Waterborne diseases, such as Hepatitis A and E, are major public health concerns in most of the developing nations, indicating the need for proper outbreak prevention, surveillance, and timely management. This study presents data regarding the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A and E outbreaks as well as water quality in Kashmir, India, during 2015-2017. Hepatitis outbreaks were initially investigated by rapid response teams, under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Suspected cases were further evaluated by blood sampling to confirm the disease along with water sampling evaluation. Between 2015 and 2017, 23 disease outbreaks were recorded; among these, four outbreaks occurred in 2015, 12 in 2016, and seven in 2017. Specifically, 12 of the total outbreaks were concerned with hepatitis A infection, 10 concerned hepatitis E infection, and one involved eight cases of jaundice with neither hepatitis A virus nor hepatitis A virus detected in blood sampling. Overall, during the aforementioned period, 393 cases of hepatitis A or E were detected. Regarding water quality, which was evaluated using the most probable number method for counting coliform, 38 of 50 water samples were found to be unfit for human consumption and one source was found to be suspicious. This study of prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis A and E along with its relationship with water quality and socioeconomic factors, such as poor hygiene and lack of access to safe water, aids towards the implementation of effective preventive sanitary measures and public health actions.
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are known threats to socio economic development not only in developing countries but worldwide. Urbanization and lifestyle changes happening rapidly around the globe including India have resulted in increased prevalence of NCD and Jammu & Kashmir is no exception to this worldwide problem. The rising trend in NCD here warrants continuous surveillance and awareness amongst population. Estimating burden of modifiable risk factors contributing to NCD for intervention and prevention of NCDs is mandatory.Method: This cross sectional study was carried out from June 2018 and continued till January 2019 in one of the blocks of District Budgam of Jammu & Kashmir. A detailed predesigned health questionnaire was used to record the parameters like age, dwelling, marital status, socio economic status, history of dependencies & duration, family and personal history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, behavioral history including lifestyle dependencies etc. of study participants, apparently healthy adults. Blood pressure, Random levels of blood sugar RBS and BMI of participant was recorded. The diagnosis of hypertension was done as per JNC 8 criteria and RBS levels >140mg/dl or patient on anti-diabetic medication was defined as diabetes. BMI of more than 23-29.9 and more than 30 was defined as overweight and obesity respectively.Results: Adults with mean age of 46.8±8.54 in males and 40.3±16.15 females with the similar proportion of males and females in different age groups was recorded with 19.8% populace in the age group of 25-34 as compared to 4.3% population in the age group of 75-84.Smoking was significantly higher in males as compared to females (p<0.001) pointing towards gender predilection.86.6% females were living a sedentary life as compared to 72.4% of males (p value <0.001) revealing gender as independent factor for sedentary life as females remain mostly confined to their homes. Health behaviors, physical inactivity and obesity, show statistically significant association with NCD factors like hypertension and diabetes in this study (p<0.002 p<0.023 resp. table ) In present study only 2.6% males and 5.7% females had their hypertension controlled 8% and 11.2% males and females respectively were not controlled.12% of males and 10.8% of females were not aware and they were diagnosed hypertensive during study. Similarly for diabetes only (1.7%m & 3.2%f) were known diabetes with controlled blood sugar levels .However major chunk of the affected population were either uncontrolled (3.2% m & 4.7%f) or unaware (9.6% m & 7.0%f) of the disease. Conclusion:The study conducted in the semi urban area of J&K revealed that behavioral and biological cardio vascular risk factors are prevalent in the population. Awareness about these NCD is low. Physical inactivity and increasing BMI were the two important modifiable health risk behaviors associated with hypertension. Making common people aware about seeking health care for screening of these risk factors of NCD for dete...
Mumps is a public health problem on a global scale caused by mumps virus, a member of family paramyxoviridae. An effective form of vaccination exists and is incorporated into routine immunization schedules in over 100 countries, usually in the form of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. This is not the case in India, as mumps is not viewed as a significant enough public health problem by the government to warrant such an intervention. This original research paper discusses about outbreaks of mumps in Kashmir, India and aims to add to the body of literature to support the routine immunization with the mumps vaccine. From July to September 2017, there were 15 outbreaks and 260 cases of mumps recorded in the region by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). We conclude that the Indian Government should include the MMR vaccination in the Universal Immunization Programme. This would result in clinical and economic benefits by reducing outbreaks and associated morbidity of mumps, in addition to tackling the recognized morbidity and mortality of rubella and measles. To support the global health security, there is a great need to strengthen surveillance, adhere to the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHRs), and pay attention to emerging and re-emerging infectious agents, including paramyxovirus group.
Background: Bacterial contamination in operation theatres (OT’s) and other specialized care units is a major factor for nosocomial infection. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) contributes to 33.1% of nosocomial infection. Microbial contamination of OT’s is a major risk factor for surgical site infection. Aim of study is to identify bacterial colonization of indoor air of OT’s, labor rooms (LR’s) and specialized new born care units (SNCU’s). Material & methods: Air sampling of 29 (OT’s), 9 (LR’s) and 5 (SNCU’s) was done by settle plate method. Surfaces samples were taken by wet swabs from different sites and equipments in nutrients broth. Samples were then transported to laboratory and processed according to standard operation procedures. Results: Total of 184 swabs were taken, out of which 134 (72.82%) were found to be positive for bacterial growth. A total of 43 air samples were taken out of which 41 were found to be positive for bacterial contamination. Least CFU/m3 was found in ophthalmology OT (4.4-10 CFU/m3) and highest in gynecology and obstetrics OT (4.4-268.7 CFU/m3. Conclusion: Surfaces and air in various health facilities of studied hospitals were found contaminated with different types of bacteria including potential pathogens that pose a great risk to patients. Hygiene and sanitation need to be improved in these hospitals to control nosocomial infection and for better management of patients.
Hypertension (HT) and type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) are major risk factors for Cardio vascular diseases (CVD)globally the number one cause of death. 1 Approximately 15% of hypertensive patients are diabetic and 75% of Type 2 diabetic patients are hypertensive. 2 People with both DM and HT have approximately twice the risk of CVD than a non-diabetic person with HT. Prevalence of HT in patients with DM is 1.5-2 times greater than in an appropriately matched non diabetic population. 3 Primary prevention targeting the reduction in incidence of these diseases is meaningful as they are incurable and require lifelong medication along with life style modification. Both the diseases when co-exist, complicate the scenario making their management even more difficult. While planning a community based primary prevention program for HT and DM, it is necessary to know the area specific prevalence of diseases. With this background, this study was undertaken to document the prevalence of HT and NIDDM amongst the adult residents from an administrative block of J & K. An additional objective was to assess the efficacy of such ABSTRACT Background: Data regarding the occurrence of hypertension and diabetes in the community are crucial for optimum allocation and utilization of health resources. Objective was to assess the efficacy of such field based exercise in detection of new undiagnosed cases and calculation of the consequent prevalence. Methods: A cross sectional community based study was carried out to find out prevalence of hypertension and diabetes amongst adults (35-64 years) in Chatergam, Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir) during Oct 2011 to Feb 2012 on a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured in 2077 adults and random blood sugar (RBS) was measured in 1732 subjects to detect diabetes. Data was analyzed to find out the distribution of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes along with 95 percent confidence intervals. Results: Mean SBP and DBP of 2077 subjects were 130.7 ± 40.3 and 83.1 ± 11.4 mm of mercury respectively. Values were the highest for both SBP and DBP amongst women of urban areas and in the 55-64 years of age. Quarter of studied persons (24.4%) had the family history of hypertension or diabetes or both. Based on the criteria of JNC 7, 41.1% subjects (95 % CI 38.9-43.2) were found hypertensive including 593 known cases (496 alone & 97 in combinations with diabetes). Prevalence of new cases of hypertension was 17.5 percent; it significantly increased with increasing age and was high amongst males and those residing in urban areas. 4.6% subjects (95% CI 3.6-5.7) were positive for diabetes based on RBS. Conclusions: Considering high load of twin diseases and their impact on coronary vascular diseases (CVD), study emphasizes the need to implement an integrated population-based cost-effective control program with a focus on primordial and primary prevention.
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