Childhood obesity is a global health concern with significant implications for short and long-term health outcomes. Parental perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes play a crucial role in shaping children's lifestyle behaviors and influencing the prevalence of obesity. Understanding parental perspectives is essential for developing effective interventions.Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 174 parents to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and challenges related to childhood obesity. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis,ensuring ethical standards were met throughout the study.Results: Parents predominantly defined childhood obesity as excess body weight, with medical professionals being a primary source of information. Concerns about obesity were prevalent, along with challenges such as limited access to healthy foods and peer pressure. The study highlighted the need for tailored interventions to address these concerns effectively. Discussion: The findings align with prior research, emphasizing the universal nature of parental concerns. Leveraging parental knowledge and attitudes is crucial for combating childhood obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of understanding parental perceptions to devise comprehensive interventions. By addressing parental concerns and providing appropriate support, health education can effectively prevent childhood obesity and foster healthier communities.
The objective of this study is to assess the long-term variation in concentrations of Respirable suspended particulate matter (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the ambient air of Nagpur (India) during 2011-2018. The pollution data during the above period at three locations, viz., residential (Station-I), industrial (Station-II), and commercial location (Station-III) has been analyzed. The highest daily average concentration of PM10 at residential, industrial, and commercial locations was found 154 microgm/m3, 199 microgm/m3, and 153 microgm/m3, whereas, the average annual concentration at these locations was found 101.87 microgm/m3, 115.37 microgm/m3 and 98.75 microgm/m3, respectively during the above period. The highest daily average concentration of SO2 was found at 18 microgm/m3, 22 microgm/m3 and 19 microgm/m3 and the average annual concentration was 13.25 microgm/m3, 13.5 microgm/m3, 13 microgm/m3 at respective locations. And the highest daily average concentration of NO2 was found 77 microgm/m3, 60 microgm/m3, 60 microgm/m3 and the annual average concentration was 44.125 microgm/m3, 41.825 microgm/m3 and 40.25 microgm/m3 at the respective locations. The exceedance factors for PM10 varied from 'moderate to high' at the residential and commercial locations and from 'high to moderate' at the industrial location. Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and ventilation coefficient (VC) were also estimated over the region for 2011-2018. The maximum PBLH and VC observed during the study period was in the summer season, and the minimum was in the post-monsoon season. Annual and Seasonal Air quality index analysis shows that the level of pollution was in the range of SATIFACTORY to MODERATE. A study of seasonal analysis of PM10, SO2 and NO2 showed that the higher concentrations were found in winter relative to summer with the least concentration occurring during the monsoon season. A regression analysis was performed to check PM10's interdependence with other contaminants. A positive association was found between PM10 and SO2 for all seasons. A negative association was found between PM10 and NO2 in summer for all the stations and winter at Station-I and Station-III. Similarly, the correlation between PM10 and meteorological parameters such as wind speed and temperature was found to be negative whereas it was positive for relative humidity.
Port site infections are a common complication in minimally invasive surgeries, including laparoscopic procedures, leading to increased patient morbidity and healthcare costs. This paper aims to review the incidence, risk factors, prevention strategies, and management of port site infections in minimally invasive surgeries. By examining current literature and guidelines, this review highlights the importance of proper surgical techniques, peri operative care, and postoperative monitoring in reducing the risk of port site infections. Additionally, the paper discusses the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis, wound care protocols, and patient education in optimizing outcomes for patients undergoing minimally invasive surgeries. The findings of this review provide valuable insights for healthcare providers to enhance patient safety and improve surgical outcomes in the management of port site infections in minimally invasive surgeries.
Background Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness commonly seen in children under five years of age, characterized by typical manifestations such as oral lesions and rashes on the hands and feet. Coxsackievirus A-16 (CV-A16) and Enterovirus A-71 (EV-A71) are the major etiological agents of this disease. Over the past two decades, there have been several outbreaks of HFMD all across India. As there is no chemoprophylaxis available for the disease, it becomes even more significant to conduct regular research and surveillance for HFMD. Aim and objective To observe the clinico-epidemiological profile along with constitutional symptoms in HFMD patients attending pediatric OPD. Methods This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Post Graduate Department of Pediatrics, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital (ASCOMS & H), Sidra, Jammu and Kashmir, India, over six months from April to September 2023. A total of 132 children with symptoms of HFMD visited the pediatric OPD. After using inclusive and exclusive criteria, we selected a sample size of 112 children with HFMD. The descriptive data were expressed in terms of percentages and proportions, and their graphical representation was done using MS Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States). Results Among the 112 HFMD patients examined, the highest peak was seen in August, followed by another one in September. Most of the cases were seen in the age group of zero to three years, and it was observed that there was a linear fall in the number of cases with the increase in age. Nearly 61% of cases were male, showing a slight male preponderance. Vesiculopapular rash on the hand and foot was the most common clinical characteristic, whereas painful deglutition was noted to be the most common constitutional symptom in HFMD patients. About 27% had a positive family history, and nail changes post-recovery were present in 1.79% of cases during their regular follow-ups. Conclusions This study reveals that HFMD cases surged in August and September, with a history of contact in one-fourth of cases. Disease is seen more commonly in children under three years of age, and the incidence of cases decreases with the increase in age. The illness is usually contagious and can spread quickly; therefore, more awareness programs should be done to educate parents and promote hygiene to prevent contact cases.
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