An Epidemiological study of malignancies in Jammu province, India a retrospective study (1999-2003)

Research Question: -To Study the magnitude, pattern and inter district variation of Malignancies in different regions of Jammu Province from January 1999 to Dec. 2003. Setting : - Entire Population of Jammu Province. Study Design: - A Hospital based retrospective study. Methodology: -The study was carried out retrospectively from January 1999 to December 2003. The year wise data was collected from the medical case files maintained year wise in the Department of Radiotherapy and medical record section of the associated hospitals. All the new cases from Jammu province reporting for the first time in the five year time period were included. Only the primary tumors were recorded. In case of multiple primary cancer in same person they were all counted as new. Results: : - The total of 4507 new cases from Jammu province were registered in five year time period. Maximum cases 2541 (56.37%) were from Jammu District. Among males from Kathua, Jammu, Doda , Udhampur and Rajouri Respiratory system and Intrathoracic organs were at the top (40.40%, 37.47%, 37.25%, 36.97% and 33.74% resp.). Female Genital organs followed by Breast cancer were the leading site in female patients from Kathua and Jammu District (41.31% and 16.90% for Kathua and 33.39% and 18.41% for Jammu. Conclusion : -The leading Site of Malignancies among Male and Females varied in different districts of Jammu province. This could be attributed to various cultural dietary and environmental factors

Role of lifestyle and psychological variables in erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent yet underestimated disorder among men, associated with a significant burden of illness. The understanding of pathophysiological factors has led to better assessment of the disease yet a lot of patients are left dissatisfied and undertreated. The study was undertaken to elicit the various life style and psychological variables associated with ED.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on cases of ED reporting in urology OPD in 3 months period. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. ED was addressed in five domains using International index of erectile function (IIEF) scale. Information collected included socio demographic factors, life style variables and psychological factors [perceived stress (PT), self-esteem (SST) and erectile performance anxiety (ET)]. Data collected was analyzed using independent sample t test.Results: A total of 155 cases of ED participated in the study. Their mean age was 33.93±5.05 years (range 25-48).  80.6% were non-smokers, 54.8% were alcoholic and 22.6% patients performed light physical activity. There was no statistically significant association between different life style variables with five domains of International index of erectile function except for the domain of orgasmic function with consumption of drugs (p=0.017) and intercourse satisfaction with physical activity(p=0.045). Barring the domain of overall satisfaction most of the other domains of ED showed a significant association with psychological variables.Conclusions: Contrary to lifestyle factors, psychological factors are significantly related to ED and need to be addressed effectively for improving patient treatment outcome

Assessment of Knowledge and Practices towards Swine flu: A cross-sectional study among rural housewives

Background: Swine flu is an emerging public health problem in various countries including India and was declared a “Phase 6 Pandemic” by WHO in 2009. India ranks as 3rd most affected country for cases and deaths of swine flu globally. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge and practices regarding Swine flu among rural housewives of Jammu and to find out the association between the two. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the month of April 2015 using a pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire among 310 housewives from two villages of Jammu district. Results: Adequate knowledge was seen in 61.9% of the respondents and 53.5% had followed good practices. Mean (SD) for knowledge and practices score was 11.4(2.37) & 10.3(2.58) respectively. Literacy levels were identified as a positive predictor for adequate knowledge and good practice score. A linear relationship was evident both between knowledge / practices as well as age upto 40 years after which there was a declining trend. Also significant positive association was found between knowledge and practices (p<0.001). Conclusions: Age and education played a key role in attaining adequate knowledge and inculcating healthy practices towards prevention of swine flu. Continuous and sustained efforts are required on the part of government to impart scientific and necessary information to the target population

Female gender disadvantage and its impact on Psychological morbidity: A cross- sectional study among married Indian rural women of child bearing age

Background-Male preference is deeply entrenched in the society. Gender disadvantage predisposes to limited education, employment opportunities and healthcare. Aims and objectives: To assess the Gender disadvantage in rural married females and its impact on their psychological morbidity. Methodology: Analytical Cross sectional study was conducted in a randomly selected village of a rural health block. All the eligible women were interviewed using Door Knock Procedure. Psychological morbidity was assessed using 20 items Self Rating Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using SPSS ver 20.0.  Tests of significance applied were Chi square test and ANOVA. P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of Female gender disadvantage was 59.89%. Parental male predisposition and socioeconomic status were found to be statistically associated (p<0.05). The women’s own preference for a male child was strongly predicted by their own gender disadvantage from the parents. Statistically significant difference in psychological morbidity was found amongst women who had both parental male predisposition and lack of empowerment in comparison to those who did not have these (p=0.00). Conclusion: Psychological morbidity due to gender disadvantage is a cause of concern. Social awareness and strongly enforced laws like PC-PNDT can reduce these preferences

Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1st second and forced expiratory ratio in automobile spray paint workers

Background: Automobile industry is a place where workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and toxic substances. Workers engaged in automobile spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems. This is due to exposure to low molecular weight compounds (isocyanates) in spray paints.Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 male subjects comprising of the study group (n=50) and the control group (n=50), 18-35 years of age, non-smoker and with no pre occupational respiratory illness. The study group included workers working for 6-8 hours a day and exposed to spray paints for ≤5 years and the controls were age and BSA matched healthy office workers of the same locality. A preformed questionnaire was given to subjects and pulmonary functions parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC)) were recorded by computerised spirometer (Medspiror).Results: The two groups did not differ significantly on physical parameters. The pulmonary function parameters of the study group (FVC p=0.036, FEV1/FVC p=0.000) were found to be significantly different when compared to that of controls. As the age, weight, height and BSA increases there was a significant decrease in FEV1 in study group. Duration of exposure (<3 and more than equal to 3) had no statistically significant impact on pulmonary function tests (FVC p=0.139, FEV1 p=0.339, FEV1/FVC p=0.158) in the study  group.Conclusions: Exposure to automobile spray paint impairs lung functions

Impact of menstrual awareness and knowledge among adolescents in a rural area

Background: Socio-cultural factors have a bearing on women's attitude towards menstruation. Health care providers should be aware of how women react to menstruation while providing health care.&nbsp;Aims &amp; Objectives: To elicit menstrual awareness and knowledge of the rural adolescent girls and assess how this awareness, knowledge and demographics influence their menstrual attitude.&nbsp;Methodology: A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among 245 adolescent school going girls in a rural area. Adolescent Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (AMAQ) was used as a data collection device. Data were compared by using SPSS (ver. 20.0) at the level of 0.05. Results: At menarche, 59.9% adolescents were aware of menstruation and in 3/4th&nbsp;of them, mothers were the source of information. There was a statistically significant effect of menstrual awareness (yes or no) and menstrual knowledge (nil, partial and complete) on the combined dependent variables (F(6,238)=9.0, p= 0.000, Wilk’s Lambda=0.81, partial eta square=0.29 and F(6,237)=8.01, p= 0.000, Wilk’s Lambda=0.69, partial eta square=0.20&nbsp; respectively). Older adolescents had favorable attitude towards menstruation in three significant dimensions i.e. living with menarche, openness and acceptance. Significant effect of mother’s educational level was observed on five dimensions of menstrual attitude. Conclusion: Menstrual attitude is significantly affected by menstrual awareness and knowledge.&nbsp; Demographics too contributed in bringing positive attitude. There is a need to plan menstrual health education programme for adolescent girls and their mothers

Emergency contraception: knowledge, attitude and practices among recently married females in a rural area of North India

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is indicated after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent unintended pregnancy and its harmful consequences. Its optimum use can avoid unintended child birth or unsafe abortion which can in turn lower maternal mortality. So, the present study aimed to study the knowledge, attitude and practices of recently married females towards EC in a rural area of Jammu.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among recently married females visiting the OPD in CHC RS Pura during the course of the three months and were willing to participate. Information was obtained using a questionnaire and results were presented as proportions.Results: 90% respondents had ever heard of EC with media being the main source of information. 91% knew oral pills being used as EC and 81% had correct knowledge of time regarding its usage. 85% would recommend it to friend/relative if required and 73% were willing to use EC themselves in case of unprotected sex. 70% of the respondents had ever used EC.Conclusions: High awareness, positive attitude and adequate usage of EC among currently married females is a good sign which is probably due to high literacy among them. But it should not make the authorities complacent, rather interventions intended to combat maternal mortality through use of regular contraceptives besides EC need to be promoted among the target groups

Antibiotic use: evaluating knowledge, attitude and practices among medical students in a sub Himalayan state

Background: The growing concern about antibiotic resistance, of late, led World Health Organization to declare it as World Health Day theme in 2011. Knowledge spreads awareness and understanding by melting the barriers of ignorance while attitudes and practices have a bearing on the health related behaviour. The present study aims at evaluating the knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical students towards antibiotic usage.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among the Pre-final medical students (6th / 7th semester) who participated in the questionnaire survey on knowledge, attitude and practice towards antibiotics usage. The data was analysed and Chi-square was used as test of significance.Results: Overall, 132 students were interviewed. Majority (96.2%) had heard of antibiotic resistance. About 22% of the sample stated that antibiotics can cure viral infections, among them female being in the higher proportion (p90%) agreed that antibiotic resistance is a serious problem and had positive attitude about population awareness campaign regarding antibiotic resistance. Among practices, higher proportion of male respondents preferred antibiotics in case of cough and sore throat. (p<0.05).Conclusions: Despite being Pre-final MBBS students, the results have revealed that knowledge and attitude of the respondents were not up to the desired levels. The practices regarding use of antibiotics were more or less adequate. For effective curriculum, thorough knowledge and rational prescription of antibiotics needs to be reinforced among medical students both before and during internship

Climate change: what people living in Jammu city of India know?

Background: Climate change has emerged as one of the greatest challenges of the present century. The current study explores the knowledge, attitudes and practices about climate change of the adults aged 18 years and above in Jammu city of North India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among attendants of the patients visiting medical OPD of a tertiary care teaching hospital. A pilot tested questionnaire eliciting information on knowledge, attitudes and practices about climate change was administered to those who were willing to participate.  The data collected was presented in proportions.Results: Majority (95%) of the respondents had heard of the term climate change, and 43.9% of them related it to changes in the weather pattern. Plastic use as a major cause of climate change was agreed upon by 95% of the respondents. About half of the respondents were very much concerned about climate change and 80% of them were very much interested in knowing more about climate change and its impact. Only 24.8% of the respondents read/watch stories on climate change.Conclusions: Knowledge levels of the respondents were found to be reasonably good but the same cannot be said about their attitude and practices. Role of NGOs, social communities and media is of utmost importance to make people aware of the harmful effects of climate change on both the environment as well as the health of the people

Prevalence of respiratory morbidity among brick kiln workers: a cross sectional study from rural north India

Background: Fired clay bricks, an important construction material, are manufactured in non-mechanized, labour intensive brick kilns which mostly employ unskilled men and women. The workers, as an occupational hazard, are exposed to dust and air pollution leading to respiratory diseases.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among brick kiln workers in RS Pura block of Jammu district. The workers were assessed regarding respiratory symptoms and illnesses using translated version of American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease questionnaire (ATS-DLD-78A).Results: 692 brick kiln workers were interviewed during the course of survey and 58.8%of them were males. 45% of the respondents were working since last less than three years. Among the respiratory symptoms chronic cough, was present in 23.55% and phlegm in 22.83% of the respondents. Chronic bronchitis was present in 20.52% of the respondents. Association of respiratory symptoms in relation to sex of the respondents was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms and illness were found to be quite prevalent in the brick kiln workers. More research needs to be conducted to assess other health risks besides respiratory morbidity. Health planners need to plan for their basic sanitation facilities and periodic check ups