Health Appraisal of the forest guards and scalers a study from Uttarakhand, India -

"Background: The forestry personnel such as forest guards and scalers are one of the human resource serving in the forests, national parks in India. They work in difficult terrains and are exposed to adverse environmental conditions. They are responsible for protection of forest resources and prevention of any illegal activities like felling of trees, poaching, encroachments, grazing, forest fires etc. and a step is required regarding their health profile in India. Objective of the study was to know the morbidity profile and certain selected lifestyle related risk factors of non- communicable diseases among forest guards and scalers. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional observational study was conducted among forest guards and scalers at forest Training Institute, Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Clinical history was recorded and relevant physical examination was carried out. Parameters like weight, height, and blood pressure were recorded. Results: In the present study, 88 forest guards and scalers were studied, out of which 74% were male. Addiction was present in 53.4% of participants. 40% of participants were found to be overweight and obese.20% of the participants were hypertensive and about 4.5% of them reported to be diabetic. About one-fifth (20.5%) had GI problems and 12.5% of them had various musculo-skeletal problems. Conclusion: Addiction to alcohol and tobacco was found in majority of the male participants. Lifestyle related risk factors of non-communicable diseases were seen so periodic health examinations and sensitization regarding maintenance of healthy lifestyle needs to be encouraged."