Rural Adult Population Research Articles

The association of sun exposure, ultraviolet radiation effects and other risk factors for pterygium (the SURE RISK for pterygium study) in geographically diverse adult (≥40 years) rural populations of India -3rd report of the ICMR-EYE SEE study group.

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in geographically diverse regions of India. A population-based, cross-sectional multicentric study was conducted in adults aged ≥40 years in plains, hilly and coastal regions of India. All participants underwent a detailed questionnaire-based assessment for sun exposure, usage of sun protective measures, exposure to indoor smoke, and smoking. Detailed ocular and systemic examinations were performed. Pterygium was diagnosed and graded clinically by slit-lamp examination. Association of pterygium with sociodemographic, ophthalmological, and systemic parameters was assessed. Physical environmental parameters for the study period were estimated. Of the 12,021 eligible subjects, 9735 (81% response rate) participated in the study. The prevalence of pterygium in any eye was 13.2% (95% CI: 12.5%-13.9%), and bilateral pterygium was 6.7% (95% CI: 6.2-7.2). The prevalence increased with age (<0.001) irrespective of sex and was highest in those aged 60-69 years (15.8%). The prevalence was highest in coastal (20.3%), followed by plains (11.2%) and hilly regions (9.1%). On multi-logistic regression, pterygium was positively associated with coastal location (P<0.001), illiteracy (P = 0.037), increasing lifetime sun exposure (P<0.001), and negatively associated with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (P = 0.009). Pterygium prevalence is high in the rural Indian population. The association of pterygium with several potentially modifiable risk factors reflects its multifactorial etiology and provides targets for preventive measures.

Evaluation of the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province-based on interrupted time series

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine included in an expanded immunization program on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province. Methods: Information on the reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was collected through the National Population Health Science Data Center and the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. In addition, the trend of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate in Gansu province before and after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program was analyzed using an interrupted time-series design. Results: The annual reported incidence rate of Japanese encephalitis in Gansu province from 1987 to 2019 was 0.448/per 100 000. However, after the inclusion of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine in the expanded immunization program in Gansu province in 2008, the amount of change in the level of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was -2.223/per 100 000 (t=-2.90, P=0.007), the amount of change in the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate was 0.082 (t=2.87, P=0.008) with the slope of Japanese encephalitis reported incidence rate as 0.071 (β1+β3=0.071). Conclusions: The Japanese encephalitis vaccine has achieved good prevention and control effects in Gansu province in the short term after its inclusion in the expanded immunization program, but outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have still occurred. Therefore, in the future, Gansu province should promptly adjust the immunization strategy of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, and strengthen the vaccination of the adult population, especially the rural adult population in the southeastern region of Gansu province, based on the continued focus on the works on Japanese encephalitis vaccination for children and adolescents.

An investigation on prevalence of Anemia in relation to BMI and nutrient intake among adult rural population of West Bengal, India

&#x0D; Background: Anemia is now globally recognized major public health problem. The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of anemia and interrelationship of anemia with BMI among adult rural population of West Bengal state, India.&#x0D; Method: Anthropometric measures, nutritional parameters, heart rate and hemoglobin were measured from 310 adult subjects by using standard technique.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of anemia was high among both sexes and more than the global prevalence. The anemic individuals consumed nutritionally deficient diet than the non-anemic individuals. The prevalence of anemia was significantly high in underweight and normal groups. The Odds ratios became significantly higher in underweight group than normal and overweight/obese groups of both sexes.&#x0D; Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia in the adult rural population might be related to dietary deficiency and poor dietary patterns. The present study was hypothesized that the subjects with low BMI would have a higher risk of anemia compared to normal or overweight subjects.&#x0D;

Allergic sensitization and obstructive airway diseases among an adult rural population in Nepal

Background: The relevance of the obstructive lung diseases asthma and COPD and IgE-mediated allergy in Nepal is still poorly characterized.&#x0D; Method: In a cross-sectional study in rural Nepal 199 persons were characterized with a questionnaire, skin prick tests, spirometry and total IgE concentration in serum.&#x0D; Results: About 20% of the women and 50% of the men were current smokers. Half of the study population used biomass fuel at home to cook or to heat and 70% of the study participants experienced dust-exposure at work or at home. 50% of the women and 30% of the men had a history of COPD, while 57% of the women and 53% of the men had symptoms of respiratory allergy. 18% of the women and 16% of the men used inhaler devices. 62% of the women and 66% of the men had a total IgE concentration in serum &gt;100 IU/mL. About 30% of the women had a FEV1 &lt; 80% and about 10 % had a FEV1 &lt; 40%, also 30% of the men had a FEV1 &lt;80% but none of the men had a FEV1 &lt;40%. The FEV1/VC ratio was smaller than 70% in 13 % of the women and 14,6% of the men. We observed a significant inverse correlation between serum IgE with FEV1. 14% of study participants had positive prick test for house dust mite, 5% were positive for cat dander and 3% were positive for mugwort.&#x0D; Conclusion: In summary this study shows an relevant burden of obstructive pulmonary disorders and IgE-mediated allergy in a rural Nepalese population.

Assessment of Vitamin D Levels and Other Bone Related Biochemical Markers in Healthy Adults in Rural Population of Uttarakhand, India.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12291-022-01048-6.

Effect of selected Yogic Techniques on Visual Acuity among the Rural Adult Population of Ludhiana, Punjab

The aim of this study was to see how certain yoga exercises affected right and left eye visual acuity. A total of twenty people (N=20) from Ludhiana were chosen to participate in the study. The study was done on a random basis, with participants aged 40 and above. All eyesight samples were taken by an optometrist and assessed in a fully computerized ophthalmology clinic to determine the effect of yoga exercises on right eye visual acuity. Palming, blinking, sideways viewing, rotational viewing, up and down viewing close and far, Tratak, Bhramari pranayama, Neti (jal and raber) The t–test, mean, and standard deviation were used. To test the hypotheses, the level of significance was fixed at 0.05, and P&lt;0.05 was used. The study's findings were explained. Results of the study explicated statistically that there was insignificant difference in Right Eye Female.

Factor associated with tobacco use among the adult population in Sarawak, Malaysia: a cross sectional study

&#x0D; Introduction: Consumption of tobacco in any form is one of the leading causes of preventable mortality. The World Health Organization recommends that it should be monitored regularly. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among the rural adult population in Sarawak and factors associated with it.&#x0D; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the adult population in Sarawak. Data were collected from ten villages in Kota Samarahan and Kuching Division by face to face interview using modified Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaire. Non-probability sampling method was adopted to select the villages. All the households of the villages were visited and an adult member was selected randomly from each house irrespective of the sex. After missing value imputation, 1000 data were analysed using statistical software SPSS 19.0 version.&#x0D; Results: Analysis showed that 30.9% of the respondents were current tobacco users and 11% were past tobacco users. The mean age (SD) at starting tobacco was 18.1 (6.48) years. The frequency of tobacco use was 14 times per day. Hierarchical Logistic regression analysis revealed that age with male sex (OR=1. 064, 95% CI: 1.052, 1.076), secondary education (OR=-2.712; 95% CI: 1.122, 6.555), higher secondary and above (OR=3. 571; 95% CI: 1.641,7.774), occupation as business (OR=3. 152; 95% CI: 1.732, 5.735) and environmental exposure such as smoking at working place (OR=2. 754;95% CI: 1.895,4.002), coffee house (OR=2. 274;95% CI: 1.32,3.919) and at home (OR=1. 827;95% CI: 1.242,2.687) appeared to be important predictors of tobacco use (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: A large proportion of males use tobacco products. Though tobacco use was negligible among females, but they would be potential users. Environmental exposure to tobacco appeared to be important predictors. Tobacco control campaigns should target banning of tobacco use in closed and open areas and also to intensify the monitoring of all forms of tobacco used by the population.&#x0D;

Interventions to reduce loneliness and social isolation in rural settings: A mixed-methods review

Service providers in rural communities are experiencing increasing demand to provide interventions to address loneliness and social isolation without clear evidence of what is effective. This mixed-methods review aimed to synthesize the evidence to establish the effectiveness of loneliness and/or social isolation interventions in rural adult populations worldwide, published in English before September 2020. Eighteen papers were retrieved, including eight quantitative papers, six qualitative papers, and four mixed-methods papers. Following a segregated convergent design, four analytical themes emerged through thematic analysis: connecting to the cyber world, social connections, companionship, and volunteering. The integration of the qualitative and quantitative results is presented under each analytical theme. The limited research suggests interventions that focus on shared interests and common experiences can decrease feelings of loneliness, but there is limited evidence of the effect on reducing social isolation. There is a need for more well-conducted studies of the effectiveness of interventions for preventing and reducing loneliness and social isolation interventions in rural populations.

Association between Sedentary Time and 6-Year All-Cause Mortality in Adults: The Rural Chinese Cohort Study.

This study aims to prospectively explore the association between sedentary time and the risk of all-cause mortality in adults based on a cohort from rural areas of China. The study population included 20,194 adults at baseline (2007-2008) who participated in the Rural Chinese Cohort Study. Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of sedentary time and all-cause mortality, and a restricted cubic spline was used to model the dose-response relation. We also carried out a series of sensitivity analyses to verify the robustness of our main results. The median follow-up duration was 6 years, with a total of 17,265 participants (response rate 85.5%) followed up, and 1,106 deaths observed. Data for 17,048 participants were analyzed, with the mean age of participants being 52.00. Compared with sedentary time <4 h/day group, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly increased in the 8-11 h/day (HR=1.27, 95%CI:1.03-1.56) and ≥11 h/day groups (HR=1.48, 95%CI:1.20-1.84). With increases in sedentary time, the risk of all-cause mortality increased gradually (Ptrend <0.001). For each 1 h/day increase in sedentary time, the risk of all-cause mortality increased by 3% (HR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.01-1.05). Sensitivity analyses showed our main results were consistent. Prolonged sedentary time increases the risk of all-cause mortality in the adult rural Chinese population. Reducing sedentary time may have important implications for reducing mortality risk.

Telepsychiatry

Numerous challenges have limited access to mental health services in rural areas. Some of these barriers have included transportation, number of providers, poverty, and lack of insurance. The purpose of this review was to identify and coalesce the benefits of telepsychiatry for adults living in rural communities in the United States to determine if telepsychiatry has improved access and quality of care. The methodology for this study was a literature review that followed a systematic approach. It was found that several studies supported that telepsychiatry has improved access and quality of care available in rural environments. Simultaneously, telepsychiatry in mental healthcare has not been utilized as it should in rural adult populations due to lack of access, an overall shortage of providers, and poor distribution of psychiatrists. While there are still barriers that prevent widespread utilization, telepsychiatry can improve mental health outcomes by linking rural patients to high-quality mental healthcare services that follow evidence-based care and best practices.

Knowledge, Perception and Preparedness Related to COVID-19 among Adult Rural Population in Konso, Southern Ethiopia.

According to the world health organization, the COVID-19 outbreak has currently affected millions of people worldwide. Since the start of the pandemic in China, everything countries have thrown at the virus turned unsuccessful. As there is no established vaccine to halt the virus transmission, it might be very difficult for developing countries like Ethiopia even after vaccine development. Thus, focusing on improving knowledge, perception, and preparedness related to the virus might be very vital. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted using the questionnaire applied in most countries which is suitable to apply in the Konso zone in South Nations Nationalities Region (SNNPR) from April.2020 to July 2020. Data were collected, cleaned, coded, checked, and entered into Epi Info and then exported and analyzed in STATA 15. We fitted a binary logistic regression model. Categorical variables were presented using figure tables, and proportion and for continuous variables, mean and standard deviation were used. The results were also presented using Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI. From 636 respondents expected, 615(97%) were participated and possessed the knowledge of 39%, and 64% perception and preparedness each. Measurements related to the policy and interventions like restrictions to movement, self-isolation, wearing a face mask, & the need for more tests was not supported by most participants. The poor knowledge, perception, and preparedness were correlated with the unavailability of water and electricity, less education, and informal source of information which could be improved through area appropriate health education interventions.

ACROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF QOOBA (RING WORM) IN ADULT RURAL POPULATION IN THE AGE GROUP OF 30-60 YEARS

Introduction: Currently, dermatologists across India are inundated with cases of dermatophytosis presenting with unusual large lesions, ring within ring lesions, multiple site lesions (tinea cruris et corporis), and corticosteroid modified lesions, making diagnosis a difficult bet. This changed face of dermatophytosis has created a real panic among dermatologists. The recent prevalence of dermatophytos is in India ranges from 36.6–78.4%. Skin mycosis is the most frequent form of skin infections accounting for 20-25% of world population Dermatophytosis management has become an important public health issue, with a large void in research in the area of disease pathophysiology and management. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted to find out the prevalence of Qooba in adult rural population of Pune, Maharashtra. Subjects in the age group of 30 – 60 years of either gender attending the outpatient departments of hospitals from the designated study areas were included for the study. The random sampling method was used to obtain the sample of studied population. Approval of the Institutional Ethical Committee was also obtained. Assessment of subjective and objective parameters was done as per the pre-tested Performa and scales. KOH test was used as investigation of evaluation. The collected data was entered in MS-Excel and the master chart prepared accordingly data. The qualitative data was analyzed by chi square test. Result: The prevalence of dermatophytosis was 18.88%. Majority of patients (60%) having dermatophytosis were in the age group of 30-35 years. Dermatophytosis was found to be predominant in males. Itching was found in all the positive cases. The results revealed that Tinea Cruris was the most prevalent among the cases. Conclusion: Overcrowding, low socioeconomic status, unhygienic living conditions, outdoor work, increased physical activity and excessive sweating predisposes to ring worm infection. The present study showed the involvement of several fungi in dermatophytosis infection and hence detection of the causative agent is necessary for appropriate treatment of dermatophytosis.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on tuberculosis infection prevention and associated factors among rural and urban adults in northeast Tanzania: A cross-sectional study.

Almost 10 million of the global population was infected with tuberculosis (TB) in 2017. Tanzania is among countries with high incidence of TB. Although control measures of TB are multi factorial, it is important to understand the individual's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in order to control TB infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study in northeast Tanzania; recruited and interviewed 1519 adults from two districts, one rural and another urban. We scored each participant using several questions for each construct of KAP. A study participant scoring at least 60% of the possible maximum scores was considered as having a good knowledge, positive attitude or good practices. And herein, a participant having positive TB attitude would mean they acknowledge TB exist, recognizes its impact on health and would seek or advise TB-infected individuals to seek the correct remedies. We applied multiple linear regression analysis to assess independent individual-level factors related to TB on KAP scores in the rural and urban populations. Overall, less than half (44%) of the study participants had good overall knowledge about TB infection and significantly more urban than rural adult population had good overall knowledge (p<0.001). Almost one in ten, (11%) of all study participants had positive attitudes towards TB infection. More urban study participants, (16%) had positive attitudes than their rural counterparts, 6%). Almost nine in ten (89%) of all study participants had good practices towards TB prevention and control; significantly more adults in urban, (97%) than the rural populations (56%) (p<0.01). Predictors of KAP scores were individual's education and main source of income. Adults in rural and urban northeast Tanzania have poor knowledge, attitudes and practices for TB infection and prevention. Strategies focusing on health education are important for control of TB, especially among rural communities.

Activity limitation and disability due to pain in back and extremities in rural population: A community-based study during a period of twelve months in rural Gadchiroli, India.

BackgroundPopulation based estimates of the extent of the activity limitation due to back pain and disability due to musculoskeletal pains are lacking from rural India. We estimated this burden as a) extent of activity limitation due to back pain, b) disability due to musculoskeletal pains, c) grading of the limitation of each activity due to back and musculoskeletal pain in the rural adult population in Gadchiroli, India.MethodsThis population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in two villages randomly selected from a cluster of 7 eligible villages in Gadchiroli district of India. All adults ≥20 years in these villages were surveyed by the trained community health workers in January 2010. Disability due to back pain was evaluated using newly developed questionnaire for women and men which assessed limitations in the gender-specific daily household and occupational activities in a rural area. Disability due to pain in extremities was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).ResultsThe total population of the two villages was 3735 out of which 2535 (67.9%) were adults ≥20 years of age and were eligible to participate in the study. Of these, 2259 (89%) were interviewed and 1247 participants (55%) had any pain on the day of the survey. Activity limitation questionnaire was filled for 716 (91.4%) out of 783 patients with back pain. HAQ scale was filled for 524 (85.2%) out of 615 patients with pain in extremities. Among men with back pain, respectively 11%, 19%, 60% and 11% had no, mild, moderate to severe difficulty or were completely unable to perform agrarian work, while among women, respectively 6%, 20%, 69% and 4% had no, mild, moderate to severe difficulty or were completely unable to perform household activities. Based on the HAQ score, respectively 1%, 67%, 18% and 14% of the participants had no, mild, moderate to severe disability or were completely unable to perform the activities.ConclusionsThis community-based study in rural Gadchiroli demonstrates significant mild to moderate disability and activity limitation, due to pain in back and extremities in a population involved in hard manual work, especially agricultural and underlines the need to address the problem through appropriate interventions. The study also employs for the first time an indigenously developed questionnaire to identify activity limitation due to back pain, and demonstrates the method as well as the questionnaire.

Burden of pain in back and extremities in rural population: A community-based estimation of 12-month prevalence, distribution and duration of pain in rural Gadchiroli, India.

BackgroundPopulation based estimates of the burden of pain in back and extremities (PBE) are lacking from rural India. We estimated this burden, measured as a) 12-month prevalence, b) site specific prevalence c) total number of painful sites per adult, d) severity of pain and e) duration of pain in the rural adult population in Gadchiroli, India, over a period of 12 months.MethodsThis population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in two villages randomly selected from a cluster of 7 eligible villages in Gadchiroli district of India. All adults ≥20 years in these villages were surveyed by the trained community health workers in January 2010 by making household visits. The data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire on the history of pain in back and extremities (PBE) at various anatomical sites and its features during the previous 12 months.ResultsOut of 2535 eligible adults in two villages, 2259 (89%) were interviewed, of which 1876 (83%) had an episode of PBE in the preceding 12 months. The period prevalence of pain was 76% in back (including lower back, thoracic and neck) and 71% in the extremities. Highest site specific prevalence was at lower back (70%), knee (46%), neck (44%), leg/calf (39%) and mid-back (39%). The mean number of painful sites per adult was 4.57 (standard deviation (SD) = 4.17). The prevalence of severe pain was 15%. The mean number of painful days due to PBE was 166 days. Female gender (odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1-3.6), farming/labour occupation (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4-2.4), increasing age (more than 60 years OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 3.3-11.9) were significantly associated with the risk of PBE.ConclusionNearly five out of six adults in rural Gadchiroli suffered from pain in back or extremities during the preceding 12 months. Pain was at multiple sites and was present on a mean 166 days in the year. Female gender, farming / manual labor as occupation and increasing age were the key risk factors identified. The pain in back and extremities emerges as a public health priority in rural communities.

Baseline prevalence of high blood pressure and its predictors in a rural adult population of Bangladesh: Outcome from the application of WHO PEN interventions.

This cross‐sectional study estimated the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and examined its predictors at baseline following protocol 1 (actions 1 and 2) of World Health Organization (WHO) Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease (PEN) Interventions in a selected rural area of Bangladesh. A total of 11 145 adults (both sex and age ≥ 18 years) completed both the questionnaire and clinical measurements at the household and community clinics, respectively. We defined high BP as systolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg, prehypertension (pre‐HTN) as systolic BP 120–139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80–89 mmHg, and hypertension (HTN) as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg and/or anti‐hypertensive drug intake for the raised BP. The prevalence of high BP was 51.2% (pre‐HTN, 25.3%; HTN, 25.9%). Among them, the proportion of pre‐HTN was higher among men (28.7%) while HTN was higher among women (27.4%). Other than fast food intake (pre‐HTN, OR: 1.110, P = .063) and women sex (HTN, OR: 1.236, P < .001), the pre‐HTN and HTN had higher odds for having same predictors as follows: age ≥ 40 years, family history of HTN, physical inactivity, central obesity, generalized obesity, and diabetes. In conclusion, the application of WHO PEN protocol 1 detected one‐fourth of the rural adult population had pre‐HTN and HTN respectively, and the common significant predictors of those were the age, family history of HTN, physical inactivity, generalized obesity, and diabetes.

Development and Psychometric Validation of the Hypertension Beliefs Assessment Tool Among Adult Population in Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, the majority of hypertension cases remain undiagnosed, untreated, and uncontrolled. Beliefs about hypertension and its complications play an important role in hypertension management behaviors. Accurate assessment of individuals’ beliefs towards the disease is of paramount importance in the design of hypertension education. This study aimed to develop and validate a hypertension belief assessment tool based on the Health Belief Model for the general population among rural adults in northwest Ethiopia.MethodsThe study included item construction, face and content validation, factor analysis, and establishment of reliability and validity of the tool. A total of 308 rural adults participated in the study. Inter-item and item-to-total correlations were used to examine the items assessed with the same content on a scale. Principal component analysis with promax rotation was used to extract the factors. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using average variance extraction and maximum shared variance.ResultsThe median age of the participants was 41 (IQR: 31–55) years. Of the participants, 175 (56.8%) were female and 287 (93.2%) were farmers. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test value of 0.84 and significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity (p=0.000) revealed that the data were suitable for exploratory factor analysis. The principal component analysis identified 6 factors, which explained 70.06% of the variation of the hypertension belief. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85 for the entire scale, ranging from 0.74 to 0.92 for the sub-domains. The average variance extracted was above 0.5 for all factors, indicating convergent validity. The maximum shared variance between the two constructs was lower than the average variance extracted from each factor, indicating that discriminating validity had been established.ConclusionThe hypertension belief assessment tool was found to be valid and reliable, which can be used to measure the health beliefs on hypertension for the rural adult population.

Risk Factors Identification of Hypertension among the Population in a Selected Rural Area of Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Introduction: Non-communicable disease causes over 36 million deaths globally each year. And among the NCD deaths, over 82% of premature deaths occur in underdeveloped and developing countries. Some of the non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and asthma are emerging as a major health problem in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has given high priority to research these particular diseases. But although there are many global studies regarding the risk factors of hypertension, not much research has been done regarding the increasing risk of hypertension in rural areas. Aim of the study: This study aims to determine the risk factors and case detection of hypertension among the adults in rural population of Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the rural area of Dumki upazilla of Patuakhali district. Sample population was selected following simple random sampling technique. Socio-demographic information, information about smoking, family history of hypertension status were collected using a pre-prepared questionnaire. Blood pressure, body weight and height of 255 individuals between the age range of 40-90 years of both sexes were measured and collected. Result: The prevalence of hypertension was 25.6%. The male prevalence was 26.8% and the female 23.2%. The Mean±SD of age 45±15.26, SBP 129.71±10.22, DBP 74.49±11.68 and for BMI 24.1±4.45. Increasing age higher BMI were positively associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension in the rural population was found to be on the increase compared to previous reports of Bangladesh and other Asian studies. Advanced age, BMI, family history of hypertension, smoking were recognized as significant risk factors for hypertension.

Prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors: A community survey in Thirvallur District, south India.

Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys add to the active case detection in the community level burden of TB both national and regional levels. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the community. Household community-based tuberculosis disease survey was conducted targeting 69054 population from 43 villages of 5 blocks in Tiruvallure district adopting cluster sampling methodology of ≥15 years old adult rural population of South India during 2015-2018. All eligible individuals with suspected symptoms of PTB were screened with chest X-ray. Two sputum specimens (one spot and the other early morning sample) were collected for M.tb smear and culture examination. Conversely demographical, smoking and alcohol drinking habits information were also collected to explore the risk factor. Stepwise logistic regression was employed to associate risk factors for PTB. A total of 62494 were screened among 69054 eligible population, of whom 6340 were eligible for sputum specimen collection. Sputum for M.tb smear and culture examination were collected in 93% of participants. The derived prevalence of PTB was 307/100000 population (smear-positive 130; culture positive 277). As expected that PTB has decreased substantially compared to preceding surveys and it showed that older age, male, low BMI, diabetes, earlier history of TB and alcohol users were significantly associated (p < .0001) with an increased risk of developing PTB. Upshot of the active survey has established a reduction in the prevalence of PTB in the rural area which can be accredited to better programmatic implementation and success of the National TB Control Programme in this district. It also has highlighted the need for risk reduction interventions accelerate faster elimination of TB.

Malnutrition in all its forms and associated factors affecting the nutritional status of adult rural population in Bangladesh: results from a cross-sectional survey

IntroductionThe burden of malnutrition is widely evaluated in Bangladesh in different contexts. However, most of them determine the influence of sociodemographic factors, which have limited scope for modification and design...