Effect of peer counselors on exclusive breast feeding practices- A non randomized controlled trial in Belgaum district, Karnataka

Objectives: To study the effect of peer counselors on exclusive breast feeding practices. Methodology: The present non randomized controlled trial was conducted in PHC area; district Belgaum Karnataka during the period of November 2005 to Feb 2007. Amongst the two subcentres selected, one was taken as the study area and other as the control. Peer counselors selected from different localities of subcentre vantamuri (study area) underwent training on optimal breastfeeding practices, were recruited to give visits at regular intervals to mothers. All the mothers in the study and control group were visited independently by the investigator by making home visits once a month to know the breast feeding practices. Results: 60 women were enrolled in each group. The prevalence of Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was 40/60(66.67%) in the intervention group and 22/60(36.67%) in the control group (p=0.001). For the secondary outcomes, more number of mothers in the study group administered colostrum and initiated early breastfeeding. Conclusion: Peer counseling effectively increases early initiation, colostrum feeding, exclusive breastfeeding practices in the communit

Morbidity Pattern in Textile Weavers of Urban Belgaum: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Objective:  To study the morbidity pattern in adult textile weavers. Study Design: Community-based cross sectional studyPeriod of the study:  one year (November 2004 to October 2005)Study participants: 377 adult textile weavers residing in Khasbag, BelgaumSetting: Khasbag urban field practice area of J. N. Medical College, BelgaumAnalysis: Frequency distribution in EXCEL 2000 SoftwareResults: The most common morbidities found were noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) - 125 (33.2%), followed by dental stains – 109 (28.9%), hypertension 81 (21.5%), acid peptic disorders - 75 (19.9%), sleep disorders - 69 (18.3%), dental caries  - 67 (17.8%), backache - 63 (16.7%), myalgia / fatigue - 60 (15.9%), URTI - 58 (15.4%) and anemia -35 (9.3%).Keywords: Textile weavers, Morbidity, Noise induced hearing los

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding Rabies among general practitioners of Belgaum City

Introduction: Rabies in humans is highly fatal and ends in an extremely painful and tortuous death. Unfortunately we still have highest number of deaths due to rabies, ironically a disease preventable by modern prophylactic measures. The post-exposure prophylaxis is a life saving treatment in a definite rabid animal bite. General Practitioners (GP’s) act as first line care-givers for the treatment of dog bite and they are also easily approachable by the victim for the treatment to prevent rabies. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding rabies among general practitioners. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was carried out from July – August 2011 in Belgaum city among 100 general practitioners using a pre tested questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 18 trial version. Frequencies were tabulated for demographic variables and association between variables was tested using Chi-square test. Results: Out of the total 100 general practitioners interviewed, 93 were males and 7 were females. The mean age of GP’s was 42.89 years. The mean duration of practice for MBBS doctors was 19 years and for other doctors (BAMS, BHMS, RMP’s) was 11 years. Knowledge about various aspects of rabies was comparatively better among MBBS doctors. The knowledge regarding vaccine was very poor among the general practitioners. Conclusion: The major issue was lack of hands on training or updating the knowledge of general practitioners regarding the newer vaccines and their administration. We recommend continued medical education for general practitioners, both (MBBS and non MBBS) on prevention of Rabies

Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease among Bank Employees of Belgaum City - Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Bank employees, with their resources and infrastructure, are ideal for increasing awareness and initiating preventive activities for the control of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, there are no reliable estimates of CHD risk factor burden, or of its awareness and treatment status among bank employees. The study intends to evaluate the prevalence of risk factors of CHD among bank employees of Belgaum city. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of risk factors of CHD and to assess the knowledge regarding risk factors of CHD among bank employees. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study for a period of one month. The study population consisted of bank employees working in various banks in Belgaum city. Results: The prevalence of risk factors of CHD was as follows: hypertension 31%, diabetes 21%, high serum total cholesterol 29%, high triglycerides 39%, high LDL cholesterol 19.3%, low HDL cholesterol 17.7%, smoking 26%, sedentary habits 44%, positive family history 12%, overweight / obesity (BMI >25 kg/m2) 33% and 26% of the study subjects had truncal obesity. Among these, 55% of the study subjects had at least two of these risk factors. Conclusion: The present study shows a disturbing burden of coronary risk factors in the study population. There is an urgent need to undertake population based measures to reverse the trend

Five steps school based approach for screening of diabetes and hypertension

Background: In India non communicable diseases accounted for 53% of all deaths in 2005. It is estimated to increase by 18% by 2015. Pre-mature onset of disease and death in India is a major concern. Issues like the limited resources, scarcity of trained health personnel and lack of motivation for community programme have increased the existing problems. Aim: To motivate community people for screening of diabetes & hypertension through school based approach. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at school settings. Five steps school based approach was used to motivate parents, family members, school staff and community people for screening of DM & HT and their risk factors. Screening camps were arranged and screening was done for hypertension and diabetes. The impact of motivation was assessed and yield rates were calculated. Results: Total 178 participants attended the screening camp. Of that 47(26.4%) were men, 65 (36.60%) were of low risk age group, 30 (16.9%) were having hypertension [8/30 (26.7%) people were newly detected]. Similarly, 21(11.8%) were having diabetes and 7 / 21(33.3%) were newly detected. Conclusion: In the present study yield of screening programme was quite good in which 34.8% community households were motivated