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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is considered one of the most devastating situations globally, the worst affected were the senior citizens. A number of initiatives were carried out to control the COVID-19 pandemic; one such important measure is the development of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the disease. But the continuous emergence of new SARS-COV2 variants (antigenic drift) and its demographic variation in virulence makes the vaccine's efficacy questionable. This study is intended to evaluate the association between the degree of lung involvement and the effectiveness of vaccination against the disease in cases admitted to a designated hospital in Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A hospital records-based-retrospective research was conducted among COVID-19 patients admitted from the 1st of April 2021 to the 31st of May 2021, and information was gathered regarding their vaccination status, comorbid conditions, and CT severity score (CTSS) in the HRCT lung report. A consecutive sampling technique was used to choose the study participants; about 120 participants were included in the study. The Chi-square test and Fisher's extract test were used to evaluate the hypothesis. The relationship between a dependent variable and independent factors was estimated using multiple linear regression. Results: Among 120 participants, about 60.2% were males and 39.8% were females. Vaccination status and comorbid conditions had a significant association with severe lung involvement in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Non-vaccinated patients had severe lung involvement based on the HRCT lung scan findings than the vaccinated patients. To reduce mortality, it is essential to ensure universal coverage of COVID-19 vaccination.
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CONTEXT: Vulnerable population groups such as migrant workers are identified as emerging high-risk groups for oral cancer owing to the high prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption. Premature deaths due to oral cancer can be prevented by screening the population with high tobacco consumption practices and detecting early reversible stages of oral mucosal cavity lesions and facilitating linkages for further care. AIM: To assess prevalence of potentially malignant oral mucosal cavity lesions among tobacco consuming migrant construction workers in sub-urban Chennai, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: A workplace based cross-sectional study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at workplaces i.e., construction sites for screening potentially malignant oral mucosal cavity lesions among migrant workers across 23 construction sites of Chennai during September 2019 - February 2020. An onsite, group health education session was provided about the harms of tobacco use to the migrants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data entered in MS Excel was analysed using SPSS and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among 640 migrants included in the study, 411 (64.2%) were less than 30 years of age, 623 (97.4%) were from north-eastern states of India such as West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand. A considerable size (272, 42.5%) could not read or write and 355 (55.4%) earn a monthly income of less than ten thousand rupees. Current tobacco users were 619 (96.7%), smokeless tobacco users (463, 72.34%), smokers (206, 32.2%) and dual users (52,8.12%). Inflammatory mucosal lesions in the oral cavity were 70.97% and more among smokeless tobacco users comparable to 22.58% among tobacco smokers and was significantly associated with up to 20 years of tobacco consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of Potentially malignant oral lesions among smokeless tobacco using interstate migrant construction site workers is very high and need urgent interventions.
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INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases in India. The acute and chronic complications of diabetes impact the physical, mental, and social well-being of the patients, thereby, placing a major burden on the health care system. Studies have shown that adequate self-care practices among the patients will facilitate good glycemic control and prevent complications. OBJECTIVES: To study the patterns of self-care practice among diabetic patients and the factors associated with them. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 diabetics in the rural field practice area of a Tertiary Medical College and Hospital in Chennai. The participants were interviewed on their diabetic status and various components of self-care practices adopted from The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities (SDSCA) Measure. Adherence to medication was assessed by using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 (MMAS-4). RESULTS: Our study observed that the overall prevalence of good self-care practices was very low (5.6%). Moderate self-care practices were prevalent in 42% of the study participants whereas the majority (52.4%) of the study population had poor self-care practices. In our study, the association between self-care activity with educational status and occupation was found to be statistically significant. Adherence was high for blood sugar testing (75.2%) and medication (70.4%) in the study population whereas adherence for foot care was poor (17.6%). CONCLUSION: Our study emphasized on the need for knowledge and awareness to be provided in rural areas regarding diabetes care management and self-care practices. Structured programs need to be planned to improve the attitude and practices of diabetic patients to promote better compliance towards diet, exercise, adherence to drugs, and appropriate foot care.
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CONTEXT: In spite of the high burden of tobacco consumption among migrants, disparities in the awareness of tobacco-related harms, health-seeking behaviors, and intention to switch to lower risk alternatives remain understudied area. AIMS: Assess the social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services among migrant construction workers in urban Chennai, India. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: A community-based, cross-sectional study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire adapted from GATS survey was used among migrants working across 13 construction sites of Chennai during May-September 2019. A counseling session was provided for the migrant workers who were willing to quit. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data entered in MS Excel was analyzed using SPSS and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among 345 migrants, 338 (98%) were currently using tobacco and smokeless tobacco (57.4%) consumers. In spite of awareness (84.6%) about tobacco ill-effects on health, only 48% care providers enquired of the tobacco use in the previous one year. Pictorial health warnings were seen by 315 migrants (91.3%) in the past one month, but only 110 migrants (34.9%) considered quitting. The majority (341 migrants, 98.4%) have not heard of the lower risk alternatives such as nicotine gums and lozenges and only 89 migrants (26.33%) agreed to try lower risk alternatives for tobacco on trial basis. Migrant construction workers who were using tobacco less than 5 years (P = 0.001) were more likely to try lower risk alternatives. CONCLUSIONS: Reappraising social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services to migrant construction workers may be a promising strategy to reduce health harms of tobacco intake.
