Hepatitis B infection and vaccination: knowledge and attitude among medical students.

Background: Hepatitis B infection among health care professionals can be prevented by strategies like vaccination, increasing awareness and following universal precautions. The present study was conducted on newly admitted medical students to evaluate knowledge regarding HBV and to know their vaccination status. This occasion was also used to motivate students to take HBV vaccine if not taken earlier and to educate about universal precautions. Methods: Cross sectional study was carried out on newly admitted 1st MBBS students. All the students present on the day of data collection were included in the study and interviewed using pretested questionnaire. Data was analysed using percentages. Results: Most of the students had good knowledge about disease and modes of transmission & prevention. Surprisingly half of them were unaware of high risk of transmission to health professional. Nearly 40% of the students were unimmunized mainly due to lack of awareness and motivation. Conclusions: It is recommended for Hepatitis B vaccination for all unimmunized students who enter medical profession. The orientation and sensitization programme should be held to create awareness regarding HBV infection.

Assessment of visual problems in elderly in an urban slum community of Mumbai.

Background: Visual problems in the elderly share a major portion of the disability in the elderly. Visual impairment in the elderly can interfere with daily activities tremendously leading to dependence in many things. It can also lead to accidents and falls. Hence a study was carried out in an urban slum community at Mumbai to assess the various visual problems in the elderly, its causes and the prevalence. Methodology: Community based cross-sectional study of the elderly persons residing in an urban slum of Mumbai. Results: 65.54% (426) people had visual disability. Of 426 people with visual impairment 405(95.07%) people had low vision and 21 (4.93%) were blind. It was observed that errors of refraction (63.85%) and cataract (18.31%) were the most common cause of visual impairment. Conclusion: Visual impairment and disability is a major problem of the elderly. Errors of refraction and Cataract are the major causes for this disability which can be treated, thus preventing visual handicap and dependency.

Knowledge, attitude, and perception of HIV / AIDS among married women.

Background: In India, the rising prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is of great concern. Pregnant women are much receptive on health matters. So, it is important to assess their knowledge, attitude and perception regarding HIV/AIDS. Aims: To know the knowledge and to know the various factors influencing the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS in married women. Setting and design: The present community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural health training centre Ukkali, which belongs to department of community medicine, BLDE University’s Shri B.M. Patil medical college, Bijapur. Materials and methods: A total of 1182 married women, aged between 15 – 45years were interviewed. Pretested, pre designed questionnaire were administered to them. Statistical analysis: Data was compiled, tabulated and analyzed using percentages. Results and Conclusion: Among the study population majority (77.5%) heard about HIV/AIDS and (45.6%) gained knowledge about HIV/AIDS through health worker, (29.3%) through media and (14.9%) through doctors. Among the participants, 20.4% told that HIV/AIDS spreads through unprotected sex, 17.0% through blood products and 6.3% through mother to child. Most (57.3%) of the study participants did not know about mother to child transmission. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is crucial for married women because of increasing prevalence of this infection. There is a need for more information directly and indirectly through consistent awareness program among married women residing in rural areas.

An overview of health concerns among elderly population.

Background: Urbanisation, nuclearisation of family, migration, and dual career families are making care of the elderly more and more of a personal and social problem in India. Objective: Assess the concerns about health issues among elderly people. Methodology: Community based cross-sectional study. Results: 64.4% of the elders were treated well and about 22.9% were treated very well during illness. 86.3% were consulted during illness. Son was the care taker in 55.6% of study subjects. 70.6% of elderly were consulted to allopathic practitioners / Govt Hospitals. Conclusion: It is the responsibility of family to look after elderly in respectful manner, especially during illness. The government should frame policies and provide social & economical security to elders.

A study on health profile of geriatric population in an urban slum of bijapur.

Background: Advances in medical field have increased the longevity of people by reducing morbidity and mortality to a great extent. With the increase in longevity, problems related to old age have also increased. These problems are more confounded by social factors. Objective: To assess the various health problems faced by elderly people & suggest the remedial measures so that effective preventive and promotive measures can be implemented. Methodology: Community based cross-sectional study of the elderly persons residing in an urban slum of Bijapur. Results: Among acute health problems most common were arthritis (39%) and bronchitis (20.8%). Most common chronic illness observed was respiratory illness 19% (COPD and asthma) fallowed by visual impairment (11.5%), arthritis (11.1%), and hypertension (9.1%) Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) showed that majority of respondents 297 (60%) were having the normal score. Conclusion: The pattern of geriatric health problems have different characteristics and hence require a specific type of screening programme based on the finding of various geriatric health studies.