International Journal of Preventive, Curative & Community Medicine (E-ISSN: 2454-325X)

Prevalence of Tobacco use and Nicotine Dependence in a Selected Rural Community of West Bengal India (2021)

Prerana Dixit — 2023-01-28

Introduction: From traditional plant-based drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and heroin to synthetic drugs such as tramadol, consumption of narcotic substances in India has increased manifold in recent years, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study, illicit drugs are estimated to have killed nearly 7.5 lakh people worldwide in 2017 alone. The estimated number of lives lost in India was 22,000. In India, tobacco consumption is responsible for half of all cancers in men and a quarter of all cancers in women, in addition to being a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and COPD.
Materials & Methods: A non-experimental cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted. Following ethical clearance data was collected using from 50 participants selected using non-probability purposive sampling, >15 years of age, able to comprehend and respond in Hindi/ English/ Bengali.
Results: Among 240 individuals the overall prevalence of tobacco use was found to be 12.9%. The Majority of tobacco users were above 45 years of age, the mean age of tobacco users was found to be 53.74
years. The pattern of tobacco use revealed that the most common form of tobacco use is chewing tobacco leaves 64.5% followed by beedi 25.80% & cigarettes 9.67%. The mean age of initiation of tobacco
use was 21.1 years and the majority of them initiated tobacco use before 20 years of age & the mean duration of use was 30.94 years. The Nicotine dependency was assessed using the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (both for smoked and smokeless forms).
Discussion: Tobacco consumption is widespread in India. Tobacco consumption among different ages is a matter of worldwide concern. Efforts from governmental and non-governmental organizations
should be carried out to address the issue of nicotine dependence and there is a need to make efforts in research, planning, designing and implementation of need-based interventions.

How to cite this article:
Dixit P, Ajinas AM. Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence in a Selected Rural Community of West Bengal India (2021). Int J Preven Curat Comm Med. 2023;9(1):1-4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2454.325X.202301

Physicians’ Preparedness to Protect Themselves against COVID-19 during the Unlock Phase in India: An Online Survey

Samir Shah — 2023-12-28

Introduction: Physicians, being at the forefront of managing the COVID-19 pandemic, were more susceptible to COVID-19 infection. However, there are hardly any studies which document their preparedness to protect
themselves from getting infected.
Objectives: To assess the preparedness of physicians to protect themselves from COVID-19 during the post-lockdown unlock phases 3.0 and 4.0 in India and its association with work-related and sociodemographic factors
Methods: An online survey was conducted among physicians, using a pre-tested and pre-validated questionnaire shared through WhatsApp and E-mail between August 14 and October 17, 2020. It consisted of
questions regarding socio-demographic and work-related characteristics. COVID-19 preparedness was assessed using a seven-item questionnaire, with each response on a seven point Likert scale. A score of 7 out of 14
was considered adequate for COVID-19 preparedness. The association between COVID-19 preparedness and work-related characteristics was explored using chi-square tests. Logistic regression analysis was carried
out to find the independent predictors of COVID-19 preparedness.
Results: Out of the 757 responses received, 79% of the physicians were found to be prepared against COVID-19. Majority of the respondents (77.5%, 587/757) were men and 28.2% (213/757) of the subjects were
in the age group of 40–50 years. Around one-fifth (21.7%, 164/757) of the physicians perceived being protected from acquiring COVID-19 infection and 47.6% (360/757) were anxious about contracting the infection. Bivariate analysis showed that a higher age, more years of experience, and working in a private set-up were associated with better COVID-19 preparedness among the physicians.
Conclusion: Majority of physicians took steps to be prepared for selfprotection from COVID-19. Physicians working in private facilities were more prepared than those in government health facilities.

From the Valley of Shadow of Death COVID-19 - Year 2020, to Renew and Restore October 2021

Joyce F Vaghela — 2023-12-28

The world was busy with routine activities till end of January 2020, when suddenly it realized that life has changed. The till 13.10.2021.

Objectives: To study the knowledge of COVID–19 among people born in India and how it has affected them.

Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 people of Indian origin, 50 females and 50 males from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, and abroad. Their ages ranged between 18 to 90 years.

Methods and Material: A Google Form having fifteen questions on COVID–19 was sent via email and/or WhatsApp after taking participants’ informed consent. Only those who gave consent attempted the Google Form.

Statistical analysis: Hundred replies were entered in MS EXCEL and MedCalc software was used. Data was described in the form of percentages, proportions. The Significance for outcomes was calculated, using the Odds Ratio (OR) and the P-value was considered significant at P<0.05.

Results: All 100% of participants correctly reported COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and its symptoms. Twenty-two percent had Covid. Eighty-five % and 88% said Covid has affected family income and children’s studies respectively. Forty-five % wish Covid - 19 should end, 15% get disturbed thinking of 3rd Wave, and 13% fear some close family member’s death.

Conclusions: Indians have good knowledge of COVID–19 but had a negative impact on mental health.

Optimising Vaccine Cold Chain: Essential Components of Effective Preventive and Curative Maintenance

Sumeet Juneja — 2024-04-26

The vaccine cold chain plays a crucial role in maintaining the potency and safety of vaccines during storage, transportation, and distribution. This article provides guidance to decision-makers in developing and implementing effective preventive and curative maintenance strategies for cold chain systems. The key components discussed include human resources for maintenance, training and capacity building, monitoring system performance, choosing an appropriate service model, planning, and budgeting, spare part management, standard operating procedures (SOPs), establishment of an equipment specification committee, and knowledge management. The article emphasises the importance of compliance with international guidelines and standards to ensure the highest quality of cold chain services. The implementation of these strategies will support the sustainability and functionality of the cold chain system, safeguarding public health.

How to cite this article:
Juneja S. Optimising Vaccine Cold Chain: Essential
Components of Effective Preventive and Curative
Maintenance. Int J Preven Curat Comm Med.
2023;9(1&2):22-26.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2454.325X.202305

Time to Move Beyond Numbers: Improving Quality Services to Make Primary Health Centres Desirable for Childbirth

Mitasha Singh — 2024-04-15

The concept of primary healthcare provides better accessible and affordable services to the people. The care is comprehensive in nature in order to deal early with common morbidities and to reduce unwanted referrals. In India, the primary healthcare services are planned for the convenience of the people as a three-tier system. This system has gained its experience from the provision of maternal and child health services, which were promotive, preventive and curative in nature. Ensuring the safe delivery of a child has remained an agenda for primary healthcare; hence efforts are directed towards reducing the delivery at home. This is ensured by encouraging delivery by a Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA), who may be a doctor or a nurse.

How to cite this article:
Singh M. Time to Move Beyond Numbers:
Improving Quality Services to Make Primary
Health Centres Desirable for Childbirth. Int J
Preven Curat Comm Med. 2023;9(1&2):20-21.