ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco is the leading global cause of preventable death which kills millions of people and causes huge economic damage every year. Smoking form of tobacco is a major modifiable risk factor for number of chronic non-communicable diseases. In spite of various statutory warnings, smoking still remains a major Public health problem especially in young males. In order to reduce the magnitude and for effective control, the risk factors and distribution should be well known. This study was planned with the objective of assessing the prevalence and determinants of smoking among rural young males of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: This community based cross sectional study was carried out between March and May 2018 among rural young males aged between 18 to 29 years. Sample size of 431 was calculated by using 4PQ/L2 and the respondents were selected from sampled households using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire, which were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: Among 422 participants interviewed, the prevalence of smoking was 23%. Factors found to be protective against smoking were employment status and sedentary type of jobs. Factors found to be significantly associated with smoking were individuals with smoking friends and family members, habit of alcoholism, employment and low education status.Conclusions: Since smoking is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, efforts should be made to control its use by intensive health education, implementing counsellingfacilities and rigorous enforcement of anti-tobacco legislation
ABSTRACT
Background: Dental caries is a preventable multi factorial disease which shows increase in prevalence over last five decades in India. In order to reduce its magnitude and for effective prevention and control, the risk factors and distribution should be well known. This study was planned with the objective of assessing the prevalence and determinants of dental caries among primary school children in an Urban area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: This school based cross sectional study was carried out between November 2017 and February 2018 using a sample size of 430 selected from two schools by simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire, which were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Among the study participants, 52.9% had dental caries. Plaque accumulation was noted in 46.2%. About 74% were taking junk foods daily. About 47.1% children were rinsing their mouth daily and 34.6% were brushing more than once daily. Factors found to be protective against dental caries were high socio economic class and daily mouth rinsing habit. Odds of getting dental caries was more among children with visible dental plaque, daily junk foods intake, brushing once daily and failing to brush after foods. Conclusions: Dental caries is a high prevalent, preventable disease affecting both young and old aged individuals that can be mitigated by health education activities. Proper oral hygiene can prevent dental caries. Hence more importance should be given for oral hygiene and behavioral changes in dietary habits.
ABSTRACT
Background: Menstruation is a normal biological function in females and in the society, the practices followed are highly variable across different regions. This study aimed to determine the practices followed during menstruation by rural women in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: This community based cross sectional study was carried out between August and October 2018. Sample size of 400 was calculated by using formula 4pq/d2 and female respondents were selected from sampled households using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire, which were analysed using SPSS version 16.0 and presented using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: A total of 395 women were included in the study. About 54% of females belonged to the age group of 26-35 years and 82.5% were married. Use of sanitary pads during menstruation was reported by 28.6% of the females. Other absorbents used were disposable cloths (46.3%) and reusable cloths (25.1%). About 79% of females practiced some form of restriction during menstruation. Females aged <35 years (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.48-4.39) were more likely to use sanitary pad compared to older females. Females who used sanitary pad as absorbent were less likely to have symptoms of reproductive tract infections compared to those who didn’t (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28-0.94).Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene practices were found be unsatisfactory among the rural women and various restrictions during menstruation were also in practice. Women should be educated about the importance of use of sanitary pads and the harms of using cloths. Awareness also needs to be created to abolish the unnecessary restrictions that are imposed on women to be followed during menstruation.