Background:The outbreak of Chikungunya in India started during December 2005 with more than 11,00,000 cases. Many cases with symptoms suggestive of Chikungunya reported to our urban health-training centre. Hence this study was done to estimate the prevalence of Chikungunya, to study the common treatment-seeking behavior, control measures and the sequalae of Chikungunya by follow-up.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was done in Anagaputhur an urban field practice area of our college. The study was done on a sample selected by systematic random sampling. Any person with fever and joint pain, with an onset from 1 August 2006 to 31 August 2006, were enrolled as cases. The cases were followed up after three months.Results:Chikungunya prevalence in the community was 22.3%; 52% of them were females and 56% of cases were in the 15-44 years age group. Median duration of acute phase was three days. Ninety-one percent of them had multiple joints’ involvement. Seventy-eight percent sought treatment from the private sector. Sixty-seven percent reported artificial collections of water around their household and 44% complained of mosquito problems during the day. Eighty-eight percent used mosquito repellents for personal protection. On follow-up 95% of them had residual joint pain, 43% had residual joint swelling and 11% had disabilities with median duration of 30 days.Conclusions:Prevalence of Chikungunya was 22.3%, predominantly affecting the age group of 15-44 years and females. The private sector was commonly sought for treatment. Entomological survey indicated Aedes breeding. Eleven percent had disabilities due to the sequelae.

Background: As per the International Diabetes Federation (2013), nearly 65.1 million people were living in India with diabetes. Prevalence of diabetes in Tamil Nadu, especially around Chennai is rising and is a major public health challenge. Aim and Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and to compare the prevalence in relation to gender, age and area. Methodology: A cross-sectional record based study done on 1056 people attending medical camps conducted by Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital , in various locations of South Chennai.The data regarding Random Blood Sugar (RBS), age, gender and camp site were collected from the camp register (October 2014 to June 2015). An RBS glucometer value of > 200 mg/dl was defined as having diabetic. Descriptive analysis and Chi square test done to see the statistical significance between various parameters. Results: Among study population, 453 (42.9%) were males and 603 (57.1%) females. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 11.8%. Tambaram area showed highest prevalence of 27.3%. Prevalence in males (12.4%) versus females (11.4%) [p-0.647], above 45 years (12.6%) versus below 45 years (10.4%) [p-0.303], and urban (13.2%) versus rural (11%) [p-0.291]. Mean RBS values > 45 years (141.21) versus < 45 years (122.57) [p-0.0001]. Positive correlation between age and blood sugar levels were observed (r = 0.07; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetes was 11.8% which is higher than the existing documented prevalence of 10.4%. Hence more awareness creation and preventive measures needs to be targeted in this population to reduce the disease burden.

Background: The Government of India took the historic move of demonetising Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes of Mahatma Gandhi Series from the midnight of 8th November 2016, following which these high value currency notes ceased to be a legal tender.It was a radical move by the Government which had an impact on the socio-economic and health status of the people. The study was conducted to assess the impact of demonetization move on the socio-economic and health status of the people residing in Anakaputhur area of Kanchipuram district.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted on people residing at Anakaputhur area of Kanchipuram district. A sample size of 272 people was obtained using convenient sampling method. The study was conducted from 1.3.2017 to 1.4.2017. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel and analysis was carried out in SPSS 22 software. Descriptive analysis was done.Results: Of the total study population of 272 people, 157 were females and 115 were males. Majority of the participants (58.1%) had used only cash for making their payments. Majority of participants (60%) responded that they were satisfied with the demonetization move. Majority of participants (67%) responded that the demonetization move would lead to overall economic development of our country.Conclusions: Even though the Government’s intention behind demonetization was good, the process by which the move was implemented could have been better. Government could have taken proper anticipatory measures to prevent cash crunch.

No abstract

Background: Worm infestation is a major problem in children from developing countries due to poor sanitary and hygienic conditions. As the worm infestation is highly associated with the anaemia in children and generalized malnutrition as well as micronutrient malnutrition it is important to assess the deworming practice among mothers of under five children. Thus this study was aimed to assess the deworming practice to their children among mothers of under five children in Kancheepuram district and to find out the association between education level of the mothers and deworming practice, residence (rural/urban) of the mothers and deworming practice.Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted among 208 mothers of under five children in the field practice area urban and rural health centre of Sree Balaji Medical College for duration of four month using a pretested questionnaire.Results: Among 208 mothers 105 (50.5%) is from rural and 103 (49.5%) is from urban. Among them 40 (19.2%) were illiterate and 168 (80.8%) were literate. About deworming practice 40 (19.2%) mothers have never done deworming to their children, 32 (15.4%) mothers have done deworming to their children only after the worm infestation symptoms appears and 136 (65.4%) mothers have done deworming to their children regularly. Education level of the mothers (p=0.000) and the residence (rural/urban) of the mothers (p=0.000) are significantly related to the deworming practice.Conclusions: Deworming practice among rural mothers and illiterate mothers is low. Hence awareness should be created among them about the deworming practice in preventing the complication caused by the worm infestation and should promote the habit of regular deworming to their children.