Community and Public Health Nursing

  Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS CoV) that was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Typical MERS symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is common, but not always present. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, have also been reported. Approximately 36% of reported patients with MERS have died. Although the majority of human cases of MERS have been attributed to human­to­human infections, camels are likely to be a major reservoir host for MERS­CoV and an animal source of MERS infection in humans. However, the exact role of camels in transmission of the virus and the exact route(s) of transmission are unknown. The virus does not seem to pass easily from person to person unless there is close contact, such as occurs when providing unprotected care to a patient. 

Keywords: MERS Cov; Viruses; Pneumonia; Respiratory Distress; Darwinism and Transmission. 

  Zika virus disease (Zika), is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. However, Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly, as well as other severe fetal brain defects. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections. 

Keywords: Zika Virus; Microcephaly; Brith Defects.

  Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection affecting the mucous membranes of the nose and throat of preschool children, caused by the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheria. Sore throat, fever, swollen glands and weakness are the main symptoms of diphtheria. But the hallmark sign is a sheet of thick, gray material covering the back of the throat. Schick test is the test used to identify the diphtheria. Prevention of occurrance of disease is by immunization with DPT vaccination and treatment of the disease is by broad spectrum antibiotics.

Keywords: Bacteria; Corynebacterium Diphtheria; Diphtheria; Immunization; Infection; Preschool Children; Schick Test; Transmission; Vaccines.

 There is lot of stigma attached to mental illnesses which often leads to increased risk of physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse and social neglect among patients suffering with mental illness. The mentally ill persons experience stigma from variety of sources like families, communities, co workers and mental health care givers. This review is intended to create awareness among health care professionals to educate regarding abuse and neglect among mentally disabled.

Smokeless tobacco products are addictive and may also increase the risk of fatal heart attack, fatal stroke and certain cancers. Smokeless tobacco products have taken a backseat to smoking for decades, but are recently gaining ground in overall usage and use among young people due to aggressive marketing and new product development. Smokeless tobacco includes chew, spit, dip, snuff and a host of new dissolvable products. They are simply not a safe alternative to smoking and they can be as addictive as, or more addictive than cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco causes many significant health problems, including several types of cancer. 

 A pre experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding tuberculosis and RNTCP among student nurses at selected Nursing colleges of Hubballi. Totally 50 student nurses were selected by probability simple random sampling technique. The knowledge was assessed by using structured knowledge Questionnaire. The study results reveal that, 27 (54%) had an average knowledge, 14(28%) had good knowledge and 09 (18%) had poor knowledge, where as in post test majority of Subjects 44 (88%) had good knowledge and 06 (12%) of them had average knowledge. Paired ‘t’ test value 32.64 in knowledge scores revealed that there is a gain in knowledge regarding tuberculosis and RNTCP after administrating planned teaching programme at 0.05 level of significance. The study findings concluded that the planned teaching programme was effective in improving the knowledge of student nurses regarding tuberculosis and RNTCP. 

  A quantitative research approach and descriptive study design was followed for this present study. Non­random purposive sampling technique was followed to select 60 samples from the target population. Around 20 practice related Questionnaire wasprepared along with demographic variables, the score and interpretation was 0­8 indicated poor practice, 9­ 4 indicated good/average practice and 15­20 indicates very good practice. Pilot study was conducted with 6 samples. The actual data was collected with over a period of one month. The data was compiled and analysed with help of descriptive and inferential statistics. The result shows that around20% of samples were having poor practice in providing protein rich diet to their under­five children, Where as 46.7% of mothers are having satisfactory level of practice and 33.3% samples were having excellent practice. The mean score is 12.4 with the standard deviation of 4.1. It is clear that most of the mother were having good practice in providing protein rich diet to their under­five children. There is no association exit between demographic variables and level of practice. 

Objectives: To assess the awareness regarding influenza A (H1N1) among adults at selected community in Rishikesh, Uttarakant”. Method: The present quantitative cross­ ectional, descriptive study was conducted in the month of April to June 2015 among the adult population those who visit to AIIMS OPD, Rishikesh., A total of a 400 (40%) samples was selected based on non­probability convenient sampling technique and a structured self administered questioner was prepared to collect the data’s. The subjects selected for the study were contacted personally during the time period of data collection. A written consent from each subject was taken and the respondent was counselled to provide correct information. The information collected was kept strictly confidential and anonymity was maintained. A descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data. Result: the result shows that around 327 (81.7%) had no awareness regarding influenza A H1N1 and 73(18.3%) samples were having awareness regarding cause, spread, treatment and prevention of Influenza A (H1NI). The mean score was 8.5 with the standard deviation of 3.7. So it was concluded that adult population have no awareness regarding Influenza A (H1N1). 

 A study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge regarding osteoporosis among the women residing in selected rural areas. This study was based on the quantitative approach. The samples were 60 women (30 in experimental group and 30 in control group) residing in selected rural areas during the study period. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used. In this study, the comparison of the knowledge scores of the experimental and control group reveals that the mean difference knowledge score of the experimental group was 10 and the mean difference knowledge score of the control group was 0.8. The calculated ‘t’ value is 23.08, which is greater than the tabulated ‘t’ value 2 at 5% level of significance. Thus it was statistically interpreted that the planned teaching programme regarding osteoporosis was effective in the women in the experimental group, and the level of knowledge is significantly increased in the experimental group than in the control group.

The waste generated from medical activities can be hazardous, toxic and even lethal because of their high potential for disease transmission and injury that also result in environmental degradation. An adequate and appropriate knowledge of Bio Medical Waste Management among the students of MBBS & Nursing is the first step to safe disposal hazardous hospital waste. Appropriate management of health care waste is then a crucial component of environmental health protection, and it should become an integral feature of health care services.A Quantitative Non­Experimental Research using Descriptive Research Design was used. Data was collected from 100 BSc(Hons) Nursing 1st year students and  MBBS 2nd year students of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, in the month of April 2016. Structured Knowledge Questionnaire was used to assess knowledge regarding Bio Medical Waste Management. The study findings revealed that the mean knowledge score (17.74) of MBBS 2nd year students was higher than that of the mean knowledge score (13) of BSc. (Hons.) 1st year students. Out of 50 BSc. (Hons) Nursing 1st year Students, 6 students had below average scores, 32 students had average scores and 12 students had above average scores, whereas out of 50 MBBS 2nd year students, none had below average scores, 33 students had average scores and 17 students had above average scores.

Family members play a major role in providing care giving assistance to elderly persons and their families. The effect of stressors on family members caring for a physically or mentally ill person has been referred to as caregiver burden. It is an important concern and will become more so with the inevitable aging of the population. Community health and home health nurses must be able to recognize those factors associated with caregiver burden to effectively render care to their clients and families. The objective of the present study was to assess the level of caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly in Maraimalai Nagar. Quantitative approach and descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 40 samples were selected using non probability purposive sampling technique in Maraimalai Nagar. The tools used for the study comprises of 2 sections, section A­ demographic Data which includes age, gender, relationship with elderly, religion, occupation and income , section B ýÿ a standardized 4 point Zarit care giver burden interview schedule was used which included 20 items. The data was collected from the 40 samples and the analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings reveals that among the 40 samples taken for the study, 29 (72.5%) care givers of elderly have no or little level of burden and 11 (27.5%) caregivers have mild to moderate level of burden. It is also known that there is significant association between the  level of burden and the income of the caregiver. 

 A descriptive survey method was carried out among 286 samples to assess the incidence of hypertension and obesity and also to compare the incidence of hypertension and obesity among males and females. The result depicts that 43.35%(124) were hypertensive, and 9.09%(26) were having obesity. While comparing the incidence of hypertension among the males and females,48.63%(71) were males and 37.85%(53) were females, and in obesity,5.47%(8) were males and 12.85%(18) females. The result concludes that hypertension is more among males than that of females and obesity is more among females when comparing to males. 

Background: Hypertension is a major chronic lifestyle disease affecting one in three adults over 25 years or about one billion, thereby resulting in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal complications. In addition, it is an important contributor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Reports suggest that hypertension is rapidly increasing in the developing countries like India. Although medical management is effective in treating hypertension, owing to the side effects, alternative therapy such as Yoga practice is recommended. However, evidences on the efficacy of yoga practice in patients with hypertension are insufficient and further research is required. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a Yoga program on Stress and Anxiety in patients with hypertension. Methods: Of 238 patients, 118 were randomly assigned to participate in yoga program (YP) group and 120 to the control group (CG) with no treatment. Parameters such as blood pressure (BP), anxiety, and perceived stress were measured before and after intervention. Results: The groups were initially homogeneous; however, after intervention, the groups significantly differed. The YP group exhibited reduced BP, anxiety, and perceived stress (5 < 0.001). Conclusion: he study suggests that yoga program may offer an effective intervention in reducing BP, anxiety and perceived stress in patients with hypertension. Practicing Yogaasanas at homeare helpful to avoid increased BP­related complications. 

 Background: Adolescent is derived from Latin word meaning is to grown up. Adolescents comprise 20% of the world’s total population, out of 1.2 billion Adolescents worldwide, about 85% live in developing countries. In India, there are 190 million adolescent’s comprising 21% of India’s total populations. Teenage pregnancy is an important public health problem in both developed and developing countries,as it is a ‘high risk’ or ‘at­ isk’ pregnancy due to its association with various adverse maternal and foetal outcomes which results in increased mortality and morbidity of the mother and the child. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of adolescent girls towards teenage pregnancy. To find out the association between knowledge of adolescent girls towards teenage pregnancy with their selected socio demographic variables. To prepare information booklet of knowledge towards teenage pregnancy. Mehods: A descriptive study involving 100 adolescent girls was carried out with self administrated schedule. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and purposive sampling technique. It included data regarding socio­ demographic characters tics and questionnaire pertaining to knowledge of adolescent girls towards teenage pregnancy. Result: Out of 100 participants, 34% of father’s were intermediate, 32% of mother’s were primary education and 55% of family income per month. It was seen that 41% adolescent girls had moderate knowledge,34% had adequate and 25% had inadequate knowledge towards teenage pregnancy. 96% participants knew about the first sign of pregnancy that is absence of menstrual cycle. Conclusion: The knowledge of adolescent girls have towards teenage pregnancy is moderate. So, there is need to educate the adolescent girls towards teenage pregnancy, in order to reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity rates.

The existence of human beings is threatened by many maladies including increased incidence of HIV/ AIDS. In Indian annual HIV sentinel surveillance survey estimated an infection of 2.9 million populations by the year 2010.government of India estimate aids accountable more death rate than tuberculosis and malaria. In the present study an exploratory approach is used to find the impact of HIV/ AIDS on the life style of affected persons and the coping strategies adopted by them. The study has been taken place in ART Center at G.R. Medical College, Gwalior, and M.P. The research approach and design adopted for the study was descriptive exploratory approach. The population consisted of persons affected by HIV/ AIDS. Purposive sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample of 45 persons affected by HIV/ AIDS. 100% of the samples were in the productive age group of 26 to 45 years and majority of the affected persons (53%) were male and 47% were female. However homosexual accounted for 20% of affected persons in the sample. Majority of the sample (47%) were married, 41% were single and 6% each were either divorcee or widower. All the persons in the sample (100%) in the sample were Literate (27% Primary, 40% secondary and 33% were graduate. 77.56% affected persons uses positive coping strategies and rest negative coping strategies. 

Background: Obesity is a serious health problem and its prevalence has increased dramatically over the past 20 years [1].If current trends continue 2.7 billion adults will be overweight by 2025 from 2.0 billion in 2014. On current trends, 177 million adults worldwide will be severely obese and in need of treatment by 2025 [2].Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple index of weight­forheight that is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults [3]. Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding life style modification related to obesity among adolescents. To assess the attitude regarding life style modification related to obesity. To determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude of adolescents students regarding life style modification related to obesity. To find out the association between knowledge and attitude of Adolescents with selected socio­ emographic variables. Methodes: A descriptive study involving 100 adolescents was self administered questionnaire. Data were collected by using systematic random sampling technique. It included data regarding socio­demographic characteristics and questions pertaining to knowledge and attitude regarding life style modification related to obesity. Results: Out of 100 adolescents, it was seen that 54 per cent adolelescents had moderate knowledge about lifestyle modification related to obesity , 41 per cent adolescents had moderate level attitude about life style modification related to obesity. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude regarding the life style modification related to obesity is moderate. So, there is need to educate adolescents regarding life style modification about obesity as well as dietary pattern, exescises to reduce the obesity . 

 Food is an important and basic biological need of man. Food is the foundation of good health. it is a good culture medium and a potential carrier of infection, Cleanliness and care should be maintained in handling. There is need for mothers to understand the knowledge, attitudes, practices of on food safety. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding food hygiene among mothers with under five children in Maraimalai Nagar. Quantitative approach and descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A total of 40 samples were selected using non probability purposive sampling technique in Maraimalai Nagar. The instrument used for the study comprises of 2 sections, section A was demographic data which includes age, religion, educational status, income per month, type of drinking water and section B was a structured questionnaire developed by the investigator which included 30 questions to assess the knowledge regarding food hygiene among mothers with under five children. The data was collected from the 40 samples and the analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistic. The study findings concluded that among 40 mothers 18(45%) mothers had moderate knowledge and 17(42.5%) mothers had adequate knowledge on Food hygiene which implies that nurses should play a vital role in enhancing the knowledge on food hygiene among under five mothers.