Divya Nair

High Tobacco Use among Presumptive Tuberculosis Patients, South India: Time to Integrate Control of Two Epidemics

Objectives Tobacco is an important risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) infection and TB disease. Identifying tobacco users and providing tobacco cessation services is expected to reduce the burden of TB. We assessed tobacco use among presumptive TB patients attending a tertiary hospital and their willingness to attend tobacco cessation services. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among presumptive TB patients attending a designated microscopy center of a tertiary hospital in South India. All presumptive TB patients aged ≥ 18 years attending the designated microscopy center were interviewed using a semistructured interview schedule. Data on presumptive TB patients age, sex, tobacco use and forms of tobacco, attempts to quit tobacco since 1 year, and willingness to attend a smoking cessation clinic in tertiary hospital were captured. History of use of tobacco in the past 1 month was considered as “tobacco use.”. Results A total of 424 presumptive TB patients aged ≥ 18 years were interviewed. Tobacco use in the past 1 month was reported by 176 (41.5%, 95% confidence interval: 36.9–46.3%) presumptive TB patients. In total, 78 (18%) presumptive TB patients were eventually diagnosed with smear-positive pulmonary TB, of them 63 (80%) were tobacco users. Presumptive TB patients aged ≥ 30 years, male sex, and < 10 years of education were significantly associated with tobacco use. Of 176, a majority of 132 (75%) used some form of smoking. Of a total of 132 smokers, 70 (53%) were willing to avail of tobacco cessation services. Conclusion Tobacco use among presumptive TB patients was high. Considering the high willingness to quit among smokers, proven brief interventions to help quit smoking can be tried.

Cherubism: A rare case report

Cherubism is a rare congenital disease resulting in malformation of the jaw. It occurs before the age of 5 years and regress spontaneously after puberty. It can result into enlargement of the jaw bone, tooth displacement, facial disfigurement and psychological trauma to patient. Hence, the understanding about the condition, its progression and management is necessary.

Failure to achieve goal blood pressure and its associated factors among hypertensive patients registered in a primary health centre in South India

Introduction: Uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) among hypertensive patients leads to life-threatening complications, hospitalization, and premature mortality. Knowledge on the burden of uncontrolled BP and its correlates will help in devising strategies to achieve goal BP. We aimed to determine the proportion who have not achieved goal BP and its associated factors among hypertensive patients in a Primary Health Centre (PHC). Materials and Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among the hypertensive patients attending chronic disease clinic of PHC at Ramanathapuram, Puducherry. BP was measured and goal BP was defined based on Joint National Committee-8 criteria. The interview was conducted using semi-structured questionnaire capturing sociodemographic details, behavioral characteristics, physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), medication adherence with Morisky Medication adherence scale-8 (MMAS-8), and stress with perceived stress scale. The data were entered and analyzed using EpiData software. The proportion “not achieved goal BP” was expressed as percentage and association were measured using prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of total 259 hypertensives studied, 140 (54.1%) were aged above 60 years, and 161 (62.2%) were females. Overall, 63 (24.3%) participants had not achieved goal BP. On univariate analysis, individuals aged 45–59 years (PR-2.1 [95% CI: 1.4–3.4]), being male (PR-1.6 [95% CI: 1.1–2.4]) and employed (PR-2.0 [95% CI: 1.1–3.5]) were associated with not achieving goal BP. Conclusion: One-fourth of patients treated for hypertension in PHC failed to achieve goal BP. Considering the consequences of uncontrolled BP, cost-effective, context-specific interventions at the primary health-care level are needed.

The prevalence of domestic violence and its associated factors among married women in a rural area of Puducherry, South India

Background: Violence against women is an emerging problem worldwide and more so in India. Considering its adverse effects on women′s health, assessing the burden of violence in the community will help in planning services for the victims. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of domestic violence and to identify factors associated with domestic violence among married women in reproductive age group in rural Puducherry. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural area of Puducherry, South India. Married women in reproductive age group were interviewed using structured pretested questionnaire. Domestic violence was assessed using 12 questions that were used in National Family Health Survey-3. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with violence. Results: Of 310 study participants, 56.7% of them reported some form of domestic violence, 51.3% reported psychological violence, 40% reported physical violence, and 13.5% reported sexual violence. A statistically significant association was found between illiteracy of women and domestic violence (AOR: 4.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-15.7  P: 0.03). The other factors such as love marriage and nonregistration of marriage were significantly associated with violence. Conclusion: The prevalence of domestic violence was found to be high in this rural setting. Multisectoral response such as improving literacy, creating awareness regarding legal aid and screening the victims of violence at primary health centers, should be initiated to mitigate this public health issue.

Does audit improve diabetes care in a primary care setting? A management tool to address health system gaps

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the emerging epidemics. Regular clinical and biochemical monitoring of patients, adherence to treatment and counseling are cornerstones for prevention of complications. Clinical audits as a process of improving quality of patient care and outcomes by reviewing care against specific criteria and then reviewing the change can help in optimizing care. Objective: We aimed to audit the process of diabetes care using patient records and also to assess the effect of audit on process of care indicators among patients availing diabetes care from a rural health and training center in Puducherry, South India. Materials and Methods: A record based study was conducted to audit diabetes care among patients attending noncommunicable disease clinic in a rural health center of South India. Monitoring of blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, lipid profile and renal function test were considered for auditing in accordance with standard guidelines. Clinical audit cycle (CAC), a simple management tool was applied and re-audit was done after 1-year. Results: We reviewed 156 and 180 patients records during year-1 and year-2, respectively. In the audit year-1, out of 156 patients, 78 (50%), 70 (44.9%), 49 (31.4%) and 19 (12.2%) had got their BP, blood glucose, lipid profile and renal function tests done. Monitoring of blood glucose, BP, lipid profile and renal function improved significantly by 35%, 20.7%, 36.4% and 56.1% over 1-year. Conclusion: CAC improves process of diabetes care in a primary care setting with existing resources.

Morbidity profile and out of pocket health care expenditure among under five children of an urban area of Puducherry

Background: Information on out of pocket (OOP) health care expenditure is essential for health planning and devising strategies for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Aims and objectives: To describe morbidity profile, treatment preferences and OOP expenditure toward health care of under five children in an urban primary health center of Puducherry. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four Anganwadi centers selected randomly from a total of 13 centers in the urban service area of JIPMER, Puducherry. All mothers of under five children from selected centers were interviewed regarding sociodemographic details, treatment preferences, and expenditure incurred on illness of under five children by the family for a period of 15 days and 3 months (exclusive of past 15 days) preceding the day of interview. Results: Among the 164 children studied, 23.8% and 30% reported illnesses in the past 15 days and 3 months, respectively. Most frequent illness reported was respiratory infections. Private facilities (60%) were the preferred sources for seeking health care. Median OOP expenditure in last 15 days was Rs. 375 and Rs. 450 for the past 3 months, amounting to 8% and 6.8% of the total family income, respectively. The majority of the health care expenditure was toward drugs (71%). No money was spent toward healthcare in government facilities. Conclusion: Almost all OOP health care expenditure was incurred when the illnesses were managed by private providers. Hence, strategies can be planned to include private providers under UHC.