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The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has escalated in recent decades, and the risk of diabetes-related mortality has increased dramatically due to the co-existence of hypertension (HTN). DM and HTN, having similar aetiology and disease mechanisms, are influenced by lifestyle factors and greatly contribute to critical health complications. This study attempted to explore the co-existence of DM–HTN and the potential determinants considering the rapid upsurge of both these diseases. National Family Health Survey data were used, which included 7092 adult diabetic individuals, to find out the prevalence rate of HTN in diabetic persons in India. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed to accomplish the study objectives. Prevalence rate of HTN in diabetic individuals was approximately 37%. Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with DM–HTN co-existence. In males, increased age, higher BMI, alcohol consumption, poorest wealth index, and non-smoking (tobacco) were the significant determinants of the co-existence of DM-HTN, while in females, they were increased age, higher BMI, and geographical region. This study unveiled the significance of healthy lifestyle maintenance and equitable health care services to prevent HTN among diabetics, along with promotion of the awareness and management of DM and HTN through appropriate pharmacological treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaming related experiences and addictive behaviours are emerging causes of adverse psycho-social health such as depression, anxiety, in adolescents and young adults around the world. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of information relating to adolescents and young adults in India, a country which has millions of gamers. Present study examined the effects of massively multiplayer online role-playing games on the psychological health and inter-personal relationships of adolescents and young male adults of sub-urban Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-economic and lifestyle traits, psychological health and inter-personal relationships were obtained from both gamers (n = 150) and non-gamers (n = 150). Data on gaming experiences and addiction were obtained only from gamers. MANCOVA and linear regression were performed to understand the effects of socio-economic and lifestyle traits, gaming experience and addiction traits on psychological health and inter-personal relationships of gamers. Study findings revealed that both gamers and non-gamers derived from a similar age group (mean age = 19.94 years) and socio-economic cluster. Disparities in psychological health in terms of depression, anxiety and stress and inter-personal relationship in terms of parent and peer attachments were present across social groups and between gamers and non-gamers. Various problematic gaming experiences and gaming related addictive behaviours resulted in poor psychological health and inter-personal relationship with parents and peers. Male gamers were at high risk to develop adverse psychological health and poor inter-personal relationships with parents and peers due to problematic gaming experience and gaming addiction. Proper education and counselling regarding the beneficial and detrimental sides of gaming may ensure better psycho-social health of adolescents and young adults in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and hypertension have become a global epidemic among the women, especially as they experience additional stressful events compared to men. The epidemiology of these two metabolic disorders is regulated by various biological, socio-economic, reproductive and lifestyle factors related to women. However, inconsistency in the nature and magnitude of the effects of these traits indicates exploring the areas where little emphasis has been given. In this context, the present study attempted to determine the effect of socio-economic and reproductive traits on hypertension and abdominal adiposity among women living in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India. Data on socio-demographic and reproductive traits were collected from 319 adult women from both rural and urban sectors of Habra block I. Anthropometric measurements and Blood pressure levels were measured following standard protocols. Results highlighted that the prevalence of obese individuals and hypertensive individuals were 73.4 and 50.5 per cent respectively. Women with low income (OR=0.51) were at lower risk and post-menopausal women (OR=1.71) were at higher risk of developing abdominal adiposity. The risk of developing hypertension increased with higher educational attainment (OR=2.43). Post-menopausal women (OR=0.46) and shifting workers (OR=0.40) were at lower risk of developing hypertension. The risk also decreased with increased age (OR=0.96). Present study revealed that menopause is a significant event to predict abdominal adiposity and hypertension among Bengali-speaking Hindu women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, population diversity plays a major role to create variation in socio-demographic, cultural and lifestyle factors which contribute to unique demographic scenario among populations. However, not much emphasis has been given to investigate the relationship of socio-demographic factors with fertility and mortality scenario among indigenous groups of northern West Bengal. Objectives: Study attempted to see the effect of socio-demographic factors on women’s fertility and under-five mortality among the Oraons. Materials and Method: Data on socio-demographic characteristics, fertility and mortality were collected from 445 ever-married women. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression and Cox proportion hazard analysis were performed. Results: Total fertility rate in the study group was 3.19 live births per woman and under-five mortality rate was 9.77 death per 100 live births. Educational status of women (p=0.002), household size (p<0.001), age (p=0.001) and marital age of women (p=0.020) significantly determined women’s fertility. Educational status of women (p=0.034), women’s practice of defecation (p=0.014), Marital age of women (p=0.046) and birth order of the child (p=0.031) significantly determined under-five mortality. Conclusion: Study highlighted that women married before 18 years and with no institutional education were more likely to experience high fertility and high under-five mortality. Absence of pit latrine in household and child’s birth order also significantly determined under-five mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out in Kolkata to find out the prevalence of hypertension among bus drivers and if any concomitant factor(s) is/are responsible for it. Bus drivers, a vulnerable occupational group, are exposed to adverse workplace environmental conditions which play major role in developing hypertension among them. This study indicates that a prolonged exposure to smoking, alcohol, street food intake and overtime working may augment the chance of developing hypertension. Prevalence of pre-hypertension is a matter of concern for the safety of bus drivers as well as of community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hearing impairment is one of the major health problems under the paradigm of occupational health. Mine workers are vulnerable to hearing impairment due to the nature of work, inadequate knowledge of sound hazards and limited access to protective devices. However, the cause of such health problems in India have rarely been explored. Present study aimed to find out hearing threshold of the study population, the level of noise in the mine areas and the relationship of different concomitants on hearing thresholds of the workers. Methods: Cross-sectional data on audiometric measurements, age and work duration in stone mining work were collected from 189 adult Santal stone mine workers (i.e. Group I= working and residing in stone mines and Group II = working in stone mines but residing outside stone mines) of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Data on noise pollution level were also collected. All the data were collected following standard techniques and instruments. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Hearing threshold was higher in Group I than Group II; in aged workers than younger workers and working for long duration than short duration in mines. The level of noise pollution inside the stone mine area was above the recommended limit. The most important concomitants of hearing threshold were residence and work in stone mines. Conclusion: The workers engaged in stone mine work and residing inside mine area were more susceptible to hearing impairment. The intensity of the risk further increases with the advancement of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a significant event in woman's life when the process of menstruation occurs with several physical, mental and physiological developments. Menstrual experience of women is largely determined by environmental factors occurring during this period. In India, disparities in numerous factors result in different menstrual characteristics, menstruation-related symptoms and menstrual hygiene-related practices. However, the effect of residential status on the menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls is still unknown. In this context, the present study attempted to explore the variation in overall socio-economic condition and menstrual experience of tenant adolescent girls in comparison to freeholder adolescent girls. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 167 freeholder and 133 tenant adolescent schoolgirls on socio-economic and menstrual characteristics, menstruation-related symptoms and menstrual hygiene-related practices. Results showed that differences existed for these traits between freeholder and tenant adolescents. The key factors behind unsatisfied menstrual experience of tenant adolescent girls were lack of privacy, unsuitable sanitation facilities and use of cloth as preferred absorbent.