Introduction: Visual impairment is an important public health concern worldwide that negatively affects quality of life (QOL). We aimed to assess the vision-related QOL and determine its sociodemographic correlates among individuals with visual impairments. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study during the years 2016–2017 among 201 individuals with visual impairments aged ≥ 40 years. After obtaining informed consent, we collected relevant information regarding sociodemographic characteristics using a pretested questionnaire and assessed vision-related QOL using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). An ophthalmologist conducted comprehensive ophthalmic examinations of all the eligible study participants. Results: The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 52.91 + 7.61. The subscale score was highest for color vision (72.39 + 21.71) and worst in the dependency subscale (31.43 + 25.2). Multivariable ordinal regression revealed that variables such as gender, place of residence, household overcrowding, dietary habits, practicing exercise or yoga, and type of eye disorder were significantly ( p< .05) associated with the QOL of individuals with visual impairments. Discussion: The QOL among individuals with visual impairments was poor in our study. Further research is needed to establish associations of various factors with the QOL. Implications for practitioners: Incorporating these determinants of vision-related QOL in the existing strategies could be useful for health care providers and social service providers in promoting the well-being of individuals with visual impairments.
Background: Dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever is an emergent disease in India. It is a mosquito-borne viral disease. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dengue among households in urban slum area and to find out the health seeking behavior of respondent during first episodes of fever. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross sectional study undertaken in field practice area of UHTC of GITAM institute of medical science, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The sampling technique was two stage simple random sampling. Face-to-face interview based on a pre-designed and pretested questionnaire. The data was compiled and analyzed.Results: Out of total 262 individual were interviewed, 69.8% were aware about dengue. The major source of information was TV/radio (74.4%). The most common health seeking behaviour for first episode of fever was nearby UHTC and then government hospital.Conclusions: The knowledge and awareness regarding dengue was satisfactory in the study population but the knowledge about the mode of transmission and breeding habit is still lacking. More awareness campaign and health education will improve.
Introduction: Urbanization is marked by emergence of slum areas, wherein migrants from the nearby villages stay in temporary establishments for seeking avenues of employment. These dwellings lack most of the essential living conditions like safe water, healthy living conditions and access to health services. This population is also vulnerable to social evils like alcohol and tobacco addiction. KIMS, a medical college in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India has an Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) that caters to a slum population of nearly 12,000 population for their primary health needs. Out of the monthly average of 200 patients /day, it is observed that respiratory symptoms complaints were highest both among the young and adults. Hence the study was conceived with the following objectives. Aims & Objectives:To assess the cumulative prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Infections and prevalence of specific respiratory symptoms in urban slum population along with a gender break up.To assess the association between the living conditions, tobacco use with the respiratory manifestations if any. Methodology:A house to house survey was done wherein all population aged 20-64years were interviewed using a pretested predesigned questionnaire adapted from questionnaire used in International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD) study. Given the prevalence of nearly 4%, with 95% CI and a relative error of 20%, the optimum sample is considered to be nearly 400. For the study Chronic Respiratory Infections (CRI) was defined as reporting of 3 or more episodes of some specific common respiratory symptoms in last one year or a diagnosed case of asthma/COPD, warranting medical treatment. Results:The cumulative prevalence for CRI was seen as 11.7%, dry cough being the most common complaint ie 23.25% in both sexes. Smoking (both men and women), overcrowding and history of TB were seen as positive predictors of the disease. Use of wood or kerosene in case of women gave an OR of 6.1 times for manifestation of the disease. Conclusion:Chronic Respiratory Illness is a major burden for slum dwellers and they should be educated against the risk factors and take appropriate precautions to safeguard against the illness.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.