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Background: Obesity is described as a build-up of abnormal or excessive fat that risks life. A body mass index (BMI) is a screening tool for overweight and obesity. For a long time, BMI has been used as a marker to measure obesity. However, a significant limitation of using BMI is its failure to differentiate between a high body fat content and preserved or increased lean mass, especially in patients or subjects with a BMI <30 kg/m2. Normal weight obese (NWO) is such individuals who have high fat content but a normal BMI. To identify such individuals and to save them from morbidity associated with obesity, this study was carried out. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of NWO in healthy young adults (aged between 18 and 30 years) and to suggest the methods of primary prevention for obesity. Materials and Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, the 324 subjects were selected randomly from the residents, students, and employees of Swami Vivekananda Subharti University. Subjects were chosen according to the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria and also, based on the self-structure questionnaire. A general and systemic examination was carried out. The body composition of these subjects was done by bioelectric impedance analyzer BODY STAT QUAD SCAN 4000. Data were analysis using R-software (1.25 version), and unpaired t-test was applied. P < 0.05 was taken as significant in this study. Results: The prevalence of NWO in males was found to be 24.6% and females to be 13.4%. The body composition parameters of NWO and NWNO differed significantly. Conclusion: The increase rate of NWO is reason for concern and routine screening of body composition parameters should be done at health setups to identify that these NWO individuals and timely interventions can be made.
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Background: Around 2.6 billion people cook their food using biomass fuel (BMF), kerosene oil, and coal fuel, by which each year, 4 million people die prematurely from household air pollution or by this inefficient cooking practices. So, this study was planned to measure the effect of interventions of cooking fuel (BMF to LPG) to reduce the indoor air pollution in asthmatic children of rural India. Methods: Prospective observational study was done by door-to-door survey, among school-age children. Households of asthmatic children were encouraged to change their cooking fuel to more secure and were followed up for a period of 9 months. The intervention was in the form of a change of cooking fuel (from BMF to LPG) and proper education. The levels of indoor pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1) were measured before and after 3 months of follow-up. Result: A total of 56 asthmatic children from 42 households were followed-up for the following 9 months at every 3 months visit. The mean age was 9.27 ± 3.94 years with an equivalent sex ratio. There was at least one smoker in 73.81% of households of asthmatic children. Nearly, 45% of children were living in 101–500 square yard area and 67.86% with the inhabitation of ? 3/room. The level of all particulate matter decreased significantly at 3 months (p < 0.05). At 3, 6, 9 months of follow-up, respiratory symptoms and morbidity significantly diminished. Conclusion: The change in cooking fuel to more secure was found to be one of the factors decreasing indoor pollutants and respiratory symptoms/morbidity among asthmatic children in rural areas.
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Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and its early detection is critical to improve survival. Breast self-examination is a cheap, basic and non-intellectual method to detect breast cancer. Aims and objectives: 1To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding breast self-examination2. To explain the various factors which affect the practice of BSE Material and Methods: The present study was carried out among 300 women residing in rural and urban areas of district Ambala using a self-designed pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Results: In this study 127 (42.3%) of the participants had heard of BSE and 107 (35.7%) of the participants knew how to perform BSE. Overall, 47.7%, 30.3%, and 22% of the study participants had poor (<50%), medium (50–75%), and good knowledge (>75) on BSE, respectively. Educational qualification, knowing the three positions to perform BSE, knowing how often should BSE be done, taught how to do BSE, BSE is a useful tool to detect breast cancer were seen to be significantly associated with practice of BSE. Conclusion: This study elucidates that the knowledge as well as practice of BSE was significantly low in the population. This study provides insights into the various factors which affect the practice of BSE
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New synthetic drugs have many side effects on health as compared to the traditional herbs used in the past.The use of medicinal plants have been en established source for a relief from illness which can be traced back over five millennia. Antibiotics are one of the life saving weapons for humans but over the past few decades these health benefits are under threat as antibiotics have become less effective and also create toxic after effects affecting human life more. The well-known medicinal herb Butea monosperma is a moderately Sizeable deciduous tree and is widely dispersed in Asian hemispheres, Burma and Sri Lanka. From time to time it has been used in traditional medicinal practices. It has been mentioned in ayurveda for medicinal uses and mythological references, also The population's health care system continues to be heavily influenced by traditional medical practises, homoeopathy, and folklore. Rural and tribal people utilise the herb extensively to treat a variety of ailments. It is known in many languages apart from its botanical name. It is called Flame of forest, Dhak, Palash etc. It has been used to treat a variety of illnesses including cancer, diabetes, dysentery, fever, jaundice, diarrhoea, and jaundice, among others. A great variety of phytochemicals, primarily flavonoids, lactones, diterpenoids, phytosterols, etc., are present in the plant's aerial portion. The need for new antimicrobial compounds from alternative sources has arisen as a result of the development of drug resistance in human infections against routinely used antibiotics. Finding possible novel chemicals for therapeutic purposes requires screening medicinal plants for antibacterial and phytochemical properties
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Background: Antibiotics act as a therapeutic weapon in eradicating pathogens. Antibiotics are the most common group of drugs misused for self-medication. This is a global public health concern and is one of the major contributing factors to antibiotic resistance (ABR). This study aimed to assess the knowledge and beliefs of the public in Qatar regarding appropriate antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used to collect the information from the participants based on an adapted questionnaire from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) between September – November 2018. The study enrolled 1000 par-ticipants who visited two large emergency departments (ED) of public hospitals in Qatar. Results: The mean knowledge and belief scores were 55.07±15.87 and 66.57±23.13 respectively. 42% of the participants had moderate knowledge regarding antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. The majori-ty of the participants (64.8%) believed that antibiotics fight against bacteria and viruses. The educational level significantly influences the belief of the participants. Graduates possess a higher belief score of 11.75±12.5 (P=0.001) compared to others. Conclusion: The key findings of this study highlighted the existing gap in knowledge among the public. A community-based health education program should be launched to promote judicious of use antibiotics
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Background: Reproduction is the basic expectation of human life. There is worldwide increase in incidence of infertility due to many factors such as delaying child-bearing, increase in lifestyle disorders, and stress to achieve personal and professional goals. The incidence varies between 5 and 15%. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the factors responsible for infertility using diagnostic hysterolaparoscopy among the patients attending tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study conducted from December 2018 to May 2022 in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of GCS Medical College, Ahmedabad. Around 150 patients were included in study. All patients of primary and secondary infertility whose hormonal profile was normal were included in the study. Results: In the present study, primary infertility was present in 73% of cases where as 27% were having secondary. Majority (43%) of patients of the primary infertility belonged to age 26–30 years and 29% of secondary infertility cases were in the age group 31–35 years. Tubal factors were highest (32%), followed by ovarian factors (29%), peritoneal factors (11%), and uterine factors (9%). Among tubal factors, bilateral block was present in 19% and unilateral tubal block in 11%; among ovarian factors, polycystic ovary syndrome was highest (18%) and in peritoneal factor, endometriosis was seen in 6%. In uterine factors, fibroid was present in about 8% of cases. Conclusion: Diagnostic hysterolaparoscopy provides reliable information in evaluation of infertility and determining various causes such as tubal, ovarian, peritoneal, and uterine.
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Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) mainly consist of Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). These two categories have overlapping histopathological features and sometimes it is difficult to diagnose them into distinct category and such biopsies are categorised as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD-U). Recently, there has been an increase in interest to discover new biomarkers of IBD to differentiate UC and CD and predict their prognosis. Method: In the present study, 273 non-neoplastic colonic biopsies with clinicoendoscopic features of IBD were studied and categorized into UC (88; 32.3%) and CD (03; 1.1%) but a major chunk remained in category of IBD-U (182; 66.6%). 161 (58.9%) of these biopsies were then subjected to IHC for RB protein and ?-catenin and Serology for pANCA and ASCA was done in only 85 (31.13%) of these selected cases for identification of UC and CD on colonic biopsies. Result: 161 biopsies that were subjected to IHC analysis included 57 cases of UC, 03 cases of CD, and rest 101 cases of IBD-U. Out of 101 cases of IBD-U, 87 (86.13%) cases were reclassified as UC (61; 60.3%) and CD (14; 13.86%) on the basis of results of IHC and Serology. Conclusion: The two major tools IHC for ?-catenin and RB protein and the assay of serum ASCA and p-ANCA along with proper history and clinical presentation can act as a good adjunct to conventional H and E in subclassifying cases of IBD-U into UC and CD.
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Disruption during Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need of healthcare supply chain management in order to achieve effective delivery of health services. Though, considerable efforts have been undertaken on managing the healthcare supply chain disruptions in India but there is paucity of literature which documented the effect of supply chain disruptions in dental practices during covid-19 pandemic. During pandemic, the disruptions in production and distribution of dental products were seen in India. Indian dental market is largely dependent on imports and there is scarcity of local production units. The main dental companies reported significant decline in production during the first wave of Covid-19. The in-crease in demand for dental supplies was seen with shutdown, shortage of labour and scarcity of raw materials. Disruption rippled through the supply chain and this was caused by large distortion in de-mand. This phenomenon led to bullwhip effect. This bullwhip effect crisis led to increased cost in dental practices. Covid19 has shown significant lack of resilience in Indian dental healthcare supply chain. This study identified few loopholes in dental supply chain and suggested the way forward for managing the supply chain disruptions. It seems that there is need of more comprehensive research on dental supply chain resilience from Indian perspective to prevent disruptions particularly in emergent situations.
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Poor birth outcomes have been linked to maternal anemia. Tribal women are at higher risk of malnutrition and disease due to sociocultural barriers and poor educational status. The data on the prevalence of maternal anemia and its associated factors among pregnant tribal women are limited. A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted among 429 pregnant tribal women for maternal anemia from August 2021 to June 2022. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect sociodemographic data. The prevalence of anemia was 85.7%, with a mean hemoglobin level of 9.21 ± 1.3 g/dL. On applying WHO 2011 anemia criteria for pregnant women, 25.0% had mild anemia, 73.4% had moderate anemia, and 1.6% had severe anemia. The significant factors associated with anemic condition were household condition, monthly income, and husband’s occupation. The higher prevalence of anemia among pregnant tribal women is alarming that necessitates a rethinking of health infrastructure and outreach in tribal dominant areas.
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Background: The price of medicine in India has always been a point of discussion in public domain. The price range of the same drug is very large with more than 100% difference between various brands available in different settings. Aims and Objectives: To assess the price of different drugs at Jan Aushasdhi (JA), AMRIT and Private Chemist and to compare the prices of these three outlets so that the issues. Material and Methods: This institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2019 to June 2019. A pretested proforma was prepared to compare the prices of 284 different medicines in Jan Aushadhi, AMRIT and private chemist shops. The collected data were entered in an Excel spreadsheet and presented in Proportions, percentages, and mean. Results: The price of 284 medicines were compared from JA (Median(IQR)- 15.18(18.75) INR) and Private chemist shop (Median(IQR)-88(111.5) INR) while 249 medicine from AMRIT (Median(IQR)-61.05(78.33) INR). Although the majority of the AMRIT drugs are cheaper than the chemist shop except for 31% of Antipsychotic drugs, 26.6% of antihypertensives, 25% of respiratory drugs, 25% of steroids, 21.9% of antibiotics. Conclusion: We concluded that JA is providing drugs cheaper than AMRIT and Private chemist . The prices of medicines offered at AMRIT are lower than market pricing but they are costlier when compared to JA prices.
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Salinity in agricultural soil is a severe problem that affects the growth and production in numerous crops all over the world. The country's salt?affected land is estimated to be 6.74 million hectares. According to estimates, approximately 10% more land is becoming salinized each year, and by 2050, nearly half of all arable land will be contaminated by salt. Plants may have bacterial companions that shield them from the negative consequences of salt stress (SS). Plant growth?promoting bacteria (PGPR) can minimize the usage of agrochemicals while also improving plant production, nutrition, and biotic–abiotic stress tolerance. The enzyme 1? aminocyclopropane?1?carboxylic acid deaminase (ACCD) is found in certain bacteria and works by degrading ACC (ethylene precursor in higher plants) into ??ketobutyrate and ammonia (NH ), thereby reducing the ACC levels, thus, inhibits excessive biosynthesis of3 ethylene under numerous stress circumstances. This is one of the most effective methods for inducing plant tolerance to SS. The current review highlighted the recent works of ACCD under SS environment. Further, the relevance of reducing the negative effect of ROS and increasing plant development under SS were also discussed. We propose a path for the community to employ beneficial microorganisms to boost agricultural yield and achieve sustainable development by highlighting plant?microbe interactions in this review.
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Background: Handgrip strength is the maximum force produced during a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) handgrip strength (HGS). The handgrip dynamometer is used to work out upper-body muscles, particularly those in the forearm and hand. HGS is frequently used as an objective measure of upper extremity functional integrity. HGS is a physiological characteristic influenced by a variety of parameters such as gender, age, and body size. Aims and Objectives: The objective of th study was to assess and compare HGS in healthy first-phase male and female medical subjects. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional research, 250 healthy 1st-year medical students between the ages of 17 and 20 participated. Maximum HGS was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. The grip strength of the dominant hand was assessed 3 times at minute intervals, as suggested by the American Society of Hand Therapists, with the higher value (in kg) reflecting the maximal HGS for each. Results: In comparison to female subjects (Mean: 31.87 kg), HGS in male subjects (Mean: 41.85 Kg) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in height, weight, and body mass index between men and women, despite the fact that there was no statistically significant difference in mean age. Conclusion: Male individuals had stronger grips than female ones. The purpose of this study is to provide a baseline of normative data (control values) among a sample cohort of GMC Jammu medical students. This study, however, was confined to medical students between the ages of 17 and 20. We believe that diverse age groups should be studied.
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Sowa-rigpa is known as Amchi or Buddhist medicine or Tibetan system of medicine which is primarily based on Buddhist philosophy. It is the fact that basic concepts of Sowa-Rigpa and Ayurveda are almost same and it seems that there is inter-relation among these two traditional systems of Indian Medicine. The description of Tridosha, Panchamahabhuta, seven Dhatus, three Malas, week wise embryological development are same. In Sowa-Rigpa, it has been mentioned that we all are sick due to ignorance as according to Buddhist philosophy, Ignorance is the cause of sufferings. The relation between ignorance and suffering as per the Sowa-Rigpa may be the unique concept which may show the path for human-beings to eradicate all human sufferings i.e., ultimately to walk on the path of Nirvana which is the goal of Buddhist philosophy and Moksha according to Ayurveda.
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Background. Ambient aeroallergens and organic or inorganic air pollutants are known to cause asthma exacerbation and subsequent asthma-related hospital admissions. Methods. This study was carried out to study the impact of meteorological factors, air pollution, pollens over hospital visits for respiratory illness in north Delhi region from July 2014 to June 2015. Daily monitoring of pollen grains was done on the roof of the multistorey building (height up to 20m) of the Institute. Meteorological factors including temperature, relative humidity, and precipitations were recorded daily. Daily concentrations of nitric dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) were also recorded. Number of hospital visits of patients with respiratory illness were assessed in relation to air pollutants (NO2, SO2 and PM2.5) and climate change (temperature, relative humidity and rain). Results. During the study period, 113,462 pollen counts were recorded. Two highest peaks of mean pollen counts were observed in post-monsoon season (October-2014) and in the spring season (March 2015). The maximum and minimum pollen concentration was observed in the month of March 2015 (18818/m3) and August 2014 (4731/m3). Our results showed that pollen numbers significantly correlated with respiratory emergency department patient visits (P=0.037, r=0.604), and temperature and humidity (P=0.711, r=-120, and (P=0.670, r=-0.137), respectively. NO2 significantly correlated with SO2, respiratory emergency department patient visits and new respiratory OPD patients (P=0.017, r=0.670, P=0.031, r=0.622 and P=0.016, r=0.675, respectively). A statistically significant correlation between rainfall and SO2 was observed (P=0.004, r=-0.757) in the present study. Conclusion. Our study suggests that significant increase in pollen concentration and air pollutants in the ambient environment causes respiratory illness.
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Background: Estimating the HIV seroprevalence in a low-risk population such as pregnant women provide essential information for monitoring trend of HIV in the general population and assist in prevention from mother-to-child transmission. Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women during the past 5 years in Jalandhar dist. of Punjab (2016–2021). Materials and Methods: All pregnant women coming to Antenatal Clinic in urban and rural areas, in Government health institutions were tested for HIV as a mandatory procedure, to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child. The results of these tests were taken from HIMS reports of rural and urban health institutions in Jalandhar district, from local health authority for the past 5 years (2016–2021), after taking permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. Comparison of year-wise positivity was done after statistical analysis. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of rural and urban population. Results: The data shows that HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Jalandhar District for the past 5 years shows a decreasing trend. Prevalence which was 0.17% in 2016–2017 was reduced to 0.11% in 2020–2021. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV among pregnant women has shown a decreasing trend in Jalandhar district during the past 5 years (2016–2021).
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Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is the grass root level worker and hence plays a prime role in making primary healthcare accessible to rural areas. She creates awareness on health and persuading the community toward local health planning and hence plays major role in increasing utilization of health services. The knowledge of the people about the availability of ASHA in their area and about the activities performed by her also play important role in utilization of services given by ASHA. Hence, keeping this in view the present study was conducted. Aim and Objectives: (1) The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the rural women about the availability of ASHA in their area and (2) to assess the knowledge of the rural women about the activities performed by ASHA. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in rural field practice area of Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab. The study was a cross-sectional type and the adult decision maker female of the family was interviewed using a pre-designed and semi-structured pro forma after approval from Institutional Ethics committee. A total of 1521 females were interviewed. Results: The present study revealed that majority (52.3%) of the respondents were in the age group of 24–45 years, 41.7% illiterate and 54.6% in the upper lower class. It was found that 45.8% respondents were visited by ASHA and out of these, majority of the respondents (78.2%) were visited for Maternal and child health services followed by health awareness (20.7%) and minor illnesses (9.9%). Conclusion: The visits by ASHA were irregular and majority of the respondents were visited by ASHA for maternal and child health services in all the three villages and hence knowledge regarding these activities was seen to be more among the respondents. However, overall less knowledge was seen among the villagers about other activities being performed by ASHA worker.
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@#Conventional culture method and biochemical tests remain as the ‘gold standard’ method for the identification of S. sonnei which are time-consuming. We have discovered previously the potential of three OMPs of S. sonnei (33.3 kDa, 43.8 kDa and 100.3 kDa) as biomarkers in the diagnostic test for shigellosis. Here, we evaluated the performance of the outer membrane proteins of S. sonnei for the development of an antibody-based immunoassay for the detection of S. sonnei infections. All threetarget proteins were specifically recognized when probed with S. sonnei sera. In addition, another two potential proteins of molecular weight 29.0 kDa and 88.2 kDa in size were also exclusively recognized by the IgA when probed with S. sonnei sera. The optimized ELISA demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity which exceeded 86.0%. In conclusion, the identified target proteins showed great potential as diagnostic biomarkers for the detection of S. sonnei infections in patients.
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Background: It is still difficult to diagnose tuberculosis as a source of abdominal pain. Due to the lack of non-invasive diagnostic testing, the diagnosis remains a problem. Determining the role of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in ascitic fluid in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, we can conclude whether it is sensitive/specific or not and further its use in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the role of PCR in ascitic fluid in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis and also to correlate the ADA levels of ascitic fluid with the PCR report. Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study includes 41 clinically suspected abdominal tuberculosis patients (age range 15–65 years) over a period of 2 years. A detailed history, clinical evaluation, and relevant investigations, including radiology, were done in all patients. Bacteriological or histological approaches had to support the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, and PCR was also tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in ascitic fluid. Results: The mean age of patients was 31.71±12.32 years with male:female ratio was 1.4:1. PCR was positive in 24 (58.8%) cases. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a cutoff value of 35.3 IU/L (AUC 0.998, P < 0.001) for the ADA level produced the best results as a diagnostic test for abdominal tuberculosis, yielding the following parameter values: Sensitivity 100%, specificity 94.1%, positive predictive value 96%, negative predictive value 100%, and diagnostic accuracy 97.56%. ADA values were significantly elevated during abdominal tuberculosis, indicating that ADA can still be a valuable diagnostic tool. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that ascitic fluid PCR is a safe tool for diagnosing it and should be tried at least before surgical intervention.
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Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and their activity are considered as one of the key components of National Health Mission (NHM). ASHA workers serve as an important link between community and health facilities. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the work profile of ASHA workers in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Materials and Methods: The present prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Parole Block of district Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir from February 2019 to May 2019. A total of 176 rural ASHA workers were interviewed using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire after seeking informed consent. Results: About 52.2% catered to a population of 500–1000. About 34% of the workers were educated up to 10th standard and 10.7% up to 12th standard. About 64.2% of the ASHA workers are active in supporting institutional deliveries and 88% of the ASHAs made household visits for nutrition counseling. Conclusions: ASHA acts as a first link between the community and health-care services. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the role of ASHA on promotive and preventive health care services through regular joint training of ASHAs.
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Background: The disease is most common in India. Children are most commonly affected. Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial infection due to specific type of Salmonella that causes symptoms.Methods: Prospective observational study, 100 children with fever more than 7 days attending pediatric departed at GGH, Nizamabad were included in this study.Results: Total 100 children included in this study, male were 62, female were 38. More cases were (43) in 5-10 years age group, 53 children, belongs to middle class, 30 children belongs to lower class and 17 children belongs to upper class. Most common physical finding was toxic look (52), fallowed by coated tongue (41), hepatomegaly (32), pallor (12), spleenomegaly (11), hepatospleenomegaly (8).Conclusions: Safe drinking water, hand washing, proper sanitation, health education to children and food handlers in schools and hostels will decrease the incidence of typhoid fever in children.