Prevalence and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in an urban slum, West Tripura: a cross sectional study

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is the optimal way to feed children during their first months of life, having important benefits for them and their mothers. Despite of all benefits, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding is quite low and information on influencing factors is limited especially from slum settlements. Objectives was to estimate the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and to find out the factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in an urban slum, West Tripura.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 lactating mothers for a period of six months in an urban slum using structured interview schedule. Eligible mothers were selected by sample random sampling technique. Data has been analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 17.Results: Majority (43%) of the mothers was aged between 21-25 years and 89% were non working mothers. Among the participants, 55.5% were Hindu by religion, 60% belonged to nuclear family and 43.5% had studied up to primary level. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding rate among the study mothers were 60.5%. Only parity, place of delivery and number of antenatal check up were significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) rate still needs to improve. Community level interventions like awareness programmes on exclusive breastfeeding, health education and behavior change communication among the target group is essential to improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate especially in slum settlements

Restricted Interval Valued Neutrosophic Sets and Restricted Interval Valued Neutrosophic Topological Spaces

In this paper we introduce the concept of restricted interval valued neutrosophic sets (RIVNS in short). Some basic operations and properties of RIVNS are discussed. The concept of restricted interval valued neutrosophic topology is also introduced together with restricted interval valued neutrosophic finer and restricted interval valued neutrosophic coarser topology. We also define restricted interval valued neutrosophic interior and closer of a restricted interval valued neutrosophic set. Some theorems and examples are cites. Restricted interval valued neutrosophic subspace topology is also studied

Self-medication practices among medical and nursing students in Tripura, India: a mixed-method study

Background: In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice because of costly clinical services and easy availability of medicine from pharmacies. There is an increase trend of self-medication among different health professional students apart from general people. This study aims to assess self-medication practice among medical and nursing students in Tripura, India.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical and nursing students of Tripura Medical College and Tripura College of Nursing, of Tripura for two months (January- February 2018). A pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect the required information. The collected data was entered in SPSS version 16.0, represented in proportions and p <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Overall 353 (88.3%) students of both courses practiced self-medication; prevalence was more among medical (91.5%) than nursing students (85%). Main source of information among medical students were books (90.2%) while 56.5% nursing students replied friends and/or seniors as primary source. Majority (53%) respondents took self-medication for headache (79.2% medical vs 72.4% nursing students) followed by fever (77.6% medical vs 52.4% nursing). Less than half of the respondents (48.5% medical vs 46.5% nursing students) believed that self-medication was harmful; maximum nursing students (71.5%) believed that self-medication is self-care as compare to medical students (56.5%).Conclusions: The study found wide practice of self-medication among students, inappropriate use of which may cause serious health hazards. Promoting education regarding self-medication and making healthcare system available can reduce self-medication practices substantially

A cross-sectional study on morbidity pattern of elderly population residing in a rural area of Tripura

Background: The elderly is one of the most vulnerable and high-risk groups in terms of health and their health seeking behaviour is crucial in any society. A major component of the burden of illness for the elderly derives from prevalent chronic disease. The objective of study aims to find out morbidity pattern of elderly population aged 60 years and above.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done in rural areas of Madhupur, Sepahijala district, Tripura from August 2015-January 2016. A total of 260 (elderly aged 60 years and above) study participants were selected by simple random sampling.Results: Majority (52.7%) were between 60-70 years of age, least (1.5%) was in 90-100 years age group. Most of the study population (84.6%) were Hindu and female were more than male (51.9 % vs 48.1%). Majority (38.8%) of them were suffering from two (2) morbidities and 8.1% of study population had 4 and more morbidities. Non-specific generalized weakness was the most common (62.7%) morbidity, followed by gastrointestinal problems (56%) found in geriatric population. Musculoskeletal problems (low back pain, joint pain, osteoarthritis) were 45% followed by anaemia (42%) and impaired vision (36%). Increasing age group and non-smoke tobacco habit among the elderly population was associated with number of morbidities (≥ 3 morbidities/ person) per person (p <0.05).Conclusions: The study showed high prevalence of morbidities among elderly population. Non-specific generalized weakness was one of the most important problems in this age group. We have to find out the underlying cause of this non-specific generalized weakness by further clinical examination and laboratory investigations in future research

Knowledge, attitude and practice about hospital acquired infection among health care personnel in a tertiary care hospital of Tripura

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of hospital acquired infections transmitted from both blood-borne pathogens. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care professionals towards hospital acquired infections.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 on health care personnel (staff nurses, nursing student, lab technicians, OT assistants, ward girls, and sweepers) available on the day of survey of Tripura Medical College and Dr. BRAM Teaching Hospital, Hapania; data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analysed using Microsoft excel.Results: Majority (70.7%%) of the participants belonged to 18 to 25 years age group and were females (75.9%); mostly were Staff Nurses (35.1%) followed by nursing student (31.9%). The present study showed that, 87.4% healthcare personnel have some knowledge about Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI). According to study participants, most common hospital acquired infections was urinary tract infections (60.5%) and nurses were the most susceptible (34.6%) group to HAI. Among participants, 94.8% believed that working in hospital exposed them to infectious diseases and 60.2% were willing to change their working environment to avoid hospital acquired infection. Most of the study participants washed their hands after handling the patients (90.2%).Conclusions: Knowledge about Hospital Acquired Infection is present among health care personnel but there is still lack of adequate quality control practice to prevent Hospital Acquired Infection. Importance of prevention of Hospital Acquired Infection should be emphasized among health care personnel by intensive IEC activities

A cross sectional study on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura, India

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a major lifestyle disease is undoubtedly the most challenging public health problem of 21st century with a worldwide prevalence of 387 million (8.3%).  The objective of this study was to get an estimate of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and associated factors in a sample of adult population in a peri-urban area of West Tripura.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found among adult population of a peri-urban area (Dukli) of west Tripura from April 2016 to May 2016. Multistage random sampling was followed to include 76 participants. Taking house as a sampling unit, every 5th house was chosen for this study. From every selected house, one adult participant was chosen by simple random sampling until desired sample size was attained. Collected data was compiled and analyzed with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0.). Chi-square, Fischer exact test was applied to find out association.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 42.21±17.65 years, comprised of 23.7% male and 76.3% female. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 17.1% among study participants. Diabetes was found highest in 39-58-year age group (37.5%). Males were more affected with diabetes mellitus (22.2%) compared to females (15.5%). The study also revealed a significant association of diabetes mellitus with family history of diabetes mellitus (p value 0.00).Conclusions: Present study showed very high prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adult population. Healthy lifestyle measures might reduce burden of diabetes mellitus which could be evaluated in future research

Interval Valued Neutrosophic Soft Topological Spaces

In this paper we introduce the concept of interval valued neutrosophic soft topological space together with interval valued neutrosophic soft finer and interval valued neutrosophic soft coarser topology. We also define interval valued neutrosophic interior and closer of an interval valued neutrosophic soft set. Some theorems and examples are cites. Interval valued neutrosophic soft subspace topology are studied. Some examples and theorems regarding this concept are presented

Importance of Geriatric Health Care in India during Covid 19 Pandemic

World is facing a dual challenge of deadly Covid 19 pandemic and economic instability with its best health care facility and advanced science & technology. We need to support and protect our physically and economically vulnerable population like geriatric or elderly people during this difficult time. India has nearly 120 million elderly people with various physical, mental, social, economic, and spiritual problems. Ministry of health has created geriatric centers and geriatric clinics in most of the states. Routine care clinics cannot handle the burden of geriatric population to address their co-morbidities. Rapid training of healthcare professionals of various disciplines in geriatric care, home nursing is now of utmost importance. Government must provide financial support to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other agencies for helping geriatric population by providing affordable health care