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Volume-11 (2012);
Issue 2 (April-June)
Published on July 25, 2012
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2012;2:1
Review |
Malhotra VM.
Role of Game theory in Public Health. |
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Abstract: Game theory, a branch of applied mathematics has been utilized by researchers in various fields including health to arrive at practical solutions to contemporary challenges. The article aims to introduce the subject to medical fraternity in India and recommends that the theory should be included in the syllabus of post graduate students of community medicine so that future generations of public health experts are aware of the theory and its potential use to find tangible solutions to public health issues.
Key words: Game theory; Public Health. |
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2012;2:2
Original Article |
Fazili A, Mir AA, Pandit IM, Bhat IA, Rohul J, Shamila H.
Nutritional Status of School Age Children (5-14 years) in a Rural Health Block of North India (Kashmir) Using WHO Z-Score System. |
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Abstract: Objective: To assess the nutritional status of school going children in Rural Block Hajin. Methods: School children from various primary and middle level educational facilities from a rural health block were surveyed during the School Health Program. Height and weight was measured following standard procedures. MS Excel and Interactive statistics page were used for analysis of data. Results: Both mean weight and height were higher in females than males. The overall prevalence of under nutrition was 19.2%. The prevalence of underweight was lowest in 5 year female (0.0%) and highest in 6 year male (21.5%). For Stunting 7 year males recorded the lowest (0.0%) and 12 year males the highest (28.5%) prevalence. The highest and lowest prevalence of wasting was recorded in 6 year old females (2.56%) and 9 year old males (24.6%) respectively. Prevalence of thinness was lowest in 13 year old females (14.2%) and highest in 13 year old males (47.1%).Conclusion: The nutritional status of school age children in this health block are comparatively better even though a large number of children still fall below the cutoff for various nutritional indicators.
Key words: School-age Children; Underweight; Stunting; Wasting; Thinness. |
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2012;2-3
Original Article |
Kaur A, Balgir RS, Kaur P, Gupta V.
Knowledge and Attitude of DOTS Providers in Tuberculosis Unit of Patiala. |
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Abstract: Introduction: The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has been implemented in the country for close to a decade now. DOT providers are primarily responsible for the success of the programme at the field level by giving a VIP status to the patient in the programme. The present study is an attempt to know the knowledge and attitude of DOT providers about TB and its treatment. Material and methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was used to seek information from DOT providers about their knowledge and attitude regarding tuberculosis, RNTCP and DOTS. The analysis of association between knowledge regarding TB and training status of the DOT provider was done using chi- square test. Results: Out of 50 DOT providers 37 (74%) were females and 13 (26%) were males. On statistical analysis the knowledge about treatment schedule between trained & untrained DOT Providers was found to be highly Significant. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for training and reorientation courses for DOT providers regarding TB. Constant monitoring and supervision is required by trained staff in Tuberculosis Unit.
Key words: Tuberculosis; DOTS provider; Knowledge; Attitude |
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2012;2-4
Original Article |
Rupani MP, Vasava BC, Mallick KH, Gharat VV, Bansal R.
Reaching Community Through School Going Children for Sickle Cell Disease in Zankhvav Village of Surat District, Western India. |
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Abstract: Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore a method to reach the community via school going adolescents for screening tribal people for Sickle Cell disease. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 1023 school going adolescents for Sickle Cell Disease screening by Dithionite Tube Turbidity (DTT) test with subsequent Hemoglobin Electrophoresis for confirmation among those testing positive for DTT. They were then advised to get their family members tested for the same. Results: 24.41% of school going adolescents tested positive by DTT test. 152 family members of those positive school children came forward for testing. On performing the DTT test on the family members, 53.94% tested positive. Out of those who tested positive, 61% belonged to Vasava caste; 36.6% belonged to Chaudhari caste followed by Gamit and Dhodhia Patel. On the subsequent Hemoglobin electrophoresis, 52.63% of the family members were found to be positive for Sickle Cell Trait and 1.97% tested positive for Sickle Cell Disease. Conclusions: School going children can be an effective medium to approach the community for the screening of Sickle Cell Disease.
Key words: Sickle cell disease; Screening; Tribal; School going children. |
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This Article |
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2012;2-5
Original Article |
Pai NB, Vella SC, Dawes K.
A Qualitative Analysis of Medical
Students Views of Their First Psychiatry Rotation. |
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Abstract: Objective: The importance of student’s perspectives in informing curricula and pedagogy has long been recognised. However, student’s perspectives are rarely reported in the academic literature. Therefore this study explores and reports on medical student’s perspectives of their first psychiatry clinical rotation in a ‘new’ era medical school in Australia. Method: Seventy-three graduate entry medical students completed a semi-structured questionnaire about their experiences during a mental health rotation. The responses were analysed and coded into thematic categories. Results: The following thematic categories were evident; staff, breadth of experience, attitudes towards mental health, course materials and structure, and professional development. Conclusion: The results are discussed in the context of the current academic recommendations for the teaching of psychiatry and behavioural science to medical students. Although the use of student feedback is recommended by the literature, pragmatically it is rarely utilised and if it is utilised it is not reported in the academic literature. It is recommended that educators embrace the use of student’s perspectives to evaluate and inform their teaching.
Key words: Medical education; Student perspectives; Psychiatry |
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2012;2-6
Original Article |
Sebastian S, Suresh BA, Simon S, Ballraj A.
Risk Factors for Hyperfunctional
Voice Disorders Among Teachers. |
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The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence
of voice problems among teachers, and identify risk factors for developing
voice pathology. In this study we evaluated 448 teachers (400 females
and 48 males) between the age range of 25 to 55 years, from primary
school as well as secondary school which were selected randomly. A questionnaire
was given to them to find out how many of them had a voice problem.
All the positive cases were further evaluated by an Otorhinolaryngologist,
an Audiologist and a Speech Language Pathologist. Out of the 448 teachers, 39 of them(9%)
had an indication of voice disorder based on the positive respose got
from the questionnaire. Among the 39 cases identified 11 were males
(28%) and 28 were females (71%). We tried to investigate on the factors
that would have contributed to voice problem in the identified 9% of
cases .Detailed history was taken and was examined by an otorhinolaryngologist,
an audiologist and a Speech Language Pathologist.Out of the 39 cases
identified 26% had history of recurrent allergic rhinitis and laryngitis,
18% had sinusitis and post nasal drip, 18% had asthma, 26% had gastoesophageal
reflux disorder, (8%) had minimal sensori neural hearing loss and hypothyroidism
was found in 8%. Interaction of multiple factors like hereditory,
behavioral, lifestyle, medical and environmental can contribute to voice
disorders in occupational voice users. Teachers need to be educated
regarding vocal mechanism, vocal hygiene and effective voice use , dust
free and noise free work environment, diet modification like drinking
adequate water, avoiding spicy and deep fried food, regularizing
meals and avoiding sleeping immediately after food. The underlying medical
issues like allergy, sinusitis, laryngitis, hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal
reflux, hearing loss etc also need to be addressed , since vocal hygiene
alone will not help until and unless the underlying cause is taken care
of.
Key words: Hyperfunctional voice disorder; Risk factors
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2012;2-7
Original Article |
Tambekar DH, Shirsat SD.
Minimization of Illness Absenteeism in Primary School Students Using Low-Cost Hygiene Interventions. |
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Abstract: Objective: Safe water and hygiene intervention was evaluated to assess its impact on students’ health, hygiene practices and reduction in illness absenteeism in primary school students. Method: After evaluatingprimary schools of Amravati district; 50 students with high enteric illness absenteeism were selected for study. Families with problem of in-house water contamination were provided earthen pot with tap for water storage and soap for hand washing at school and home. Household drinking waters (before and after intervention) were analyzed for potability. Results: By adopting correct water storage (water container with tap), handling and hand washing practices found to improve health and reduction in 20% illness absenteeism in school. Promoting these interventions and improvement in water-behavioral practices prevented in-house-water contamination. Conclusion: These low cost intervention (water storage container with tap) promises to reducing school absenteeism by minimizing risk of transmission of enteric infections by promoting water and student hygiene.
Key words: Illness-Absenteeism; Intervention; Hygiene; Hand washing |
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This Article |
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2012;2-8
Original Article |
Padda P, Kaur H, Kaur A, Kaur H, Jhajj K.
Immunization Coverage of Optional Vaccines. |
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Abstract: Introduction: Immunization is a simple preventive service.
Routine immunization is provided free of charge in India. The other additional vaccines are available as optional. Therefore,
present study was designed to assess the coverage of optional vaccines in urban and rural setting of Amritsar district. Material and Methods:
The present study was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in the catchment area of department of Community Medicine,
Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research,
Amritsar. All the children in the age group of 24-60 months were included in the study. Coverage of each vaccine was computed. Analysis of
association between immunization coverage and various socio-demographic variables was done using chi square test. Results: Out of the
total children included in the study 53.9% were males and 46.1% were females. Coverage in males was significantly higher as compared
to females. The difference of immunization among the rural and urban population was found to be highly significant. Conclusions:
This study highlights the need to accelerate efforts in improving the immunization coverage for optional vaccines particularly in rural
areas.
Key words: Immunization; Coverage; Vaccines; Optional; Rural; Urban. |
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This Article |
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2012;2-9
Case Report |
Kaler AK, Shankar A, Jena M.
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of
Soft Tissues and Gingiva. |
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Abstract: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare plasma cell neoplasm of soft tissue without bone marrow involvement or other systemic characteristics of multiple myeloma. It accounts for 3% of all plasma cell tumors. Multiple extramedullary plasmacytoma is defined when there is more than one extramedullary tumor of clonal plasma cells and such presentation has not been described earlier. We report such rare case of multiple extramedullary plasmacytoma involving multiple soft tissues in chest, abdomen, mandible, maxilla, and gingiva.
Key words: Extramedullary plasmacytoma; Gingiva; Myeloma. |
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2012;2-10
Case Report |
Gulhane SR, Sinha RT, Gangane NM.
Struma ovarii associated with Pseudo- Meigs’syndrome. |
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Abstract: Struma ovarii is a specialized ovarian teratoma composed predominantly of mature thyroid tissue. It is associated with pleural effusion and ascites (Pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome) in 5% of cases. Majorities of the strumas are benign, however occasionally malignant transformation may be seen. We report a case of a 45 years old postmenopausal woman who presented with gradually increasing dyspnoea and distention of abdomen of five months duration. USG abdomen revealed a bulky right ovary with a solid and cystic components and ascites. Her chest X-ray showed bilateral pleural effusion. Hence, clinical diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumor was kept; however, both the ascetic & pleural fluids were cytologically negative for malignant cells. The patient was operated forhysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy. The histopathological examination of the ovarian mass confirmed the diagnosis of struma ovarii. Postsurgical follow up of patient showed spontaneous regression of pleural effusion and ascites. The coexistence of an ovarian tumor, ascites and bilateral pleural effusion that resolves spontaneously on resection of the ovarian mass is known as pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome. Patient with pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome may present a diagnostic problem as they masquerade as carcinoma with malignant effusions. In addition, the coexistence of struma ovarii and pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome is a very rare event.
Key words: Struma ovarii; Monodermal teratoma; Ovarian tumor; Pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome |
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2012;2-11
Case Report |
Kalloli M, Bafna UD, Mukherjee G, Devi UK, Gurubasavangouda, Rathod PS.
A Rare Xanthogranulomatous Oophoritis Presenting as Ovarian Cancer. |
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Abstract: Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is an uncommon form of chronic inflammation that is destructive to affected organs; it is characterized by the presence of lipid-filled macrophages with admixed lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils. Only a few cases of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis have been reported to date. We describe a rare case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis with involvement of omentum.
Key words: Xanthogranulomatous Oophoritis; Ovarian Cancer; Omentum |
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2012;2-12
Case Report |
Sharma A, Raina R, Dhiman P, Adarsh, Madhabhavi I, Panda P.
Rare Coinfection of Scrub Typhus and Malaria in Immunocompetent Person. |
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Abstract: Scrub Typhus, or tsutsugamushi disease is a febrile illness caused by bacteria of the family Rickettsiaceae and named Orientia tsutsugamushi. Recently it has been found to endemic in Subhimalayan region of India.Malaria is highly endemic in rest of India but its prevalence is low in Subhimalayan region because of the altitude. We report a rare case of a patient having coinfection with scrub typhus and malaria.
Key words: Scrub Typhus; Malaria; Coinfection |
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2012;2-13
Case Report |
Shakuntala PN, Rao SR, Poornima M, Padmalatha VV.
A Rare Case of Isolated torsion of Haematosalphinx Presenting as Acute Abdomen During Pregnancy. |
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Abstract: Isolated fallopian tubal torsion is a rare non obstetric cause for pain abdomen during pregnancy.We report a case of a 34 year old second gravida who presented with history of amennorrhoe of 7 months , colicky pain in the left iliac fossa , with 2 episodes of vomiting. A Trans vaginal scan revealed a left ovarian cyst. An emergency laparotomy was performed for suspected torsion or haemorrhage into an ovarian cyst. Surprisingly ovaries were normal and a congested and necrotic left tubal torsion with a tubal collection (haematosalphinx) was identified and a salpingectomy was then performed. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the literature is reviewed as it is a very rare clinical entity.
Key words: Fallopian tube torsion; Acute abdomen; Pregnancy; Salpingectomy. |
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