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Background:The aim of thestudy was to explore whether there is a relationship between Cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities and the prevalence and severity of Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:Secondary data analysis of 146 patients with suspected sleep-disordered breathing was conducted who were presented to the department of medicine, KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, from June 2021 to November 2021. Participants aged ?18 years were included in the analysis. Demographic details, clinical history, comorbidities, medication history, were analyzed. AHI score, ODI (Oxygen desaturation index) score and average O2saturation were recorded with the help of a home sleep testing device. Data were entered and analyzed with Epi info 7.Results:The overall prevalence of OSA was 78.8% in patients with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. Prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe OSA was 28.8%, 15.1%, and 34.9%, respectively. Proportions of diabetes and hypertensionwere significantly high among patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Correlation analysis revealed a weak positive linear relationship (r=0.14) between the number of risk factors and the AHI score.Conclusions:Thisstudy showed high prevalence of OSA among out patients presented with suspected sleep disordered breathing. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity were highly prevalent CV comorbidities among South Indian patients diagnosed with OSA.
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Background: The changing global climate due to human influences is leading to a greater incidence of extreme weather events and natural disasters. The natural and man-made disasters have a great impact on physical and mental health and health system. Disaster preparedness is therefore important at all levels of the health system. Being the first contact of the health system to the communities, accredited social health workers have a great role in managing the disasters at the village level. This study attempts to assess the awareness regarding disaster management among accredited social health activists (ASHAs) in the field practice area of J.S.S. Medical College in Mysuru, Karnataka.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted for one month in July 2019. A total of 40 ASHAs were assessed by direct interview method using a pre-structured, validated questionnaire. The data were entered into the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPPS version 22.Results: The median years of experience of ASHAs were 10 years (interquartile range: 5.75-10) with a minimum and maximum experience of 2 and 10 years respectively. None of the study participants had received any trainings or mock drills for disaster management/ preparedness. The awareness about disaster management was low among the ASHAs assessed. Most of the ASHAs (92.5%) had average knowledge about disaster management while 7.5% had only poor knowledge.Conclusions: The awareness about disaster management among ASHAs is very poor. We recommend training programs and mock drills for the frontline health workers to improve awareness and disaster preparedness.
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Background: Diabetes mellitus is a multisystem disorder associated with number of complications. If patients are to contribute to the effective control of diabetes, awareness and practices can assist in reducing the incidence of its complications.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 type II diabetic patients at JSS Hospital, Mysuru was conducted, assessment of health seeking behaviour using semi structured questionnaire was done. Quality of life was assessed using WHO QOL-BREF Questionnaire.Results: Among 200 study participants 53.5% belongs to age group 41-60, 57.5% were males, 44.5% were having family history of diabetes, 68.5% were on oral hypoglycemic agents. 163 (81.5%) were anxious when they were diagnosed as diabetics, 123 (61.5%) were influenced by themselves to go for investigations, 68 (34%)were influenced by Doctors, 131 (65.5%) had no money as the barrier to attend hospital for check-up, 186 (93%) visit hospital once in less than 3 months, 180 (90%) of them believed oral drugs are the treatment for diabetes, 188 (94%) prefer Allopathic medicine. Association between initial response on diagnosis and interval for regular monitoring with Quality of life of diabetic patients was statically significant (p?0.05).Conclusions: Health seeking behaviour is an important determinant of controlled glycaemic status and Quality of life of people living with diabetes.
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Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases (NCD). Many people in developing countries are detected late and die from NCDs, often in their most productive years. Prevention of CVD is an essential step to control the epidemic of NCDs. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of risk factors and to estimate the risk of CVD in the next 10 years.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 608 individuals aged ≥40 years in rural area of Mysuru. Data was collected using Semi structured questionnaire and 10 year CVD risk was estimated using World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk prediction charts.Results: A total of 608 study participants (mean age 56.76±11.07 years; Male:Female ratio 1.2:1) were included in the study. The prevalence of tobacco (32.9%) and alcohol (20.1%) consumption was significantly higher among males compared with females. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity prevalence was 39.5%, 15.5% and 28.1% respectively. One-fifth of population had moderate (20-39%) estimated risk and 7.4% had very high (≥40%) risk of developing CVD event in next 10 years. The estimated high risk (≥30%) of CVD events was statistically higher among individuals who were non-literates, unemployed, physically inactive, middle and above socioeconomic status.Conclusions: In the present study, CVD risk factors and estimated risk of CVD were significantly prevalent in the rural population. The use of simple tools like WHO/ISH risk prediction charts to estimate CVD risk is recommended in low resource settings at Community level, as the benefit of screening outweighs the risk of missing an opportunity to prevent CVD.
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Background: The world is witnessing significant change in its climate leading to an increase in natural disasters. Kerala state of India recently witnessed its worst Monsoon rainfall in the century. Floods have significant effects on mental health. Screening of psychological problems is necessary in the background of recent floods in Kerala. So this study was done with the objectives to assess the prevalence of depression in the flood affected people of Kerala and to assess the severity of depression among people residing in flood affected areas of Kerala.Methods: Cross sectional study was done four weeks after flood. Individuals aged ≥15 years residing in flood affected areas were included and people not willing to participate were excluded. Purposive sampling was done and 306 participants were studied. Participants were assessed by interview technique using PHQ9 questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS-22. Descriptive statistics like percentage were applied. Inferential statistical tests like chi-square test were applied for association.Results: Among the participants 48% showed symptoms of depression. 28.10 % were mildly depressed, 12.74% were moderately depressed, 5.56% had moderately severe and 1.63% had severe depression. Maximum prevalence of depression was observed in geriatric age group.Conclusions: A significant amount of people residing in flood affected areas showed signs and symptoms of depression. An urgent intervention is therefore required to improve mental health status of the flood affected individuals.
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Background: Highly qualified and trained medical specialists such as Pathologists and Microbiologists who need to work at the microscope for long hours are at a high risk of musculoskeletal and ophthalmic disorders. This study is an attempt to identify such potential occupational hazards with the objectives to estimate the magnitude of occupational hazards among Pathologists and Microbiologists in Mysuru, and to assess the factors influencing these hazards among the study participants.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the Pathologists and Microbiologists of Mysuru district over a period of six months, a total of 45 study participants were included. An online self-administered questionnaire was sent to the study participants through e-mail and asked to fill and submit online, keeping complete confidentiality, and with informed consent. The results were analysed using appropriate statistical methods.Results: Pathologists and Microbiologists in almost equal proportions consented and took part in the study. 67% of them reported work related musculoskeletal problems, and 42% had visual refractive errors, mostly myopia. 9% of them reported to have experienced occupational injuries, mostly needle-stick injuries. None of them reported to smoke. Majority were happy with the work atmosphere and environmental conditions. Most of them were positive about the work-related situation in the coming years.Conclusions: This study found that more than half of the pathologists and microbiologists are exposed to occupational hazards and have suffered musculoskeletal, ophthalmic morbidities and had injuries, but none of which were life-threatening. Most of the risk factors are avoidable through ergonomic equipment and training.
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Background: Scrub typhus is one among the re-emerging infectious diseases throughout the world. Various studies conducted across India reveals that its public health importance is increasing. This study was conducted 1) To describe the socio-demographic and epidemiological profile of patients admitted with scrub typhus. 2) To assess the health care seeking behaviour of these patients. 3) To estimate the cost factors incurred in the current episode of illness. Methods: This prospective study was conducted from January to December 2013 among all lab confirmed cases of scrub typhus admitted to department of medicine and pediatrics of JSS Hospital, Mysore. The study subjects were interviewed with a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. Data regarding socio-demographic profile, epidemiological profile, disease outcome, health care seeking behaviour and cost factors incurred with current episode of illness were collected. Data entry and analysis were done with SPSS.v.22.0 using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviations and inferential statistics like chi-square test. Results: Among 192 patients tested positive by Weil-Felix test and/or Immuno-Chromatographic Test (ICT) for scrub typhus majority 105 (54.7%) were males and were predominantly 135 (70.3 %) from rural areas. Mostly 172(89.6%) were unaware of any mite bite in the past. Majority 167 (87.0%) of them had visited atleast three Health Care Facilities (HCF) for treatment. The mean ± SD total duration of illness was 15.6 ± 4.1 days. Most 104 (54.2 %) of them had suffered from illness for 11-15 days. Majority 175 (91.1%) of them had recovered while 3 (1.6%) of them had succumbed to the condition. The median Total direct cost, total indirect cost and overall total cost were Rs. 7500 (7000-9500), Rs. 3000 (2500-3500) and Rs. 10500 (10000-13000) respectively. Most 104 (54.2%) of them spent from money borrowed from others, followed by 78 (40.6%) spent Out Of Pocket (OOP). Conclusion: People from rural areas, unskilled workers and children were affected predominantly. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, significant morbidity and mortality could be prevented. Promotion of various public and private health insurance schemes among public would minimise the OOP expenditure and prevents debts.
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Aim: To assess the feasibility of implementing "one health approach" to prevent human rabies and control animal rabies in a rural community. Study Design: Health services research in a rural setting. Place and Duration of Study: A medical college and a veterinary college along with an animal welfare organization delivered a wide array of "integrated services" in three villages' i.e. Kumbalagodu, Thagachikuppe and Gerupalya near Bangalore, India comprising a population of 10,220 persons for a period of two years from December, 2009 to November, 2011. The nearby three villages of Ramohally, Vinayakanagara and Bhimanakuppe with a population of 6,023 persons formed the control group, with no project inputs. Methodology: This consisted of household surveys at the beginning and end of two years ; rabies awareness campaigns; clinical and laboratory surveillance of rabies in dogs; rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in humans; pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PrEP) by intradermal route in school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians ; mass dog vaccination and deworming; and sero-surveillance in both dogs and humans. Results: The ratio of veterinary and medical manpower in study villages was 1: 11 and dog to human ratio was 1: 23.The information, education and communication materials developed and used were domestic outdoor wall writings (11), domestic indoor annual wall calendar (2000), school book labels (1000); game charts (16); wall posters (65); flip chart (15); rabies educational DVD (1). There were 102 local cable television transmissions on rabies prevention. 69 persons received rabies PEP. PrEP was given to 368 school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians. Sixty one human serum samples were analyzed by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for rabies antibody detection. Sixteen veterinarians were trained to use direct rapid immunohistochemical test (dRIT) for rabies diagnosis. Six ruminants were confirmed rabid by dRIT. There were no cases of human rabies. The cost of entire project was US $ 85,958. Conclusion: A blend of medical, veterinary and animal welfare services were successfully delivered through a "one health" approach. Based on this success a "conceptual model" was evolved to propagate its replication in other rural communities across India.