Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases among Adolescents of a Rural Area in Darjeeling District of West Bengal.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood when new health behaviors are laid down, which may track in to adulthood and have lifelong impact. Global trends show that these NCD-related behaviors are gradually rising among young people, and that they establish patterns of behavior that persist throughout life and are often hard to alter. OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence and socio demographic predictors of risk factors of non communicable diseases among adolescents of a rural area Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 365 adolescents residing in a rural area of Siliguri subdivision. They were interviewed and measurements were taken using standard procedure. RESULTS: The prevalence of behavioural factors for NCDs like tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, physically inactivity was 18.4%, 4.7%, 87.1% and 23.0% respectively; metabolic risk factors like overweight, hypertension, and abdominal obesity 28.5%, 17.5%, 1.4% respectively. After adjustment, the odds of behavioural and metabolic risk factors were found highest among the males, participants whose mothers were not working and those who belonged to Hindu families and lower socioeconomic class. CONCLUSION: The proportion of risk factors of non communicable diseases among the rural adolescents was quite high'. Given the associated health problems and costs, non communicable diseases have become an issue of serious concern.

Prevalence and pattern of childhood injuries in Siliguri City, West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND: Children are vulnerable to injuries, and childhood injury is a complex phenomenon precipitated by a set of factors. In India, the magnitude and nature of childhood injury are not clearly known owing to the absence of a proper injury surveillance system. However, in recent days few studies demonstrated a substantially high burden of childhood injury. OBJECTIVES: To find out the prevalence, pattern, and the factors associated with injury among children of 0-14 years in the Siliguri city of West Bengal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 780 children aged 0-14 years residing in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation area selected through cluster sampling technique (30 clusters [wards] with a cluster size of 26). Relevant data were collected by interviewing the mothers of children as respondents and was analyzed using SPSS software, binary logistic regression was applied to test the association between injury and other risk factors. RESULTS: Of total 780 children, 165 had reported a total of 220 injury events with an overall period prevalence of 21.2% and a mean of 0.28 injury events per child. Majority of injuries were superficial in nature (53.2%); due to fall (56.4%), extremities were mostly involved (62.3%), and 12.8% cases were moderate-to-severe grade. Under-five children were most vulnerable. Injury was significantly related to socioeconomic status, presence of siblings, outdoor activities, and the presence of supervising person during travelling. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood injury is still highly prevalent in the area with its unique pattern and few preventable risk factors requiring a multifaceted comprehensive approach.

Occurrence and predictors of abortion among women of the reproductive age group in a block of Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India.

BACKGROUND: Despite being a sensitive and less explored issue, abortion is a major preventable cause of maternal morbidity and mortality affecting millions of women in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the occurrence, nature, and predictors of abortion among women in the reproductive age group in Naxalbari block of Darjeeling district. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Naxalbari block of Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, from May 2015 to April 2016, among 420 women aged 15-49 years selected from 30 villages by cluster sampling technique. A predesigned, pretested interview schedule validated in the local vernacular was used. Binary logistic regression was used for finding out predictors of abortion among ever-pregnant women. RESULTS: Lifetime occurrence of abortion was 33.6%. Among total 178 events of abortion, 51.7% were spontaneous and 48.3% induced. Majority of spontaneous abortions events were attended by a doctor (73.9%). About 59.3% of induced abortions were illegal, and unwanted pregnancy was major reason (62.4%) for induced abortion. Private facilities and over the counter drugs were preferred. Lower education, nuclear family, number of children <2, not having male child, domestic violence during pregnancy were significant predictors of abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Illegal abortions were highly prevalent in the area. Unwanted pregnancies hint toward unmet needs of family planning. Stigma and poor awareness were the root cause of not visiting a health facility in case of abortions. Building up of better infrastructure, better orientation of frontline workers, non-judgemental and confidential services will attract women to in government facilities.

Students' Perception and Attitude on Methods of Anatomy Teaching in a Medical College of West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION: Incorporating newer teaching aids over traditional one in Anatomy has been challenging both for the teachers and the learners. Different educational strategies are being used for teaching of Anatomy. AIM: To elicit the perception and attitude toward teaching approaches in the Anatomy curriculum among first year medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was undertaken with the help of predesigned, pre-tested questionnaire to elicit knowledge in four domains of classroom teaching which were: a) gross anatomical structure; b) organ identification; c) topography; and d) radiological anatomy and self-assessment of acquired skills in respective fields among 114 first year students. RESULTS: A total of 57% of students opined good in gross structure of anatomy. A 60.5% of students preferred chalk and board method and 33.3% with LCD projector. Regarding acquiring knowledge, 72.8% of medical students gathered knowledge in gross anatomical structure domain whereas 58.8% in radiological anatomy. The overall mean score of attitude of the students regarding incorporating newer techniques in Anatomy teaching is 14.17±2.26. CONCLUSION: The perception of Anatomy teaching and attitude among medicos have been studied and opinion from them had thrown light for incorporation of newer techniques in their teaching curriculum.

Nomophobic behaviors among smartphone using medical and engineering students in two colleges of West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: Growing smartphone usage among global and Indian college students has resulted in considerable issues of "nomophobia" (NMP) or feelings of discomfort or anxiety experienced by individuals whenever unable to use their smartphones. This significantly impacts their health, work, and study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of NMP among smartphone using medical and engineering undergraduates of West Bengal and to compare the nomophobic behaviors, its predictors, and smartphone usage among them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 303 medical and 305 engineering undergraduates in West Bengal using a validated NMP questionnaire consisting of four factors. Comparison of means of individual questions and factor scores was done. Nomophobic clusters among the two groups were identified using two-stage cluster analysis. Binary logistic regression was used for comparison of predictors of NMP. RESULTS: Engineering students showed a higher proportion of nomophobics (44.6%) than medical students (42.6%). Significant higher means was observed among engineering students for the factor "giving upconvenience" and individual variables like "scared due to running out of battery," "nervous due to disconnection from online identity," "uncomfortable when unable stay up-to-date with social media" and "anxious when unable to check E-mails." A Higher proportion of nomophobics among both groups were females, those owning smartphone beyond 2 years, having monthly mobile bill above Rs. 200 and spending over 4 h daily on smartphone. CONCLUSION: NMP has emerged as a significant cause of concern among both the groups. Standardized measures for identification and appropriate psychobehavioral therapy for those seeking help might alleviate the problem.

A Study on Gender Preference and Awareness Regarding Prenatal Sex Determination among Antenatal Women in a Rural Area of Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India.

INTRODUCTION: Sex ratio is one of the major indicators to find the gender preferences in the community. Change in sex ratio reflects underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. AIM: The present study was conducted with the aim to find out the knowledge of antenatal women regarding the prenatal sex determination and the Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act in a rural area along with assessing the gender preference in family among the study population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken in the villages of Matigara Block of Darjeeling district of West Bengal, which serves as a field practice area of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital for two months. A total of 116 pregnant women were included and a pre designed pre tested questionnaire was used to collect the socio demographic details. The data were analysed by SPSS 20.0 software for proportions with chi-square tests. RESULTS: Knowledge of sex determination and the PNDT Act were found to be 44.82% and 18.10% among antenatal women. Knowledge regarding assessment of gender preference showed 52.58% expect a boy in this pregnancy. It was found that the determinants for gender preference were caste, sex of the last pregnancy and current gender composition. It was found that the determinants for knowledge of sex determination are age of the mother and the gravida of the mother. It was also found that the factor for the knowledge regarding the PNDT Act is age of the mother. These associations are statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This situation calls for a strategy which includes community based awareness campaigns, women employment, education, and empowerment and by ensuring effective implementation of PNDT Act by the government so that families find it difficult to undertake sex determination.

Osteomeatal Complex: A Study of Its Anatomical Variation Among Patients Attending North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Lateral nasal wall of each nasal cavity provides the final common pathway of drainage of the mucociliary clearance of frontal, maxillary and anterior ethmoidal air cells. Anatomical variants like concha bullosa, Haller cells, agger nasi cells, enlarged bulla ethmoidalis may obstruct the mucociliary clearance through osteomeatal complex and cause rhino sinusitis. The objectives were to find out the anatomical variation of osteomeatal complex and its dimensions when present. The present study was a descriptive, hospital based cross sectional study carried out in the outpatient departments of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India, among patients aged 15 years and above. Coronal CT scan of paranasal sinus and orbit region was done. Data was collected with the help of semi structured predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Of the 44 study patients, 15.9 % had concha bullosa, 11.36 % had paradoxical middle concha, 27.3 % had Haller cell, 18.2 % had agger nasi cell. Lateral attachment and medial free margin of uncinate process were also measured in respect to medial body line. 77.3, 59.1 and 47.7 % had sneezing, rhinorrhoea and headache respectively. The harmony of mucociliary clearance and obstruction free osteomeatal complex is the key factor for ventilation and drainage of maxillary, frontal and anterior ethmoidal air cells.

Goiter prevalence, urinary iodine, and salt iodization level in sub-Himalayan Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.

National iodine deficiency disorders control program needs to be continuously monitored. Hence, a cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from April-May 2011 to assess the prevalence of goiter, status of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level and to estimate iodine content of salts at the household level in Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Study subjects were 2400 school children, aged 8-10 years selected through "30 cluster" sampling methodology. Goiter was assessed by standard palpation technique, UIE was estimated by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit. Overall goiter prevalence rate was 8.7% (95% confidence intervals = 7.6-9.8) and goiter prevalence was significantly different with respect to gender. Median UIE level was 15.6 mcg/dL (normal range: 10-20 mcg/dL). About 92.6% of the salt samples tested had adequate iodine content of ≥15 ppm. Findings of the present study indicate that the district is in a transition phase from iodine-deficiency to iodine sufficiency.

Physical injury: a profile among the municipal primary school children of Siliguri, Darjeeling District.

A cross sectional study was conducted from February - May 2009 with the objectives to find out profile of injuries among municipal primary school children in Siliguri, West Bengal and to identify the related factor associated with injury. 20% of total primary schools under municipal corporation of the town were selected and a pre-designed, pre-tested schedule was used to assess the profile of injury and associated factors. The Chi square test was usedto determine statistical significance at the 0.05 significance level. Out of 956 participants, a significantly higher injury was observed among males (68%). Open wound injuries were commonest (59.6%) occurring mainly at the extremities. Falls were mainly responsible for overall injuries. Injury at home (41.8%) was also found to be more. Mother education, number of siblings and presence of caregiver were significant related factors to injury.

Anthropometric failure, a new approach to measure undernutrition: an experience from a rural community of West Bengal, India.

Undernutrition is the major threat to the health and well-being of preschool children in India. To assess the prevalence of undernutrition along with the risk factors among 1-3 years children, a community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in villages served by Matigara sub-centre in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measurement of 256 children was done as per WHO guidelines along with collection of sociocultural and healthcare related information. Z-score was calculated (NCHS reference) and the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 46.9%, 52.3% and 15.2% respectively. Composite, index of anthropometric failure was 65.6%. Anthropometric failure was significantly associated with low income, more number of siblings, nuclear family, short duration of exclusive breastfeeding, later initiation of complementary feeding, immunisation status, mothers' BMI, episodes of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infection. Multipronged intervention is to be initiated to address this staggering problem of undernutrition.

A comparative study of common ear morbidity pattern among the primary school children of an urban slum of Kolkata and rural area of Hooghly.

A cross-sectional, clinical and epidemiological study was undertaken among 627 primary school children (rural 145, urban 482) to compare the common ear morbidity pattern between an urban slum of kolkata and a rural area of Hooghly. Middle ear pathology was found to be present in 20% and 12.6% among rural and urban students respectively. Cerumen in the external auditory canal was the commonest clinical finding in both the areas and was found to be present in 35.86% of rural and 30.70% of urban population respectively. Smoke nuisance, bathing in open ponds and overcrowding were some of the predisposing factors causing ear diseases, like chronic suppurative otitis media and serous otitis media.