Seroprevalence of anti SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among adults in Jammu district, India: A community-based study.

Background & objectives: Serology testing is essential for immunological surveillance in the population. This serosurvey was conducted to ascertain the cumulative population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 among adults in Jammu district and to understand the association of seropositivity with sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Methods: On September 30 and October 1, 2020, a household survey was done in 20 villages/wards chosen from 10 health blocks in district Jammu, India. Demographic, clinical and exposure information was collected from 2000 adults. Serum samples were screened for IgG antibodies using COVID Kavach MERILISA kit. Tests of association were used to identify risk factors associated with IgG positivity. Crude odds ratio with 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated during univariate analysis followed by logistic regression. Results: Overall adjusted seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 was 8.8 per cent (95% CI: 8.78-8.82); it varied from 4.1 per cent in Chauki choura to 16.7 per cent Pallanwalla across 10 blocks in the district. Seropositivity was observed to be comparatively higher in 41-50 and 61-70 yr age groups, among males and in rural areas. Fever, sore throat, cough, dyspnoea, myalgias, anosmia, ageusia, fatigue, seizures, history of exposure, medical consultation, hospitalization and missing work showed significant association with seropositivity on univariate analysis. On logistic regression, only sore throat, myalgia and missing work showed significant adjusted odds of IgG positivity. Extrapolation to adult population suggested that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was 14.4 times higher than reported cases, translating into Infection fatality rate of 0.08 per cent. Interpretation & conclusions: Since a major part of population was immunologically naive, all efforts to contain COVID-19 need to be vigorously followed while these baseline results provide an important yardstick to monitor the trends of COVID-19 and guide locally appropriate control strategies in the region.

Perceptions of Healthcare Workers Regarding Palliative Care Services in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in North India - A Mixed Methods Observational Study.

Objectives: Cancers and various terminal illnesses need integrated palliative care with curative management, but, unfortunately, our health care system mainly focuses on the treatment of disease. Lack of awareness, difficulty in pain management and untrained staff are some of the challenges in palliative care services.The study was done to explore the perception of healthcare workers regarding availability, utilisation and challenges in the delivery of palliative care services. Material and Methods: A mixed method study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. Qualitative approach using interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among healthcare workers was done to understand their knowledge, perception, barriers and challenges in implementing palliative care services. One hundred and thirteen healthcare workers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and FGD was conducted to gain more insight into the issues of palliative care. The data obtained was analysed with the help of computer software Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23 for windows. The data was presented as proportion and mean (S.D.) as deemed appropriate for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. Thematic analysis was done with the data of FGD. Results: The knowledge, attitude and practices regarding palliative care were poor across the HCW. During FGD with faculty and residents, the participants showed great concern about the absence of palliative care across many specialties while expressing an acute need for the establishment of a separate interdisciplinary unit on palliative care to improve the quality of life in patients. Conclusion: The study shows that there are gaps that need to be addressed to make palliative services available in our hospital.

Knowledge, attitude, and breast-feeding practices of postnatal mothers in Jammu: A community hospital based cross sectional study.

CONTEXT: In spite of convincing evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding, breast feeding rates are less than satisfactory, thus pinpointing large gaps, which need to be identified and addressed. AIMS: To examine the knowledge, attitude and practices of postnatal mothers towards breast feeding. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Community Hospital-based CrossSectional study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study was done for a period of 4 months among 178 women attending outpatient department of paediatrics. Data collection was done with the help of face to face interview using pre-tested pre-designed structured questionnaire having information about demographic profile of study participants and knowledge, attitude and practices of breast feeding. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: Majority (89.9%) of the mothers were breast feeding, however, only 42.7% of the mothers exclusively breast fed their kids. 82.5% of the mothers believe that cow's milk can be substituted for breast milk. All the mothers continue to breast fed their babies during sickness. Almost all respondents were aware of the importance of colostrum, while 80.3% had the misconception that they should stop breast feeding once when weaning was started. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers should be counselled during antenatal period and all the misconceptions regarding breast feeding should be appropriately addressed.

Prevalence, risk factors, and health seeking behavior for knee osteoarthritis among adult population in rural Jammu - A Community based Cross Sectional Study.

CONTEXT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease, having multifactorial etiology affecting mainly the articular cartilage. Knee OA with its physical symptoms affects daily activities thereby deteriorating the quality of life. Most of the patients delay their visit to health sectors for seeking medical care in musculoskeletal conditions. AIMS: To find the prevalence and determinants of osteoarthritis among the adult population in the rural area and to assess their health-seeking behavior. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 232 adults living in a rural area in village Kirpind of R.S. Pura block, Jammu. Knee OA was diagnosed using the clinical criteria laid down by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics, OR with 95% CI, and Chi-square test were used for the purpose of analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was 35.7% (females: 44.5% Males: 23.1%). Age more than 60 years, female gender, history of trauma, BMI >30 were found to be significantly associated with higher odds of OA knee (P < 0.05). Descriptive statistics, OR with 95% CI and Chi-square test were used for the purpose of analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies focusing on creating awareness among the rural elderly regarding the role of a balanced diet, exercise, and weight management along sensitization of primary health care providers concerning benefits of early screening, diagnosis, and referral should be undertaken to minimize this burden.