Amritsar City Research Articles

A study on utilization of antenatal care services in urban slums of Amritsar city, Punjab, India

Background: Rapid urbanization in India is fuelling a growth in urban poverty, particularly in the urban slums where the quality of life is extremely poor. There have been limited efforts to capture the health of population living in urban slums and most severely affected are the women of childbearing age and children. So the present study was carried out to assess the utilization pattern of antenatal care and to identify the factors affecting it in urban slums of Amritsar city.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1600 houses selected randomly in four slum areas of Amritsar city in which 659 married women in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years who had at least 1 child and had delivered the last child in the last 3 years were found. Total 659 women were interviewed using a pre-designed and pre-tested proforma.Results: 58.4% of respondent women attended at least one antenatal visit during last pregnancy. Maximum (43.4%) attended 2 antenatal visits. Majority (64.4%) had their first antenatal visit in 2nd trimester. Majority (57.1%) consumed <100 IFA tablets. Majority (65.6%) were fully immunized with 2 doses/booster of TT. Lack of knowledge about ANC services was the reason given by most of the women (31.0%) for not attending any antenatal visit. The utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services by women was found to be significantly associated with their age, education, birth order, socio-economic status and husband’s education.Conclusions: The utilization of antenatal care services was found to be poor in the study population. Important barriers to service utilization were found to be lack of awareness and lack of felt need. This shows the need for intensive efforts to be made in slum areas to create awareness among women by Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities.

Prevalence and role of risk factors for hypertension in 18-69 years of age in rural and urban areas of district Amritsar, Punjab, India

Background: Hypertension is a major public health problem in India and its prevalence is high among rural and urban population. All the risk factors of lifestyle are known to cause the early onset and rapid worsening of hypertension.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted. 1000 participants (500 rural and 500 urban) between the age group of 18-69 years were selected by systematic random sampling method from 5 villages and 5 urban wards of Amritsar city. Out of total, 500 males and 500 females were selected.Results: This study shows that 332 (33.2%) participants were hypertensive out of total 1000. The chances of Hypertension are directly proportional to age and shows peak between 50-59 years of age, 86 (59.72%). The prevalence among males and females was 32.4% and 34% respectively. Hypertension is highest in respondents with body mass index (BMI >30) i.e. 53.43%. The prevalence of hypertension was slightly higher among smokers than non-smokers and among vegetarians than non- vegetarians.Conclusions:Hence, it becomes necessary to adopt a lifestyle with regular physical activity for at-least 30 min a day, for 5 days of the week, to decrease prevalence of obesity and to maintain BMI within normal range. Thus awareness among communities should be raised regarding prevention of the risk factors for hypertension.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Upper-middle Class toward the Importance of a Pediatric Dentist.

Aims and Objectives:This study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of upper middle class toward the importance of a pediatric dentist in the city of Amritsar, Punjab.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among the parents of children belonging to upper middle class in the city of Amritsar. This proposed study was assessed by the Institutional Ethical Committee (531/IDSR/2016) and their clearance was attained. A total of 950 parents were selected using a convenient sampling technique, and a self-made questionnaire was presented to them. Responses from the parents were evaluated in terms of numbers and percentages and were statistically analyzed using SPSS for Windows release 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Differences at the 5% level were accepted as being statistically significant.Results:The results of the study show limited knowledge about a pediatric dentist among the well-educated, well-placed, and economically sound citizens of Amritsar city. Consequently, the attitude and practices among this socioeconomic group are unconstructive and unprepared, respectively.Conclusion:Although the importance of taking a child to a pediatrician is a common practice among the upper and upper-middle classes of the society, it is clear that they do not give the same importance to a pediatric dentist, who is the pediatrician of dentistry.

Evaluation of the Impact of Oral Health Education on Oral Hygiene Knowledge and Plaque Control of School-going Children in the City of Amritsar.

Aims and Objectives:The present study aims to evaluate the impact of oral health education on oral hygiene knowledge and plaque control of school-going children in the city of Amritsar.Materials and Methods:The study was carried out for 6 weeks and included four groups of schoolchildren of 10–12 years of age. Children were randomly selected and assigned into one of the four groups – Group I (verbal communication), Group II (verbal communication and self-educational pamphlets), Group III (audiovisual aids and verbal communication), and Group IV (control group). Oral health education was assessed by getting a questionnaire filled by children and plaque scores was recorded using Silness and Loe plaque index before and after the study. The data were then compared and analyzed using SPSS 16 software manufactured by IBM.Results:Differences in knowledge gain after the dental health education were statistically significant between all the groups, except between Group II and Group III in which the difference was not found to be significant. Group III showed the highest decrease in plaque score followed by Group II. There was a significant difference in reduction in plaque scores between all the groups, except between the Groups II and III.Conclusion:Both methods, i.e., pamphlets and audiovisual aids when used along with oral lectures, are equally effective in improving the knowledge and plaque scores in children.

ROLE OF SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER IN ANGIOGENESIS EMPLOYING CROWN GALL TUMOR ASSAY

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Aim of the study was to screen the suspended particulate matter for their role in enhancing angiogenesis employing crown gall tumor assay.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Particulate matter (PM<sub>10</sub>) samples were collected, on glass fiber filter paper at the rate of 1.12–1.14 m<sup>3/</sup>min for 8 hr using high volume sampler, from six different sites of Amritsar city. Aqueous extracts of suspended particulate matter were prepared using a mechanical shaker for 24 hour and the filtrate was centrifuged and lyophilized.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Maximum (34.67±1.764) tumors were induced by samples collected from Crystal chowk whereas tumor inducing ratio (TIR) was found to be comparably high for two sites <em>viz.,</em> Crystal chowk and Bhandari bridge.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High tumor inducing ratio at the above-mentioned sites was correlated to high traffic emission from automobile exhaust. Crown gall tumor assay has been proved to be rapid, economical and reliable screening assay for angiogenesis agent.</p>

Co-morbidities and addictions affecting treatment outcome in new smear positive cases in Amritsar city, Punjab, India

Background: Although the current approach to TB control focuses on case detection and treatment, recent studies suggest that this strategy might not be sufficient to achieve this goal and it may also be necessary to reduce risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of tuberculosis infection and/or disease. Such risk factors may act at one of several steps in the natural history of the disease. The life time risk of breaking down to disease among those infected with TB is 10–15%, which gets increased to 10% per year amongst those co-infected with HIV. Other determinants such as diabetes mellitus, smoking tobacco products, alcohol abuse and malnutrition also increase the risk of progression from infection to TB disease.Methods: The study was conducted on new smear positive patients registered under Directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) in two Treatment Units (TUs) present in Amritsar city. The patients were enquired about their socio-demographic profile, family history, occupational history and associated co-morbidities and addictions. Data management and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 17.00. Results: Out of 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) were males and 101(40.4%) were females. Male preponderance, with male to female ratio of 1.5:1 was seen. Out of the total 250 cases, 7.2% of the cases had associated diabetes mellitus, 1.2 % had hypertension and only 1 case was of asthma. While enquiring for addictions, it was observed that 28.8% of the cases were alcoholic, 17.2% were smokers, 8% had the habit of tobacco chewing and 6% were drug abusers. Favourable outcome was significantly higher in non-addicted cases while presence of co-morbidities was found to have no effect on the treatment outcome.Conclusions: In the present study, it was observed that favourable outcome was significantly associated with the absence of addictions. So, it is concluded that prevention of tuberculosis should include effective screening especially among high risk groups in order to ensure early detection and aggressive treatment.

Between hype and veracity; privatization of municipal solid waste management and its impacts on the informal waste sector

The informal waste recycling sector has been an indispensable but ironically invisible part of the waste management systems in developing countries as India, often completely disregarded and overlooked by decision makers and policy frameworks. The turn towards liberalization of economy since 1991 in India opened the doors for privatization of urban services and the waste sector found favor with private companies facilitated by the local governments. In joining the privatization bandwagon, the local governments aim to create an image of a progressive city demonstrated most visibly through apt management of municipal solid waste. Resultantly, the long important stakeholder, the informal sector has been sidelined and left to face the adverse impacts of privatization. There is hardly any recognition of its contributions or any attempt to integrate it within the formal waste management systems. The study investigates the impacts of privatization on the waste pickers in waste recycling operations. Highlighting the other dimension of waste collection and management in urban India the study focuses on the waste pickers and small time informal scrap dealers and this is done by taking the case study of Amritsar city, which is an important historic centre and a metropolitan city in the state of Punjab, India. The paper develops an analytical framework, drawing from literature review to analyze the impacts. In conclusion, it supports the case for involving informal waste sector towards achieving sustainable waste management in the city.

A study of radon concentration in drinking water samples of Amritsar city of Punjab (India)

Radon concentration has been estimated in drinking water samples of 17 selected locations in Amritsar city of Punjab, India. RAD7, an electronic solid state radon monitor has been used to evaluate the radon concentration in collected drinking water samples. The corresponding annual mean effective dose for ingestion and inhalation was calculated according to parameters introduced by UNSCEAR (2000) report. The radon concentration in drinking water samples has been found to vary from 0.53 ± 0.11 to 11.20 ± 1.40 Bql−1 . The values of radon concentration in these samples were found below the recommended limit proposed by USEPA (1991) and European Commission (2001). The range of calculated annual effective dose varied between 1.45 and 30.57 ΅Svy−1 . These values lie well within the safe limit prescribed by the WHO (2003) and European council (2005). The purpose of this study was to assess the radiological risk, if any, to human health due to consumption of drinking water that is available at Amritsar city.

Vulnerability Dimensions and Access to Affordable Housing: The Case of the Waste Picker Community in Amritsar City, India

Concentration of urban poverty within the milieu of rampant urbanization in the neoliberalist era and its manifestation in the forms of informalities in housing and infrastructure access and occupation has become more of a rule rather than an exception in cities of the developing world. The Indian cities are no exception to this trend. However, the filtration of the benefits aiming to remove urban disparities by providing access to housing and infrastructure to the most vulnerable poor communities has remained elusive. Resultantly, the poorest sections continue to remain “invisible” on the radar of the city housing reforms and provision agenda. Left to fend for themselves, they respond by creating informal and precarious housing solutions on their own, sadly unrecognized and sidelined by state interventions. The research article investigates the vulnerabilities afflicting the waste picker community through detangling physical, social, economic, and politico‐legal vulnerability dimensions and their access to affordable housing in the formal sector. The article argues that affordable housing remains more of an allegory than a veracity for the most vulnerable communities such as the waste pickers and emphasizes recognition of the multidimensional vulnerabilities and protecting their right to live with dignity, free of contestations and threat of evictions.

Palynological studies of some roadside plants under exposure to traffic stress

The diverse pollutants emitted from automobiles can have adverse effects on the health and survival of plants, animals and human beings. Different plant species have been known to possess high potential of absorption, detoxification and tolerance of high levels of pollution. Considering this, the present study was carried out to assess the impact of automobile pollution on palynology of roadside plants. Three species, viz. Cannabis sativa, Cassia fistula and Thevetia peruviana growing along the roadsides of nine sites of Amritsar city under different levels of traffic stress were selected for the study. Pollen viability and pollen size were studied by staining pollen with 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride stain and observed under light microscope. Scanning electron microscope was used to study the changes in morphology of the pollen grains. It was observed that the percentage of pollen viability of three species was inversely proportional to the load of traffic at a particular site. Pollen viability was observed to be minimum (C. sativa—22.58 %; C. fistula—21.30 %; and T. peruviana—6.22 %) for the plants of the three species studied growing at traffic site I, site with heavy traffic load as compared to plants growing at sites with comparatively lesser traffic load. C. sativa growing at traffic site IV showed maximum pollen viability of 79.74 %, while C. fistula and T. peruviana growing at traffic site VIII exhibited maximum pollen viability of 83.32 and 68.78 %, respectively. Pollen size and morphology did not show any significant variation and remained unaffected with the increase in traffic stress.

Positive correlation of genetic transmittance of type 2 diabetes mellitus with anthropometric indices in adults of Majha region of Punjab, India.

Family history represents the integration of shared genomic and environment risk factors. First degree relatives (IDRs) share half their genomic information and also behavior, life styles, beliefs, culture and physical environment, so their disease experience may offer a clue to shared susceptibilities. This suggests that a ‘low tech’ clinical approach-family history-might be a practical and useful way to target interventions and disease prevention efforts to those most at risk. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an “iceberg” disease seen in all age groups. India shall have the largest number of diabetics by 2030. Anthropometry provides the single most portable, universally applicable, inexpensive and non-invasive technique for assessing the size, proportions and composition of the human body. This study has been conducted to determine whether such abnormalities can be detected in healthy young adults with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus at an early age that may presage the onset of this chronic disease. The present study will be the conducted among 200 healthy adults (20-30 years of age) of Amritsar city (100 having family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and 100 age matched adults serve as control group).The basic anthropometric measurements of height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference and the derived indices body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist height ratio (WHtR) were determined from these basic measures. The various basic and derived anthropometric indices showed changes in healthy adult offspring of the parents with history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results were statistically analyzed by using SPSS Software version 17.0. All the derived anthropometric indices are significantly increased in young healthy adults (20-30yrs of age) having positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Assessment of Urban Air Quality around a Heritage Site Using AERMOD: A Case Study of Amritsar City, India

Air quality models (AQMs) play an important role in prediction and forecasting of air pollutant concentrations which are essential components for urban air quality management. Applicability of advanced AQM like AERMOD is well established in developed world where sufficient input data are available. However, it is limited in developing countries due to lack of adequate and reliable data. The present study is focused to assess the urban air quality around a heritage site in Amritsar city in India using AERMOD. The performance of AERMOD is evaluated for prediction of oxide of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter, having the diameter ≤10 μm (PM10). It is observed from the results that predicted pollutant concentrations are in satisfactory limits. The index of agreement (d) values estimated for NOx, SO2 and PM10 are 0.57, 0.51 and 0.50, respectively, indicating satisfactory performance of AERMOD. Similarly, other statistical descriptors also indicate its satisfactory performance in predicting the pollutant concentrations. Further, source apportionment of urban air pollutants has also been carried out using AERMOD. Besides, air quality management practices are also evaluated based on three what-if scenarios viz. (i) Introduction of battery-operated vehicles within the walled city, (ii) change in traffic movement and (iii) installation of air pollution control equipment in the free kitchen. It has been observed that after implementing the scenarios all together, PM10, NOx and SO2 concentrations reduce by 2.7, 9.8 and 7.0 %, respectively.

A study on nutritional status and change in body mass index with treatment outcome in smear-positive pulmonary TB patients on DOTS in Amritsar city

Background: The association between tuberculosis (TB) and malnutrition has been recognized for a long time. A body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 increases the risk of TB by 2–3 times. Conversely, an increase in body weight lowers the risk. Objective: To assess the nutritional status and change of patients’ bodyweight over time depending on TB treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on newly identified smear-positive patients registered under DOTS in two treatment units present in Amritsar city, Punjab, India. BMI of every patient was calculated from the weight and height measurements at the time of registration and again on completion of treatment. Nutritional requirement of the subjects was calculated using the Harris–Benedict equation. Data management and analysis was done by using Microsoft excel and SPSS software, version 17.00. Results: Of 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) were men and 101 (40.4%) women. Male preponderance, with male to female ratio of 1.5:1 was seen; 97.3% of the total men and all of the women were taking diet deficient in calories. It was observed that, in the beginning, 69.2% patients were underweight among which 34% are severely underweight having BMI < 16 kg/m2; 29.6% cases were having normal BMI, while only 1.2% cases were preobese. At the end of treatment, it was evident that 62.8% of the cases were still underweight, 34.9% of the cases showed normal BMI, and 2.3% were in the preobese category. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that that mean BMI in cured cases at the end of treatment was higher when compared with cases with outcome as failure. The results were found to be statistically significant. So, it was concluded that poor nutritional status is associated with unfavorable outcome in TB.

A Study of Sputum Conversion Rates Affecting the Treatment Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Smear Positive Cases under DOTS in Amritsar City

A Study of Sputum Conversion Rates Affecting the Treatment Outcome in Newly Diagnosed Smear Positive Cases under DOTS in Amritsar City

Anxiety among Adolescents in relation to their Socio-Economic Status

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between anxiety and socio-economic status of adolescents of Amritsar city. The present study also examined the gender differences with respect to anxiety and socio-economic status among adolescents. For this, 200 respondents from Amritsar city of Punjab state were selected. The results of the study reveals no significant difference in boys and girls on all the measured variables i.e. anxiety and socio-economic status. The findings of the study further reveal no relationship between anxiety and socio-economic status.

Efficacy of a comprehensive dental education program regarding management of avulsed permanent teeth as a valid indicator of increased success rate of treatment of avulsion in a North Indian population.

Aims:To assess whether educating the parents, teachers, and intermediate school children of Amritsar city about the emergency management of tooth avulsion was an effective method of increasing success rate of treatment of avulsion.Subjects and Methods:Self-administered questionnaires were prepared for 200 parents, teachers, and for intermediate school children to assess baseline knowledge. Sociodemographic distribution of the targeted group was carried out applying Kuppuswamy scale. Two months later, flip cards and posters were distributed to the selected sample followed by a reinforcement session conducted after 1 month in the form of slide presentations on dental trauma. After 3 months, reassessment performance was distributed to the same participants for reassessing any change in baseline knowledge. Further analysis of knowledge, attitude, and practices were carried out after 6 months. The scores based on Likert scale ranging 0-3 were obtained and put to statistical analysis to analyze efficacy of this program 12 months from baseline data.Results and Conclusion:Wilcoxon signed ranked test was applied to nonparametric data to study the knowledge before and after education was carried out. There was a significant change in the knowledge level of children, teachers, and parents after the campaign and teachers showed more positive change in the practice of emergency management of tooth avulsion, endorsing the fact that comprehensive dental education programs targeting school teachers and children can change the perspective of individuals toward treatment needs for dental trauma involving avulsion.

Morbidity pattern and health seeking behavior of women in reproductive age in slums of Amritsar city (Punjab), India

Background: Though India has made efforts to increase access to reproductive health care, the progress has been uneven and inequitable. There are a large number of women who still lack access to maternal and reproductive health care. The study was hence conducted with the objective of observing morbidity pattern and health seeking behavior of women in reproductive age in slums of Amritsar city. Methods: By adopting convenience sampling, 50 clusters of married women in 15-45 year of age, from different slums of Amritsar city were included in the study. They were interviewed by using pre-designed, pre-tested proforma. Data was compiled and analyzed. Results: It was observed that 53.1% women had one or more health problems. Pregnant women were 1.68 times more likely to have health problems in comparison to non-pregnant women (OR=1.68, CI = 1.07-2.65, P = 0.03) and the difference was statistically significant. But, only 25.2% women sought treatment for their health problems and 19.3% women took treatment from qualified health practitioner. Availability of ration card for their identity, their caste, type of family, literacy status of women and their socioeconomic status were significant factors affecting treatment seeking behavior of women. Conclusions: Though a large number of women in reproductive age had one or more health problems, only few of them took treatment from qualified practitioners. Attention needs to be paid to significant factors affecting their health seeking behavior so that health of women could be improved.

Trends of Handgrip Strength in Students of North Indian City of Amritsar and Its Correlations with Demographic Characteristics

Measurement of handgrip strength is commonly performed by physiotherapists to measure baseline deficiency in hand muscle power, to monitor progress during rehabilitation, and to document outcome after rehabilitation. The present study deals with the trends of handgrip strength (both dominant and non-dominant) of randomly selected 2167 Indian students (1101 male and 1066 female) aged 6- 25 years collected from various schools, colleges and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India, and its correlations with demographic characteristics. Handgrip strength was measured by standard technique. In results, statistically significant differences (p<0.003-0.001) of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength were found in all the age groups, except 6,7, 11,12,13 years between the male and female students. Both in male and female students, the increase in dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength were continuous until 13 years of age, after which male students were significantly stronger than female students. The dominant handgrip strength was found to have significantly positive correlations (p<0.05-0.01) with high and moderate socio-economic status, height and body weight of the subjects.

Women and Street Harassment: A Case of College Women in the City Of Amritsar

Women and Street Harassment: A Case of College Women in the City Of Amritsar

Effect of Yogic practices on stress among adolescents

The study was designed to study the effect of yogic practices i.e. pranayamas and meditation on stress among adolescents. For the present investigation only two dimensions of stress were taken i.e. frustration and conflict. 100 respondents (50 boys and 50 girls) of X grade from Amritsar city were randomly selected and divided into two groups i.e. experimental and control group. Intelligence test was administered to form equivalent groups. The research instrument included pre-post Abha Rani Bisht Battery of stress. Data collected was used for analysis using statistical measures. Findings reveal that pranayamas and meditation contributed in significant reduction in the level of frustration and conflict in the experimental group as compared to the control group.