Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Sanjay Kini ¹, Avinash Kumar ², B. Unnikrishnan ³, Siddharudha Shivalli ⁴, Vaman Kulkarni ², Prasanna Mithra ², Nithin Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore,
2 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, IN
3 Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, IN
4 Assistant Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, GB

Abstract

Background: Neck circumference can be a simple screening tool for measurement of overweight and obesity. The present study aims to depict neck circumference as a valid measurement of obesity and tries to find out its correlation with BMI and waist circumference among young adults in the age group of 20-30 years.

Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 coastal villages of Udupi taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka, among 750 subjects. A pre-tested, semi structured questionnaire was administered to the study subjects after obtaining their consent. The questionnaire comprised of details on socio-demographic variables and anthropometric measurements.

Results: The study showed a strong positive correlation (r) between weight (0.7), waist circumference (0.7) and hip circumference (0.7) with neck circumference among the males, it showed a correlation of (0.6) for all the parameters like weight, waist circumference and hip circumference among the females. ROC analysis showed that the cut off for males at 36.25 cm has a sensitivity of 80% and specificity 77% and the area under the curve is 0.84. Whereas the cutoff for females was found to be 31.75 cm having the sensitivity of 69% and specificity 77% and the area under curve was 0.73.

Conclusion: Neck circumference (NC) measurement is simple and time saving screening measure that can be used to identify overweight and obesity. Patients with NC >36.25 cm cm for men and >31.75 cm for women require additional evaluation of overweight/obesity.

Keywords

Neck Circumference, Waist Circumference, Obesity.

Full Text

     

Natasha Aquinas ¹, Vaman Kulkarni ², Ashwini Hegde ³, Radhakrishna M. ³

Affiliations
1 Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal, IN
2 Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore (A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka), IN
3 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore (A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka), IN

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common diseases, and globally, it ranks second, first being AIDS. It has been said that one-third of the global population is already infected with M. tuberculosis. By 2020, an estimated 200 million of these people would contract TB. A very crucial step for containment of TB is to make sure that there is understanding of its risk factors, mode of transmission, and diagnosis. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and understanding of MBBS students at coastal Karnataka, India Medical College, about Tuberculosis. Methodology: An online survey was conducted addressing areas of general factors, risk and transmission factors, diagnosis factors, treatment, and prevention factors. A total of 31 statements were given in the online survey. Results: The respondents showed overall good knowledge about Tuberculosis. The females had a better understanding than males, and the interns scored better on the study than the other MBBS students. Conclusion: This study has shown that the students have high essential awareness about TB. However, section by section analysis shows that knowledge about a few topics needs to be strengthened.

Keywords

Tuberculosis, Survey, Medical students, Knowledge.

Full Text