SELF-REPORTED HEALTH, ILLNESS AND SELF-CARE AMONG DOCTORS OF MEERUT

Abstract: This document provides insight on lifestyle and healthcare status of doctors based on key findings from a survey conducted in Meerut City, (U.P.) India. Objectives: 1.To study the lifestyle pattern among the doctors of Allopathy and Ayurveda & teachers of local private Medical college, local private Dental college. 2. To study the (self-reported) prevalence of common non-communicable diseases in the same. 3. To know the pattern of healthy lifestyle practices adopted by the doctors. Material & Methods: The Cross-sectional study was conducted with the help of a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire which was filled by the faculty of local private Medical College, Dental college, Ayurvedic doctors and local practicing doctors of allopathy and Ayurveda. Verbal consent was implied. A purposive sample of 240 doctors [60 each from Medical and Dental colleges and 60 each from allopathy private practitioners (p.p.allo.) and ayurvedic private practitioners (p.p.ayur.)] were given the questionnaire-and response rate was 84%. The data was entered in Microsoft excel 2007 to know the frequency of the various lifestyle pattern. Results: 47.5% of the doctors had raised B.M.I. (Body Mass Index- more than 25); 21% of the doctors were smokers, 10% were current drinkers and 32% were hypertensive. Only 2.5% were found to be diabetic in our study. About 52% of the doctors exercised regularly. 32.5% were trained for yoga. Conclusion:This study implies that a large proportion of doctors themselves do not follow the healthy lifestyle and are having lifestyle diseases like obesity, hypertension etc. Interestingly, there was not much difference between doctors doing private practice or teaching in Medical/Dental College

Evaluation of mineral status in hypothyroidism in a tertiary care centre

Background: Hypothyroidism is known to be the commonest form of endocrine disorders and has been linked with disturbances in various minerals metabolism. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and trace element zinc are required for many enzymes in various metabolic pathways which are directly or indirectly regulated by thyroid hormones. Aim and objectives of the study was to estimate serum zinc, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in hypothyroid patients, with the objectives to evaluate any relationship with TSH and to compare them with euthyroid controls.Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study included 50 hypothyroid subjects with TSH levels >4.5 mcg IU/mL and 50 euthyroid subjects of 20-50 years in RMCH, Bareilly. TSH was estimated by ECLIA, serum calcium and phosphorus were estimated by autoanalyzer and serum zinc & magnesium by the kit method using semi autoanalyzer. All the biochemical parameters were expressed as median with Interquartile Range (IQR). Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare the parameters of cases and control. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient 2-tailed was used to correlate the parameters among the cases.Results: A significantly decreased level of serum calcium and increased level of serum magnesium and phosphorus were observed in hypothyroid cases. A significant negative correlation between TSH and serum calcium while a significant positive correlation of serum magnesium and phosphorus with TSH was observed.Conclusions: The indexed study indicates the significant effect of overt or subclinical hypothyroidism over the mineral status of the body which may have inconsistent effect over the various metabolism and enzymes and thereby clinical manifestations

A STUDY ON PATTERN OF ALCOHOL USE USING AUDIT AMONG THE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN A MEDICAL COLLEGE OF NORTH INDIA

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol and other substance use by medical students poses risks to them and can also have serious consequences on their effectiveness and fitness to practise as tomorrow's doctors. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of alcohol use among the undergraduates of Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly and the factors affecting its use

An assessment of the validity of the nutritional indices among under-fives in the catchment area of rural health and training center of a teaching institute in Bareilly

Context: Nutritional status is a sensitive indicator of community health and nutrition. There is a growing realization that adequate nutrition is a necessary first step in the improvement of quality of life. Malnutrition and infection are connected by a vicious cycle. It is one of the greatest international health problems and the biggest challenges being faced today. Thus, to know the magnitude of undernutrition among preschool children and to find out the sensitive tool for detection of undernutrition, this study was conducted among children under - 5 years of age. Aims: To assess the validity of the nutritional indices for screening malnutrition. Settings and Designs: The study was a community-based, cross-sectional survey carried out in the catchment area of Rural Health Training Center, Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly. Subjects and Methods: Various anthropometric criteria like, Kanawati, McLaren, Rao, Dugdale and weight for age according to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) (modified Gomez) classification were used to define nutritional status. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (sensitivity vs. 1 - specificity) were calculated for all the above mentioned indices. Results: Age dependent criteria such as IAP (48.2% malnourished) and McLaren (48.3% malnourished) were followed by the age independent criteria such as Kanawati (74.3% malnourished), Dugdale (45.5% malnourished), and Rao (33.1% malnourished) to classify the mild to moderate malnutrition. ROC showed Dugdale as the best index for the judgement of malnutrition showing maximum area under the curve. Conclusions: Malnutrition being a public health problem leads to morbidity which is a vicious cycle and needs proper attention to curb its detrimental effect on the children

Sociodemographic correlates of nutritional status of under-five children

Background: Malnutrition is one of the most important health problems throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, and has undesirable effects on the mental and physical health of children. Objectives:The objectives of this study were to find out the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age (under-five children) and epidemiological determinants associated with it. Materials and Methods:This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on under-five children in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India belonging to the field practice area of the Rural Health and Training Centre of the Department of Community Medicine of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, applying multistage simple random sampling methodology. Data were collected through measuring weight and height, structural schedules, anthropometric nutritional indicators, and face-to-face interviews with mothers. Malnutrition was measured on the basis of the indices underweight, wasting, and stunting. The obtained data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied as the test of significance. Results:The prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting was 33.11%, 46.88%, and 10.44%, respectively. The total prevalence of malnutrition was 57.11%. Malnutrition was found to be significantly associated with age (0-12 months and 25-36 months), sex, socioeconomic status, and maternal education. Conclusion:Malnutrition was found to be more in children aged less than 1 year and in those aged 2-3 years. It was more common in female children, in children of low socioeconomic status, in children from nuclear families, and among those whose mothers were illiterate

Community based interventional study to assess the impact of health education on alcohol use among adult males in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Background: Alcoholic beverages have been a part of social life for millennia, yet societies have always found it difficult to understand or restrain their use. Apart from the health concerns, chronic alcoholism is one of the greatest causes for poverty in the country. Objective: To assess the impact of health education on alcohol use among adult males in Bareilly District, Uttar Pradesh. Material & Methods: A community based interventional study conducted in the Bareilly district among males aged >15 years during November 2015 to April 2017 taking a sample of 699 by 30 cluster sampling with PPS. Data was collected by home visit using WHO-AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test) questionnaire. After data collection, health education was given to study population in form of speech, posters, short films and focus group discussion. One year after providing health education, AUDIT questionnaire was re-filled by current alcohol drinkers to know the impact of health education. Results: Prevalence of drinking alcohol is 30.47% i.e. 213 current drinkers. AUDIT Scores before and after Health education were positively correlated (r=.768, p=0.0001). There was a significant average difference between AUDIT Scores before and after Health education (t178=2.973, p=0.003). Conclusion: Health education has a positive impact on alcohol use therefore research focus should be on primary prevention by health education/behaviour change communication in primary and secondary care settings