Districts Of Karnataka State Research Articles

The digital divide in India: use and non-use of ICT by rural and urban students

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to know the frequency, place, and purpose of use of computer. It also aimed to know the various problems faced by the students in using the computer and to know the reasons for not using computer by rural and urban students.Design/methodology/approachA total of the 2,592 sample population were selected from 64 rural and urban high schools of two districts of Karnataka state. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection and data have been analyzed using Software Package for Social Science. Statistical tests, namely, χ2 and one-way ANOVA were applied to test the formulated hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the study showed that only 20.66 percent rural students and 69.70 percent of urban students used computer for various academic purposes. Further, most of the rural and urban students opined that “electric power failure” and “lack of computer” skills were major problem in using computer.Originality/valueToday, the computer education in schools plays an important role in student’s career development and enhances the quality of learning among students. Thus, the local government/school authorities may provide the minimum ICT infrastructure in both schools and more particularly in rural schools.

Livestock Service Delivery in Karnataka -Perceptions and Reflections of Veterinarians

The objective of this study was to ascertain the VeterinariansÂ’ perception regarding the effectiveness of Livestock Service Delivery (LSD) by Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) along with constraints and suggestions. The information was collected from 67 veterinarians working in two districts of Karnataka state. The key components of data collection were demographic and job profile, perception regarding effectiveness of LSD and constraints/ suggestions perceived regarding LSD. The study revealed that majority of the respondents were middle aged graduates with medium level of job experience. Most of the veterinarians rated LSD as average indicating the scope for improvement. Inadequate medicines, lack of infrastructure, shortage of human resource, administrative work load, indiscriminate practice by quacks etc were perceived as major constraints and accordingly suggestions were expressed to overcome these issues. In the light of the findings from this study, it is concluded that strengthening of existing mobile veterinary clinics with round the clock animal health service and to encouraging public private participation in LSD through cost recovery measures can help to improve the reach and quality of livestock services.

Women Empowerment through NGO Intervention: An Empirical Investigation

The present study makes an attempt to evaluate the performance of SHGs and sustaining the reduction in poverty through empowerment. The study is designed with objectives of examining the impact of Self Help Groups on economic empowerment of women and offer policy suggestions for sustaining women's empowerment through self help groups. The primary data were collected by canvassing the structured interview schedule for the sample households of 200 in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka State. It is found that a larger proportion of SHG members have actively taken part in economic domains of their life. In spite several intricacies in the process, NGO has been more successful in mobilizing the women members and building their economic and social empowerment of them and thereby bringing them on to mainstream development of the rural economy.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Self-reported Voice Problems Among Yakshagana Artists

Yakshagana /jakʃaga:na/ is a form of folk theater of India. It is a blend of music, acting, dance, costume, dialogue, and stage techniques with an exclusive style and form. Even though Yakshagana artists (singers and actors) are professional voice users, no reports are available in the literature regarding the prevalence of voice problems (VPs) in these performers. The current study investigated (a) the prevalence of self-reported VPs, (b) the different risk factors associated with the development of VPs, (c) the self-reported vocal health, and (d) the effect of VP on Yakshagana folk artists. This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire. Data for the present study were obtained through convenience sampling by distributing 160 questionnaires to Yakshagana artists in and around Udupi /uɖupi/ and Mangaluru /maŋgalu:ru/ districts of Karnataka state, India. The results of the study are analyzed and discussed based on 129 eligible questionnaires. Career prevalence of self-reported VPs in singers and actors were found to be 91.2% and 74%, respectively, with multiple symptoms of vocal attrition. Frequent throat clearing was found to have a significant association with actors reporting VPs. Around 55% of artists missed their work for 2-3 days or more with an average of 2.12 days (minimum of 1 day to maximum of 5 days). Overall, the results suggest that Yakshagana artists are at greater risk of developing VPs. Hence, there is a need for thorough understanding of factors influencing VPs and for educating the Yakshagana artists about voice care strategies.

Social Inclusion and Self Help Groups: Myth or Reality?

Studies reveal that a major weakness in the Indian economy is that the growth is not perceived as being sufficiently inclusive for many groups, especially SCs and STs. Hence, exclusion of women in general and dalit women in particular has become the issue of concern recent years and complementary to this microfinance through self help groups proving good in including the excluded section of the society in to the broad platform of social inclusion. However, there is another group of studies questions this argument and opine that self help groups succeeded in financial inclusion but not succeeded fully in accelerating social inclusion of women. With this background the paper is prepared with objectives of examining the impact of Self Help Groups on social inclusion of women; To analyse the problem faced by the dalit women and suggest policy prescriptions. The study was conducted in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district of Karnataka State. The social inclusion of SHG members is observed in terms of involvement of dalit women in decision making process both in family and SHG matters, type of entrepreneurial activity undertaken, positions held in SHGs etc,. The study suggests that dalit women also supported to take important positions in the SHG’s Special attention should be given to SC, ST members to undertake IGA. Dalit women should be motivated to join women organization, and directions should be given to animators of all the promoters to involve dalit women members before taking to the important decisions of SHG’s operation.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic characterisation of Theileria luwenshuni in India: A first report

We describe the first report of Theileria luwenshuni in India and its molecular characterisation by 18S rRNA gene based phylogenetic analysis. During the year 2015–16 and 2016–17, many sheep and goat flocks in Karnataka state of India witnessed mortalities ranging from 20 to 60%, with symptoms of high fever, anaemia and weakness. The ailing animals did not respond to routine treatments. The present study describes screening of blood samples of clinically ailing as well as in-contact, apparently healthy animals in these affected flocks. During this study, blood samples and ticks were collected from 106 sheep and 47 goats in nine districts of Karnataka state, India. Microscopic examination revealed presence of Theileria spp. in 53 sheep and 32 goats. Theileria genus specific PCR targeting amplification of 1098bp region on 18S rRNA gene showed presence of Theileria spp. in 103 sheep and 45 goats. Species specific PCR employed for detection of the most common Theileria spp. prevalent in India viz., T. ovis and T. lestoquardi did not yield specific amplifications. Hence, 1098bp genus specific PCR amplicons were subjected for nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Theileria spp. identified during this study had >99.9% sequence identity with T. luwenshuni isolates of Chinese origin. PCR detected T. luwenshuni in 103 sheep and 45 goat samples. The ticks collected from sheep and goats during this study were identified as Haemaphysalis kutchensis, Haemaphysalis intermedia, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This is the first report on detection and molecular phylogenetic characterisation of T. luwenshuni in small ruminants of India.

Current Scenario of Tick-Borne Diseases in India - A Review

Ticks have been associated with human afflictions since time immemorial as evidenced by earlier records from many countries of the world. They are the obligatory blood-feeding arachnids and playing role as vectors for transmission of many infectious diseases in man and animal. Various wild and domestic animals are reservoir hosts for tick-borne pathogens of livestock and human hosts. In recent times, many of the newly emerging and reemerging diseases of zoonotic origin are transmitted by ticks. Tick-borne diseases are prevalent only in specific risk areas where the favorable environmental conditions exist for the individual tick species. Indian tick typhus (ITT), first recognized in 1917 in India, is caused by Rickettsia conori, earlier reported sporadically from mountainous and forested areas and now reported from many parts of the country. In India, the fatal tick-borne viral diseases, viz., Cremian Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) were caused by ticks of Hyalomma analoticum and Hemophysalis spinigera. KFD is a re-emerging disease discovered in 1957 from Shimoga district of Karnataka state; however, in recent years it has moved its territory to seven districts of the state as well as centripetally spread to neighboring Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra states which are sharing borders with the state. CCHF, an emerging disease, was first reported from Gujarat in 2011; however, in recent years cases were recorded from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh states. There are sporadic records available for the occurrence of other tick-borne diseases, viz., relapsing fever, lyme disease, Ganjam virus disease and Q fever from various parts of the country time to time. This paper reviews the current scenario of tick-borne diseases in the country and the factors responsible for the occurrence and probable measures for prevention and appropriate control.

Epidemiological trends in Kyasanur Forest Disease in Karnataka State, South India

Background: There is very little information about Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) an arboviral infection transmitted to man by bite of infective hard ticks. It is a public health problem unique for its existence in Karnataka State of south western India. Objectives: To know the prevalence of KFD in Karnataka state (from 2004 to 2012), to find out case fatality associated with it and to know its time trends. Materials and Methods: A retrospective record based study of KFD seropositive cases from the entire state (2004 to 2012). The data was accessed from the office of Joint Director, Communicable diseases, Government of Karnataka. The data was analyzed using SPSS Software Version 21.0. Prevalence (total, annual and period) was calculated for entire state and for each of the districts of the state. Chi-square test was used to know if the observed difference was statistically significant. Results: KFD cases are confined to only four districts of Karnataka state. The total period prevalence in the entire state was 1.054 per lakh population. Out of 556 cases, there were 16 deaths with an overall case fatality rate of 2.87%.Time trend shows a cyclical outbreak every 3 years. Majority (51.9%) of the cases were observed in the middle aged (20 – 49 years) males. Conclusion: KFD is limited to few places (villages) in four districts of Karnataka state with low overall prevalence & case fatality rate. Cyclical time trend indicates the potential of outbreak in near future. Key words: Kyasanur Forest Disease, Fatality, Prevalence, Time trends, India.

Economic performance of contract broiler farming

The present study was conducted to assess the economic performance of contract broiler farming in Shimoga district of Karnataka state with the help of data gathered from 90 contract broiler farmers who had entered into agreement with companies to pursue their poultry business. The data was analyzed using budgeting technique, simple ratios, percentages and indices. The study indicated that the capital investment of Rs. 4.11 lakhs, Rs. 6.44 lakhs and Rs. 10.91 lakhs is required to start small, medium and large sized poultry units, respectively. The total cost incurred by the companies and the farmers for rearing of broilers was Rs. 4.29 lakhs in case of small, Rs. 6.19 lakhs in case of medium and Rs. 11.43 lakhs in case of large units. The companies shared over 92 % of the total cost while the farmers contributed 8%.

Case Study on a Successful Woman Livestock Entrepreneur in Shivamogga District of Karnataka

Case study on Successful Livestock Entrepreneur of Agasavalli village in Shivamogga district of Karnataka state was conducted to examine the economics of the enterprise and the entrepreneurship skills of women in sheep and goat farming. Structured interview schedule observation method and farm records were used for collection of primary data. A woman entrepreneur Smt. Chitra. M , 41 year old runs the farm successfully. “Samrudhi sheep and goat farm” which is 14 k.m away from Shivamogga city. The entrepreneur owns 200 sheep, breed reared were Deccani, Kenguri sheep. These were selected based on local preference of consumers. This unit generated income and provided employment and food security. The animals were sold at their farm gate on live weight basis. In addition study also revealed that entrepreneur acquired entrepreneurship skills like self-confidence, creativity, calculated risk taking capacity, determination, need for achievement, individuality, leadership and optimism.

Effects of Nutrition Education on Nutrition Knowledge of Stone Cutters: A Study in Davanagere District of Karnataka State

Objective: The present study aimed at assessing the nutrition knowledge of the stone cutters at Davanagere district of Karnataka state. Methodology and Statistical Analysis: The questionnaire inclusive of 30 statements related to basic health and nutrition concepts was developed and pre-tested to assess the knowledge of stone workers (Male: 60, Female: 60) at Davanagere district of Karnataka in India.After the nutrition education programme for a month, the post test was conducted by using the same questionnaire. The nutrition knowledge was classified as low, medium and high level based on mean and standard deviation. Findings: The findings revealed that the higher per cent of stone cutter (45.83 %) had low knowledge, followed by 32.50 per cent stone cutter in the medium level and only 21.67 per cent had high knowledge before the intervention. There was a drastic change observed after the intervention. The stone cutters in the low level group were reduced to 25.83 per cent whereas increase in the knowledge level was observed in the medium and high level groups after the intervention (46.67 % vs. 32.50 % and 27.50 % vs. 21.67 % respectively). The chi-square test showed significant difference at one per cent level. Majority of the respondents (56%) had medium level of knowledge in respect to nutrition practices. Conclusion: There was improvement in the nutrition and health practices were observed among male and female respondents after the education provided.

English

English

A Statistical Approach to Study the Socio Demographic Profile of Working Women of Rural and Urban Area of the Three Districts of Karnataka State -A Case Study

A Statistical Approach to Study the Socio Demographic Profile of Working Women of Rural and Urban Area of the Three Districts of Karnataka State -A Case Study

Prevalence of fumonisin producing Fusarium verticillioides associated with cereals grown in Karnataka (India)

A total of 135 cereal samples were collected from different districts of Karnataka state, India in which 69 samples were infected with Fusarium species. Among these 51 samples were having Fusarium verticillioides infection and among them 42 samples were positive for fumonisin production. Per cent incidence and frequency were high in maize samples with 33.12% and 47.54%, respectively followed by paddy and sorghum, while pearl millet was free from F. verticillioides infection. Relative density of F. verticillioides association was 59.50% among the screened samples. A total of 326 Fusarium species were isolated by screening 135 cereal samples and among these 194 isolates of F. verticillioides scored positive for VERTF-1 and VERTR species-specific pair of primers. Further amplification with VERTF-1 and VERTF-2 pair of primers recorded 176 isolates of fumonisin producing F. verticillioides. The study revealed high incidence, frequency and relative density of fumonisin producing F. verticillioides and production of fumonisins in cereals. It was amplified using one forward and two reverse primers to discriminate fumonisin producing from fumonisin non-producing F. verticillioides which stresses the need for the development of managemental stratergies before they enter into the food chain.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception of Voluntary and Replacement Blood Donors regarding Organ Donation

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception about organ donation among blood donors in Dakshin Kannada district of Karnataka State, India. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at blood donation camps and at blood banks where a total of 330 blood donors (both voluntary and replacement donors) were interviewed with the help of structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed. The statistical tests used were descriptive statistics like frequency and percentages. Results: 54.24% of donors were young adults, belonged to the age group of 26-40 years. Donors were predominantly male (79.09%). All the study subjects were of the opinion that pledging of organs is a noble act, with a majority (88.48%) expressing a desire to pledge their body organs after death. Conclusion: Interactive awareness sessions on organ donation should be organized at blood donation camps and at social events to provide proper information regarding body donation after death and the legal procedures involved so that it can aid in modern medical care.

STUDY ON RADON CONCENTRATION AT THE WORK PLACES OF MYSURU, BENGALURU AND KOLAR DISTRICTS OF KARNATAKA STATE, SOUTH INDIA.

Concentrations of radon, thoron and their progeny inside the working place depend on the activity of radionuclides in the soil, building materials, atmospheric conditions, construction of the building, type of work and ventilation condition. Radon is a radioactive noble gas, and it is emanated from 226Ra present in earth crest and building material. Based on the type of work, construction of the building and ventilation condition, concentrations of radon, thoron and their progeny have been measured in 60 workplaces at 10 locations of Mysuru, Bengaluru and Kolar districts of Karnataka state using Solid-State Nuclear Track Detector technique. From the study, variations of radon, thoron and their progeny have been observed with the nature of work.

Status of ICDS Centers of Bengaluru District of Karnataka State

Karnataka is a progressive state and has been highly proactive in the implementation of Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) scheme. Nonetheless, the benefits of the program are not distributed as per the need of the regions within the state of Karnataka, hence resulting in varied malnourishment, morbidity and mortality levels across different regions. In this context the study aims at examining the magnitude of state intervention in terms of the financial inputs and the program coverage on malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. The study was conducted in the Bangalore urban district of Karnataka state and data was collected from the three project areas namely Bangalore urban taluk, Bangalore rural taluk and Anekal taluk. The study found that children enrollment for supplementary nutrition and health services are good compared to those who attend pre-school non-formal education in ICDS centers. 40% of the aganwadi centers do not have basic amenities like lighting, drinking water, etc. Health officials and other supervisors visit these centers with a frequency of one month to three months. Once in two months, health check will be carried out by the Health Officer. Predominantly, the malnourished and major cases will be treated for referral care and based on the need they will be referred to General Hospital, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers.

Livelihood security of farm households under different farming systems in Kolar district of Karnataka-An economic analysis

The study was undertaken in Kolar district of Karnataka state to assess the outcomes of livelihood security like Economic security, Food security, Educational security, Health security, Habitat security and Social network security. Four farming systems viz. Crop+Dairy, Crop+Sericulture, Crop+Dairy+Sericulture and Crop+Sheep were identified as major farming systems based on preliminary survey and previous studies in the area. The study based on the primary data from 120 farmers covering equal samples under major farming systems was elicited through survey method for the period 2010–11. The data was analyzed using Garrett ranking technique, Gini co-efficient and Conventional economic and simple statistical tools like ratios, percentage and indices etc. The result revealed that net annual income realized by a household was highest in C+D+S ( 3, 58, 880/-) farming system of which 43.78 per cent was from sericulture enterprise alone and least in C+Sh ( 46, 281/-) farming system of which 59.95 per cent was from non-farm activities. When compared to Farm households of rainfed based farming systems (Crop+Sheep) irrigation based farming system (Crop+Dairy, Crop+Sericulture, Crop+Dairy+Sericulture) households are on par with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) norms in cereal consumption. Public Distribution System (PDS) playing an important role in food security of farm households of rainfed farming systems through supplying food grains at cheaper prices. The overall livelihood security is high in case of C+D+S farm households.

Cost Burden of Dengue Fever in a Rural Ramanagara District of Karnataka State

ABSTRACTIntroductionDengue fever is an arboviral disease caused by dengue virus, which is a single-stranded RNA virus and belongs to family Flaviviridae. Dengue fever (DF) has emerged as a global public health problem in recent years. The problem has become hyperendemic in many urban, peri-urban and rural areas, with frequent epidemics South-East Asia is one of the regions with highest risk of DF and accounts for 52% of the worldwide risk. In India, according to World Health Organization, 70.8% of the total health care expenditure was out-of-pocket in 2010. According to the World Bank, the percentage of out-of-pocket expenditure is as high as 86.4%. Dengue fever causes a significant economic and social burden on the population of endemic areas. This study was conducted with the objective to estimate the direct and indirect cost expenditure on families of dengue affected members and to assess the financial coping mechanisms of the families.Materials and methodsConfirmed cases of DF with either NS-1 positive or IgM positive or positive for both and willing to participate in the study formed the sample. After taking informed consent, study subjects were interviewed using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Questionnaire included demo- graphic profile and questions related to their financial coping mechanisms. Information on the laboratory bill, hospital bill, and pharmacy bill was collected from the hospital records on the day of patient's discharge. Indirect cost, such as travel expenses, food, and beverage expenses were collected from the family members of dengue patients. Necessary permission was taken from the hospital and RajaRajeswari Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Data were collected and compiled in the MS excel sheet and were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Descriptive statistics-qualitative variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, continuous variables, such as hospital stay and cost are expressed in terms of mean and standard deviation.ResultsAverage direct cost per household for treatment of dengue was 5185.395 INR. Average out-of-pocket expenditure per household for treatment of dengue was 6190 INR. Most of the households used savings as a mechanism to cope up with the increased expenditure due to dengue. About 77.6% of the households diverted their savings to pay for the treatment of dengue, 18.4% of households borrowed money from friends and relatives to pay the hospital bills, and the remaining 3% respondents used their health insurance as a financial coping mechanism to get the treatment for dengue.ConclusionThere is a substantial financial loss to the Indian families of which a significant proportion lies below the poverty line. Government is the only agency working for the prevention of this kind of vector-borne disease. Public awareness in the community about the treatment of dengue is very scant. People use their savings which is the major method to cope up with expenditure due to DF. Significant proportion of the population uses the incurred borrowing as a method to pay for the treatment of dengue, which is a matter of concern.How to cite this articleKumar N, Shyam AC, Vidya. Cost Burden of Dengue Fever in a Rural Ramanagara District of Karnataka State. J Med Sci 2016;2(4):59-61.

Impact of MGNREGA on income, expenditure, savings pattern of beneficiaries in North-Eastern Karnataka

This study was undertaken to assess the impact of the scheme on change in the income, savings pattern and extent of employment after the implementation of the scheme in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka state. Kalaburagi district was covered during the third phase of implementation of MGNREGA which was selected for the study with the pre set objective of analyzing the impact of MGNREGA on the participant households. For evaluating the specific objectives designed for the study, required primary data was collected from the participants for the agriculture year 2013–14. MGNREGA fully implemented village farmers ( 18718/year) were earning significantly higher income (74.48%) than that of partially implemented MGNREGA village farmers ( 4775/year). The average amount of savings made in SHGs was 2, 380, in fully implemented MGNREGA villages, whereas in partially implemented MGNREGA villages it was 1, 543. The savings was made in banks 12, 000 by the participants in fully implemented MGNREGA villages. Whereas, in case of partially implemented MGNREGA villages the savings was made by participants 8, 120 it was less compared to fully implemented MGNREGA villages.