ABSTRACT
Background: Low level of education of the slum dwellers along-with poor socio- economic status and pathetic environmental conditions lead to their poor health indicators. Since the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was launched in 2013, the health services are still in their initial stages. Assessment of the availability as well as the utilization of health care services of the urban slums is the need of the hour.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected slum in Amritsar city. All the houses were enumerated and visited by the interviewer herself. The eldest adult member of the family was selected as key respondent and written, informed consent was obtained. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the data which was then compiled and analyzed using statistical tests.Results: Out of the total respondents, one third respondents had knowledge about the government health center nearby (statistically significant) while out of these, only one third utilized the services at the center (statistically non-significant). Almost half of the respondents had knowledge about the medical camps and out of these, two-thirds utilized the services at medical camps.Conclusions: Overall utilization of services is poor. More respondents were aware of the medical camps than the static government health facility and utilization of medical camps was also more. So the static health services under NUHM need to be further strengthened.
ABSTRACT
Epilepsy is treated with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) mainly in most of the patients. AEDs are to be initiated after having 2 seizures within a 6-month period. These have been observed to be associated with an increased frequency of hypocalcemia, hypophosphataemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity, reduced 25-hydroxy Vitamin-D concentrations, and decreased bone mass in patients receiving long term therapy. It is also observed that duration of AED therapy was the most important contributing factor for the alterations of these biochemical parameters. Objective: To study the effect of antiepileptic drugs on serum alkaline phosphatase levels in epileptic patients and to compare the relationship of change with duration of drug intake. Study Design: A Case Control Prospective Study. Methods: A total number of 100 subjects presenting with epilepsy in the OPD of Neurology department of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, attached to Government Medical College Amritsar, were selected. Results: 50 epileptic patients taking Antiepileptic Drugs for more than 6 months constituted case group and 50 epileptic patients not taking Antiepileptic Drugs constituted control group. The study group patients were further divided according to duration of drug intake. Conclusion: AEDs causes significant increase in Alkaline phosphatase levels and this increase is further related to duration of drug intake.
ABSTRACT
Antiepilectic drug is the main stay of treatment for most patients with epilepsy. These may cause Patients with epilepsy are often required to take antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for a long period of time. However, prolonged use of AEDs is known to be associated with adverse effects such as metabolic and organ toxicity, endocrine disturbance, negative cognitive effects, and psychiatric problems; particularly with alterations in thyroid function in patients with epilepsy and is thought to correlate with type of AED taken. Objective: To study the effect of antiepileptic drugs on serum thyroid profile in epileptic patients and to compare the relationship of change with type of drug intake. Study Design: A Case Control Prospective Study. Methods: A total number of 80 subjects presenting with epilepsy in the OPD of Medicine of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, attached to Government Medical College Amritsar, were selected. 40 epileptic patients taking Antiepileptic Drugs for a minimum period of 1 year constituted case group and 40 normal healthy individuals constituted control group. They were again divided according to type of drug intake. Results: AEDs causes significant increase in TSH levels and this increase is further related to type of drug intake. Conclusion: ?
ABSTRACT
Background: Slums are not new phenomenon. They are characterized by insanitary condition, crime, drug abuse etc. The male youth living in the slums, are prone to various health impacting conditions including substance use like alcohol consumption, smoking, tobacco chewing, drugs etc.Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in the four selected urban slums of Amritsar city. From each slum 250 male youth aged 15-24 years were included in the study, so total 1000 respondents were interviewed and required information was filled in pre-designed semi-structured proforma. Data was compiled, analysed and valid conclusions were drawn.Results: The overall prevalence of substance use among the respondents was 25.9% and as the age increases the prevalence of substance use also increases. Among substance users, tobacco (86.8%) was the most common substance consumed both in smoking form (52.1%) and smokeless form (34.7%), followed by the alcohol (72.2%) and then drugs (12%). Majority (62.1%) of respondents had initiated the substance use between 15-19 years of age. Factors like illiteracy, migration, joint family, married status and increased mental stress were significantly associated with substance use, however no association was found with socio economic status of the respondents.Conclusions: Government should take robust steps to improve the awareness and education status of the youth living in the slums. As the younger ages are most vulnerable ones, health education, IEC and BCC activities regarding the harmful effects of substance use along with life skills should be incorporated into the school curriculum.
ABSTRACT
Background: Health care expenses induced impoverishment in the poverty stricken strata of rural India is a major issue. The government of India has come up with various services in public health facilities, but there are various factors which curtail the utilization of available services and people have to visit some private health facility. The present study deals with the extent of utilization of services of government health facility and the factors impeding the utilization.Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in village Nagkalan, district Amritsar, where the eldest adult members present in the house at the time of the visit, and are interviewed using a semi-structured and predesigned questionnaire. A total of 1123 families were included in the final analysis. Data was compiled, analysed and valid conclusions drawn.Results: Almost all the respondents were aware about the existence of subsidiary health centre in the village. However, out of those who were aware, 40.8% never visited the centre. Utilization was more in the lower socio economic status. Immunization services followed by treatment for common ailments constituted the top two reasons for visiting the centre. Out of those visiting the centre, 80.7% were not satisfied with the current timings of the centre; only 20.2% were attended by the doctor and 33.3% reported that the prescribed medicines were never available at the centre.Conclusions: Regular supply of prescribed medicines, availability of the doctor and appropriate timings are critical for utilization of health care services at the government health facility.
ABSTRACT
Background: Slums are most vulnerable and deprived areas within a city. The unhygienic and polluted environment, overcrowding, poor housing and absence of educational exposure affect youth in slums. Consequently, their health is affected adversely.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four slums, one each from four different directions (north, south, east and west) of Amritsar city. A total of 1000 respondents, 250 from each slum were interviewed by using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was compiled and statistically analysed.Results: Out of total study population, 41.2% of the families had migrated from other states, Overcrowding was present in majority (92%) of the families, 20% of the respondents didn’t have latrine facility at their home, 44.4% respondents throw their garbage waste in the open space nearby their dwellings and 45% of population was not satisfied with the cleanliness of their slum, 54.6% of the respondents reported to have some kind of health problem during last three months. Educational status, socio-economic status and overcrowding were significant factors affecting their health.Conclusions: Important factor in causation of disease were found to be poor socio-economic status, lack of education and overcrowding. There is a strong need to intensify the IEC/BCC activities to raise the awareness about the health-related issues.