Journal of Global Public Health

As COVID-19 spreads around the globe, the governments have imposed quarantines and travel bans on an unprecedented scale. They are often the first response against new infectious diseases. However, these old tools are usually of limited utility for highly transmissible diseases, and if imposed with too heavy a hand, or in too haphazard a manner, they can be counterproductive. In public health practice, “quarantine” refers to the separation of persons who have been exposed to an infectious disease. In order to clarify the extent to which an ideal quarantine measure suppresses epidemics, a review on several studies, considers a simple case in which an individual is detected and its neighbors are promptly quarantined. A well mixed “susceptible exposed infectious recovered” (SEIR) compartmental model was employed to described the dynamics of the COVID-19, and quarantine intervention measures of the authority. Considering infected individuals as contagious during the latency period, the well-mixed SEIR model fitting results based on the assumed contact rates of latent individuals are within 6-18, which represented the possible impact of quarantine and isolation interventions on disease infections. The reviews revealed that by reducing the contact rate of latent individuals, interventions such as quarantine and isolation can effectively reduce the potential peak number of COVID-19 infections and delay the time of peak infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; SEIR compartmental model; Latent individuals; Quarantine; Disease; Contact rate.
 

Background: Influenza A (H1N1) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus H1N1 subtype A. It is highly contagious virus. It causes significant morbidity and mortality and spread in community. Objectives: To identify epidemiological characteristic including seasonal pattern of hospital based patient suspected with H1N1 infection. Methods: Hospital based retrospective study was designed from January 2017 to December 2019. The data was collected from District Hospital Amravati, Maharashtra. Results: In the present study, a total of 547 samples were tested and 127(23.21%) were recorded positive for H1N1. Most numbers of these cases were from young adults (34.55%) in age group between 15-30 years and less were observed in old age group (10.23%) in age group of >60 years. Female (58.26%) were
infected more than male (41.73%). Total two peaks of infection were noticed. One was summer season (April) & second was in winter season (October) in year 2017 while one peak of infection was noticed in winter season in year 2018 and 2019. Conclusion: Epidemiological parameters and seasonal pattern of Influenza A (H1N1) gives ideas to create the awareness and to improve the control strategies to minimize the morbidity & mortality and spread of disease.

Keywords: Influenza A (H1N1), Seasonal trend, Epidemiological characteristics.
 

Background of the Study: New-born baby is very vulnerable to infection, immune mechanisms are immature & the skin is thin & easily damaged.
Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish discolouration of skin & mucosa is caused by accumulation of excess bilirubin. New-borns are more prone for neonatal jaundice because of several physiological & pathological changes occur after child birth. Incidence of neonatal jaundice is seen within first 3 days of birth in 80% of preterm babies & 60% of full term babies. Incidence vary with ethnicity & geography Objectives: The main objective of the study was 1. To assess the knowledge of postnatal mother regarding neonatal jaundice. 2. To analyse the relationship between the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding neonatal jaundice with selected demographic variables. Materials and methods: Descriptive design was adopted. The study was conducted at Gandhi
Hospital, Secunderabad, Telangana. Purposive or judgmental sampling technique was used to select the samples. The tool designed to collect
the data were socio demographic performa and structured questionnaire. The method used to collect data was structured questionnaire. Results: Collected data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings of the study were that most of the postnatal mothers (74%) had average knowledge, while the remaining (13%) had below average knowledge & (13%) above average
knowledge. There was a significant relationship between knowledge of postnatal mothers, religion, type of family, duration of marriage, family income, source of information & number of previous pregnancies. There was no significant relationship between knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding neonatal jaundice with age & education. Conclusion: Although awareness of neonatal jaundice was seen in the majority of the mothers there was a paucity of knowledge regarding causes, danger signs and
effective treatment available Cultural beliefs and traditional infant care practices need to have a significant impact on mothers. Special educational programs and involvement of electronic media are needed to increase the awareness of mothers regarding neonatal jaundice. The danger signs recognized by mothers in early period for neonatal jaundice helps health care providers to plan quality care for neonates and neonatal mortality can be prevented by early detection and need to educate family members not to do rush for discharge policy immediately after delivery of mothers.

Keywords: Neonatal jaundice; Postnatal mothers
 

Context: Snakebite is common problem in rural India and common in dense forest area like Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Tribal people have their local remedies for its treatment. Uninformed community members resorting to harmful traditional measures may cause vital time loss for patient’s survival. Aims: Study is conducted to assess the knowledge, myths and misconceptions around snake bite in rural area of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Settings and Design: An observational, cross sectional study was conducted in eight villages of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Methods and Material: Data was collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested schedule for interviews. Statistical analysis used: Microsoft Excel XLSTAT and the results were calculated in frequencies and percentages. Results: Farming was the main profession (40%) and only 66.2% of the study population was aware that the incidence of snakebite can be reduced. About 33.8% were aware that initial first aid measure was to immobilize the affected part and only 26.9% were aware that the application of the collar was unnecessary and harmful. Correct knowledge on the availability of specific treatment was present in about 56.2% and only 50% knew where specific treatment is available. Conclusions: Study shows scarcity of knowledge on the first aid following snake bite and misconceptions on the role of snake charmers. Therefore, there is an imperative need to educate community on first aid treatments and their belief in tantric or Baiga for traditional treatments methods for snake bites. There is a need to implement awareness programs on snake bite in at risk communities of Bastar region.

Keywords: Snake bite, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Knowledge, Myths