scholarly journals Nutritional and blood pressure screening in school children in rural South India: a cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Dhanya Roy ◽  
Sundar Singh ◽  
Lenikumar Joseph

Background: Screening for diseases is not very popular in Indian populace in general, and receive little attention from heath care policy makers, administrators or even health care providers, who concentrate on curative services. Health and nutritional screening of school children and adolescents, remains virtually a neglected field. So we conceived this study to look at the feasibility of large scale health screening of adolescents at school by a simple and inexpensive way by looking into the nutritional status (survey of anthropometry) and blood pressure readings among adolescents.Methods: Students from 5 rural school in South India from age group of 10 to 18 years (fifth to twelfth standard) were assessed for their height, weight, BMI and blood pressure. Data was entered in WHO EpidataTM (version 3.0) and transferred to SPSS 12.0 version for analytical studies.Results: In current study of 2201 students, wasting (35.5%), stunting (24.5%), high BMI (7.6%) were found. Prevalence of wasting is 1.63 times higher in males (p<0.001). There is significant relationship with high BMI and severe stunting (p<0.001, OR 2.54; 1.58%, 4.1%; 95% CI). Prevalence of pre-hypertension is 14.1% and hypertension is 9.5%. There is a linear trend in the prevalence of hypertension and BMI (p<0.001). As the BMI increases, blood pressure also increases.Conclusions: Even with all advances in health care, undernutrition is highly prevalent. Obesity is on a rise in rural population and high proportions of overweight children are stunted also. High BMI is a risk factor for hypertension.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-59
Author(s):  
Mumtahana Nabi ◽  
Abul Masud Md Nurul Karim ◽  
SM Mamun Ur Rashid

Background: Oral health care in pregnancy is often neglected by women and is also not appropriately addressed by prenatal and other health care providers and justify appropriate attention. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to describe percentage of oral disease occurrence and underlying causes in this sample of pregnant women. Methods: The study included 147 women aged between 15 to 49 years receiving prenatal care at the outdoor department of Azimpur Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Dhaka, Bangladesh were invited to participate in this study from January 2013 to April 2013. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Clinical exam data were recorded using validated scales in a special form. Results: Majority (72%) of the women were  between  20 to 24 years.  57%  had secondary  school  education.  88% of the women were unemployed and 52% women had very low family income of BOT s;10000. More than 90% of the women had good oral hygiene practices. However, 68% liked to  have  sugary  snacks  or  drinks  in  between  main meals, 7% visited their dentists during pregnancy , only 3% received advice  for  routine  oral  health  screening  from their prenatal care providers and only 4% women started their antenatal check-up during first trimester.  All  these negative influences might expose expecting mothers to high level of dental caries (54%), dental  erosion  (52%),  gingivitis (100%) and periodontitis (27%). This study also showed that majority of the women acquired oral health information through watching television (61%) or reading  newspaper  (12%)  while  only  4%  received  information from doctors/dent ists throughout their lifetime. Conclusion: The undertaken research highlighted the importance of using media in modifying Bangladeshi pregnant woman's behaviours toward oral health. It also emphasizes the need for inclusion of oral health preventive programme as part of pre and postnatal care. Further study in this area on a large scale will facilitate formulation of appropriate oral health policy to achieve satisfactory oral and general health outcomes during pregnancy and ensure optimum oral health conditions of their offspring. JOPSOM 2020; 39(1): 50-59


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-71
Author(s):  
Thomas Ong'ondo Ng'ambwa ◽  
Prof. Lt Col (Rtd) John Martin Okoth ◽  
Dr. Tecla Psusma Sum

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the factors influencing blood pressure levels in hypertensive adult patients in Kenya's Kakamega County. The specific objectives were as follows: to assess patient factors that influence blood pressure levels among hypertensive adult patients in Kakamega County, examine health-care provider factors that influence blood pressure levels in hypertensive adult patients; determine institutional factors that influence blood pressure levels in hypertensive adult patients in Kakamega County based on the clinical recommendations for cardiovascular disease management from 2018. Methodology: The researcher used a cross-sectional analytical study design. Patients and health care providers were requested to sign a written consent before data was collected using a questionnaire and an observation checklist. Quantitative data were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics, statistical package for social sciences version 22, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.05. The strength of the relationship between the variables and the patient's blood pressure level was tested using multiple regression. Findings: The findings showed that the number of years a patient was told he or she had hypertension patient sensitization about the disease (p = 0.04), the patient's BMI (p = 0.01), BP stability at the time of admission (0.0001), having a treatment supporter to advise the patient when to take medications (0.04). The health care provider's age group and knowledge about the disease (p = 0.02) was all separately correlated with blood pressure control. According to the current analysis, in Kakamega County, being a male without adequate patient sensitization about the hypertension disease made patients to be more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure levels. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends a model that combines patient and health-care system variables emphasizing on patient sensitization about the hypertension disease, modifiable and modifiable risk factors should be created in attempt to have blood pressure controlled.


2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 346-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Webber ◽  
N Edwards ◽  
I D Graham ◽  
C Amaratunga ◽  
I Gaboury ◽  
...  

Cambodia has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV in Asia and is scaling up HIV testing. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 358 health care providers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to assess readiness for voluntary testing and counselling for HIV. We measured HIV knowledge and attitudes, and predictors of intentions to take a sexual history using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Over 90% of health care providers correctly answered knowledge questions about HIV transmission, but their attitudes were often not positive towards people living with HIV. The Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs explained 56% of the variance in intention to take a sexual history: the control providers perceive they have over taking a sexual history was the strongest contributor (51%), while social pressure explained a further 3%. Attitudes about taking a sexual history did not contribute to intention. Interventions with Cambodian health care providers should focus on improving skills in sexual history-taking.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zobaer Alam ◽  
Md Monoarul Haque ◽  
Md Rijwan Bhuiyan ◽  
Md Shahinoor Islam ◽  
Monirul Haque ◽  
...  

Background: The burden of childhood disability as a public health problem in developing countries remains relatively unrecognized. One out of 750 children born in the world suffer from club foot among them 80% are in low and middle income countries. Most of these babies have limited access to receive effective treatment for their clubfoot due to lack o knowledge, awareness and some barriers. We actually don’t know the level of knowledge of parents who have child with clubfoot deformity. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of parents who have children with clubfoot during clubfoot treatment. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 102 parents who have children with clubfoot deformity during its treatment in a selected clinic. The samples were selected purposively from the clinics where clubfoot treatment was given and face to face interview was done by using semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the respondents were 24.7 (±6.0) years where 87.3% (n=89) respondents ware female and 59.8 %(n=61) respondent’s educational status ware up to primary level. About 44.1% respondents started treatment of their child within 6 months of birth and 33% within 6 to 12 months where 57% (n=58) respondents are referred by health care professional to this clinics. About 93.1% of parents (n=95) said that they knew nothing about clubfoot deformity before their child was diagnosed where 97% are aware after diagnosis of their child. About 93.1% respondents knew the best time for treatment initiation where 59.8% respondents know the correct follow up time of clubfoot management. In case of knowledge of parents’ roles in the treatment of clubfoot about 91.2%, parents have knowledge weekly visit for treatment and 86.3% know the plaster care where 52.9% (n=54) parents have lack of knowledge about how to use the brace Conclusion: There is need to improve the communication skills of clinicians/health care providers offering treatment to children with clubfoot at the Clinics. Need to share information with the parents about the condition. Finally, there is need to emphasize of educating parents about plaster care and how to use brace. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v14i1.22882 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.14 (1); Jan 2015; Page 42-46


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 518-524
Author(s):  
GHULAM SARWAR ◽  
FARIDA MANZUR ◽  
IMTIAZ HAMID

Objectives: (1) To determine the mode of services being rendered and practices done by the health care providers of the study area. (2) To identify various socio-demographic factors about the health care providers. A health care provider provides preventive, curative, rehabilitative and spiritual health services to the community. Health care is being provided by not only the registered and qualified doctors, but also by non-qualified non-registered and inexperienced persons in Pakistan. Methodology: A total of 57 health care providers from the union council 42 area in district Faisalabad were included. A pre-tested questionnaire to know about the services and practices of the individuals was served upon them to collect the relevant data. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Union council 42 area in district Faisalabad. Period: 2008. Results: Out of 57, 30 (52.63%) were males and 27 (47.37%) were females. Most of them, 18 (31.6%) were above 49 years of age. 51 (89.47%) were practicing in the private; whereas, only 2(3.51%) in the public sector. Most of the individuals, 21 (36.8%) were LHW and only 2(3.5%) were doctors or medical assistants; 3(5.3%) were dispensers, 9(15.8%) were hakeems and 7 (12.3%) homeopaths. Most of them, 40(70.2%) were matriculates and 14(24.6%) graduates. Only 20 (35.1%) were having certificates and 11(19.3%) were diploma holders. Further, only 2(11.76%) out of 57 were registered with PM&DC and Punjab Medical Faculty. 30 (52.6%) individuals were rendering curative and only 5 (8.8%) preventive services. None of the health care providers was rendering laboratory, x-ray or ultrasound services. Most of the individuals, 36 (63.2%) were practicing allopathy and 7(12.3%) homeopathy way of treatment. Further, most of the professionals, 45 (78.95%) were not doing any surgery. As regards sterilization, the most 8(66.7%) were practicing boiling of instruments. Most of them 47 (82.45%) were giving injections to the patients, however, using disposable syringes, and 27(57.4%) were disposing of the syringes by cutting the needles to dump. 20 (42.55%) were referring their patients to DHQ Hospital and 47 (82.46%) were keeping the record. Conclusions: Qualified medical professionals were scarce in the locality. However, allopathic system of medicine was being widely practiced. Only LHWs were providing curative services with proper training to deliver first aid services.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Rutherford ◽  
Roghinio Noray ◽  
Caolán Ó HEarráin ◽  
Kevin Quinlan ◽  
Aisling Hegarty ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Escalating demand for specialist health care puts considerable demand on hospital services. Technology offers a means by which health care providers may increase the efficiency of health care delivery. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot study of the feasibility, benefits, and drawbacks of a virtual clinic (VC) in the general surgical service of a busy tertiary center. METHODS Patient satisfaction with current care and attitudes to VC were surveyed prospectively in the general surgical outpatient department (OPD; n=223). A subset of patients who had undergone endoscopy and day surgery were recruited to follow-up in a VC and subsequently surveyed with regard to their satisfaction (20/243). Other outcomes measured included a comparison of consultation times in traditional and virtual outpatient settings and financial cost to both patients and the institution. RESULTS Almost half of the patients reported barriers to prospective use of VCs. However, within the cohort who had been followed-up in the VC, satisfaction was higher than the traditional OPD (100% as compared with 187/223, 83.9%). Significant savings in both time (<italic>P</italic>=.003) and financial costs to patients and the institution were found. CONCLUSIONS For an appropriately selected group of patients, VCs offer a viable alternative to traditional OPD. This alternative can improve both patient satisfaction and efficiency of patient care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismat Babiker ◽  
Mohamed K. Elnaeim ◽  
Awab K.Elnaeim

Abstract Objective: the objective of this study was to assess the awareness of the community in Sudan of which seizure type(s) should present to health care providers.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive internet-based survey that was conducted in Sudan during the period from January to April 2018, using google forms. The survey consisted of demographic data (age, gender, educational level), a statement evaluating participants’ sources of obtaining information regarding epilepsy, a statement assessing awareness about the primary care provider for people with epilepsy (PWE), and a statement describing the symptomatology of different seizure types in simple Arabic, asking what description(s) participants thought should present to health care providers. We included participants residing in Sudan, and those with a college degree or higher education. Four hundred sixty-seven participants completed the survey.Results: 467 participants were included, of whom, 279 (60%) were females. The mean age of participants was 28 years. Two-thirds of participants obtained their information from non-scientific sources. 84% of the participants were aware that doctors are the primary health care providers for people with epilepsy.The majority (92.%) of participants were aware that patients with symptoms corresponding to the generalized tonic-clonic seizure description should present to doctors, compared with two-thirds of participants for focal seizure symptom description, and only 30.6 % of participants for absence seizure symptom description.Conclusion: This study demonstrated poor awareness about the necessity of presentation for focal and absence seizures. We hypothesize that this lack of awareness may contribute to the epilepsy treatment gap, and we recommend further studies to examine this hypothesis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Alvita Brilliana R. Arafah ◽  
Hari Basuki Notobroto

Breast cancer is cancer with the number of new cases and deaths highest in Indonesia. According to the Data Center and Information Ministry of a health Indonesia in the year 2013, the number of new cases of breast cancer of 819 and the number of deaths amounted to 217. In general, breast cancer known after stepping on an advanced stage. So the methods of early detection of breast cancer are focused on the detection of early stage tumors that are usually small with self-breast examination (SADARI). The purpose of this research is to predict the factors related to the behavior of self-breast examination (SADARI) the housewives aged 40–50 years. This research is an observational study with cross sectional approach. Sample research totaling 100 people  housewife in Kelurahan Sidotopo Wetan Kenjeran Subdistrict Surabaya. The measurement was done by providing a questionnaire to obtain information about the research variables. Variable independent research is k nowledge, attitudes, information accessibility, support health providers and descent with breast cancer. The results of this research showed the variables that are associated with the  SADARI behavior of the housewifes is attitude (p = 0.000), accessibility of information (p = 0.000), and health care providers support (p = 0.010). The majority of housewives in Kelurahan Sidotopo Wetan Kenjeran Sub-district Surabaya showed a good attitude and support toward SADARI. In the area surrounding the residence h ousewife get access information easily. There are no support for doing SADARI from health care providers.


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