ABSTRACT
Background Transgender individuals in India experience immense psychosocial stressors, stigma, and violence. In response to stress, the body exhibits adaptive responses that necessitate the production of organic chemicals ensuing in the detection of blood serum and saliva. There are currently no laboratory tests that are confirmatory for the diagnosis of stress and facilitate necessary treatment to be carried out in a timely manner. Thus, potential salivary biomarkers could be a helpful tool in overseeing the efficacy of pharmacological treatment prescribed by a psychiatrist. Aim This study aimed to assess the correlation between perceived stress and salivary stress biomarker levels in transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals in Chennai, India. Methodology Twenty-two TGNC individuals and 22 age-matched controls in Chennai were administered the Perceived Stress Scale-10 questionnaire. Following this, their saliva samples were collected using the passive drool technique and subjected to sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique for measuring salivary cortisol, salivary tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and salivary C-reactive protein (CRP). Independent t-test was used to compare salivary stress biomarker levels between the TGNC and age-matched control groups. Pearson's correlation test was done to correlate perceived stress and salivary stress biomarker levels in the TGNC group. Results Significant difference was seen between the TGNC and control groups with respect to salivary cortisol and salivary TNF-alpha levels, with the levels being higher in the TGNC group. A significant positive correlation was seen between perceived stress and salivary cortisol and between perceived stress and salivary TNF-alpha levels. Conclusion There is a significant correlation between perceived stress and salivary biomarkers of stress among TGNC people in Chennai.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The Narikuravars or "gypsy" are a semi vagrant groups distributed across borders, but primarily live in Tamil Nadu, India. They are notorious to face discrimination that interprets into low education level, low socio-economic status and lack of pertinent access to health care. The focus of the present study is to determine the prevalence and dependency with tobacco use among tribal gypsies in Thoothukudi district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design of the present study was a cross sectional which was done in Thoothukudi district in the month of December, 2019. Oral health status of the study population was analysed by WHO assessment form (adults), 2013. Tobacco dependence was analysed by Fagerstrom Nicotine dependency scale. The inclusion criteria were to include every gypsy person who is a citizen of Thoothukudi district and of all ages. The study included all the narikuravars (164) whose origin is Thoothukudi district. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were done to establish the distribution and association of the variables, respectively. RESULTS: The total study participants of this cross-sectional study were 164, among them 128 were adults and 36 were children. Results revealed that among the adult population 64.55% were using tobacco, among them 29.1% were using smoking tobacco, 63.4% were using smokeless tobacco and 7.5% were using both. Medium nicotine dependency was more prevalent in both smoking and smokeless tobacco users (82.75% and 53.57%). The association between prevalence of tobacco use and gingival bleeding was statistically significant. Gingival bleeding was present in 88.9% of tobacco users and 11% of non-users (p value- 0.01). Significant association was found between gender and tobacco usage (p value- 0.042), dental erosion and tobacco usage (p value- 0.007). There exists significant association established between gender and nicotine dependency. (p value - 0.000). CONCLUSION: More than 60% of the adult study participants were using some form of tobacco. Medium tobacco dependency was prevalent among tobacco users. The tribal people have no access to all the services as their counterparts and it's our duty to educate them and create an insight about the ill effects of tobacco usage.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco consumed as smoke and smokeless forms is an important preventable public health issue projected to be the single largest cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of the study was to qualitatively assess the attitudes towards smoking, quitting and tobacco control policies among current smokers of different socio-economic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in-depth interview for 10 current smokers and a focus group discussion comprising of 10 current smokers was conducted with a guide and moderator which was audio recorded. About 6, 8 and 6 subjects from white collar, blue collar, and black collar employee status participated in the study. Their tobacco consumption and dependence using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scale (FTNDS) was assessed. RESULTS: About 50% of the participants had low; 30% had moderate and 20% had high nicotine dependency. Most of the participants started smoking by peer influence and continued as it made them to socialize. Relapses during their quit attempt was mainly due to work stress. Participants heard about the control of tobacco act but were unsure of the features in it. They perceived that no changes will happen if government bans production and selling of tobacco products. Also anti-tobacco commercials in social media will have no use. Nicotine replacement therapy may help in quitting the habit. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that people in low socio-economic status had high nicotine dependency with inadequate knowledge on tobacco control policies. They strongly believe that an individual's self-restrain only can succeed him in quitting the habit.
