Indian Journal of Preventive Medicine

Preventable or modifiable risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) include obesity, occupational factors, sports participation, muscle weakness, nutritional factors and hormonal influence. The objective of this short communication paper was to explain the evidence­informed role of exercises in prevention of OA from studies in PubMed. Evidence suggested that regular exercise and physical activity (PA), particularly strengthening and aerobic activity, reduce pain and improve function, and health status among patients with knee and hip OA, the reasons for which are not only associated with slowing structural disease progression but also with functional and quality of life improvements. More longitudinal cohort studies are warranted in this population.

Keywords:  Osteoarthritis (OA) ;  Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD);  Preventive Rehabiliation; Musculoskeletal Prevention.

 This short communication was aimed to enumerate the evidence for exercise therapy in preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis from a preliminary search of PubMed. There were two systematic reviews, seven clinical trials and one narrative review emphasizing the role of exercise training in prevention and treatment of  women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. There is moderate evidence for efficacy of weight­bearing and aerobic exercises for improving muscular strength, coordination, and balance and decreasing risk for falling and subsequent fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Keywords: Preventive Rehabilitation; Preventive Exercises; Bone Mineral Density; Osteoporosis.

 Dengue is one of the most important emerging viral diseases globally. The majority of infections follow a relatively benign disease course.  However, a small proportion of patients develop severe clinical manifestations, including bleeding, organ impairment, and endothelial dysfunction, eventually cardiovascular collapse. Evidence is increasing that dengue can also cause myocardial impairment, arrhythmias and, occasionally, fulminant myocarditis. We report a case of ayoung male patient who presented as a prototype case of dengue myocarditis, except for an extremely rare occurrence of a wandering pacemaker which was detected on a routine ECG. This case emphasizes the importance to keep a trained & vigilant eye, even in the face of what appears routine.

Keywords: Wandering Pace Maker; Dengue; Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever; Dengue Shock Syndrome.

Mobile is poised to play a significant role in healthcare... In contrast to healthcare access, mobile access is becoming almost ubiquitous worldwide. Almost all developed markets already have mobile penetration greater than 100%. Mobile penetrations in Africa, Asia­ Pacific and Latin America are also expected to increase to 82%, 98% and 119% respectively in  2014. Also, the increasing penetration of smartphones as well as the  3G and  4G networks will provide a significant boost to the use of the mobile platform for providing healthcare services.

Context: Cervical cancer till date is the commonest cancer of women of reproductive  age group.It is a disease with long latent period and progresses in stages as: inflammationï‚®mildï‚® moderateï‚®severe dysplasia ï‚®carcinoma in situï‚®invasive cancer. Prevention of carcinoma cervix can easily be done by regular screening of women of reproductive age group. In the days when diagnostic and curative endoscopic procedures have conquered the field of gynaecology, PAP SMEAR  test is still an effective method for screening of cervical cancer at the community level. Aims: To find out the prevalence of cervical cancer in urban slum population of Turbhe, Navi Mumbai. Settings and Design: An OPD based cross sectional study, conducted at Urban Health Centre, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai. Methods and Material: Participants for the study were –married,  parous women , more than 30 yrs of age , who attended the OPD. An informed consent was taken and a pre –tested questionnaire was filled up. Vaginal smear was taken with the help of Cusco’s Speculum and cotton swab stick. Slides were sent for histopathological examination. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 20. Results: 1.9% of participants had cervical dysplasia, 95.1% had inflammatory smear and 2.9% of participants had normal smear. Conclusions: PAP smear is a simple procedure which  can  even be carried out in minimum time and requirements. By this procedure cervical dysplasia can easily be detected and treated, and thereby burden of cancer cervix can easily be reduced. It is observed that creating awareness activities  in a small setup at community level, increases the voluntary participation by the women. The study also deals with various risk factors for cervical cancer.

Keywords: Community Awareness; Cusco’s Speculum; Dysplasia; Carcinoma in Situ.

  Introduction: The importance of the health of adolescents has started to receive increasing recognition particularly in developing countries where four out of five of the world’s young people live and where more than half the population is under the age of 25. Aims and Objectives: The study was done with the objectives of assessing the the health status profiles of adolescent girls residing in   welfare hostel in Kuppam town of Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: study was conducted among adolescent school  girls who were residing in the  social and tribal welfare hostel in Kuppam Mandal of Chittoor Disrtict. Andhra Pradesh. Results: A total of 218 Adolescent school girls were studied. Our study found out there was high prevalence of undernutrtion (68.8%) which was significantly associated with the younger age. There was also higher prevalence of morbidity conditions like reproductive (26.1%), skin (25.5%) and dental problems (19.3%). Emphasizing regular school health programmes for health education, early detection and proper treatment will curtail the burden of malnutrition among this population.

Keywords:  Adolescence; Health; Morbidity; School; Undernutrition.

 The term ‘preconception period’ includes both the period before conception and the inter­conception period. Many women in low­ and middle­income countries do not have adequate access to the prenatal care they need. Reproductive­aged women are at risk of iron deficiency because of blood loss from menstruation, poor diet, and frequent pregnancies. It affects children in a family and also brings down house hold economic status. In India, because of low socio economic status and consumption of less caloric food affects the health and nutritional status of woman is adversely affected. So, this study was done to know the nutritional status of preconception women and calories consumption in a district of Karnataka. A total of  770 preconception women were enrolled across the district. Women were identified by simple random method. In the present study, majority of them, (36.6%) were normal below body mass index (BMI), 45.5% had normal BMI and 17.9% of them were overweight.  Significant association between BMI and calories intake was found (p=0.038).

Keywords: Preconception; Reproductive Age; Body Mass Index.

 Aim: To study the importance of various factors on career decision making among dental students, India. Material and Methods: A self administered close ended questionnaire study was conducted among 113 students from one dental teaching institute of India. The survey was based on a collection of responses to a 17­item questionnaire, in the month of August, 2014. Final year students and interns were participant of the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS (social package of statistical software) Chicago, USA, version 18.0 software. Chi­square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze variables. Results: A total of 109 participants were included in the final study with response rate of 96.5%. There were  59.6% Females and 40.4% males. Among personal motivation factors, “Earning of money” was having highest odds of 1.523. For all the specialties, prosthodontics (2.95) and orthodontics (1.83) were having higher odds compared to others. In private practice, factors like “Marital status”, “Influence of spouse”, “Education debt taken” are affected more in deciding career plans. Conclusion: Various factors are important in career decision for dental students in India like Anticipated Educational debt, influence of spouse and other family member. Debt repayment facility should be revised for the students interested to continue post graduate studies so that they are not forced to leave studies and earn for debt repayment.

Keywords: Career; Dental Students; Interns; Private Practice.

 Background: Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in developing countries. Awareness of public about warning signs of cancer in relation to early detection and prevention has been surveyed in a few countries only, and results showed poor knowledge among them.The present study was aimed at investigating the awareness level about warning signs of cancer and its determinants in rural population of Mysuru District. Materials and Methods: This cross­sectional survey was conducted in two selected villages which come under rural field practice area of JSS Medical College, Mysore in the month of July­September 2014. 200 people aged 18 years and above were included in the study. Results: The study showed that, out of 200 people interviewed, the awareness regarding persistent Change in bowel and bladder habits was 77(38.5%), Non healing Wound 70(35%), Bleeding from natural orifices 75(37.5%), Lump in  breast 92(46.0%), Difficulty in swallowing 69(34.5%), Difficulty in opening  mouth 70(35.0%), Change in Size or shape of wart 62(31.0%), Hoarseness of voice 76(38.0%), Unexplained Weight loss 86(43.0%). It showed that, 06(3%) were having persistent change in Bowel and bladder habits, 02(1%) were having Non Healing wound, 3(1.5%) were having Bleeding from natural orifices, 02(1.0%)were having lump in breast, 5(2.5%) were having unexplained weight loss Conclusion: The awareness related to warning signals of cancer was very low among study participants. Therefore, educational and intervention programmes, with special attention placed on particular at­risk populations, to increase awareness about the disease leading to its early diagnosis is needed.

Keywords: Awareness; Cancer; Warning Signs; Mysore.

 Introduction: Root caries is one of the most common and significant dental health problem among older adults today. Over the years, root caries has been the major reason for tooth loss in older adults, and has negative impact on oral health related quality of life in elderly individuals. Aim: The study was done to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with root caries  among elderly individuals attending I.T.S Dental College Greater Noida. Materials & Methods:  A total sample of 380 individuals aged  from 65­74 years old who attended the dental college of Greater Noida were included in the study. A face­to­face interview using a prevalidated structured questionnaire was conducted to collect the information of the subjects including their demographic characteristics were recorded. The prevalence of root surface caries was evaluated using the Katz Index. Chi square test and Logistic regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results:  The prevalence of root caries in our study population was found to be 45.7%. Risk factors included smoking, dryness of mouth, tobacco chewing were significantly associated with root caries. Conclusion: The study concluded that root caries prevalence was high in the elderly individuals, . Factors including demographic variables e.g: age, gender and deleterious habits including smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption had a definite impact on the prevalence of root caries.

Keywords: Prevalence; Root Caries; Risk Factor; Root Caries Index; Elderly Individuals.