ABSTRACT
Introduction: Over past few decade morbidities and mortalities associated with NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) leads to a significant loss of productive life years both in developed and developing countries. Therefore, the present study was done to determine the prevalence of common risk factors for major NCDs in a rural population of Barabanki district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Satrikh block of Barabanki district. Multistage sampling was used for enrolment of the study subjects. A totalof 1824 participants aged ≥25 years were enrolled in the study. WHO STEPs- wise tool was used to collect information on behavioural risk factors like tobacco use, diet, alcohol useand associated anthropometric indices were measured. Results: Prevalence of tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco products use, alcohol consumption, less than five servings of fruits/vegetables, more than five grams of salt intake and overweight/obesity was found to be 26.2%, 27.08%, 24.1%, 91.61%, 10.9% and 34.86% respectively. Individuals with age more than 35 years, male subjects, illiterates and those who belonged to scheduled castes/tribes were significantly (p<0.05) more predisposed to both smoked tobacco as well as smokeless tobacco use and alcohol consumption.Consumption of alcohol was significantly (p<0.05) higher among employed groups who belonged to upper and upper middle class while tobacco consumption was more prevalent in lower socioeconomic group. Consumption of salt more than 5 grams per day was significantly higher among individuals in elder age group (35-65 days), among females, those who were literate, those who belonged to other backward castes and among government employees. Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors among adults. This indicates towards need of prompt community based preventive measures and control strategies to lower the forthcoming consequences of NCDs.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Dengue (DEN) is a rapidly spreading arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Although it is endemic in India, dengue virus (DENV) infection has not been reported from tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh. Investigations were conducted to establish the aetiology of sudden upsurge of cases with febrile illness in June 2013 from tribal villages of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: The rapid response team of the National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, conducted clinical investigations and field surveys to collect the samples from suspected cases. Samples were tested using molecular and serological tools. Collected mosquitoes were identified and tested for the presence of virus using semi nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The sequences were analysed to identify serotype and genotype of the virus. Results: of the 648 samples collected from 18 villages of Mandla, 321 (49.53%) were found to be positive for dengue. The nRT-PCR and sequencing confirmed the aetiology as dengue virus type 2. Eighteen per cent of patients needed hospitalization and five deaths were attributed to dengue. The virus was also detected from Aedes aegypti mosquito, which was incriminated as a vector. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the dengue virus 2 detected belonged to cosmopolitan genotype of the virus. Interpretation & conclusions: Dengue virus serotype 2 was detected as the aetiological agent in the outbreak in tribal villages of Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. Conducive man-made environment favouring mosquitogenic conditions and seeding of virus could be the probable reasons for this outbreak. Urgent attention is needed to control this new threat to tribal population, which is already overburdened with other vector borne diseases.
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, a major cause of childhood hepatitis is transmitted by orofaecal route. Children mostly suffer with subclinical infection but may have serious clinical implications leading to hospitalization and mortality. IgM ELISA and nRT PCR were conducted on the blood samples collected from HAV suspected paediatric cases referred to the viral diagnostic laboratory in the Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals at Jabalpur, Central India. The nRT PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was done. of the 195 samples tested, 41 (21%) were positive for HAV antibodies, among which 38 (92%) belonged to paediatric age group and 32 per cent of these were hospitalized. nRT PCR and sequencing confirmed the presence of HAV. Phylogenic analysis revealed circulation of genotype III A in central India. Regular serological and molecular monitoring would aid in understanding epidemiology of HAV and plan intervention strategies.