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International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
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International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, Oct 25, 2017
Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is primaril... more Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The disease is closely associated with unsafe water or food, inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene. 1 The virus is shed in the feces of persons with both asymptomatic and symptomatic infection. Under favorable conditions HAV may survive in the environment for months. 2,3 Hepatitis A occurs sporadically and in epidemics worldwide, with a tendency for cyclic recurrences. The hepatitis A virus is one of the most frequent causes of foodborne infection. 1 Several outbreaks of hepatitis A in various parts of India have been recorded in the past decade with anti-HAV positivity varying from 26 to 85%. 4 Outbreaks of hepatitis A have been reported from different parts of Kerala over the years. 5-7 In India, HAV infection is very common but usually occurs in early childhood. Infection at this age is most often asymptomatic and leads to lifelong immunity ABSTRACT Background: A study was carried out to investigate an outbreak of viral hepatitis reported by district health authorities from a self-administrative unit, Koppam of Palakkad district in Kerala in the month of November 2016. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was carried out to investigate the outbreak, describe epidemiological features and recommend measures for control. An epidemiological case sheet was prepared, case definition formulated and blood samples were collected to confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis. Environmental samples were collected from wells, soil and tested for hepatitis A virus. Results: 15 blood samples taken from cases of jaundice tested positive for hepatitis A, IgM antibody by ELISA test. More than three fourths 39 (79.6%) of the cases gave a history of having attended the same wedding function prior to the occurrence of symptoms. Attack rate (6.14%) was highest among 15-25 year age group. The water analysis from 3 of the wells in the area showed presence of coliform bacteria. Hepatitis A virus IIIA genotype was isolated from the soil sample of the house of the index case. Consumption of welcome drink was found to be associated significantly with cases than controls (OR 2.77; 95% CI: 1.02-7.52, p<0.05). Conclusions: The hepatitis A (type IIIA) outbreak in Koppam was associated with poor sanitation practices among the people. During a socio-cultural-demographic event like marriage this led to an explosive outbreak. Involving community organizations to generate awareness regarding food sanitation, supported by a system of registration of such events, certification of food handlers can help to prevent future outbreaks.
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health
Background: Adults in India are affected by dual burden of malnutrition such as over nutrition an... more Background: Adults in India are affected by dual burden of malnutrition such as over nutrition and under nutrition. Literature suggests that only 52% of women and 57% of men are at a normal weight for their height. Objectives: To estimate the nutritional status of women in the reproductive age group in rural Kolar and to estimate various socio-demographic factors associated with the nutritional status of women.Methods: Community based Cross-sectional study was conducted in rural field practice areas of Medical College for 6 months. 180 women in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years residing at Devarayasamudra village were included. Statistical methods: Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used as test of significance.Results: It was observed that out of 180 women, 49 (27.2%) of the women were overweight and 26 (14.4%) women were underweight. 36.67% women had a waist hip ratio of more than 0.85. Multivariate logistic regression showed that Age and educational s...
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, Oct 25, 2017
Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is primaril... more Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The disease is closely associated with unsafe water or food, inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene. 1 The virus is shed in the feces of persons with both asymptomatic and symptomatic infection. Under favorable conditions HAV may survive in the environment for months. 2,3 Hepatitis A occurs sporadically and in epidemics worldwide, with a tendency for cyclic recurrences. The hepatitis A virus is one of the most frequent causes of foodborne infection. 1 Several outbreaks of hepatitis A in various parts of India have been recorded in the past decade with anti-HAV positivity varying from 26 to 85%. 4 Outbreaks of hepatitis A have been reported from different parts of Kerala over the years. 5-7 In India, HAV infection is very common but usually occurs in early childhood. Infection at this age is most often asymptomatic and leads to lifelong immunity ABSTRACT Background: A study was carried out to investigate an outbreak of viral hepatitis reported by district health authorities from a self-administrative unit, Koppam of Palakkad district in Kerala in the month of November 2016. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was carried out to investigate the outbreak, describe epidemiological features and recommend measures for control. An epidemiological case sheet was prepared, case definition formulated and blood samples were collected to confirm the diagnosis of hepatitis. Environmental samples were collected from wells, soil and tested for hepatitis A virus. Results: 15 blood samples taken from cases of jaundice tested positive for hepatitis A, IgM antibody by ELISA test. More than three fourths 39 (79.6%) of the cases gave a history of having attended the same wedding function prior to the occurrence of symptoms. Attack rate (6.14%) was highest among 15-25 year age group. The water analysis from 3 of the wells in the area showed presence of coliform bacteria. Hepatitis A virus IIIA genotype was isolated from the soil sample of the house of the index case. Consumption of welcome drink was found to be associated significantly with cases than controls (OR 2.77; 95% CI: 1.02-7.52, p<0.05). Conclusions: The hepatitis A (type IIIA) outbreak in Koppam was associated with poor sanitation practices among the people. During a socio-cultural-demographic event like marriage this led to an explosive outbreak. Involving community organizations to generate awareness regarding food sanitation, supported by a system of registration of such events, certification of food handlers can help to prevent future outbreaks.
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health
Background: Adults in India are affected by dual burden of malnutrition such as over nutrition an... more Background: Adults in India are affected by dual burden of malnutrition such as over nutrition and under nutrition. Literature suggests that only 52% of women and 57% of men are at a normal weight for their height. Objectives: To estimate the nutritional status of women in the reproductive age group in rural Kolar and to estimate various socio-demographic factors associated with the nutritional status of women.Methods: Community based Cross-sectional study was conducted in rural field practice areas of Medical College for 6 months. 180 women in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years residing at Devarayasamudra village were included. Statistical methods: Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used as test of significance.Results: It was observed that out of 180 women, 49 (27.2%) of the women were overweight and 26 (14.4%) women were underweight. 36.67% women had a waist hip ratio of more than 0.85. Multivariate logistic regression showed that Age and educational s...