Kollam District Of Kerala Research Articles

Fish Diversity and Water Quality in Munroe Island, Kollam District, Kerala

Munroe Island, located in the Kollam district of Kerala, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and picturesque landscapes. The present study aimed to assess the fish diversity and water quality in the Munroe Island region of Kollam District, Kerala. The ichthyofaunal survey conducted in the area (3 sites) revealed the presence of 23 fish species belonging to 18 families, indicating a diverse fish community in the region. However, threat status assessment using IUCN criteria identified several species as vulnerable or near threatened to anthropogenic pressures. The analysis of physico-chemical parameters of water quality (from 10 sites) highlighted various factors influencing ecosystem dynamics, including temperature fluctuations, pH levels, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and levels of organic pollutants, BOD and COD. Additionally, the presence of ions such as chloride, sulphate, and nitrate suggested potential sources of contamination and pollution due to anthropogenic activities. These findings emphasize the importance of integrated conservation and management strategies to preserve the ecological integrity of Munroe Island’s aquatic ecosystems and ensure the long-term sustainability of fish populations.

Protective factors of school-going adolescents: A school-based survey in Kerala, South India

Introduction: Protective factors such as supportive home and school environments significantly influence the future life outcomes of school-going adolescents. The current study was done to assess the protective factors for home and school of school-going adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey method was used for with a multistage cluster sampling. Data was gathered from 600 adolescent students enrolled in 19 schools throughout the Kollam district of Kerala. A self-reported validated Indian Adolescent Health Questionnaire was used. Results: Home-related protective factors were found to be significantly correlated with age, sex, and type of school, using a binary logistic regression model. Conclusion: There is a necessity for preparing a strong assessment plan and intervention package for better development of school-going adolescents.

Outbreak of tomato flu in India raising concerns: is it a false alarm or are we welcoming a new pandemic?

Outbreak of tomato flu in India raising concerns: is it a false alarm or are we welcoming a new pandemic?

Amid COVID-19 and monkeypox: tomato flu outbreak in India

Amid COVID-19 and monkeypox: tomato flu outbreak in India

Correlation of Physico-chemical Parameters of Soil and Soil Nutrient Index Status of Kollam District, Kerala, India

The present investigation was carried out at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences in the department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry lab, India In this study, a total of 27 soil samples were collected from nine different villages on 27 November 2021 in the Kollam district of Kerala, and from each village 3 soil samples were collected and analyzed for their Physico-chemical parameters by using standard laboratory techniques. According to Nutrient Index values, the villages were found to be high in Organic Carbon (2.59), Phosphorus (2.88), Calcium (3), and Magnesium (2.55). The low category was found in Nitrogen (1). The medium category was found in Potassium (1.88). According to the critical limits of soil nutrients the results observed, 100% soil samples were in low range of Nitrogen (N) (64.5 – 181.32 kg ha-1), 92.5% soil samples were in high range of Phosphorous (P) (9.40 – 56 kg ha-1), 89% soil samples were in low to medium range of Potassium (K) (100 – 403 kg ha-1), 100% of soil samples were in the high range of Calcium (Ca) (3.2 – 18 Meq/100g), 78% of soil samples were in high range of Magnesium (Mg) ( 0 – 7.60), 100% of soil samples were in the low range of Sulphur (S) (0.96 – 7.2). The results showed that improvement has to be one for improving soil fertility and quality by practicing improved cropping patterns, decomposition of organic wastes, mulching, and tillage practices.

Residential Rehabilitation Facilities for Persons with Mental Illness: Current Status and Future Directions Based on a Survey from Kollam District of Kerala.

Residential Rehabilitation Facilities for Persons with Mental Illness: Current Status and Future Directions Based on a Survey from Kollam District of Kerala.

Problems Faced by the Cashew Exporters in Kerala

Aims: India is the world's largest cashew producer, processor, and consumer. For years, India had an unrivalled and unchallenged monopoly on cashew production, processing, and marketing around the world. Considering the promising future of the cashew export market, the study aimed to analyse the problems faced by the cashew exporters in Kerala.
 Place and Duration of the Study: 65 cashew exporters (who have been continuously exporting the cashew for the last five years) in Kollam district of Kerala were selected randomly and the primary survey was conducted through a pre –tested structured questionnaire.
 Methods: To find out the most significant factor which influences the respondent, Garrett’s ranking technique is used. Garrett’s Ranking Technique provides the change of orders of problems into numerical scores. The advantage of this technique is that the problems are arranged based on their severity from the point of view of respondents.
 Results: The study highlighted that the major problems faced by the cashew exporters are high processing cost, unattainable of Standard Input-output Norms (SION), threats of foreign entrants to the domestic market, reduction in international share, the orientation of processing to big sectors, and the exploring of new markets.
 Conclusion: Thereby the protective policies like, increase exportable grades has to be fixed at ratio of 1:6, withdrawing the basic customs duty imposed on the imported cashew and increase the export incentives adopted by the government, which will helps to reduce the problems in the cashew industry. In addition to that contribute in a better way to the growth of the country by providing gainful employment opportunities via attaining women empowerment fetching foreign exchange to the nation and protecting it as a dominant position in the international market that it used to enjoy till a decade back.

Prevalence and determinants of digital eye strain among school children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Digital eye strain (DES) is an emerging public health problem due to continuous exposure to electronic gadgets and digital devices for educational, occupational or entertainment purposes, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Children are more vulnerable to DES, as they continue to attend online classes but are unaware of early symptoms of DES and do not complain till their vision deteriorates. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of DES among school children during this pandemic.Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 school children aged 12-16 years, studying in 8th, 9th and 10th standards of a randomly selected school in Kollam district of Kerala, using the validated computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVSQ), sent online via Google form to parents/guardians for recording their children’s pattern of digital device usage and DES symptoms.Results: The prevalence of DES among school children was 29.5%. Their commonest symptom was headache (n=125, 69.9%). The smartphone was the most commonly used digital device (n=159, 93.5%). The independent risk factors of DES were the preferred use of smart phone (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.846; 95% CI=1.371-5.906; p=0.005) and viewing distance of digital device <18 inches (AOR=2.762; 95% CI=1.331-5.731; p=0.006).Conclusions: This study has highlighted some of the risk factors associated with DES. A concerted effort is needed to raise awareness about DES by experts in the health and education sectors, along with parents and teachers, so that digital device use among children can be optimised.

A study of saltwater intrusion in the Kallada River, southwest coast of Kerala, India

AbstractMunroe Island in Kollam District of Kerala is a typical backwater village situated at the confluence of the Ashtamudi backwater and the Kallada River system. It is an amalgamation of eight small islands with a total area of 13.4 km2. Salinity intrusion has been a serious threat in the downstream areas of Kallada River for more than one and half decades, affecting the groundwater quality of Munroe Island. The present study focuses on the seasonal variation in physico-chemical characteristics of the underground water system of Munroe Island and Kallada River with special reference to saline water intrusion. Physico-chemical analysis of ground water revealed that samples were unsuitable for drinking due to higher content of Na, Ca, and K. Microbiological analysis of island groundwater showed the presence of coliform and E. coli bacteria above the permissible limit. Results indicated a significant correlation between salinity and major anions viz., Cl− and SO42 and cations viz., Mg, Na, Ca, and K of both river surface and island groundwater. In the present study it is clearly evident the occurrence of saltwater intrusion in Kallada River from Ashtamudy Lake and the its severity become higher during premonsoon season. The results also indicated that the salinity increase in Kallada River has a negative impact on island groundwater quality. The paper also suggests suitable management strategies for overcoming the saltwater intrusion thereby upgrading island sustainability.

DEMAND FOR AND SUPPLY OF URBAN PIPED WATER IN KOLLAM DISTRICT OF KERALA

DEMAND FOR AND SUPPLY OF URBAN PIPED WATER IN KOLLAM DISTRICT OF KERALA

The Lived Experience of Victims of Catastrophic Coastal Erosion: A cycle of impact, consequence and recovery.

ObjectivesEnvironmental hazards are part of the Earth’s natural cycle and are ongoing within human history. When vulnerable situations meet environmental hazards, disasters occur where human and natural costs could be enormous. This study aimed to explore the experiences of the victims of coastal erosion during the monsoon season.MethodsSeven victims of catastrophic coastal erosion in the Kollam District of Kerala, India, were interviewed from December 2013 to February 2014. The study followed Edmond Husserl’s descriptive phenomenological method.ResultThese interviews constituted the primary data source. Three main themes with eleven subthemes emerged from these data. The main themes were impact, consequences and recovery. The subthemes were living in constant fear, escaping from the catastrophe; cataclysmic sea waves and their tumultuous behaviour, instant damage and destruction, the epoch of losses; agony and suffering; homelessness-helplessness-sleeplessness mixed with fear; government aid only in dreams; haunting memories; never-ending daily needs; first home and native land; and the desire to go back to the site of the disaster.ConclusionFrom the derived themes, a phenomenon associated with coastal erosion evolved. The phenomenon is termed “Catastrophic coastal erosion: A cycle of impact, consequences, and recovery.”

Occupational Hazards of Cashew Workers in Kerala

India is the major exporter of processed cashews, to put it more precisely it is about 65percent of global cashew exports. Cashew is an export-oriented commodity, earning considerable foreign exchange for the country. Much of the processed cashew export from India happens from Kollam, the world’s cashew processing capital. Cashew processing companies employ more women than men and are a labour intensive industry. Women workers constitute a major segment in cashew processing industry and roughly more than 90 per cent of the workers in cashew processing units are women. Participation of women in economic activities has reduced their financial dependency on their family but, at the same time it has given rise to several complex health problems for them. Various macro and micro economic factors such as imposing of high import duty of 9.36 per cent on raw cashews by the Union government and frequent layoffs because of lack of raw materials have resulted in the loss of job by several thousand of skilled labourers. This is creating unnecessary mental stress also for the workers. The working environment of cashew workers has been the object of scholarly and policy concerns for long. However, many of the insecurities hitches the lives of cashew workers starting from health hazards to lack of effective social protection seem to have persisted till dateIn this context, this study aims to reveal the occupational health hazards of cashew workers in Kollam district of Kerala

Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in a freshwater fish Anabas testudineus collected from a pond in an industrial area in Kollam District of Kerala

Bioaccumulation of selected heavy metals in a freshwater fish <i>Anabas testudineus</i> collected from a pond in an industrial area in Kollam District of Kerala

Pattern of Tobacco Use Among Higher Secondary Children in the Rural and Coastal Areas of Kerala: A Prospective Study

India is the second largest consumerof tobacco products after China and its consumption is a serious social issue most developing countries. The current study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of use of tobacco and its products among higher secondary school children in the costal and rural areas of Kerala, the state having highest literacy rate in the country. Tobacco consumption is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in India. The study was conducted in the higher secondary schools along the rural and coastal areas of Karungappally Taluk in the Kollam district of Kerala from October to December of 2017, 15 government and aided schools were selected. The data were collected with the help of a questionnaire. A total of 5678 students participated in the study. The purpose of the study was explained to the students with participation of National Service Scheme volunteers who distributed the data sheets to the students and helped in data collection. The school visit was coupled with lecture on the adverse effects of tobacco on health with pictures of cancers of the oral cavity, surgery and reconstruction. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel datasheet and analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software. The Departments of Surgical Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre and Directorate of Higher Secondary School participated in the study. 5678 students participated in the study, that include 2567 boys and 3111 girls. 760 out of 2567 boys use tobacco, 308 out of 760 (40%) use more than 1 type of tobacco products. Cigarettes and pan masala are the popular forms of tobacco among the students. 253 boys out of 760 (33%) had used alcohol as well. 1819 students said their close relatives use tobacco and its products at home. 1420 said their close relatives consume alcohol. Bricker et al. says that, siblings, parents and close friends' smoking were all important influences on children's smoking (5). 94.7% (5382) of students are aware of the ill effects of tobacco, they are aware that tobacco consumption can lead to cancer of the lung, oral cavity, stroke and heart attack. 479 students said they are aware that the diseased part of oral cavity have to be removed by surgery. Students were also familiar with terms such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however it is doubtful whether they are aware of the complications associated these modes of treatment. 4578 (81%) students showed interest in antitobacco activities. 2347 students said the tobacco products are available in school premises and 1064 said they are available within the campus itself. 40% started tobacco smoking for fun, but 28% started mimicking the elders and 20% wanted to be the heroes in the campus. A recent study by Sargent et al also found a strong association between exposure to movie smoking and smoking by adolescents (4). In our study none of the girls were using tobacco.

Investigation of foot-and mouth disease outbreak in a pig farm at Kollam district of Kerala, India

The present paper describes the investigation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in a private pig farm at Kotty in Kollam district of Kerala during October 2013. During the clinical phase, severe vesicular lesions on snout and skin around the coronary bands were observed in pigs. A total of 48 serum samples and 12 clinical samples (ruptured snout epithelia) were collected. All serum samples were subjected to indirect 3AB nonstructural protein (NSP) ELISA and liquid phase blocking (LPB) ELISA. In 3AB NSP ELISA, all serum samples were found positive for NSP antibodies indicating infection. In LPB ELISA, 42 of 48 (87.5%) pigs were found to have protective log10 antibody titre of ³1.8 against FMD virus serotypes O, A and Asia 1. All the clinical materials were found positive for serotype O in antigen detection ELISA as well as in multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR). In VP1 region-based phylogenetic analysis, the serotype O isolates causing the outbreak were found to conglomerate within Ind2001 lineage. Pigs infected with FMD may pose rigorous threat to other susceptible domestic livestock as they exhale enormous quantity of virus. As a consequence, they should be included under prophylactic vaccination and surveillance programmes ongoing in the country.

Social Capital formation through Farm Women Groups in Vegetable Production in Kollam District of Kerala

Social capital refers to the trust, mutual understanding and shared values which facilitate the collective action and social co-ordination. It can create a service which can enhance the output obtainable from other inputs. Trust, co-operation, networks and norms are the important aspects of social capital. Farmer producer organization is the most appropriate institutional form around which to mobilize farmers and build their capacity to collectively leverage their production and marketing strength. Women groups have emerged as a major source of inspiration for women and collective action of women through their groups strengthened women in all spheres of life. This study was conducted among 120 women respondents in six selected panchayats of Kollam district in Kerala with the he main objective of assessing the social capital formation through farm women groups. Social Capital was measured using Social Capital Assessment Tool (SOCAT) developedby World Bank. The results showed that there 82% of the respondents had medium level of social capital formation and the continuous efforts of various governmental and non-governmental agencies had tremendously helped in shifting this neutral attitude of people.

Nomenclatural notes on the status of the name Chlorophytum clivorum (Asparagaceae)

Chlorophytum heynei Baker (1876: 322) was described based on a collection of Rottler from India in 1816. This species is characterized by elliptic-obovate with pseudopetiolate (petiole 5–8 cm channeled), scape shorter than the leaves, absence of sterile bracts; greenish flowers, anthers shorter than the filaments and papillose filaments (Robi et al. 2015). Most of the recent literature (Sasidharan &amp; Sivarajan 1996, Sivarajan &amp; Mathew 1997, Sasidharan 2013) misidentified this species with C. palghatense K.M.P.Kumar &amp; Adsul (Prabhu et al. 2014: 282), but Robi et al. (2015: 78) resolved the taxonomy of these names. Unaware of this work, plants of Chlorophytum (Ker Gawler 1808: 1071) were described as C. clivorum Mathew &amp; George (2015: 379), based on collections in the mountain forests of Achankovil (part of Achankovil Shear Zone), in Kollam district of Kerala. The critical analysis of the type specimens and protologues associated with both names shows that both the names C. heynei and C. clivorum apply to the same biological unit. Hence, C. heynei holds nomenclatural priority (McNeill et al. 2012, Art. 11.4).

External Gamma Dose Levels In The Soil Samples of HBRAs of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India

Knowledge on the distribution of these radionuclides in soil is of great importance for radiation protection and measurement. A systematic radiological survey has been carried out in the region of HBRAs in Kollam district of Kerala and Manavalakurichi in Tamilnadu in India to compare the natural gamma-radiation levels. 180 soil samples collected and were analyzed for 238U, 232Th and 40K by NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. Heterogeneous distribution of radionuclides in the region may be attributed to the deposition phenomenon of soil in the region. The result of gamma dose rate measured at the sampling sites using survey meter showed an excellent correlation with dose rates computed from the natural radionuclides estimated from the soil samples. From these radioactivity levels, the radium equivalent activity and the external hazard index which resulted from the natural radionuclides in sediments are also tabulated for the analyzed samples and compared with internationally recommended values.

A Study on the Waste Disposal Practices and Its Impact in Alappad Panchayat, Kerala

Waste is always an important problem in this era, where people are not aware of the waste they produce in their household or institutions. Waste is directly linked to human development, both technological and social. The compositions of different wastes have varied over time and location, with industrial development and innovation being directly linked to waste materials. Examples of this include plastics and nuclear technology. Some waste components have economic value and can be recycled once correctly recovered. Waste is sometimes a subjective concept, because items that some people discard may have value to others. With increase in the global population and the rising demand for food and other essentials, there has been a rise in the amount of waste being generated daily by each household. Alappad is a coastal village in the Kollam District of the Indian state Kerala. It is situated on a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Arabian Sea a few species of ham and the TS Canal - the village is approximately 16 km long and its narrowest point is as thin as 33 meters. So the household people and petty shop people are not at all aware of the waste disposal they have been practising for a long time. The practise they make every day become a habit which affect their habitat with waste problems. Collective effort from a village can be initiated for a waste management process. Making a prompt step will be intended for effective waste management or disposal solution leads to a proper waste management process. Community level intervention should have to be done for a effective outcome. The purpose of this study is to analyse the waste disposal at the community located in the Alappad Panchayat in Kollam district of Kerala. The scope of this study within the community is assessed based upon following a three-fold approach. Firstly the awareness of community on the waste production within this community is examined. Secondly, the disposal method or model is evaluated and compared within this community. Thirdly, the Waste Disposal of the members of the community is gauged. The study was conducted upon a thin section of the society belonging to a specific ethnographic framework with the focus upon twenty participants. Data was collected via interviews and through the administration of an observation checklist. The results of this study can be extrapolated to project the overall effect Waste Management or Waste disposal in coastal villages throughout the entire nation of India.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i2.12289 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-2: 97-101

Role of social, cultural and economic capitals in perceived quality of life among old age people in kerala, India.

Objective:To find out the relationship of collective social, economic, and cultural properties of a population on the perceived quality of life (QOL) among old age people.Materials and Methods:In a community-based cross-sectional study, we analyzed information on a representative sample of 900 old age (aged > 60 years) from 28 villages in Kollam district of Kerala. WHO-Quality of Life - BREF questionnaire was used. Ethical clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained. The mean scores for perceived QOL for domains such as physical health, psychological health, social relations, and control of environments were calculated. The three scales (social capital, cultural capital, and economic capital) were standardized using z-score transformation to make them comparable. Using multiple linear regression, we calculated the independent effect of economic capital, social capital, and cultural capital on perceived QOL among old people adjusted for age, sex, and the presence of chronic disease.Results:For overall QOL, only cultural capital contributed significantly. An increase of one unit z-score cultural capital led to three units increase in overall QOL score (β = 3.362; 95% CI: 2.645-4.078). Social capital and cultural capital contributed significantly to the physical health domain of QOL. With one z-score increase in social capital and cultural capital, QOL score of physical health domain increased by 0.2 units (β = 0. 227; 95% CI: 0.020-0.434), and 0.5 (β = 0. 596; 95% CI: 0.384-0.808) units, respectively. Psychological health domain and environmental domain were affected by all three capitals significantly. But, the social relations domain was significantly affected only by cultural capital (β = 0. 576; 95% CI: 0.373-0.779).Conclusion:Hence, the policies for old people should envision retaining our cultural and social norms along with the economic interventions for a better palliative care.