CD4 Count as a Determinant in Clinicalepidemiological Profile of HIV Positive Patients: A Cross-sectional Study | Author : Anusha Rashmi, Rashmi Kundapur | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction: With anti-retroviral drugs mortality from HIV has reduced over the past decade. There is a decline in deaths due to HIV/AIDS evident since mid- 2000’s. Progression of disease to different stages largely depends on the immune status of the individual. A depleting CD4 count correlates with progression of HIV. Hence, this study was carried out with the objective to find the various factors affecting the CD4 count.
Materials and Methods: Information was gathered from a total of 1000 patient’s on ART medication attending the ART centre at the district government hospital was collected for a period of one year. Descriptive statistics, one sample t test and ANOVA were used for analysis.
Results: 71.4% of the attendees the CD4 count was below 500 cells/mm3. The mean CD4 was significantly higher in: Females [Mean = 450.72 +/-213.63 (p = 0.001)]. It was also significantly different with respect to adherence, duration of disease, habits and opportunistic infections.
Conclusion: CD4 count was influenced by gender, age, duration of disease and treatment and by personal habits like smoking and alcohol. It alone can be taken as a predictor of disease progression. |
| Anxiety among Adolescent Students and its Association with Socio Demographic Variables in a Rural Block of Haryana | Author : Ram Bilas Jain, Priyanka Choudhary, Sujata Sethi, Amit Kumar Mital, Neeraj Pawar | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: Anxiety is one of the most common psychological disorders in school-aged children and adolescents worldwide. Anxiety is associated with substantial negative effects on children’s social, emotional and academic success.
Objectives: To find out the prevalence of anxiety among adolescent students and its association with sociodemographic factors in rural block Beri.
Methods: It was a cross sectional study taking the sample size of 600 (300 males and 300 females) studying in class 8th to 12th. A pre-designed, pre-tested tool SCL 90 R containing 90 items was used to screen anxiety in these students. Anxiety is one of the psychiatric morbidities screened by this tool. Cut off point of estimated raw score of 1 was used to label as anxiety.
Results: It was observed that nearly 18.5% adolescents suffered from anxiety. Anxiety was highest in 17-19 years age group (30.4%) followed by mid adolescence phase (13-16 years). Anxiety was maximum in 10th and 12th standard students which were 19.3% and 24% respectively. It was significantly high among females (23.7%) than males (13.7%). Anxiety was maximum in upper and lower socio-economic class of students with 24.1% and 22.3% respectively. It was more among students whose mothers were unemployed (19.5%) than those whose mothers were employed (14.6%).
Conclusion: More than one – third (35%) of study subjects who were apparently healthy suffered from unnoticed anxiety. Appropriate counseling through school-based screening programme is the urgent need of the hour.
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| Hypertension and its Associated Risk Factors Detected through Portable Mobile Lab at PHC, Najafgarh, Delhi | Author : Nalini Tripathi, Jugal Kishore, Neeta Kumar, A K Mandal, Lal Chandra, Amit Bhatnagar | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and stroke, which are the leading cause of mortality in India. Its detection is necessary to prevent complications particularly in rural and remote areas. Due to shortage of professional human resources, alternative methods are needed.
Objectives: To detect prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors in the rural population of Delhi through an innovative and cost-effective portable mobile lab.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) Najafgarh, Delhi among 500 adult subjects aged 18 years and above who were attending the outpatient department (OPD). WHO STEPS approach was used to collect data. Lipid profile and blood sugar was measured along with BP and BMI. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: The prevalence rate of hypertension was 20.2% among study subjects. Hypertension was significantly higher in individuals more than 55 years than those less than 55 years. Hypertension was higher in those who were physically inactive, smokers, alcohol & tobacco users in comparison of non-users. Subjects with hypertension had significantly raised level of triglyceride, total cholesterol and blood sugar.
Conclusion: Portable mobile lab was useful tool to detect hypertension and its risk factors. Prevalence of Hypertension was high in rural areas in Delhi. Age, high blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol levels were significantly associated with hypertension. |
| Prevalence of Hypertension among Medical Students with Positive Familial History of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in a Medical College of Delhi | Author : Akshun Jani, Jugal Kishore | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: Genetic basis of hypertension and familial aggregation are both well demonstrated and established in the research. We attempted to find out that college going (in a medical college in the present study) students have presence or not of high blood pressure in them during 18 - 25 age group with a positive familial history.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension in medical students with positive family history of hypertension alone and/or with diabetes mellitus in a medical college in New Delhi.
Methods: A total of 300 students were included in the study and data was collected with the help of questionnaire particularly on familial histories of students. The BP was measured using standard electronic sphygmomanometer after proper calibration. There were two parallel case control studies:
Results: Study I: 9% subjects were hypertensive in those with positive history of hypertension in family (Group I) compared to 4% subjects in those who did not have (Group II) with Odds ratio of 2.37 (C.I. = 0.7 – 1.9), which was insignificant (P value = 0.15). Study II: Eight (8%) students had hypertension with a family history of hypertension and diabetes both and four (4%) students had hypertension without a family history of either hypertension or diabetes. The Odds ratio was 2.08 (C.I. = 0.6 – 7.16) which was insignificant (P Value = 0.23).
Conclusion: Since there was insignificant association between positive family history and presence of hypertension in this age group, we can attribute this to lower age group or smaller sample size. A study with higher age group and larger sample size is warranted. Since Hypertension is an iceberg disease early detection in this age group can be done by other parameters or biomarkers (other than BP measurements) like Lipoprotein (a) and Apo-lipoprotein B, insulin resistance and endothelial activation etc.
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| Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Blood Donation among Students of Gandhi Medical College and TIT Engineering College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India | Author : Jiwan Singh Meena, Dileep Dandotiya, Pradeep Dohare | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: The WHO theme for World Blood Donor Day 2011 was “More blood More life”. This theme reinforced the urgent need for more people all over the world to become life-savers by volunteering to donate blood regularly. Blood can save millions of lives. The requirement of blood and blood products in a country depends on the population, health care structure, prevalence of conditions requiring regular transfusions, such as hemophilia and thalassemia etc.
Aim: To assess and improve the knowledge attitude and practice of blood donation among undergraduate college students of GMC & TIT Engineering College Bhopal.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 6 months from July 2017 to December 2017 among 500 college students of GMC & TIT Engineering College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India using convenience sampling, where blood donation camps were to be held. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by Epi info-7 software.
Results: The overall knowledge on blood donation among total respondents was increased from 28.9% to 52.6%. In our sample size of 500 after making them aware regarding blood donation and its benefits 193 respondents gave consent and showed positive attitude towards donation. Most common reason for donating blood was a sense of social responsibility and most common reason of non-donation was fear of the procedure. An 85% of the students were of the view that they would donate blood if asked. Students suggested that small incentives like certificates and arranging transport for blood donation would make it easier to donate.
Conclusion: After assessment of all 500 individuals we came to the conclusion that awareness and knowledge among students and individuals was increased from 28.9% to 52.7%. And after encouraging all individuals for donation and keeping a target of 100 unit’s collection, we were able to collect 193 units in the course of our project.
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