Avinash Shetty

A study on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in coastal Karnataka

Aim: To estimate the prevalence and study the socio-demographic correlates of type 2 diabetes among adults aged 30 years and above. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional community-based survey, among individuals of either sex, aged 30 years and above was carried out in the field practice area of a medical college. Methods and Materials: The study was carried out on 1,239 respondents, using a two-stage, stratified, random sampling technique. Data was collected by a personal, face-to-face interview followed by blood sugar estimation using a glucometer. Statistical Analysis: Was performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Results: The overall prevalence of diabetes was 16%. Self-reported diabetes was 11.2%, while 4.8% of previously normal people were found to have high fasting capillary blood glucose levels. Increasing age showed two-fold, four-fold, and six-fold higher odds for 40 – 49, 50 – 59, and ≥ 60 years age group, respectively, as compared to the 30 - 39 year age group (P < 0.001). Nineteen percent of the males had diabetes, (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.01 – 1.88). In the high socioeconomic strata, 32% of the subjects had diabetes (P = 0.018 unadjusted odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI = 1.40 – 7.74). Conclusion: The high prevalence of diabetes in this coastal population needs further evaluation.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding whole body donation among medical professionals in a hospital in India

Voluntary body donation has become an important source of cadavers for anatomical study and education. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding whole body donation among medical professionals in a medical institute in India. A cross sectional study was conducted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India, among medical doctors. Data was collected from consenting individuals in the age group of 25–65 years by convenience sampling method. A semi‐structured, pretested, questionnaire designed to assess KAP regarding whole body donation was provided to the study population (n = 106); 97 individuals returned the completed questionnaire. Results showed that 8% of the medical professionals were unaware of the term body donation and 85% believed that donated bodies were misused. A large proportion of the respondents did not know about the authority that oversaw body donation, or its criteria for accepting donated bodies and diseases for which bodies were screened before acceptance. Only 22% of polled physicians were willing to donate their bodies for medical education, but 68% expected the public to do the same. While only 7% had already registered their own names for body donation, 64% were not aware of any known person having registered and 72% indicated that their decision would not be influenced even if they knew of friends who had registered. These results suggest that educating medical students and professionals regarding the altruistic act of body donation is as important as educating the general public. Anat Sci Educ 4:142–150, 2011.

A cross-sectional analysis of obesity among a rural population in coastal Southern Karnataka, India

BACKGROUND Obesity is a disease condition that is highly prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Obesity accounts for 60% of cases of diabetes, 40% cases of hypertension and 20% of coronary heart disease and stroke. Although obesity is a silent killer in the third world countries, there is less focus on the problem, as the nations are still staggering with problems due to infectious and parasitic diseases. So, the current study was undertaken to highlight the problem. METHOD A cross-sectional community based survey, among individuals of either sex, aged 30 years and above was carried out on 1,239 respondents, using a two-stage stratified, random sampling technique. Data was collected by personal face to face interview using a pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. RESULTS The overweight category included 21.4% of the subjects. Obesity as per Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria was seen in 6.6% of the individuals but abdominal and truncal obesity was present among 51.7% and 62.1% respectively. Literacy up to secondary education and graduation were identified by the multivariate analysis to be associated with obesity. CONCLUSION The prevalence of central obesity was found to be high, and hence, lifestyle changes and improved physical activity needs promotion among the general population.

Client Satisfaction with HIV Counseling Services A Cross-Sectional Study from South India

Background: Client satisfaction is a good predictor of performance of health programs. Hence, clients’ perception and satisfaction studies provide insight to improve the program. Purpose: To assess clients’ perception and satisfaction with Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) for HIV in an operational setting. Methods: A total of 191 client exit interviews from 12 ICTCs. The clients were stratified into general and antenatal clients. A systematic random sampling was done at high client load centers. Results: Cumulative client satisfaction was found to be 60% (±24%). Most of the clients (76%) agreed that counseling cleared doubts about HIV and found counseling beneficial (71%). Only 32% of the clients could recall issues discussed during the sessions. However, 92.5% were satisfied with ICTC facilities. Conclusions: Poor perception and low satisfaction with ICTCs needs to be addressed as this could have a direct bearing on the program.

Cataract surgery outcome at a rural eye care hospital in India

We report the final outcomes, based on final visual acuity, of patients who underwent cataract surgery at an outreach rural ophthalmology unit and document the details of the ophthalmic examination, type of surgery, intra- and postoperative complications and the final visual acuity. Of 208 eyes (198 patients), 81.3% had small incision cataract surgery and 18.7% had phacoemulsification. We believe that, with good planning and the proper utilization of available resources, it is possible to achieve a good visual outcome in the great majority of cases.

Job Perception of Counselors Employed at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers for HIV in a District of South India

Background: The counselors’ form the backbone of HIV/AIDS control program, and for voluntary counseling and testing services to be effective counselors’ opinions are crucial. Purpose: To assess the perceptions of integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC) counselors with respect to the training received, problems faced in providing services, and job satisfaction. Methods: Qualitative methods such as 1 focus group discussion and 7 in-depth interviews were conducted among 14 counselors employed at 13 ICTCs in a costal district of south India. Results: The counselors identified the need for improving refresher training; job perception and satisfaction among counselors was found to be poor; issues such as shared confidentiality and targets for counseling were perceived to affect the ICTC services. Conclusion: The issues identified by counselors such as problems related to refresher training, targets set for counseling and testing, the pay scale and shared confidentiality should be addressed for better service delivery.