Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are conditions in which the work environment and performance of work contribute significantly to the  musculoskeletal condition. The objective of this study was to assess the work-related musculoskeletal disorders among the pesticide sprayers in tea plantations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 chemical sprayers in selected tea plantations in South India from September to October 2018. Simple random sampling was done to select the sprayers for the study, written informed consent was taken and face–to–face interview was done with the sprayers. Socio-demographic factors and work profiles were noted. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for the evaluation of musculoskeletal complaints. Results: Among the 290 sprayers in the study, all of them were males and the mean age of the participants was 45.6±8.5 years. More than half of the study participants 152 (52.4%) suffered from at least one musculoskeletal complaint and most of them 104 (35.8%) had pain in more than one body part. Among them, more than one-third 101 (34.8%) suffered from knee joint pain in the past twelve months. Shoulder problems (27.6%), lower back (22.8%) and upper back pains (19.3%) were the other major work-related musculoskeletal disorders that the study participants faced in the past year. Knee pain (31.7%), low backache (20.7%) and shoulder pain (24.1%) were the musculoskeletal problems that were related to their absence from work. Conclusion: More than half of the sprayers had at least one musculoskeletal complaint. Most common issues included knee joint pain, shoulder pain and back pains.

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality globally. Over 75% of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Objectives: To assess the 10-year CVD risk among adults aged 30 years and above attending the outpatient department at a Taluk Hospital, Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 subjects above 30 years of age attending the hospital. They were selected by consecutive sampling and administered a face-validated interview schedule. WHO/ISH CVD risk assessment tool was used to categorize them into four categories of CVD risk. Additional risk factors like alcohol use and smoking were also assessed. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 55.7 ± 12.3 years. About 65% of the study population had low risk (<10%), 21.2% had mild risk (10%–20%), 9.7% had moderate risk (20%–30%) and 4.1% had high risk (>30%) according to the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) CVD risk assessment tool. In the study population, 4.6% were abusing alcohol as per the CAGE questionnaire. Conclusion: The burden of CVD risk among the adults interviewed was high. The WHO/ISH chart is an inexpensive tool that can be used for screening in a regular OPD.

Background: Hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications of thyroid surgery. It is usually temporary, but it may rarely take several months to resolve. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy and assess the biochemical factors that may be predictive of hypocalcemia.Methods: An observational study was conducted in 98 patients at the general surgery department of a tertiary care medical college hospital for a period of one year. Convenient method of sampling was done. All the patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were included in this study. The serum calcium level was evaluated at different times in the post-operative period as a part of the routine post-operative care at the hospital. During the postoperative period patients were carefully watched for clinical symptoms and signs of hypocalcemia.Results: In the study group, 19 (19.4%) had hypocalcemia. In the study group, 14 (14.3%) had symptomatic hypocalcemia and 5 patients (5.1%) had asymptomatic hypocalcemia. 18 patients (18.4%) had temporary hypocalcemia and 1 patient (1%) had permanent hypocalcemia. Among the patients with hypocalcemia, 18 (95%) were females and 1 (5%) patient was male. 13 (68%) patients were euthyroid, 5 (26%) patients were hyperthyroid and 1 (5%) patient was hypothyroid. Significant association was seen between diagnosis of thyroid disorders and hypocalcemia, thyroid function and hypocalcemia and between operating time and hypocalcemia.Conclusions: Incidence of hypocalcemia in patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy was found to be less. Majority of them had temporary hypocalcemia and permanent hypocalcemia was seen only in one patient.

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Background: According to UNICEF report, 19.8% children under-five years in India are wasted, 48% are stunted and 42.8% are underweight. Multisectoral initiatives by the national and state governments are yet to reduce the burden of malnutrition. Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) Health Centre in Chhattisgarh, plays a vital role in improving nutritional status of tribal under- three children attending the phulwaris (or creches). Objectives of this study were to assess the nutritional status of under-five children attending the phulwaris located under Bamhni sub center and to identify the common morbidities among these children.Methods: The researchers conducted health check-up for 357 children in the 19 phulwaris of Bamhni sub center spread over 16 villages.Results: Mean age of children attending the phulwaris was found to be 29±12.5 months. Among the 357 children, 128 (35.9%) were underweight; 53 (14.8%) were severely underweight; 35 (9.8%) were wasted; 18 (5%) were severely wasted; 58 (16.2%) stunted and 16 (4.5%) severely stunted according to WHO growth charts for weight for age, weight for height and height for age respectively. Point prevalence of morbidity was 142 (39.7%), which included respiratory tract infection (24.6%); scabies (8.4%); otitis media (3.1%); pyoderma (2.2%); developmental delay (2.2%); worm infestation (2.2%); sickle cell anemia (0.6%) and (0.3%) had epilepsy.Conclusions: Under nutrition was still prevalent among the children attending the phulwaris and upper respiratory tract infection was the most common morbidity.