background: Declining sex ratio is an issue of major concern. In spite of legal rules and regulations prenatal sex determination and sex selective abortion is going on in this country. The root of the problem is male child preference and unawareness about the rules forbidding prental sex determination. Aim: To elicit the gender preference and perception regarding prenatal sex determination among rural ever married women and to find out the contextual factors influencing the perception. Material and methods: This community based cross-sectional study was undertaken under the rural field practice area of All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Kolkata. All over married women in that area was line listed out of which the required number of women (i.e. 96) was selected by simple random sampling. A predesigned and pretested semi structured schedule was used for data collection. Firstly a univariate analysis was done. The variables which were found to be asignificant were entered into the multiple logistic regression model. P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: 90.6% of the study population felt that at least one male child is necessary in a family and 59.37% agreed with prenatal sex determination. Multivariate analysis showed that women with higher education had better perception of prenatal sex determination techniques and the PNDT Act with Adjusted Odds Ratio (Confidence Interval) 19.25 (5.58-66.34). Conclusion: Intensive IEC campaigns to increase awareness and enforcement of law are the need of the hour to check this social problem.
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Introduction: Unregulated fertility not only has adverse impact on the health of a woman and her child but also disrupts the economy society and nation. Thus appropriate knowledge and practice of contraception by couples can help in reducing population burden in a major way and thus markedly improve both health and economy of the nation. Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge and practice of contraception among married women in rural West Bengal and association of practice with female literacy. Material and methods: A cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted using a pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire on 104 married women in the reproductive age group, attending the outpatient department of a rural health centre at Singur block, West Bengal. Pregnant women were excluded from the study. Results: Majority of the women had knowledge about permanent methods (99.03%), oral pills (95.19%) and condoms (94.23%) but very few knew about emergency contraceptives (8.65%)and none about female condoms, diaphragms and implants .Social circle (41.3%) and health personnel (31.7%) served as the major sources of information. 85.57% were currently using some form of contraception. Most of the current users (49.04%) had undergone tubal ligation but none adopted male sterilization. Completion of family was the main reason of usage (57.3%) and fear of side effects (46.7%) and desire for children (40%) were the main reasons behind non usage. Husbands mostly decided the method of contraception (64.04%) Education served as a significant determinant of contraceptive use. Conclusion: Elimination of stigma related to vasectomy a improve contraceptive use.
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Background: Visual impairment is a phenomenon which plagues many a human being be it of any age. It occurs all the more when the concern is the geriatric population. They seem to face many difficulties in their day-to-day life when they suffer from visual ailments and when they go undiagnosed and undetected. Aim: The objectives of the study were to determine the socio-demographic characteristics, to assess the visual impairment of geriatric population and its association with various task oriented domains of daily visual functioning, emotional well-being and social functioning in a rural area of West Bengal. Material and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was done by measurement of visual acuity by Snellen’s chart (for distance vision), Jaeger’s chart (for near vision), torch light examination, interview by visual function questionnaire and determination of socio-demographic and economic characteristics on 110 geriatric people equal to or greater than 60 years of age. Observations: 42 (38.2%) people had visual impairment. The number of females was higher than that of males. Most of the visual impairment was found in people over 70 years of age. Visual impairment was significantly associated with gender (4.765, 95% CI 1.614-14.067) and religion (4.031, 95% CI 1.011-16.075). It was also significantly associated with difficulty in near vision activities (0.280, 95% CI 0.112-0.700), limitations in social functioning (2.700, 95% CI 2.111-3.453), mental health symptoms (0.273, 95% CI 0.092-0.106) and role limitation (0.266, 95% CI 0.075-0.946). Conclusion: Visual impairment is quite prevalent in the geriatric population and it significantly impacts the daily visual functioning of the elderly population which demands further concern.
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A hospital-based, cross-sectional, observational study of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) attending the School of Tropical Medicine (STM), Kolkata was carried out for a period of 6 months from May 2006 to October 2006, to assess the sexual practices of PLWHAs. Past sexual practice of PLWHAs revealed that 93.4% males were polygamous, compared to 16.4% females. Of them, 45.7% males and 92.8% females reported sex with a nonregular sex partner (NRSP) in 1 year. Consistent condom use was low in both sexes. Current sexual practice showed that more than four-fifth (87.9%) of the new patients and two-thirds (68.9%) of the indoor patients were currently sexually active in 1 month recall period (P=3.79, Z=0.0000). However, consistent condom use was found only in 35.5% indoor patients and 15.5% of new patients and the difference was statistically significant.
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Background: Both magnitude and severity of disability in new leprosy patients measure indirectly the disease transmission in the community and rapidity of case detection. Various factors might be associated with the presence of impairment at registration. Aims: To find out the prevalence of both grade 1 and grade 2 disability among new leprosy patients along with association of some clinical and sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Skin out patient department (OPD) of a Tertiary care hospital in West Bengal, which is situated in a highly endemic district of leprosy (prevalence was 6.5/10000, year 2007). About 244 new leprosy patients were interviewed and clinically examined during Aug'06-Jun'07. Data was analysed in percentages, χ2 test, Anova. Results: Proportion of disability was quite high among the studied new leprosy patients, 11.5% had grade-1 and 8.6% had grade-2. Disability was more among the patients with pure neuritic type of leprosy (<0.001), multibacillary leprosy (P=0.000), patients with delayed registration (P=0.000) and who were engaged as manual laborers (P=0.001). Feet were commonly involved site and nerve function impairment, both sensory and motor were the commonest nature of disability found in this study. Conclusion: To reduce new leprosy cases with grade-2 disability, early diagnosis of the leprosy patients and searching for grade-1 disability should be routine procedure in our health system, for which thorough neurological examination along with appropriate preventive measures is the need of the hour.
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A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 (104 urban, 95 rural) male students of classes VIII and IX, of two schools, in urban and rural areas of West Bengal to compare the prevalence of protective factors, mental health issues, and violence among the urban and rural adolescents using a self-administered questionnaire. Higher proportion of urban students than rural (67.3% vs. 62.5%) reported that their guardians understood their problems. Mental health issues like loneliness (17.3% vs. 9.8%), worry (17.3% vs. 10.7%), and suicidal thoughts (19.2% vs. 14.1%) were higher among urban students. Physical fight (53.8% vs. 11.6%), bullying (46.4% vs. 17%), physical attack by family members (46% vs. 17%), and by teachers (53% vs. 10.7%) were all more in urban adolescents. Mental health- and violence-related issues were prevalent more among urban students than those among rural students in spite of having more protective factors suggesting the need of frequent supervision, monitoring, and support of adolescents.
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Background: HIV/AIDS being a behavioral disease, appropriate knowledge is important for those who are infected. Objectives: To elicit and compare knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending or admitted in Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, (CSTM), Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS Patients admitted in indoor wards and newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) of the School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. Data were gathered by interviewing patients using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: More in-patients had heard about AIDS than ICTC patients. Television was the most popular source of information in both groups, followed by health personnel and friends. Correct knowledge about transmission, symptoms, prevention of AIDS, and lifestyles desirable for affected patients was significantly higher among in-patients who had already been counseled, than the newly diagnosed ICTC patients yet to receive. Within each group of patients, the knowledge score was significantly higher among females, Christians, urban residents, patients educated beyond middle school, and non- migrants. In-patients had a significantly higher attitudinal score toward HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Repeated counseling is required to keep up high level of knowledge and positive attitude pertaining to HIV/AIDS to reduce risk behavior, prevent disease transmission, and improve quality of life.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Counseling/methods , Continuity of Patient Care , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , HIV Infections/psychology , HIV Long-Term Survivors , Humans , India , Inpatients/education , Outpatients/education , Patient Education as Topic , Perception , Population Groups , Quality of Life , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A cross-sectional, clinical and epidemiological study was undertaken among 627 primary school children (rural 145, urban 482) to compare the common ear morbidity pattern between an urban slum of kolkata and a rural area of Hooghly. Middle ear pathology was found to be present in 20% and 12.6% among rural and urban students respectively. Cerumen in the external auditory canal was the commonest clinical finding in both the areas and was found to be present in 35.86% of rural and 30.70% of urban population respectively. Smoke nuisance, bathing in open ponds and overcrowding were some of the predisposing factors causing ear diseases, like chronic suppurative otitis media and serous otitis media.