Middle Socioeconomic Groups Research Articles

A study of the dietary habits of school children in Pune city, Maharashtra, India

Background: Diet and nutrition of children influence their current health status and scholastic performance and also have long term consequences reaching well into their adulthood. Further, diet preferences and practices acquired during childhood usually persist for life. Data on nutritional intake of school children is required by public health policy makers to be able to formulate nutritional intervention and also for nutritionists and general practioners to be able to advice parents and care givers regarding the inadequacies in the diet. This study was carried out in Pune city, to study the dietary patterns and preferences of school children in the age group five to eleven years.Methods: Qualitative diet survey was carried out by oral questionnaire method. The data collected was on the food habits, frequency of various types of food eaten and the preferences/dislike to various food items. A database was created in MS Excel and Epi Info was used to analyze data. Appropriate inferential and descriptive statistics were calculated.Results: Around 50% of the children were non-vegetarians and only around 6% were vegetarians. Around 70% of children consumed milk daily though a majority insisted that milk is their least preferred food item. Only 5% children consumed green leafy vegetables daily. A majority of children consumed fruits two to six times. Snacks, fast food and processed food were the most preferred food by the children.Conclusions: Food habits acquired during childhood persist into adulthood and form the basis of either good health or ill health, as the case may be, in the coming years. Hence there is a need to educate parents, especially in the middle and higher socioeconomic groups regarding correct dietary habits for the children to ensure that they can live healthy and productive lives as adults.

Incidence of Choledocholithiasis in Gallstone Disease in Eastern Zone of India: A Single Centre Study

Background : Common bile duct stones are found in 10-15% of patients having gall stone disease and the incidence increases with the age, both in India and in western countries and the majority of common bile duct stones are secondary to gall bladder stones, their incidence is more in Northern India. Objective : To study the incidence of common bile duct stone in patients having gall stone disease in tertiary care hospital. Methods : This was a cross sectional study of 125 patients admitted in different wards of the department of surgery on the basis of symptoms and signs of gall stone disease and latter on trans-abdominal ultrasound and MRCP confirmed that 18.4% of total patients having also choledocholithiasis. Result : Incidence of choledocholithiasis was 18.4% in patients having gall stone disease. It was 3 times more common in females. Maximum incidence 35% in between 40-49 years, obese (52%) and middle socio-economic group (74%). Conclusion : Incidence of choledocholithiasis is in increasing trend and is more common in females in between 40-49 years age group. Obesity is the commonest risk factor.

Incidence of Choledocholithiasis in Gallstone Disease in Eastern Zone of India: A Single Centre Study

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Common bile duct stones are found in 10-15% of patients having gall stone disease and the incidence increases with the age, both in India and in western countries and the majority of common bile duct stones are secondary to gall bladder stones, their incidence is more in Northern India.</p><p><strong>Objective</strong>: To study the incidence of common bile duct stone in patients having gall stone disease in tertiary care hospital.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: This was a cross sectional study of 125 patients admitted in different wards of the department of surgery on the basis of symptoms and signs of gall stone disease and latter on trans-abdominal ultrasound and MRCP confirmed that 18.4% of total patients having also choledocholithiasis.</p><p><strong>Result</strong>: Incidence of choledocholithiasis was 18.4% in patients having gall stone disease. It was 3 times more common in females. Maximum incidence 35% in between 40-49 years, obese (52%) and middle socio-economic group (74%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: Incidence of choledocholithiasis is in increasing trend and is more common in females in between 40-49 years age group. Obesity is the commonest risk factor.</p>

A study on prevalence and causative factors of megaloblastic anaemia in Hadoti region.

Background: Anaemia is the most common problems encountered by clinicians in Hadoti Region. The affected population includes male, female as well as children. Over the last two decades, it has been found that incidence of megaloblastic anaemia is increasing. Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 deficiency are the most common cause of megaloblastic anemia. Of these two micronutrients, Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common now, due to vegetarian life style of people. At present, Anemia control or prophylaxis program give only Iron and Folic acid. This study has been chosen to focus on this issue. The cases for increasing incidences of Folate / Vit. B12 deficiency needs to be elucidated. Objectives – To focus on the incidence of megaloblastic anaemia in Hadoti Region. & Probable Causative factors will be analysed Methods: All patients presenting to our hospital over a period of 2 months with a haemoglobin <10 g/dl and peripheral smear findings consistent with megaloblastic anaemia will be included in the study. Diet, drug intake, previous blood transfusion, presenting symptoms and other relevant history will be taken into consideration. Complete blood counts, peripheral film examination, reticulocyte count and cobalamin and folate assays will be recorded. Patients with chronic disease like renal disease, cancer, tuberculosis, liver disease etc will be excluded from the study. All data will be collected and evaluated statistically. Result: In the present study, total 500 patients who were admitted in medicine, paediatric and gynaecology ward were evaluated. All these patients met the inclusion criteria. Depending on the MCV value, serum assay and peripheral smear finding, they were categorised into 3 groups- Macrocytic, normocytic and microcytic anaemia. The normal MCV value but with megaloblastic blood film or low serum markers were considered into macrocytic anaemia. Total 100 patients were diagnosed as macrocytic anaemia. The sex distribution were-70(male), 30(female). Fifty five per cent of patients with cobalamin deficiency and 08% of patients with folate deficiency were found. All the patients were vegetarian and from middle class and low socio economic group. Conclusion: Cobalamin deficiency was responsible for megaloblastic anaemia in the majority of our patients. The supplementation program for Anemia control and prophylaxis should vary according to the regional requirements. Vitamin B12 should be included in the nutritional programme along with iron and folic acid. Awareness camp and Education program about megaloblastic anemia can be implemented for the prevention. DOI: 10.21276/AABS.2017.1313

PERCEPTION

Sex discrimination in a newborn child is still present in Pakistan. It is despite relativewealth, rapid globalization, female education and socioeconomic development. Althoughmother’s education improves quality of childcare, but still it does not reduce discriminationagainst her children. The mental torture a female goes through in a life time for being femalestarts at the time of her birth and ends only with her life. These cultural bounded thinking hasovershadowed a woman’s own perception about a daughter. But some times to a family it doesnot make any difference that the child is a son or a daughter. Aims: The aim of the Researchis to discuss how mothers of a female child feel about having a daughter if they wanted tohave a son. Objectives: To explore what are the feelings of a mother upon having a daughter.To identify why they feel what they feel. To identify what are some of the reasons behindtheir thinking. To discuss how their experiences can be used in planning for interventions offuture this can help in a better understanding of our mothers and daughters requirements.Methodology: The methodology of current research is based on qualitative anthropologicalresearch method. Period: Dec 2014 to Oct 2015. Settings: The sampling is taken from differentsocioeconomic strata. It is divided into low, middle and upper socioeconomic groups. Everystratum is with a different point of view regarding the same question. Results: “In Pakistan 42percent of women accept violence as part of their fate; 33 percent feel too helpless to standup to it; 19 percent protested and 4 percent took action against it. Discussion: It is also foundthat the middle socioeconomic group is the most crushed group of all in Pakistan. This is thestrata who wanted to be modern like upper socioeconomic group but have lesser resourcesand opportunities. Females are educated equally like males in urban areas such as Lahore,Islamabad and Karachi. However, in rural areas, the education rate is substantially lower.Recommendation: For woman there must be a right to life, security and protection fromviolence which can be mental, physical, psychological and verbal. Government should ensureeffective, prompt and impartial investigations into alleged cases of crimes and other incidents,and ensure that particular attention is paid to the investigation of such crimes and incidents andthat those responsible for such acts are effectively brought to justice and, where appropriate,punished in order to avoid impunity.

There is a Positive Correlation Between Socioeconomic Status and Ovarian Reserve in Women of Reproductive Age.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the potential association between socioeconomic status and ovarian reserve, anti-Mullerian hormone level, antral follicle count, and follicle stimulating hormone level in women of reproductive age.Material/MethodsA total of 101 married women between 20–35 years of age who presented to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Research System In Vitro Fertilization (HRS IVF) Center between October 2014 and November 2015 and met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. The participants were divided into three socioeconomic groups using Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic status scale. Thirty-one participants were assigned to the low socioeconomic status group, 37 to the middle socioeconomic status group, and 33 to the high socioeconomic status group. On days 3–6 of the menstrual cycle, 10 mL of blood was collected from the participants for follicle stimulating hormone and anti-Mullerian hormone measurements. Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed for both ovaries for the purpose of counting antral follicles measuring 2–10 mm in diameter.ResultsBoth ovarian reserve parameters, namely anti-Mullerian hormone level and antral follicle count, exhibited a significant association with socioeconomic status (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). The association between follicle stimulating hormone level and socioeconomic status was also significant (p=0.000).ConclusionsA low socioeconomic status aggravated by sources of stress such as undernutrition and financial hardships affects ovarian reserve, which should be remembered in approaching infertile patients.

SUICIDE INTENT

Objectives: To see the Socio demographic profile of depressive patients whohas current suicide intent coming to the Psychiatry Departments of LUMS, SCJIP, Hyderabadand DHQ Hospital/ PMC Faisalabad. Design: Cross Sectional Study. Place &amp; Duration ofStudy: The study was conducted in six months from 1st April 2014 to 30th September 2014 atLiaquat University of Medical &amp; Health Sciences (LUMHS) &amp; Sir Cowasjee institute of Psychiatryand Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Faisalabad. Subjects and Methods:A total of 117 depressive patients were included in this study having moderate to high SuicidalIntent. Results: Out of 117 depressed patients with suicidal intent, predominantly females (59%)approached psychiatry ward as compared with males (41%). Mean age of the participants wasbetween 31 -40 years. Among patients 56% were married, 28% were housewives and 28% werestudent. Most of them were educated. Suicide intent was found more in middle socioeconomicgroup and more in nuclear family system. 96 patients (82.1%) were taking treatment forDepression or Anxiety at the time of interview. Conclusion: Prevalence of depressed populationwith suicidal intent predominates in students, married females especially housewives belongingfrom middle socioeconomic background and nuclear family system. Most of patients useddrugs of abuse. Past psychiatric history, family psychiatric history, past history of suicide, familyhistory of suicide and suicidal Ideations were present in patients with current suicide Intent.

Evolution, Present Condition and Future Potential of the Smit hf'ield Area of Dublin

This study traces the evolution of the Smithfield market area of Dublin's inner city from the lime of the Vikings to the present. The market was established in the sixteenth century. From the seventeenth century the area was steadily developed but failed to become the prime residential location originally envisaged. Instead it attracted institutional buildings and working class families and became increasingly congested. The relocation of middle and upper socio-economic groups. Dublin Corporation tenants, and commercial activity to the urban periphery subsequently resulted in serious dereliction. The results of a building fabric study comprising over seven hundred buildings is presented and the impacts and effectiveness of Dublin Corporation's Development and Draft Development Plans are analysed. Having evaluated the area's evolution, present condition and existing planning legislation, recommendations for improvement are put forward.

English

.. Objectives: To see the Socio demographic profile of depressive patients who has current suicide intent coming to the Psychiatry Departments of LUMS, SCJIP, Hyderabad and DHQ Hospital/ PMC Faisalabad. Design: Cross Sectional Study. Place & Duration of Study: The study was conducted in six months from 1st April 2014 to 30th September 2014 at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) & Sir Cowasjee institute of Psychiatry and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Faisalabad. Subjects and Methods: A total of 117 depressive patients were included in this study having moderate to high Suicidal Intent. Results: Out of 117 depressed patients with suicidal intent, predominantly females (59%) approached psychiatry ward as compared with males (41%). Mean age of the participants was between 31 -40 years. Among patients 56% were married, 28% were housewives and 28% were student. Most of them were educated. Suicide intent was found more in middle socioeconomic group and more in nuclear family system. 96 patients (82.1%) were taking treatment for Depression or Anxiety at the time of interview. Conclusion: Prevalence of depressed population with suicidal intent predominates in students, married females especially housewives belonging from middle socioeconomic background and nuclear family system. Most of patients used drugs of abuse. Past psychiatric history, family psychiatric history, past history of suicide, family history of suicide and suicidal Ideations were present in patients with current suicide Intent.

CORRELATION OF SERUM CHOLESTEROL AND GALL STONE FORMATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

The epidemiology of Cholelithiasis or gall stone has been debated for many years, efforts has been made to know the patho - physiological basis of gall stone formation . Gall stones are associated with abnormalities in relative concentrations of major biliary lipids like cholesterol and phospholipid s, hence the aim of this study is to determine the correlation between serum cholesterol and gall stone formation . This was an obs ervational study in which 78 patients were included who were diagnosed as cholelithiasis or choledocolithiasis . These patients were of low and middle socio economic groups and diagnosis was based on USG report . Blood samples of diagnosed patients were collected for cholesterol analysis . The re sults were surprising showing 93 . 6 % patients of gall stones in the group having serum cholesterol concentration in normal range . So we concluded a negative correlation between serum cholesterol and gall stone forma tion .

Infant and Young Child-Feeding Practices, Indicators and Index, and Role of Socio-economic Status

The present cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the paediatric OPD of a government and a private clinic to assess the indicators of Infant-and Young Child-feeding (IYCF) practices and compare them among lower middle and upper middle socioeconomic groups. The study enrolled 200 mother-child pairs with children aged 18-36 months, classified using Modified Kuppuswamy scale into Lower Middle Socioeconomic Group (LMSEG) (score: 11-15) and Upper Middle Socioeconomic Group (UMSEG) (score:16-25). IYCF indicators formed the basis of the questionnaire used to interview the mothers. This calculated the children’s dietary diversity score, meal frequency and IYCF index. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 16.0) to determine the effect on socio-economic status on IYCF practices. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Only 52.5% (n=105) infant were exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life with significant difference between the two socioeconomic strata, with 64% (n=64) from LMSEG and 41% (n=41) from UMSEG (p=0.01). 67% (n=67) infants from LMSEG received breast milk till two years in contrast to 44% (n=44) infants from UMSEG (p=0.01). However, a higher frequency of food intake (p=0.03) and higher minimum dietary diversity score (p=0.012) was observed among UMSEG as compared to LMSEG. UMSEG mothers had greater prevalence of using bottles to feed their children as compared to LMSEG (n=51 vs n=27). Besides, it was found that educational qualification of the mothers had a positive impact on IYCF practices (p=0.015) but the mother’s employment or the child’s birth order had no significant effect. IYCF practices differed significantly among the two socioeconomic groups. LMSEG have better qualitative practices and UMSEG showed better quantitative factors. Health education as well as digital media may serve as important intervention programs to spread awareness to protect, promote and sustain optimal IYCF practices in Indian context.

Psychological Well-Being across Gender and Socio-Economic Status among Middle Adults

Psychological well-being can be referred to as positive psychological functioning, which involves multidimensional constructs as well as the degree to which an individual perceives himself/herself as functioning well on areas like self acceptance, environmental mastery, personal growth and positive relationships. The current study aims at exploring psychological well-being across gender and socio-economic status among middle adults. The study consists of 266 middle adults (male=101, females=168) selected from 3 different socio-economic status groups (high=75, middle=114, low=77). The sample was drawn from urban population from Mangalore city. The age of the sample ranged between 40-55 yrs. Kuppuswamy’s socio-economic status scale (R-2012) and psychological well-being scale by Seema Mehrotra (2013) were administered. The data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post hoc test of least significant difference. The results revealed that women have significantly higher positive relations than men. Findings related to different socio-economic groups revealed that, adults belonging to high socio-economic status groups have significantly higher self-acceptance, mastery &amp; competency, engagement &amp; growth and overall psychological well-being compared to adults from low socio-economic status group, and significantly higher mastery &amp; competency, overall psychological well-being than middle socio-economic status group. Middle socio-economic group adults have significantly higher self-acceptance, engagement &amp; growth, and overall psychological well-being when compared to adults from low socio-economic status group.

Children’s Subjective Well-being: Multi-Group Analysis Among a Sample of Children from Two Socio-Economic Status Groups in the Western Cape, South Africa

Recent advancements in child well-being research have shown an increased importance of subjective well-being in understanding children and adolescents’ quality of life. These advancements have raised questions concerning the extent to which children’s subjective perceptions and experiences of well-being can be compared between countries and across diverse cultures. With a dearth of empirical data on cross-cultural comparisons, the validation of existing measures and cross-cultural comparisons have been identified by a number of researchers as critical in contributing to this process, and ultimately to the international dialogue on children’s overall quality of life. The aim of the current study was to test two measures of subjective well-being (the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and the Personal Well-Being Index-School Children) among a sample of children in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Noting the diversity of living experiences between children from different socio-economic status groups in South Africa, the study further aimed to determine the extent to which the measures are comparable across socio-economic status groups. Data from the first wave of the Children’s World Survey were used; and included a sample of 1004 12 year old children randomly selected from 15 schools within the Cape Town Metropole. Located within the goodness of fit theoretical framework, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was used to test the overall fit structure; while multi-group factor analysis was used to test measurement invariance across socio-economic status groups. The results show appropriate fit structure for the overall model, with metric and scalar factor invariance tenable across socio-economic status groups. The overall findings suggest that the two measures are appropriate for use with children from low and middle socio-economic status groups in the Western Cape province of South Africa and that the two groups can be compared by correlations, regressions and means.

Anxiety among Up Board Students in Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: The present study aims to investigate the anxiety level of sports and non-sports students during board exam. It also aimed to find out the difference of anxiety among up board students on the basis of gender and the difference of anxiety among up board students on the basis of socio-economic status. These were studied with respect to different demographic variables like school type, socio-economic background, gender and academic stream. Methods: In this study, Sample included 420 randomly selected students i.e. 210 boys and 210 girls of U.P boards from various schools of Education at Uttar Pradesh. Subjects were assessed using Socio-demographic sheet and Anxiety Scale by Sinha &amp; Sinha (1955). Result: The results of the study revealed considerable anxiety in boys than girls (p&lt;0.01). Students from Hindi medium schools were more anxious than students from English medium schools (p&lt;0.01). Students belonging to the middle class (middle socio-economic group) suffered more anxiety than those from both high and low socio-economic groups (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: conclusion is that Parent child relationship, child and teacher relationship and parent and teacher relationship and support decrease the level of anxiety. Parents and teacher emotional support drastically change the statics of anxiety in students. Parents and teacher use anxiety prevention efforts and gave lots of confidence to the child because these steps only weapon who broke the anxiety stone.

Impact of socioeconomic status on municipal solid waste generation rate

The solid waste generation rate was expected to vary in different socioeconomic groups due to many environmental and social factors. This paper reports the assessment of solid waste generation based on different socioeconomic parameters like education, occupation, income of the family, number of family members etc. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the study area to identify the different socioeconomic groups that may affect the solid waste generation rate and composition. The average waste generated in the municipality is 0.41kg/capita/day in which the maximum waste was found to be generated by lower middle socioeconomic group (LMSEG) with average waste generation of 0.46kg/capita/day. Waste characterization indicated that there was no much difference in the composition of wastes among different socioeconomic groups except ash residue and plastic. Ash residue is found to increase as we move lower down the socioeconomic groups with maximum (31%) in lower socioeconomic group (LSEG). The study area is a coal based city hence application of coal and wood as fuel for cooking in the lower socioeconomic group is the reason for high amount of ash content. Plastic waste is maximum (15%) in higher socioeconomic group (HSEG) and minimum (1%) in LSEG. Food waste is a major component of generated waste in almost every socioeconomic group with maximum (38%) in case of HSEG and minimum (28%) in LSEG. This study provides new insights on the role of various socioeconomic parameters on generation of household wastes.

Effect of Socio-Economic Status on Learning Ability of Bengali (Indian) Primary School Children

Socioeconomic status is strongly associated with the cognitive ability and achievement during childhood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of age and socioeconomic status (SES) on learning ability among 5-10 years school going boys. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 school going boys from different districts of West Bengal state, India. The socio-economic status of the participants was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami scale. Learning ability of the participants was evaluated by Ray's auditory verbal learning test (RAVLT). The subjects were divided into lower, middle, upper SES groups. The results revealed that the 5 years old boys recalled significantly lesser words on each of the learning trials and showed significantly lower learning score compared to that of older boys. Age was significantly (P<0.001) and positively correlated with RAVLT performances. The participants belonged to the lower socioeconomic group recalled significantly lesser words on each of the learning trials and possessed significantly small¬er learning score compared to that of middle and upper socioeconomic groups. Correlation analysis demonstrated that socioeconomic status had significant and positive correlation with RAVLT performances. On the contrary, age and socioeconomic status had significant negative correlation with forgetful speed. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that even after controlling for the effect of the age, socioeconomic status had strong significant impact on learning of trials (LOT) and recognition (REC).

An epidemiological survey in hospital setup in Lucknow district: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction:Oral cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer reported globally which includes lip, tongue, mouth, and throat. Developing countries face several challenges to identify and remove potential risk factors. Chewing tobacco/pan masala is considered to be the most potential risk factor for oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer.Objective:To study the clinical-epidemiological profile of oral cancer cases and potential risk factor associated with it.Materials and Methods:This is cross-sectional study which includes all major tertiary hospital in Lucknow district. Five hundred and eight cases of oral cancer reported in all major tertiary hospitals in Lucknow district during 2013–2016.Study Variable:Clinicoepidemiological characteristics of oral cancer cases.Statistical Analysis:percentages, proportions.Results:Out of 508 cases, majority of the subjects included in the study belonged to 18–75 years age group. Reported cases of oral cancer in males were higher as compared to females. Most of the subjects belonged to lower middle and upper lower socioeconomic group. It was found that 199 (39.2%) subjects consumed smokeless tobacco. Buccal mucosa was the common site of oral cancer being present in 50.4% of the subjects. Histopathologically, 256 cases of buccal mucosa, 17 cases of lip, 33 cases of alveolar region, 16 cases of mandible region, 156 cases of tongue region, 7 cases of gingival buccal sulcus region, and 23 cases of palate were diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion:In the present study, the most affected site was buccal mucosa (50.4%), tongue (30.7%), and other diagnosis was <10%.

Clinicopathological study of gall bladder disorders

Background: The people of new world are highly susceptible to gall bladder disorder, which include cholelithiasis and its complication and malignancies. Gall bladder and rest of biliary system diseases are known from ancient time. The ladder of development of treatment has shifted from conservative attitude to the most modern intervention by endoscopy and laparoscopy. This study aims to look at the demographics, operative morbidity and pathology of the removed gallbladder in the local population. Methods: This is a prospective study in which 350 patients presenting with definitive diagnosis of gallbladder disorders or presenting with clinical features suggestive of cholecystitis and later on diagnosed as acute cholecystitis or other gallbladder disorders, were included in the study. Their demographic data, symptomatology and associated illness were documented. In acute condition we followed conservative line of treatment and who are not responding to conservative measure or who were admitted for routine surgery we followed operative measure either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy, the gallbladder specimen was sent for histopathological examination and bile was sent for bacteriological examination. Results: The incidence of the gallbladder disorders was 4.23% of the total admission and maximum number of patients recorded in the month of October. The ratio of male: female was 1:4.3 and most of the female were multipara. Maximum number of patients recorded in the age group of 31- 40 year. Maximum number of patients belongs to middle socioeconomic group and consumed mixed diet. Majority of patients present with pain in abdomen. 69.43% patients treated conservatively rest were treated by open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 24.30% patients had positive culture for bacteriological examination and most commonly isolated organism was E.Coli. All the patients had chronic cholecystitis on histopathological examination. Conclusions: The result showed most common disorder of gallbladder was acute calculous cholecystitis and gallbladder disorders were more common in multiparous females of 4 th decade. Most of the patients presented with pain in right hypochondrium. All the patients with acute condition were responded to conservative management. In operative intervention laparoscopic cholecystectomy is much better than open cholecystectomy because of reduced hospital stay with lesser post-operative morbidity.

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Symptomatic Adult Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

Helicobacter pylori are well recognized as major cause of gastro-intestinal diseases. The present cross-sectional study was done in the department of Medicine at G.S.V.M Medical College. A total of 194 adult patients attending outpatient department for various gastrointestinal symptoms were screened to find out the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori using Stool antigen card test. Out of these 194 patients, 98 were found positive for Helicobacter pylori by the test, giving a prevalence of 50.51%. A detailed proforma was filled, regarding the age and sex of the patient, education and occupation of the head of the family, sanitary practices, dietary habits and tobacco chewing. The patients were also examined for pallor. Among a total of 126 males, 69 were found positive for Helicobacter pylori (54.8%) and among 68 females, 29 were found positive (42.6%). Age wise distribution showed maximum prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the age group of 40–49 years (59.6%) and minimum in the age group of more than 70 years. A higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was found among non-vegetarians (61.1%) and among patients having pallor (62.3%) and both were significant. The study of socio-economic status showed a prevalence of 55.4% in upper lower, 46.2% in lower middle and 40% in upper middle socio-economic groups. A prevalence of 51.7% was seen among subjects chewing tobacco and 64.7% in smokers.

Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Mentally ill Patients Admitted to Different Hospitals of Dhaka City

Introduction: Mental health is essentially as important as the physical health required of an individual to maintain. There are many factors that seem to play a role in the genesis of mental illness.Objective: This study was conducted among the mentally ill patients admitted to four hospitals of Dhaka city with a view to find out their socio demographic characteristics of mental illness.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive type of cross sectional study. A total number of 81 patients and their near relatives were interviewed at four medical institutions through a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used for clinical diagnosis of the patients. A master sheet was prepared followed by questionnaire plotting all the information. Then data were analyzed according to objectives and necessary tables were prepared accordingly by case appropriate variables of the study using Microsoft office program.Results: The study results showed that 81.49% patients were male and 18.51% patients were female. Of the total patients 71.61% were found in the age group of unto 30 years. Maximum patients (61.73%) were found within the monthly family income of BDT 2500/- to 4500/- only. 53.03% of patients were married followed by 39.51% of unmarried. The study revealed that 58.02% patients hailed from urban area. 61.73% patients were educated up to secondary level and only 8.64% patients were illiterate. Regarding occupation 27.17% patients were cultivator and 16.05% were students. The study reflected that 48.15% patients were smokers and very few (6.17%) were drug drug addicts. 61.73% patients were living in joint families.50.62% patients did not receive treatment prior to admission. Of the total 49.38% treated cases (prior to admission), 25% cases were treated from the homeopath and only 25% were consulted with specialist.Conclusion: The lower and middle socio economic group and literate group from urban areas living in joint family suffered more from mental illness. There is need for appropriate policy to address the problems of families with mentally ill patients at the family and community levels.Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.10(2) 2014