The Journal of Community Health Management

49-54

Authors: Sonisha Gupta, VK Arora, L Satyanarayana, OP Sharma, S Asthana

Background: Ageing is an inevitable physiological process. Old age is characterized by multiple physical and psychological ailments. To understand social and physical problems of elderly a cross-sectional study in a lower middle income society of Ghaziabad was carried out on 1000 elderly. Method: A questionnaire covering socio-demographic profile and physical morbidities was used as a tool. Results: Eighty two percent elderly belonged to 60-69 year age group. Forty one percent elderly were illiterate and 66% were financially dependent on others. Almost all elderly (96.3%) were affected by at least one physical ailment with joint pain and hypertension being most common morbidity. A large number of elderly (41.9%) were affected by some disability interfering with daily life, walking difficulty being most common disability. Conclusion: Changing social structure and continuously increasing elderly population makes it imperative for Government to make policies to ensure dignified care of elderly considering their special needs.

59-63

Authors: Vikas Deep Mishra, Jai Krisna Mishra

Pulmonary tuberculosis is endemic globally and is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. India is classified among the 22 high burden countries by WHO. According to WHO global TB report 2015 incidence of TB in India in 2014 was 2.2 million (including patients with HIV/TB) while, prevalence was 2.5 million (includes patients with HIV/TB). Mortality (excluding patients wit HIV/TB) was 0.2 million and case detection for all forms of TB was approximately 74%. With the emerging threat of Drug-Resistant TB, We need to improve our surveillance and treatment facility to eliminate TB by 2050.

67-71

Authors: Thanuja G. Pradeep, Ananth Bhandary

Aim: The study of visual health of the police personnel attending the annual health check up. Background: The visual requirements are high for a police officer and there are many standards set before the recruitment of individuals into the police force. But regular eye examination is required in order to ensure that the standards are maintained and thus allows these personnel to continue their work unhindered. Method: The study included 462 individuals who underwent a visual health screening as part of their annual health check up. These individuals were examined at M.S. Ramaiah Medical hospital, department of ophthalmology. Vision testing with Snellen’s chart, color vision testing by Ishihara’s chart, refraction, slit lamp examination and fundoscopy were performed for all the individuals. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: There were 422 males and 40 female candidates. Of the candidates 79% had unaided distant visual acuity(UCVA) of 6/6, while 97.8% had a best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) of 6/6. Nineteen(4.1%) individuals had uncorrected visual acuity below 6/18 and of these only five had BCVA of less than 6/18. While only 62.4% had uncorrected near visual acuity of N6, corrected near vision of N6 was achieved in 98.7% individuals. Color vision by Ishihara’s test was normal in 99.4% individuals and three (0.6%) of them had deficiency. BCVA in individuals with and without diabetes was compared, 4.4% of those with diabetes had visual impairment compared to only 0.8% in individuals without diabetes, which was significant. Amongst hypertensive individuals, 93.5% had vision above 6/18 while 7.5% had visual impairment compared to 99.5% with good vision and only 0.5% with visual impairment in non-hypertensive group. This difference was statistically significant Conclusion: Police personnel have very stringent visual standards during recruitment hence the visual health of these individuals is good with 97.6% of the total individuals having a BCVA of 6/6. However over the age of 40years, near vision is affected in most individuals and requires correction and those with other systemic conditions of diabetes and hypertension require a more regular follow up in order to ensure that high visual standards are maintained and does not interfere in carrying out the duties that their job demands.

75-79

Authors: Gargi Dangre-Mudey, Abhay Mudey, Meenakshi Khapre, Smita Fule

Oral examinations are used as a mode of assessment of medical students. Traditional Viva voce has been used for examining student’s knowledge, basic concepts, comprehension level and also communication power in ‘question and answer’ format. The viva process can be standardized by the use of structured questions, structured mark sheet and pre-decided marking system. This can be achieved using objectively Structured Viva voce (OSVV). This study was planned to compare the performance in traditional viva voce and OSVV to know whether OSVV can be a better tool for assessment of medical students. Study was conducted during formative assessment in Microbiology. During II PCT practical examination in microbiology selected participants (50 II MBBS students) selected by systematic random sampling faced OSVV and traditional viva voce. Significantly more number of students passed in traditional viva than OSVV. It was found that number of students getting average marks (5-10) is more in traditional viva. 35 students had better rank on traditional than OSVV while 13 had better rank on OSVV also 2 students do not had any alteration on ranks in both the types of assessment. The results indicate that traditional viva voce received significantly more favorable ranking than OSVV. OSVV increases objectivity and reduces subjectivity as compared to traditional viva. Performance of students in OSVV can be improved by motivating them to prepare harder than the traditional viva to which they have become accustomed.

85-91

Authors: Thayyil Jayakrishnan, Thomas Bina, Kuniyil Vidya, Biju George, Bhaskar Rao B, Selvam Paramasivam

Background: Access to safe drinking water has long been a central aim of public health. In India 85% of rural house holds have access to drinking water within or near to their premises through any improved sources and 70% of the household water sources were polluted with sewage. Water borne disease (WBD) account for 10% of total burden of disease. Objectives: To assess the sanitary conditions of household drinking water sources, and hygienic practices of community and the incidence of water borne disease. To find out the relation of water borne disease with the former two parameters. Methodology: A longitudinal study was conducted in the Kerala state of India including 1459 persons from 300 households as study subjects. Water samples were collected and analysis was done. The data analysis was performed using SPPSS 16 version. Results: During the 12 month follow up period 72 episodes of water borne disease were reported with an incidence rate of 49/1000 person years. Dug wells were the major household water sources (93.3%)and up to 30% water sources contain indicator bacteria Escherichia coli ,and more than 60% water sources contain Fecal coli from >10MPN/100 ml in all the seasons. Stagnant water at their premises was found to be associated with WBD (RR=3.58, 95% CI 1.90 -6.73, P=0.01) and proximity within 15meters from the septic tanks was found to be associated with increased incidence of WBD (RR=2.2, 95%CI 1.00- 4.63, P=0.04). Conclusion: Our study found that improved water sources are not free from bacteriological contamination. The structures which included in the criteria for a sanitary well may not always protect the consumers from the risks of WBD.

96-99

Authors: Paramita Sengupta

The urban poor and migrants live in slums, devoid of essential services like clean water, sanitation and health care. Primary health care services do not reach them, leaving them dependent on unqualified private practitioners. Most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) could not be achieved in India, and globally we have the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to be achieved by 2030. To make an impact in this arena, the vulnerable and under-served populations must be targeted for priority care within the national primary health care framework. In the context of the limitations faced by the governmental health services to provide for the migrants, a partnership between various stakeholders is essential to address the challenges. Such an intervention is proposed to be initiated and implemented in the slums of Ludhiana, in a phased manner

102-103

Authors: Suresh Kanta Rathee, Jyoti Rohilla, Shavi Garg, Shelja, Vishal Singla, Ashish Singla

Abnormal communication was seen between median nerve (MN) and musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) in a well-built 55 years male cadaver. Communicating fibers from MCN to MN were separated till their destination. It was observed that these fibers were supplying thenar muscles. In addition to this, fibers were supplying cutaneous supply to index finger and thumb. So clinicians should be aware of such communications. Physiologists should also have knowledge about such communications as nerve conduction studied can show different results in cases with such anomalies.