BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infect over a billion individuals worldwide. In India, 241 million children are estimated to need deworming to avert the negative consequences STH infections can have on child health and development. In February-April 2011, 17 million children in Bihar State were dewormed during a government-led school-based deworming campaign. Prior to programme implementation, a study was conducted to assess STH prevalence in the school-age population to direct the programme. The study also investigated risk factors for STH infections, including caste, literacy, and defecation and hygiene practices, in order to inform the development of complementary interventions.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among children in 20 schools in Bihar. In addition to providing stool samples for identification of STH infections, children completed a short questionnaire detailing their usual defecation and hand-hygiene practices. Risk factors for STH infections were explored.ResultsIn January-February 2011, 1279 school children aged four to seventeen provided stool samples and 1157 children also completed the questionnaire. Overall, 68% of children (10-86% across schools) were infected with one or more soil-transmitted helminth species. The prevalence of ascariasis, hookworm and trichuriasis was 52%, 42% and 5% respectively. The majority of children (95%) practiced open defecation and reported most frequently cleansing hands with soil (61%). Increasing age, lack of maternal literacy and certain castes were independently associated with hookworm infection. Absence of a hand-washing station at the schools was also independently associated with A. lumbricoides infection.ConclusionsSTH prevalence in Bihar is high, and justifies mass deworming in school-aged children. Open defecation is common-place and hands are often cleansed using soil. The findings reported here can be used to help direct messaging appropriate to mothers with low levels of literacy and emphasise the importance of water and sanitation in the control of helminths and other diseases.
This paper analyses the situation in countries comprising the WHO South-East Asia Region with respect to water supply and sanitation services, hygiene and the epidemiology of related infectious diseases. Recently, published data from the WHO/UNICEF Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 report was reviewed to depict the situation with respect to consumers' access to improved water supply and sanitation services. It was shown that access to improved drinking water supplies is among the lowest in the world, and that sanitation coverage in this region is below all others. The paper also reviews selected surveys of hygiene behaviours in several countries of the region. Associations are suggested between access to services, hygienic practices and specific infectious diseases. The need is acknowledged to improve the evidence base on linkages between infectious diseases and water, sanitation and hygiene, and specific recommendations are made in this regard. There is a need now and for the foreseeable future to promote low-cost household-level interventions, including behaviour change strategies, that mitigate the health consequences of the current situation with respect to water supply, sanitation and hygiene. The role of health authorities in meeting this challenge, and as advocates for accelerating development of the water and sanitation sector, is highlighted.
A pediatric mandibular fracture can cause a child severe pain and the parent or caregiver extreme worry. While the pattern of fractures in children is similar to adults, however, due to a number of factors, including the anatomical complexity of the developing mandible, management of such fractures differs from that of adults and can greatly challenge the pediatric dentist. Various treatment modalities of managing mandibular fracture are available, such as closed/open cap splint with circummandibular wiring, arch-bar fixation, and cementation of the cap splint.
Background:During the orthodontic treatment, maintenance of periodontal health is of utmost importance; hence, this study was conducted to explore the perception and awareness of patients seeking orthodontic treatment toward maintenance of periodontal health and factors affecting the same.Materials and Methods:It was a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study conducted among134 patients seeking orthodontic treatment from 16 private clinics in Patna. The study was conducted in the month of June 2019. The city was divided into four directions east, west, north, and south and four clinics were selected from each directions randomly. A close-ended questionnaire was prepared consists of demographic details and questions regarding their perception, awareness, and practice to maintain periodontal health from the start of orthodontic treatment.Results:Majority of study participants {74 (55.22%)} were between the age group of 11 and 15 years. Among all study participants, females {81 (60.45%)} were more than males. It was determined that 112 (83.58%) of patients were using tooth brush and tooth paste/powder for cleaning teeth. There was moderate awareness, negative perception, and fair practice of majority of study participants seeking orthodontic treatment toward maintenance of periodontal health. Awareness of study participants was significantly (P-value ≤ 0.05*) associated with practice.Conclusion:There was moderate awareness, negative perception, and fair practice of majority of study participants seeking orthodontic treatment toward maintenance of periodontal health. Education of study participants was significantly associated with awareness and practice regarding maintenance of periodontal health. There is further need to educate the orthodontic patients toward maintenance of periodontal health.
Background:
Depression, a multi-dimensional disorder adversely affects the interpersonal, social and occupational spheres of students’ life. It is the 11
th
leading cause of global disease burden.
Aims and Objectives:
To assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among various professional course students including medical, dental, and engineering students in Patna, Bihar.
Materials and Methods:
The present investigation was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 3,100 students attending government and private medical, dental, and engineering colleges in Patna were approached during the course of this study. Students were briefed about the study and questionnaire. BDI-II (Beck's Depression Inventory-II) was administered to the students and they were instructed to fill it. Beck's scores were recorded and a descriptive analysis performed.
Results:
2798 students out of 3,100 responded positively to the survey by completely filling out the form. The overall response rate was 90.25%. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was found to be 47.78%. Of the three streams, students belonging to the engineering stream (40.28%) showed a maximum prevalence of depressive symptoms followed by dental (38.50%) and medical students (34.74%).
Conclusion:
Our study showed an alarming prevalence of depression among professional course seeking students. This multi-dimensional disorder continues to affect student's performance and professionalism, thus, extending its negative impact to the community at large. This may carry out later in their lives, thus leaving a long-term negative impact. Considering the high rate of depressive symptoms, establishing a unit or facility to identify or diagnose it at an early stage and providing psychological support to students is recommended.
Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disease with a wide range of expression, characterized by clavicular hypoplasia, retarded cranial ossification, delayed bone and teeth development, supernumerary teeth, stomatognathic, craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. This paper presents a case of CCD in a female with brachycephalic skull, depressed frontal bone and nasal bridge, hypoplastic middle one-third of face with mandibular prognathism and hyper mobility of both shoulders with associated radiographic features. Odontologist is often the first professional who patient of CCD approaches, since there is a delay in the eruption or absence of permanent teeth. The premature diagnosis allows a scope for proper treatment modalities, offering a better life quality for patient.
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