Cross sectional study to estimate the morbidity pattern in ascetics visited to a largest religious gathering in west central part of India.

Background: Ascetics are otherworldly creatures that have thought of being ethereal. To be spiritual one has to be physically fit because a healthy body has an intimate connection with spiritual health. Methods: Cross sectional survey was accomplished in a festive gathering to estimate morbidity pattern among ascetics in central India. Results: The sample size was 960. 352 participants (36.6%) were either overweight or obese, 284 participants (29.6%) had hypertension, 236 (24.6%) were diagnosed with cataract and 194 (20.2%) had anemia, Diabetes was found in 58 participants (6%) and 28 (2.9%) had fever. Conclusion: Obesity (and overweight) and hypertension were the top two morbidities came across during study. Morbidities were found to be more associated with socio-demographical factors than spirituality.

Cross-sectional osteoporotic risk prediction with the FRAX without BMD in male and female patients attending OPD in a community health center of Bihar.

Background: Bone health is an important requirement for healthy aging. Osteoporosis is an important cause of both mortality and morbidity among older adults. If we can predict the risk of future osteoporosis by cost-effective methods, we can prevent it up to certain level and plan intervention accordingly. That's why the present study aims to estimate the likelihood of osteoporosis in patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) in a selected community health center (CHC). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a CNC in Siwan, Bihar, India. An equal number of male and female patients were recruited by quota sampling. A semi-structured proforma was prepared for data collection using the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool without performing a bone mineral density (BMD) test in order to assess major osteoporotic fractures and risk for hip fractures with other requisite information. Results: The collected data were organized using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the statistical software SPSS Statistics 20. As data were gleaned and put under different categories, a statistical analysis based on the Chi-square test was carried out, and an ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was also drawn for statistical inference of the data gathered. The main findings of our analyses include the following: Approximately 15% males and 30% females in the study sample had a higher risk of osteoporosis and about 9% males and 36% females had a higher risk of hip fracture. Overall, the findings showed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the gender of the participants and the FRAX risk scores for osteoporosis and hip fracture. Conclusion: Previously osteoporosis was thought of as a disease that affected only women; nevertheless, emerging findings show that osteoporosis is not unusual in men. The FRAX tool can be used as a screening tool before going for a BMD test.

Can Sever Acute Malnourished children be effectively rehabilitated physically, biochemically and developmentally at nutritional rehabilitation centers: A follow up study from Ujjain.

BACKGROUND: Under-nutrition has got serious and lasting impact on health, development, society and economy. It may result in poor growth, development of child and can cause increase mortality, morbidity, health care cost, low productivity and economic growth. Nutritional rehabilitation is one of key intervention to address the under nutrition. It is questionable that nutritional intervention has potential to improve multiple domains. METHODS: Follow up study evaluated the multi-domain impact of nutritional interventions on 204 admitted Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) children. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Significant positive changes were observed in physical, biochemical, developmental domains. Macnemar, paired t- test, co relation, z test were applied for data analysis. CONCLUSION: Nutritional intervention was found to be effective in improving selected physical, biochemical and developmental parameters. After discharge rate of improvement in anthropometric parameters was less. Actual quantification of recovery especially in biochemical and developmental parameters due to nutritional intervention is difficult.

A comparative study to assess general health status and oral health score of tobacco users and nonusers in geriatric population in central India.

BACKGROUND: Globally about 5 million deaths every year can be ascribed to tobacco use. It leads to many systemic and oral diseases. These diseases in geriatric population are common and more hazardous. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area of a teaching hospital to assess general health status and oral health scores of 500 geriatric age group tobacco users and non users. Data analysis was done with SPSS version-20. Chi square test and Mann Whitney U rank test were applied. RESULTS: Poor self assessed health status was found in tobacco users as compared to nonusers. Significant limitation was found among the tobacco users as compared to nonusers. Significant association was found between the presence of diabetes, COPD, and tobacco use. Tobacco use was found to be significantly associated with poor oral health. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant poor general and oral health was found in tobacco users than nonusers.