Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) global status report on NCDs in 2010 showed that NCDs are the highest leading cause of death over the developed and developing countries. More than 36 million people died from NCDs in 2008 from cardiovascular diseases (48%), cancers (21%), chronic respiratory diseases (12%), and diabetes (3%). Methods: The present study carried out among 2957 rural population in rural field practice area of department of community medicine. Using the WHO STEPS approach, information on risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCD) like socio demographic, behavioural, physiological and physical measurements were obtained through standardized protocol. Results: Among the 2957 people studied 48.6% were in age group of 15–35 years. 68.1% were having education below secondary/higher secondary. 47.2% belonged to lower middle and 39.6% belonged to lower socioeconomic class. 44.8% of them were either farmers or labour/ unskilled workers. In the studied population 29.93% were currently using tobacco either in the form of chewing or smoking, among these 98.42% were males. 27.29% were currently consuming alcohol, of these males comprised 97.77%. Among the studied population 13.3% were hypertensive and 3.42% were diabetics. Conclusions: In this study majority belonged to lower middle or lower socioeconomic class, with occupation as either farmer or labour/ unskilled workers. Among those who consumed tobacco and alcohol as risk factors for NCD, majority were males. The prevalence of hypertension was more compared to diabetes.

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Background: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer. India revised the pictorial warnings on all tobacco products in 2018, but its impact on tobacco consumers after the revision is less studied. Aim and Objective: To assess the awareness of the revised pictorial warnings on tobacco products and the impact of it on tobacco consumers in a coastal town. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 31st March 2021 among 185 adult tobacco consumers in a coastal town in Karnataka after obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0 by descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Majority (95.7%) were males and 96.2% had seen the pictorial warning on the tobacco products. The commonly consumed tobacco products were panmasala (44.9%), gutka (38.9%), cigarette (31.4%) and bidi (15.1%). The mean age of initiation of consuming tobacco products was 24.8 years and mean duration of the habit was 17 years. Conclusions: A majority (96.2%) have seen the pictorial warnings on the tobacco products and significant predictors for reducing tobacco consumption were those who inferred the pictorial warnings as tobacco is injurious to health and cancerous.

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) i. e. birth weight <2500 grams is a major public health problem in many developing countries. About 30% of babies born in India are LBW. Birth weight of an infant is the single most important determinant of its chance of survival, healthy growth and development. This study is to correlate the health of under five children in relation to birth weight. Methods: Community based cross sectional study carried in urban health centre field practice area of Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences Bidar. 250 under five children were surveyed and findings were recorded. Results: Among the 250 under five children surveyed 68 were LBW children and 182 were normal birth weight children.164 children were having acute respiratory tract infection (ARI), 121 were underweight, 21 were having vitamin A deficiency, 145 were anaemic, 25 were having diarrhoea and 130 were having fever. Conclusions: underweight, Vitamin A deficiency, diarrhoea and fever were significantly associated with LBW babies compared to babies with normal birth weight.

Background: Obesity is a disease of public health importance impacting most body systems. It leads to a range of NCD’s. BMI is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults. Others measurements such as WC and WHR are considered as acceptable measures of obesity.  However in community settings these can be a time consuming method. Instead Neck circumference (NC) can be used to screen for obesity. Methodology: A cross sectional study conducted among 310 study participants in rural field practice area of Government medical college, Karwar. Socio demographic characteristics were collected using pre designed semi structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements as per standard guidelines. Data analyzed using Epi-info 7.2 version. Statistical tests like Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to assess correlation. NC cut off values were obtained from ROC. Results: In our study, the correlation of NC with BMI was highly correlated among both males(r=0.529), and females (r=0.565). Kappa statistics depicted moderate agreement with BMI [males (κ = 0.512) ; females (κ = 0.496) and NC in the study population. The cut-off values obtained for neck circumference using ROC curve for males (35.5cm) and females (31.5cm) were statically significant associated in comparison to BMI to determine obesity in both males (χ2 = 58.57,  and females (χ2 = 21.54). Conclusion: This study concluded that men with NC ≥ 35.5 cms and females with NC ≥ 31.5 cms are to be considered obese. The sensitivity  of  this screening  test  for  these  cut-off’s  was  79.83%  and  82.4%  in  males  and  females  respectively.