Early detection is the cornerstone of hypertension management; still majority remains undetected until complications arise, especially in poor-resource settings. Paucity of information regarding undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in eastern India thus called for a detailed investigation involving a representative sample of adults in Malda, one of the poorest districts in the region. In a cross-sectional study, between October 2013 and July 2014, using multistage random sampling with probability-proportional-to-size, 18 028 consenting adults were interviewed. Diagnosed cases were defined as uncontrolled if they still had hypertensive level of blood pressure (according to JNC-VIII criteria) while those detected during this study were defined as undiagnosed. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed using SAS version 9.3.2. Among 18 028 participants, 4695 (26.04% (95% confidence intervals: 95% CI=25.40-26.68)) had hypertension, of which 3937 (83.86% (82.80-84.91)) were undiagnosed and 548 (72.30 (69.10-75.49)) had uncontrolled hypertension. Relatively older subjects (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR)=0.34 (95% CI=0.26-0.43) and aOR=0.29 (0.21-0.38)), who were divorced/separated/widowed/widower (aOR=0.76 (0.61-0.95)), had higher education (aOR=0.61 (0.43-0.88)), better socio-economic status (SES) (aOR=0.77 (0.60-0.99) and aOR=0.64 (0.48-0.85)) and urban residence (aOR=0.44 (0.36-0.55)) were less likely while subjects who belonged to backward castes (aOR=1.37 (1.15-1.64)) were more likely to have undiagnosed hypertension. Odds of having uncontrolled hypertension were higher among participants aged >60 years (aOR=2.25 (1.27-3.99)). Burden of hypertension (diagnosed and undiagnosed) was high in Malda district of West Bengal. Significant predictors of undiagnosed hypertension were young age, backward caste, poor education and lower SES, while older subjects had poor control. Thus, appropriate surveillance targeting these at-risk groups might be effective in controlling hypertension in similar poor-resource settings.

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Background. India is still a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country in the world and risk factors of the disease are also highly prevalent. Survival analysis of TB patients had not been adequately studied, especially in this part of the country. The present study was undertaken to estimate overall survival time of TB patients and to find out association of different co-variates with outcome event (death) and survival time of TB patients. Methods.A record-based retrospective cohort study was conducted in a Tuberculosis Unit of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal, India. All registered TB cases in the unit, excluding resistant cases, between October 2010 to March 2016 were included as study subjects (N=3110) and followed up till June 2017 for outcome of interest. Actual data collection and analysis from relevant registers of the Tuberculosis Unit were carried out during June 2017 to November 2017. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Log rank test and Cox proportional hazard model for multivariate analysis were applied.Results. Of 3110 patients, 6.9% (214) had the outcome event of interest (death). The overall mean survival time was 518 days (95% confidence interval 480.9-555.3). Male gender, category II TB, pulmonary TB and TB with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were found to be significant risk factors for death due to TB. Conclusions.Overall survival time was significantly low among males, re-treatment cases, patients with pulmonary TB and patients with HIV co-infection. Awareness generation, adherence to treatment, early diagnosis and treatment are some necessary measures to be properly implemented.

Background:Rice mill workers constitute a special group from the perspective of occupational health. Unprotected dust exposure among them adversely affects their respiratory health, which needs to be evaluated. Adequate evidence is still lacking in many parts of India including West Bengal. Burdwan is one of the main rice-producing districts in the state with abundant rice mills.Aim:The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence and pattern of respiratory morbidity and associated background characteristics of rice mill workers.Settings and Design:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Burdwan municipality area during July–December 2016.Materials and Methods:Considering 44.2% prevalence, 95% confidence interval, 15% allowable error, 10% non-response, a sample of 252 directly engaged rice mill workers were selected through multistage random sampling. With prior consent, the subjects were interviewed, clinically examined, and underwent spirometry; relevant records were also reviewed using a pre-designed schedule. Any abnormal spirometry finding was considered as respiratory morbidity. Ethical approval was obtained from institutional ethics committee.Statistical Analysis:Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were applied.Results:Prevalence of respiratory morbidity was 40.73% with obstructive and restrictive respiratory morbidity being 24.60% and 16.13%, respectively. Non-use of any protective measure, duration (years) of working in rice mill and average daily working hours were significant predictors of respiratory morbidity.Conclusion:Respiratory morbidity is quite high in the area. Proper health education and provision of personal protective equipments need to be provided.