South Indian District Research Articles

Work, Life and Protest of Indico Tea Estate Workers

Nilgiri tea is a mysterious, extremely pungent, fragrant, and flavoured tea grown in the southern portion of Southern India's Western Ghats. It is grown in the hills of Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri district, but there are numerous other tea-growing districts in South India, such as Munnar and Central Travancore in Kerala. In Nilgiri, many tea estates cultivate tea leaves with their employees. Most of the people in Nilgiri work as employees and workers in tea estates and indico factories. They pick tea daily, and the workers are happy in the estate. This study will determine how satisfied they are. This is a small attempt to know the welfare of the estate employees.

Spatial heterogeneity in the exclusive use of hygienic materials during menstruation among women in urban India.

Menstrual hygiene is essential for women to live with dignity. However, a large proportion of Indian women still suffer from unhygienic menstrual practices leading to reproductive tract infections. To understand the socioeconomic and bio-demographic determinants of menstrual hygiene practices, various national or local level studies have been conducted in India and around the world, however, no previous study has tried to understand the spatial heterogeneity across Indian districts in the use of hygienic materials among young urban women. This study used data from 54,561 urban women aged 15-24 from the National Family Health Survey-5. Global Moran's I was applied to assess the degree of spatial autocorrelation and cluster and outlier analyses to locate hot-spots and clod-spots in the exclusive use of hygienic materials across the districts. Ordinary least square, spatial lag, and error models were used to identify determinants of exclusive use of hygienic materials. Approximately 66.8% of urban women exclusively use of hygienic materials which varied across districts. Global Moran's I of 0.46 indicated positive spatial autocorrelation in the outcome. Cluster and outlier analysis revealed cold-spots in central Indian districts and hotspots in south Indian districts. Results of spatial error model identified women's years of schooling, marital status, social group, and household wealth were major determinants of the exclusive use of hygienic materials among urban women across Indian districts. Substantial spatial heterogeneity in the outcome among urban women in India suggests the need to design targeted and context-specific behavioural interventions and programs for women in urban India.

Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (GRIT) Among Mid Adolescent School Students in a District of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (GRIT) is an optimistic character that mixes passion and dedication. It is a driver of achievement and success, independent of and beyond what intelligence and talent contribute. The study aimed to assess GRIT and factors influencing it among mid-adolescent school students (13-18 years) in the Perambalur district, Tamilnadu, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among mid-adolescent school students. We used a self-reported questionnaire to collect the data on sociodemographic characteristics and parents' details and the standard eight-item GRIT questions. Analysis was done with the total and subscale scores. Among the 1663 participants, 966 (58.1%) were males. The mean (SD) age was 15.6 (1.19) years. The mean GRIT score was 26.65 (4.12). Most students (755) showed medium (45.4%) GRIT scores. The age factor had a weak negative correlation with GRIT (r = -0.052, p = 0.033) and females had higher scores (t = 9.13, p = 0.002). Perseverance of effort was significantly more in those from a rural background (t = 1.9, p = 0.012), while consistency of interest was more in those from urban background (t = 0.63, p = 0.03). Most students had average or medium GRIT scores, with higher GRIT among females. The concept of GRIT should be properly addressed among children during their school years in order to inspire them to dream with passion and perseverance.

Assessment of underground water quality and water quality index across the Noyyal River basin of Tirupur District in South India

The quality of underground water is essential for ensuring the long-term, secure use of this resource for any activity, especially drinking, irrigation, and so on. However, the country's rapid urbanization and industrialization have frequently resulted in groundwater contamination as a result of the discharge of unprocessed industrial effluents and municipal wastewater into the river. Tirupur is an important city in south India, known for its textile industries and diverse culture. It is rich in textile processing mills and located on the bank of the Noyyal River. The underground water quality across the Noyyal basin was assessed in this study by taking underground water samples from fifteen arbitrary locations in Tirupur along the Noyyal River's downstream. Several indicators of water quality have been taken into account in this analysis, including hydrogen potential (pH), total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, chlorides, nitrates, bicarbonates, and sulfates. The underground water quality index (UWQI) has also been computed based on the test results. The outcomes indicate that underground water quality has been significantly affected due to the contaminated Noyyal River. To conserve the quality of the underground water, an appropriate action plan needs to be executed.

Undiagnosed hypertension and its correlates among adults attending urban and rural health training centers in a South Indian district.

In developing countries, many people with high blood pressure are not aware of their disease. Those who are diagnosed to have elevated hypertension may not have access to treatment. It contributes to the high burden of heart diseases, kidney failure stroke, and premature mortality and disability. The objective of this study is to estimate the burden of undiagnosed hypertension and to describe the factors associated with it among adults attending outpatient department of an urban and rural health centers in a South Indian district. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was done among 539 outpatient adults of rural and urban health centers in a South Indian district during May-December 2021 recruited through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire. Variables significant in univariate analysis were further analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. One-hundred and ninety-nine (36.9%) out of 539 participants had undiagnosed hypertension. Multivariate analysis showed the following risk factors as significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension (age more than 50 (AOR = 5.936, 95% CI = 3.787-9.304), adults with a family history of hypertension (AOR = 1.826, 95% CI = 1.139-2.929), participants without physical activity (AOR = 1.648, 95% CI = 1.089-2.496), and participants from urban area (AOR = 1.837, 95% CI = 1.132-2.982)). A high burden of undiagnosed hypertension was identified emphasizing the need for strict implementation and monitoring of health promotion, awareness generation, and promotion of healthy lifestyle strategies proposed by the government.

Analyzing psychiatric disorders from rural primary health centers: A clinical epidemiological study from a District of South India

Analyzing psychiatric disorders from rural primary health centers: A clinical epidemiological study from a District of South India

Enforcement of Section 5 of COTPA in a District in South India: Hits and Misses

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) has been enacted in the year 2003 and came into force inthe following year. Section 5 of COTPA prohibits advertisement of cigarette and other tobacco products. Despitebeing in force for more than 15 years COTPA has not been enforced to its fullest extent.Objectives: The study’s goal was to assess the current level of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar.Methodology: A sample size of 423 Points of Sale (PoS) shops was calculated based on 95% confidence level, byusing Open Epi software 3.01, a 50% anticipated compliance rate and a 5% error margin with a design effect of 1.1.Data analysis was done using SPSS Version22.Results: Among the 423 PoS surveyed very few were found displaying advertisements in the form of boards (6Nos,1.4%), Posters (6 Nos,1.4%), banners (2 Nos,0.5%), or stickers (2 Nos,0.5%). In fact, no shop was found to havedisplayed any dangle, LCD, product show case, illuminated boards, black lit or offering promotional gifts andinserts.Conclusion: The study revealed a fair amount of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar. In fact the very absenceof any shop displaying dangles, LCDs, illuminated or black lit advertisement boards or offering promotional giftsand inserts were encouraging findings.

Falls and its Impact on the Lives of the Rural and Urban South Indian Older Adults using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Framework

Background: A fall is a ubiquitous event experienced by all but, in older adults, it leads to more adverse events. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework offers a better understanding of the consequences of falls. Studies concerning the impact of falls on older adults living in rural and urban areas based on the ICF framework are sparse. Objectives: We examined the difference in the fall rate, fall characteristics, and the impact of falls based on the ICF framework in rural and urban older adults. Study Design: We did a cross-sectional survey among older adults living in rural and urban areas in a South Indian district from November 2017 to April 2018. Methods: We included 304 community-dwelling rural (n = 210) and urban (n = 94) older adults in the study. Self-designed data form was used to get the details on age, gender, educational level, visual problems, comorbidities, history, frequency, and fall-related injuries. Based on the ICF framework, we used measures such as the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), modified Barthel Index (MBI), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Out of 210 rural older adults, 101 (48%) experienced falls, and out of 94 urban older adults, 52 (55%) experienced falls. The fall rate did not differ significantly between the rural and urban older adults (odds ratio: 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57–1.31,P= 0.507). The rural and urban older adult fallers differed significantly in gender (male: 95% CI: 0.06–0.39; female: 95% CI: 0.06–0.39;P= 0.007), education (<10 years: 95% CI: 0.31–0.57; >10 years: 95% CI: 0.75–0.94;P= 0.001), comorbidities (diabetes mellitus: 95% CI: 0.03–0.30; hypertension: 95% CI: 0.04–0.26; no comorbidities: 95% CI: 0.05–0.21;P= 0.001), problem in visual acuity (yes: 95% CI: 0.15–0.39; no: 95% CI: 0.15–0.39;P= 0.001), and frequency of falls (once: 95% CI: 0.01–0.33; recurrent: 95% CI: 0.01–0.33;P= 0.001) and did not differ in age, vocational status, and hospitalization. Except in CIQ scores (95% CI: 2.08–5.91;P= 0.001), they did not differ significantly in the fall-related injuries, BBS, MBI, and WHOQOL-BREF scores. Conclusion: The rural older women and the urban older adults with higher levels of education who had diabetes, hypertension, and visual problems experienced more falls. Although the urban older adults reported a higher frequency of falls, they showed a higher level of community reintegration than the rural older adults.

Exclusive use of hygienic menstrual absorbents among rural adolescent women in India: A geospatial analysis

ObjectivesPoor menstrual hygiene can contribute significantly to female morbidity, yet the use of hygienic absorbents during menstruation is considerably low among rural adolescent women. This study examines the spatial patterns of hygienic absorbent use during menstruation among rural adolescent women to identify the districts of India where it is significantly clustered. Further, it examines the factors responsible for the spatial disparity in the exclusive use of hygienic absorbents. MethodsWe applied Global Moran's I to estimate the degree of spatial heterogeneity. In addition, we ran Cluster and Outlier Analysis (Anselin Local Moran's I) to locate clusters and outliers in the exclusive use of hygienic absorbents across the districts. Ordinary least squares, spatial lag, and spatial error models were used to identify the determinants of exclusive use of hygienic absorbents. ResultsThe Global Moran's I value for the outcome variable was 0.51, indicating a positive spatial autocorrelation in the exclusive use of hygienic absorbents. Central Indian districts had statistically significant cold spots, whereas statistically significant hot spots were discovered in south Indian districts. Our study identified that women's education, religion, social group, household wealth, mass media exposure, and women's employment status were significant determinants of the exclusive use of hygienic absorbents across Indian districts. ConclusionThere is a substantial spatial disparity in the exclusive use of hygienic absorbents among rural adolescent women in India. The use of hygienic absorbents by rural adolescent women could be encouraged through mass media campaigns, rural healthcare personnel, and free or subsidized delivery of hygienic absorbents in the identified cold spots.

Epidemiological investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Vellore district in South India using Geographic Information Surveillance (GIS)

ObjectivesGeographical Information Surveillance (GIS) is an advanced digital technology tool that maps location-based data and helps in epidemiological modeling. We applied GIS to analyze patterns of spread and hotspots of COVID-19 cases in the Vellore district in South India. MethodsLaboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases from the Vellore district and neighboring taluks from March 2020 to June 2021 were geocoded and spatial maps were generated. Time trends exploring urban-rural burden with an age-sex distribution of cases and other variables were correlated with outcomes. ResultsA total of 45,401 cases of COVID-19 were detected, with 20,730 cases during the first wave and 24,671 cases during the second wave. The overall incidence rates of COVID-19 were 462.8 and 588.6 per 100,000 population during the first and second waves, respectively. The spread pattern revealed epicenters in densely populated urban areas with radial spread sparing rural areas in the first wave. The case fatality rate was 1.89% and 1.6% during the first and second waves, which increased with advancing age. ConclusionsModern surveillance systems like GIS can accurately predict the trends and spread patterns during future pandemics. In addition, real-time mapping can help design risk mitigation strategies, thereby preventing the spread to rural areas.

A Successful Prototype of a Multipronged Helmet Campaign in a District of South India

Abstract
 Background/problem: Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of injury and death in the productive age group. Two-wheeler riders accounted for nearly half of fatal and nonfatal injuries. Head injury is the most common cause of death
 among them, which can be reduced by the appropriate use of the helmet. Though there was a law about the compulsorywearing of a helmet in the state, it was never enforced in the district and helmet usage rate in a district before the campaignvaried from 1% to 5%.Methods: ‘Helmethon’, a unique multi-faceted Campaign in the district of India was carried out for a period of threemonths in the year 2015 to promote helmet for prevention of head injuries. The campaign targeted the general public witha special focus on youth and stakeholders, who are responsible for enforcement of helmet legislation.Results: Campaign was successful in sensitizing the community and drawing the stakeholder’s attention towards theimportance of preventing head injuries through enforcement of helmet law. The law was enforced in Tumkur district inless than a fortnight following the campaign and helmet usage rate among riders soon after enforcement had increasedto 80% from a mere 1%.Conclusion: A well planned and committed helmet campaign shall sensitize the community regarding helmet safety andencourages them to use it. It also influences stakeholders to enforce the helmet law with the least resistance.

Scrub Typhus: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis from South India.

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic rickettsial disease caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. The non-specificity of presentation, low index of suspicion and the poor availability of diagnostic tests often lead to delayed diagnosis and significant morbidity and mortality. Temperature, humidity, rainfall and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) on the spatio-temporal clustering of scrub typhus cases in children in three contiguous administrative districts in South India over 5 years were studied. A total of 419 children were diagnosed with scrub typhus during the study period. A surge of children with scrub typhus was noted when the NVDI ranged between 0.6 and 0.8 µm. Temperature, humidity and rainfall had a major role in the incidence of scrub typhus.

An Insight Into the Distribution of Allele Frequency of ABO and Rh (D) Blood Grouping System Among Blood Donors in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chengalpattu District of South India.

IntroductionThe distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups and their allele frequencies vary from one population to another worldwide. The objective of the study is to estimate the distribution of ABO & Rh (D) blood groups among all the blood donors in a tertiary care hospital in Chengalpattu district of Tamilnadu in South India and to determine their allele frequencies.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study carried out in the blood bank of Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre from January 2015 to December 2021. ABO and Rh (D) blood grouping of all the blood donors were carried out by tube agglutination method. Allele frequency of the blood group genes was calculated based on Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.ResultsOut of total a of 7598 blood donors, 7576 (99.71%) were males and 22 (0.29%) were females. The most common blood group was O positive (37.67%) while AB negative (0.18%) was the least common blood group. The phenotypic frequency of blood group O (39.17%) was the highest and that of blood group AB (7.88%) was the least. A majority (95.96%) of the blood donors were Rh (D) positive. The allele frequencies of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups were 0.1628 for IA, 0.2177 for IB, 0.6259 for IO, 0.7991 for ID, and 0.2009 for Id.ConclusionsThe distribution of the two major blood group systems namely ABO and Rh (D) systems show considerable heterogeneity in different populations of the world. Information about allele frequencies of blood groups among different populations worldwide will help in framing policy decisions to face future challenges in healthcare services.

Multi-criteria coastal environmental vulnerability assessment using analytic hierarchy process based uncertainty analysis integrated into GIS

Changes in environmental conditions influence vulnerability due to interacting stresses and pressures across the nations and regions. Coastal resources are under severe stress due to climate change, growing trade and commerce, and the human population depends on them. The coastal vulnerability to changing climatic variables has created a major concern at regional, national and global scales. The present model study assessed the coastal vulnerability of the densely populated districts in South India, which are prone to extreme climatic events at a higher frequency. The seven crucial influencing variables that have been selected for the study were sea-level rise, coastal elevation, coastal slope, extreme rainy days, historical shoreline change, tidal range, and geomorphology. The identified variables were ranked by relative importance and linked by weightage using analytical hierarchy process-based uncertainty analysis. Mapped and reclassified variables have been integrated to derive the overall vulnerability using geospatial techniques. The study shows that the coast has experienced high vulnerability to SLR impact, extreme rainfall, geomorphology, and elevation; medium vulnerability to the shoreline change and least vulnerable to coastal slope and tidal range. Of the coastal regions studied, 29% and 14.3% had high vulnerability; 70.5% and 85.7% had medium vulnerability in the two selected densely populated districts (Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur District). Applying geospatial techniques to assess the environmental vulnerability resulted in reliable and informative maps which will serve as a model to determine the critical coastal regions to plan for the conservation and adaptation measures.

Need and Viability of Newborn Screening Programme in India: Report from a Pilot Study.

India, a country with the second largest population in the world, does not have a national newborn screening programme as part of its health policy. With funding support from the Grand Challenges Canada, a pilot newborn screening programme was implemented for the Udupi district of South India to study the need and viability of a national programme in India. Six disorders were selected for the study based on the availability of funding and recommendation from pediatricians in the district. Here, we report the observed incidence during the study. A cost-effectiveness analysis of implementing newborn screening in India was performed. It is evident from our analysis that the financial loss for the nation due to these preventable diseases is much higher than the overall expenditure for screening, diagnosis, and treatment. This cost-effectiveness analysis justifies the need for a national newborn screening programme in India.

Methane emissions from dairy farms: case study from a coastal district in South India

Methane emissions from dairy farms: case study from a coastal district in South India

Understanding dynamics of private tuberculosis pharmacy market: a qualitative inquiry from a South Indian district

ObjectivesIn India, retail private pharmacists (RPPs) are often patients’ first point of contact for diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). We assessed the factors influencing RPPs’ referral of patients with chest symptoms...

A comparative study on quality of life of elderly among those living with families and in old age homes in a District in South India

A comparative study on quality of life of elderly among those living with families and in old age homes in a District in South India

Antidote Mastery: A Survey of Antidote Knowledge and Availability among Physicians in a South Indian District

The exact frequency of poisoning is unclear, although it is the most prevalent cause of emergency room visits. It is a critical domain for emergency medicine practitioners, who are the first to see people who have been exposed to toxic substances. As a result, they must be aware of how to manage the poisoning. So, a survey was designed to identify their knowledge on antidotes for common poisonings, along with queries on antidotes and decontamination measures available within each hospital. A total of 232 people replied to the poll (77.33 % response rate). In general, data of antidotes are not found higher but differed based upon the antidote. Physicians who work in tertiary hospitals and more bedded hospitals appreciably served well. Merely 42.24 % of the 16 antidotes are accessible at each reporting hospitals on average; 18.1 % could acquire them from adjacent hospitals and 20.26 % could acquire them from a local distributor. Only 19.4 % of people can acquire an antidote within 2 h. The most common decontamination therapy is gastric lavage, while extracorporeal decontamination procedures 42.24 % and 36.64 % respectively are available in varying degrees. Knowledge of specific antidotes was shown to be connected to the size, type and location of the hospital in the East Godavari district, rather than individual physician characteristics. In roughly half of the hospitals assessed, significant antidotes are still unavailable or available within 2 h, even though all key acute decontamination therapies and procedures appear to be widely used.

POSA203 Assessment of Socio-Demographic Profiles of the Poisoning Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It has been identified as a significant global public health problem. Our hospital is situated in a South Indian district of Karnataka where agriculture is the major occupation in rural Mysuru and many rural patients get admitted to emergency department of JSS Medical hospital, Mysuru due to poisoning.