South Bangalore Research Articles

Prevalence of osteoarthritis knee among elderly in rural field practice area of Rajarajeswari Medical College, Bengaluru, India

Background: The most prevalent kind of arthritis and a highly common disease of the elderly is osteoarthritis (OA). It is a major contributor to disability among elders. The cervical and lumbosacral spine, the hip, the knee, and the first metatarsal phalangeal joint are the joints most frequently afflicted by it. Objective was to estimate the prevalence of osteoarthritis knee and to assess the risk factors associated with osteoarthritis knee among elderly persons in rural field practice area of Rajarajeswari Medical College, Bangalore. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by visiting house to house among 150 elderly people selected by purposive sampling technique at Chunchunnakuppe village which is located on South Bangalore from June 2023 to July 2023. A detailed clinical examination of knee using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and Socio demographic information were also elicited. Results: A total of 150 elder respondents were interviewed out of which 63 (42%) had OA knee. Female gender, history of a knee injury, family history of knee pain, other chronic illness, current physical activity, BMI, and smoking status were found to be significantly associated with knee OA (p<0.05). Conclusions: In the study area, osteoarthritis of the knee was quite prevalent. Some of the modifiable factors like physical activity, smoking, BMI are significantly associated with OA knee.

Assessment of Community Pharmacist’s Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Dispensing Errors in South Bangalore: A Prospective Cross Sectional Study

Assessment of Community Pharmacist’s Knowledge Attitude and Practice towards Dispensing Errors in South Bangalore: A Prospective Cross Sectional Study

A Study on Savings Pattern of Working Women in Private Educational Institutions in South Bangalore

This research investigates the savings patterns of working women in private educational institutions in South Bangalore. By examining factors such as demographic characteristics, income levels, and financial literacy, the study aims to understand the motivations, preferences, and barriers these women face in saving. Data was collected through surveys and interviews with a representative sample of women employed in various private educational institutions in South Bangalore. The findings reveal significant insights into their savings behaviors and offer recommendations for improving financial inclusion and savings rates among this demographic.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes at a Tuberculosis Unit in Southern India: A Retrospective Observational Study

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected both existing and undiagnosed Tuberculosis (TB) patients worldwide. The impact of the pandemic on the treatment outcomes of these patients in India remains unclear. Aim: To assess the difference in TB treatment outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in an economically disadvantaged urban area in Southern India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a TB Unit in South Bangalore, Southern India, serving a population of 2,50,000 from January 2022 to December 2022. Purposive sampling was employed to select 516 patients who had registered for TB treatment during the years 2019 and 2020. The socio-demographic details and TB profiles of the patients were collected and tabulated. Treatment outcomes were classified according to World Health Organisation (WHO) definitions after a case record analysis. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2018 and analysed using Open Epi software. Descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, were used to report socio-demographic profiles, and the Chisquare test was utilised to evaluate the differences in treatment outcomes. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included a total of 516 subjects. There were fewer cases registered in 2020 (n=202), especially after the first quarter, compared to the number registered in 2019 (n=314). The majority of the cases during both years were new instances of microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB with no co-morbidities. Treatment success rates were 85.35% in 2019 and 88.61% in 2020, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was a noticeable reduction in the number of cases registered during 2020, indicating that the COVID19 pandemic had a definite effect on TB case notification. However, treatment success rates increased during the COVID19 pandemic. This increase in the treatment success rate from 85.35% to 88.61% could be attributed to the decrease in the number of registered cases during the pandemic. The study thus found no significant impact on TB treatment success rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessing the Impact of Oral Disorders on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Preschool Children and their Families: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Oral disorders such as Traumatic Dental Injury (TDI) and Early Childhood Caries (ECC) can significantly impact the functional, social, and psychological well-being of growing children and their families. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) serves as a proxy assessment of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in children, developed to evaluate the effects on the quality of life of preschool children. Aim: To assess the impact of oral disorders on the OHRQoL of children aged two to six years and their families. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1000 children aged 2 to 6 years from various preschools in South Bangalore were selected. All children underwent examinations for caries, stains, and fractures. A modified questionnaire survey based on ECOHIS, consisting of 26 questions, was completed by the parents of the children. The answered questionnaire was then evaluated to assess the impact of dental conditions on the quality of life of both children and parents. Kruskal-Wallis Test, Dunn’s post-hoc Test, and Mann-Whitney Test were used to compare the mean scores of different domains of the OHRQoL scale based on ECC and dental trauma, respectively. Results: The severity of ECC demonstrated an adverse effect on the symptom domain (p<0.001), function domain (p=0.002), psychology domain (p=0.03), and the entire score of the Child Impact Section (CIS) (p<0.001). In the Family Impact Section (FIS), the mean scores of the family distress domain and the overall FIS were statistically significant (p<0.001). Dental trauma also showed an adverse effect on the symptoms domain (p<0.001) and the entire scores of the CIS (p=0.001). Additionally, the mean scores of the family distress domain and the overall FIS were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The presence of ECC and dental trauma is likely to have a negative impact on the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of preschool-aged children and their families.

Musculoskeletal disorders among IT Professionals in South Bangalore

Musculoskeletal disorders among IT Professionals in South Bangalore

Assessment of knowledge and decision-making regarding dental trauma among primary school teachers in south Bangalore- a cross-sectional survey

Background: Injury to primary and permanent dentitions is one of the most common dental problems seen in school going children. Teachers play an important role in prevention of dental trauma and immediate management of the injured tooth. Hence, the aimed of the study was to evaluate primary school teachers’ knowledge and decision making regarding dental trauma in South Bangalore, Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 primary school teachers in South Bangalore, using self-administered pretested questionnaire consisting 16 close-ended questions. Results: Among 400 primary school teachers, 212 participants could identify the damaged front teeth likely to be permanent teeth. Almost half of the participants would seek the dentists help immediately and only 74 respondents would not mind the delay of 30 minutes. Most of the respondents would clean the dirty tooth in tap water and only 16 respondents would use milk for transporting the avulsed tooth. A great majority of the respondents were satisfied with the knowledge on the management of dental trauma but most of them expressed desire for further knowledge. Conclusions: The research clearly revealed that majority of school teachers had very less knowledge related to handling of traumatic dental injuries. First aid training program with dental content and acquisition of dental injury management should be included in the curriculum of teachers training program.

Prevalence of Low Back Ache and Functional Disability among Traffic Police in South Bangalore

Background: Around 70% to 80% of world’s population has experienced Low Back Ache (LBA) at some point in their lives. Traffic police officers are prone to number of risk factors related to LBA every day. Around 96 various tasks must be completed in a full working day by a police officer. Out of these, 46 tasks require heavy physical work. Other tasks which do not require heavy physical work can be made easier if the police officer is physically good and fit. The traffic police do not know that back pain is caused due to their poor posture. Helpless stance, long walking hours, tedious developments of the body and helpless work community configuration are principle hazard factors for these issues. Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of LBA and functional disability among traffic police in South Bangalore. Material and Method: Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire is used to record sites of pain among traffic police officers. Modified ODI scale was administered to traffic police officers with Low Back Ache (LBA). Based on the ODI score, the functional disability was evaluated. VAS is used to measure pain in traffic police officers having LBA. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result: In a total of 246 traffic police personnel who took part in the study, 96 of them reported with LBA i.e, the prevalence percentage was 39.02%. The mean pain intensity according to VAS was 3.95 ± 1.59. Out of the 96 police personnel who reported LBA, 49 personnel (51%) had moderate disability. Minimal disability was observed in 35 personnel (36.5%) and severe disability was noted in 12 personnel (12.5%). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of Low Back Ache among traffic police in south Bangalore is found out to be 39.02%.

BACTERIOGICAL PROFILE OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IN BANGALORE

Objective: Intensive care units (ICUs) are considered as the epicentre of infections due to its vulnerable conditions for development, amplification, and dissemination of drug-resistant microorganisms. Furthermore, the use of inappropriate or incorrect antibiotics is also closely related to development and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms. Hence, the present study was conducted in a private hospital in South Bangalore, to evaluate the spectrum of micro organisms isolated from clinical samples of patients admitted in ICU and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: This observational study was conducted on critically ill patients admitted in medical ICUs of private hospital in south Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The study was designed to include all patients with age 18 years or older, admitted for more than 48 h in medical ICUs of the hospital and having at least two of the clinical signs of SIRS. Depending on the clinical suspicion, clinical samples such as pus, blood, urine, body fluids, respiratory specimen were collected. The samples collected were first subjected to gram staining and then were inoculated on blood agar and MacConkey agar plates taking proper aseptic precautions. Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of respective organisms were studied on Mueller Hinton agar media by Kirby Bauer’s disk diffusion method. Results: A total of 665 clinical samples were received in the microbiology laboratory out of which 60% samples showed significant microbial growth. The most predominant isolates were Gram-negative organisms 72.68% and Gram-positive isolates were seen in 27.3%. Sample-wise distribution of positive culture was done. Pus 33%, respiratory specimen 26%, urine 20%, blood 15%, and body fluids 6%. Majority of Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to amikacin, followed by piperacillin/tazobactum, cefeperazone/salbactum and imipenem and high resistance rates to ampicillin, amoxy clav was noted. Most of the Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to linezolid, vancomycin, followed by amikacin, pipercillin/tazobactum, and cefeperazone/salbactum. Conclusion: The present study showed the high prevalence of aerobic bacteria in clinical samples of critically ill patients in ICUs. The study identified both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms to be responsible for causing blood stream infections. There should be continuous surveillance of data of clinical isolates along with their sensitivity pattern with routine surveillance for baseline resistance, stringent hospital infection policy, and their implementation in the hospital is the need of the hour to stop or reduce drug resistance.

CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF BENIGN ORAL CAVITY LESIONS

Background:Oral lesions can closely resemble one another and hence it is important for the clinicians to be able to recognize the various conditions and if possible obtain a biopsy for a confirmatory pathological diagnosis. Aim:To study the type of common benign lesions of the oral mucosa and to evaluate the concordance of clinical and histopathological diagnosis. Materials And Methods:A retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in South Bangalore during the period of two years from June 2016 to May 2018. The study included 50 cases of benign lesions of the oral cavity. The following parameters were analyzed age and sex distribution of the lesion, site of the lesion, clinical presentation and histopathological diagnosis. Data collected were analyzed. Results:Among the 50 cases, the age ranged from 6 to 70 years with a mean of 30.3 years. Most of the patients were females (68%) in their 3rd decade. The sites of involvement of various lesions were labial mucosa with lower lip more commoner than upper lip, followed by tongue, buccal mucosa and maxillary alveolus. The various clinical diagnosis of the lesions were mucus retention cyst, papilloma and pyogenic granuloma. Excision biopsy of these lesions confirmed most cases of mucus retention cyst, pyogenic granuloma and few cases of papilloma on histopathological examination. Rest of the cases were extravastion cyst, fibromyxoma, actinomycosis, lobular capillary hemangioma, hamartoma, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophils and keratosis without atypia. Conclusion:Benign lesions of the oral cavity mimic each other. Histopathological typing of the lesions is mandatory to rule out malignancy and for a definitive and a confirmatory diagnosis.

A Study to Derive the Impact of Online Classes on Posture among High School Students During COVID

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift from traditional classroom education to online classes for high school students globally. However the prolonged use of electronic devices and poor sitting posture during online classes may lead to musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of online classes on neck pain back pain wrist pain and visual strain in high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 420 high school students in South Bangalore attending online classes. A 15-item questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics online class participation technology utilization and electronic device usage place of study body postures and physical activity. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethical committee. Results Of the participants 73.6 attended continuous online classes with over 82 of classes lasting for more than 4 hours. Significant associations were found between device use incorrect sitting posture and the prevalence of neck back and wrist pain P lt 0.001. However physical activity did not show a significant correlation with neckback pain P gt 0.001.Conclusion High school students attending continuous online classes reported experiencing neck back wrist and visual strain due to prolonged device use and incorrect sitting postures. Students need to maintain correct posture during online classes to prevent musculoskeletal discomfort.nbsp

Teaching Special Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study

With the onset of the pandemic, there has been a massive shift and transformation in the way knowledge is disseminated. There has been a rise in distance/online learning, this includes teachers teaching remotely using various digital platforms. With almost two years of virtual learning, this has led to a demand for both teachers and students to upskill and equip themselves with technological capability. Effectiveness of e-learning has emerged to be an area of research, particularly in this context of the pandemic. This study explores the effectiveness of this alternate method of teaching on students with learning disabilities through the lens of parents and special tutors from renowned special schools in South Bangalore using interviews and focus group discussions. A pre-designed Likert scale questionnaire was also administered to 170 students with learning disabilities in South Bangalore to record the academic challenges they faced during their online classes. Results from the interactions with both parents and special tutors reveal there is a need to revisit learning and teaching strategies and improve access to new media educational technologies to help maximise uptake and success of the e-learning approach in the context of special education. Parents believe that the learner needs of children with disabilities during the remote learning scenario were not taken into consideration, special tutors shared their experience and limitations some which included difficulty in handling online classes, lack of financial support to invest in relevant technological platforms. The findings from this exploratory study highlight both the need for improving pedagogy in the remote learning contexts along with tutors requiring professional development workshops to conduct effective online classes that include incorporating various digital tools that meets the educational needs of children with learning disabilities. The study serves as an eye opener for special tutors, local education authorities and school administrators to revisit lesson plans, online teaching approaches, explore and invest in potential digital tools that could meet learner needs and improve the learning curve during the pandemic.

Analysis of suicide hanging deaths in South Bangalore: A three-year retrospective study

Hanging is the most frequently encountered asphyxial death in forensic medicine practice. It is the second most common method employed to commit suicide in India. Easy availability and presence of wide range of ligature materials at home itself makes hanging a preferred method of committing suicide. This study was done at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences & hospital Bangalore with an aim to evaluate suicidal hangings through perusal of postmortem reports retrospectively during the study period between Jan 2011 to Dec 2013. During the 3-year study period the study population had a total of 519 decedents ranging between age 11 years to 77 years. Victims of both sexes comprised the study population. Suicidal hangings with reference to age, sex, socioeconomic status of the decedents, educational qualification, motive, time, type of suspension and position of knot were studied to evaluate the relationship between different parameters. 62.63% of the decedents were males. The most common age group affected were in their third decade of life, who made 43.35 population 66.1% of victims died in complete suspension and remainder 33.0952% of victims had typical know placement while 47.6% had atypical knot placement. 58.38% of victims belonged to lower socioeconomic strata of which a majority shared an educational qualification up to pre-university weighing a percentage of 26%. The motive in majority of the deaths remained unknown (38.15%), family disputes ranked second with a percentage of 36.03.

Analysis of cranio-cerebral injuries in vehicular accident victims in south Bangalore: A two-year retrospective study

Road traffic accidents are regarded as the most common non communicable epidemics of the world. They are also a major cause for morbidity and mortality. The most common and vulnerable part of the body which is affected during road accidents is the head. This study was done at KIMS hospital Bangalore with an aim to observe the range of cranio-cerebral injuries by analysing the postmortem records between January 2011 to December 2012 retrospectively, which would provide valuable data for implementing effective emergency services to reduce trauma related mortality. During the 2-year study period the study population had a total of 143 decedents ranging between age 5 years to 84 years. Victims of both sexes comprised the study population. The spectrum of head injuries with respect to incidence of skull fractures and type of intracranial haemorrhage were noted. Male predominance was seen over females in 83% of cases. The most common age group to be affected was between 21-30 years, who made 30% of study population. 52% of the decedents had skull fractures, of which 50% of them had sub-arachnoid haemorrhage followed by 47% of decedents with sub-dural hemorrhage. Pedestrians accounted to 38% of the decedents while the remainder 62% accounted for vehicular occupants.

Association of Dental Neglect Scale and Severity of Dental Caries among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims:The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of available dental services and home dental care practices in a sample of nursing students and to seek out the correlation if any, between the Dental Neglect Scale (DNS) scores and severity of dental caries.Subjects and Methods:The study was conducted among 630 nursing students aged 18–21 years from the area of South Bangalore. The study was cross-sectional in design and a convenience sampling method was adopted to get the desired sample size. A prestructured questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Following this, a brief oral examination was conducted using mouth mirror and light for the detection of any visible carious lesions.Results:The dental attendance variable was found to be significantly associated with the DNS scores (P < 0.001). The DNS scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) among those who had visible caries than those who do not. A very good correlation was obtained between scores of DNS and the caries severity (P < 0.001, r = 0.773).Conclusions:The DNS can be a very good predictor of the dental attendance pattern as well as clinically assessed severity of carious lesions.

An Approach to the Rehabilitation of Adult Convicts and Juvenile Offenders Strengths and Limitations

In this study on adult prisoners the main thrust is on the prisoners and their profile.State wise analysis is done of the responses obtained from the prisoners on the various tests and scales administered on them. They are divided according to regions such as North,East, West, South and the Center. In the north the states visited for study were Uttar Pradesh, (Lucknow Model Jail & District Jail), andRajasthan (Jaipur Central Prison). In the East,Bihar (Patna Central Prison), Kolkata (Presidency Jail& Alipur Jail), were studied. Besides Orissa was another state in the East where Bhubaneshwar Central Jail and Puri Central Jail were selected for the study. Likewise, in the West Mumbai (Central Prison) and Pune (Central Prison) were studied. In the South Bangalore (Central Prison) and in the centerMadhya Pradesh, (Bhopal Central Prison) and in Delhi Jail no5 of Tihar Jail were studied.Standardized tests and scales are administered on them to assess their awareness towards their own well-being, their emotional intelligence, and their personality traits particularly extroversion, neuroticism, Pychoticism, and Social Desirability to prove oneself good. Case studies are also done to get more insight in the behavior of the prisoner. The whole effort to have a comprehensive appraisal of the prisoner is also to ascertain his capability to rehabilitate in the society. Subsequently a second national study on juveniles arrested for various offences is done with the same aim to assess the extent of rehabilitation in them. Thus, the design is an empirical one of an exploratory type. The aim of the study is (a) to assist the children in conflict with law to improve their personality, (b) reduce their anti-social tendencies, (c) help them to seek jobs and (d) explore all facilities to rehabilitate them back into the society. It is noticed from the findings of the studies that certain independent variables determine the success of the rehabilitation process of the two groups of subjects, (a) age difference between the adult offender and the juveniles (b) pattern of offence (c) length of stay in the correctional institutions, (d) educational and marital status (e) attitude of the family (f) his acceptance of the rehabilitation programs while in confinement. Subsequently the adult and the juvenile’s first, perception towards himself and towards the society,second, his emotional intelligence and third, his personality profile indicate not only the differences but also the limitations in the reintegration of the two groups.

Revival of Fitness Cube –A CASE

Fitness Cube , one of the well-known fitness centre in the city of Bangalore South, Uttarahalli Main Road has been actively involved in inculcating and promoting fitness to people through easy mechanisms comprising of various fitness activities from past 14 years. After rounds of interview and observations been made it was found that during this period; there was 30-percent reduction in business though it was one of the best in South Bangalore. Mr. Kiran Owner and Fitness Trainer was worried during this bleak period though he had changed his way of business. Before COVID-19, the business was gradually down and revenues were not satisfactory and at break even. COVID-19 Pandemic creeped in and further, the situation was very worst as Government announced the closure of fitness centres across India. This case let present the unique facts pertaining to Fitness Cube in Mr.Kiran had to face challenges and further improvements to sustain the GYM business. During this transition, COVID-19 Pandemic further elevated the maintenance of fitness centre which is presented in this case.

Study of clinical profile of children admitted with new onset seizures in a tertiary care urban hospital in South Bangalore

Background: Seizure is one of the common causes of childhood hospitalization with significant mortality and morbidity. There is limited data regarding acute seizures episodes form the developing countries. Method and Aim: This was a hospital based prospective study carried out children admitted in Paediatric intensive care unit of Bangalore Baptist Hospital a tertiary care centre, Bangalore, from 1month to 15 years of age during the period between September 2018 to January 2020.Current study aims to find the common aetiology of seizure and classify seizure types in various age groups. Variables collected were demographics, clinical presentations, laboratory tests, brain imaging studies, ABR, electroencephalography, diagnosis and hospital course. Results: A total of 200 patients were admitted for seizures with 120 (60%) males and 80 (40%) females. Among these patients, 148 (74%) presented with fever and 148 (74%) of children were less than 5 years of age. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most common seizure type 140 (70%). Seizure disorder (21%), febrile seizures (55%), CNS infections and neurocysticercosis were common etiologies. Conclusion: Convulsion is an important symptom in children admitted with PICU. Seizure occurs in peak frequency in age group of 1yr to 5 years. Febrile seizures was the common causes of seizures in febrile children. Children diagnosed as seizure disorder require long term follow up studies including neurophysiologic studies. Keywords: New onset seizures, Febrile seizures, Meningitis, Partial seizures, Gtcs.

A survey on evaluating the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding infant oral health among Pediatricians of South Bangalore: A pilot study

There is an imprecise tendency for separating Oral health from General health, however oral health forms an integral part of overall health reflecting the general health and wellbeing of an individual. Dental disease is one of the most vulnerable chronic disease affecting children throughout the world. Evidence increasingly suggests that for successful prevention of dental disease its preventive interaction should begin with the 1st year of life. The evidence in literature reveals that when the frequency of visit a to the paediatricians and paediatric dentist are analysed, regardless of the nature of service being sought (public or private), the parents systematically consult paediatricians throughout the 1st year of life, which does not occur in relation to dental queries. Hence, paediatricians are at a unique position to begin the process of early assessment of oral health and provision of anticipatory guidance and educating the parents regarding good oral hygiene, prevention of dental caries, and establishing proper feeding habits. It is unclear to what degree paediatricians are knowledgeable about preventable oral health and to what extent they are willing to participate in assessment and prevention of dental disease. This survey takes a step forward by examining baseline knowledge, opinions & practice implemented by the paediatricians in their health care professional regarding Infant oral health and identifying the barriers to oral health assessment and to make referrals to the Pedodontists.

A tale of fish in two cities: consumption patterns of low-income households in South India

While much is known about fish production patterns and consumption at an aggregate level, there is little understanding of consumption behavior among low-income households in city regions. Given that fish is an important and possibly cheap source of nutrition for millions of poor people, this paper attempts to understand patterns of fish consumption among low-income households in two urban sites in South India, namely Chennai (coastal city) and Bangalore (inland city). By analyzing survey data collected in three different seasons from the same (around 250) households, we are able to infer diverse patterns of fish consumption by low-income households, including purchasing behavior, quality inferences, and trust relations with traders. Our analysis shows that Chennai’s fish consumers rely more on informal markets and possess stronger preferences for certain species of fish while those in Bangalore make more use of formal market structures, displaying indifference toward the type of fish consumed. Our analysis helps to understand low-income consumer behavior while promoting fish for food and nutrition security among these populations in city regions.