Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'Congenital Anomaly' as structural or funct... more Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'Congenital Anomaly' as structural or functional defect which occurs during intrauterine life. Globally prevalence of congenital anomaly is found to be 2-3% and about 2,40,000 infants lose their lives due to congenital malformation every year. Aim: Aim of the study was to find out the, prevalence and pattern of Congenital anomalies in newborn in a tertiary care centre in Karbi Anglong of Assam, as there is paucity of information and publications on congenital anomalies in this part of Assam. Methods: This study was a retrospective one done at Diphu Medical College and Hospital. Data was collected from three consecutive years from the available hospital records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee (Reference number-DMCH/EC/2022/105/2828). Results obtained were entered in MS Excel and analyzed in the light of available literatures. Results: Among 8569 newborns, congenital anomalies were found to be present in 62 cases with a prevalence rate of 7.2 per 1000 live birth. The commonest birth defect was found to be cleft lip and cleft palate followed by the musculoskeletal system. Conclusion: Congenital anomaly plays an important role in the mortality and morbidity of neonates and children. Hence proper antenatal care and counseling will help in reducing the burden of congenital anomalies.
Background: Injecting drug use is a global public health issue and about 15.6 million people inje... more Background: Injecting drug use is a global public health issue and about 15.6 million people inject drugs. Both increasing numbers of people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and increasing trend of HIV positivity amongst them is a great concern. Objectives: To determine the factors behind high prevalence of injecting drug use practices in Karbi Anglong district, Assam and to understand the pattern of drug uses and their risk behaviour. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst PWIDs, availing preventive services at a NGO, Kheroni, Karbi Anglong, using mixed method approach. Total 220 PWIDs were selected using simple random sampling method. Quantitative data were collected using predesigned and pretested schedule. For qualitative assessment, two focus group discussion and five in-depth interviews were conducted. Analysis was done by using SPSS-20. Results: Having adequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS, PWIDs still shared needle. Peer pressure, stress/tension, pleasure, unemployment, influence by family member and easy drugs availability were the underlying factors for high prevalence of injecting drug use in this region. Most commonly used injecting drug was brown sugar followed by Spasmoproxyvon and other drugs. Drug peddlers were the main driving force for attracting new users. Self-reported HIV positivity was 4.5%, which was much higher as compared to previous surveillance studies. Conclusion: Context specific programme strategies may be adopted to control HIV/AIDS spread. Young generation may be covered through sensitization programme to mitigate hazardous methods of injecting drug use.
Worldwide 450 million (12%) people suffer from disability and this will be increased up to 15% in... more Worldwide 450 million (12%) people suffer from disability and this will be increased up to 15% in the year 2020, as per WHO estimation. Psychiatric Epidemiological studies in India from 1964 to 2001, shows increasing trends of mental health morbidity prevalence from 9.5 to 102.8 per 1000 population and new incidence cases were over 16.0 per 1000 population. A study reported that overall life time prevalence of mental disorder to be around 5%. Depression, anxiety, and unspecified psychological distress are 2–3 times more common among women compare to men. Common Mental Disorders is common among poor women and the causes may be hormonal factors (reproductive cycle may play a role of increased vulnerability to depression), other factors are excessive partner, alcohol use, sexual, physical violence by the husband, being widowed or separated, having low autonomy in decision making, and low levels of support from one’s family. Illiteracy and women mental health is significantly associated...
Background: Worldwide tobacco consumption, alcohol and associated habits are considered major cau... more Background: Worldwide tobacco consumption, alcohol and associated habits are considered major causes of morbidity and mortality. Following such trends in northeast India, this pilot study was conducted in two different rural communities in Cachar district, Assam. Material and methods: Primary data were collected from Naga (tribe) and Muslim (non-tribe) community (N=406). Method of data collection followed interview schedule. Measures of central tendency, and correlation tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results: Among Muslim males and females tobacco and related habits were 82.18% and 65.61% and in Naga males and females (74.36% and 52.78%). Correlations between tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption was significant (p<0.01) in Naga community whereas, tobacco chewing and habit of pan, betel nut, etc, was significant (p<0.01) in Muslim people. Both communities were having significant correlations among their habits and other variables. Discussion: Data shows that, m...
Worldwide the incidence and prevalence of cancer is increasing day by day and this also followed ... more Worldwide the incidence and prevalence of cancer is increasing day by day and this also followed in India. Cancer care is basically a team work with the involvement of oncologists, pathologists, psychologists, social workers, oncology nurses, pharmacists, etc. Since last few decades, social work profession has emerged as one of the most demanding profession in India. Social work profession is continuously working towards several supportive services in the field of oncology. Major roles include patient’s social and economic assessment, comprehensive patient and family counseling, economic support measures and post treatment follow up and social rehabilitation. Social workers are professionally trained persons having adequate knowledge on several therapies like, cognitive behavior therapy, dignity therapy, group therapy, meaning-centered therapy, family therapy, supportive therapy, psycho-therapy etc. Oncology team work will be more functional with the existence of professional social...
Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'Congenital Anomaly' as structural or funct... more Introduction: World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'Congenital Anomaly' as structural or functional defect which occurs during intrauterine life. Globally prevalence of congenital anomaly is found to be 2-3% and about 2,40,000 infants lose their lives due to congenital malformation every year. Aim: Aim of the study was to find out the, prevalence and pattern of Congenital anomalies in newborn in a tertiary care centre in Karbi Anglong of Assam, as there is paucity of information and publications on congenital anomalies in this part of Assam. Methods: This study was a retrospective one done at Diphu Medical College and Hospital. Data was collected from three consecutive years from the available hospital records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee (Reference number-DMCH/EC/2022/105/2828). Results obtained were entered in MS Excel and analyzed in the light of available literatures. Results: Among 8569 newborns, congenital anomalies were found to be present in 62 cases with a prevalence rate of 7.2 per 1000 live birth. The commonest birth defect was found to be cleft lip and cleft palate followed by the musculoskeletal system. Conclusion: Congenital anomaly plays an important role in the mortality and morbidity of neonates and children. Hence proper antenatal care and counseling will help in reducing the burden of congenital anomalies.
Background: Injecting drug use is a global public health issue and about 15.6 million people inje... more Background: Injecting drug use is a global public health issue and about 15.6 million people inject drugs. Both increasing numbers of people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and increasing trend of HIV positivity amongst them is a great concern. Objectives: To determine the factors behind high prevalence of injecting drug use practices in Karbi Anglong district, Assam and to understand the pattern of drug uses and their risk behaviour. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst PWIDs, availing preventive services at a NGO, Kheroni, Karbi Anglong, using mixed method approach. Total 220 PWIDs were selected using simple random sampling method. Quantitative data were collected using predesigned and pretested schedule. For qualitative assessment, two focus group discussion and five in-depth interviews were conducted. Analysis was done by using SPSS-20. Results: Having adequate knowledge on HIV/AIDS, PWIDs still shared needle. Peer pressure, stress/tension, pleasure, unemployment, influence by family member and easy drugs availability were the underlying factors for high prevalence of injecting drug use in this region. Most commonly used injecting drug was brown sugar followed by Spasmoproxyvon and other drugs. Drug peddlers were the main driving force for attracting new users. Self-reported HIV positivity was 4.5%, which was much higher as compared to previous surveillance studies. Conclusion: Context specific programme strategies may be adopted to control HIV/AIDS spread. Young generation may be covered through sensitization programme to mitigate hazardous methods of injecting drug use.
Worldwide 450 million (12%) people suffer from disability and this will be increased up to 15% in... more Worldwide 450 million (12%) people suffer from disability and this will be increased up to 15% in the year 2020, as per WHO estimation. Psychiatric Epidemiological studies in India from 1964 to 2001, shows increasing trends of mental health morbidity prevalence from 9.5 to 102.8 per 1000 population and new incidence cases were over 16.0 per 1000 population. A study reported that overall life time prevalence of mental disorder to be around 5%. Depression, anxiety, and unspecified psychological distress are 2–3 times more common among women compare to men. Common Mental Disorders is common among poor women and the causes may be hormonal factors (reproductive cycle may play a role of increased vulnerability to depression), other factors are excessive partner, alcohol use, sexual, physical violence by the husband, being widowed or separated, having low autonomy in decision making, and low levels of support from one’s family. Illiteracy and women mental health is significantly associated...
Background: Worldwide tobacco consumption, alcohol and associated habits are considered major cau... more Background: Worldwide tobacco consumption, alcohol and associated habits are considered major causes of morbidity and mortality. Following such trends in northeast India, this pilot study was conducted in two different rural communities in Cachar district, Assam. Material and methods: Primary data were collected from Naga (tribe) and Muslim (non-tribe) community (N=406). Method of data collection followed interview schedule. Measures of central tendency, and correlation tests were applied for statistical analysis. Results: Among Muslim males and females tobacco and related habits were 82.18% and 65.61% and in Naga males and females (74.36% and 52.78%). Correlations between tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption was significant (p<0.01) in Naga community whereas, tobacco chewing and habit of pan, betel nut, etc, was significant (p<0.01) in Muslim people. Both communities were having significant correlations among their habits and other variables. Discussion: Data shows that, m...
Worldwide the incidence and prevalence of cancer is increasing day by day and this also followed ... more Worldwide the incidence and prevalence of cancer is increasing day by day and this also followed in India. Cancer care is basically a team work with the involvement of oncologists, pathologists, psychologists, social workers, oncology nurses, pharmacists, etc. Since last few decades, social work profession has emerged as one of the most demanding profession in India. Social work profession is continuously working towards several supportive services in the field of oncology. Major roles include patient’s social and economic assessment, comprehensive patient and family counseling, economic support measures and post treatment follow up and social rehabilitation. Social workers are professionally trained persons having adequate knowledge on several therapies like, cognitive behavior therapy, dignity therapy, group therapy, meaning-centered therapy, family therapy, supportive therapy, psycho-therapy etc. Oncology team work will be more functional with the existence of professional social...
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