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Bansal, Rahul
- Awareness and Practices Regarding Global Warming and its Health Hazards among the Medical Students of Meerut
Authors
1 Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IN
2 National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), 22 Sham Nath Marg, Delhi, IN
3 Medical Sociology, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IN
4 Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IN
Source
International Journal of Contemporary Medicine, Vol 1, No 1 (2013), Pagination: 37-41Abstract
Background: Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures, which in turn causes climate change. Climate change has emerged as one of the most devastating environmental threat and there is overwhelming evidence of wide range of implications for human health. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) To assess the awareness regarding global warming and its health hazards among the medical students and (2) To know the attitude and practices regarding climate change among the medical students. Settings and Design: This cross sectional study was conducted at Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut. Materials and Method: 400 Medical students from different courses of health sciences. A selfadministered, pre-tested, questionnaire was used. Results: 94.50% students commented that global climate is changing; while 87.50% students opined that human activities are contributing to climate change. 33.75% of the students were aware about green house gases. 61.67% were aware about the meaning of ozone depletion. According to 65.00% students, direct physical hazards of extreme climatic events are most important health-related impact of climate change. Majority (52.50%) commented that deforestation and industrial and vehicular pollution contribute most to climate change. Conclusion: Majority of students had awareness regarding global warming but improvement for mitigation is required. It is suggested that a large nation-wide awareness survey regarding global warming and its health hazards is necessary. Educational campaigns would be effective method in improving knowledge and awareness regarding global warming among the students.Keywords
Global Warming, Climate Change, Awareness, Health Hazards, Medical Students.
References
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- A Community Based Study on Awareness of HIV/AIDS among Young Males of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Authors
1 Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Delhi-Haridwar Byepass Road, Meerut-250005, UP, IN
2 Medical Sociology, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, IN
3 Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, IN
4 PG-III, Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, IN
5 Department of Biochemistry, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, IN
Source
International Journal of Contemporary Medicine, Vol 2, No 1 (2014), Pagination: 85-89Abstract
Background: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a challenging illness caused by the HIV virus, which weakens the immune system and leads to death through secondary infections. HIV/AIDS is spreading globally, hitting the younger generations.
Objective: To assess the knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS among young males of rural and urban area of Meerut District.
Study Design: Cross-sectional, community based study.
Settings and Participants: One urban (Multan Nagar) and one rural (Khajuri) area under the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut.
Sample Size: 600 male young males aged 15-24 years, 300 were selected from urban area and 300 from rural area respectively.
Study Period: Jan 2011 to June 2011
Methodology: A pre-designed, pre-tested, interview schedule was used after taking verbal consent. Questions consisted of awareness (i.e. whether ever heard of HIV/AIDS), knowledge about source of infection, modes of prevention of HIV/AIDS and source of information regarding HIV/AIDS,
Results: The awareness of HIV/AIDS was higher (80%) among the urban respondents as compared to the rural respondents (53.3%). The predominant source of information among urban respondents was reading material such as newspapers, magazine, brochure and electronic media and rural subjects was interpersonal communication with doctors, health workers and friends. 42.5% of the rural respondents and 16.7% urban respondents did not know about any source of infection of HIV/ AIDS. The predominant mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS which the maximum respondents knew was unsafe sex among both urban and rural area. 37.5% of the rural respondents and 16.7% urban respondents did not know about any modes of prevention for HIV/AIDS although 25% urban and rural respondents knew that condom usage prevents HIV infection.
Conclusion: HIV/AIDS awareness and knowledge among the young males was found to be low. Targeted approach and more intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns are needed to contain this dreaded epidemic.
Keywords
HIV/ AIDS, Male Young People, Knowledge and Awareness- Impact of Training on Awareness of Bio-medical Waste Management among Paramedical Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Meerut
Authors
1 Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Delhi-Haridwar Byepass Road, Meerut, UP, IN
2 Department of Community Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, U.P, IN
Source
International Journal of Contemporary Medicine, Vol 2, No 1 (2014), Pagination: 128-132Abstract
Background: The waste produced in the course of healthcare activities carries a higher potential for infection and injury than any other type of waste. Inadequate and inappropriate knowledge of handling of healthcare waste may have serious health consequences and a significant impact on the environment as well. It is estimated that 10-25% of health care waste is hazardous, with potential for creating variety of health problems. As per implementation of Bio- medical waste management and handling rules 1998, every health workers is expected to have proper knowledge, attitude and practices which can be improved with trainings.
Objectives: (1) To assess the knowledge and awareness of paramedical workers regarding hospital waste management. (2) To assess the impact of educational intervention on the knowledge of paramedical workers regarding Bio-medical waste management.
Methodology: A cross sectional interventional study was conducted among 100 paramedical workers of tertiary care hospital of Meerut from 1st October to 31st December 2011 by using a pre-tested structured questionnaire to detect the level of awareness regarding Biomedical waste management . Data was compared pre and post intervention (Educational training), by paired t-test, considering p<0.05 to be significant.
Results: Among study subjects, 67% were males and 33% were females health workers. This study indicates that baseline knowledge and awareness regarding Bio- Medical Waste Management among the paramedical workers in Tertiary Care Hospital, Meerut UP was quite poor (34.78%). Overall positive change (43.78%) was found in knowledge and awareness of paramedical workers after training. There was 43.78% increase in knowledge about bio-medical waste management before and after educational intervention which was statistically highly significant (p<0.0001)
Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness regarding Bio-medical waste management among paramedical workers was poor. Educational intervention was effective in improving knowledge and awareness regarding Biomedical waste management among paramedical workers.