Background: There is an increase in prevalence of childhood obesity and its chronic health effects especially in developing countries like India in last 2-3 decades. This study is small effort to know prevalence and risk factors causing obesity. Aim of the study was to estimate prevalence of obesity and its risk factors in school students of age group 11 to 16 years.Methods: About 207 adolescent school children from selected school were enrolled in the study. Research tool comprised of questions about demographic characteristics, daily physical activity, frequency of having junk food intake etc. Height and weight were measured on calibrated scales. For statistical analysis MS Excel and SPSS 16 were used.Results: Among participants 58.9% were boys. 66.7% students were in the 13 to 14 years of age group. As per body mass index, 46.9% children were underweight and 8.7% were obese. 77.3% participants were eating junk food more than once in a week.Conclusions: Health education on dietary habits and physical activity is needed for adolescent children to prevent development of obesity and complications related to it.
Background: Swine flu (H1N1) is very infectious respiratory disease occurring in different parts of world showing pandemicity from time to time. Thorough knowledge about its epidemiology and clinical symptoms, attitude towards disease and practices to prevent its occurrence and spread are essential in all age groups especially in school children. To assess the awareness, practices, their attitude and myths regarding swine flu among adolescent school going children in Kolhapur district Maharashtra.Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was designed emphasized on the demographic profile, knowledge and misconceptions about cause, transmission, prevention and cure of swine flu (H1N1) and social responsibility of every student about spreading awareness. The questionnaires were distributed to school students of 9th& 10th standard only. Maximum 15 minutes were allotted to participants. A power point presentation regarding swine flu was delivered to participants and staff members.Results: Total 210 study participants were included. 80.47% students knew cause of swine flu is viral and 69.04% knew it spreads through airborne route. 73.33% students correctly knew about symptoms of swine flu. 71.90% mentioned all the correct preventive methods as wearing face mask of appropriate size, vaccination against swine flu and maintaining hand hygiene. In reality only 32.38% students exclusively practicing hand hygiene.Conclusions: Although the term was well known, better recognition of pandemic influenza cases is needed. Children were not aware about certain important treatment and prevention aspects of the disease.
Background: Rabies disease continues to be most feared of all communicable diseases. Rabies is a zoonotic disease & transmitted by animal bites, mainly dogs. India accounts for 59.9% of rabies deaths in Asia and 35% of deaths globally. One of the important factors associated with successful treatment is the knowledge of the care giver in the correct management of animal bites and vaccination against rabies. Objectives: i) To assess the knowledge towards animal bite management, and (ii) To study the knowledge, attitude & practices regarding pre and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of rabies amongst interns in a D. Y. Patil Medical College, & Hospital, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Methods: i) Study design - An observational - cross sectional, knowledge, attitude & practices (KAP) study. ii) Tools used - Predesigned, pretested, structured questionnaire based survey in interns on animal bite wound management and pre & post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies. iii) Study population – Interns working in D. Y. Patil Hospital, Kolhapur during study period, iv) Statistical tests – mean, percentage and other statistical analysis was conducted by using Microsoft- Excel.
Background: Obstructive lung diseases as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major public health problem. It is projected to rank fifth in 2020 in burden of disease worldwide, according to the WHO study. Aim and objectives was to evaluate clinical profiles of obstructive lung diseases patients attending tertiary care hospital.Methods: The data was collected from 112 obstructive lung diseases patients presenting to OPD of pulmonary medicine department from January 2009 to August 2010. Research tool comprised of questions about demographic characteristics, past or presenting symptoms, general and systemic examinations. For statistical analysis MS Excel and SPSS 16 were used.Results: Overall 72 (64.28%) were smokers. 63 (56.25%) were suffering from COPD and 49 (43.75%) were asthmatic. Breathlessness was found as most common symptom in 53 (84.12%) COPD and in 45 (91.83%) asthma patients. Among COPD patients, 26 (41.26%) were of moderate obstruction whereas in asthma patients, 17 (34.69%) were of moderate obstruction and 16 (32.65%) were of severe obstruction as per Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT).Conclusions: Males were most commonly affected in obstructive lung diseases. COPD was common after 35 years of age where as asthma occurs mostly before 35 years of age. Smoking was most common etiological factor. Breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom. Family history of asthma was most common risk factor for asthma patients. Most of the patients with both COPD as well as asthma had moderate type of obstructions.
Background: Menstrual disorders affect half of all female adolescents and represent leading cause of periodic college absenteeism but awareness regarding health seeking behaviour is less. Objective was to study association between common menstrual disorders and college absenteeism in first and second year medical students in Mumbai. Methods: 150 female students from first and second year MBBS were included in the study. Research tool comprised of questions about demographic characteristics, age at menarche, menstrual cycle pattern, complaints and its impact on daily activities including college absenteeism. Behaviour towards health and knowledge about menstrual cycle was observed. Percentage and chi square values were calculated using SPSS 16. The study was conducted in period between August to October 2012. Results: 150 first and second year female medical students participated in the study. Their mean age was 19.5 yrs. Mean age of menarche was 13-14 years in 78%. Menstrual cycle was regular in 72.6%. Menstrual flow was average in 73.3% of respondents and 88% reported duration as 3-5 days. 92% respondents had painful menses especially reporting moderate pain in 78% while in 70% of those pain resolved on its own. 67.4% reported mother as source of menstrual cycle information. Although menstrual disorder was cause of college absenteeism of 1-2 days in 44% students, 88% students didn't seek medical advice for menstrual disorders. Conclusions: Improving health seeking behaviour towards common menstrual problems can reduce college absenteeism.
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