Nc Ashok

A comparative study of nutritional status between government and private primary school children of Mysore city

Background: School health has been acknowledged as important since the beginning of 20 th century. Nutritional status is a major component of school health services. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status of government and private primary school children of Mysore city. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study design was adopted. One private and one government school were selected using multistage stratified random sampling method. A total of 1566 school children aged 6-12 years were measured for height and weight. Data on demographic details, dietary habits, and physical activity of child and education status, occupation, monthly income of their parents were collected. Results: Of 1566 children, 385 (24.5%) were underweight, 132 (8.4%) were overweight, and 65 (4.1%) were obese. Majority of underweight children 226 (32.5%) were found in government school. Except for two overweight children in government school, all overweight and obese children were found in private schools. Socioeconomic status, dietary habits, and physical activity of the child were found to be the determinants of their nutritional status. Conclusion: This study attempt to highlight the dual nutritional problem, under-nutrition among the lower socioeconomic class on one hand and growing epidemic of obesity among the affluent on the other.

Utilization of who-ish 10-year cvd risk prediction chart as a screening tool among supporting staff of a tertiary care hospital, Mysuru, India

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are increasing and constitute a serious concern, accounting for 52% of the deaths and 38% of the disease burden in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. Eighty percent of total deaths due to noncommunicable diseases occur in the low-income countries. Lifestyle changes are resulting in an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Surveillance of CVD risk factors is a key to reduce the burden of CVD. WHO–International Society of Hypertension (ISH) 10-year risk prediction charts have been developed for the screening of CVD risk factors in different regions. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPDCS) has also recommended the utilization of these charts for routine screening. The present study has used the WHO-ISH CVD risk prediction chart to assess the feasibility of utilization of this chart as a predicting tool of a CVD event. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among supporting staff of JSS Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India to assess the CVD risk factors and risk factor profiling, and the prediction of 10-year risk for CVD was done using a WHO-ISH risk prediction chart. Results: A total of 900 supporting staff were screened for CVD risks. Out of them, 30 (3.3%) had hypertension, 20 (2.2%) had diabetes mellitus, 18 (1.99%) consumed tobacco. The proportion of newly detected diabetes cases was 8 (0.9%) and of prediabetics was 32 (3.7%). The proportion of newly detected prehypertensives were 292 (39.08%), and 27 (3.61%) were hypertensives. Out of 175 individuals aged above 40 years, the WHO-ISH risk prediction chart predicted that 1.7% of them had >10% risk of CVD event within 10 years. Conclusion: Hidden, asymptomatic individual of diabetes, and hypertension were identified; the WHO-ISH 10 year risk prediction chart was easier for assessing the CVD risk factors and risk grouping, and could also be used to show them the extent of risk and predicting their 10-year risk of stroke or myocardial infarction (MI).

Prevalence of Prehypertension in a Rural District of Southern India

Background: Estimating the prevalence of prehypertension and its risk factors in a population becomes important to design preventive measures and hence reduce the burden of hypertension.The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and determine the factors associated with hypertension. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and was carried out in a rural population. The study included 402 participants. Data regarding basic demographic characteristics were collected along with anthropometric measurements including height and weight. Information regarding smoking alcohol intake, dietary habits were collected. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure 120–139 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80–89 mm Hg. Chi-square-test was used to find the association of various risk factors; t-test was used to compare the means. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to know the relationship of various risk factors. Results: Prevalence of prehypertension was estimated to be 28.8%. Factors such as salt intake, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, stress, family history of hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus had a significant association with prehypertension (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of prehypertension was found to be high among the rural population. Early intervention is needed to decrease the burden of hypertension and its complications in future.

Metabolic syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics of Jenu Kuruba tribe in Mysore district (JKDHS-2)—An evidence of metabolic abnormalities leading to increase in CVD's among Jenu Kuruba tribal population

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of clinical and metabolic abnormalities. In diabetics, other components of metabolic syndrome are an added risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all these cause mortality. Epidemiological transition is happening all over the world and tribes are not spared either. Identifying the extent of metabolic syndrome and its components in diabetics is vital for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and other morbidities. OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics of Jenu Kuruba tribe and compare the mean values of various components of metabolic syndrome among diabetics and pre-diabetics. METHODS A community based cross sectional study was carried out among 7500 Jenu Kuruba tribal population in two phases. In phase I, total of 7500 subjects were screened for diabetes and hypertension and in phase II, a total of 249 diabetics and 310 pre-diabetics were identified and evaluated for metabolic syndrome. RESULTS Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was estimated using NCEP ATP-III criteria. Metabolic syndrome was found in 84 (33.7%) of diabetics and 113 (36.4%) of pre-diabetic study subjects. Metabolic syndrome was highest in the 41-50 year age group. Lipid parameters such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL were significantly higher and HDL levels were significantly lower among subjects with metabolic syndrome as compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS One third of diabetics and pre-diabetics had definable metabolic syndrome. Dyslipidemia is a significant component of metabolic syndrome. Epidemiological transitions are happening among Jenu Kuruba tribes and non-communicable diseases are on the raise among them.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Assessment of "Rule of Halves" in Rural Population of Basavanapura Village, Nanjangud Taluk, South India

Context: World Health Day is celebrated on 7 th April to mark the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world. The theme for 2013 is on high blood pressure (BP). High BP, if left uncontrolled increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out among adults (>18 years) in Basavanapura Village, Nanjangud Taluk using simple random sampling method to study the pattern of BP using the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee criteria. A total of 447 persons were screened. A total of 223 individuals (90 men and 133 women) were selected by simple random sampling, interviewed, and clinically examined for hypertension. BP of all the study participants was measured using a standardized technique. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean ± standard deviation (continuous data), proportions and percentages (categorical data), Chi-square test (association between age and hypertension) and odds were calculated to see in which age group the risk of hypertension was more. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the significant difference of systolic BP and diastolic BP for males and females among age groups. Results: Of the 447 persons surveyed in Basavanpura Village, BP was recorded among 223 individuals. The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 36 (16.1%), of which 22 (61.1%) were diagnosed, 20 (90.90%) treated, and only 14 (70.0%) controlled. Increasing age, sedentary lifestyles, and male sex were identified as the predisposing factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension in the village is slightly higher (16.14%) than the national prevalence (14%). There is an urgent need to educate the people to modify the lifestyle and to monitor their BP values regularly.

Understanding the needs of persons with disabilities in rural and urban Mysore: A step towards exploring the unreached

Context: It is estimated that about 10% of the people in the world are disabled. The disability rate in the developed regions is 8.5% and in the developing regions is 4.8%. A disabled person who is in the prime of his/her youth has every right to equal opportunity and must therefore be offered a range of assistance. Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of disabilities in rural and urban areas of Mysore and to assess the needs of people with disabilities. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum of Mysore city and a rural and urban and rural field practice area of a medical school. The study included 6,000 persons who were permanently residing in the study areas. Qualitative survey using focus group discussions were conducted for assessing the needs of persons with disability. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentages, and Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of disability in the urban area was 19.27% and that in the rural area was 28.07%. There was a need for sending the children with disability to general schools and also to improve the facilities related to rehabilitation through the government and Non Government Organizations (NGOs). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of disability was observed to be higher in the rural areas as compared to the urban area. Needs of persons with disabilities were pertaining to education, rehabilitation, and provision of essential services.