Community diagnosis by conducting family health survey in the field practice area of a medical college

Background: In a developing country like India, with limited resources health needs of individuals and community are enormously increasing. Health related problems may be addressed amicably by community diagnosis. Assessment and prioritization of health issues followed by formulation of action plans with strategies and their implementation can be effectively achieved, by using family health surveys.Methods: Using family health survey 500 families, constituting 2640 individuals were studied. Their health status and socio-demographic details were taken. Households and families were selected randomly. Data entry and analysis was done by appropriate use of statistical tools.Results: Study showed 52.27% males and 47.73% females. Majority (51.5%) belonged to 16-45 years followed by 6-15 years of age (25%). Among 9.09% of the under-five, fully immunized were 90.4% and partially immunized were 9.6%. 6.06% were above 60 years. Nuclear families were 68%. Majority (36%) of the families belonged to socio-economic class II (modified B.G. Prasad classification). 10.6% were illiterate and 11.3% were below seven years of age. Overcrowding was present in 24% of the families. Common morbidities were hypertension (32.2%), diabetes (26.9%), respiratory diseases (19.2%) eye problems (6.2%) and skin diseases (3.8%). Geriatric problems were present in one out of four individuals.Conclusions: Family health survey can be used as an educational tool for undergraduate medical students to understand common morbidities and determinants of diseases in the community. Family health surveys are important for a community as necessary intervention can be done for illnesses and health-related problems.

Reducing the burden of Tuberculosis: an emphasis on improving awareness among caregivers

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the common communicable disease affecting human beings since ancient times. Though effective chemotherapy emerged during 20th century had raised hope towards eliminating TB burden, it still remains as a distant goal. Awareness about TB among close contacts of active disease is of paramount importance in preventing its spread and promoting early diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to assess the knowledge about tuberculosis among caregivers of tuberculosis patients.Methods: This was a cross sectional study that enrolled 300 subjects who were then caregivers of tuberculosis patients admitted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Subjects were interviewed according to a predesigned panel of questions meant to assess their basic knowledge and perceptions about tuberculosis symptomatology, diagnostic modalities, treatment and prevention.Results: About 90.3% (n=271) of subjects had heard about TB previously and about 37.7% (n=113) considered themselves to be well aware of it. Most of them believed TB to be communicable (90.3%, n=271). Majority believed that TB affects lungs only (n=206, 68.7%), with most commonly perceived symptom being cough (n=285, 95%). Knowledge regarding disposal of sputum was poor (n=110, 36.7%). About 168 (56%) subjects considered usage of face mask by the patient as an effective tool for TB prevention.Conclusions: Caregivers of tuberculosis patients lack proper knowledge about major aspects of the disease. Public awareness and care giver education programs needs to be implemented along with standard TB care to reduce transmission of TB among close contacts.

Community Diagnosis Fieldwork as Job Training for New Employees of a Community Hospital: SDH Education for an Inter-Professional Group / 医学教育

We reviewed the Community Diagnosis Field Work (CDFW) that we have been working on since 2004 at the local general hospital and examined the possibility of Social determinates of health (SDH) education. A multi-professional group consisting of 6-8 new employees, surveyed the community for several months with the help of support staff, and presented the results. Many of the previous surveys were eventually related to SDH. In the questionnaire after the presentation, many learners cited multidisciplinary learning as their own achievements, and support staff cited many studies on SDH. Among doctors, 70% felt that the experience of this CDFW was "helpful" for their medical care, and specifically mentioned that they learned "multi-professional collaboration" and "the importance of knowing the community" . "Teaching is learning" is also important in SDH education.