scholarly journals Accidental household poisoning in children: shedding light on the common agents and risk factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1522
Author(s):  
Nirmal S. Rameshkumar ◽  
Preethi Tamilarasan ◽  
Arulkumaran Arunagirinathan

Background: Household poisoning is one of the leading causes of accidental injuries in children. The cause may vary between different countries. The aim of the study was to identify the causative agents as well as risk factors pertaining to our country such as social, demographic, cultural factors and local customs.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. All children in the age group of 6 months to 12 years with established diagnosis of acute accidental known household poisoning were included in the study group.Results: Most of the children with accidental poisoning were in the age group of less than 2 years (56.8%), with male preponderance (66.7%). The commonest poisoning agent was kerosene in 45% of the children followed by detergents (9%), drugs (8.1%), paint thinner (7.1%) and ant chalk (4.5%). In 62.2% of cases poisons were not in original container. Socio-demographic factors such as parents’ education status, mother’s employment or type of family did not show significant correlation.Conclusions: Accidental poisoning is a preventable cause of morbidity and rarely even mortality in children. Awareness needs to be generated amongst parents about simple but effective measures in the household to prevent such incidents. Given the pandemic, the presence of children at home constantly increases the importance of vigilance regarding this public health issue. 

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 2219
Author(s):  
Tabrez Altaf Noorani ◽  
Jaini S. Kothari ◽  
Bhavesh Kanabar

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) is leading cause of hospitalization and mortality among children under 5 years age in developing societies. Risk factors such as socioeconomic status, overcrowding, parental education, passive smoking, exposure to biomass fuels, kerosene lamps etc should also be considered in possible etiology of ALRI. Knowledge of risk factors would help prevention through proper health education efforts and other interventional community development initiatives. The objective of the study was to study various socio-demographic and nutritional risk factors associated with acute lower respiratory tract infection among 6 to 60 months aged childrenMethods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care institute Gujarat state of India. All the children in the age group of 6 months to 60 months admitted in paediatrics ward with ALRI were included in study. Data collection was done using a pretested questionnaire including socio-demographic factors. Data was analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and excel and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Higher percentage (32%) of malnutrition was observed in age group of 13 months to 36 months (p<0.05). Lack of maternal education is significantly associated with malnutrition in patients of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (p<0.05). Passive smoking was found among 38.1% of ALRI patients in urban area while it was among 25.6% of patients in rural patients (p<0.05). Difference in exposure to biomass fuel among rural and urban patients is statistically significant (p<0.05). Giving pre-lacteal feeding (63.9%), incomplete immunization (56.8%), no birth spacing (50.2%), no predominant breast feeding (47.7%) are some of the leading causes of acute LRTI.Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors and malnutrition impact ALRI among 6 to 60 months age group of children according to place of residence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Saad Rashid Saud Al Alawi ◽  
Muhammad Muqeet Ullah ◽  
Ahmed Yar Mohammed Dawood Al Balushi ◽  
Rajeev Kashyap ◽  
Vandita Kailas Patil

BACKGROUND: Due to one of the highest HIV prevalent province in Oman, Voluntary Counselling Testing (VCT) services were integrated in health system of Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman since December 2014. AIM &amp; OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the situation on HIV rapid testing in Al Buraimi Governorate with objective to identify client&rsquo;s risk factor among common age group and gender. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman among 1412 registered adult VCT clients, unbooked pregnant women with no documented HIV status at the time of delivery or abortion at Buraimi Hospital and clients during outreach community awareness activities on HIV. Retrospective analysis was performed for 3 years from December 2014 to December 2017 on parameters like Age, gender, nationality, risk factors, outcome and place of testing (Hospital and Outreach) using standard national client information form. Descriptive statistics was applied in Microsoft excel and SPSS version 24. Clients&rsquo; personal information and confidentiality of the record was maintained during entire study period with approval from regional research and ethical review committee. RESULTS: Of 1412 clients for Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), 990 (70.1%) were females and 422 (29.9%) were males with mean age 27.13&plusmn;7.02. Majority, 806 (57.1%) RDTs were in outreach followed by 470 (33.3%) and 136 (9.6%) at Maternity ward and Couselling Clinic respectively. Clients included 1294 (91.6%) Omani nationals and 118 (8.4%) non-Omani nationals. The risky behavior was found to be 126 (9%) among clients with heterosexual contributes 65 (4.6%). Among all risk factors, male clients contributed 124 (8.7%) with common age group 26-35 years 56 (3.9%). CONCLUSION: RDTs were utilized mainly during outreach activities that highlight the need of promoting VCT facilities in the clinical setting as services are available 24/7 through hotline. This baseline study would facilitate to develop plan for client&rsquo;s risk reduction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Raj Kumar Rauniyar ◽  
Naveen Kumar Pandey ◽  
Deepak Kumar Yadav

Background:Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is frequently encountered as incidental findings during CT evaluation of thorax; however, little is known about its magnitude and association with atherosclerotic risk factors in Nepalese population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of incidental CAC in patients undergoing standard thoracic CT examination for non-cardiac pathology and to correlate it with risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis.Methods: A hospital based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 216 patients over 8 month duration. The coronary arteries were evaluated for calcification on 16-slice MDCT and the frequency of CAC was correlated with atherosclerotic risk factors viz. age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking and obesity.Results: Incidental CAC was seen in 72(33.3%) of total 216 patients. The rates of CAC below 40, 40-60 and above 60 years age group were 0%, 31.6% and 43.9% respectively. The frequency of CAC in male and female were 35% and 31.2% for all ages, 43.6% and 20% for 40-60 years group, and 35.2% and 61.1% for above 60 years age group respectively. The frequency of CAC was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (47.5%), hypertension (42.3%), smoking (43%) and obesity (38.9%).Conclusion: Incidental CAC was seen in 33.3% of the patients and it had significant association with advancing age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking. Rate of CAC was significantly higher in male for 40-60 years group but the frequency drastically increased in female for above 60 years group. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i4.11205 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(4) 2015 40-44


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritam Banerjee ◽  
Sharmistha Bhattacherjee ◽  
Kuntala Ray ◽  
Jayanta Kumar Roy ◽  
Saikat Datta ◽  
...  

Background: Dyslipidemia, one of the classical Framingham risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, accounts significantly to the rise of non communicable diseases in India. Urbanization, along with greater consumption of dietary fats and decreased physical activity, has led to an increase in this problem manifold. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia among urban adults of Siliguri city, West Bengal and to identify the cardio-vascular risk factors associated with it. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among the 226 adults aged ≥20yrs in an urban area of Siliguri city, West Bengal, India. Data was collected by detailed history and physical examination; biochemical measurements were done using standards procedures. Dyslipidemia was defined by the presence of one or more than one abnormal serum lipid concentration. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square test, t test and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 20 software (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Dyslipidemia was prevalent among 78.4 % of the total study subjects. Dyslipidemia was more in males than in females & in both males and females it was more prevalent in the age group 40 -59 years than in any other age group. It was associated with higher odds of major cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, hyperglycemias, and tobacco use. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia remains a significant and growing problem in this part of the country. The reduction in the disease burden will require changes in life style as well as in national policies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i1.8474 Asian Journal of Medical Science Vol.5(1) 2014 pp.1-8


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mushtaq Ahmad ◽  
Farial Naima Rahman ◽  
Md Mozaharul Islam ◽  
Md Rakib Uddin Majumder

Self destruction or suicide by pesticide poisoning is a burning problem of Bangladesh. Rapid development in science and rapid growth in agricultural activities has led to the increase in the incidences of poisoning. The objective of this study was to find out the incidences and pattern of poisoning in an urban area, different aspects of poisoning along with demographic pattern, social factors related and other related perimeter, and modality to prevent loss of precious life due to poisoning. This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted among victims of poisoning at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka Morgue during the period of January 2008-December 2009. Specific identification of poisons was made from Chemical Examiner's report. All the data were later on analyzed. A total of 5114 medico legal post mortems were performed during this study period. Among these 300 (5.87%) cases were suspected poisoning. Out of these cases specific poisons were identified in 131 (43.66%) cases. Among the detected poisoning cases OPC was the commonest agent 103 (78.63%) followed by alcohol/rectified spirit 12 (9.16%) and barbiturate 7 (5.34%). No poison was detected (Negative results) in 116 (38.66%) cases and no reports from chemical examiner were received in 53 (17.66%) cases during the study period. Out of 300 victims 174 (58%) were male and 126 (42%) were female. Highest incidence of poisoning was observed in 21-30 years age group 117 (39%) followed by age group of 31-40 years 84 (28%). Most of the victims were agricultural workers/ farmers 108 (36%) followed by housewives 51 (17%). Among the study subjects 178 (59.33%) were illiterate and 198 (66%) were married. Considering manner of death 274 (91.33%) victims committed suicide by poisoning and rests 26 (8.67%) were due to accidental poisoning. To reduce poisoning cases proper emphasis should be given for safe use of pesticides and consciousness should be created among the population about poisonous compounds. Detail study regarding death due to poisoning is required to be carried out in this country.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2014;9(2): 76-79


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66
Author(s):  
Sowmini P. Kamath ◽  
Shrividya Shrishakumar ◽  
Animesh Jain ◽  
Anand Ramakrishna ◽  
Shantharam B Baliga

Introduction: Asthma is common in childhood and is a major public health issue. The objectives of this study were to identify risk and triggering factors associated with asthma among school children.Material and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted among 6-15 years old children, over two months in two private schools at Mangalore city. Trigger factors were assessed as per asthma trigger inventory (ATI). Responses were graded from 0-5 score based on ‘never’,’ rarely’, ‘sometimes’, ‘most of the time’ and ‘always’. A predesigned questionnaire suiting the city environment was prepared and used to assess the risk and triggering factors. Analysis was done using SPSS version 16.Results: Asthma and allergic rhinitis in parents (34.1%,40.7%), smoking at home(24.2%), exclusive breast feeding absence (27.5%),early weaning(24.2%), living in a flat (37.4%) and pets at home(37.4%) were risk factors noted. As per ATI, it was found that ‘having a cold’ was the most frequently selected trigger at 94.5% (47.3% ‘sometimes’, 2.2% ‘always’), followed by ‘running’ at 79.1% (27.5% ‘sometimes’, 13.2% ‘always’), and ‘house dust’ at 69.2% (31.9% ‘sometimes’, 6.6% ‘always’). The highest mean was for infections, (2.228, SD=0.546), followed by physical exercise (2.167, SD=0.331). Animal allergens had lowest mean (1.527, SD=0.104), followed by psychological triggers at second lowest (1.579, SD=0.181). However none of the risk and trigger factors had statistical significance with asthma.Conclusion: Avoiding exposure to probable triggers and identifying risk factors would aid in planning effective strategic measures with better quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bareda Diba ◽  
Birhanu Ayele Shigute ◽  
Benti Deresa Gelalcha ◽  
Bedane Adane ◽  
Paul J. Plummer

Abstract Background: While camels (dromedaries) were traditionally believed to be resistant to mostlivestock diseases, research has demonstrated that they are susceptible to a large number ofinfectious agents. Based on the clinical appearance of typical lesions, Camel contagiousecthyma (CCE), caused by a Orf virus, is thought to be one of the most common viraldiseases of camelids in Ethiopia. However, the epidemiology of the disease has not beenformally described and the causative agent has never been molecularly confirmed.Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 inArero district of Borena Zone, to assess morbidity and mortality rates of the of diseaseconsistent with CCE, isolate and molecularly identify the causative agents and to find out thepotential risk factors. Molecular technique, namely, PCR based on B2L gene-specific primers ofORFV was used for the confirmatory diagnosis of CCE virus from the skin lesions.Results: Majority (86.8%) of the respondents indicated occurrence of CCE outbreaks in theirherds in the past one year (a year preceding the start of the study). The overall morbidity andmortality rates attributed to CCE was 43.6% (95 % CI: 41.2%–46%) and 6.3% (95 % CI: 5.2–7.6%) respectively. Confirmatory diagnosis of the suspected Orf virus isolates usingconventional PCR techniques generated the expected amplification product of 1200bp for oneof the samples. No product was amplified from the DNA samples of the negative control.This study showed that young camels (calves) had higher odds of becoming affected by CCEthan adults [OR=3.44 (95 % CI: 2.29 –4.09); (p<0.05)]. The disease had marked seasonalitywith most of the cases occurring during rainy season. Acacia trees significantly contribute tovirus dissemination through damaging the lips of browsing camels.Conclusions: This study confirms the presence and importance of CCE in Ethiopia andestablishes the basis for further research.


Author(s):  
Tagaram Ramchandra ◽  
N. Pragathi Kumar ◽  
Niharika Lakkoju

Background: Tuberculosis has existed for millennia and remains a major global health problem. It causes ill-health in millions of people each year and in 2015 it was one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Understanding the specific reasons for unsuccessful outcomes is important to improve the treatment system. This present study was carried out to find out the effects of socio-demographic factors on TB defaulters under DOTS centre in Warangal District, Telangana state.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried among 103 defaulters of TB patients in 3 TB units (TU) Warangal (urban), Ragunathapally (rural) and Eturunagaram (tribal) out of 7 TB units in Warangal district, attached to District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) from January 2016 to June 2016 by interview technique utilising a pretested and structured questionnaire to collect the data. Statistical analysis: Percentages, proportions and chi-square test were applied whenever necessary.Results: In present study, males (35%) were more than females (7.8%) and 42.8% were in the age group of 40-55 years, followed by 28.1% were 26-39 years age group. Majority of defaulters were in nuclear family (77.7%) followed by joint family (21.3%). Cost of travel as a reason for default of treatment was seen more in tribal area (16.5%) than rural (12.6%) and urban (4.8%) TUs. The TB patients residing in tribal areas are more prone to default, an important reason being the distance needed to travel to the closest health facility, availability and the need to travel by public transport.Conclusions: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which has a devastating impact on the economic wellbeing of individual and their families. Most of the defaulters were illiterates residing in tribal area. Cost of travel as a reason for default of treatment was seen more in tribal TU 17(16.5%) than urban and rural TUs.


Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Jiao Yang ◽  
Zhangyi Liao ◽  
Xiaomeng Zhao ◽  
Xuefeng Hu ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between diabetes status including characteristics of diabetes and cognition among the middle-aged and elderly population (≥45 years) in China. Methods: A sample of 8535 people who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from June 2011 to March 2012 was analyzed. Two cognitive domains including episodic memory and executive function were measured through questionnaires. People were classified into four groups: no diabetes, controlled diabetes, untreated diabetes, treated but uncontrolled diabetes. Weighted multiple regression model was conducted to explore the association between diabetes and cognition in full sample as well as three different age groups (45–59, 60–74, ≥75). Adjustments were made for demographics and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: After adjusting several covariates, untreated diabetes (β = −0.192, p < 0.05) was significantly associated with episodic memory. In the age group of 45–69 years, untreated diabetes (β = −0.471, p < 0.05) and HbA1c level (β = −0.074, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with episodic memory. When adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, all correlations were non-significant. Conclusion: The cross-sectional study suggests that untreated diabetes and HbA1c are the potential risk factor for cognitive impairment, and these associations are more significant in the age group of 45–59 years old. Cardiovascular factors are important mediating factors in the pathway between diabetes and cognitive impairment. More longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 035-039
Author(s):  
Navya N. ◽  
Rashmi Kundapur ◽  
N. Udaya Kiran

Abstract Introduction: Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a global public health issue and is the major contributory factor for the burden of heart disease, stroke, renal failure, premature mortality and morbidity worldwide. Objective : 1. To determine the community prevalence of hypertension.2. To Assess the Household Awareness Of hypertension.3. To study the pattern and regularity of treatment in hypertensives. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out in 40 Households of Grama-Kshema Project in Kuthar and Manjanady villages (semi urban ) which belong to the field practice area of K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore. A structured Questionnaire was used to collect data. Questions on awareness were scored and analyzed. Result: The community prevalence of hypertension among the households surveyed was 9.6 percent out of which 12.5 % were female and 5.9 % were male. Among them 46.7% were in the age group 51-70 years, 40% in the age group 31-50 years and 13.3% in the age group above 70 years.40 % of hypertensive visit their doctor on monthly basis.66.7% of the hypertensives visit private dispensary for their treatment and follow up. 93.3% are on anti-hypertensives of which 33.3 % use calcium channel blockers. Awareness scoring showed that 40% had poor score and 37.5 % average score. Conclusion: In the present study the prevalence of hypertension was found to be low. Among those diagnosed of hypertension, majority of them were females. Most of the hypertensive's visit private dispensaries on monthly basis. Awareness of Hypertension among the households was poor.


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