Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among the elderly in a resettlement colony of Delhi.

BACKGROUND: With the increase of the elderly population in India, chronic diseases like hypertension are becoming an important public health problem. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among elderly in a resettlement colony of Delhi. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out, using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 294 (119 male and 175 female) subjects aged 60 years or more were studied. Of the total subjects, 210 (71%) were in 60-69 years, 57 (19.47%) were in 70-79 years, and 27 (9.2%) were more than 80 years of age. Blood pressure of each subject was measured on two visits, 1 week apart and was graded according to World Health Organization-International Society of Hypertension/VI Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of high blood pressure guidelines. Anthropometric variables and other associated risk factors were also studied. RESULTS: Hypertension was present in 116 subjects (39.5%), it was more among males 49 (41%) as compared to females 67 (38%). Among the hypertensive subjects, 60 (51.7%) were aware of their condition, 45 (39%) were on treatment, and 17 (14.67%) were controlled on treatment. Level of awareness and treatment were significantly higher among the females. Body mass index of 25 or more and alcohol consumption were found to be significantly associated with risk of having high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of hypertension in the present study was 39.5%, while level of awareness, treatment, and control were 50%, 39%, and 14.6%, respectively.

Health-risk behaviors related to road safety among adolescent students.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are now a major cause of death and disability among the adolescents in the world. Road accidents are the main cause of death of young men worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To study health-risk behavior related to road safety amongst adolescent students in south Delhi and its epidemiological correlates. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Three schools and two colleges in south Delhi. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred fifty adolescent students aged 14-19 years selected by cluster sampling. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Proportions, Chi-square test, multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: More than half (52.4%) reported 'not always' wearing a seat belt. About 72.1% (300) of two-wheeler riders reported 'not always' and 23.3% (97) reported 'never' wearing a helmet. Nearly 20% (91) students rode with a driver who had alcohol before driving, and 37.3% (185) subjects had driven with a driver not possessing a driving license, in the past 30 days. Such 'road-hazard' behaviors were found to be significantly more in males and in lower-age groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant correlates of such behaviors were gender of the respondent and living status of the parents. Almost 77.5% (426) of the respondents were 'at risk' as far as behaviors related to safety on roads are concerned. CONCLUSION: The results should evoke earnest responses from the government, policy makers and all personnel concerned with adolescent welfare on how best to reduce the extent of this preventable problem.

Do our medical students have enough knowledge of Hepatitis B ? A Delhi based study.

Hepatitis B virus is the world's most common blood borne viral infection. Occupational risk of Hepatitis B infection is well known in medical and dental workers especially during the professional training period. The present study was conducted among medical students of a Medical College in Delhi to assess their knowledge regarding Hepatitis B. A questionnaire was administered to the first, third and final year medical students regarding Hepatitis B vaccine, disease, and mode of spread, sequel and prevention. The knowledge regarding all aspects was maximum amongst the final year students as compared to first and third years. Knowledge regarding the booster dose of vaccine, transmission through formites, universal precautions for prevention was not good. There is need for strengthening in these areas and training in these should be started at the earliest.