The study of epidemiological correlates of hypertension among the rural population of Mehsana district of North Gujarat region, India

Background: The changing lifestyle factors in rural population are associated with increase in hypertension. Objective was to find out the epidemiological correlates of hypertension among the rural population.Methods: This was cross sectional study and conducted in rural areas of Mehsana district of Gujarat during January 2019 to June 2019. People living rural areas were selected by stratified random sampling. They were screened for hypertension by JNC VII criteria using sphygmomanometer and detailed personal, past and family history was taken after written and informed consent. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysis was done using SPSS statistical package.Results: Out of total 602 subjects, 93 (15.4%) were hypertensive. Out of total 93 hypertensive subjects, 50 (53.8%) were females. A blood pressure category and gender difference were not statically significant (p=0.89). Out of 93 hypertensive subjects, 42 (45.2%) subjects were in the age group of ≥60 years. The difference between age groups and blood pressure category was significant (p<0.0001). Out of 93 hypertensive subjects’ majority 85 (91.4%) had negative tobacco history while only 8 (8.6%) consumed tobacco in any form. The tobacco history and blood pressure category were not significantly associated (p=0.211). Out of total 93 hypertensive subjects, 54 (58.1%) subjects were (≥25) body mass index (BMI). Categories of BMI and hypertension were extremely significantly associated (p<0.0001).Conclusions: Hypertension is significantly associated with age, socio economic class and BMI.

Prevalence of hypertension among the rural population of Mehsana district of North Gujarat region, India

Background:High blood pressure is considered both a disease and a risk factor, especially for cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most serious public health problems. To find out the prevalence of hypertension among the rural population of Mehsana district of North Gujarat region, India.Methods:This was cross sectional study and conducted in rural areas of Mehsana district of Gujarat during January 2019 to June 2019. People living rural areas were selected by stratified random sampling. They were screened for hypertension by JNC VII criteria using sphygmomanometer after written and informed consent. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysis was done using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) statistical package.Results: Out of total 602, majority 293 (48.7%) subjects had normal blood pressure with mean age of 25.28±16.62 years, 271 subjects (45.0%) had pre hypertension with mean age of 40.30±14.32 years. Out of total, 25 (4.2%) subjects had hypertension stage 1 with mean age of 45.82±11.48 years and 13 (2.2%) subjects had hypertension stage 2 with mean age of 53.77±16.02 years. Out of total 271 subjects who had pre hypertension, 150 (55.3%) were males. Hypertension stage 1 and 2 were almost equally distributed among both gender. A blood pressure category and gender difference was statically significant. Out of total 38 hypertensive subjects, 19 (50%) subjects were in the age group of 40-59 years.Conclusions: Prevalence of hypertension among rural population was 6.4%.

On the occurance of crowned river turtle, Hardella thurjii in Gujarat, India

The crowned river turtle, Hardella thurjii (Gray, 1831) is widely distributed from Pakistan to Bangladesh, and possibly in western Myanmar. It prefers the middle and lower reaches of the northern river systems on the Indian subcontinent, comprising the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries. The species is classified as Endangered, but nationally remains a poorly protected species under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. This communication presents the first photographic evidence of the crowned river turtle, from Gujarat State, India. It was previously reported from North Gujarat two decades ago, but without any evidence.

Analysis of rainfall characteristics and moisture availability index for crop planning in semi arid region of north Gujarat

The rainfall, one of the most important natural input resource for dryland agricultural production system, is erratic and temporal in nature. An attempt has been made to analyze thirty years (1990-2019) of meteorological data for prediction of probable week of onset and withdrawal of monsoon and to end with crop planning in North Gujarat region (India).The highest and lowest amount of weekly rainfall was observed in 27th and 39th SMW, respectively. The probability distribution functions viz. generalized extreme value, Gumbel maximum, Gamma and Weibull were found best-fit for prediction of weekly rainfall. The analysis revealed 26th SMW (25 Jun – 01 Jul) and onwards as the most suited sowing time of kharif crops. There are also chances of occurrence of moisture stress during 34th and 35th SMW. The results would be useful for agricultural scientists, researchers, decision makers and policy planners in the field of agricultural crop planning and irrigation management for semi arid regions.

THE PREVALENCE OF GINGIVAL RECESSION IN NORTH GUJARAT POPULATION

Background: Gingival recession (GR) is a challenging condition especially with the increasing esthetic demand of patients today. Hence, there is a need to assess the prevalence of GR and to investigate possible associations with this condition.Methods:A cross-sectional observational study design was used where a sample of 500 patients,within the age range of 18-60 years,was drawn from Department of Dentistry, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Himatnagar. The collected data included demographic and periodontal variables, and the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Fisher exact test.Results:The overall prevalence of GR was 69.4%.Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between gender and GR (significant male predilection,P ≤ 0.05), and between GR and plaque biofilm due to periodontitis with 90.8% of recession cases having periodontitis. A significant association was also found between the cause and distribution of GR,where mandibular incisors showed the highest prevalence of GR.Conclusion: Gingival recession is a highly prevalent condition amongst the people in North Gujarat,with periodontitis being the fundamental cause.Frenal pull is the most prominent local factor in inducing GR in the North Gujarat population.This information can be applied by educating the population and initiating new preventive programs and awareness campaigns.

Pulmonary Function Impairment among Stone Cutting Workers in North Gujarat

Background: Pulmonary problems are a major cause of morbidity & mortality all over the world. It has been found that lung functions are mostly affected in workers exposed to affect majorly in granite, marble, various other rocks and sand dust exposed workers. Objective:The primary objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of pulmonary function impairment among stone cutting workers at various construction sites in North Gujarat and the secondary objective was to find the effectiveness of Physiotherapy measures among those workers. Methods: A total of 408 male stone cutting worker participated in this study around various construction sites in the vicinity of North Gujarat from September to December 2019. After assessing pulmonary function tests, workers with impairment were treated with Deep breathing exercise and advice personal protective measures like face masks, cession of smoking and water spraying before cutting. Results: The data was collected from all the stone cutting workers. The average age was 31.43 ± 9.18 years and the average duration of work experience as stone cutter was 12.32± 6.11. A total of 50.24 % participant complaints of chronic cough, 10.29% of chest pain and 31.61% of participants reported wheezes. Data Analysis showed after 3 months of Physiotherapeutic intervention there was significant difference in FEV1 FVC and FEV1/FVC. Conclusion:The present study shows that there was a high prevalence of pulmonary functions impairment among stone cutting worker in North Gujarat and Physiotherapy measures can be used as an adjacent to minimize this problem. Key words: Stone cutting workers, Pulmonary Function impairment, Pulmonary Function test, North Gujarat.

PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE FOR POST- ORTHODONTIC RETENTION, NORTH GUJARAT POPULATION A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED SURVEY

Summary Objective: This transverse study aimed to know the level of knowledge and expectations amoung people for future orthodontic treatment have about post-orthodontic retention and to investigate the inuence of sociocultural characteristics. Material and methods: A total of 220 successive people participated in the study (as patient, parent, or legal guardian) for a prospective orthodontic treatment (mean age:17.7 years; 37.3 per cent male) received a questionnaire to assess their knowledge and expectations about postorthodontic retention before their rst appointment. Data were analysed descriptively, whereas predictors were identied with logistic regressions at Pvalue of less than or equal to 0.05. Results: Among the 220 responders, 54.09 per cent knew that retention appliances are used after orthodontic treatment and 45 per cent (n = 99) believed perfect results can guarantee stability, whereas at the same time, 48.8per cent (n = 106) knew that teeth can move on their own without any orthodontic appliances. The 35 per cent considered stability of the orthodontic result is important , some patient preferred removabl retainers (67.27 per cent; n = 148),some believed that the general dentist to be primarily responsible for a stable result (47.73 per cent; n = 105), and found it appropriate to charge for recall visits (59.55 per cent; n = 131). Participants’of the studys gender, age, education, nationality, and past orthodontic experiences within the close family signicantly inuenced answers. Limitations: a single-centred survey conducted in single university intense to conclude the interpretation of the results. Conclusions: Although stability of orthodontic treatment results is important to people deciding about a prospective orthodontic treatment, knowledge regarding the need for postorthodontic retention varies and may at times be contradictious for the ortho treatment. cultural factors seem to inuence the level of knowledge and the expectations on post-orthodontic retention.