Visakhapatnam District Research Articles

Ethnobotanical Appraisal of Medicinal Plants Used by Inhabitants of Narsipatnam Division, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

Ethnobotanical Appraisal of Medicinal Plants Used by Inhabitants of Narsipatnam Division, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

Body image discontentment among head and neck cancer patients in Visakhapatnam district: An empirical study

Head and neck cancers, which comprise tumours of the oral cavity, throat, nasal cavity, and thyroid, pose substantial physical and psychological issues. These tumours frequently require harsh therapies such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, which can result in apparent changes in appearance and physical function. As a result, patients are frequently subjected to body image distress, low self-esteem, and overall unhealthy psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate head and neck cancer patients' self-perceptions and body image problems, with an emphasis on feelings of self-consciousness, physical attractiveness, and general body dissatisfaction amongst head and neck cancer out patients undergoing treatment in HCG cancer hospital in Visakhapatnam. This study was conducted on 50 head and neck cancer outpatients undergoing treatment at an oncology centre Healthcare Global Enterprises ltd (HCG) hospital Visakhapatnam during the period of (May 2023 to June 2023) who were willing to participate in the study and were 20 years of age and above. An interview schedule was prepared by the researcher and administered to the patients comprising section A (questions pertaining to the demographic and clinical details of the patient), section B (modified 6 item Body Image Scale). Majority of the patients were male (62%) while female constituted 38% with the majority aged between 20- 39 years (61%) and the most common cancer being that of oral cavity (58%). The findings reveal a sizable proportion of respondents reporting feeling self-conscious and less physically attractive as a result of their sickness or treatment. Many individuals are dissatisfied with their appearance and overall body image, with a significant percentage reporting that these issues interfere with their social relationships and sense of wholeness. These findings highlight the need of addressing psychological and emotional support in the treatment and care of head and neck cancer patients. Integrating mental health and body image counselling into cancer treatment programmes has the potential to greatly improve patients' overall well-being and quality of life.

Seasonal Studies on Distribution of Micro Algae in Konam Reservoir, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

In this present investigation, seasonal distribution of micro algae in Konam reservoir (Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh) was studied for a period of one year from November 2022 to October 2023. A total of 61 species were reported which belongs to four groups of algae such as Chlorophyceae (26), Bacillariophyceae (15) Cyanophyceae (15) and Euglenophyceae (5). In post monsoon season higher number (57) of micro algal forms were recorded and lower number (41) of microalgae were reported during monsoon season.

THE IMPACT OF USING ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN INDIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Language is the primary medium of communication and expression of thoughts and ideas. In India, there are two official languages- Hindi and English. English has been occupying a dominant position since independence. There have been serious attempts to integrate English language in the school curriculum since 1980s. In the schools of Andhra Pradesh, English is taught either as a first language or second language. The present study intends to find the status of teaching English language in the secondary schools of Visakhapatnam District (Andhra Pradesh) where the schools with three different boards, ICSE, CBSE and Secondary Schools are chosen. The sample consisted of 50 teachers and 50 students from a total of 25 schools. A survey method and observation inventory was used for collection of data. The conclusion is that English language teachers need to abreast themselves with the latest developments in the context of language teaching. The co-operation from the school, teachers, parents and students yield fruitful results in improving the status of English language teaching.

Assessing the Training Needs of Village Agricultural Assistants (VAAs) and Village Horticulture Assistants (VHAs) in Visakhapatnam district

Assessing the Training Needs of Village Agricultural Assistants (VAAs) and Village Horticulture Assistants (VHAs) in Visakhapatnam district

EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS AND AWARENESS ON RBK SERVICES ALONG WITH SUGGESTIONS GIVEN BY FARMERS

Rythu Bharosa Kendras also called as Farmer Assurance Centres are the one stop solutions introduced by government of Andhra Pradesh in 2020 aiming comprehensive support to farmers. RBKs have not only brought all services to farmers' doorsteps but have also integrated the latest digital technology. The present study was conducted with a sample size of 120 farmers in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The main aim for conducting study was to find the awareness level of farmers on all the services provided by these centres. The study findings depicted that a significant portion 76.66 per cent of farmers are having medium level awareness which is followed by 14.17 per cent at low level and 9.17 per cent with high-level of awareness. The correlation coefficient indicated that factors like education level and interaction with extension agencies, the frequency and purpose of visits, mass media exposure, social participation, achievement motivation, and innovative proneness exhibited a strongly significant correlation with awareness level. Alongside farmers provided suggestions for fair distribution of adequate quantity of inputs, providing market for wide crop varieties, to improve access to organic inputs, improving the competency of village agriculture assistants by necessary trainings and timely disposal of rythu bharosa income.

Flora of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

No Abstract.

A New Species of <i>Argyreia</i> from South India

A new species of Argyreia by name Argyreia arakuensis, Bal., collected from Araku Valley Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, has been described with illustrations.

An Empirical Study of Cash Management Practices with reference to Construction Sector in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Cash management plays a significant role in improved profitability of construction businesses. The firms can achieve optimal management of cash by making the trade-off between profitability and liquidity. The construction industry is one of the most complex and multi-purpose economic sectors. Therefore, a well designed and implemented cash management practice is expected to contribute positively to the creation of a firm’s value. A firm is required to maintain a balance between liquidity and profitability while conducting its day to day operations. Effective management of the cash positively influences the firms’ financial position and also have a significant effect on the profitability of the building construction firms. The paper analyses the efficiency of cash management practices in building construction firms.

Zero Budget Natural Farming Impact on Tribal Rabi Rice Farming: Economic Analysis

This study examines the economic viability of implementing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) interventions in rabi rice cultivation, focusing on cost-effectiveness and productivity outcomes. Data collected before (2014-15) and after (2018-19) ZBNF adoption in a selected tribal area of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India were analysed. Results reveal a reduction in total variable costs by 10.20 per cent, primarily attributed to decreases in weeding and nutrient supply expenses. Despite a slight increase in operational costs, ZBNF led to a significant drop (51.30 per cent) in input expenditures. Yield experienced a notable 10.25 per cent increase, resulting in a decrease in production costs from ₹1161.23 to ₹934.34 per quintal. The calculated cost-to-benefit ratio of -1:1.17 demonstrates favourable economic outcomes, highlighting the potential of ZBNF to enhance economic viability and sustainability in rabi rice cultivation among tribal farmers.

Assessment of treatment outcome among HIV positive tuberculosis patients in Visakhapatnam

In March 2016, RNTCP revised its technical and operational guidelines. One of the major additions was introduction of Daily Regimen in the treatment of Drug sensitive TB, started initially among TB-HIV co-infected patients in 2017. The present study was taken up to assess the treatment outcomes of Tuberculosis among TB-HIV co-infected patients and certain factors related to the poorer outcome of the treatment.An Observational Longitudinal study conducted at an ART centre, attached to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, among all TB-HIV co-infected patients newly diagnosed with Drug Susceptible Tuberculosis, aged above 18years, at the selected ART centre, from the month of June 2018 to December 2018. The sample size calculated was 88 with an absolute precision of 10. Ethical clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee, Andhra Medical College; Written informed consent from all the study participants were taken prior to start of study. Confidentiality of the study participants was maintained Qualitative variables were presented as proportions. Analytical statistics include chi-square test and regression analysis. 74% of the patients had a favourable treatment outcome, 15% of the patients died and 11% of the patients were lost to follow up. Occupational status of the study participant, Socio- economic class, tobacco using habit and their CD4 counts had a statistically significant impact on their TB treatment outcome.CD4 count below 200cells/mm, Tobacco use, Diabetes Mellitus- factors responsible for unfavourable treatment outcome of Tuberculosis treatment Case-specific approaches among LFUs may be carried out to bring improvements in the strategies which are already existing or framing new strategies.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasite infections in country chicken from Visakhapatnam district Andhra Pradesh India.

Birds in a free environment carry huge risk of helminth parasite infections affecting the health of poultry and thereby indirectly leading to great economic loss. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, intensity and species diversity of gastrointestinal helminth parasites (GIH) of country chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) from local chicken markets of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 300 gastrointestinal tract (GIT) samples were examined from January to December 2021 and the collected parasites were separated, counted, identified and statistically analysed. The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 87% with an intensity of 139.29. The study showed high prevalence with mixed infections (66%), whereas the prevalence with individual groups i.e. cestodes, nematodes and trematodes was found to be 83.00%, 70.33%, and 0.67% respectively. Altogether 10 parasite species were identified viz. Raillietina echinobothrida being the most dominant with a prevalence of 72.67%, followed by Raillietina tetragona (62.00%), Heterakis gallinarum (59.33%), Ascaridia galli (45.33%), Davainea proglottina (43.00%), Amoebotaenia cuneata (42.67%), Raillietina cesticillus (38.33%), Hymenolepis sp. 1 (36.00%), Cotugnia spp. (29.67%) and the least was Hymenolepis sp. 2 (21.00%). In month-wise data, highest prevalence was recorded in July (100%), and the highest seasonal prevalence was recorded in summer (90%), followed by monsoon (87%) and winter (84%). No major significant difference in prevalence was noted between males (88.51%) and females (85.53%). Hosts with high body temperature and low GIT pH levels showed increased prevalence and parasite intensity.

Customer Satisfaction on Service Quality (With Special Reference to State Bank of India in Visakhapatnam District)

The rapid modernization of information technology and increasing competition in the financial sector has changed the landscape of the financial industry in recent decades. In most of the cases new technologies adopted in the financial industry gave the customers more freedom and convenience than ever. In the era of steep competition, the superior service quality is the vital, critical factor which can differentiate and improve organization’s performance. There is enough evidence that demonstrates the strategic benefits of quality in contributing to market share and return on investment. Measuring service quality in the service sector particularly in the banking sector is more difficult than measuring the quality of manufactured goods. Moreover satisfaction of customer depends upon service quality and service quality is increasingly offered as a strategy by marketers to position themselves more effectively in the market place. Therefore, the paper largely focuses upon the service quality through the SERVQUAL model in the select bank of select region and the methodology of the study is purely based on the primary data by conducting survey to identify customer satisfaction on service quality in the select bank.

Comparative Evaluation of Quality Management Practices in the Public and Private Hospitals in Visakhapatnam District: An Original Research

ABSTRACT Background: In the Visakhapatnam District, this study compares the quality management procedures used by public and private hospitals. Knowing how these practices are similar and different from one another can help inform policy decisions and improve the quality of health care. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, and 100 hospitals from both public (50 hospitals) and private (50 hospitals) were included in the sample size. A standardized questionnaire that evaluated different aspects of quality management practices was used to gather the data. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were used in the quantitative analysis. Results: Significant variations in quality management procedures between public and private hospitals were found. In terms of patient happiness, service responsiveness, and technological use, private hospitals scored better. Regarding accessibility, cost, and equity of healthcare services, public hospitals fared better. Conclusion: The report emphasizes the necessity of focused initiatives to improve quality management procedures in both public and commercial institutions. Collaboration between the two sectors can make it easier to deploy evidence-based tactics and share best practices to raise overall healthcare quality in the Visakhapatnam area.

Study of Soil Nutrient Status of Doddavaram Microwatershed in Koyyuru Mandal of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Study of Soil Nutrient Status of Doddavaram Microwatershed in Koyyuru Mandal of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Changes in Physicochemical Parameters of Soil Along the Villages in Pendhurti Block of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

Soil represents a critical element of plant existence, ranking prominently among the five essential elements. When soil quality declines, it adversely impacts crop productivity. In the present research, the emphasis was placed on conducting a physicochemical analysis of soils in various villages within the Pendhurti block of Visakhapatnam district. In this research, 30 samples of soil were gathered haphazardly from 0 to 15 cm depth across 15 distinct villages.The soil samples gathered underwent analysis in a laboratory to assess their physicochemical parameters. The results revealed that the soil pH exhibited a neutral to slightly alkaline reaction i.e. 6.9 to 8.2 and EC 0.076 to 0.381. The organic-C content was found to be low i.e. (0.12 to 0.59). The Particle density and bulk density were observed to be 2.05 to 2.8 Mg m-3 and 1.33 to 1.57 Mg m-3. The available N in soil was found lowi.e.75.26 to 137.98 kg ha-1, medium to low for K (78.4 to 389.40), and high for P i.e. (22.38 to 151.98 kg ha-1). The available Ca and Mg were recorded to be adequate and S was low to medium (0.21 to 19.6 mg kg-1) and nutrient index values for N, S, Organic-C found to be low, medium for K and high for P. The available micronutrients were reported sufficient (Cu, Zn) to high (Fe, Mn).This analysis emphasizes the need for a greater emphasis on improving soil quality using enhanced practices such as integrated nutrient management and crop rotations, rather than depending solely on monoculture farming.

The Vertical Birthing Positions and Their Perinatal Outcomes in Hilly Tribal Home Birth Settings: A Qualitative Observational Study

This study aims to document the cultural significance of vertical birthing positions and knowledge of easing complicated deliveries among the Porja hilly tribal group, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. With the purposive sampling method, 31 postpartum mothers were selected on the inclusion criteria of having been given childbirth in the last six months. The socio-demographic profile of the respondents was presented to understand the socio-cultural living conditions. The qualitative data collection involved 31 face-to-face in-depth interviews with postpartum women and two focus group discussions involving six to eight traditional birth attendants (TBAs) on the cultural efficacy of upright positions. Handwritten transcripts of the interviews and conversations were transcribed and coded into themes and categories. Qualitative themes reveal that the pregnant women with anaemia and morbidity conditions had been exposed to maternal distress and foetal distress (breathing problems and loss of consciousness) but had managed by adopting immediate alternative vertical birthing positions with the suggestion of TBAs. The findings suggest that vertical birth positions are age-old childbirth customs which have been adopted as as a priority option by labouring women, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged societies where medical facilities are unavailable.

MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATION FOR CARBON ESTIMATION – A CASE STUDY

Abstract. Climate change is a most global challenging issue. In this regard, a study on carbon dioxide, one of the pollutants causing the climate change is demonstrated in two different states of India viz., Visakhapatnam district (AP) and Shastri Nagar (RJ) for the period of April 2022 to January 2023. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is experiential on hourly and monthly basis for different seasons – summer (April), rainy (July) and winter (December). Most of air pollutants include NO2, CO2, PM2.5, PM10 etc. that are the major cause for climate change. The air quality in these zones is very poor, highly polluted and risk to humans. The study proved that CO2 is found comparatively low in rainy season over other. The machine learning regression models were modelled for Visakhapatnam and best models obtained are 1. Step-wise Linear Regression model with MSE (4.51E-28), RMSE (2.12E-14) and R-Squared (1) identified for rainy month. 2. Neural Network Narrow model with MSE (0.462), RMSE (0.680) and R-Squared (0.999) for winter month. 3. Linear Regression model with MSE (0.108), RMSE (0.329) and R-Squared (0.999) for summer. Similarly, the best models for Shastri Nagar for monthly data are 1. Step-wise Linear Regression with RMSE (20.292), MSE (411.774) and MAE (12.524) for April & May (summer), 2. Neural Network Narrow model had RMSE (3.399), MSE (11.554) and MAE (2.141) for July (rainy). 3. Neural Network Bilayered model with RMSE (1.618), MSE (2.619) and MAE (0.593) for November & December (winter). The results obtained were very efficient and reliable.

Assessment of groundwater vulnerable zones using conventional and Fuzzy-AHP DRASTIC for Visakhapatnam district, India

Given the increasing impact of extreme climate change and the unpredictability of monsoons, the importance of preserving groundwater resources has never been more critical. Conducting a thorough groundwater vulnerability assessment enables one to pinpoint the zones most susceptible to contamination and take proactive measures to safeguard them. This paper is an attempt to enhance the conventional DRASTIC method by integrating Fuzzy Logic and Analytical Hierarchy Processes (FAHP) and applying this approach to the Visakhapatnam district. Spatial data for the seven parameters used in this study were created and analyzed using ArcGIS. The study determines and compares the groundwater vulnerability index using both the conventional DRASTIC method and the FAHP-DRASTIC method. Based on the index values, the groundwater zones in the study area have been classified into five categories: Very Low, Low, Medium, High, and Very High Vulnerability. Model validations were conducted using the ROC-AUC technique against Nitrate concentration. The results reveal that the FAHP-DRASTIC model, with an AUC of 0.92, is the most suitable model for the present study.

Correction to: Groundwater-level prediction in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India, using Bayesian Neural Networks

Correction to: Groundwater-level prediction in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India, using Bayesian Neural Networks