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Background: Dengue is an arboviral, mosquito borne illness caused by bite of infected aedes mosquitoes which breed commonly on household water containers like cooler tank, fridge trays and flower pots. Though dengue is non fatal illness but it may lead to deaths from dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The objective of the study was to assess the community awareness regarding dengue and practices primarily being used as personal protection measures against mosquito bites and abolition of household breeding sites of mosquitoes.Methods: A cross sectional observational study done in 5 randomly selected wards of the municipal corporation Sagar. 400 households were studied, selecting 80 houses from each ward randomly. Pretested structured questionnaire was used for interview with the head of family/adult member of the family. The data collected was analysed using SPSS software and chi square test was applied as test of significance.Results: The households studied were mostly (28.2%) of lower middle class (modified B G Prasad scale). the dengue awareness in the community was fair (44.25%) and satisfactory (46.25) in Likert scale. Awareness regarding household breeding sites of mosquitoes was absolute (100%) but the use of personal protective measures was partial (50%).Conclusions: The knowledge and awareness to stop the mosquito breeding, biting should be enhanced and should be turned into action.
ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity is the major cause of various non-communicable diseases including diabetes mellitus, hypertension. The modifiable factors like stress, sedentary life, consumption of soft drinks and fast foods and lack of physical activity are responsible for it. Objective: to find dietary pattern, physical activity and status of overweight and obesity among medical students.Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study conducted on MBBS undergraduates studying in a g medical college at Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Out of nearly 500 medical students studying in different semesters, 300 students were participated in the study though the required sample size was 184 only. Structured questionnaire for interview, calibrated portable weight scale for weight measurement and stadiometer for height measurement were used.Results: The students were categorised into underweight, normal and overweight/obese on the basis of their calculated BMI (body mass index) value as per norms of World health organization for south Asian populations. 26.7% medical students were found to be overweight or obese based on BMI cut off value 23.00 kg/m2. There was lack of inclusion of fresh fruits and green vegetables in regular diet in 50% and nearly 95% of medical students respectively. The low level of physical activity was found in more than 85% of the medical students.Conclusions: The involvement of medical students in physical and sports activities is dire need for their good health.
ABSTRACT
Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a vector borne parasitic disease caused by lymphatic dwelling nematode parasite. It is one of the world's leading causes of permanent and long-term disability with an estimated 5.1 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) are lost due to this disease. The National Health Policy 2002 aims at Elimination of Lymphatic filariasis by 2015 through Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of single dose of DEC. Objective was to assess coverage and compliance of MDA Program and awareness about lymphatic filariasis in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.Methods: Cross-sectional Study was conducted. Total 120 households were surveyed in four selected clusters of Chhatarpur district of MP.Results: Out of total 835 persons only 94.37% persons were eligible and 47 (5.62%) were not eligible for MDA for MDA. Coverage rate was 90.22% and compliance rate was 75.24%. The main reason for non-compliance was not having the concerned disease 34.38 % followed by fear of side effect (24.90%). Only 37.5% among the surveyed families were aware about MDA. Majority of respondent 21 (46.66%) acquired knowledge from health workers.Conclusions: The compliance of MDA program was low and the awareness about the lymphatic filariasis in the study population was limited in Chhatarpur district. Poor compliance of MDA is attributed to inadequate consumption of drugs due to poor awareness among eligible population. For elimination of lymphatic filariasis active involvement of community is very essential. It can be made possible through behavior change communication and health education of people.
ABSTRACT
Background: According to WHO estimates India has 10 million blind populations. Corneal problems cause a significant proportion of blindness in India. Although effective strategies to prevent corneal blindness are likely to be more cost effective, visual rehabilitation by corneal transplantation remains the major treatment for restoring sight in those who already have corneal blindness. The requirement of donor corneas per year is at least 20 times the current procurement. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of post graduate medical students regarding eye donation and their willingness to pledge eyes for donation. Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study conducted using a pretested questionnaire on 116 Post graduate Medical Students but only 106 actually participated in the study. Results: A total of 106 students actually participated in the study. Among them 63 (59.43%) were males and 43 (40.57%) were females. The maximum percentages of the students were of age group 26-29 years. All the students were aware regarding eye donation but still they felt it was necessary to obtain consent from family members. Conclusion: These data showed that although the awareness is good but still there is imperative need to emphasize to evade myths concerning eye donation to promote eye donation.