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Background: Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is a public health problem, especially in developing country like India. The associated odium with this reproductive morbidity is often a stumbling block in seeking health care. The aim was to study the prevalence of RTI symptoms and its socio-demographic corelates.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the rural field practice area of department of community medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, from July 2018 to September 2018. Total sample size calculated was 410. Random sampling was used to select eligible couple to whom a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured and anonymous interview schedule was administered after taking consent.Results: The prevalence of self-reported reproductive tract infections was found to be 41.2%. The prevalence was more in lower socio-economic classes, and it was statistically significant. Other socio-demographic corelates (age, education, occupation) did not showed any significant association.Conclusions: The reproductive tract infections prevalence is found to be considerably high in the women of reproductive age group. The frequency was higher among multigravida women and those using cloth during menstrual periods. RTIs are usually spurned by women and even the health care providers, so there is a need to give due consideration to this aspect of reproductive health.
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Objective: To ascertain the compliance to Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act(COTPA) 2003 which ensures the protection of children from the adverse health effects ofsecond hand smoke. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the compliance of 32educational institutions and 157 points of sale of Shimla city. Results: About 88% of theeducational institutions and mere 7.6% points of sale were found having good compliance tothe key indicators. No point of sale was found within the premises of educational institutions;however, 26% were found selling tobacco products within 100 metres radius of aneducational institution. 7.6% points of sale were found selling a tobacco product to children.Conclusion: Despite having the status of a smoke-free city, lapses were observed incompliance to the Act. Strict adherence to the provisions of the Act would ultimately lead to asmoke-free environment for our children
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The stress vulnerability model emphasizes the interplay of genetic vulnerability, personal characteristics and psychosocial factors in the causation of mental illness. The index case highlights the genesis of psychiatric illness in an adolescent female with a family history of bipolar disorder and substance dependence leading to impaired family interaction and family dynamics. Individual psychotherapy, family therapy and pharmacological management proved beneficial in the index case.
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Background: Tobacco smoking is a global phenomenon, associated not only with health but also with other issues like employment, trade and revenue. However, the ill aspects of tobacco outweigh any productivity related to it. Various regulatory measures have been devised to control this menace at national as well as international level. In India, COTPA-2003 legislation intends to control and regulate tobacco consumption, advertisement and trade. Methods: The present study assessed the compliance of 157 points of sale and 59 tobacco products to the Sections 5,7,8,9 and 10 of the smoke free legislation using a structured observational checklist. Results: In total (41%) POS were advertising tobacco in one or other form with product showcasing (64%) being the most common modality of advertisement. Actual advertisement boards were seen at only 14.6% of POS. About 87% of the advertisement boards carried a health warning. Loose cigarettes were being sold at about 77% of the POS. All tobacco products available in the city were observed to display good compliance; however none of the smoke product displayed nicotine and tar content on the pack. Conclusions: Negligible number of PoS was seen to display an actual advertisement. Almost all tobacco products displayed good compliance to the Act. The striking shortcoming was the absence of nicotine and tar content on the package of the product even after 16 years of enactment. Discrepancies need to be addressed appropriately supplemented with aggressive monitoring of adherence to the Act in order to sustain the smoke free status of the city.
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Background: Tobacco smoking is a pandemic affecting populations and contributing to global morbidity and mortality. It is well known that the second hand smoke is equally hazardous like first hand smoke. Cigarette and other tobacco products act 2003 is an effort put forth by Government of India in order to curb this menace and protect people from ill effects of second hand smoke.Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the compliance to smoke free act in tertiary healthcare institutes in Shimla city, Himachal Pradesh. A total of 57 public places and 8 shops in five Tertiary healthcare institutes were evaluated for various provisions of the act. Compliance to different sections of the act was assessed using a structured observational checklist.Results: Signage indicating ban on smoking was seen at 71.9% places. Active smoking was absent at 77.2% places. About 25% shops around the institutes were found selling tobacco products. Signage displaying ban on sale within 100 m of educational institution and sale to minors was not observed at any shop. Tobacco product vendor was seen around 80% of educational buildings. Tobacco free institution signage was seen at 60% of educational premises.Conclusions: The study highlights that the level of compliance did not meet the standards laid down for a smoke free city. Timely and periodic assessment of the compliance must be conducted by the administrative authorities of the institutes for ensuring the adherence and strict implementation of the provisions of the act.
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Orbital cysticercosis is secondary to an infestation by Cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of Taenia solium. We report a case of isolated orbital myocysticersosis in a four year old non pork eater boy who presented with sign and symptoms suggestive of mass lesion in superior orbit. He was managed with medical line of treatment and showed complete resolution of his symptoms. It becomes important to report this case because of unusual site of the cyst, young age of the patient and to highlight the importance of proper sanitary measures in preventing this disease.
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In Himachal Pradesh, cancer cervix is a major public health problem since it ranks as the number one female cancer. A case-control study of 226 newly diagnosed, histopathologically confi rmed cases of cancer cervix and equal number of matched controls was conducted at Regional Cancer Center, Himachal Pradesh during the period from July 2008 to October 2009 with the objective to study the common factors associated with cancer cervix. Univariate analysis identifi ed 10 risk factors associated signifi cantly with the disease. On multiple logistic regression, however, only seven risk factors were found to be associated signifi cantly with the disease. These were: Age at birth of fi rst child, spacing between two children, age at marriage, literacy, socioeconomic status, multiparity, and poor genital hygiene. Risk factors such as poor genital hygiene, age at birth of fi rst child <19 years, early marriage, illiteracy, multiparity, and low socioeconomic status were highly prevalent in the study subjects and were found to be signifi cantly associated with cancer cervix.
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Background: Diabetes mellitus is increasing day by day in developing countries especially in India. It is a main treatable cause of morbidity in eye. Diabetic cataract, neovascular glaucoma and retinopathy are important ocular complications due to diabetes mellitus. The objective was to study the variations in ocular complications in patients of diabetes mellitus. Methods: A prospective study from July 2012 to June 2013 was conducted in RMCH and RC, Kanpur & GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. One hundred one selected diabetic patients who are having abnormal slit lamp and fundus examination were included in this study. Results: In our study it was found that more the duration of diabetes, greater the severity of diabetes. Well controlled diabetics have lesser complications in eyes due to diabetes. Conclusion: Patient’s age, sex, duration and control of diabetes play important role in development and severity of complications in eye due to diabetes mellitus.
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Background: Anemia is a global public health problem. Adolescents are vulnerable to iron deficiency because of increased iron requirements related to rapid growth. Aims and Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls and to study whether anemia is associated with body mass index and the attainment of menarche. Materials and Methds: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in selected schools of Shimla district. One thousand five ninety-six (10-19 yrs old) school girls were included in the study. The study was conducted from June 2011 to May 2012 (1 year). Data analysis was done using SPSSS software version 18 for windows. Results: Prevalence of anemia was found to be 21.4%. It was seen that among the anemic adolescent girls, 77.3% had mild anemia, 21.9% had moderate anemia, and 0.5% had severe anemia. BMI and onset of menarche had no significant effect on the prevalence of anemia. In bivariate logistic regression, age and urban residence were significantly related to anemia. Conclusion: We observed a low prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls. We recommend that adolescents be screened periodically for anemia and multi-sectoral, community-based approach be adopted to combat this serious public health issue.