Thrissur District Of Kerala Research Articles

Resource use efficiency in the production of Chengalikodan Nendran banana (GI Tag variety) in Thrissur district of Kerala

Resource use efficiency in the production of Chengalikodan Nendran banana (GI Tag variety) in Thrissur district of Kerala

IJCM_335A: Geriatric depression and associated factors: a community-based study in a rural area of Central Kerala

Background: Aging is a complex biological process associated with cellular and molecular damages. Rural India comprises 70 percent of the total geriatric population of the country. Kerala being a demographically advanced state have greater proportions of older population than the national average. Elderly constitutes a vulnerable group for depression, as they are especially prone to suffer adverse consequences of a depressive episode. Depression can cause great suffering and can lead to impaired functioning in daily life. Objective: : To estimate the prevalence of depression and determine the associated factors among elderly aged 60 years and above using Geriatric Depression Scale in Tholur Panchayath of Thrissur district, Kerala Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among 200 older adults aged 60 years and above in October 2022 in Tholur village panchayat area of Thrissur District in Kerala. Using cluster sampling technique study participants were identified. After obtaining informed consent, a pretested questionnaire is administered to obtain sociodemographic characteristics and details of comorbid illness. The Geriatric Depression Scale, short-form questionnaire, was used as a screening tool for depression. Data was entered in MS Excel and statistically analyzed using the IBM SPSS software (trial version). Results: The mean age of the study population was 70.59 ± 7.89 years. 64.5% of the study population were females. 16.5% had mild depression, 10% had moderate depression and 11% had severe depression as per the geriatric depression scale (GDS) scoring. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among the elderly was 37.8 %, and hence early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to reduce its burden in the community

Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among tribal population in Thrissur District: A cross-sectional study in South India

IntroductionHypertension is the major cause of premature death worldwide. There are disparities in the prevalence of hypertension across cultural groups. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and the associated factors among the adult tribal population in Kerala, India. MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 adult tribal population in Thrissur district in Kerala. World Health Organization STEPS questionnaire for non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance was used. We measured blood pressure, weight and height using standard protocols. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP)≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)≥90 mmHg or on medication for high blood pressure. Multivariate logistic regression was done to find out the associated factors with hypertension. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 44.7 years (SD ± 13.9; men:30%). Around 24% of the participants did not receive any formal education. Current tobacco prevalence was 28% and alcohol consumption was 19%. Nearly 63% were physically active. Prevalence of overweight was 33%. Hypertension prevalence was 48%. Among the hypertensive participants, 59% were aware of their condition, of which 74% were under treatment, and 7.8% achieved adequate control. In the age-sex adjusted multivariate analysis, being diabetic was the highest significant factor associated with the prevalence of hypertension (OR:9.58, CI: 1.87–49.07), followed by being overweight (OR:5.48, CI: 2.49–12.03). ConclusionThis study indicates a high prevalence of hypertension and overweight among the selected tribal population. Our research highlights the importance of regular monitoring and consistent adherence to treatment for hypertension and other risk factors in this population.

Pyothorax in a cat due to Acinetobacter spp. infection : a case report

A 3-month-old kitten weighing 1.05 kg was presented to the University veterinary hospital at Kokkalai in Thrissur district of Kerala, India, with the complaint of open-mouth breathing, lethargy and complete anorexia for the past three days, and weight loss. Detailed clinical examination revealed inspiratory dyspnoea without stridor, tachypnoea, muffled lung and heart sounds on auscultation, pale mucous membrane, and weak pulse. Haematology revealed leukocytosis with granulocytosis and monocytosis. Thoracic radiography, ultrasonography and thoracocentesis confirmed pyothorax. Microbial culture of thoracic aspirate revealed heavy growth of Acinetobacte spp. The cat responded to parenteral therapy with ceftiofur followed by cefixime orally for 21 days. Doxycycline was prescribed for concurrent mycoplasmosis. Thoracic radiograph 10 days later revealed a significant reduction in pleural fluid. A review of the case two months later found that the kitten recovered uneventfully. A rare case of Acinetobacter spp. associated pyothorax and its medical management in a cat is reported. The clinical manifestations, radiographic changes and ultrasonographic findings were discussed.

Effect of pesticide ban on suicide trend – a 20-year study from a tertiary care center in Central Kerala from 2001 to 2020

Introduction: We assessed the effect of the pesticide regulations implemented in 2011 on suicide trend in Kerala state of India. Materials and methods: Data were collected from case records of suicide autopsies done in a single tertiary care hospital in Thrissur district of Kerala in 2001–2020. Linear trends in overall suicide rates were identified using joinpoint regression analysis. We used Poisson regression models to estimate the annual expected number of suicides in 2011–2020 and calculated the rate ratios between the observed number of suicide and that expected according to the linear pre-ban suicide trend (2005–2010). Results: There were a total of 14,593 suicide autopsies (2501 pesticide autopsies) in 2001-2020. Carbofuran was the commonest pesticide identified, followed by quinalphos, zinc phosphide, and chlorpyrifos. In 2011–2020, overall suicide rates were 22%–48% and pesticide suicide rates were 20%–55% lower than those expected according to pre-ban suicide trends (2005–2010), with the only exception of a 16% higher-than-expected pesticide suicide rate in 2011. There was no change in trend in hanging suicides. Conclusion: Lower-than-expected overall and pesticide suicide rates were found in Thrissur district after the 2011 bans of pesticides in Kerala, with no evidence of means replacement to hanging.

A Study on Price Spread and Marketing Efficiency of Honey Value Chains in Thrissur District of Kerala

Honey is produced and consumed in large quantities all over the world. India ranks eighth among honey producing countries, with a production of 0.62 lakh tonnes of honey, which contributed 3.83 percent to the world production of honey (2020). The objective of the study was to identify the value chain actors in the study area and to analyse the price spread and marketing efficiency of honey in different value chain. Thrissur district was purposively selected for the study. The study was conducted during the months of May and June 2022 and in total, 100 beekeepers, all the four processors, 30 wholesalers, 30 retailers and 30 consumers were randomly selected for the study. The tools used for the study were price spread and marketing efficiency by Shepherds method. Four value chains were identified in the study area, in which the value chain I has the highest price spread and the value chain III has the least price spread which include only beekeepers and consumers. Marketing efficiency of honey value chain was computed using Shepherd’s method and the channel III was found to have the maximum efficiency with the score of 19.27, which include only beekeepers and consumers, whereas, channel I had the least marketing efficiency with score of 4.71 which mainly includes beekeepers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. The study concluded that Channel III was efficient, from which beekeepers got the highest price of Rs. 30000 from the consumers directly.

Fitting the seasonal distribution of wind direction in central region of Kerala using Bernstein Polynomials

Non parametric Bernstein polynomial estimator for circular data was applied for fitting daily wind directions. Since Thrissur District of Kerala faces a special type of wind called Vruschikakkaatu in November to February season and there is a decreases of such wind speed year after year, an analysis was conducted to check whether there is variation in wind direction. The seasonwise distribution of wind directions during morning (7.25 am) and evening (2.25 pm) for the period from 1983 to 1997 and 2003 to 2017 were separately fitted. Study revealed there is no change in the seasonal distributions.

Cotesia anthelae (Wilkinson, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) a natural parasitoid of Cirrochroa thais (Fabricius, 1787) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), first report from the Oriental region

Field surveys conducted during 2020–2021 in Nedumpura, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district of Kerala yielded Cotesia anthelae (Wilkinson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as a gregarious larval parasitoid of a nymphalid butterfly Cirrochroa thais (Fabricius) (Tamil Yeoman) along with its hyperparasitoid Mesochorus sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). This is the first report of C. anthelae parasitizing a nymphalid butterfly, earlier reports were from a host belonging to Anthelidae (Lepidoptera: Bomycoidea). Also, this is the first report of C. anthelae from the Oriental region, earlier reports are confined to Australia. The present study provides morphological identification of C. anthelae and biological details of its host.

Phenomenological Study on Experience of Care Givers of Patients with Dementia in Rural Kerala

A phenomenological study was carried out to know the experience of 10 care givers of patients with dementia in a costal rural community in Thrissur district of Kerala (India). A qualitative approach with survey design using unstructured questionnaire was employed to collect the data. After establishing rapport with the care givers, they were asked to describe what it was like a caregiver of a patient with diagnosed dementia. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim before analysis by personal reflections on Giorgi's method. The study revealed that caregivers of clients with dementia in rural settings have concerns related to caring and outcome. They expressed being overwhelmed, isolated and helpless with this deteriorating condition.

Cognitive style and working memory among adolescents with specific learning disability.

BACKGROUND:In a world where education directly influences the quality of life of an individual, educational handicaps are a grave issue that plagues the lives of those affected. The current study aims to find out whether there is a difference in the cognitive style and working memory capacity among adolescents with specific learning disability (SLD) in comparison to their age-matched equivalent group without SLD. The study also targets to find out if there exists any relationship between cognitive style and working memory.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of sixty participants were selected (thirty adolescents with learning disability and thirty age-matched adolescents without learning disability) from Bangalore district of Karnataka and Thrissur district of Kerala using purposive sampling method. The tools used were the Indian adaptation of Embedded Figures Test by Nigam (1997) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition by Wechsler (2003).RESULTS:The results showed that there exists a significant difference in cognitive style dimensions of field dependence and independence between adolescents with learning disability (M = 11.6, standard deviation [SD] = 6.52) and adolescents without learning disability (M = 25.2, SD = 7.33) as well as in the working memory capacity between adolescents with learning disability (M = 66.7, SD = 19.26) and adolescents without learning disability (M = 102, SD = 14.93) groups under study (p < 0.01). The results also indicate that there exists no significant relationship between cognitive style and working memory.CONCLUSION:Adolescents with SLD was found to be field dependent and has low working memory capacity than adolescents without learning disability. The results reflect the need for developing cognitive interventions to enhance working memory capacity and cognitive style for helping adolescents with learning disability in all areas of their functioning, such that the society benefits as a whole.

Occurrence of canine mammary and skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms in and around Thrissur district of Kerala during 2017-2020: A review of 265 cases

The study was conducted in 265 clinical cases of mammary and skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms in dogs presented to University Veterinary Hospitals Mannuthy and Kokkalai during a period of 36 months from October 2017 to September 2020. Mammary neoplasms were found more in females (51.7 per cent) than in males whereas skin and subcutaneous neoplasms were found more in male dogs (48.3 per cent). The maximum occurrence of neoplasms was recorded in the age group of eight to twelve years (38.5 per cent) whereas least occurrence was noticed in the age group up to four years (9 per cent). Labrador and Rottweiler breeds were found more affected with neoplasms (38 per cent each) with highest occurrence of mammary neoplasms in inguinal mammary glands (35.03 per cent) and highest occurrence of skin/ subcutaneous neoplasms on sites involving trunk region (14.06 per cent cases). Eighty-three per cent of the neoplasm cases in the present study were pet dogs with a greater number of dogs maintained in outdoor kennels and 17 per cent of neoplasm was found in free-roaming dogs rescued from streets. Out of total 265 dogs, 37.73 per cent dogs were found to be having commercial dog food as their main feed and 32 per cent dogs were fed with a mixed diet of homemade food and commercial dog food. Among the cases, 14.71 per cent dogs had a previous history of cancer surgery

Association of temperature humidity index during summer with haematological parameters in native and crossbred goats of Kerala

The study was conducted to investigate the association of temperature humidity index (THI) during summer with haematological responses in Malabari, crossbred and Attappady goats of Kerala. The research work was conducted at University Goat and Sheep Farm, KVASU, Mannuthy, Thrissur district in Kerala from March to May, 2020. In-house temperature and in-house relative humidity were measured daily at 7.00 AM, 10.00 AM, 2.00 PM and 5.00 PM. Haematological parameters such as total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), volume of packed red cells (VPRC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were analysed during 2nd, 32nd day and 60th day of the study. There was no significant change in TEC, VPRC levels in between the breeds and within the observed days. However, TLC were significantly increased for Malabari goats and MCHC were significantly increased in all the breeds at 32nd day of study period. The Hb concentration were significantly increased in crossbred and Attappady black at 32nd day of study period. There was a significant decrease in MCV values in 2nd and 32nd day for all the breeds. The study demonstrated certain altered hematological features in all the breeds under study indicating the adaptive ability of these animals during heat stress.

The impact of flood in 2018 on the socio-economic conditions of the dairy farmers in Pariyaram panchayat of Thrissur district of Kerala

Climate change poses existential threat on all forms of life on earth. Flood is one of the major fallout of it. Tropical humid zones experiences worst form of rain related disasters in the recent times. Kerala, a tropical humid state of India experienced one of the most destructive flood events of the century during August 2018. It had heavy impact on every sector including animal husbandry. Based on this event, a study was conducted to assess the impact of flood in 2018 on Livestock Farming System of Pariyaram Panchayat in Thrissur district of Kerala. The entire Panchayat was delineated into affected and unaffected wards and detailed survey on faming system and socio economic profile of the flood affected area was conducted. Pre and post flood livestock system of the flood affected area differed significantly regarding herd strength, milk production and feeding pattern. Livelihood of farmers who were depending on the agriculture and livestock rearing for their survival suffered due to the event, suggesting need for better preparedness.

Economic vulnerability of small-scale coastal households to extreme weather events in Southern India

Various vulnerability assessment studies have revealed the effect of climate change and related extreme weather events on the small-scale fisheries households of coastal regions. However, hardly any study assesses the economic vulnerability of the poorest coastal households to extreme climatic events. The present study attempts to fill this gap by examining the economic vulnerability of deprived coastal households through a vulnerability assessment framework developed based on the IPCC approved strategy. A gender dimension is also brought to this study by assessing the households based on the household headship. A total of 120 male headed households and 30 female headed households from two coastal taluks of Thrissur district in Kerala, the Southwestern state of India, was selected for analysis. Female headed households emerged to be the most vulnerable group in all the three aspects considered – exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The study put forward suggestions to reduce the risks and improve the economic characteristics of poorest sections of the coastal households through women empowerment and policy intervention.

Influence of Rogers’ theory of innovation of diffusion on customer’s purchase intention – a case study of solar photovoltaic panels

The key objective of utilizing sustainable energy in a developing country like India is to enhance economic growth and development, energy security, access to clean energy and to alleviate environmental problems. Sustainable growth of a nation is possible only through the adoption of renewable energy technologies and by providing access to these technologies to all the citizens. This paper discusses how the product attributes described by Rogers’ theory of innovation of diffusion such as the relative advantage of technology, compatibility, complexity, observability, and trialability influence consumer’s intention to diffuse solar panels. A questionnaire survey consisting of 23 questions has been designed and it was administered to 63 adopters of solar panels in the Thrissur district of Kerala. After the collection of data, reliability test and factor analysis were conducted for determining the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the purchase intention of customers with five sub-factors under product attributes as specified by Rogers’ theory of innovation diffusion. The results obtained from the analysis showed that compatibility and trialability of a product significantly influence the intention to purchase the solar panels.

Modeling the crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling of banana using CROPWAT 8 model: A case study of Manali watershed, Thrissur, Kerala

CROPWAT is a widely accepted model for calculating crop water requirement. In the present study an effort has been made to calculate the crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling of banana for two seasons in Manali watershed in Thrissur district of Kerala using CROPWAT 8 model. The climatic data for a period of 30 years (19882018) were collected from KAU, Vellanikkara, Kerala. Secondary data sources were consulted to obtain data related to crop and soil. The crop water requirement of banana was found to be 1, 063.5 and 1, 144.5 mm/dec for rainfed and irrigated crop respectively. The irrigation requirement of rainfed and irrigated banana crop was found to be 499.8 and 700.1 mm/dec respectively.

ROLE OF TRIBAL VANA SAMRAKSHANA SAMITHI (VSS) MEMBERS IN BUILDING FOREST PROTECTION AND ECO-TOURISM AT VAZHACHAL ECO-TOURISM AREA IN THRISSUR DISTRICT OF KERALA

Tribal communities are mainly living nearby the forest areas and their life routine and activities are connected with the forest. Majority of the tribals depend upon forest for their livelihood. The tribals know the characteristic of forest and forest teaches the tribals how to live and move in forest. The 1988 National Forest Policy envisaged Joint Forest Management (JFM) also known as Community Forest Management (CFM), which means forest protection with the support of forest dependent communities. The participatory forestry management (PFM) defines the protection of the forest, manage the noon-wood resources with the support of local people and ensure the livelihood income for local people. The one of the aims of the participatory Forest Management (PFM) is the welfare of the tribals and build the livelihood mission among the tribals. Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) is also known as village level body and it is functioning under the Participatory Forest Management (PFM). The people living nearby the forests are joined in Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) and with their support, forest department manages various activities related to forest protection. The Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) has a great role in improving environmental protection and the concept of eco-tourism. They get livelihood income and also social interaction trainings by the activities of VSS. The VSS activities have supported the tribals by ensuring the livelihood income and in social trainings. The involvement of the tribals through the VSS, makes them aware of the environmental protection, eco-tourism concept, and forest protection among the society. The paper attempts to study the role of tribal members of Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS), how to engage in environmental protection, forest protection and building the eco-tourism concept in Vazhachal waterfalls eco-tourism area in Thrissur District of Kerala. KEY WORDS: VSS, Eco-Tourism, Forest Protection, Environmental Protection and Tribals

Seasonal variation of Leptospira species in pond and paddy field water samples in Thrissur district

Leptospirosis is an acute anthropozoonotic infection occurring worldwide caused by a pathogenic spirochete belonging to the genus Leptospira. The highest occurrence of leptospirosis in tropical countries is directly related to heavy rainfall and flooding. The changing rainfall pattern in the Western Ghats with rainless days during the monsoon months is reportedly affecting normal climatic condition of Kerala. Leptospires are able to survive in an environment with high humidity and moderate temperature.. The present study was undertaken to study the seasonal variation in occurrence of Leptospira spp. in pond and paddy field water in Thrissur district of Kerala. The samples were collected in two seasons i.e. monsoon (June to September) (Season-1) and summer (February to May) (Season-2) for the identification of Leptospira spp. The water samples were subjected to PCR for identification of the organism. The temperature and pH of water samples were recorded at the time of collection. The different physicochemical parameters of water in these two sources were in the range of pH (6.5- 7.9), conductivity (85- 150 µs/cm), salinity (0.02- 0.12 psu), turbidity (5-50NTU), dissolved oxygen (6-8 mg/L). Out of the 80 samples analysed, 52 (23 from monsoon and 29 from summer) samples detected 16Sr RNA at 430 bp and hence was positive for Leptospira species. The pathogenicity of the positive isolates were analysed by detecting the virulence gene viz., lipl 32, lipl 21 and lipl 41 respectively. The results revealed that out of the total isolates of Leptospira, 23 and 21 isolates were positive for lipl 21 and lipl 41 in monsoon and summer seasons respectively. Out of the total 85 paddy field water samples collected, 17 samples were found to be positive for Leptospira spp. The virulence gene lipl 21 was detected in three samples in summer season. However, lipl 32 and lipl 41 genes were not detected in any of the samples. The results of the present study demonstrated the ubiquitous nature of the organism in environment in the both seasons. The contaminated environment can hence be one of the sources for the increase in the frequency of human and animal leptospirosis in Kerala. Keywords: Leptospira spp., Leptospirosis, Paddy field water quality, lipl 32, lipl 21 and lipl 41

MKSP Scheme: An Effective Approach for Uplifting 'Kudumbashree' Farm Women in Kerala

A study was conducted to assess the perceived effectiveness of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), a women empowerment scheme, in Thrissur district of Kerala. The beneficiary farm women of the scheme were cultivating vegetables and banana mostly on leased land under the supervision of Kerala State Poverty Eradication Mission (Kudumbasree mission). Dimensions of effectiveness were categorized in terms of socio economic development, agricultural input supply, institutional support, knowledge and capacity building and empowerment perspective. The respondents included farm women, mission coordinators and facilitators. Majority of banana farmers mission coordinators and facilitators perceived the effectiveness as good while majority of vegetable farmers, rated it as excellent. Empowerment perspective and socio economic development were the most effective outcomes of the scheme.

STUDY TO IDENTIFY FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS IN HOUSEHOLDS

Energy is one of the foremost elements for the economic growth and development of a nation. The significance of utilizing sun-based vitality in India is not only to upsurge electricity generation, yet additionally to improve the quality of generation by considering natural, societal, autonomous and budgetary properties. This paper studies the aspects which impact the consumers' purchase intention of solar photovoltaic panels in houses. So as to address these matters, an extensive literature review has been conducted, and nine relevant factors have been sorted out. The data was collected by employing a questionnaire survey from 63 adopters of solar PV panels in the Thrissur district of Kerala. The respondents were asked to mark their responses in accordance with the 5-point Likert scale format of the designed questionnaire. After the collection of necessary data reliability test was conducted in IBM-SPSS statistics in order to check the reliability of the questionnaire. The factors which influence the customers' purchase intention were ranked in accordance with their level of importance.