South Delhi Research Articles

Awareness and eye health-seeking practices for cataract among urban slum population of Delhi: The North India eye disease awareness study.

Purpose:The objective of the study was to assess the awareness and health-seeking practices related to cataract in urban slums of Delhi.Methods:This study design was a population-based cross-sectional study. Participants aged 18–60 years were recruited from randomly selected five slums of South Delhi. They were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule on awareness and eye health-seeking practices related to cataract. The practices were recorded if the respondents themselves or any other member of the family was diagnosed with cataract in previous 2 years.Results:A total of 1552 respondents participated in the study, of which, 89.9% had heard of cataract but only (42%) were aware of any symptom of cataract. The common symptoms of cataract reported by the participants were white opacity in eyes (25.9%) and loss of vision (20.6%). Surgery as a treatment of cataract was known to only 559 (40.1%) participants. Awareness about surgery as treatment of cataract was significantly higher among people aged 45–60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.89, 95% confidence interval = 2.11–3.97) and in educated people (adjusted OR = 3.69 95% CI = 2.37–5.73). Out of 84 respondents who had been diagnosed with cataract, the health-seeking practices were observed by 70 (83.3%) participants. Among them, 51 (72.9%) had undergone surgery and another 19 (27.1%) had been advised to wait for surgery. Most of the operated patients 48 (94.1%) attended the postoperative follow-up.Conclusion:The study findings suggest the majority of participants have heard of cataract, but there is low awareness of its symptoms and treatment, and good eye health-seeking practices observed for cataract in urban slum population. Gaps in awareness observed can be filled up by implementing proper eye health education programs.

Epidemiological profile of poisoning deaths in South Delhi Region of India

Epidemiological profile of poisoning deaths in South Delhi Region of India

Pattern of socio-economic and health aspects among TB patients and controls

BackgroundSocio-economic and health-related factors have a significant impact on tuberculosis (TB) incidence among population residing in resource-scare settings. ObjectiveTo evaluate the pattern of socio-economic and health-related factors among TB patients and control in Delhi, India. MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was performed among 893 TB patients (or cases) and 333 healthy disease-free controls. The data for the present study was obtained from several district TB centres in north, west and south Delhi. The collected data was edited, coded and statistical analysed with the help of SPSS 20.0 version. ResultsIlliteracy and primary education were significant risk factors being associated with a TB. Rented housing condition had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.89) compared to owned housing condition. 3–5 individuals per room were 3 times more likely to be associated with a case of TB (95% CI: 2.49–4.41). Migrant individuals were 13 times more likely to be associated with a case of TB (95% CI: 8.77–19.78) in comparison to settled population. Daily consumption of non-vegetarian food also significantly contributed to case of TB with an OR of 3.4 (95% CI: 2.51–4.72). Loss of appetite and family TB served as significant health-related factors associated with TB risk. ConclusionLower educational status, rented household, individuals per room (as a measure of overcrowding) and migratory status served as prominent risk factors for TB disease. Preference and frequency of non-vegetarian food being consumed, night sweating, weight loss, loss of appetite, earlier TB and family TB were principle health-related risk factors associated with TB disease.

Fatal corrosive ingestion: A study from South and South-East Delhi, India (2005-2014).

The study presents a retrospective analysis of 64 cases of death resulting from ingestion of corrosive substances. The cases represented approximately 0.4% of all autopsies conducted and 13.6% of all fatal poisonings studied during the 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 at the Department of Forensic Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The data was analyzed with regard to age, sex, nature and source of corrosive substance used, survival period, cause and manner of death. Males (64.06%) outnumbered females (35.94%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.78:1. The most common age group involved was 21-30 years (35.94%). Sulfuric acid (68.75%) presented as the most common corrosive substance ingested. Household cleaning substances (39.06%) were identified as a common source of such type of corrosive substance, but the exact source could not be identified in 56.26% of cases. In the majority of cases (46.88%) death was due to perforation peritonitis. Most of the victims (54.69%) succumbed to their injuries within a day of ingestion. In 87.5% of cases, the corrosive substance was consumed for suicidal purposes. A strict regulatory framework is required for the production, distribution, storage and use of corrosive substances. Preventive guidelines and creating awareness among the masses will go a long way towards curbing such unfortunate incidents.

Determinants of Improved Waste Management Services in Delhi: An Economic Valuation

Emerging nations such as India, with fast pace of development and rapid urbanisation, are increasingly witnessing a problem of solid waste mismanagement because of rising population and industrialisation. Factors associated with this advancement put pressure on the current municipal infrastructures, services and financial resources. This study employs cross-sectional survey analysis across eleven districts of Delhi to determine inhabitant’s willingness to pay (WTP) for improved waste management services and also suggests measures to control this menace. One sample city from each district is chosen and a contingent valuation methodology is used to estimate WTP. Economic valuation of the benefits derived from cleaner environment is done through stratified random sampling technique from each sample city. The survey has been administered among 450 respondents of Delhi. The sample cities chosen for the project are “Amar Colony (South-East Delhi), Janakpuri (West Delhi), Rohini (North-West Delhi), Kamla Nagar/Model town (North Delhi), Saket (South Delhi), Darya Ganj (Central Delhi), Yamuna Vihar (North-East Delhi), Satya Niketan (South-West Delhi), Karkardooma (East Delhi), Vasant Vihar (New Delhi) and Shahdara.” The respondents in the survey are divided into three categories, Households, Recognised Branded Vendors and Unbranded Vendors, representing the commercial faction of society.A binary response question followed by an open ended question have been put forward to the respondents in order to measure their WTP The administered survey shows that 81% of respondents have positive WTP for improved solid waste management (SWM) services. Logistic and multiple regression models are used to estimate the WTP. As per the regression analysis, the mean WTP for entire Delhi region came out to be approx ₹155/month. Of which WTP for the branded Vendors is ₹311/month, WTP of Household is ₹114/month and WTP for unbranded Vendors is ₹39/month. The key determinants of WTP are income level, education level, perception of the surveyed area’s environment quality, dissatisfaction from current SWM services and past disease trajectory, contracted from poor solid waste management. The respondents with higher levels of income and education show higher WTP. However, there is a negative relationship of dissatisfaction level and serious disease history with WTP. The per capita waste generation for different regions of Delhi has been calculated with a maximum generation of 0.507Kgper person in the MCD zone.A rank has been assigned to each city on the basis of perception of the respondents on three grounds: Environmental Quality, Satisfaction with current solid waste management and Prior Disease History Trajectory. The top five cities which need immediate attention are Darya Ganj, Yamuna Vihar, Satya Niketan, KarKardooma and Shahdara. The findings from this study can aid policy-makers in formulating the solid waste management measures in Delhi as well as in other regions facing similar problems.

A Community-based Study on Growth and Development of Under-Five Children in an Urbanized Village of South Delhi.

Optimal development of children in their early months and years has a bearing on their achievement levels later in life. To assess the socio-emotional and cognitive development in children 0-5 years and to find out the proportion of children having developmental delay and its associated factors. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 520 children in Delhi. Development was assessed using the Indian Council for Medical Research Development Screening Test. In all, 10.6% of children <5 years old were found to be developmentally delayed. Maximum number of children (10.1%) were found to have a delay in the do main of 'hearing language, concept development'. Of all the factors, the strongest association was found with stunting, paternal education, alcohol abuse, attendance in anganwadi/playschool. The study concludes that developmental delay is present in a sizable proportion of children <5 years of age and may be a significant factor in the overall achievement of life's potential in them.

Mental Health of Special School Teachers

The present study was carried out with the main aim of studying and comparing of mental health of special school teachers. The data was collected by using Mental Health Inventory (MHI) constructed and standardized by Jagdish and Srivastava (1984) with the help of purposive random cluster sampling from South Delhi. Mean, S.D., and t-values were calculated for different dimensions and over all mental health between male and female special school teachers. The findings of the research revealed that overall average mental health of special education teachers is poor. Male special school teachers were found to have better mental health than female special school teachers in terms of Positive self evaluation, Autonomy, Group oriented attitude and Environment competence. While with regards to the dimension: Perception of reality and Integration of personality Female special school teacher were found to have better health than male special school teachers.

Medico-legal autopsy of abandoned foetuses and newborns in India

Foeticide and the abandonment of newborns are important, albeit frequently neglected, issues. Concealment of childbirth is often seen in the setting of unwanted pregnancy which has been recognised as one of the most important factors in both cases. This study highlights the medico-legal autopsy findings of 238 abandoned foetuses and newborns over a period of 17 years (1996-2012) from the region of South Delhi, India. There was no sex predilection. The majority of the cases were full term. Nearly 35% of the foetuses were still born, about 29% were live born and the remainder were non-viable. Among the live born, death by homicide was more common than a natural death and most were left by the roadside. The abandoning and killing of newborns needs urgent attention, and strict measures are needed to save thousands of innocent lives.

Perception of receiving SMS based health messages among hypertensive individuals in urban slums.

Hypertension rates are increasing in India, and prior research has not explored the perception of using mobile based SMS among urban hypertensive individuals living in slum settings in India. To explore the perception of receiving SMS based health messages among hypertensive individuals in urban slums. A cross sectional study was conducted during the period of December 2013 in an urban slum setting of South Delhi, New Delhi, India. Eligible study participants included: 45 individuals aged 30 years and above, with confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure, owned a mobile phone/landline and were willing to participate. Results of our study showed participants (n= 45) had an average age of 48 years (SD = 12), mostly female (64%, n= 29), and currently married (80%, n= 36). Their most common perceived hypertension risk factors included: worry/anxiety/stress (84%, n= 38), and high fat diet (68%, n= 30). Mobile calls were the most preferred mode of receiving lifestyle counseling among study participants (71%, n= 32). Majority preferred to receive counseling in Hindi language (67%, n= 30), and more than half were willing to pay for these services (60%, n= 27). Our findings suggest the need for innovations that utilize basic phone platforms, mobile calling feature, and language tailored interventions.

Burden of Hypertension and Diabetes among Urban Population Aged ≥ 60 years in South Delhi: A Community Based Study.

India is going through a demographic transition, and the number of elderly is expected to increase both in absolute numbers, as well as in proportion. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable and high-risk group in terms of health status in any society, and more so for non- communicable diseases. To estimate the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among elderly persons and association with socio-demographic variables; & to assess the awareness, treatment and control status of those with diabetes and hypertension. A cross-sectional community based study was carried out in a resettlement colony of South-east Delhi in Dakshinpuri Extension, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar. Elderly persons aged 60 years and above were selected by cluster random sampling. Information about self-reported diseases, socio-demographic variables was collected; fasting blood sugar and blood pressure were measured. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension were calculated and association was tested by Chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. A total of 710 elderly persons participated in the study. Diabetes was seen in 24.0% and 67% were hypertensive. Isolated hypertension was detected in 25.9%. No statistically significant difference by gender (p=0.11), age (p=0.16), education (p=0.31) and economic dependency (p=0.28), was seen in both diabetes and hypertension. Out of 167 persons with diabetes, 62.3% were on treatment and 33.6% were under control; while out of 477 hypertensives, 41% were under treatment and only one-third of them had their blood pressure under control. This study highlighted a significant burden of non-communicable diseases amongst elderly persons in a low-middle class community in Delhi. It also showed the lack of awareness about their disease conditions and need for screening, diagnostic and treatment services at the primary level.

Validation of ICMR index for identification of dental fluorosis in epidemiological studies.

Background & objectives:The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) formulated a Task Force on dental fluorosis and recommended the subgroup to develop a simplified index for identification and grading of dental fluorosis to be used by the health workers. This study was conducted to pre-test the ‘ICMR Index for Dental Fluorosis’ in the field to check its reliability and reproducibility.Methods:A total of 600 photographs were taken, 150 in each grade of fluorosis by screening 14-17 yr school children from eight schools of Hisar (Haryana) and South west Delhi. Eighty photographs were finalized (20 in each grade) before calibration to be used for training of field workers. Calibration exercise was conducted involving the five member survey team on 100 diagnosed cases of dental fluorosis. The members again screened 74 children with dental fluorosis in the field to categorize in to different grades of fluorosis for assessment of inter-examiner reliability.Results:The ICMR criteria showed more difference in agreement in very mild and mild categories during calibration. The inter-examiner reliability (κ) ranged from 0.59-1. The criteria was further modified and inter- examiner reliability (κ) found to be 0.83-0.98 which was almost perfect agreement.Interpretation & conclusions:The tool developed by the ICMR to assess dental fluorosis can be used in a field set up by non-dental personnel reliably with high degree of reproducibility.

Non-Ligature Injuries in Suicidal Hanging: A Retrospective Study from South and South-East Delhi, India (2006-2014)

Non-Ligature Injuries in Suicidal Hanging: A Retrospective Study from South and South-East Delhi, India (2006-2014)

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcome and Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving Directly Observed Treatment Strategy in India: A Prospective Study.

Despite successful implementation of directly observed treatment, short course (DOTS) in India, the growing number of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients appears to be a cause in the increasing tuberculosis (TB) incidence, affecting their management. In this regard, a prospective study was conducted on DOTS patients in three primary health care centers in urban slum region of South Delhi, India, to evaluate the effect of DM on sputum conversion, treatment outcome, and adverse drug reactions (ADR) due to anti-TB treatment. Eligible TB patients underwent blood glucose screening at treatment initiation. Disease presentation, clinical outcome, and ADRs were compared between patients of TB with and without DM. Out of 316 patients, the prevalence of DM was found to be 15.8%, in which 19.4% and 9.6% were PTB and EPTB patients, respectively. DM patients have observed higher sputum positivity (OR 1.247 95% CI; 0.539–2.886) at the end of 2-month treatment and poor outcome (OR 1.176 95% CI; 0.310–4.457) at the completion of treatment compared with non DM patients. Presence of DM was significantly associated (OR 3.578 95% CI; 1.114–11.494, p = 0.032) with the development of ADRs. DM influences the treatment outcome of PTB patients in our setting and also on the ADR incidence.

A Study of Workplace Violence Experienced by Doctors and Associated Risk Factors in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South Delhi, India.

The increasing incidences of violence against doctors in their workplaces are an important reason for stress among these healthcare workers. Many incidences of workplace violence against doctors have been reported in the past and are also being continuously reported from different parts of the country as well as the world. To determine the prevalence of workplace violence among doctors and to study the associated risk factors in a tertiary care hospital of Delhi, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The contents were: data related to the workplace, incidences at work, violence prevention policy of the institution, reporting of incidences and follow-up, education and training for violence management. A total of 151 doctors participated in the study. Total participants in the study were 151. The mean age of study participants was 26.73±4.24 years. Almost half (47.02%; 44.56% of males and 50.84% of females) of the doctors reported having an experience of violence during work hours in past 12 months. Among the cases, 39.4% were reported from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology while Surgery, Medicine and other departments reported 29.6%, 26.8% and 4.2% respectively. Patients or their relatives were perpetrators in most of the cases. Maximum (87.3%) of the reported cases were of verbal violence while 8.6% of the cases were of physical violence. Younger doctors with less work experience were more prone to physical violence. Regarding the time of violence, 35.1% of such cases occurred during afternoon while 30.1% of them took place at night. A large number of doctors had experienced violence in past 12 months in a tertiary care hospital of South Delhi, India. Verbal violence came out to be most common form of violence experienced by the doctors. Afternoon or night hours were the timings when majority of such cases were reported.

Global Cultures of Consumption and the Suburb: A Study of Changing Cultural Geography of three Urban Villages of South Delhi

Global Cultures of Consumption and the Suburb: A Study of Changing Cultural Geography of three Urban Villages of South Delhi

Estimation of Lead Level in Blood among South Delhi Population: A Cross Sectional Autopsy Based Study

Estimation of Lead Level in Blood among South Delhi Population: A Cross Sectional Autopsy Based Study

Positive and Negative Peer Contagion In Relation To Quality of Friend and Friendship

Peer contagion describes a mutual influence process that occurs between an individual and a peer and includes behaviors and emotions that potentially undermine one’s own development or cause harm to others. The influence process often occurs outside of awareness; participants may not intend to influence their peers, but they engage in relationship behaviors that satisfy immediate needs for an audience or companionship, and these behaviors inadvertently influence themselves or others. It can be of two types positive and negative peer contagion. Negative peer contagion include- aggression where as positive would include altruistic behavior. Different ways to reduce peer contagion would that include evaluation of aggression, intervention strategies for youth. The present study conducted on 250 adolescents (age between 13 to15). Then on the basis of screening total number of 120 subjects were selected and divided into two equal groups of 60 subjects; each group had 30 low and 30 high quality of friendship group. They were selected from different schools of South Delhi. Tools used in the study are Aggression Questionnaire, Self-report altruistic scale (SRA), Quality of friendship questionnaire; Quality of friend (Interview schedule).The result suggested that there is no interaction between quality of friend and the quality of friendship in the positive peer contagion. But desirable friend and undesirable friend and high and low quality of friendship can distinguished on the positive peer contagion. On the negative peer contagion there is interaction between the quality of friendship and quality of friend and also high quality of friendship is highly related to it, also negative peer contagion is more related to undesirable friend.

Beneficial role of voice inter-relating process and OM mantra enchanting in Parkinson's disease patients in south Delhi metro population

Beneficial role of voice inter-relating process and OM mantra enchanting in Parkinson's disease patients in south Delhi metro population

Analytical hierarchy process for assessing sustainability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) based on assessment of sustainability indicators for public transportation system including pedestrians and feeder services in developing country. Design/methodology/approach – A hybrid approach based on the AHP is considered for assessment of the sustainability of public transportation system including pedestrians and feeder services. Sustainability related indicators for public transportation system (namely for metro, bus and feeder bus) and pedestrians based on past data were reviewed and subsequently, more important indicators catering needs of developing country have been added to achieve significant sustainability score and a total of 17 indicators were selected for assessment of comprehensive sustainability (seven indicators under economic, six under social and four under environmental categories). Findings – For quantifying the assessment, specific user interview surveys are performed in south Delhi region and accordingly perception of user and transportation-related operational characteristics of the public transport system were also collected. Preliminary result shows air pollution in environmental category, public health in social category and productivity in economic category is most influential parameters in developing country. Originality/value – AHP method is applied for rating the criteria and setting out the priority of designed sustainable indicators. Subsequently sustainable mitigation measures and scenarios for the study area can be evaluated utilizing developed comprehensive sustainability indicator for public transportation system including pedestrian and feeder services available in developing country.

Geochemical and Petrogenetic Study of Proterozoic Sewariya and Govindgarh Granitoids from South Delhi Fold Belt

The present study reports the geochemical composition of Sewariya two-mica granites (SG) and Govindgarh granites (GG) intruding rocks of Delhi Supergroup along the western margin of South Delhi Fold Belt in Rajasthan, India. Both granite varieties are highly evolved possessing high SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , low MgO, CaO, Fe 2 O 3 , Ni, Cr and V and are calc-alkaline in nature. In chondrite normalized REE diagrams, SG are characterized by highly fractionated REE patterns (avg La N / Yb N = 21.45) and sharp negative Eu* anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.25), whereas GG do not show significant REE fractionated patterns (avg La N /Yb N = 3.31) and have variable Eu anomalies. From primitive mantle normalized multi-element diagrams, crustal signatures (low Nb, Ti and high Pb, U, Th) can be inferred for both the granitoid varieties. Also, strong peraluminous nature, high A/CNK, normative corundum and abundant mica content point towards a (meta)sedimentary protolith for them. An arc setting is indicated by their calc-alkaline nature; volcanic arc or syncollisional affinities in tectonic discriminant diagrams (Nb versus Y; Rb versus Nb + Y). They are peraluminous leucogranites derived from crustal melts with little mantle contribution as is evident from their mineralogy and geochemical characteristics. The anatectic conditions prevalent during the formation of these granites differed with SG being formed under dehydration conditions, while the formation of GG involved fluid-present melting reactions.