Subject(s)
Adolescent Behavior , Adolescent Development , Adolescent/physiology , Body Constitution , Child , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Gender Identity , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Status , Hemoglobins/analysis , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Menarche , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Social Class , Students/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Total 313 undergraduate students (132 males and 181 females) of the colleges of Nashik and Talegaon of Maharashtra were surveyed regard awareness about AIDS. Most of the students knew about AIDs and tests available. They were aware that people indulging sexually promiscuous relations are at risk of AIDS. But the fact that it is transmitted by infected blood and from infected mother to child was not widely known, particularly among Arts students. Some misconceptions regarding modes of transmission were observed among few students, like social kissing, sharing utensils/personal items, using common swimming pools and insect bite spread infection. Attitude towards HIV infected/AIDS patients were not sympathetic. Overall knowledge of Science students were better compared to commerce and Arts students. Confusion about mode of transmission and prevention of the disease exist. Scope of health education for these students was well felt.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Students/psychology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Adolescent , Female , Humans , India , Male , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A study was conducted of the epidemiological aspects of 500 fresh cases of burns during the period February to August 1989. Women in the reproductive age group from the lower socioeconomic strata were the most frequently victims (52.8%). Four hundred and thirteen (82.5%) patients sustained accidental burns, 62 (12.4%) were suicidal and 25 (5%) homicidal. Majority (72%) of the accidents occurred as a consequence of garments catching fire. Though most of the subjects wore cotton garments, mortality was higher among those wearing synthetic fabric. Low socioeconomic conditions, overcrowding in the house, floor-level cooking, unsafe cooking appliances and the prevalent clothing pattern stand out prominently as risk factors for burn injury.