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Volume-13 (2014);
No. 4 (Oct - Dec)
Published on Dec 31, 2014
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2014;4:1
Original Article |
Aarthi G, Premarajan KC, Subitha L.
Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Reproductive Health Issues and Family Formation Among Adolescent Girls of Puducherry. |
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Abstract: Introduction: Adolescents are an important resource of any country. Adolescent girls need adequate information about the physical, psychological changes that take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and child birth. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls of the age group 17-19 years on family formation and reproductive health issues in an urban area of Pondicherry. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescent girls (aged 17 to 19 years) residing in an urban ward of Puducherry. Data collection was through house to house survey using a structured questionnaire. Results: 120 girls were approached and response rate was 100%. One fifth (21%) and one third (31%) of the study subjects knew the legal age for marriage for boys and girls respectively. 90% of girls were aware of small family norm, and perceived ideal family size as two. Awareness on contraception was poor (9%). Around 78% subjects considered fruits and vegetables as essential in the diet of pregnant women. Nearly 73% subjects were aware of Janani Suraksha Yojana and 89% were aware that immunization is essential for infants. Though 98% of the girls were aware that breast milk was the ideal food for babies, only 34.2% of the girls were aware of exclusive breast feeding. Conclusion: In this study, adolescent girls were aware regarding legal age at marriage, small family norm and dietary care during pregnancy. However, knowledge levels on contraceptive measures, exclusive breast feeding and supplementary feeding is less than satisfactory. These gaps in knowledge on reproductive health and family formation need to be addressed through innovative ways of health education in a non-threatening environment at the school and community levels..
Key words: Reproductive health, Family, Adolescent girls, Puducherry |
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2014;4:2
Original Article |
Derevyanchuk EG, Nguyen TT, Neskubina OM.
Association of Angiotensinogen Gene M235T and T174M Polymorphisms with Coronary Heart Disease in Rostov Population. |
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Abstract: Objectives: In this study, we examined the relationship between the AGT gene M235T and ?174? polymorphisms and CHD risk in Rostov population. Material and Methods: We studied two groups of patients with clinical and coronary angiography evidence of CHD and age- and gender-matched controls, respectively. AGT gene M235T and ?174? polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: The frequency distribution of AGT (M235T) genotypes among patients and controls (M235T: 28.5% and 16.2%; 235T: 22.4% and 7.3%, respectively) was statistically different (P = 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). CHD odds ratio associated with M235T heterozygotes and 235T homozygotes were 2.63 (1.1-6.1) and 4.88 (1.7-13.8), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the contribution of AGT gene M235T polymorphism, but not the AGT (T174M), to the presence of CHD risk in Rostov population. Genetic association studies involving very large sample size are needed to provide conclusive evidence on the effects of the AGT gene and other genes within the RAS system on risk of CHD.
Key words: Coronary heart disease, Genetic polymorphism, Angiotensinogen gene, Risk factor. |
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2014;4:3
Original Article |
Mistry DR, Verma M, Vyas SN, Kantharia SL.
Social Networking Among Youth and Their Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills. |
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Abstract: Introduction: New digital media have dramatically altered the communication landscape, especially for youth. “Indian web users spend 26 minutes online each day”. This study is concerned with effect of social networking on youth regarding potential risk, safety, wellbeing & skill development because they are still maturing & forming the ability to attain & implement communication & conflict resolution skill on interpersonal level. Aim & objective: To explore the impact of social networking on communication & conflict resolution skills among first MBBS students. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 122 first year MBBS students using semi structured questionnaire after taking their consent. Data collection was based on purposive sampling. Data entry and analysis was done using excel and SPSS v16. Result: Mean age of participants was 17.7 + 0.62 years, All the participants 122 (100%) have their own cell phone & 112 (91.8%) were using internet. Majority of participants have their profile on Facebook 100 (81.9%) and What’s app 105 (86.1%). Twenty seven percent (33) participants strongly agreed that “people who rely on social networking are losing the ability to talk with others”, while 50 (41%) strongly disagreed to it. More than forty seven percent (58) of participants were of strong belief that “people cannot effectively solve problem using social networking”. More than half (52.4%) of participants said that “it’s easy to take things the wrong way during social networking”. Conclusion: The study shows that participants have replaced traditional methods of communication with social networking on which they spend a fair amount of time. Use of social networking sites helped half of the adolescents to open up to the world but these sites did not help much in conflict resolution as responded by nearly half of participants.
Key words: Social networking, Communication skill, Conflict resolution kill, Youth |
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2014;4:4
Original Article |
Venkatesan M, Dongre AR, Kalaiselvan G.
An Epidemiological Study of Animal Bites and Envenomings in a Rural District of Tamilnadu, India. |
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Abstract: Aim: To find out the period prevalence of animal bites and envenomings, its epidemiological risk factors and treatment seeking behaviour. Materials and methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in the 34 villages of the field practising areas of the Rural Health Training Centre, Thiruvenainallur. Considering the prevalence of bites as 7.4%, and taking 5 members in each household with a non response of 10% the number households studied were 4150 covering a population of 18865 which was calculated using an Open EPI version (2.3) software package. Sampling frame of households was prepared and systemic random sampling method was used to select households from each village. Trained medical interns and social workers collected information on bites in the preceding one year. Data was entered and analyzed in Epi_info (3.4.3) software. Results: In this study, information of 12947 adults was included and the overall period prevalence of bites was 81.8/1000 population. The most common bite is dog bite (22.3) followed by scorpion (22.1) and centipede (17.8) per 1000 population. The dog bites are significantly higher among males, people below the poverty line, farmers and laborers. There is significantly increased risk of snake bites among people working in agriculture fields. Only 35% of the dog bite victims washed their wound with soap and water and 28% applied irritants such as ash, ink, calotrophis milk etc. over the wounds. Anti-rabies vaccination was given in 60% of the dog bite victims and life saving measure of Rabies Immunoglobulins (RIGS) was given in only in 6.2%. Almost half of the bitten victims of scorpion and centipede follow traditional methods of treatment. Conclusions: Considering the high prevalence of different bites and treatment seeking behavior indicates there is a lack of awareness regarding all forms of bites in the rural community. The existing program of rabies control has to be strengthened and community awareness about different bites, its personal protective measures and treatment seeking has to be done.
Key words: Adults, Animal bites, Snake bite, Envenomings, Anti rabies vaccination |
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2014;4:5
Original Article |
Srivastava DK, Gour N, Jain PK, Bansal M, Srivastava M, Mishra S.
A Study to Assess the Factors and Out of Pocket Expenditures in the Patients of Road Traffic Accidents Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Central India District. |
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Abstract: Background: Road traffic injuries are estimated to be the eighth leading cause of death globally, with an impact similar to that caused by many communicable diseases, such as malaria. road traffic injuries are estimated to cost low- and middle-income countries between 1–2 % of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an estimate of about US$ 100 billion a year. Objectives: To study the epidemiological profile of Road Traffic Injuries among the patients admitted in a tertiary care centre and too find out the various out of pocket expenditure in the patients of Road Traffic Accidents. Material and Method: The present study was a hospital based Descriptive Prospective Study. A list of all the patients admitted due to Road Traffic Accident in last one week was obtained from the ward sisters of Orthopedic Department. All the selected participants were interviewed on the two fixed days. A pre tested structured open ended questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Of the 48 participants interviewed, 34male and 14 females. Most common age group affected was 21-25 years followed by 16-20 years. The rate of accidents was most common on the weekends. The rate of accidents was more in users of two wheelers. Majority of the expenditure in the First week of admission was on the purchase of medicines followed by diagnosis. Majority of the victims also suffered huge financial loss due to loss of salary, closure of shop, loss due to daily wages etc. Conclusion: The present study hereby concludes that there is an urgent need for creating awareness about Road Traffic Accident. The study also concludes that majority of the out of pocket expenditure in the first week of admission is on the medication.
Key words: Road Traffic Accident, Out of Pocket Expenditures, Financial loss |
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