International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
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Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Bhaven C. Kataria
ISSN: 2394-6032 (Print):2394-6040 (Online)
Frequency: Quarterly
Language: English
Open Access Peer-reviewed journal
Web site: https://www.ijcmph.com/
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Item A 5-year assessment of malaria documentation and reporting practices in government healthcare facilities in Lagos, Nigeria(Medip Academy, 2019-06) Adeyinka, Adeniran; Kikelomo, O. Wright; Babatunde, A. Odugbemi; Olajide, IdrisBackground: Robust and effective information management systems are critical for successful malaria control and elimination. This study was a follow up study to assess the practices of Lagos State public healthcare facilities with regards to malaria documentations and reporting to the local government authorities (LGAs) in Lagos Nigeria in 2009 and then in 2013.Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional repeated survey of all 218 functional government-owned health facilities in Lagos State between in years 2009 and 2013 using a structured questionnaire. Approval was obtained from the research ethics committee of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.Results: There was a decrease in the proportion of primary & secondary healthcare facilities that document all cases of malaria seen in the facilities from 97.9% and 95.5% respectively in 2009 to 91.5% and 85.7% in 2013. About 53% of the primary healthcare facilities rendered malaria data to the Local Government Area (LGA) using the IDSR system in 2009 which marginally increase to 62.4% in 2013. Whereas in 2009, 63.6% of secondary healthcare facilities rendered malaria data to the LGA whilst 50% did in 2013. The only Tertiary health facility in the state did not render malaria data to the LGA in 2009 but did in 2013.Conclusions: There was a gradual reduction in malaria documentation by the government healthcare facilities. Therefore, there is need to intensify training among health workers in the government health facilities in the state with continuous monitoring and evaluation of performance to determine the impact.Item Acceptability of low-priced, socially-marketed sanitary napkins amongst non-users of sanitary napkins in a slum population of Delhi(Medip Academy, 2019-04) Shaikh, Zakirhusain; Panda, Meely; Gaur, DikshaBackground: Access to menstrual hygiene resources is a basic human and healthcare right. A substantial number of women in rural areas and urban slums do not use sanitary napkins due to its prohibitive cost and difficult access, leading to consequences like infections and the subsequent morbidity, school absenteeism and decreased social participation. The study explored the reasons for non-usage of sanitary napkins in an urban slum of Delhi. It was further studied if there would be a high acceptance if low-cost product was made available at health-centre.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done to assess the magnitude and reasons for not using sanitary napkins and acceptability of low-priced sanitary napkins provided through RHTC.Results: Most women (47%) do not use sanitary napkins because its price was perceived as high as against the benefit that can be accrued. Difficult in access to product purchase was the second important reason for non-usage. A low-priced sanitary napkin provided through RHTC was an acceptable solution to them.Conclusions: Increasing the accessibility of affordable sanitary napkins through health centers can increase in usage of sanitary napkins.Item Access to sanitation and risk of developing urinary tract infections among women from low socio-economic settings(Medip Academy, 2019-07) Kawade, Rama; Radkar, Anjali; Thadathil, Abhilash; Thakur, DeepaBackground: Poor sanitation facilities are root cause of many health problems of people residing in slums. The present study estimates the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and identifies factors associated with an increased risk of UTI among women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 616 women aged between 18 to 60 years residing in 33 slums across four cities in Maharashtra, India. Data related to individual characteristics of women, housing condition, access to sanitation facilities, behaviors adopted by the women that could lead to UTI and an episode of symptomatic UTI in the previous one month were recorded through structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out risk factors for UTI among women.Results: The prevalence of UTI was found to be 19.6%. The prevalence was higher among young women aged upto 30 years (23.2%). In absence of individual toilet, women had adopted certain behaviors such as urine holding (21.3%), modify dinner to avoid toilet use at night (26.6%) and avoid intake of liquids (10.7%) to reduce frequency of visits to toilet. All these behaviors were significantly associated with UTI. Multiple logistic regression indicated that UTI was strongly and independently associated with age (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.47), no access to bathroom (OR=2.21, 95%CI: 1.08, 4.49) and avoid intake of liquids (OR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.75) (p<0.05).Conclusions:Behavior modifications by women to adjust with restricted use of place of urination may affect their health and increase the likelihood of developing UTI. Younger women are more at risk of developing UTI.Item Active detection of tuberculosis: tackling the problem head on in the remote area of Andaman and Nicobar Islands(Medip Academy, 2019-08) Burma, Samarendra Prasanna; Gunda, Jahnavi; Lal, Pappachen; Thatkar, Pandurang V.Background: Community based active case finding for tuberculosis (TB) is an essential step in the fight forward for eliminating TB. One of the steps in targeting TB intervention is early diagnosis and treatment of patients by reducing the reservoir of infection in the community. Active case finding (ACF) targeting the entire population by house to house survey was done in Nicobar district of these islands.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with the trained mobile teams from 17.07.2017 to 31.07.2017 in the Nicobar District. The algorithm of the case detection included screening patients by symptoms, then by sputum microscopy for confirmation. X-ray was done in patients who were symptomatic but sputum negative. If both smear and chest X-ray results were negative but still symptomatic, then cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) was done.Results: A total population of 18526 was mapped of which 14784 (79.8) could be screened. A total of 209 people were identified by the mobile teams with symptoms who were examined by sputum microscopy. Among them 7 cases were identified to be sputum smear positive, 2 X-ray positive and 2 were diagnosed by CBNAAT.Conclusions: This study shows that the active case finding method is feasible and acceptable by the community. The results obtained are encouraging for the implementation of ACF through mobile team activity in all these islands in order to meet the target of WHO’s End TB Strategy.Item An active surveillance of anaemia among pregnant women and its association with obstetric history and sanitation in urban areas of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh(Medip Academy, 2019-06) Bano, Firoza; Gahlot, AnjuBackground: Anaemia is still one of the challenging issues in India in spite of various ongoing nutritional programmes. Very few data have been observed from the state Uttar Pradesh especially from urban areas regarding the status of anaemia during pregnancy. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women and its association with the various socio-demographic determinants in urban areas of Kanpur.Methods: Cross-sectional study having total participants of 207 pregnant women were selected by simple random sampling method and interviewed by pretested questionnaire followed by testing haemoglobin level in blood through Sahli’s haemoglobinometer and collected data were analysed using SPSS Version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel 2007.Results: Out of 207 pregnant women 163 were estimated as anaemic.Conclusions: A high prevalence of anaemia was observed which is 78.7%. Adolescent age group, lack of sanitation and worm infestations were detected significant parameters contributing anaemia.Item Acute blood transfusion reaction in a tertiary care hospital in Southern Punjab, Pakistan(Medip Academy, 2019-04) Akhter, Naseem; Samad, Afra; Nudrat, Fayyaz; Umme, Habiba; Maliha, Asif; Sabeen, FatimaBackground: Blood transfusion is a lifesaving process but carries many risks. Majority of these had been reduced with better diagnostic and management strategies. But the risk of non-infectious adverse transfusion reactions though reduced but cannot be eliminated. Hemovigilance is the system to monitor such reactions.Methods: The objective of current study was to know the frequency of adverse transfusion reactions and to compare it with local and international data. Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was done in Ibn-e- Sina hospital. Adverse transfusion reactions reported to blood bank was analysed according to hospital protocol.Results: Out of 6050 blood transfusions 23 (0.38%) develop adverse transfusion reactions. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction was the commonest adverse event and whole blood was the component implicated.Conclusions: Adverse transfusion reactions are non-infectious complications of blood transfusion which in spite of all efforts cannot be avoided. Frequency of adverse transfusion reactions in our study was 0.38% and Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction was commonest reported reaction type. Hemovigilance system is necessary to monitor, investigate and control such activities.Item Adarsh primary health care yojana in Rajasthan(Medip Academy, 2020-03) Chauhan, MamtaPrimary health care (PHC) center is the first point of contact between community and the medical officer at village level. The PHCs have been envisaged to provide an integrated curative and preventive health care to the rural population with emphasis on preventive and promotive aspects of health care. The PHCs are established and maintained by the State Governments under the minimum needs programme or basic minimum services programme. At present, a PHC is manned by a medical officer supported by paramedical and other staff. It acts as a referral unit for 4 to 6 sub centres. It has 6 beds for patients. The activities of PHC involve curative, preventive, promotive and family welfare services. There are 2080 PHCs functioning as on March, 2018 in the Rajasthan.Item Addition of rituximab to hyper-CVAD improves overall survival in newly diagnosed Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma from the Middle East and North Africa region(Medip Academy, 2019-10) Najla, S. Bin Sabbar; Fatimah, S. Alowirdi; Fatimah, A. Basakran; Lujain, A. Al-Badr; Rawan, A. Assiri; Wafa, A. Alshahrani; Alaa, Althubaiti; Moussab, DamlajBackground: Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive malignancy treated with intensive combinational chemotherapy. However, there is paucity in the literature with regards to outcome in patients with BL from the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA).Methods: We examined the impact of incorporation of the monoclonal antibody rituximab within a chemotherapy backbone of hyper-fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, cytarabine and methotrexate (hyper-CVAD). Between 2007 to 2016, a total of 21 patients were identified and data retrospectively collected with median follow up was 32 months (1.1-120). The cohort was stratified based on exposure to rituximab and there was no significant difference regarding gender, age, stage, presence of constitutional symptoms, baseline presenting blood counts and proportion of patients completing prescribed therapy regimen between the strata.Results: Estimated overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort at 2 years was 71.1%; however, patients who received rituximab in conjunction with hyper-CVAD had a statistically significant improvement in 2-year OS at 81.2% vs 40% (p=0.048).Conclusions: In conclusion, we observed that incorporation of rituximab within a hyper-CVAD backbone improved OS in BL patients from the MENA region. These results warrant further evaluation.Item Adequacy of iodisation of salt at the household level and its associated factors in a rural sub-centre area of Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional study(Medip Academy, 2019-06) Kalliath, Jacob D.; Agrawal, Twinkle; Fathima, Farah N.; Antony, Sonu; Antony, Amal; Gampala, Swarajyam; Bata, Dilip K.Background: Consumption of iodised salt is a simple, e?ective and inexpensive preventive measure to prevent iodine de?ciency disorders. Lack of awareness, faulty practices in storage as well as poor production quality lead to decreased availability of iodine at consumer level. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of households using adequately iodised salt and to assess their awareness and practices regarding iodised salt consumption in a subcentre region of Sarjapur PHC area in Bangalore Urban District.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 382 households selected by two stage method involving proportional allocation based on village size followed by systematic random sampling at village level. MBI salt testing kit was used to check for iodisation level.Results: Of the 382 households, 22.3% used inadequately iodised salt. Out of the 382 individuals interviewed, 72% were females and only 21% were aware about iodised salt. Majority of the households purchased salt from a general store, was stored in tightly closed plastic containers and kept on shelves. Only 5% looked for the iodine logo on the packets before purchase of salt. Individuals with poor awareness, purchase of salt at public distribution system store, storage of salt on the floor, use of crystal salt were significantly associated with presence of inadequately iodised salt at the household.Conclusions: Nearly 30% of the salt packets used by households were inadequately iodised. Awareness regarding iodised salt was poor which contributed to the presence of inadequately iodised salt at household level.Item Adherence of patients towards drugs and injections prescribed in a private medical institution in Chennai(Medip Academy, 2019-03) Suganthi, S.; Mallika, S. V.Background: The irrational use of drugs has become a potential health hazard in the modern days of medicine. Adherence to medication influences treatment outcome. Patient perceptions and education on medications are important determinants for a good adherence to prescribed drugs. Hence the present study intends to assess the knowledge and attitude of patients towards medications.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in urban health training centre of a private medical college in Chennai from January 2017 to February 2017. Taking the prevalence of injection preference as 63% and a non-response rate of 10% the required sample size arrived as 125. After obtaining, written informed consent from the participants data was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire statistical analysis was done using statistical software SPSS version 21.Results: Out of 125 participants 66.4% were females and the mean age of the study population was 43 years. 78.4% of the participants consult a doctor for medical advice, 58.4% of the patient demanded for injection. Knowledge of patients towards medications was good among highly educated participants which was statistically significant with a P value of 0.02.Conclusions: The knowledge and attitude towards medication was poor in the present study which in turn led to poor adherence. Directing health education towards people would bring significant behavior changes and also policy makers should emphasize on the rational use of drugs by the patients.Item Adherence to anti-retroviral therapy and factors influencing it among HIV/AIDS adult patients in Agra: a cross-sectional study(Medip Academy, 2019-08) Meena, Sunil Kumar; Negi, Rudresh; Chaudhary, Shailendra Singh; Misra, Sunil KumarBackground: HIV/AIDS remains a significant global public health problem. With approximately 56% HIV patients in India receiving treatment, adherence to drugs is a crucial element for successful management. Sustainable development goals, National Strategic plan for HIV/AIDS and STI (2017-24) and 90-90-90 target pushing towards ending of AIDS epidemic require adequate adherence and this research estimates the adherence, associated factors and reasons for non-compliance.Methods: This analytical cross sectional study was undertaken on 160 HIV patients from an ART Centre. A pre-structured, pilot tested, face validated questionnaire was used and data collected by face to face interviews, through random selection of participants from outpatient department register. Data was analysed using Epi Info software and chi squared test applied.Results: Of the 160 study subjects, 86.8% remained adherent to the treatment with forgetfulness (71.4%) being the most common cause for non-adherence. Statistically significant treatment adherence was observed to be associated with socio-economic status (p=0.021) and period elapsed since diagnosis (p=0.041).Conclusions: Improving adherence to drug therapy through intensive counselling, streamlined drug supply and increased family participation would go a long way in reducing the menace of HIV.Item Adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment among patients in urban field practice area of medical college, Davangere, Karnataka: a qualitative study(Medip Academy, 2019-06) R. G., Geethalakshmi; D'souza, Madonna J.; AshokBackground: Despite effective diagnosis and free treatment, prevalence of TB is still growing. DOTS was introduced by WHO in 1997, which is more than two decades ago. It’s a known fact in TB that adherence is less due to long duration of treatment and stigma associated with it. This study was conducted with the objective of estimating and the reasons for the non- adherence to anti tuberculosis treatment in urban field practice area of SSIMS & RC, Davangere.Methods: A qualitative method of study design was used. 20 TB patients who are on anti-tuberculosis treatment were interviewed with a structured questionnaire for adherence to treatment. Among them patients who were non adherent were further interviewed in depth to know the reasons for non-adherence.Results: Data analysis resulted in extraction of five themes, which were side effects, financial burden and social support, duration of treatment, food insecurity, unawareness of consequences of non-adherence to treatment.Conclusions: Patient adherence to treatment is multi-factorial and involves individual patient factors, provider factors, and community factors. Addressing issue of non-adherence to treatment requires enhanced efforts towards resolving medical problems like adverse drug effects, developing short duration treatment regimens, motivational counselling, social, family support for patients and improving awareness about diseaseItem Adherence to recommended intra-partum guidelines of high risk pregnancies: a study in North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India(Medip Academy, 2019-08) Chakraborty, Sumanta; Banerjee, SunamikaBackground: High risk pregnancies in intra-partum period are vulnerable, and if not appropriately attended, may roll on to maternal death or dreaded maternal near-miss cases. Despite the presence of a number of standard treatment guidelines designed to address most of the high risk conditions, their adherence and implementation continues to be uncommon. To assess the adherence to recommended guidelines during referral of high risk pregnancies in labour in mothers of the difficult terrains of eastern Himalaya. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological study with cross-sectional design was conducted among mothers with high risk pregnancies admitted in the labour ward, North Bengal Medical College Hospital, Darjeeling. 433 subjects were studied using complete enumeration technique. Results: Anaemia in pregnancy (22%), obstructed labour (19%), pre-term rupture of membranes (15%) and pregnancy induced hypertension (15%) were the high risk conditions identified. Referral linkage existed in most (70.7%) but no pre-referral treatment was given to 61.4% of the intra-partum mothers. Multivariate analysis shows mothers with age more than 35 years (AOR 4.97), bad obstetric history (AOR 2.40) & not attended by doctors (AOR 5.02) were found to be having more odds of missing the pre-referral treatment. About 86% of the gaps in pre-referral treatment were due to doctors not attending patients, lack of referral communication, not providing JSSK facilities and non-maintenance of Partograph as per Pareto analysis. Conclusions: Most of the non-adherence to standard treatment guidelines in high risk intra-partum mothers are related to health service delivery and can be ameliorated through proper administrative measures.Item Adolescent smoking behaviour determinants in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia(Medip Academy, 2019-12) Wibowo, Marsiana; Liena, Sofiana; Suci, Musvita Ayu; Erni, Gustina; Inganatul, KhoeriyahBackground: The increasing number of smokers has an impact on increasing the number of deaths due to smoking-related illnesses. Teenagers are the easiest targets for cigarette marketing, including in the city of Yogyakarta, whose numbers continue to increase. The proper investigation needs to be carried out to determine the determinants that play a role in developing effective interventions to reduce the number of teenage smokers. The purpose of this study was to determine the determinants of smoking in adolescents in The City of Yogyakarta.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with senior high school/vocational students’ samples. The sampling technique uses multistage random cluster sampling with Chi-Square analysis.Results: Researchers collected 481 respondents. Variables significantly associated with smoking behavior of senior high school/vocational high school students in Yogyakarta City are knowledge, attitude, self-confidence, family’s role, and peer’s role, while the unrelated variables are teacher’s role and information sources. The RP value of these variables is more than 1, which shows the seven variables are risk factors for adolescent smoking behavior.Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between knowledge, attitudes, self-confidence, the role of family, the role of peers and the smoking behavior of adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The role of the teacher and the source of information has no significant relationship with the smoking behavior of adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The intervention program for reducing and preventing smoking must pay attention to these variables as a determining factor.Item Adult glomerular diseases in east zone and zonal prevalence in India: an Omnium Gatherum(Medip Academy, 2019-07) Dogra, Pavitra M.; G., Shanmugraj; Jana, Sebabrata; Hooda, Ashok K.; Sharma, AlokBackground: India is a vast country with four geographical zones. Zonal heterogeneity amongst prevalent adult glomerular diseases is expected and has not been analysed in past studies.Methods: We conducted clinico-histological correlation of 290 kidney biopsies for adult glomerular diseases (GD) at tertiary teaching hospital in Eastern India between January 2013 and December 2015 and compared our data with biopsy data from other geographical zones in India to evaluate zonal variability (intra/inter) of adult glomerular diseases.Results: Males dominated all clinical syndromes except subnephrotic proteinuria (SbNP). IgA Nephropathy (IgAN, 41.1%) and Focal Segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, 17.3%) were prevalent primary GD whereas Lupus nephritis (LN, 52.2%) and diabetic nephropathy (DN, 23.9%) were prevalent secondary GD. IgAN (44.4%) and LN (33.2%) dominated SbNP group whereas FSGS (30.2%) and Membranous nephropathy (MGN, 22.3%) dominated nephrotics. Mean eGFR (CKD-EPI) amongst EyRD and RPRF was 39.6±12.9 and 6.2±2.9 ml/min/1.73m2 respectively. In contrast, biopsies from East India showed MCD prevalence, followed by FSGS. Kidney biopsy data from West India showed MCD prevalence whereas Northern India and South India studies showed FSGS and MCD prevalence, but later data showed an IgAN emergence, as in our data.Conclusions: There is considerable heterogeneity in prevalent adult glomerular diseases in different geographical zones (inter and intra) in India. FSGS and MCD were the most prevalent in all zones. Our study showed IgAN prevalence in East Zone, similar to South India. Reason was, increased number of kidney biopsies in EyRD (eGFR 30-60 ml/min) and subnephrotic proteinuria.Item Adverse drug reactions in patients taking anti tuberculosis therapy from directly observed treatment short course centre at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya: a cross sectional study(Medip Academy, 2020-02) Kambale, Shambhulinga; Babu, P. Subhas; B., Nagaraja Goud; B. R., HarishBackground: Ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the sustainable development goals. Side effects to anti-TB drugs are common and may lead to reduced compliance to treatment. These adverse effects must be recognized early to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. Objective of this study was to determine the adverse drug reactions (ADR) to anti-tubercular therapy among patients visiting directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) centre MIMS, Mandya.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at DOTS Centre MIMS, Mandya. TB patients registered at DOTS Centre during the year 2018 were selected for the study. Verbal informed consent was taken from the TB patients and interviewed using pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi square test.Results: Among the study population (n=90), 67 (74.4%) experienced ADR among which 47.7% took treatment for ADR and the remaining 52.3% patients were given reassurance. In this study, gastrointestinal manifestations (42.3%) were the most common adverse drug reaction (ADR). Of the TB patients who experienced ADR, 9.0% of them had interrupted ATT, however they completed full course of ATT.Conclusions: A considerable number of TB patients taking ATT experience ADRs and some of them may have to interrupt treatment. However, they need to be counselled or supervised with caution to complete their course of treatment to reduce the chances of treatment default and also reduce the occurrence of drug resistance.Item Adverse effects on health posed by consumption of Areca nut (Areca catechu L., family: Palmaceae).(2015-10) Hossain, Md Farid; Anwar, Mustafa; Akhtar, Shaheen; Numan, Md SharkerThis review paper discusses the impact of areca nut (Betel nut) on human health. Small pieces of betel nut are generally use with betel leaf after meals in a day or on any festival. Areca nut seed contains bioactive components like alkaloids and tannins. It is known as salivary stimulating, digestive agents and act as antimicrobial effect against oral bacteria. Along with the few beneficial effects, it has some adverse effects on the human body. Need to enhance the awareness activities regarding the health concern due to consumption of areca nut.Item Alcohol and drug intake pattern among truckers of Haryana, India(Medip Academy, 2020-03) Punia, Mehar S.; Punia, Anita; Anish; Mayank; Sanjeet; Jha, Sanjay K.; BabitaBackground: Newborn period is culturally and traditionally sensitive in every society. Different communities have different traditional practices when it comes to taking care of newborn. Head-shaving in newborn period is one such unique traditional practice existent among rural population of West Bengal. This study was conducted to explore the traditional practice of head-shaving and to highlight its related morbidities among newborns following head-shaving.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at triage of special newborn care unit of Malda Medical College and Hospital among 650 mothers who presented to us with their sick newborns following head-shaving. After obtaining informed consent, mothers were interviewed. The data were collected using pre-designed questionnaires. Statistical analyses of the data were done using SPSS version 21.Results: In the present study, majority (52.62%) of the mothers were within the age group of 18-21 years and 94.15% belonged to Muslim community. Neonatal head-shaving was usually done on 4th day of life (48.15%) and on 10th day of life (28.77%). Baby bath following head-shaving was given in 49.54% newborns using pond water and 77.70 % mothers used crude mustard oil for massaging following baby bath. Following head-shaving, 37.69% of newborns presented with poor feeding, 33.23% with abdominal distension and 61.23% presented with respiratory distress.Conclusions: Findings of present study highlights the harmful aspects of traditional practice of head-shaving among newborns in rural Bengal. This practice can be avoided by proper health education and counselling of the mothers and her associates involved in newborn care.Item Ambient air pollution and the susceptibility to develop pulmonary tuberculosis: a multi country ecological study(Medip Academy, 2019-10) K., Renuka; S., Gopalakrishnan; R., UmadeviBackground: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem with 10.4 million incident cases in 2016. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent, many environmental factors play a role in disease progression. Several respiratory hazards including smoking and indoor air pollution were suggested to increase the risk of tuberculosis, but only fewer studies has been conducted on the association between ambient air pollution and tuberculosis.Methods: Data on ambient air quality levels (annual mean concentration of particulate matter 2.5 µg/m3) for the year 2016 was collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) data base for 190 countries which comprises of 6 WHO regions. Similarly data on incidence and mortality rate of tuberculosis for the year 2016 was collected for the above countries from the WHO data base. The data were tabulated and statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient model to examine the association of annul mean concentration of particulate matter 2.5 with incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis.Results: Incidence and mortality rates of tuberculosis were found to be increasing with increasing levels of air pollution. It was correlated using scatter plot. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for air pollution level and incidence of tuberculosis was 0.331 (95% CI: 0.435-0.883), (p<0.001), and for tuberculosis mortality was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.525-0.906) (p<0.001).Conclusions: The study suggests there is a significant positive relationship between ambient air pollution level and tuberculosis incidence and mortality rates.Item Anaemia prevalence among school children of southern districts of Karnataka(Medip Academy, 2019-09) Shabadi, Nayanabai; Thomas, Jose Jom; Sunil Kumar D.; M. R., Narayana Murthy; M., Shwethashree; Gopi, ArunBackground: Anaemia is a major health problem creating an extreme burden on public health, especially in developing countries. Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds to 24.8% of the population. The government of India is implementing various programs to bring down the prevalence of anaemia including iron and folic acid supplementation to school going children. This study attempts to assess the prevalence of anaemia among school going children of first to the tenth standard, in rural and urban areas of Mysore and Chamarajanagara districts of southern part of Karnataka state, India.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 50 selected schools of Mysore and Chamarajanagara districts for a period of one academic year, and 8719 students were evaluated for anaemia. The data was analyzed using appropriate software and statistical methods.Results: The prevalence of anaemia among school going children in Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts was 27.6%. While 22.7% of the girls showed the signs of anaemia, only 19.2% of boys showed anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia was high in rural areas than urban areas and maximum prevalence was seen among high school students followed by upper primary school students and lower primary school students.Conclusions: The total prevalence of anaemia among school children in Mysore and Chamarajanagara districts was 27.6%. The prevalence of anaemia was below the currently available national standards. This low prevalence could be attributed to the continuing care with yearly screening and iron and folic acid tablets provided to the study population under National Health Mission.