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Background: Care-seeking after injury episodes is generally associated with major uncertainties concerning its incidence, care, and cure/disappearance, and the price of care. Though the utilization pattern of the population is shaped by social, economic, cultural and political factors, it varies widely for the rich and the poor. With this background, a community-based epidemiological study was conducted to determine the care-seeking behavior of victims of unintentional injuries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023-September 2023 in the Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal. Cluster random sampling was applied to select a required sample of 555 individuals from 24 villages. Study tools used were predesigned and pretested schedules developed by the researchers with the help of guidelines for conducting community surveys on injuries provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study had approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS V16. Results: Out of 49 injury episodes, 51.0% had received first aid. Out of 39 injury episodes seeking medical attention, a traditional practitioner, healer or bone setter was the type of first medical contact in the case of the majority of injury episodes (38.5%), followed by a hospital (35.9%). Conclusion: Low utilization of government healthcare facilities is a cause for concern. Reliance on unqualified informal healthcare providers is also a cause for concern. Our findings will help design community interventions to increase the provision of appropriate first aid in unintentional injuries.
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BACKGROUND: In the elderly population, sleep problems are prevalent and have known to be associated with many factors. There are many adverse consequences of decreased sleep such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, accidents, impaired cognition, and poor quality of life. Correlates of poor sleep quality have not been well explored in Indian research. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to measure prevalence of poor sleep quality among elderly and its association with different factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June-November 2018 in a randomly selected block of Purba Bardhaman district. Cluster random sampling was applied to select required sample of 180 elderly people (≥60 years) from 30 villages. Study tools used were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and a pretested schedule for sociodemographic and other variables. The study had approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were performed using SPSS V16. RESULTS: Prevalence of poor sleep quality (GPSQI ≥5) was 68.89%. Median Global PSQI (GPSQI) score was 7.00 (4.00-11.00). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that marital status, vital events in past one month, anxiety status, and depression were significantly associated with sleep quality. Those who were unmarried/widowed, having vital events in past one month in the family, and severe anxiety and depression were having significantly higher odds of developing poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality is high among elderly and measures toward the significant correlates are thus emphasized.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Clinical evaluations are not sufficient to adequately characterize the morbidity associated with hemophilia. Quality of life (QoL) of hemophilics and associated factors is not well explored in Indian research. The present study aimed to measure the QoL in hemophilics and its association with socio-demographic characteristics and other characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June-November 2018. Two hundred and one hemophilics (age ≥ 4 years) were interviewed with a pre-tested schedule for sociodemographic and other relevant variables. QoL was measured by Haemo-QoL questionnaire for different pediatric age groups and Haem-A-QoL questionnaire for adults and assigned health-related QoL scores. Score achieved in each dimension as well as total scores were transformed on scales ranging from 0 to 100, high values indicate high impairment of QoL. Hemophilic arthropathy was assessed using the World Federation of Hemophilia Joint Scores. One-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Mean Haemo-QoL scores for 4-7 years, 8-12 years, 13-16 years, and >16 years were 43.92 ± 8.09, 37.37 ± 8.62, 32.79 ± 6.66, and 45.92 ± 6.30, respectively. Significant difference was noted for QoL scores across different age groups, grades of severity, educational, occupational categories, socioeconomic status classes, marital status, and presence or absence of target joint. Total QoL scores, as well as scores in some of the dimensions, showed a significant positive correlation with the World Federation of Hemophilia joint scores by Spearman correlation analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement of the joint health status by regular physiotherapy is needed to improve the QoL of hemophilics.
