District Srinagar Research Articles

Prevalence of fascioliasis in district Srinagar of Kashmir valley

Prevalence of fascioliasis in district Srinagar of Kashmir valley

A study to estimate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellites in an urban block of Kashmir valley (North India)

Background: The prevalence of Diabetes is increasing globally and these numbers include women with Gestational diabetes mellitus also. Based on demographic projections made by United Nations Population Division for the year 2025, WHO issued estimates of adults with diabetes in all countries and reported that there will be more women with diabetes than men and we may anticipate a considerable increase in the burden of GDM especially in less prosperous countries. ‘Gestational Diabetes Mellitus’ (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Worldwide prevalence of GDM varies between 1.4 – 14 %. The prevalence of Gestational diabetes mellitus in India varies from 3.8 to 21% in different parts of the country, depending on the geographical locations and diagnostic methods used. Gestational diabetes mellitus has been found to be more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas.Women diagnosed to have GDM are at increased risk of future diabetes predominantly type 2 DM as are their children. Aims & Objective: To estimate the prevalence of Gestational Diabetes mellitus and various socio-demographic factors of the studied subjects. Material and Methods: A Community based cross sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Government Medical College Srinagar (Block Hazratbal: District Srinagar).The study was conducted for a period of one year from April 2011 to March 2012. All pregnant women in 24 weeks of gestation and above after undergoing preliminary clinical examination were given a 75 g oral glucose load, without taking in to consideration the time since last meal. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed if 2 hour plasma glucose was ≥140 mg/dl (DIPSI guidelines, a modified version of the WHO criterion). Tests of proportions (Chi square) and unpaired t-test were used to obtain results. Results: A total of 306 women were registered for the study. The prevalence rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was 7.8 % and all the cases were newly diagnosed during the study. Among various risk factors associated significantly with GDM were Gravida status, Parity and History of abortion. Overall, there was a preponderance of illiterate females (52.9%). However, the association between GDM and literacy was found to be non-significant at p > 0.05. The majority of females were home makers (96.4%) and occupation did not influence the prevalence of GDM. Majority of the studied population belonged to socioeconomic class III (Modified BG Prasad). Conclusion: Increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its co-morbidities among females need immediate attention in terms of prevention and health education.

English

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is still a major public health problem in developing countries such as India. Present study was conducted in urban population of district Srinagar of J&K state (India). A study had been conducted in the same population in 1983 & the prevalence at that time was 5.9 / 1000. The aim of the present study was to know the present status of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) & RHD in the same population since we have observed a significant decline in the attendance of these patients in OPD & wards of Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar. A survey of school children aged between 6-16years studying in randomly selected private and government schools of Srinagar-city was done as a post-graduate research project at SKIMS Srinagar- a tertiary care hospital. A total of 5661 school children were examined. Eleven school children were found to have heart disease. Of these 4 had RHD, confirmed on Echocardiography while 7 had congenital heart disease (CHD) and were excluded from the study. No case of ARF could be identified. As per our study the prevalence of RHD is 0.7/1000 school children. The results observed were lower than that reported in earlier studies from developing countries, but are comparable to large studies conducted in Christian Medical College Vellore in 2003 & Gorakhpur in 2005-2006. Therefore it is concluded that there has been a dramatic decline in prevalence of RHD

English

Research question: what is the prevalence of goitre in school going children? OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of goitre in the age group of 6-12 years in district Srinagar. STUDY DESIGN: 30-cluster sampling SETTING: schools of Srinagar district PARTICIPANTS: 6-12 year old children, both boys & girls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: percentage, rate RESULTS: Overall prevalence of grade 1 st goitre was found in 14.69% (Girls 16.35% ; boys 13.38%).Grade 2nd goitre was noticed in 0.59% of surveyed children (0.96% in Girls & 0.29% in Boys). Total goitre rate (TGR) which is the sum of grade 1st & Grade 2nd was found in 15.27% of children. In Girls the rate was higher to an extent of 17% as compared to Boys were it was 13.67%. As regards magnitude of grade, 1 st goitre in different age groups as well as sex differentiation is concerned; we found that grade 1 st goitre (both sexes) was more common in the age group of 12 years (18.70%) followed by age group of 7 years (15.52%). In boys, we found that the prevalence of grade 1 st was more in age group of 12 years (18.64%) followed by age group of 9 years (14.97%). In girls, the magnitude was found to be higher in the age group of 11 years (20.83%) followed by age group of 12 years (18.77%).Maximum TGR (total goitre rate) was found in the age group of 12 years. In boys the maximum involvement was seen in age group of 12 years (19.49%) followed by that of 9 years (14.97%). In girls maximum involvement was found in age group of 11 year's (21.75%) followed by that of 12 years (20.08%)

To Estimate the Effect of Relationship of Salt Iodine Level and Prevalence of Goiter Among Women of Reproductive Age Group (15–49 Years)

The present study is a Cross-Sectional Study and was conducted in Post-graduate department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Srinagar between Feb. 2012 and Jan. 2013. The sample size of 1,041 was estimated. The study was conducted to estimate the effect of relationship of salt iodine level and prevalence of goiter among women of reproductive age group in two districts of Kashmir valley, district Srinagar and district Ganderbal, which were selected randomly. A frame of the blocks and villages in the two districts and their population was formed. From each district 10% of the blocks were selected using simple random sampling. From each block, 5% of the villages were selected using simple random sampling. A door to door survey was conducted in the selected villages and all the women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) identified and examined clinically for goiter after taking informed consent. Salt samples (one teaspoonful) from every household were taken and assessed for iodine content on spot and the iodine content of salt was assessed qualitatively by spot testing kits. The results of the present study have indicated that iodine deficiency continues to be a health problem. Almost the whole population consumes powdered salt but the storage and cooking practices diminish the iodine content of salt and results in decreased intake. Thus the need of the hour is to make people aware about proper storage and cooking practices. Women in the reproductive age group especially need to be made aware about the importance of consumption of adequately iodized salt because of the wide range of ill effects of iodine deficiency on the developing fetus and the growing child. In addition monitoring of iodine content of salt at distributor level should be done.

Incidence of Chilli Mosaic in Commercially Cultivated Chilli Areas of Kashmir Valley

A survey was conducted in district Srinagar and Pulwama of Kashmir valley to assess the incidence of chilli mosaic disease. The disease was found prevalent in both the districts with the incidence of 8.150 and 3.016 per cent, respectively. The average incidence of the disease was found to be 5.72 per cent. In incidental case the disease incidence was recorded as high as 43.50 per cent.

Other Sex: A Study on Problems of Transgender women of District Srinagar

The rationale of this paper is to accentuate the problems of transgender women and to formulate a set of recommendations to address these problems. A transgender woman is a male to female transgender and a transgender is a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender (Oxford Dictionary). They face harassment from multi-dimensional sources, from parents, teachers, peers, society... and it includes each sphere of their lives. In Jammu and Kashmir there is no Transgender welfare Board therefore the problems of the third gender remain unattended. There is an immense need to address their problems in order to make them fully functional human beings by guaranteeing and safeguarding their rights. Present study is an empirical study in which the desired information (socio-economic profile) was extracted by using an interview schedule and the mental health was studied by using MINI (Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview) module A,C,E,G,H,I,L. Hundred respondents were selected through snowball technique. The purpose for using this sampling technique is that the transgender women in Kashmir doesn’t live in communities as is typical of other states in India. The social recognition of transgender women is very low in Kashmir and so their visibility. Therefore the exact number of the transgender women in Jammu and Kashmir is not known. It can be concluded from the study that the intervention of the problems of transgender women need the individual, community and policy level approach.

Domestic Violence in Kashmir: A Study from Sheikh Mohalla Srinagar

Domestic violence refers to violence against women especially in matrimonial homes. Domestic violence is one of the crimes against women which is linked to their disadvantageous position in the society. Therefore domestic violence is recognized as the significant barriers of the empowerment of women. The study will look into reasons and response to domestic violence in Srinagar. The researcher selected the area among various areas of district Srinagar on the basis of economic condition of areas. Interview schedule was used to collect the date from the respondents. Researcher approached the respondents using purposive sampling technique. The study results clearly showed that all the respondents were illiterate and most of them have no idea about domestic violence acts / laws. Most of the respondents were threatened by their partners or in –laws, both physical and verbal abuse takes place. The majority of victims did not even register their complaints with concern authorities. Domestic violence being a grave social problem, both government and non – governmental organizations should look into this issue and general public should be made aware how domestic violence is ethically and religiously wrong and how it damages social fiber.

Health Consciousness among Illiterate and Literate Women in District Srinagar

The present research study titled, Health Consciousness among Literate and Illiterate Women in Srinagar District was conducted on a sample of fifty women among whom twenty- five were literate and twenty- five illiterate. The study focused on physical and mental health consciousness and was conducted to assess factors affecting the health consciousness among the literate and illiterate women, to assess the health status among the respondents and to compare consciousness among literate and illiterate women. Random sampling technique was used to select the sample. The tool used for the collection of data was health profoma, self-designed questionnaire and interview schedule. The study revealed the majority of both illiterate and literate women have the same food intake as other members in the family. Most of the respondents have not attended any lecture related to nutrition. Moreover, majority of illiterate and literate women sometimes had salads whereas, for most respondents fruits formed a regular part of their diet. Further, it was interpreted from the study that majority of women do not go for regular exercise to improve their health. They consult general physician during sickness and rely quite often on medicine. Women do not take iron rich foods during their menstrual periods. Food taboos were found to be common among them. Knowledge regarding nutritional needs was also found to be negligible.

Screening of various pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) selections of Kashmir valley

The present investigation was carried out in order to document the available genetic variability of several morphological quantitative and qualitative characters, and to select elite pomegranate genotypes which have superior yield and quality traits. Intensive survey was conducted in different areas of district Srinagar between 2009 and 2010. Observations were recorded on morphological, physical and chemical characters, as per the standard procedure. Sizeable variability among the genotypes for different traits was observed. Plant height ranged from 2.34 to 4.78 m, plant spread was 1.24 to 2.47 m, suckering capacity was 4 to 42, yield per tree was 7.2 to 59.02 kg, yield efficiency was 0.20 to 2.21 kg cm-2, fruit length was 5.90 to 9.24 cm, fruit diameter was 6.54 to 9.84 cm, fruit weight was 133.80 to 463.75 g, total aril weight was 62 to 250 g, rind thickness was 1.81 to 3.64 mm, total soluble solids (TSS) was 11.50 to 16.00%, juice content was 25.59 to 62.37%, acidity was 0.30 to 0.57 %, ascorbic acid was 7.96 to 20.68 mg/100 g fruit, reducing sugar was 6.00 to 10.12%, total sugar was 7.24 to 12.92% and anthocyanin content was 9.14 to 19.30 mg/100 g fruit. This variability can act as a source for further improvement and development of high yielding varieties of pomegranate which suits the Kashmir condition. Key words: Pomegranate, survey, selection, genotypes, variability.

Determination of prevalence and economic impact of ovine footrot in central Kashmir India with isolation and molecular characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus

The present study determines the prevalence, economic impact of virulent footrot in central Kashmir, India, along with isolation and molecular characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus ( D. nodosus) where so far no such work has been carried out. Over all 12.54% prevalence of footrot was recorded in central Kashmir with highest (15.84%) in district Srinagar, and least (10.89%) in district Budgam, while it was 13.28% in district Ganderbal. Overall economic impact of footrot was estimated to the tune of Rs 15.82 million annually to the sheep farming in central Kashmir. Out of 370 samples collected from footrot lesions of naturally infected sheep, 200 (54.05%) detected D. nodosus positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of these, 132 (66.00%) samples carried serogroup B of D. nodosus, five (2.50%) serogroup E, one (0.50%) serogroup I, while, 53 (26.50%) had mixed infection of serogroups B and E, four (2.00%) of serogroups B and I, two (1.00%) of serogroups B and G and the remaining three (1.50%) samples harboured the mixed infection of serogroups B, E and I. Serogroup G was detected for the first time in India. Over all serogroup B was most frequent (97.0%) followed by E (30.5%), while serogoups I (4.0%) and G (1.0%) were least prevalent. A total of 265 D.nodosus strains were isolated out of which 194 (73.20%) were typed as serogroup B, 61 (23.01%) as serogroup E, eight (3.01%) as serogroup I and remaining two (0.75%) belonged to serogroup G. Out of 265 D. nodosus isolates, 164 (61.88%) possessed intA (integrase) gene, thus were considered as virulent strains. Serogroup wise intA gene was found in 121(62.37%) isolates of serogroup B, 36 (59.01%) of E, two (100%) of G and five (62.50%) of I. Out of 20 randomly selected isolates subjected to gelatin gel test, 16 isolates with intA gene produced thermostable protease while four isolates without intA gene revealed the production of thermolabile protease. This indicated a good co-relation between presence of intA gene and gelatin gel test in determination of the D. nodosus virulence. Thus the present investigation suggests the incorporation of serogroups B and E, based on their predominant prevalence, in the formulation of an effective bivalent vaccine to combat footrot in central Kashmir.

Incidence of colorectal cancer in Kashmir valley, India

There is wide variation in the incidence of colorectal cancer globally and also within the same country among different racial or ethnic groups. The present population-based study was undertaken to determine the incidence of colorectal cancer in Kashmiri population which is non-migratory and ethnically homogeneous having stable food habits. Over a period of one year, all newly diagnosed and histological proved cases of colorectal cancer in all possible areas, where such patients are diagnosed and treated were prospectively registered. A total of 212 cases of colorectal cancers were registered; of them 113 (53.3%) originated in the colon and other 99 (46.7%) in rectum. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The crude incidence rate of colorectal cancer was 3.65/100,000; it was 3.78 in males, and 3.50/100,000 in females. The incidence rates for colorectal cancer in Muslims and Hindus were different. The crude incidence rate for colorectal carcinoma was highest for district Srinagar 6.19/100,000 (urban area) and lowest for district Kupwara (rural area) 1.59/100,000. The highest numbers of cases were detected in the age group 55-59 years (n = 34). The age-specific rate for colorectal carcinoma was highest in the age group 55-59 years (17.21/100,000), followed by 65-69 years (14.86/100,000). The age standardized incidence rate was 4.52/100,000 per year. The truncated age adjusted incidence rates in age group 35-64 years was 8.31/100,000; while that for colorectal carcinoma was 8.77/100,000 in males and 7.66/100,000 in females. We conclude that the incidence of colorectal cancer in Kashmir valley is similar to that reported in the rest of India.

Lung cancer in the Kashmir valley.

Background:Lung cancer has been found to be the second commonest cancer according to a hospital-based data from Kashmir, India. However, no incidence studies are available.Objective:To ascertain the incidence of lung cancer in Kashmir.Materials and Methods:All newly histologically diagnosed cases of lung cancer seen in various hospital and private laboratories of the Kashmir valley were registered over a period of two years (January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005). Also included were patients attending the various oncological service areas of the institute and those diagnosed from any other laboratory outside the state. The incidence rate was calculated using the January 2005 population as the reference population estimated using the census-based projected populations.Results:Four hundred and sixty–two incident cases of lung cancer were seen during the study period. The crude incidence rate, age standardized (world) and truncated age adjusted (40-69 years, world) incidence rates for lung cancer per 100 000 population were 4.01, 6.48 and 15.28 respectively (males 6.55, 10.09 and 23.94 respectively and females 1.19, 2.14 and 4.65). The age adjusted rates for males in district Srinagar was 19.34 per 100 000. One hundred and fifty nine (69.8%) of the 221 had a history of Hukkah smoking.Conclusions:Even though Kashmir as a whole is a low incidence area for lung cancer (ASR of < 15), Srinagar district has the highest incidence of lung cancer among the males in Kashmir. The data presented is assumed to be the closest approximation to a population-based data registry and the geographical incidence maps of ICMR need appropriate updating

The Artificial Family

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Background and objective</h3> SARS-CoV-2 infection poses tremendous challenge to the healthcare system of nations across the globe. Serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers, which form a high-risk group, helps in identifying the burden of hidden infection in an institutional setting. <h3>Methods</h3> We present the results of a cross-sectional serosurvey in healthcare workers from two different hospital settings based on their role in the management of SARS-CoV-2 patients in District Srinagar, Kashmir. In addition to testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG, we collected information on influenza-like symptoms in the last four weeks and the status of RT-PCR testing. SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples using a sensitive and specific chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology. <h3>Interpretation and Conclusion</h3> Of 2915 healthcare workers who participated in the study, we analysed data from 2905 healthcare workers. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies was 2.5% (95% CI 2.0-3.1) in the healthcare workers of District Srinagar. Healthcare workers who had ever worked at a dedicated-COVID hospital had a substantially lower seroprevalence of 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2 - 1.9). Among healthcare workers who had tested positive for RT-PCR, seroprevalence was 27.6% (95% CI: 14.0 - 47.2).The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers of District Srinagar is low, reflecting that a high proportion of healthcare workers are still susceptible to the infection. It is crucial to lay thrust on infection prevention and control activities and standard hygiene practices by the healthcare staff to protect them from acquiring infection within the healthcare setting.