bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morbidity patterns among current and ex-mine workers in Karauli district of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Alagarajan Manoj , Ahmad Absar 
Published: August 2022

Background:
The mining industry has many hazards to which workers are exposed. Despite that, study on health hazards among mine workers are limited in India. Also, there are negligible studies on ex-miners in India. Thus, the present study tried to explore the current levels of self-reported morbidity among mine workers and ex-mine workers in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, India.

Methods:
This study was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, India. A total of 218 mine workers, 137 ex-mine workers, and 203 non-mine workers were interviewed. An interview-led questionnaire recording the presence of self-reported health problems and demographic information was administered. Self-reported symptoms were classified according to the categories defined in the operational definitions.

Results:
Ex-mine workers moved away from mining due to respiratory problems (31%), weakness (24%), and TB (20%). Mine workers and ex-miners have significantly increased prevalence of respiratory-related symptoms and injury at the workplace, vision, and oral health problems than the non-mine workers. The adjusted odds of morbidity conditions such as cough up with blood, shortness of breath, and wheezing were significantly higher among ex-miners than current miners.

Conclusion:
This study identified respiratory symptoms, injury, vision loss, hearing loss, and poor oral health for both mine and ex-mine workers. The higher self-reported health problems for symptoms like cough up with blood, shortness of breath, and wheezing were found among ex-miners than current mine workers.
Quarantine and COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Aswathy Raj SV , Wilson Tom , Thodi Nasma Mankara , Muhammed Suhail K 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Proper hand hygiene, face masks, social distancing, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and quarantine are the major strategies for the prevention of transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. The aim of the study was to determine and asses the knowledge, perceptions, health practices of quarantine and COVID-19 and to determine the psychosocial profile of people in quarantine.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in quarantined individuals in a rural and urban setting in Malappuram district of Kerala from February 2021 to June 2021 by telephonic interview. Mental health status was assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire 9.

Results:
Only half (49.6%) of the population has satisfactory knowledge about COVID-19 disease. Only 53.9% has satisfactory knowledge on preventive measures and this is significantly more in rural (62.9%) compared to urban (44.4%). Only 45.3% has satisfactory adherence on practice of preventive measures. Also nearly half (44.9%) of the participants were affected by factors such as fear of infection, frustration, inadequate supplies, inadequate communication and financial insecurity. Urban population (53.2%) were more affected compared to rural (37.1%). 31.6% of the participants were having any form of depression with PHQ 9. Pearson’s correlation test revealed significant correlations between different factors and outcome variables. Predictors of ‘Satisfactory Practice on preventive measures’ and ‘Any depression’ were determined.

Conclusion:
Only half of the population has satisfactory knowledge and practice on preventive measures. Ensure health intervention programs to improve knowledge and adherence to practices. Strengthening of system to support their needs and psychosocial support should be provided.
Contraceptive awareness and practices in reproductive age couples
Authors: Rattan Surbhi , Kalia Meenu , Rohilla Ravi , Grover Parneet Kaur , Dandona Shaily , Sharma Manoj K. , Bhandari Praizy , Dalal Manjesh , Goel Naveen K. 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Developing countries are characterised by high birth rates and explosive population growth. With a lower contraceptive usage rate among eligible couples and resistance towards family planning methods, the goal of population stabilisation looks distant. The present study was conceived to assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding contraceptive usage and to identify the barriers in reproductive-age couples in an urban slum area.

Methods:
The present study was cross-sectional in nature and was conducted in an urban slum. Three hundred married subjects were enrolled through a convenient sampling technique. One member of the married couple was interviewed for the present study. Data were collected through a semi-structured proforma.

Results:
67% of the participants were using one or another contraceptive. Higher contraceptive usage was seen in more educated participants. Awareness was higher in males regarding contraception. Condom was the most known method for contraception. Three fourth of the participants agreed with two-child norm. Preference for a male child was less than 50% in both genders. Current users of condoms and oral contraceptive pills were 71.8% and 7.1%, respectively. Wanting children, fear of side effects and lack of knowledge were cited as reasons for not choosing family planning methods.

Conclusion:
With a suboptimal level of awareness and attitude among respondents regarding contraceptive methods, there exists a gap between awareness and practice. Misconceptions regarding contraceptive methods can be allayed through health education, involvement of the community and religious leaders and peer counselling.
Assessment of National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS)
Authors: Meena Sadhana , Rathore Monika , Gupta Ajay , Kumawat Pragya , Singh Arpit 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in trend and associated with modifiable risk factors and subsequently reducing physical activity; hence the Government of India (GOI) has launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 to curb increasing prevalence. The present study was planned for assessment of the activities conducted under NPCDCS in rural Jaipur.

Methods and Material:
This observational study was conducted in rural Jaipur. NPCDCS reports, status of logistics and manpower were assessed for 1 year. Field level cross-checking survey was done to assess the gap between the actual screening work done and the work reported. All staffs were assessed for the level of awareness regarding NCDs as well as NPCDCS programs. Data were entered and analysed in Microsoft excel.

Result:
Around 48% (6674/13917) of persons >30 years were screened during 1 year study period. Around 51.5% of the screened persons had one or more NCDs (13.5% newly screened NCDs cases and 38% were prediagnosed of NCD cases). Status reports that 10 (83.33%) out of the total 12 expected reports were sent regularly on a monthly basis. Reason for not sending reports was a sudden lockdown due to COVID-19.

Conclusion:
The study concludes that the implementation of NPCDCS program activities is not in synch with the health staff awareness level. IEC activities were deficient and no work was done for adoption of behavioural change and healthy lifestyle. Actual cases of hypertension were more while cases of diabetes were less than the reported cases found on cross-check survey.
Menstrual hygiene practices and their determinants among pre-menopausal married women in rural Puducherry
Authors: Parasuraman Sarala Devi , Das Arindam 
Published: August 2022

Background:
Menstrual hygiene practices are somewhat poor among pre-menstrual aged rural women, and thereby, they are likely to be affected by menstrual and gynaecological morbidities. Hence, an attempt is made to comprehend the magnitude of menstrual hygiene practices through an index among rural women and identify its principal determinants.

Methods:
Adopting a community-based cross-sectional study design, the required data was collected (through a semi-structured interview schedule) from 780 married pre-menopausal women (aged 35–49 years) from 30 villages of the Puducherry district during January–April 2021. Descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple linear regression techniques were employed.

Results:
56% of the present study respondents have exhibited good menstrual hygienic practices (pooled scores 9–15; Median score = 9). Findings from the multiple linear regression model revealed that women’s education (b = 0.235; P < 0.001), occupational hierarchy (β = 0.110; P < 0.001) and mass media exposure (β = 0.095; P < 0.01) as the critical predictors of menstrual hygiene practices. Such positive net effects were also exhibited by the family monthly income (β = 0.84; P < 0.05) and women’s access to economic resources (β = 0.071; P < 0.05), whereas family size demonstrated a significant adverse effect (β = –0.080; P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Overall, menstrual hygiene practices among women are moderately high among better socio-economic status. Efforts may be taken to improve the socio-economic conditions and propagate the correct menstrual hygienic practices among rural women, which may enhance hygiene practices during menstruation.
The contribution of nutrition and quality of sleep and happiness in under-five-year-old children
Authors: Bardosono Saptawati , Santosa Elizabeth , Lada Christina Olly , Chandra Dian Novita , Wibowo Yulianti , Basrowi Ray Wagiu , Vandenplas Yvan 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
This study aimed to evaluate the relation between happiness perception of children and quality of sleep, appetite, dietary intake and nutritional status.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study evaluating happiness, quality of sleep, appetite, dietary intake and nutritional status in 296 Indonesian children less than five-years of age.

Results:
There was no significant difference on perceived happiness between urban and rural areas (P = 0.087). The proportion of children that are perceived as happy by mothers (55.1%) is significantly higher (p < 0.001) as perceived as happy by fathers (50.7%). A significant lower dietary energy intake with a higher percentage of dietary protein to total energy intake was observed among those children that are perceived as happy. However, after adjusted to body weight, there was no significant difference in the amount of protein intake between those perceived as happy and unhappy. Amongst the nutritional status indicators, this study found a significantly higher Height-for-Age Z score among the children that perceived as happy.

Conclusion:
Height-for-age Z score and dietary protein intake in children aged 2–5 years are associated with quality of sleep and appetite, and may therefore affect children’s happiness. Not only parental care but also appropriate nutrient intakes influence the child’s happiness.
Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)
Authors: Nath Chandan Kr , Rajkhowa Purnima , Barman Bhupen , Barman Himesh , Dutta Anirban , Pala Star , Bora Kaustubh , Ahmed Faruque , Boruah Polina , Baruah Arup 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a presentation of an underlying heterogeneous group of conditions that leads to impairment of filtration and excretion of nitrogenous waste products from the body. A prompt early diagnosis to detect AKI is a mandate due to the associated risk of high mortality and morbidity. We tested the sensitivity and specificity of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a potential biomarker of AKI, versus serum creatinine, the gold standard laboratory test.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional diagnostic type study was conducted from February 2015 to January 2017 after obtaining the institutional ethics clearance certificate. Individuals admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital of northeast India who were diagnosed with septicemia, heart failure, and ketoacidosis and individuals on nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides were included in the study. Serum creatinine and plasma NGAL of all individuals were estimated using suitable methods within 24 h of admissions.

Results:
Considering all inclusion and exclusion criteria, 138 individuals were included in the study. The area under the curve (AUC) for plasma NGAL on day 1 of admission was 0.800 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.712–0.882). In the study, we estimated a plasma NGAL cut-off value of 391 ng/mL (with an odds ratio of 9.89) within the day of admission.

Conclusion:
Plasma NGAL is a candidate biomarker of AKI with acceptable sensitivity and specificity (AUC of 0.80) that can predict AKI in our setup before serum creatinine is raised, thereby asking for a prompt intervention to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with AKI.
Comprehensive structured training on occupational health hazards and vaccination
Authors: Khapre Meenakshi , Agarwal Shreya , Dhingra Vandana , Singh Vivek , Kathrotia Rajesh , Goyal Bela , Goyal Tarun , Gupta Puneet Kumar , Rao Shalinee , Yadav Radhika 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Healthcare providers are vulnerable to occupational health hazards. However, they do not appropriately apprehend the serious health consequences of occupational exposures. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of “Occupational health hazards and vaccination” workshop organized periodically in institute.

Material and Methods:
We validated the questionnaire prior to assess the effectiveness of workshop. Expert performed “key check” of questionnaire. Item analysis of one best item questions was performed using difficulty index (p value), discrimination indices (DI), distractor efficiency (DE), and reliability using Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficients (KR20). Pre-test and post-test scores of study participants were compared. Effectiveness of workshop was determined using class average normalized gain.

Result:
The 14 item one-best questions had acceptable difficulty level (60.35 ± 9.46%) and ideal discriminating power (0.75 ± 0.17) with mean DE 73.81 ± 22.46%. The test was found highly reliable with KR20 as 0.90. Mean score in pre-test and post-test were 6.47 ± 3.38 and 13.69 ± 1.51, respectively, and significant improvement in post-test score was found compared to pre-test score. Class average normalized gain was 0.84.

Conclusion:
The Occupational health hazards and vaccination workshop effectively improved healthcare providers’ knowledge regarding workplace safety protocols. Questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable. Low baseline knowledge highlights the fact that implementation of such training on regular basis is the need of hour.
Estimation of fluoride uptake in soil and staple food crops produced in highly fluoridated and non-fluoridated regions of Raichur District, Karnataka
Authors: Havale Raghavendra , Rao Dhanu G. , Shrutha SP , Taj Kausar E. , Raj Shiny , Tharay Namratha , Tuppadmath Kanchan M. , Mathew Irin 
Published: August 2022

Background and Aim:
A staple food crops have varied role in diet of people living in particular regions of world; hence, it is critical to recognize their productivity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate fluoride concentration in staple food crops grown in highly fluoridated and non-fluoridated regions and its correlation with soil.

Method:
Total 36 samples were collected of which 18 samples consisting of each three samples of rice, redgram and jowar were selected. Likewise 18 corresponding soil samples from both areas were collected. All samples were ashed for 4–6 hours at 550°C in muffle furnace. The samples were allowed to cool, after which 10 ml distilled water was added to each sample and fluoride concentration was determined using ion selective electrode method, before each sample analysis the instrument was standardized using fluoride containing TISAB (III) buffer solution. The data was tabulated and subjected to cross-sectional observational statistical analysis using SPSS software applying unpaired t-test and Pearson’s test.

Result:
The mean fluoride concentration in crops and soils were rice (0.79 ppm), redgram (4.26 ppm), jowar (8.8 ppm) and in soil of rice (1.23 ppm), redgram (1.23 ppm) and jowar (1.21 ppm) respectively in fluoridated area. Where as in non-fluoridated area rice (0.07 ppm), redgram (0.81 ppm), jowar (0.81 ppm) and in soil of rice (0.61 ppm), redgram (0.07 ppm) and jowar (0.52 ppm) respectively. The resultant correlation between staple food crops with their corresponding soils were found highly significant in both regions with P value <0.005; hence, crops in fluoridated region exhibited increased fluoride retention, whereas crops in non-fluoridated region had optimal fluoride levels.

Conclusion:
Fluoride concentration in food crops has strong correlation with their respective soils and water irrigation properties.
Pattern of patients attending COVID 19 screening clinic
Authors: Ghosh Nilanjana , Bandyopadhyay Dipanjan , Tirkey Louis , Samajdar Kaushik 
Published: August 2022

Background:
COVID-19 pandemic is a unique public health challenge causing unprecedented disruptions in normalcy. Low-and-middle-income countries need more context-relevant approaches since a majority of the world population lives here. Pandemic response in India was graded, and routine healthcare came to a screeching halt. COVID 19 Screening clinic was initiated with the intent to screen suspects and provide needful care after required consultation. It imparted preventive health education and addressed relevant queries, alleviating stress in the process. The second wave hit hard despite vaccination.

Objectives:
To determine the pattern of patients attending, to conduct SWOT analysis for an insight into clinic functioning and to generate a database for further simulation were primary objectives.

Methods:
Descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based secondary data analysis was conducted in North Bengal medical college and hospital (NBMCH) for three months with the help of preformed proforma, interview guide and available records. An exit interview was conducted. Willing participants were enrolled. Verbal consent and Institutional Ethics Clearance were taken.

Results:
An induction program was held every two months by the Department of Medicine, NBMCH. The clinic recorded 60,427 cases from 23rd March 2020 to 28th February 2021. The majority were males, Hindus and from rural areas of the Darjeeling district. 60.4% were symptomatic. Total cases quarantined, tested and admitted were 39.8%, 74.9% and 34.7%, respectively. However, unlike before, from September, 80.1% of the cases were symptomatic, and the majority came only for testing as national lockdown had ceased. SWOT Analysis revealed Strength as being able to operate 24*7 with coordination among all tiers of health care workers. Select seniors helped in its smooth conduction. The Weakness identified was clinic location beside the emergency, creating confusion.
Impact of personal protective equipment on psychological and physical health during menstruation
Authors: Kondapalli Laasya , Fatima Farha , Maktha Vijay Kumar 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, personal protective equipment (PPE) has undoubtedly provided a shield of protection for the healthcare workers fighting the disease. However, the layers of the PPE kit restrict basic human activities and also have been associated with various other problems like dehydration, suffocation, breathlessness, headache, and dermatitis.

Material and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was done among 180 Female health workers who wore the PPE kit during COVID-19 duty in a tertiary health care center during the period March 2021 to May 2021. The content-validated survey tool developed by Google Forms used as a platform was sent to 180 Female health workers of COVID-19 hospitals to minimize face-to-face or physical interaction. The Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL) was used.

Results:
The majority of the participants were interns (48.9%) and belonged to the age group of 21 to 25 years (67.7%). The approximate duration of wearing a PPE kit was 6 to 12 h for almost half of the study participants. Sanitary pads were used by over 90% of the participants. Only 59 out of 180 (32.7%) were provided with an extra PPE kit during menstruation. About 131 (72.7%) Female Health workers (FHWs) (FHWs) had to remove the PPE kit due to excessive sweat during menstruation; 110 FHW’s out of 180 (61.1%) who participated in the study had to remove the PPE kit due to severe thirst and dehydration. Sweating (91%), dehydration (86.7%), rashes (49.9%), extreme thirst (56.5%), abdominal cramps (53.3%), and headache (59.8%) were the major complaints of the participants. The majority of the participants had low quality of life scores based on WRQoL.

Conclusions:
Use of PPE for long hours especially during menstruation can affect one both physically and psychologically compromising the work performance and decision-making. Minor changes in the work place environment can drastically improve the work-related quality of life.
Clinico-epidemiological study of an outbreak of typhoid in North India
Authors: Nimonkar Ravi A. , Goyal Ashish K. , Ahmed Shafique , Pardal Maninder Pal Singh , Singh Sumeet 
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Typhoid fever is endemic in India. There have been various outbreaks of typhoid fever reported from different parts of India. Considering the outbreak potential of typhoid, the present study was undertaken wherein an outbreak of typhoid occurred in a city in northern India.

Methodology:
The study design used was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Detailed information was obtained from each reported case. Active case finding surveys were conducted. Case definitions for suspect, probable, and confirmed case taken for our study, have already been validated by the World health organisation (WHO). All patients were subjected to requisite investigations. A sanitary survey was carried out to locate defects in water supply and sewage disposal. Record of bacteriological survey of water samples from the area was scrutinized. Descriptive epidemiology of cases was carried out.

Results:
Attack rate was 16.1% and 17.4% among men and women, respectively. Fever was present in 52 (69.3%) cases. The epidemic curve displayed a sudden peak and an abrupt fall of cases. This is suggestive of a common point source outbreak. There were no fatalities. Sanitary survey teams found a sewage leak in the locality where maximum cases were reported. Lab reports tested positive for salmonella species in water. The outbreak was promptly controlled after repair of the leaking sewage pipeline; and provision of alternative source of water supply.

Conclusion:
This study reemphasises the requirement of a basic public health measure and infrastructure, that is, water quality monitoring by concerned authorities to break the chain of transmission of typhoid fever.