ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cancers of breast, oral cavity and cervix contribute to around 5.87 million (60%) deaths in India. Despite this, there is limited evidence on preparedness of the tribal health system in mitigating these conditions. This mixed-methods study aimed at identifying enablers and challenges using a multistakeholder approach for the screening of NCDs and common cancers in a tribal block of Maharashtra, India. Methods: This study was conducted in a tribal community of Dahanu taluka in Palghar district of Maharashtra. A total of nine focus group discussions (FGDs) among tribal women and accredited social health activists (ASHAs), 13 key informant interviews (KIIs) among auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and community health officers (CHO) and facility surveys of five public health facilities were conducted. The FGDs and KIIs were conducted using guides, recorded digitally, transcribed, analyzed and triangulated to identify emerging themes. Results: The tribal women had limited knowledge about NCDs and common cancers. Paucity of health facilities, out-of-pocket expenditure, misconceptions, belief on traditional healers and inability to prioritize health were identified as major challenges. The ASHAs were recognized as a key connecting link between health system and community while provision of culturally appropriate IEC materials and adequate training were recognized as critical enablers by healthcare providers in implementing screening for NCDs and common cancers. Interpretation & conclusions: The study recommends incorporating socioculturally relevant strategies in the tribal population and strengthening health facilities in terms of infrastructure and training with involvement of ASHAs for successful implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) through health and wellness centres.
ABSTRACT
Context: Control of pain during dental treatment is an essential aspect of pediatric dentistry. Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the anesthetic efficacy of 4% articaine buccal infiltration with 2% lignocaine inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for primary mandibular molar extractions. Settings and Design: The study was a prospective, split-mouth, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Bilateral symmetrical carious primary mandibular molar (n = 92) extractions in 46 healthy children aged 5–10 years were included in this randomized controlled trial. Extraction was performed on one side using 4% of articaine buccal infiltration and on the contralateral side using 2% lignocaine IANB in two subsequent appointments. Pain and behavior were assessed at baseline, during injection and extraction using Wong–Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Modified Behavior Pain Scale (MBPS), and Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. Statistical Analysis Used: Values thus obtained were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance test and compared using independent samples test. Results: According to MBPS, the mean value of pain experienced in the form of cry during injection was reported to be more for 2% lignocaine IANB (1.76) as compared to 4% articaine buccal infiltration (1.30), which was statistically significant (P = 0.024). Comparison of behavior depicted showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Buccal infiltration with 4% articaine can be utilized as an effective alternative to 2% lignocaine IANB for primary mandibular molar extractions.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of swimming on lung functions. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of young freestyle swimmers were compared with those of sedentary individuals. Swimming works the heart, lungs and muscles. This trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently, which is generally reflected in declines in resting heart rate and respiratory rate. The thoracic and abdominal muscle strength plays an important role in pulmonary functions and diffusing lung capacity. So the current study compares to test whether lung functions are modified by swimming. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out at tertiary health care centre of Mumbai on 60 subjects of age group 18 – 25 years after the informed and written consent by forming 2 groups. The study group, comprising of 30 swimmers, practicing for at least 3 months regularly with one session of 30-60 minutes duration per day and minimum three days in a week. The control group comprised of 30 subjects who are sedentary individuals. Respiratory rate, breath holding time, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC was measured using computerized pulmonary testing machine. The various data was collected, compiled, statistically analysed and parameters were compared using unpaired t test. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and standard deviation of pulmonary function test parameters between two groups with better lung function parameters in swimmers group (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Regular exercise enhances physical capabilities and physiological responses of the human body. The cause of improved respiratory functions and flow rates after swimming was increased pulmonary capacity and thereby improving the lung functioning. Swimmers have greater pulmonary efficiency than non-swimmers which acts as a predictor of performance
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: The benefits that accrue to a country by having a literate population are multidimensional; it becomes imperative to study the determinants or reasons of school dropouts. Therefore the present study was undertaken to find out the magnitude of the health problems of school dropouts in an urban slum in a metropolitan city. Methods: This study uses a community based descriptive cross-sectional design to identify school dropouts, their health problems, and comparison of these factors with non-school dropouts conducted in an urban slum area after the informed consent from all the participants. Descriptive analysis for socio-demographic factors in dropouts was done using Univariate analysis. P value less than 0.05 was the level of significance. Result: It was evident that the nutritional status of respondents during health check up exhibited a significant difference (p<0.05) when compared to the normal comparison group. The comparison of history of recurrent illness in respondents did not show any significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: In order to minimize the school dropouts there should be a regular medical checkup of children so that the parents are satisfied that their child is being taken care of in the school. Keywords: Health profile, School dropouts, Urban.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Swimming is often recommended by various authoritative groups as a mode of exercise for the prevention and treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Hence the current study compares the cardiovascular functional abilities with respect to Blood pressure in young freestyle swimmers practicing regularly and non-swimmers. Materials and Methods: The present Study was carried out at tertiary health centre of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai on medical students after the informed and written consent. Sixty male medical students of age group 18 – 25 years fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. The study was carried out by forming 2 groups. One group was the study group, comprising of 30 students who are swimmers, practicing for at least 3 months regularly with one session of 30-60 minutes duration per day and minimum three days in a week were include in the study group. The control group comprised of 30 students who are non-swimmers. Their Blood pressure was measured using sphygmomanometer. The data was recorded and analysed for the statistical significance using student’s‘t’ test. P less than 0.05 were considered the level of significance. Result: The mean resting systolic blood pressure in swimmers is significantly lower than in non-swimmers and is statistically significant (p = 0.000). The mean resting diastolic blood pressure in swimmers is significantly lower than in non-swimmers and is statistically significant. (p = 0.000). Discussion and Conclusion: Finding ways to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle, particularly with older adults, is a challenge to the practitioner. Swimming has been recommended as an alternative to land-based activity, particularly for older individuals, those who are obese or those who have limited mobility. Our finding may have important implications for exercise prescription in Younger and Older subjects.