RESUMO
Introduction: Chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, are often associated with psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, and somatization. Approximately, one-fourth of the adults were diagnosed with hypertension, and the proportion will reach about one-third by 2025. The prevalence of hypertension throughout India is 29.8% and the burden of hypertension in a rural area of Tamil Nadu is 25.2%. The compliance of drug intake depends on the mental health of the patient and this study intends to take care of patients with chronic illnesses. This study is designed to assess the mental health of hypertensive patients and its association with their blood pressure. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among hypertensive patients in the field practice of a tertiary care medical college in the Kancheepuram district for a period of 3 months using a semi-structured validated schedule after obtaining the informed consent. The depression anxiety stress scale (DASS) scale was used to assess the mental health of hypertensive patients. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Results: Most hypertensive patients were found in the age group of 40 to 60 years. About 53.4% of hypertensive patients with normal blood pressure were suffering from depression. In addition, about 44.6% of pre-hypertensive patients and 44.6% of stage II hypertensive patients were found to have severe depression. Conclusion: Overall, pre-hypertensive patients were suffering from depression when compared to other hypertensive patients. Family history and tobacco and alcohol intake were other factors associated with depression in hypertensive patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Due to multiple reasons like prolonged sitting and postural demands, software engineers are prone to develop musculoskeletal problems, which can be easily alleviated by practicing proper Ergonomic posture in their workstation. The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of Ergonomics Principles and Workplace Practice among the software engineers working in a private firm. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 403 software engineers working in a private firm, Chennai. RESULTS: Among the 403 study participants, 85.6% had musculoskeletal problem in any area of focus. Only 9% had adequate ergonomic knowledge and only fewer among them practice it adequately. CONCLUSION: The study revealed higher prevalence of musculoskeletal problem, lower prevalence of knowledge about Ergonomic principles and much lower prevalence of appropriate practice of Ergonomic principles. This can be alleviated by a simple primary care like ergonomic education and practising.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The double burden of malnutrition is the co-existence of undernutrition along with overweight/obesity. The underweight can cause cognitive impairment, increase mortality, and over nutrition increases the chance of noncommunicable diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Women are vulnerable for early marriages, early conception, and so forth, which have an impact on their nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of double burden of malnutrition among women residing in tenements in a resettlement area, Kancheepuram district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among women aged above 18 years residing in a tenement in a resettlement area, Kancheepuram district using a semi-structured questionnaire. The sample size was 211. RESULTS: The median age of the participants was 44. 78; 2% were married; 30.8% belong to class III. Based on BMI 1.4% were underweight, 17.1% had normal BMI, 48.8% were pre-obese, and 19.9% were under obese stage 1. Based on the waist circumference, 23.7% were under high risk and according to the waist-hip ratio, 69.7% were under high risk. The prevalence of diabetes among the high-risk category for waist-hip ratio was higher (80.3%) with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The national programs are concentrating more on the undernutrition. The importance of obesity as a risk factor for many noncommunicable diseases should be stressed in the nutritional programs thereby providing proper interventions to prevent them, which could be done by interlinking with NPCDCS.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Poisoning is an important global health problem that leads to increase in mortality and morbidity. Worldwide, a million people die each year because of poisoning. The incidence of poisoning is also highest in India, with an estimated death of 50,000 people every year. There is a paucity of literature on various factors associated with poisoning which hinders effective poisoning prevention. AIMS: The present study aimed to study the pattern of poisoning among patients in a tertiary care center and to assess the factors associated with poisoning. METHODOLOGY: The prospective study was conducted at the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital from May 2018 to September 2018. All the patients who had exposure to poisoning were included in the study. A pretested questionnaire was administered, and information regarding sociodemographic factors, type, mode, and outcome of poisoning were obtained. Statistical analysis was done through SPSS version 21. RESULTS: Of 106 poisoning patients admitted, 55.7% were female and majority were from rural area (52.8%). The major type of poisoning was suicidal (86.8%). Among suicidal, tablet poisoning was predominant (35.8%), followed by corrosive poisoning (17.9%) and Organophosphorus poisoning (13.2%). The major reason for suicidal poisoning was family problems (63.4%), and the association was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Suicidal poisoning was more among the age group of 21-30 years and middle socioeconomic status, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The prevalence of poisoning was 20.8% and 19.8% among homemakers and college students, respectively, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Young adults, especially homemakers and college students, are more affected from poisoning in the current study. The involvement of family, educational institutes, and community is very important in identifying the risk factors and timely counseling. Emphasis should be made on legislative measures to combat socioeconomic problems.
