Level of satisfaction of patients attending out-patient department of radiotherapy department of a tertiary hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Like any service organization, the main aim of the Health Service organization is creation of satisfaction among their service consumers. Patient satisfaction has been defined as the degree of congruency between a patient’s expectations of ideal case versus his perception of real care he or she receives. Mismatch between patient’s expectation of the service received is related to decreased satisfaction. Therefore, assessing patient perspective gives them a voice, which can make public health services more responsive to people’s needs and expectations.Methods: The study used IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) with a few modifications to suit all the patients (in or out-patients). Sample size:200 patients.Results: Out of total patients assessed, 41.5% of patients were highly satisfied(excellent), 56% of patients were satisfied with the services provided by the radiotherapy department at Dr. B. R. A. M. hospital, Raipur and only 5% of patients rated the services as “poor” i.e. we’re not satisfied.Conclusions: The findings of the study will help us educate the prescribers about the various neglected areas of the consultation which will go a long way to develop a consistent relationship between the providers and the beneficiaries for the attainment of the “Health for all

Error Analysis in Spin Measurement using Synchro-ballistic Method and its Improvement

Error analysis of spin measurement using synchro-ballistic method is presented in this paper. Error in the spin measurement varies as the projections of marker move away from axis of symmetry, and the reason for variation of error is explained. An improvement to synchro-ballistic method is proposed for spin measurement, which reduces the error in measured spin, and an algorithm for implementation of same is provided. Results of improved synchro-ballistic method are compared with the theoretical estimation of spin from muzzle velocity

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in elderly population of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh

Background: Demographic transition across globe leading towards greying of population. Worldwide, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 12.8% of the total annual deaths. This account for 3.7% of total DALYs. Several community-based studies have served to emphasize that hypertension is rapidly emerging as a major public health problem. However, only a few of these studies included elderly people. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence and factors influencing hypertension among elderly population of Raipur city.  Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was carried out in capital of Chhattisgarh, including urban and slum area from July 2013 to June 2014. Multistage simple random sampling methods were used. Study population comprises of all elderly 60 years and above residing in the study area for at least one year. A total of 640 subjects were included in study.Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension in present study was 50%, prevalent among females (55.49%),shows a significant positive association with body mass index, physical activity and age up to old age group (75-84)yrs. Surprisingly inverse association was observed with alcohol (P <0.001) and smoking (P <0.05) status.Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the public health importance of hypertension in the elderly in Raipur city, and need to strengthen the national programme for hypertension. From a public health perspective, there is definite need for screening of elderly.

Prevalence of goitre, iodine uptake and salt iodization level in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh: a baseline study in Central India

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the single most important preventable cause of brain damage. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) refer to all of the consequences of iodine deficiency in a population, which can be prevented by taking adequate amount of Iodine.  The objectives was to ascertain the prevalence goitre among 6-12 year children by clinical examination in Mahasamund district; 2) to document the iodine uptake status reflected by random urinary excretion levels in a sub-sample of 6-12 year children covered for clinical examination, and 3) to evaluate the coverage of iodized salt at community level (i.e. at household and retail shop) on-the-spot test by using rapid salt testing kit.Methods: A cross sectional community based survey was done in Mahasamund district during April 2015 to September 2015. The study population was children in the age group of 6-12 years. 30 cluster sampling methodology was applied using PPS sampling technique, based on latest survey guidelines of NIDDCP of Govt. of India. The parameters studied were prevalence of goitre, urinary iodine excretion, and iodine content in salt at community level (i.e. household and shop).Results: A total of 2700 children aged from 6-12 years were assessed clinically for goitre. The total goitre prevalence was 4.29% (95% CI: 3.3-5.27). The median urinary iodine excretion (MUIE) was 106.67μg/L (range 11-216.7μg /L) among surveyed children.  37.4% of the urinary iodine excretion values were <100 μg/L. The households consuming inadequately iodized salt (i.e. iodine content ≤15 ppm) was 20% in the surveyed district.Conclusions: Although prevalence of goitre and median urinary iodine excretion among surveyed population was found satisfactory against the norms set by NIDDCP in surveyed district but universal salt iodization (USI) is yet to achieve in surveyed district.

Prevalence of hypertension and its association with anthropometric parameters in adult population of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Obesity is now an important emerging public health problem in India. It is one of the major risk factor for hypertension. Overweight persons have two to six fold increase in the risk of developing hypertension. This study was carried out with objective to find out prevalence of Hypertension and assess its association with four obesity-related indices- body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was done among 640 study subjects of age group 25-59 years during July 2015 to June 2016. Multi stage random sampling method was used. Data collection was done using WHO STEPS instrument V 3.1. Privacy and confidentiality of data was maintained. Data was entered in the Microsoft excel, collected data was checked for its completeness and correctness before data analysis with the help of PSPP software.Results: Prevalence of hypertension among study subjects was found to be 22.19% (142 out of 640).With respect to body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio and waist height ratio, 4.38%, 64.35%, 85.33%, 76.2% were found to be obese respectively. Hypertension was strongly associated with BMI (p<0.001), waist circumference (p<0.001), waist hip ratio (p<0.05), waist height ratio (p<0.05). Out of the four anthropometric variables waist hip ratio (WHR) was most strongly associated with hypertension (β=420.236, p=0.007).Conclusions: The study shows a rising burden of hypertension among study population. As WHR is the best indicator for measuring obesity, so measurement of WHR should be made compulsory in healthy life style clinics along with other parameters

Level of satisfaction of patients attending out-patient department of radiotherapy department of a tertiary hospital in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: Like any service organization, the main aim of the Health Service organization is creation of satisfaction among their service consumers. Patient satisfaction has been defined as the degree of congruency between a patient’s expectations of ideal case versus his perception of real care he or she receives. Mismatch between patient’s expectation of the service received is related to decreased satisfaction. Therefore, assessing patient perspective gives them a voice, which can make public health services more responsive to people’s needs and expectations.Methods: The study used IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) with a few modifications to suit all the patients (in or out-patients). Sample size:200 patients.Results: Out of total patients assessed, 41.5% of patients were highly satisfied(excellent), 56% of patients were satisfied with the services provided by the radiotherapy department at Dr. B. R. A. M. hospital, Raipur and only 5% of patients rated the services as “poor” i.e. we’re not satisfied.Conclusions: The findings of the study will help us educate the prescribers about the various neglected areas of the consultation which will go a long way to develop a consistent relationship between the providers and the beneficiaries for the attainment of the “Health for all

Morbidity pattern and impact of hydroxyurea therapy among sickle cell patients in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a disorder marked by a single-point mutation in the beta-globin gene. Hydroxyurea is a globally accepted disease-modifying agent that sounds to be effective in managing clinically and probably preventing complications of SCD. The current study aims to document the morbidity pattern and impact of Hydroxyurea therapy in the Outpatient Department of Sickle Cell Institute, Raipur. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected sixty-five patients (adults and children above six years). After obtaining informed consent, relevant data were collected in a predesigned pretested questionnaire. The appropriate statistical exercise was applied for the interpretation of results and inferences. Results: Acute febrile illness 54 (83%) and 53 (81.5%) reported pain crisis observed to have the most common morbidity among the study subjects, followed by 55.4% (36), 33 (50.8%) jaundice and difficulty breathing, respectively. Joint pain was the most commonly observed complaint, particularly at the knee joint (76.9%). Other complaints such as hand-foot syndrome (24.6%), epistaxis (27.7%), and acute chest syndrome (21.5%). Vaso-occlusive crisis (72.4%), difficulty in walking (60.0%) and eyesight (35.4%), leg ulcers (9.2%), and dactylitis (3.1%) were also documented as clinical manifestations among study participants. Less than half (44.46%) had an awareness about SCD. Hydroxyurea therapy was highly significant in improving the patient’s clinical picture (P < 0.01), especially following the frequency of hospitalization and the requirement for blood transfusion. Conclusion: Pain crisis is the most common morbidity among study participants with a low level of knowledge about SCD with febrile illness. Hydroxyurea therapy was found to be quite effective as a disease-modifying therapy, especially for reducing the frequency of blood transfusion and lowering hospitalization rates among SCD patients

Organizing health camp: Opportunities for building public health skills

Health camps are one of the commonly performed activities by different organizations with different intentions. The purpose ranges from reaching out to unreached populations to increasing client base and thus increasing revenue generation. A multi-speciality health camp was organised at Rural Health & Training Centre (RHTC), Mendhasala, Khurdha. We describe the camp profile and utilization of different specialties in this study. The camp was attended by mostly adults and elderly (90.3%) and inhabitants of the same village (80.5%). General medicine (30.6%) and orthopedics (31.9%) were the two specialties most consulted at the said camp. The success of a health camp is described by the number of attendees, which looks only at resource utilization. We have documented the lessons learned from organizing a health camp from a public health learning point of view. A 10-point checklist is recommended for the successful organization of a health camp

A study to assess the nutritional status and dietary gap among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Raipur city

Background: Undernutrition raises the likelihood of progressing from tuberculosis (TB) infection to active TB illness and causes weight loss. Proper food and nutrition are important in the treatment of tuberculosis patients. Active tuberculosis necessitates a substantial energy expenditure. The Tuberculosis treatment guidelines neglect the nutritional supplementation part of Tuberculosis management. The study aims to determine the factors affecting the nutritional status of pulmonary Tuberculosis patients. Material and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022 among the patients newly diagnosed and above 18 years of age coming to DOTS Centre (DMC) of Pt J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur. Total 120 subjects were selected by consecutive sampling method. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24, and P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Among 120 study subjects, malnourished was 54.16% (BMI <18.50 kg/m2), normal was 35% (BMI 18.50–24.99 kg/m2), overweight was 6.67% (BMI 25–29.99 kg/m2), and obese were 4.17% (BMI 30–34.99 kg/m2). Among 120 study subjects, the maximum number of them (96.3%) had a dietary gap in their diets which was equal in two groups of 1–50% calorie deficit and 51–100% calorie deficit. Conclusion: A high proportion of tuberculosis patients were undernourished, and even a very distal factor for undernutrition became proximal for tuberculosis patients. To control tuberculosis and to end the tuberculosis disease, an improvement in the nutritional status of the patient should be our priority. By knowing the importance of nutrition in TB patients, the primary care physicians can decrease the morbidity and mortality in TB patients