Cross-sectional study of Sociodemographic Factors Affecting Persistent Sputum Positivity among Adult Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients under Treatment in a Tuberculosis Unit, Bagalkot, Karnataka

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment not only cures the patient but also helps in prevention, as it stops transmission of infection by rendering the patient’s sputum non-infectious. Sputum conversion is an important milestone during treatment and is to be achieved as soon as possible. When there is non-conversion, patient sputum persists to be positive for tubercle bacilli and patient continues to be infective. There are multiple factors responsible for this persistence of sputum positivity which have explored by various studies. There are variations in the association of these predisposing factors with persistent sputum positivity. Objectives: The current study was conducted to know the prevalence and the sociodemographic factors responsible for persistent sputum positivity in Bagalkot Taluk TB unit. Materials and Methods: A total of 170 adult pulmonary TB (Category – I) patients of Bagalkot Taluk TB Unit were selected. A community-based survey with the pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect relevant sociodemographic data regarding factors that influence persistent sputum positivity. Laboratory data were collected through concerned health facilities. Data were tabulated in MS-EXCEL 2013 and analyzed in Openepi version 3.01 and SPSS version 20. Results: Among 170 patients, pulmonary TB was seen more frequently among males (63.5%), middle-aged (31.7%), urban residents (55.3%), lower socioeconomic status (95.4%), and illiterates (28.8%). Prevalence of persistent sputum positivity was 10.59%. Among the persistent sputum positive patients, a higher prevalence was seen in males (66.67%) and lower socioeconomic class (88.33%). Age, literacy, and occupation were associated, whereas gender, place of residence, type of family, smoking, and alcoholism were not associated with persistent sputum positivity.

A Cross-sectional Study on Binge Drinking among Health Institutional Students in Bagalkot.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012, about 3.3million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption. DALY attributed to alcohol consumption is 139 million. Adolescence is the critical period when the first initiation of alcohol intake takes place. Sixteen percent of drinkers of age more than 15yrs engage in heavy episodic drinking. Due to change in lifestyle a considerable num-ber of social drinking have shifted to binge drinking. Objectives: To know the prevalence of binge drinking among health institution students in Bagalkot. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 380 health institution students. Five different cadre of health institutions were taken, one medical, one dental, one Ayurveda, one nursing and one Pharmacy College. A pre designed, semi structured questionnaires were used. The results were analysed by chi square test. Results: Among total 380 participants, 68% were girls and 32% were boys. Majority of the respondents were staying away from home (83%). More than one fifth (20.53%) of respondents had tasted alcohol at least once, of which more than one third (37.18%) were female. Prevalence of binge drinking was 3.16%. Among binge drinkers, 58.33% had at least one of their family members who consumed alcohol. Conclusion: Existence of risk behaviour like binge drinking among students were seen and it demands integrated approach. Increased awareness among parents and also the respondents is needed to prevent adolescent behaviours from becoming a risk to their health and community.

A Cross-sectional Study on Binge Drinking among Health Institutional Students in Bagalkot.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health problem worldwide. In 2012, about 3.3million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption. DALY attributed to alcohol consumption is 139 million. Ad-olescence is the critical period when the first initiation of alcohol intake takes place. Sixteen percent of drink-ers of age more than 15yrs engage in heavy episodic drinking. Due to change in lifestyle a considerable num-ber of social drinking have shifted to binge drinking. Objectives: To know the prevalence of binge drinking among health institution students in Bagalkot. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 380 health institution students. Five different cadre of health institutions were taken, one medical, one dental, one Ayurveda, one nursing and one Pharmacy College. A pre designed, semi structured ques-tionnaires were used. The results were analysed by chi square test. Results: Among total 380 participants, 68% were girls and 32% were boys. Majority of the respondents were staying away from home (83%). More than one fifth (20.53%) of respondents had tasted alcohol at least once, of which more than one third (37.18%) were female. Prevalence of binge drinking was 3.16%. Among binge drinkers, 58.33% had at least one of their family members who consumed alcohol. Conclusion: Existence of risk behaviour like binge drinking among students were seen and it demands integrated approach. Increased awareness among parents and also the respondents is needed to prevent adolescent behaviours from becoming a risk to their health and community.