RESUMEN
Purpose: To identify socio?economic, demographic, and clinical factors that may be associated with sibling access to ophthalmic check?up. Methods: A cross?sectional, descriptive study investigated children in the age group of 0–15 years under a project on Systematic Pediatric Eye Care Through Sibling Screening Strategies (SPECSSS project). The siblings of pediatric patients (proband) with refractive errors, strabismus, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal pathologies were given a referral card for ophthalmic check?up. If parents do not bring siblings for check?up within 1 month of initial information and even after 2 SMS reminders, it was considered as failure to uptake of services. On follow?up later, they were provided a questionnaire. A questionnaire was given to the parent by interview through a project coordinator, and details were obtained from the parents or caretaker. Parents who were willing for telephonic interview were asked to respond to the questionnaire over phone on the scheduled date. The sibling details, parent?related details, and data from questionnaire forms were entered and analyzed. Results: The mean age of 300 siblings was 9.3 ± 4.0 years with the majority of them being female (158). The most common reasons quoted by parents in the rural area compared with the urban area for not bringing siblings for eye exams were the travel distance from home to the hospital (n = 118, 83.7%), the travel time from home to the hospital (n = 109, 77.3%), more than one vehicle required to change (n = 111, 78.7%), and the transportation cost more than rupees 100 (INR) (n = 89, 63.1%) (p < 0.05). Unable to leave work responsibilities (n = 126, 79.3%) was stated more frequently by urban parents compared to rural (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the financial factor, the distance factor, and social belief play an important role in timely uptake of sibling eye check?up. Targeting siblings with treatable pediatric eye diseases could help in reducing the burden of refractive error, strabismus, and cataract in the pediatric population.
RESUMEN
Hypertension is one of the major public health problems and it is prevalent all over the world. It is a ‘silent killer’ as it is asymptomatic until its effects like Stroke, Myocardial Infarction, Renal dysfunction or visual problems are observed. So, the assessment on the risk factors which contribute more to development of blood pressure and the efforts at an early stage to control them will prevent the health hazards of Hypertension. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for Hypertension among patients attending Medicine OPD of Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS). This study also evaluated the complications associated with hypertension.This hospital based case control study was conducted in the Medicine OPD of SMIMS during March 2012. 100 consecutive Known hypertensive patients aged ≥40yrs were taken as cases. Another 100 age and sex matched non-hypertensive patients from the same OPD were taken as controls. Pretested questionnaire was applied to get the socio-demographic details and life style. Height, weight, BP and Hip Circumference were measured. Complications were assessed from the history and medical records. The analysis shows that family history of hypertension (OR=2.614, p-value=0.002) and Obesity (OR=1.833, p-value=0.040) are the major risk factors for hypertension. Among the complications, Coronary artery disease (OR=1.949, p-value=0.048) and Retinopathy (OR=2.111, p-value=0.015) are most commonly associated with hypertension. Diabetes, Stroke, Peripheral vascular disease, Neuropathy are also more with hypertension than controls but statistically not significant. The positive family history and Obesity are the significant risk factors for hypertension. Coronary Artery Disease and Retinopathy are the most common complications of hypertension. Health education is to be given to the patients on the risk factors for hypertension and its prevention. Prompt control of hypertension should be imparted to avoid complications.