ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To present our experience with management of complex hepatic hydatid cysts (Gharbi type III), using percutaneous large bore catheter drainage followed by active mechanical suction of cyst contents. Methods: Eleven patients (6 males and 5 females with a mean age of 43.2 years), with 13 complex Gharbi type III hepatic hydatid cysts were included in the study. Under sonography guidance the complex heterogeneous hepatic hydatid cysts were treated percutaneously using large bore drainage catheter and active mechanical suction. Results: Successful drainage of all 13 complex Gharbi type III hepatic hydatid cysts was achieved in all patients (n = 11). The mean duration of catheter placement was 11.3 days (range 7 to 40 days). The most common problem encountered was biliary fistula (n = 3), which was effectively managed with prolonged catheter drainage and/ or endoscopic intervention. No serious complications or deaths were encountered. Minor complications were seen in 7 patients including, urticaria in 3, fever in 2 and reactive pleural effusion in 3. All patients responded to symptomatic treatment. Follow up serial ultrasound was performed on all patients, that showed near complete healing in 9 and formation of pseudotumour in 4 patients. There was no recurrence with a mean follow up of 15.23 months (6 months – 2 years). Conclusion: Percutaneous suction and large bore catheter drainage of Gharbi type III hepatic hydatid cysts is a safe and effective alternative therapy.