Demographic profile and risk factors associatedwith depression among elderly in rural area of Dhule district in Maharashtra

Background: Approximately 11-18% of adults aged 60 and over suffers from a mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, patients over 55 years with depression have a four times higher death rate than those without depression. Early recognition, diagnosis, and initiation of treatment for depression in older people present opportunities for improving their quality of life, preventing suffering or premature death and maintaining optimal levels of function and independence.This study aims to find out association of various risk factors with depression among elderly people.Methods: Across-sectional study was done in rural households in the field practice area of a tertiary health care hospital. A total of 240 elderly persons were interviewed using pretested and predesigned questionnaire from GDS-30. Data was analysed using percentages and χ2-test. Results: The prevalence of depression in elderly persons was 26.6%; among these, 18% were mildly depressed and 8.3% severely depressed. Depression was more prevalent in those who were physically inactive (48.27%) than those who were active (14.37%) ( p = 0.000). About 26.41% of illiterates were found to be depressed than literate ones (24.7%). significant association was found between illiteracy and depression (χ2 = p = 0.004). Significant association was found betweenage related morbidities such as neurological disorders, locomotor disorder and depression.Conclusion:Prevalence of depression among elderly was found to be 26.6%. Significant association was found betweenphysical inactivity,locomotor disorder, neurological disorder and depression

An epidemiological study of addictive behavior pattern among adolescent tobacco users

Background: The risk of developing tobacco-related cancer and chronic heart and lung disease is greater if addiction starts in adolescence. Even experimental use of tobacco in adolescents significantly increases the risk of addiction in adulthood. This study intends to collect valuable data regarding sociodemographic characteristic of tobacco use, pattern of dependence among adolescent tobacco users, which will be essential for formulating recommendations, and their possible intervention aimed at reducing the problem of tobacco use. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done where 400 subjects were enrolled. Nonprobability Snowball sampling technique was used to locate adolescents aged 12–18 years, who were practicing tobacco use. Face-to-face interviews were taken for data collection. Fragerstorm dependency test for tobacco was used to classify dependency of tobacco product into high and low dependency. Data was analyzed using Chi-square test and proportions using SPSS software version 21. Results: Majority of the subjects were in the age group of 16–18 years; mean age for initiation of tobacco was 15.6 years. Gutkha was the predominant form of tobacco product being used. Peer pressure 192 (48.0%) was the major reason for initiation of tobacco use. A significant association was found between dependency on tobacco and age, literacy, and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Tobacco use starting from early age has many health implications. There is a need for stringent laws against the selling of tobacco to adolescents and targeted health awareness program against tobacco

Assessment of Spectrum of adverse events following immunization in under five year children in a tertiary healthcare institute in a metropolitan city- A cross sectional study

Background: The present study was conducted to study the time intervals associated with various AEFI and proportion of programmatic errors linked with AEFI cases and to suggest or recommend measures for strengthening AEFI management and prevention based on a study finding. Material and methods: The present study was a record based Cross–sectional study, conducted during period of one year [July 2012 to July 2013] among sample of 118 cases of AEFI reported. Results: More than half of the cases of AEFI occurred within 12 hours of immunization.(61.88%). Amongst which 37.31% of cases occurred within 6 hours after immunization. 17.79 % cases occurred after 24 hours. Conclusion: The concept of quality services in immunization must be promoted aggressively at all levels of healthcare through refresher training and workshops. Standard operating procedures must be designed at micro level for implementation of immunization services