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Background: HIV/ AIDS is one of the major global health issue, resulting an epidemic. Understanding the socio-demographic profile with magnitude of risky behavior might include positive messages in the routine HIV/AIDS care and treatment. Objective of this study was to find out the socio-demographic, behavioural characteristics among patients receiving second line ART (Anti-Retroviral therapy) in a tertiary centre of North-East India.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 90 PLWHA patients receiving second line ART in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal from March 2016 to August 2017. A predesigned and pretested schedule was used as study tool to collect required information.Results: Majority participants (43.3%) belonged to 30-40 years age group, mean age 39.96±8.021 years; 51.1% were female. Majority (58.9%) got infected with HIV through heterosexual route followed by IV drug use (31.1%). Nearly half (51.1%) were diagnosed with HIV for 11-15 years duration and majority (61.1%) were under 2nd line ART for 6-10 years duration. Here, 3.3% subjects had Hepatitis B and 7.8% were infected with hepatitis C.Conclusions: Young population were most affected group and heterosexual route being the commonest mode of transmission. Combination of socio-demographic, behavioural risk factor and unawareness are responsible for rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. So, people need to be educated for primary and secondary prevention.
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Background: Diabetes mellitus, a major lifestyle disease is undoubtedly the most challenging public health problem of 21st century with a worldwide prevalence of 387 million (8.3%). The objective of this study was to get an estimate of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated factors in a sample of adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found among adult population of a peri-urban area (Dukli) of west Tripura from April 2016 to May 2016. Multistage random sampling was followed to include 76 participants. Taking house as a sampling unit, every 5th house was chosen for this study. From every selected house, one adult participant was chosen by simple random sampling until desired sample size was attained. Collected data was compiled and analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0.). Chi-square, Fischer exact test was applied to find out association.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 42.21±17.65 years, comprised of 23.7% male and 76.3% female. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 17.1% among study participants. Diabetes was found highest in 39-58-year age group (37.5%). Males were more affected with diabetes mellitus (22.2%) compared to females (15.5%). The study also revealed a significant association of diabetes mellitus with family history of diabetes mellitus (p value 0.00).Conclusions: Present study showed very high prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population. Healthy lifestyle measures might reduce burden of diabetes mellitus which could be evaluated in future research.
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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
ABSTRACT
Background: In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice because of costly clinical services and easy availability of medicine from pharmacies. There is an increase trend of self-medication among different health professional students apart from general people. This study aims to assess self-medication practice among medical and nursing students in Tripura, India.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical and nursing students of Tripura Medical College and Tripura College of Nursing, of Tripura for two months (January- February 2018). A pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect the required information. The collected data was entered in SPSS version 16.0, represented in proportions and p <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Overall 353 (88.3%) students of both courses practiced self-medication; prevalence was more among medical (91.5%) than nursing students (85%). Main source of information among medical students were books (90.2%) while 56.5% nursing students replied friends and/or seniors as primary source. Majority (53%) respondents took self-medication for headache (79.2% medical vs 72.4% nursing students) followed by fever (77.6% medical vs 52.4% nursing). Less than half of the respondents (48.5% medical vs 46.5% nursing students) believed that self-medication was harmful; maximum nursing students (71.5%) believed that self-medication is self-care as compare to medical students (56.5%).Conclusions: The study found wide practice of self-medication among students, inappropriate use of which may cause serious health hazards. Promoting education regarding self-medication and making healthcare system available can reduce self-medication practices substantially.
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Background: Sleep deprivation may have grave health consequences; resulting in increasing disease morbidity and mortality. Sleep disturbance have also been affected academic performance of medical students. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of sleep disturbance and association between sleep disturbance and academic performance of medical students, if any.Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of March 2018 among 203 medical students of Tripura Medical College and Dr. B.R.A.M. Teaching Hospital. Probability Proportionate to Sample Size (PPS) was used to determine the number of students required from each semester. Students selected by simple random sampling from each semester were interviewed by a pre-designed, pre-tested interview schedule designed based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data was represented in percentages in tables, charts and Chi square test was applied. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Mean age of the medical student was 21.36±1.96 years. Present study showed, 57% students were complaining of disturbed sleep. Students who felt sleepy during daytime (72.4%) were struggling more during exam compared to students not feeling sleepy (51.7%), which was statistically significant. Study revealed, students who got average mark in last semester exam were most affected with disturbed sleep (66.3%) followed by students who got good marks (53.5%) and poor marks (50%).Conclusions: Prevalence of sleep disturbance was very high among medical students. Male students were much more affected compared to female students. Sleep disturbance has also affected academic performance of students.