ABSTRACT
Background: Cataract is considered as one of the most common causes of visual impairment and the leading cause of blindness in the world. Age related cataract occurs in people above 50 years of age and the its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for cataract.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among adults residing at urban areas of South Bihar. The data was collected by interview method, using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which contains socio-demographic data, dietary habits, history of diabetes or hypertension, family history of cataract and long-term sun exposure.Results: Among 240 participants, 94 (39.2%) were male and 146 (60.8%) were female. Maximum participants were aged more than 70 years. The prevalence of cataract was 52.1%.Conclusions: The prevalence of cataract was quite high and was significantly associated with age, long term sun exposure and family history of cataract.
ABSTRACT
Background: Malaria is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and India has fourth highest number of malaria cases and deaths in the world. Prevention of the disease through better knowledge and awareness is the appropriate way to keep the disease away and remain healthy. Thus, the present study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding malaria among residents of Mangalore.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among residents in Mangalore. The data was collected by using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which include socio-demographic data, basic knowledge about malaria, transmission and preventive measures and health seeking behaviour regarding malaria through interview method.Results: Almost 98.4% respondents heard of malaria disease and 96% respondents had knowledge that malaria is caused by mosquito bite. Even, majority (72%) of respondents knew that malaria can be fatal. Regarding the symptoms of malaria, 52.4% respondents mentioned fever with chills and 11.6% respondents don’t know about malarial symptoms.Conclusions: Majority of the respondents were familiar with the malaria symptoms, mode of transmission and vector control measures. They had good knowledge of malaria disease and good practices of malaria control measures.
ABSTRACT
Background: Socio-demographic and environmental factors are associated with the malaria prevalence. Hence assessment of these factors would potentially help in identification of the possible risk factors among households with their health seeking behavior and would help to adopt the most suitable and appropriate malaria control strategies.Methods: A baseline household survey was carried out in the study site Lingappayakadu, Mulki, Manglore involving all study population (n=4954) from July to September 2017. Total 1043 households were interviewed with predesigned semi- structured questionnaire with informed written consent. Blood samples were collected from fever cases and results were confirmed for malaria within 24 hours. Anti-malarial drugs including the Primiaquine were given to all the positive cases. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and health seeking behavior were also collected from study population.Results: The prevalence of malaria in the study was 1.41% and slide positivity was 51.09%. The presence of malaria cases was statistically significant with number of members present in the family (p=0.00001, X2=199.37), age group (p=0.0168, X2=8.17) type of working status (p=0.0293, X2=7.06). Environmental factors like type of housing (p=0.3366, OR=1.3854), peri-domestic sanitation (p=0.1646, OR=0.554), Mosquito breeding (p=0.4504, OR=0.6757), indoor mosquitoes (p=1.000, OR=0.6173) and mosquito bite prevention methods were (p=0.1910, OR=1.7316) not showing any significant difference. Out of 137 fever cases, 70 cases were diagnosed with malaria amongst which 94.3% cases completed anti-malaria drug treatment.Conclusions: A survey provides data regarding socio-demographic, environmental and health seeking behavior of population. The study did not show any statistically significant association of malaria with many environmental parameters. Health seeking behavior could be analyzed and improved with frequent surveillance methods.
ABSTRACT
Background: Renal resistive index (RRI) measured by Doppler ultrasonography has been associated with severity, rate of progression and mortality in chronic renal failure. Parameters like renal vascular resistance, filtration fraction and effective renal plasma flow have been associated with renal resistivity index in chronic kidney disease patients.Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2016 to August 2017. 100 patients with chronic kidney disease were enrolled. RRI was calculated from the blood flow velocities observed during Doppler examinations of the segmental arteries and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Spearman Rank-Order Correlation Coefficient was used.Results: A Significant inverse correlation was observed between RRI and eGFR (r= -0.347, p =0.0004). It was also observed that older age (r= 0.297), higher systolic blood pressure (r= 0.365), lower levels of hemoglobin (r= -0.34 for males and r= -0.353 for females) were observed to correlate with higher values of RRI in advanced CKD stages.Conclusions: RRI correlated inversely with eGFR in chronic kidney disease and hence was directly related to the severity of the disease.