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Background: In India, fast foods are becoming part of our daily lifestyle. Foods prepared in restaurants are very high in trans fats (TFs). Also, alarmingly about 400,000 tonnes of snacks, which are largely prepared in TFs are consumed every year. According to recent studies, TFs levels are 5 to 12 times higher in the oils consumed in India as compared to the world standard. The WHO recommends that TFs intake be less than 1 percent of total caloric intake. The objective of the study was to assess the consumption of TFs and fats in foods by the population in urban and rural areas.Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study. All adult females above 18 years of age who took an active part in kitchen were interviewed. Their dietary patterns were assessed. The sampling was done using a systematic random sampling technique and 200 participants each in rural and urban areas were selected.Results: 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding WHO limit of less than 1 percent TFs consumption. The median value of TFs consumption was higher in urban area (0.575 grams/day) than in rural area (0.427 grams/day).Conclusions: The study concludes that 12 percent participants in the urban area and 9 percent participants in the rural area were exceeding TFs consumption. Therefore, a proactive approach to ensure that these WHO regulations have the full intended effect needs to be taken.
ABSTRACT
Background: Obstetric hysterectomy is done as a lifesaving procedure in very trying circumstances of life threatening severe hemorrhage. The study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the relative frequency of hysterectomy done for obstetric indication among the hysterectomy specimens and also to assess the histopathological findings in the hysterectomy specimens.Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary care center over a period of two and half years. Consecutive specimens of hysterectomy done for obstetrical indication were included. Gross and microscopic findings noted and data analysed. The study was approved by the Institute Ethical Committee.Results: Of the total hysterectomy specimens received obstetrical hysterectomy comprised only 1.3%(12/915) of all the hysterectomies. Patient’s age ranged from 20-36 years; mean 28.6 years. Parity ranged from 1 to 5; mean 2. More multiparous women 91.7%(11/12) had hysterectomies as compared to primiparous 8.3%(1/12) cases (p value <0.0001). All patients had single pregnancy. All (100%) patients underwent surgery through abdominal route with subtotal hysterectomy with preservation of the bilateral adnexae undertaken in most (11/12; 91.7% cases). About 5(41.6%) cases hysterectomies were performed after previous caesarean section and had abnormal placentation. Histopathological examination revealed adherent placenta in 33.4%(4/12), endometritis in 25%(3/12), rupture in 25%(3/12) and histologically unremarkable in 16.6%(2/12) cases.Conclusions: Obstetric hysterectomy is an emergency lifesaving procedure done in situations of uncontrolled post-partum hemorrhage. In recent years with more number of caesarean sections the incidence of abnormal placentation has drastically increased, thus making adherent placenta as the most common histopathological finding.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess HIV serostatus, knowledge, behaviour and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among blood donors, pregnant women and the general population in Ludhiana and to find out any association between these factors. METHODS: The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among blood donors attending the blood bank, pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics of the peripheral health centres of the department of Community Medicine, Christian Medical College Ludhiana, and the general population of the field practice areas of the Department, aged 15 years or more and willing to join the investigation. The study subjects were interviewed through a self-administered questionnaire and screened for HIV using ELISA technique. Seropositivity rates in the population groups and possible risk factors were compared, using EpiInfo 6.04d software. RESULTS: Prevalence of HIV infection was found to be 0.30 % (95 % CI 0.10 - 0.70) in the general population studied, 0.12 % (95 % CI 0.05 - 0.28) in the blood donors, and nil in the pregnant women. The respondents were deficient in knowledge about the modes of spread of HIV/AIDS. No significant association was established between HIV sero-positivity and gender, age group, education, occupation, HbsAg status, or knowledge about the modes of spread of HIV/AIDS. Sexually active unmarried young people 15-24 years old, those indulging in extra-marital sex, and those addicted to opium/poppy-husk were observed to be at higher risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The studied population groups have very low HIV seroprevalence. Misconceptions and lack of knowledge need to be corrected through education and awareness to avoid high-risk behaviour and prevent HIV infection.