RESUMO
CONTEXT: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease mainly affecting hip and knee joints, and osteoporosis is characterized by diminution of bone mass. Both these diseases have a substantial economic impact on society. Community health volunteers (CHVs) being peripheral health workers are prone to such diseases owing to their sociodemographic and occupational profile. AIM: This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of hip/knee OA and osteoporosis among CHVs and understand determinants of their current bone health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening for OA was done using a tool adopted from a previous study after obtaining due permissions. Weight, height, blood pressure, and bone mineral density of all participants were recorded. Statistical tests such as Chi-square and multiple logistic regression were used for analysis of data. RESULTS: Out of 80 participants, 50 (62.5%) had increased body mass index (overweight + obese), 10 (12.5%) were hypertensive, 14 (17.5%) CHVs screened positive for hip OA, and 29 (36.3%) were positive for knee OA. Hip OA was associated with advancing age, parity, and obesity. Knee OA was associated with age and exercise. In total, 16.3% subjects were found to have osteoporosis and 61.2% had osteopenia. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a remarkable proportion of CHVs had bone and joint problems. CHVs must, therefore, receive preventive measures such as health education and screening for these diseases.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases in adults is the need of the hour. The student nurses by virtue of training are the frontline health workers dealing with patient care. They are exposed to maximum risk of contracting the diseases. Vaccine awareness is not a part of their induction training program. It is necessary to plan preventive measure related to vaccination in their interest. AIM: This study aims to assess awareness and practices of nursing students related to adult immunization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study, conducted on nursing students of School of Nursing in Mumbai, over a period of 4 months. Universal sampling technique was used. Sample size was 271. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: The awareness about the vaccines was as follows: hepatitis B (98.1%), hepatitis A (72.3%), rabies (90.4%), H1N1 (74.9%), dT (52%), meningococcal (33.6%), human papillomavirus (49.8%), vaccines during pregnancy (88.2%), varicella (76.4%), typhoid (54.6%), cholera (52.8%), rubella (79.7%), travel vaccines (63.5%), Japanese encephalitis (69%), haemophilus influenzae b (40.9%), and pneumococcal (43.5%). About 87.8% of students have received TT at 10 years of age and 83% have received TT at 16 years of age. Hepatitis B vaccine was taken by 64.5%, out of which only 35% students received complete three doses. Majority of them could not answer the correct doses, availability, and cost of these vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness and practices about adult immunization are found to be inadequate. Nurses should be appraised about theory and practical aspect of immunization as an immediate solution. Furthermore, considering the importance of this topic, the induction training program of nursing students should include awareness on adult immunization and emphasize their own vaccination. The annual health checkup of students should ensure the compliance of vaccines such as hepatitis B.
