Urban Area Of Tamil Nadu Research Articles

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of the Impact of Landscape Changes on Vegetation and Land Surface Temperature over Tamil Nadu

Land-use changes adversely may impact ecological entities and humans by affecting the water cycle, environmental changes, and energy balance at global and regional scales. Like many megaregions in fast emerging countries, Tamil Nadu, one of the largest states and most urbanized (49%) and industrial hubs in India, has experienced extensive landuse and landcover change (LULC). However, the extent and level of landscape changes associated with vegetation health, surface permeability, and Land Surface Temperature (LST) has not yet been quantified. In this study, we employed Random Forest (RF) classification on Landsat imageries from 2000 and 2020. We also computed vegetation health, soil moisture, and LST metrics for two decades from Landsat imageries to delineate the impact of landscape changes in Tamil Nadu using Google Earth Engine (GEE). The level of vegetation health and drought for 2020 was more accurately assessed by combining the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI). A Soil moisture index was subsequently used to identify surface permeability. A 75% expansion in urban areas of Tamil Nadu was detected mainly towards the suburban periphery of major cities between 2000 and 2020. We observed an overall increase in the coverage of urban areas (built-up), while a decrease for vegetated (cropland and forest) areas was observed in Tamil Nadu between 2000 and 2020. The Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) values showed an extensive decline in surface permeability and the LST values showed an overall increase (from a maximum of 41 °C to 43 °C) of surface temperature in Tamil Nadu’s major cities with the highest upsurge for urban built-up areas between 2000 and 2020. Major cities built-up and non-vegetation areas in Tamil Nadu were depicted as potential drought hotspots. Our results deliver significant metrics for surface permeability, vegetation condition, surface temperature, and drought monitoring and urges the regional planning authorities to address the current status and social-ecological impact of landscape changes and to preserve ecosystem services.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression among students appearing for NEET examination in a rural and urban area of Tamil Nadu: a cross sectional analytical study

Background: Mental health problems can reduce the quality of student’s life by affecting their academic achievement and physical health. Higher education being a prerequisite for a successful future, the NEET exams have been the source of stress and anxiety for several students. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among students facing NEET exams and their associated factors.Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study design. The sample size is 150 (75 each in rural and urban area). Results are presented as proportion and Chi-square test was done to assess the association of the factors to adherence.Results: Among the 150 students, the prevalence of anxiety among urban students was 40% whereas the prevalence of anxiety among rural students was 60% and the prevalence of depression among urban students was 45.3% whereas the prevalence of depression among rural students was 56%. There was statistical association between gender, school issues, family issues, socio-economic status, and anxiety and depression.Conclusions: More than one-third of the students had anxiety and more than half of the participants had depression. The mental health status of the students should be taken into consideration by the teachers, students, and the government while the students appear for the NEET examination.

English

BACKGROUND Hand size measurements are commonly used references when instruments are not available and still practiced in rural and even in urban areas of Tamil Nadu. Ancient literature evidences have adequate support for their usage. We wanted to correlate hand span length, hand breadth, and hand length with the stature of an individual. We also wanted to compare the level of correlation of hand span length between males and females. METHODS 214 students were recruited for this study as a convenient sample size. Male students were 122, females were 92. They were aged between 18 - 23 years of Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute. Hand span is the distance between tips of the casually extended pollex and minimus. RESULTS The results of Pearson’s correlations were moderately significant between height and the hand breadth (0.315), between height and weight (0.340), and between height and hand length (0.387). The extent of correlation was significant between height and the hand span (0.954) in case of males. In case of females, value of the correlation was also moderately significant between height and the hand breadth (0.619), between height and weight (0.392), between height and hand length (0.515) and between height and the hand span (0.973). CONCLUSIONS The stature was reliably estimated from the hand span length, and the same could be applied for the medicolegal, and forensic purposes. KEY WORDS Hand Span, Stature, Medico Legal, Anthropometry

A Case Control Study on Physical Activity and Obesity among Adolescent Children in an Urban Area of Tamilnadu

Background: Physical activity has a crucial role in prevention of obesity. Adolescents are required to spend at least 60 minutes a day in physical activity. This Case control study compares physical activity pattern among obese and non-obese adolescent school children studying in an urban area of Tamilnadu.
 Methods: We recruited 110 age matched obese and non-obese adolescents between the ages of 10-17 years. WHO growth reference charts were used for selecting cases and controls. Data were collected on socio demographic information, physical activity at school and at home, and sedentary behaviour.
 Results: Inadequate physical activity was noted among 73.6% of cases and 30.9% of controls. Around 83.6% of cases and 68.2% of controls had the regular habit of watching television while having food at home. The factors found to be associated with adolescent obesity were inadequate physical activity (OR: 6.24), sedentary behaviour for more than two hours a day (OR: 4.39) and watching television while having food (OR: 2.39).
 Conclusion: This study highlights the gross inadequacy of physical activity among obese adolescents. Increased sedentary life style and use of electronic gadgets serve as a risk factor for development of obesity. Public health measures need to be taken to increase the awareness among children and parents on the importance of regular and adequate physical activity. Physical education activities have to be strengthened in schools and students need to be encouraged to involve in diverse physical activities.

A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Quality of Life among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Urban Area of Tamil Nadu

Introduction: The need of adhering to treatment and restriction on the food choices adversely affect the satisfaction and happiness a diabetic can gain out of everyday life. Quality of life is an important component of diabetes management. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among the Diabetic patients residing in urban Chennai to assess their quality of life with the Quality of Life Instrument for Indian Diabetes Patients questionnaire. A total of 300 patients were selected using simple random sampling. Frequencies and percentages were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Among the 300 study subjects, 65% were males and 35% were females. 56% of the study subjects were Graduates and around 50% come under the Income category of Rs.25, 000 to Rs.50, 000. Around 30% of the subjects said that their job is not affected due to Diabetes. 50% of the subjects complained of difficulty in performing vigorous activities such as cycling, running, etc. 75% of the subjects complained of frequent urination. Quality of life was found to depreciate with increasing age, years living with diabetes and lower income class. Conclusion: Quality of life assessment and improvement is essential for appropriate diabetes management.

An Assessment on Quality of Life Among Peri and Post-Menopausal Women in Semi Urban Area of Tamil Nadu: A Community based Cross-Sectional Study

An Assessment on Quality of Life Among Peri and Post-Menopausal Women in Semi Urban Area of Tamil Nadu: A Community based Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge, attitude and practices about acute respiratory infection among mothers of under 5 children in an urban area of Tamil Nadu

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the major public health problems in developing countries and in India, ARI is considered as one of the major killer diseases and leading cause for morbidity and mortality in children below five years. Knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers play a major role in the decrease of morbidity in under 5 children. The objective is to evaluate the health-seeking behaviour of mothers and to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding ARI.Using pre-tested semi-structured pro -forma, a descriptive study on 204 mothers was done and information on knowledge of ARI, attitude and practice regarding consulting physician,antibiotic usewere collected and results were analysed using SPSS 22. Questionnaire regarding knowledge preferred that 61.8% of mothers preferred private set up as a place of choice of treatment and the commonest aggravating factor was infection (36.8%), most common complication was Pneumonia (32.4%), and most mothers opted for the medical practitioner (86.3%) for treatment. Self-medication was seen to be practiced by (52.5%).The younger age, a short period of time since marriage, and higher educational level were found to be significantly correlated with the good knowledge, attitude and practice and this could be due to that younger women with a lower duration of marriage have more time as well as being aware of new media and internet. They would gain knowledgeeasily compared to older women.

An Assessment of Trust in Medical Profession amongst People Residing in a Semi-Urban Area, Tamil Nadu

Introduction: The fundamental basis in health care system and relationship is Trust. Trust is a set of expectations that the health care provider will do the best for the patient.The word “Trust” has been in a state of crisis over the last decade in India particularly in medical profession. Unlimited and implicit access to health care system and medical information from a varied range of source helps patients in one way and in contrary to that it may also misinform and adversely affect “Trust” in medical profession. Objectives: • To assess trust in medical profession among people (>18 years) residing in a semi urban area of Tamil Nadu. • To assess the factors affecting Trust in medical profession. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted during February 2019 in Thirumazhisai , a semi-urban township in Chennai. 150 Men and Women above 18 years were included in the study. Data Collection was done using semi structured questionnaire. TMP (Trust in Medical Profession) scale was used to measure trust in medical profession. Result: 56.4% have good trust on Doctors and 44.33% have trust lower than the expected score based on TMP scale. Trust was higher among unemployed, women, people below poverty line, those not suffering from chronic illness though statistical association could be established only with socio economic status(p 0.04) and system of medicine followed (p 0.01). Conclusion: The trust in doctors have largely been reduced and hence understanding this would lead to better ways of responding to patients requests that preserve or enhance patients trust, leading to better outcomes.

Exploration of contraceptive awareness and decision making among married women of reproductive age in semi urban area of Tamil Nadu

Background: India was the first country to have launched a National Program for Family Planning in 1952, but still there is no control on population growth. The objective was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of contraceptives among married women in semi urban area of Tamil Nadu.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in a semi urban area of Tamil Nadu. Married women of reproductive age (15-49) were included. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the subjects and self-administered questionnaire was used as study tool.Results: In this study about 91.80% were aware of at least one of the contraceptive methods but only 64.75% women used. The most common reason for using contraception was small family norms (75.89%) and for not using contraception was worried about side effects. The method commonly preferred was sterilisation (63.93%). The process of decision making was done mutually by both husband and wife (76.79%). There is an association existing between the education and awareness.Conclusions: On overall analysis it was found that only 49% are aware of contraception. Thus by proper motivation, counselling and improving facilities at both government and private sector, the unmet needs of contraception can be achieved.

Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors of Low Bone Density among Adults in an Urban Area of Tamil Nadu

Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors of Low Bone Density among Adults in an Urban Area of Tamil Nadu

Pattern of alcohol consumption and its associated morbidity among alcohol consumers in an urban area of Tamil Nadu.

Introduction:In India, though the prevalence of alcohol consumption is low, nearly half of the alcoholic consumers fall into the category of hazardous drinking. There have been rapid changes in the trends and pattern of alcohol use in India.Aims:The study was carried to find out the pattern of alcohol consumption, associated morbidities, and its association with related factors in an urban area of Tamil Nadu.Materials and Methods:This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done among adult males >18 years of age in Kancheepuram district Tamil Nadu. Among the 400 study participants selected by simple random sampling, 156 were found to be alcohol consumers. A pre-tested structured questionnaire and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to identify the pattern of alcohol consumption and the associated health morbidities. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.Results:It was found that 67% of alcohol consumers had a problematic drinking pattern with 52.5% having a hazardous/harmful drinking pattern and 14.7% were found to be dependent alcoholics. The associated factors of problem drinking among the alcohol consumers were illiteracy, having a history of tobacco use, being unmarried/divorced and consuming alcohol in wine shops. The health morbidities that were found to be associated with alcohol consumption were hypertension, gastritis/peptic ulcer disease, and psychiatric illnesses.Conclusion:More than half of the alcohol consumers had a problematic drinking pattern, which is an alarming public health problem. All the current drinkers in a community have to be screened for problematic drinking pattern and it has to be supplemented with referral services, health promotion, behavioral change communication to the alcohol consumer, and his family members.

ASSESSMENT OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES MELLITUS IN URBAN FIELD PRACTICE

Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the medication adherence among patients with hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus in the urban area of Tamil Nadu and to assess the reasons for non-adherence.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area of Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled in the study. The patients are diagnosed with HTN and diabetes was included in the study. Morisky medication adherence scale was used to measure adherence among the selected subjects and each patient’s details were regarding non-adherence was noted. The results were tabulated.Results: In our study, the medication adherence of the patients was 84% and the non-adherence patients were 16%. Medication adherence was found to be more in male (58%) when compared with females (42%). In our study, the reasons for non-adherence include high drug cost was more when comparing other factors. In our study, the patients receiving drugs from the medical shop were more comparing with government and private hospitals.Conclusion: A four-fifth of the subjects is adherence to the prescribed medications. The patients having poor medication adherence due to the high cost of the drug and forgot to take use their medication.

Assessment of diabetes risk in an adult population using Indian diabetic risk score in urban area of Tamil Nadu

Background: India has earned the dubious distinction of being the diabetic capital of the world. The majority of people with diabetes (>90%) have Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). While T2DM predominantly affects older individuals in developed countries, in developing nations like India, it affects the younger population in the prime of their working lives and thus poses an even greater threat to the health of these individuals. Objectives of the study were to assess the Type 2 diabetes mellitus risk status of adult population in urban area of Tamil Nadu and to measure the association between sociodemographic factors like age, sex and socio economic status with diabetes risk score.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in Anakaputhur, an urban area in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu in June 2016 among adult population on risk status for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Indian Diabetic Risk Score. The data was entered in MS Excel & analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) 20.0 version. Descriptive statistics like proportions were calculated. Chi square test was used to compare the proportions between the groups. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Out of 351 study subjects, only 30 (8.5%)study subjects were not at risk of having diabetes, 119 (33.9%) were at moderate risk and 202 (57.6%) were at higher risk of having Diabetes. Comparing age, gender, socio-economic status with diabetes risk category, we found that age is associated with diabetes risk category and the p – value was highly significant.Conclusions: Majority of the study subjects were at risk of having diabetes, hence screening is of utmost importance so that interventions can be initiated at an early stage.

Growth of urban farm employment in Tamil Nadu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the structure of employment in the most urbanized state in India during the period 1983-2010. The paper also analyses the determinants of growth of farm employment in urban areas in the state of Tamil Nadu.Design/methodology/approachThe paper compares trends in employment in Tamil Nadu with that of the country as a whole. In order to see whether there is evidence of Lewisian labor transfer, the study examines labor transfer between sectors and percentage distribution of workers in the rural and urban areas.FindingsThe paper finds that employment in the entire non-agricultural sector slowed down in 2009-2010 compared to 2004-05 in Tamil Nadu. The share of employment in primary sector in urban areas increased more sharply, experiencing slow economic transformation in the post-reform years. The analysis reveals that rapid rural-urban transformation could be one reason for more people in the primary sector in urban areas.Research limitations/implicationsStudying the employment structure at the district level, for which analyzing the district-level data collected and published by state’s Bureau of Economics and Statistics is required, would be helpful to discern a deeper influence of urbanization on structure of employment.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that the issue needs further examination with analysis of the district-level data. Policy reforms should, therefore, be suitably oriented toward tapping the employment potential of both unorganized and organized segments in manufacturing, trade and services sectors. It is also necessary to ensure robust economic growth that creates decent jobs for all young educated people in the state.Originality/valueThe study explains the domination of farm employment in urban Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is considered to be the most urbanized state in India. The reason for an increase in the share of primary sector employment in urban areas of Tamil Nadu is due to high urbanization in the post-reform periods.

Knowledge and Practice of Small Family Norm among Married Women in an Urban Area of Tamil Nadu

Introduction: India is the second most populous country in the world having a rapidly growing population. To strike a balance between population growth and resource usage strategies like family planning came into force. People may have different levels of awareness and acceptance of methods of family planning. Research must identify best practices in the program implementation and the awareness levels among the population to propagate it further. Aim: To study the knowledge and practice of adopting small family norms among married women in the urban field practice area of a Medical College (Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital Bharath University Chennai Tamil Nadu India). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the urban field practice area attached to a medical college in Kancheepuram district. Using simple random sampling method 300 married women of reproductive age was identified. The data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire containing five questions for assessing the knowledge and nine on practice. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 17.0. Results: It was observed that of 300 married women almost 78% of the women uses contraceptive. Nearly 72% of the mothers said they were aware about the idea of small family norm and about 70% of them informed that they know how small family norm is practiced. Nearly 68% of the mothers said small family norm means a family with 2 or less children. Conclusion: Awareness about small family norm should be enhanced through various strategies under the family welfare programs. More people should be encouraged to embrace family welfare measures in order to control the population. © 2018 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.

A Comparative Analysis of Solid Waste Management in Rural and Urban Areas of Tamil Nadu

This paper will discuss the problem of environmental pollution and waste management. Everything that surrounds us is directly or indirectly connected to the environment. Not only the man, but also other living beings as well as the nature (volcanic eruption)

English

English

Food taboos during antenatal and postpartum period among the women of rural and urban areas of Tamilnadu

Background: Eating nutritionally balanced foods during pregnancy is very essential. In India, dietary habits of pregnant women are highly influenced by food fads, cultural taboos, customs and religious beliefs. Very minimum data is available on the dietary intake of pregnant and postpartum nutritional practices in India.Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the existing beliefs and practices regarding food during pregnancy and lactation. Design: Cross-sectional study/ Community based experimental study. Place and duration of study: The present study was conducted at different parts of Tamilnadu. This study was conducted in five months time from September 2015 to January 2016.Participants and methods: The sample included both currently pregnant women who have had a previous childbirth, and lactating women. Sample size was 650 females of age group 22-60 years .We asked about their traditional beliefs and their behaviour during antenatal and postpartum period. We used a framework approach to identify main taboos. Simple Convenience Sampling technique was used.Results: 89% believed that there is an effect of food on pregnancy and lactation, 11% did not. Despite of high literacy rate (75%) there are certain strong, food beliefs regarding pregnancy and lactation which have been practiced by pregnant ladies and lactating mothers which were affecting their food intake.Conclusions: All accessible resources for creating wakefulness among the women regarding the importance of diet during pregnancy and lactation should be used properly by using all means of communication.

Epidemiology of dental caries among adolescents in Tamil Nadu, India

Economic and dietary changes in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu have led to compromised oral health status of the adolescent population. Adequate epidemiological data are not available to address the prevention or treatment needs in this region of India. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence and severity of dental caries among adolescents of Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. The study sample included 974 adolescent school students (12-15 years of age) from both rural and urban areas of Tamil Nadu, India. The decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index of these students was measured using the World Health Organization oral health survey method, in a quantitative cross-sectional study. The oral health survey indicated that the prevalence of dental caries among adolescents in rural and urban areas of Tamil Nadu was 61.4%, with an average DMFT score of 2.03. Multiple regression analyses indicated factors such as gender, mother's education, type of school and caste as significant predictors of dental caries. Female gender, Scheduled Caste and Tribes attending public schools in rural areas were identified as the more vulnerable populations to be affected by dental caries. Oral health policies should be targeted to these adolescent populations in the Tamil Nadu region.

Budding adult hypertensives with modifiable risk factors: "Catch them young"

Background:Since the data of primary hypertension (HT) in children is scanty in India, this study attempted to evaluate HT by a multidimensional investigation of the various risk factors in children and adolescents.Materials and Methods:A total of 3906 subjects were recruited, all of whom lived in Chennai, an urban area of Tamil Nadu. The children and adolescents aged from 10 to 17 years were selected by random sampling. The children/adolescents were randomized into one control and further divided into two groups. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program fourth report (2004) and anthropometric body mass index (BMI), food frequency questionnaire (PURE) were followed in the study.Results:Out of 3906 children, 2107 were girls and 1799 boys. On screening, we found 9.5% to be hypertensive with the prevalence rate of boys and girls 8% and 10.8%, respectively. Overall obesity was 2.7%, (boys 2%, girls 3.32%); hypertensives and normotensives were 8.4% and 2.1%, respectively. We found that overweight (odds ratio [OR]: 2.06 [1.40–3.01] 95% confidence interval [CI]), obese children (OR: 1.21 [2.72–6.48] 95% CI), and those with a family history of HT (OR: 1.66 [1.20–2.30] 95% CI) had increased risk of hypertension. Females were 1.39 times (OR: 1.39 [1.11–1.72] 95% CI) more at risk of getting HT. Multivariate analysis showed that obese children/adolescent were four times more likely to have HT than children with normal BMI (OR: 4.67 [3.00–7.26] 95% CI].Conclusion:Family history of HT, obesity, and female gender are associated with a high risk of HT. The prevalence of HT was higher among obese adolescents than among slender subjects. This may be related to their sedentary lifestyle, faulty eating habits, high fat content in the diet and little physical activity.