Solar activity and regional climate over short time scales at Thiruvananthapuram, South Kerala, India

69-72Possible correlation between solar activity and surface air temperature, however, small yet statistically significant that could exist over very small time scales at a particular station, is presented during a period in which the sunspot number exhibit a rising trend. The correlation between the variability of the daily and monthly average surface air temperature and solar irradiance at Trivandrum with sunspot number from January 2008 to March 2011 was investigated. The year 2008 was a solar minima year marking the end of 23rd solar cycle from May 1996 to December 2008 with duration of 12.6 years, while year 2009 was the beginning of the 24th solar cycle with the sunspot number showing a gradual rise during 2009-2010. The correlation between sunspot number, solar irradiance and surface air temperature were estimated during winter and pre-monsoon seasons when the effect of clouds was minimum. No statistically significant correlation was obtained between the surface air temperature or solar irradiance and sunspot number over small time scales unlike the small yet statistically significant correlation reported for studies over longer time scales

Lifestyle change in Kerala, India: needs assessment and planning for a community-based diabetes prevention trial

Abstract Background Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has become a major public health challenge in India. Factors relevant to the development and implementation of diabetes prevention programmes in resource-constrained countries, such as India, have been under-studied. The purpose of this study is to describe the findings from research aimed at informing the development and evaluation of a Diabetes Prevention Programme in Kerala, India (K-DPP). Methods Data were collected from three main sources: (1) a systematic review of key research literature; (2) a review of relevant policy documents; and (3) focus groups conducted among individuals with a high risk of progressing to diabetes. The key findings were then triangulated and synthesised. Results Prevalence of risk factors for diabetes is very high and increasing in Kerala. This situation is largely attributable to rapid changes in the lifestyle of people living in this state of India. The findings from the systematic review and focus groups identified many environmental and personal determinants of these unhealthy lifestyle changes, including: less than ideal accessibility to and availability of health services; cultural values and norms; optimistic bias and other misconceptions related to risk; and low expectations regarding one’s ability to make lifestyle changes in order to influence health and disease outcomes. On the other hand, there are existing intervention trials conducted in India which suggests that risk reduction is possible. These programmes utilize multi-level strategies including mass media, as well as strategies to enhance community and individual empowerment. India’s national programme for the prevention and control of major non-communicable diseases (NCD) also provide a supportive environment for further community-based efforts to prevent diabetes. Conclusion These findings provide strong support for undertaking more research into the conduct of community-based diabetes prevention in the rural areas of Kerala. We aim to develop, implement and evaluate a group-based peer support programme that will address cultural and family determinants of lifestyle risks, including family decision-making regarding adoption of healthy dietary and physical activity patterns. Furthermore, we believe that this approach will be feasible, acceptable and effective in these communities; with the potential for scale-up in other parts of India