HIV-related high-risk behavior and awareness regarding HIV among the male workers at a construction site in Karnataka

Background: Sexual behavior is an important determinant of sexually transmitted diseases transmission. It is essential to understand the HIV-related high-risk behavior among high-risk groups like migrants to design evidence-based intervention. Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess HIV-related high-risk behavior and awareness among male construction workers. Materials and Methods: A total of 404 male workers were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at a construction area in Karnataka. Behavioral Surveillance Survey questionnaire was used to collect information regarding sexual behavior and their knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Results: The mean age of workers was 25.6 ± 7.3 years. Among workers, 82.2% of them heard about AIDS and 66.8% (270) could tell at least two correct mode of transmission of HIV. Mean age of first sexual intercourse was 22 ± 9.4 years among married and 18.9 ± 2.8 years among unmarried. Nearly 25% and 56% had their first sexual intercourse <18 years among married and unmarried, respectively. Among married workers, 21.9% used condoms during last sexual intercourse with spouse and 10.8% used condoms with other partners. About 15.7% of them had multiple sexual partners. Among unmarried workers, 27.9% of them ever had sex and 22.2% of them used condom during last sexual intercourse. Nearly 30% of them had multiple sexual partners. Higher age, educational status, and high-income associated with better awareness. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding AIDS and sexual transmission was good. However, condom usage was found to be poor among the workers. In addition to that, multiple sexual partners which included commercial sex workers among both married and unmarried workers are an important risk factor for HIV. Adequate interventions should be done in this group to address this issue.

Domestic violence against women workers in selected tea estates of South India

Background: Violence against women is an important public health problem, due to its consequences on women health. There is a considerable variation in the prevalence of domestic violence across the states and different settings in India. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of different forms of domestic violence and determine the associated factors among women working in tea estates. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two tea estates in Tamil Nadu. All (266) ever-married women workers aged 15–49 years were included in the study. Data were collected using a pre-designed interview schedule including sociodemography and physical, psychological, and sexual domains of domestic violence. It was developed using the National Family Health Survey 3 interview schedule and the World Health Organization multi-country study on women’s health and life experiences questionnaire version 10. Results: The prevalence of domestic violence was 65%, while specifically psychological, physical, and sexual violence were 63.5%, 44.1%, and 4.1%, respectively. Domestic violence was significantly associated with socioeconomic status, spousal literacy status, age at marriage, and alcohol use (P < 0.05). Any form of violence and psychological violence were twice as common with illiterate (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–4.9) (unadjusted OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1–4.9) and a spouse who consumed alcohol (unadjusted OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.6–4.6) (unadjusted OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5–4.2), respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of all forms of domestic violence was high among women in the selected two tea estates in South India. Significant association was found with spousal characteristics. This calls for stringent enforcement of laws and educating men toward changing the social attitude toward violence against women.

A study on teenage pregnant mothers attending primary health centers of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore.

Data were collected from 78 teenage pregnant mothers (15-19 years) out of 1446 pregnant mothers who attended the primary health centers situated in the field practice area of the rural health center, Kengeri of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, between May and July 2009 to study the factors associated with teenage pregnancies and awareness regarding family planning. This was a descriptive study. Out of 78 teenage pregnant mothers, 57 (73%) were Hindus and 45 (57.7%) belonged to joint families. 76 (97.4%) teenage pregnant mothers were housewives, i.e. 55 (70.5%) of the spouses of the teenage pregnant mothers were laborers, in majority, i.e. 40 (51.3%) teenage pregnant mothers' age at marriage and the age at first pregnancy were 18 years. The mean age at marriage increased significantly with an increase of the educational status of the teenage pregnant mothers (F value = 7.08%, P< 0.002). The mean age at first pregnancy was also increased with an increase of the education status of both the teenage pregnant mothers and their spouse. The most common reason for early marriage and early pregnancy was traditional practices and family pressure among 50 (64%) and 45 (57.7%) teenage pregnant mothers, respectively. 49 (63%) teenage pregnant mothers were not aware of any family planning methods.

Reno-protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine in patients with impaired renal function undergoing coronary angiography and interventions.

BACKGROUND: The increasingly frequent use of contrast enhanced imaging for diagnosis or interventions in patients with CAD has generated concern about avoidance of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). Reactive oxygen species have been shown to cause CIN. OBJECTIVES: Angiographic contrasts worsen the renal function in patients with renal failure. We studied the reno-protective action of the antioxidant N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) in patients undergoing coronary procedures. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 51 patients with elevated serum creatinine levels (> or = 15mg%) was done, 24 of whom received NAC prior to the procedure(NAC group) and 27 who did not (Non NAC group). NAC was administered in a dose of 400 mg twice daily for four doses starting on the day prior to the procedure. Both groups of patients were hydrated with 0.45% saline at 1 ml/kg/hr for 12 hours prior to and 12 hours following the procedure. Both groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, coronary risk profile, myocardial infarction history, left ventricular function and the drugs received. Serum urea and creatinine were measured on the day prior to and the day following the angiographic procedure. RESULTS: Nine out of 51 patients developed more than 0.5mg% rise in serum creatinine level; 1 in the NAC group and 8 in the non NAC group (p<0.05), 24 hours after injection of the contrast medium. In the NAC group mean serum creatinine level decreased from 1.94 +/- 0.56 to 1.67 +/- 0.56 and blood urea from 47.58 +/- 20 to 41.58 +/- 15.1. In the non NAC group serum creatinine increased from 1.75 +/- 0.31 to 1.98 +/- 0.56 and blood urea from 44.96 +/- 15.5 to 52.85 +/- 20.1 (p<0.05). This corresponds to an increase in creatinine clearance from 30ml/min to 35.92ml/min in the NAC group and a decrease from 34.42ml/min to 29.87ml/min in the non NAC group. There was no significant difference in the levels of sodium and potassium before and after the procedure in both the groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that prophylactit administration of N-Acetyl Cysteine along with hydration diminishes the incidence of deterioration of renal function induced by contrast agents in patients with renal insufficiency during coronary angiographic procedures.

Prevalence of periodontal disease in endemically flourosed areas of Davangere Taluk, India.

Success of fluoride in combating dental caries led to study of fluoride on periodontal disease, but studies are less reported in literature and results are varied in nature. To address this issue, the study was conducted to assess severity of periodontal disease among (n = 283) 36-45 years old adults residing in area of different concentration of fluoride in drinking water. The villages selected were having fluoride concentration in their drinking water are Shamnur (0.5 PPMF), Kundawada (1.1 ppmF) and Halebathi (3.17 ppm). Ion Selective Electrode Method (OrionUSA) estimated fluoride in drinking water. Community Periodontal Index (WHO, 1997) and Plaque Index (Silness and Loe, 1967) was used to assess periodontal status. There was consistent decrease in mean plaque score from 1.45+ _0.024 at 0.51 ppm, 1.21+ _0.009 at 1.1 ppm, and 1.12+ _0.08 at 3.17 ppm fluoride area. This difference was significant statistically (P < 0.001). As the fluoride concentration in drinking water increased there was decrease in severity of prevalence of periodontitis. This difference in observation was significant statistically (P < 0.05). There were no effects of fluoride on calculus, since little variability was found in three different fluoride areas. Thus it was concluded from the study results that the increase in fluoride concentration decreased the plaque accumulation. decreased the shallow and deep pockets. Hence lower prevalence and severity of periodontal disease.

Left handed DNA in synthetic and topologically constrained form V DNA and its implications in protein recognition.

We have investigated structural transitions in Poly(dG-dC) and Poly(dG-Me5dC) in order to understand the exact role of cations in stabilizing left-handed helical structures in specific sequences andthe biological role, if any, of these structures. From a novel temperature dependent transition it has been shown that a minor fluctuation in Na+ concentration at ambient temperature can bring about Β to Ζ transition. Forthe first time, wehave observed a novel double transition in poly(dG-Me5dC) as the Na+ concentration is gradually increased. This suggests that a minor fluctuation in Na+ concentration in conjunction with methylation may transform small stretches of CG sequences from one conformational state to another. These stretches could probably serve as sites for regulation. Supercoiled formV DNA reconstituted from pBR322 and pßG plasmids have been studied as model systems, in order to understand the nature and role of left-handed helical conformation in natural sequences. A large portion of DNA in form V, obtained by reannealing the two complementary singlestranded circles is forced to adopt left-handed double helical structure due to topological constraints (Lk = 0). Binding studies with Z-DNA specific antibody and spectroscopic studies confirm the presence of left-handed Z-structure in the pßG and pßR322 form V DNA. Cobalt hexamine chloride, which induces Z-form in Poly(dG-dC) stabilizes the Z-conformation in form V DNA even in the non-alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences. A reverse effect is observed with ethidium bromide. Interestingly, both topoisomerase I and II (from wheat germ) act effectively on form V DNA to give rise to a species having an electrophoretic mobility on agarose gel similar to that of open circular (form II) DNA. Whether this molecule is formed as a result of the left-handed helical segments of form V DNA undergoing a transition to the right-handed B-form during the topoisomerase action remains to be solved.