ABSTRACT
Background: Keeping in view the role of tobacco consumption as a modifiable risk factor in various diseases and gaps in scientific knowledge among the apparently healthy adult male population in India, the researchers chose to undertake this study. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among apparently healthy adult males employed in various government offices to determine the prevalence of tobacco consumption. The minimum sample size to estimate a 95% confidence interval for the prevalence of tobacco consumption with 5% absolute precision was calculated to be 340. However, 500 subjects were included in the study. The tool used for data collection was the "personal interview technique." Standard statistical methods were utilized for data analysis. Results: The overall mean age (standard deviation (SD)) of the study subjects was 30.96 yrs (4.32). Overall, the mean (SD) of number of years of tobacco use was 5.64 years (1.98). The mean (SD) of number of cigarettes smoked per day was 6.36 (3.09). The prevalence of current smokers showed a statistically significant increase from the age groups of 20-29 yrs to 50-59 yrs (P < 0.001). All subjects in the study were able to name at least three harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The overall mean amount spent on tobacco consumption per month was Rs 536.97 (1.44% of basic salary). Overall, the most common reason for smoking was peer pressure, where 40 (93.02%) gave this reason. Of forty-three tobacco users, 27 (62.79%) expressed a desire to quit tobacco consumption. The most common reason for expressing a desire to quit tobacco was the ill effects of tobacco consumption, where 23 (85.18%) tobacco users gave this reason. Conclusion: Our study on the prevalence of tobacco consumption among government employees provides an adequately clear picture of this public health epidemic in India. There is an immediate need for target group-specific policies for tobacco control, which should be integrated with the relevant national health programs at all levels.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Typhoid fever is endemic in India. There have been various outbreaks of typhoid fever reported from different parts of India. Considering the outbreak potential of typhoid, the present study was undertaken wherein an outbreak of typhoid occurred in a city in northern India. Methodology: The study design used was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Detailed information was obtained from each reported case. Active case finding surveys were conducted. Case definitions for suspect, probable, and confirmed case taken for our study, have already been validated by the World health organisation (WHO). All patients were subjected to requisite investigations. A sanitary survey was carried out to locate defects in water supply and sewage disposal. Record of bacteriological survey of water samples from the area was scrutinized. Descriptive epidemiology of cases was carried out. Results: Attack rate was 16.1% and 17.4% among men and women, respectively. Fever was present in 52 (69.3%) cases. The epidemic curve displayed a sudden peak and an abrupt fall of cases. This is suggestive of a common point source outbreak. There were no fatalities. Sanitary survey teams found a sewage leak in the locality where maximum cases were reported. Lab reports tested positive for salmonella species in water. The outbreak was promptly controlled after repair of the leaking sewage pipeline; and provision of alternative source of water supply. Conclusion: This study reemphasises the requirement of a basic public health measure and infrastructure, that is, water quality monitoring by concerned authorities to break the chain of transmission of typhoid fever.
