scholarly journals Awareness of dengue and practice of dengue control measures among urban population in Tamil Nadu, India

Author(s):  
Varun Kumar T. ◽  
Vijay Pandian M. ◽  
Swaminathan P. ◽  
Ravi Kumar T.

Background: The dengue infection has become endemic in India as a result of changing environmental conditions and lack of awareness among the public. So, the present study was conducted with the objectives of studying the awareness of dengue and dengue control practices among urban population in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.Methods: The study was of cross sectional design conducted in the fever clinic of Government Medical College and ESI Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Systemic random sampling was done to select the study participants. A pre-tested, pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data was obtained from 270 individuals during August to November 2017.Results: Among the study participants, 254 (94.1%) had heard of dengue. Among them, 145 (53.7%) correctly identified the symptoms of dengue, 221 (81.6%) correctly responded that the dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and 82 (30.4%) had correct knowledge about Aedes mosquito breeding places. Younger age group individuals and those with higher education had significantly better awareness about mosquito control measures (p<0.005).Conclusions: Majority of the study population was aware about dengue, only half of them knew about the symptoms of dengue and only one-third correctly knew about breeding habitats of Aedes mosquitoes. Therefore, already functioning health campaigns should ensure that the knowledge acquired is put into practice. 

Author(s):  
Vinoth Gnana Chellaiyan ◽  
Aravind Manoharan ◽  
Murali Ramachandran

Background: Dengue infection transmitted by Aedes aegypti is endemic in India. Environmental changes and lack of awareness result in increase in transmission of dengue infection and rise in dengue outbreaks. The present study was conducted to determine the knowledge of dengue infection and practices towards dengue prevention among a rural population in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu.Methods:The study was cross sectional study, conducted in Kadambadi village of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted among 224 study participants from June - August 2016. Systematic random sampling was followed for selecting the houses. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire was used. Significance of difference in proportions (qualitative variables) was calculated using Chi square test. Significance of p value was taken as p< 0.05.Results: Among the study participants, 210 (93.7%) heard about dengue infection. Fifty percent of participants responded correctly the symptoms of dengue infection. 89% responded correctly that dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquito. Around 40% of the participants had correct knowledge about the breeding habitat and biting habit of Aedes mosquito. Study participants use various methods - mosquito coils (63.4%), mosquito nets (14.7%) for mosquito bite prevention.  24.1% does not follow any method of mosquito bite prevention.Conclusions:Though majority of the study participants heard about dengue symptoms and mosquito transmitting dengue infection, less than half were aware about breeding habits of Aedes mosquito and 25% did not follow any method of mosquito bite prevention practices. Community awareness is a key role in improvising dengue prevention practices. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Animen Ayehu ◽  
Yibeltal Aschale ◽  
Wossenseged Lemma ◽  
Animut Alebel ◽  
Ligabaw Worku ◽  
...  

Background. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also called kala-azar) is a public health problem in Ethiopia, especially in sesame and sorghum growing areas. Compared to other populations, labor migrants are the most exposed. Knowing the seroprevalence ofLeishmania donovaniand associated risk factors is essential to design appropriate control measures. The main aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers and associated risk factors in agricultural camps of West Armachiho district, Northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the seroprevalence and associated risk factors ofL. donovaniinfection.Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 laborers from October to December 2017. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants from selected agricultural camps. After obtaining written informed consent, data were collected using a structured pretested Amharic version questionnaire using the interview technique. A single finger prick blood sample was collected from the study participants and the blood samples were subjected to the serological diagnostic method using the rk39 kit. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated withL. donovaniinfection.Result. Among 185 participants examined using rk39, 14 (7.6%) were seroreactive forL. donovani.Leishmania donovaniinfection had a statistically significant association with sleeping underBalanitestrees (AOR: 4.36, 95%CI: 1.186-16.06), presence of domestic animals near sleeping place (AOR: 4.68, 95% CI: 1.25-17.56), and lack of knowledge about VL transmission (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.07-13.47).Conclusion. Seroprevalence of asymptomaticL. donovaniamong laborers in agricultural camps of West Armachiho was low. Prevention measures and health education about risk factors that expose toL. donovaniinfection for the laborers are essential to prevent the spread of the disease.


2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSEPH KEATING ◽  
KATE MACINTYRE ◽  
CHARLES M. MBOGO ◽  
JOHN I. GITHURE ◽  
JOHN C. BEIER

A geographically stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2002 to investigate household-level factors associated with use of mosquito control measures and self-reported malaria in Malindi, Kenya. A total of 629 households were surveyed. Logistic regressions were used to analyse the data. Half of all households (51%) reported all occupants using an insecticide-treated bed net and at least one additional mosquito control measure such as insecticides or removal of standing water. Forty-nine per cent reported a history of malaria in the household. Of the thirteen household factors analysed, low (OR=0·23, CI 0·11, 0·48) and medium (OR=0·50, CI 0·29, 0·86) education, mud–wood–coral (OR=0·0·39, CI 0·24, 0·66) and mud block–plaster (OR=0·47, CI 0·25, 0·87) wall types, farming (OR=1·38, CI 1·01, 1·90) and travel to rural areas (OR=0·48, CI 0·26, 0·91) were significantly associated with the use of mosquito control, while controlling for other covariates in the model. History of reported malaria was not associated with the use of mosquito control (OR=1·22, CI 0·79, 1·88). Of the thirteen covariates analysed in the second model, only two household factors were associated with history of malaria: being located in the well-drained stratum (OR=0·49, CI 0·26, 0·96) and being bitten while in the house (OR=1·22, CI 0·19, 0·49). These results suggest that high socioeconomic status is associated with increased household-level mosquito control use, although household-level control may not be enough, as many people are exposed to biting mosquitoes while away from the house and in areas that are more likely to harbour mosquitoes.


Author(s):  
Dhanasekar Gurupatham ◽  
Jeevithan Shanmugam

Background: Alcohol use is associated with serious public health problems thereby raising the global morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of alcoholism and its co morbidity pattern among urban adult population in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among urban adult population in Salem district involving 493 participants. Convenient sampling method was used. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and information was collected by using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel 2007 was used for data entry and SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis.Results: It was found from the study that the prevalence of alcoholism was high. Alcohol use in any form was found in 38% of the study participants. 8% of the participants confessed that alcohol is an eye opener to them. 6% of the participants lost their job and 15% of the participants were hospitalised due to alcohol.Conclusions: The study showed higher prevalence of alcohol use among urban adult population in Salem district. Awareness about the ill effects of alcoholism among the population and necessary rehabilitation will help to reduce alcoholism consumption and its related disorders.


Author(s):  
Roselin V. ◽  
Srisanthanakrishnan V.

Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBD) remain a major public health challenge, in India. Knowledge about VBD, social, demographic and environmental factors strongly influence the vector transmission and results in major outbreaks. Hence this study was conducted to assess knowledge and practice along with environmental conditions prevailing in both rural and urban areas.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in rural and urban field practice area of Sri Muthukumaran Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, during June 2018 to December 2018. A total of 472 participants with 236 participants from each urban and rural area were included. Data was collected using proforma and analysis was done using SPSS 16.Results: Knowledge about VBD like dengue was 63.6% and 76.7% among rural and urban population, respectively. Similarly malaria was known by knows 59.3% and 68.2% of rural and urban participants. Japanese Encephalitis was the least known mosquito borne disease in both the groups. (p=0.0136). Common breeding sites addressed by the rural population were artificial collected water (36.9%) and urban population was dirty water (42.8%).Conclusions: Knowledge and practice of preventing vector borne disease is still lacking among both rural and urban participants. Spreading knowledge about VBD is a part in effective vector borne disease control which can be achieved by community education alone rather than insecticides and sprays.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 7078-7082
Author(s):  
Krishna Prasanth B ◽  
Mahalakshmi K ◽  
Kalpana S ◽  
Anantha Eashwar V M

People suffering from immunosuppressive conditions like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more prone to suffer from non-communicable diseases like hypertension, which is not identified and treated at an earlier stage, can lead to significant mortality and morbidity in them. The study design was a cross-sectional study done in select Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centers in Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu during a period from 2017-2018. Data regarding their HIV status, treatment history and Body Mass Index (BMI) were recorded and Blood Pressure (BP) was recorded by using mercury sphygmomanometer using standard guidelines. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed by using SPSS version 22 software. The study population comprised of 75% males and 25% females. Mean age of study participants was 45+8.2 years and the mean BMI was 22+3.4. The prevalence of hypertension among HIV affected individuals was found to be 14.63%. According to JNC criteria, 34% were having Stage 1 hypertension and 33% had Stage 2 hypertension and only 23% were on treatment. Significant association was found between increasing age, gender, BMI and hypertension. Health education and awareness creation has to be created among HIV patients on maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle so that, obesity can be prevented or reduced which could play an important role in NCD’s like hypertension and also hypertensive patients have to be identified and treated at early stage to reduce the morbidity and mortality.


Author(s):  
Nilofur Banu ◽  
Azarudheen S.

Background: Worldwide cervix cancer ranks fourth place among all the cancer affecting women and commonest cause of death due to cancer among women in developing countries. Business process outsourcing sector in India is a relatively new industry with each growth there is also various negative health issue emerge among people working in those sectors some risk factors associated with ca cervix. Aim of the study was to knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and screening practice among urban women working in BPO in Chennai.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among urban women working in a BPO in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire by the team leader who was train to interview before starting the study.Results: Among 155 female study participants only 46% of the respondents knew about cervix. Among the study participants who knew about cervix and cervical cancer, internet (26%) and TV/Radio (26%) were the most common source of information. Only 4% of respondent heard of Pap smear and none of them had undergone it. Similarly, only 3.73% of the respondents knew about vaccines that are available for Cancer Cervix.Conclusions: The findings of study will help us in planning focused health measures about CA cervix and its prevention strategies .Health awareness will play a vital role in reducing risks of casualties caused by diseases like cancer Cervix.


Author(s):  
Shivashankari Pandirajan ◽  
V. Pragadeesh Raja ◽  
Jasmine Maruthupandiyan ◽  
Kalaivani Annadurai

Background: Plastic, although a simple synthetic polymer consisting of small molecules (monomers) linked together in a repetitive formation, is extremely versatile; with properties ranging from, resistance to corrosion, light weight, high strength, transparency, low toxicity to durability. The plastic used for domestic purpose nearly 500 billion plastic bags used each year.2 It is the slow poisoning to human health, animals and also the environment. Some years before plastic usage was few purposes only, over the past 60 years, plastics production and waste have dramatically increased, now days everyone using single use plastic bags for all use including cooked food packing, storage of drinking water and even storage of vegetables. The objective of this to assess the awareness regarding plastic pollution and to assess the attitude regarding plastic bag usage.Methods: A Community based cross sectional Study conducted among the population of residence, Sembakkam, Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. The study duration between June to July 2019. Data collected through semi structured questionnaire from participants. Data Collected was entered in MS office excel and analyzed in SPSS version 21.Results: In the study, 67.5% (135) are males and 32.5% (65) are females. Mean age of the participants is 48.22 years (±14. 14). 86.5% (173) are literate and 13.5% (27) illiterate. In the study, participants 71% (142) answered plastic will cause health problem to animals and 24.5% (49) are not aware about health problem due to plastic. At the disposal of plastic 31% (62) replied burning of plastic which is followed by recycling the plastic 28% (56) (p<0.05) is the correct way of disposal. The majority of the participants, 90.5% (181) are supporting the banning of plastics and 5.5% (11) are not supporting the banning.Conclusions: Plastic usage has become a part of daily life, leading to the countless dumping of plastics. This in turn causes along with the environmental hazards, health hazards to both the humans and animals. The best recommendation is to reduce and reuse the daily usage of plastics. Strict Political and Administrative rules should be implemented and monitored.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL4) ◽  
pp. 1703-1708
Author(s):  
Sukanya L ◽  
Roshinidevi Baskaran

The topic of menstrual hygiene has been highly stigmatised in India due to which girls tend to lack awareness regarding various scientific and practical aspects of menstruation. This lack of awareness among adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene can lead to negative impacts on their reproductive health. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among school-going adolescent girls. A cross-sectional study using a pre-validated questionnaire was conducted among 168 adolescent school-going girls and found that only 37.3% of the study participants were aware of menstruation before attaining menarche. Only 25.3% of study participants either slept or ate separately from their family members while menstruating. All participants were using sanitary pads and disposed of them after usage indicating no reuse. Proper wrapping and disposal of pads in closed garbage bins was followed by 97% of study participants. A significant association between awareness of the cause of menstruation and the higher class of study was established. Though knowledge about menstruation before attaining menarche is meagre, the practices and attitude regarding were reasonable compared to other studies, mainly attributed to awareness and help received after menarche.


Author(s):  
N. Mareeswaran ◽  
A. K. Savitha ◽  
S. Gopalakrishnan

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are globally endemic and is a major public health problem of concern. The prevalence is high in developing countries like India probably due to poor sanitary conditions and improper hygiene. Among the various intestinal parasites, the prevalence of Entamoeba, Ascaris, Ancylostoma, Giardia and Trichuris have been studied in this research.Methods: This is a cross sectional study which involves 205 urban and 185 rural populations. The data was collected from the Urban and Rural health training centres in Anakaputhur and Padappai of Kancheepuram district respectively over a period of three months from August 2017 to October 2017. Data entry was done in MS Excel and analysis was carried out in SPSS software version 22. The analysis was done using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.Results: Among the rural and urban population, 185 stool samples from the rural population showed nearly 50.8% intestinal parasites (E. histolytica 40%, A. lumbricoides 2%, A. duodenalae 5%, Giardia 1%, T. trichura 3%). On the contrary 205 stool samples from urban population showed 23.4% of intestinal parasites (E. histolytica 18%, A. lumbricoides 2%, A. duodenalae 5%, Giardia 0%, T. trichura 0%). The increase in the prevalence of intestinal parasites among rural population than the urban population was statistically significant.Conclusions: The stool samples collected from rural population showed high prevalence of intestinal parasite infestation when compared to urban population, hence necessary interventions like health education, awareness creation and medical intervention should be undertaken particularly among the rural population.


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