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Background: COVID-19 pandemic quickly became significantly major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality over the next years till date in an unforeseen manner. Aims and Objectives: Our study aims at unfolding the sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of this disease, based on a metropolitan dedicated tertiary care hospital of India. Materials and Methods: Along with patient particulars, we recorded sociodemographic data, presenting symptoms, vital parameters, and blood parameters based on a pre-designed questionnaire, followed by complication analysis for 101 patients. Written consent was taken from each of the respondent before the interview and ethical approval was taken from Institution Ethics Committee (IEC) of Medical College and Hospital. [(Ref No. MC/KOL/IEC/Non-Spon/842/11/2020), Date- 5/11/2020]. Results: This study justified the trend of already available data such as median age of presentation (40–69 years), higher urban population (85.1%), higher rate of infection in health-care professionals (12.9%), and in patients with poor socioeconomic status. It revealed increased community transmission (74.3% with no definitive exposure), higher number of symptomatic cases admission (89.1%) with most common symptoms being fever (46%), shortness of breath (45%), sore throat (32%), and cough (26%). Hypertension (48%) and diabetes (34%) were major comorbidities in patients who were also proportionally more symptomatic and experienced more adverse effects compared to non-comorbid patients. A major chunk of the patients (46.53%) required some form of oxygen support for their treatment. Most common adverse effect was disseminated intravascular coagulation (23.76%) among which 67.74% had one or more comorbidities. We also reported slightly higher number of deaths (6.9%) compared to what other similar studies found. Conclusion: History of probable exposure was not a sole risk factor of acquiring infection, that is, community transmission was evident. Healthcare professionals were at high risk of getting infected, persons with comorbidity are at the highest risk of developing symptoms as well as complications.
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Background: The substance abuse is gradually becoming one of the major public health issues of present day India. Many factors influence the pattern of substance abuse, including age, sex, educational level, social support, cultural factors, availability of drugs and the presence of cognitive or psychiatric problems. This study was planned to find out the clinical and socio-demographic profile of substance abusing persons.Methods: The study was conducted in the Out-patient facility of the Department of Psychiatry, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute Of Medical Science and Research, Srinagar (Uttarakhand), starting from 23 September 2015. One hundred consecutive treatment seeking subjects fulfilling International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), criteria for Mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use were included in the study. All the participants were required to sign an informed consent approved by the institutional ethical committee before being enrolled in the study. All the subjects included in the study were administered a self-structured proforma to elicit the clinical and socio-demographic variables.Results: One hundred patients consisting of 95 men (95%) and 05 women (05%) were included. The average age of the sample was 39.68 years (SD=11.97). As for the socio-demographic variables other than age, 87% of the patients were married, 62% patients were living in nuclear families and 66% belonged to the rural areas. 79% patients were educated up to high school and above and only 06% were illiterate. Alcohol was the most frequently abused substance seen in 78% patients followed by tobacco smoking in 58% of the study subjects. Peer Pressure was cited as the most common reason for the initiation of substance abuse by 75 (75%) patients.Conclusions: Alcohol was the most commonly abused substance. Substance abuse was higher in married, educated males from rural areas living in nuclear families.
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Objective :To study the clinico-social risk factors for preeclampsia in a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Methodology :Acase control study was done in a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar. Clinical and socio-demographic data was collected from 167 inpatients with preeclampsia and similar number of controls and was analysed. Results : Majority of the women(63.9%) belonged to the low socioeconomic class with low education level. More than half were overweight(57.3%) and 61% of them were primipara. A significant number of patients(18.5%) gave a previous history of preeclampsia. Insulin resistance also presented as a risk factor. Conclusion: Though the aetiology of preeclampsia still remains obscure, there are certain risk factors which have remarkable association with the prevalence of the disease. Understanding these will enable the clinicians for early diagnosis and timely intervention.
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Background: Acute pesticide poisoning (APP) is a serious problem worldwide. Pesticide poisoning is a common meth-od of suicide attempt and less commonly accidental poisoning in India. Methods: A prospective analysis of pesticide poisoning cases admitted to the emergency department of tertiary care, teaching hospital. The data regarding socio-demographic profile, pattern of poisoning, Occupation, type of pesticide poisoning, relation of pesticide poisoning and risk factors, time of ingestion of pesticide poisoning and Seasonal variation were studied. Results: Of 174 cases admit-ted to the emergency department of hospital with a diagnosis of acute pesticide poisoning, the most cases observed in the age group 21-30 years (n: 72, 41.37%). Total males affected were 94 (54.02%) dominating the females 80 (45.98%) and male to female ratio (1.17:1). But in younger age group, females were more affected than males. The maximum cases belonged to the lower socioeconomic class (n: 82, 47.12%) and urban areas (n: 106, 60.91%). Majori-ty of the victims married and belonged to Hindu religion (n: 140, 80.4%). The suicidal was commonest manner of pes-ticide poisoning accounting 98 cases (56.32%). The occurrence of pesticide poisoning was more frequent in the even-ing (n: 82, 47.12%) and during the, monsoon (73, 41.95%). Conclusion: Pesticide poisoning is responsible for great number of admissions and deaths in India. There is a need for adequate guidelines for sale, use, storage and safety practices for the pesticide. These will be helpful for the enhancement of the knowledge, awareness and safety practices among the population for prevention and reduction of the pesticide poisoning. It also emphasized on the early availa-bility of treatment in the poisoning cases
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Background: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis has become major public health problem and obstacle to effective control of tuberculosis. Objectives was to study the socio-demographic profile of multi- drug resistant tuberculosis patients and its association with severity of ADR (adverse drug reactions) in DOTS plus centre at tertiary hospital in Himachal Pradesh.Methods: It was a prospective observational study carried out from November 2012 to October 2013 on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients after approved from Institutional Ethics Committee.Results: Out of 104 patients the mean age of patients was 39.9 ±14.26 years. Majority of the patients were in the economically productive age groups. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis was more in male (76%) than female (24%) and 96% of patients were belonged to rural area. The educational status of the MDR-TB shows 24% patients were illiterate. 63.46% MDR-TB patients were underweight (BMI<18.5%) according to WHO guidelines for obesity. Severity of ADR assessed by Hart wig and Siegel’s scale showed 21% patients experienced mild ADRs, 49% patients had moderate and 17% patients had severe ADRs. Severity of ADR is seen more in male, economically productive age group, subjects on vegetarian diet, patients who were underweight (BMI<18.5%) and with lower educational status.Conclusions: MDR-TB is a rapidly increasing health problem with major socio-economic and individual consequences. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis mainly affects middle age that is in the economically productive age group which hampers the social and economic development of individual, society and nation.
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Background and Objective: Pregnancy is a unique, exciting and often joyous time in a woman's life, as it highlights the woman's amazing creative and nurturing powers while providing a bridge to the future. Proper antenatal care is one of the important ways in reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy comes with some cost, however, for a pregnant woman needs also to be a responsible woman so as to best support the health of her future child. This present study was conducted to assess the socio demographic profile of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Methodology: This one year cross sectional study was done in three UHCs Ram Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Rukmini Nagar which are urban field practice area of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi. Data was collected from 360 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of three UHCs. Information on socio demographic details was obtained. Results: Out of total 360 participants, In the present study mean age of study participants was 24.3±3.92 years, 54.7% were Muslim by religion. A large number of study participants had studied up to high school 37.8%. As many 95.3% pregnant women were housewives. Most of participants belonged to class III socio-economic status as per modified B G Prasad classification. 15.2% were having previous history of abortion Conclusion: There is a need for universal screening to pick up risk factor such as age ≥30 years and various other factors to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity. Risk factors such as age ≥30 years can lead to gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant woman. To improve community awareness on Antenatal care, information, education and communication activities should be increased on Antenatal care through community campaign and mass media like local television channel, radio and local newspapers. There is a need to motivate women to utilize maternal care services which are freely available in all the government health set ups. Based on these results it concluded that, plan for preventive strategies and to improve maternal outcomes
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Background: Tuberculosis continues to be one of the most important public health problems worldwide. It infects one third of the world’s population at any point of time. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of tuberculosis, which is often difficult to diagnose and therefore difficult to treat effectively. Pediatric TB results from failure of TB control in adults. The objective of the study was to study socio demographic profile of pediatric tuberculosis patients. Methods: This cross sectional observational, descriptive epidemiological study was conducted at GMERS medical college and hospital Dharpur-Patan located in north Gujarat during January 2015 to June 2015. The study was conducted among all the 151 pediatric TB patients who were currently under treatment at selected Hospital. Parents of the patient were informed about the purpose of the study and their informed written consent was taken. By interviewing them on the basis of pre-designed and pre tested proforma, socio demographic information was collected. The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS 17 Trial version). Results: Out of 151 pediatric patients 87 (57.6%) were male. Age range of the children was 1 to 14 years. In our study mean age of children was 8.41±2.86 years. 68 (45.0%) patients were adolescents. 127 (84.1%) patients were from rural area. 63 (41.7%) heads of the family of patients were illiterate. 116 (76.8%) of the patients lived in joint family. 89 (58.9%) patients had kuccha house. Overcrowding was present in 86.7% of the patients. Family history of TB was present in only 23.2 % of the patients. 76.8% of the patients belonged to social IV and V according to modified Prasad’s classification. 105 (69.5%) patients had extra pulmonary TB. Category-1 constituted 125 (82.7%) cases. 3 % patients had HIV infection. Conclusions: Apart from pharmacological treatment, poor housing condition and illiteracy of the parents of these patients need to be addressed.
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Background: Although the history of substance abuse is as old as mankind itself, recently it has become a global problem that is influenced by social, economic, political, and psychosocial factors. The objective of the study was to study the socio-demographic profile of patients attending at de-addiction center. Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted at de-addiction center of GMERS Medical College, Dharpur-Patan, North Gujarat, India during December 2014 to July 2015. After obtaining approval from Institutional ethical committee and taking written and verbal consent of patients, total 206 patients were interviewed using predesigned, pretested and semi structured proforma. Data thus collected were analysed using SPSS 17 (trial version). Results: Out of total 206 substance abusers, 138 (67%) patients were between the age group of 25 to 45 years.69% of the total abusers belonged to socio economic class 4 and 5. 14.6% substance abusers were illiterate 66.9% of the substance abusers were skilled and semi-skilled workers. Out of total 206 substance abusers, 102 (49.5%) patients had family history of substance abuse. 40.8% of the substance abusers had initiated substance abuse in adolescent age group while 45.6% of the substance abusers had initiated substance abuse between 20 to 30 years age group. Mean age of substance initiation in our study was 22±6 years. The mean duration of substance use was 18.1 years. Friends of substance abusers (peer pressure) were responsible for starting of substance abuse in majority of the substance abusers (81.6%). Out of total 206 substance abusers, 128 (62.1%) patients were addicted to alcohol. Conclusions: This study shows that youth is falling in vicious trap of drug abuse at early age. Awareness programs and camps need to be conducted at community level to address this major public health problem of substance use.
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Chile enfrenta un envejecimiento acelerado de su población que obliga a estudiar este fenómeno y adecuar la política pública en salud. El presente es un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, cuyo objetivo es analizar datos relevantes de los pacientes con discapacidad severa en Chile. La fuente fue el Departamento Estadístico e Informático en Salud del Ministerio de Salud de Chile, logrando caracterizar esta población, identificar la cobertura nacional y por Servicios de Salud, analizar prevalencias de los pacientes bajo control, la capacidad de oferta y el impacto de la política. Se encontró que existe 1 paciente con discapacidad severa por cada 100 beneficiarios de FONASA el año 2011, lo que aumentó a 2,3 el año 2012. El promedio de pacientes bajo control fue de 931 el año 2011 y 1.079 el 2012. Los pacientes se concentran en las zonas del centro y sur del país, más del 60 por ciento son mujeres, excepto en los SS de Aysén, Araucanía Norte y Magallanes. Por grupos de edad, el 72 por ciento de estos pacientes son mayores de 65 años, no existiendo diferencias importantes por Servicios de Salud (SS) en ambos años. Las tasas de discapacidad severa por cada 1.000 beneficiarios de FONASA son más altas el año 2012 respecto del 2011; lo que aumenta con la edad, especialmente en los mayores de 65 años. Lo mismo ocurre según sexo y SS. Las tasas más altas se concentran en la zona sur del país. Para el análisis de los datos se usó el programa Excel.
Chile faces a rapidly aging population requiring study this phenomenon and adapt public health policy. This is a descriptive cross sectional study, which aims to analyze relevant data from patients with severe disabilities in Chile. The source was the Statistical and Computer Department for Health, Ministry of Health of Chile, being able to characterize this population, identify national coverage and health services, analyze prevalence of patients under control, supply capacity and the impact of political. There is 1 patient with severe disabilities FONASA 100 beneficiaries in 2011, which increased to 2.3 by 2012. The average patient under control was 931 in 2011 and 1,079 in 2012. Patients are concentrated in the center of the south, most areas 60 percent are women, except SS Aysen, Magallanes and Araucanía Norte. By age group, 72 percent of these patients are over 65, there being no significant differences for Health Services (SS) in both years. Severe disability rates per 1,000 beneficiaries FONASA are higher in 2012 compared to 2011; which increases with age, especially over 65 years. The same goes according to sex and SS. The highest rates are concentrated in the southern region. For data analysis the Excel program was used.
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Humans , Male , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Child , Middle Aged , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Disabled Persons/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Chile/epidemiology , Persons with Mental Disabilities/statistics & numerical data , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
In order to design and implement public policies in the context of rural development, information tends to be gathered about family farming in different Latin American countries. In contrast, scarce attention has been given to the description of rural extensionists, who are the ones supporting family farming in the field. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted between 2010 and 2012 including surveys to rural extensions working in 10 different Latin American countries, this allowing for a preliminary description of the socio-demographic profile of the respondents. The samples were incidental ranging from 19 (Bolivia) to 220 (Argentina) subjects, this implying that they were not representative. Significant statistical differences were found with regards to the sex, age, experience, level of education and university degree of the samples pertaining to the different countries. In average, most extensionists are men (70.1%), age 40.3 and have little more than 11 years of experience as extensionists. Brazilian practitioners surveyed are the oldest, most educated and experienced among the different samples. In general, most extensionists have a technical background and are agricultural engineers. The Uruguayan sample showed the highest percentage of extensionists coming from the area of social sciences.
A fim de elaborar e implementar políticas públicas no contexto do desenvolvimento rural, é muito comum a coleta de informações sobre a distribuição e as características da agricultura familiar. Em contraste, tem sido dada pouca atenção à descrição sociodemográfica dos extensionistas rurais, que são os que apoiam a agricultura familiar no território. Entre 2010 e 2012, foi feita umtrabalho em que foram pesquisados extensionistas rurais que trabalham em 10 países latino-americanos diferentes, permitindo, assim, uma descrição preliminar do perfil sociodemográfico destes extensionistas. As amostras foram incidentais, variando de 19 indivíduos (Bolívia) a 220 (Argentina), implicando que elas não são representativas. Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas no sexo, idade, experiência, nível de escolaridade e título academico dos extensionistas das amostras pertencentes aos diferentes países. Em média, a maioria dos extensionistas são homens (70,1%), tem 40,3 anos de idade e tem pouco mais de 11 anos de experiência como extensionistas rurais. Os brasileiros pesquisados são os mais idosos, educados e experientes entre as diferentes amostras. Em geral, a maioria dos extensionistas têm formação técnica e são engenheiros agrícolas. Na amostra uruguaia, pode ser encontrado o maior percentual de extensionistas provenientes da área das ciências sociais.
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El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer el perfil sociodemográfico y el patrón de uso de cocaína y crack, y su asociación con tabaco y otras sustancias entre usuarios que asisten a un tratamiento ambulatorio. Participaron 139 usuarios (87,3% hombres y 12,7% mujeres), que hicieron parte del 'Tratamiento breve para usuarios de cocaína' (TUBC), de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el cuestionario de preselección y la entrevista inicial. Encontramos que hay diferencias en el perfil de los consumidores de coca y los de crack. Sigue siendo mayor la proporción de consumidores de coca que de crack; los consumidores de coca tienen mayor escolaridad que los consumidores de crack; la mayoría de ambos consumidores han conservado un empleo. Más usuarios de coca habían asistido a un tratamiento. Estos resultados son muy útiles para ampliar el conocimiento sobre las características que tienen este tipo de consumidores y ayudar a perfilar los tratamientos específicos que cada uno requiere.
The aim of this investigation was to recognize the socio demographic profile of crack and cocaine consumers that have attended an ambulatory treatment. As a well as, to define the crack and cocaine usage patterns and their association with tobacco and other substances amongst these groups of consumers. 39 users took part in the investigation (87.3% men and 12.7 women) said participants had all received the Brief treatment for cocaine users (TUBC) at the faculty of psychology of the UNAM. The items used in this study were: a preselecting questionnaire and an intake interview. Our results showed that there are profile differences amongst cocaine and crack consumers. Firstly, the percentage of cocaine consumers is still higher than the percentage of those who take crack. Secondly, Cocaine consumers have a higher grade of education than crack consumers. Thirdly, there were more cocaine users that had previously attended a treatment. However, the majority of subjects in both groups had managed to maintain their Jobs. These results are very useful to widen the knowledge about the characteristics of each type of consumer; what is more, they help us define the specific treatment each type of consumer requires.
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Background: The global estimates of HIV/AIDS cases and especially the growing number of women and children being infected and affected by it, raises serious concern. In the absence of a vaccine or cure for HIV infection, our only option is to promote awareness and sexual behaviour change for primary prevention of HIV. Aims & Objective: (1) To study the Socio-demographic and the Clinico-epidemiological profile of HIV positive people (cases) and general population (controls); (2) To study the various risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS transmission in HIV positive people and general population. Material and Methods: It was a case-control study in Infectious Disease clinic. A structured, open ended and pretested proforma was used to interview HIV positive and negative patients attending Infectious Disease clinic, Ahmedabad. Prior verbal and written consent was taken. This study included 600 HIV positive cases and 600 HIV negative controls of all ages attending clinic during January-December 2011. Results: The study included 600 patients in cases and 600 patients in control groups. Total 466 (77.66%) patients were in sexually and economically reproductive age group of 25-49 years in case group and in control they were 454 (75.66). Maximum 83.3% were positive through hetero-sexual route and 72% were having one or more clinical symptoms in case group. Unsafe sexual practices were more in cases 133 (22.2%) than control 66 (11%). High risk behaviour was more in cases 49 (8.2%) than control 13 (2.2%). Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for strict adherence to their Highly Active Ante-retro viral Therapy (HAART) & awareness about disease in order to have better prevention of spreading disease in community.
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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the most devastating and widespread infections in the world. Of the nine million annual tuberculosis cases, about one million (11%) occur in children (under 15 years of age). Childhood tuberculosis is a neglected aspect of the tuberculosis epidemic. Objectives: To know the socio-demographic profile, type of tuberculosis and treatment outcome in paediatric tuberculosis patients Methodology:The study was conducted in nine Tuberculosis units of Bangalore city from January 2009 to December 2009. Five Tuberculosis units from the nine tuberculosis units were selected by simple random sampling, paediatric patients diagnosed as having TB and registered under RNTCP were included in the study till the sample size of 209 was reached. Data regarding socio-demographic profile and type of TB was collected and the patients were followed up to assess treatment outcome. Results: Most of the patients coming to the RNTCP centres belong to the under-privileged group. Most of the patients were in the age group of 1 to <6 years, (37.7 %), male to female ratio was observed to be 0.6:1. Majority of the patients lived in nuclear families (73.2%), belonged to low socio-economic status (95.5%) and dwelled in overcrowded houses (89.5%). 23% reported history of contact with tuberculosis patients. More than half of the patients (57.4%) were undernurished. In the study, 56.5% had pulmonary TB and 43.5 % had extra-pulmonary TB. 94.7% of the patients completed treatment. Conclusion:Paediatric tuberculosis still continues to be a major problem in one-five years of age who are undernourished and belonging to low socio-economic status.
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Introduction: Individuals who use both smoked and smokeless tobacco products (dual tobacco users) form a special group about which little is known. This group is especially relevant to India, where smokeless tobacco use is very common. The aim of this study was to characterise the profile of dual users, study their pattern of initiation to the second product, their attitudes toward quittingas well as their cessation profile. Methods and Materials: The GATS dataset for India was analyzed using SPSS; . Results: In India, dual tobacco users (42.3 million; 5.3% of all adults; 15.4% of all tobacco users) have a profile similar to that of smokers. Some 52.6% of dual users started both practices within 2 years. The most prevalent product combination was bidi-khaini (1.79%) followed by bidi-gutka (1.50%), cigarette-khaini (1.28%), and cigarette-gutka (1.22%). Among daily users, the correlation between the daily frequencies of the use of each product was very high for most product combinations. While 36.7% of dual users were interested in quitting, only 5.0% of dual users could do so. The prevalence of ex-dual users was 0.4%. Conclusion: Dual users constitute a large, high-risk group that requires special attention.
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Data Collection , Demography , Health Care Surveys , Humans , India/epidemiology , Smoking/epidemiology , Socioeconomic Factors , Tobacco Products/statistics & numerical data , Tobacco, Smokeless/statistics & numerical data , Tobacco Use Cessation/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Introduction: In India 7.7% of the total population is constituted by 60+ year age group. With the advancement of medical sciences and improvement of social conditions there has been great change in recent times. The purpose of this study is to delineate the socio demographic profile of geriatric population of rural area. Methodology: A cross sectional study was done on 2000 elderly in the rural field practice area of Adichunchangiri Institute of Medical Sciences,BGNagar, Mandya district using a structured and pretested Performa. Results: The study revealed that 68.5% of the elderly were in the age group of 60-69 years and 96% were Hindus. Majority of the subjects belonged to class IV andV of Modified B G Prasad socio economic classification. 90 .6% of the men were dependent on agriculture. Conclusion: The study provides data to plan services and programmes for betterment of aged, hope this study yields valuable information required for the design of the services to be provided for this special group.
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Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Demography/methods , Female , Humans , India , Male , Rural Population , Social FactorsABSTRACT
Objective: A study was undertaken to identify the HIV-positive cases from suspected patients reported to University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from January, 2006 to December; 2009. Methods: Cases were identified and confirmed by three established sero-diagnostic tests: Micro particulate Enzyme Immunoassay, Passive Particle Agglutination Test and Line Immunoassay. Results: A total of 256 HIV positive patients were identified and highlighted about their age, sex, ethnic origin and year wise distribution of cases. Frequency distribution of HIV-positive cases among different age groups indicated that, 144 (%) were aged between 21 to 40 years, 81 (%) were aged 41 to 60, 19 (%) were aged above 60 and 12 (%) were in the age group of 0-20 years. It revealed that the highest number of HIV-positive patients was in the age group of 21-40 years. Among the 4 groups of people living in Malaysia, HIV infection was found more in Chinese community (101), followed by Malaya community (97), Other community (Sikhs, tribes, foreigners) living in Malaysia (30) and Indian community (28). A total of 179 male and 77 female were positive for HIV infection. Monthly records of case detection indicate more or less similar prevalence pattern throughout the study period. Conclusions: It reveals from the report that the Malysian patients are mostly infected at the adulthood unlike other countries where majority of infections occur in young age .A high percent of HIV infection in males in the country indicates that they might played a vital role in carrying and disseminating infectiions to their female parterners.
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Os tipos de vítimas mais freqüentes nos acidentes de trânsito são os jovens, principalmente os do sexo masculino. Essa alta incidência tem sido atribuída aos comportamentos próprios da idade, que poderiam levar os jovens a transgredir leis de trânsito e, conseqüentemente, provocar acidentes. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo descrever o perfil socioeconômico e demográfico, além de caracterizar a exposição e os antecedentes em acidentes de trânsito, dos estudantes universitários de cursos na área da Saúde da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (PR), em 2005. Utilizou-se um questionário auto-respondido, de forma anônima, cuja amostra compreendeu 624 acadêmicos. As variáveis estudadas foram: características demográficas e socioeconômicas, fatores de exposição e experiência no trânsito, uso do cinto de segurança e antecedentes em acidentes de trânsito. O perfil dos estudantes caracterizou-se pela maioria do sexo feminino (66,67 por cento), com idade entre 18 e 23 anos, morando com a família e com renda igual ou inferior a 10 salários mínimos. Quanto à idade de aprendizagem de direção, a maior freqüência no sexo masculino foi entre 15 e 17 anos e no sexo feminino, 18 anos ou mais. Encontrou-se número expressivo de relatos de aprendizagem de direção com menos de 14 anos, em ambos os sexos. A associação do uso do cinto com o lugar ocupado no carro (condutor, passageiro do banco dianteiro e passageiro do banco traseiro), segundo o sexo, revelou que a utilização do dispositivo independe do sexo. A associação entre envolvimento em acidentes de trânsito e sexo indicou pré-disposição do sexo masculino.
The most frequent type of victims in traffic accidents is youngsters, mainly of the masculine sex. This high incidence has been attributed to age-related behaviors that could make youngsters transgress traffic laws and, consequently, provoke accidents. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the socioeconomic and demographic profile, besides characterizing the exposure and antecedents in traffic accidents, of college students of Health courses of the State University of Ponta Grossa - PR, in 2005. A questionnaire, answered by the students anonymously, was used, whose sample included 624 academics. The studied variables were: demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, exposure factors and experience in the traffic, use of the seat belt and antecedents in traffic accidents. The students' profile was characterized as follows: the majority is of the female sex (66.67 percent), with ages ranging between 18 and 23 years, living with the family and with income equal to or below 10 minimum wages. In relation to the age they learned how to drive, the largest frequency in the masculine sex was between 15 and 17 years and in the feminine sex, 18 years or above. A significant number of subjects, from both sexes, reported having learned to drive when they were less than 14 years of age. The association between the use of the belt and the place occupied in the car (driver, passenger of the front seat and passenger of the back seat), according to the sex, revealed that the use of the device does not depend on the sex. The association between involvement in traffic accidents and sex indicated a predisposition in the masculine sex.
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Students, Health Occupations , Accidents, Traffic , Epidemiology , Risk Factors for Traffic Accidents , Sociodemographic FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Since foreign detainees suffer multiple stresses, this study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic profile of those at the Bureau of Immigration (BID) Jail in Bicutan, Taguig, and Metro Manila as well as identify some of their mental health problems. METHODOLOGY: Foreign detainees at the BID Jail were interviewed. Their socio-demographic profile, length of stay in the Philippines and in jail, reason for travel, problems encountered, crimes committed and health problems encountered while in the country were tabulated. The Self- Reporting Questionnaire and the Anticipatory Cognition Questionnaire were used for identifying psychiatric problems. RESULTS: Of the 42 subjects the mean age was 37 years old. The most predominant nationality among the detainees was that of Indians (26.2%). Among those who were married, 25 (83.3%) were married to Filipino citizens. The highest educational attainment of the subjects was college. The predominant religions were Islam and Christianity. Twenty-six (61.9%) have stayed in the Philippines for four years or more and 25 (59.5%) at the BID jail for less than a year. Among the reasons for travel, the most common reason given by 45.2 percent of the population was for business purposes. Problems encountered while in the Philippines pertained mostly to legal matters. Most of them were detained because of overstaying, with some having a concomitant criminal case. Half of the subjects denied having any medical problems other than dermatological illnesses (21.4%). More than half (52.4%) of the foreign detainees were SRQ positive while 50 percent showed depressive symptoms based on the ACQ, both suggesting the high prevalence of anxiety and depression among the detainees interviewed. Psychosis was also noted in 28.6 percent of the subjects included in the study. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and psychosis among the subjects interviewed at the BID jail, it would be an act of medical negligence as well as a human rights violation not to address these while they are still detained at the BID jail.