The nutritional intake, dietary pattern, and health outcomes among the adolescent girls in suburban areas of Chennai

The nutritional intake, dietary pattern, and health outcomes among the adolescent girls in suburban areas of Chennai

Published in: International Journal of Nursing and Education and Research, 2019;7(2):01-05.

Abstract:

The adolescent girls in Suburban areas are getting confused between the tradition of the village and modernization of the city due to the transition effect. They will be in a hurry to run fastly with the modern trends and thus, result in nutritional deficiencies, which don’t produce any signs or symptoms during the adolescence period, but the symptoms may worsen later in the pregnancy period. Based on the assumption, the researcher decided to design a project on the nutritional status of the adolescent girls as part of the National Child Rights Research Fellowship (NCRRF). The researcher conducted a study to assess the nutritional intake, dietary pattern, and health outcomes among adolescent girls in suburban areas of Chennai. The researcher used the cross-sectional descriptive design to assess the nutritional outcomes among the adolescent girls, who were in the age group of 10-18 years from the four suburban areas. The total sample size for the study was 200 and the duration of the study was one year. The data collection instrument has two sections: Socio-demographic data and 24 hours recall method. The majority of the adolescent girls take deficit amount of protein 96 (48.0%), iron 198 (99.0%), calcium 195 (97.5%) and vitamin A 152 (76.0%). The subjects who belong to 16-18 years of age demonstrate excess in calorie 42(50.0%) and fat intake 76 (90.48%), and deficit in protein 40(47.62%), iron (84(100%), calcium 82(97.62%) and vitamin A 65(77.38%). The author concludes the paper by suggesting the recommendations from the individual level to the national level to promote adolescent health.

Keywords: Adolescent girls, nutritional intake, dietary pattern, health outcomes, adolescence, adolescent health

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Social determinants of adolescent girls’ dietary pattern in suburban areas in Chennai: A qualitative approach

Social determinants of adolescent girls’ dietary pattern in suburban areas in Chennai: A qualitative approach

Published in: Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 5(1), 5-11

Abstract

Background: The idea of adolescent well-being is getting importance all around the world and thus there is a lack of national investigations to survey the factors on the dietary pattern of young girls in suburban regions. 

Aim: The objective of the study is to explore the social determinants of adolescent girls’ dietary patterns in suburban areas of Chennai. 

Design: The phenomenological design was used to explore the social determinants of adolescent girl’s nutritional intake. The study population consisted of adolescent girls, who were in the age group of 15-18 years in suburban areas of Chennai. The tool had two sections: Areas of exploration and indicative questions. The total sample size was 19 with three focus group discussions (FGDs). Thematic analysis was used to explore social determinants. 

Results: The four main categories were identified from the adolescent girl’s point of view in terms of social determinants. It consisted of father and mother (as individual determinants), family (merged determinants of father and mother) and related society. The major themes were knowledge and interest in cooking, tiredness, and lack of time of mother, alcoholism, ill health of a family member, the purchasing power of the family, friends circle, agriculture, seasonal variation, and urbanization.

Conclusion: Closing the gaps, both in research and inaction, would profit the society in general, resulting in enhanced wellbeing and health of adolescent girls and help in harnessing their full physical and mental potential for the overall improvement of the population.

Keywords: Adolescent girls, dietary pattern, phenomenology, qualitative approach, social determinants, suburban areas 

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Why have I been touched badly? A 22 years follow-up research study on factors influencing child sex abuse and solutions to stop it.

Why have I been touched badly? A 22 years follow-up research study on factors influencing child sex abuse and solutions to stop it.

Published in: Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2019; 9(1):09-16

Abstract

The technology and democracy have helped us to forward the world fastly, without giving an ultimate solution to many social problems which makes the lives nightmare. Among these, the incidence of child sex abuse has become an unresolved issue and is increasing dramatically nowadays. The author has conducted a 22-years prospective and inquisitive search to explore the factors influencing the sex abuse from offender’s and victim/target’s point of view and to find a solution to eradicate this crime towards children. The researcher has selected a personalized cum case study qualitative approach to explore the factors and solution, introduced the paper with a title of ‘Why have I been touched badly’? and masked the title of the study, statement of the problem, research questions, inclusion and exclusion criteria purposefully to ensure confidentiality, anonymity and trust of the participants at cent percent as it is a highly sensitive issue in the society. The researcher has used triangulation method to evolve results bias-free. The researcher has used diary notes, discussions, observations and case studies. It is seen that there are 11 factors contributing to infant sex abuse, 9 & 6 factors for preschooler and schooler sex abuse respectively. The current research identified 6 phases of child sex abuse; observation phase, introduction phase, Samaritan phase, isolation phase, execution phase and termination phase. The existing body of literature regarding this issue is very limited. The researcher decided to discuss the evolved facts with reported cases of child sex abuse and studied on ‘how could it have been prevented?’ The researcher randomly picked five recent reported cases by media with the detailed explanation of the situational factors except the case study VI, which the researcher has purposefully selected this incident to justify the suggested solution to eradicate the child sex abuse in the society. The researcher concludes the paper with a request for revising POCSO act based on the results of the study, thus hopefully be able to stop the child sex abuse forever.

Keywords: Child sex abuse, Pocso act, bad touch, sex offenders, sex abuse victims, a solution to sex abuse

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Job Satisfaction among Community Health Nurses

Job Satisfaction among Community Health Nurses

Abstract

Introduction: The job dissatisfaction leads to critical shortage of man power in health care in many countries and the employee turn over is increasing day by day in public health sector. There are some other factors such as gender discrimination, Job dissatisfaction, exploitation of women employees as they are the majority, low basic pay, poor working conditions, work load, extended working hours etc increase the rate job dissatisfaction. Keeping these issues in mind, the investigators conducted a study to assess the job dissatisfaction among community health nurses in community health nursing department, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: A quantitative approach using descriptive design was used to assess the job satisfaction among community health nurses. The study population consist of 30 community health nurses who are working in Community Health Nursing Department. The tool consisted of demographic data and 20 items which covers the dimensions of nature of job and salary. The descriptive and inferential statistics was used to assess the association between two variables. Results: It is showed that the majority of the community health nurses 66.7% were less than 25 years of age. Among them, 96.7% of the community health nurses were females and 3.3% of them were males. It is showed that 86.7% of the community health nurses are satisfied with their work and 66.7% of them are satisfied with their payment. It is reported that 93.3% of them are satisfied with the quality of professional life with the patients in the community. There is no significant association between the job satisfaction and socio demographic variables of community health nurses in the present study. Conclusion: This study results helps the nurse administrators to focus on determinants of job satisfaction which helps to improve organizational structure, enhance job satisfaction, retain and attract the public health nurse workforce to deliver health care services in the community. 

Keywords: Job satisfaction, public health nurse, community health nurse, job security.
Cite: Ponnambily Jobin, Vathsala Sadan. Job Satisfaction among Community Health Nurses. Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management. 2017; 5(3): 191-194. 

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Social burden of alcoholism among the wives of alcoholics in tribal area

Social burden of alcoholism among the wives of alcoholics in tribal area

Published in TNNMC Journal of community Health Nursing

ABSTRACT

The paper explores the social burden among wives of alcoholics in a tribal area, Tamil Nadu, India. A qualitative approach using cross sectional phenomological design was selected.Three focus groups were conducted on consecutive days of the same week with 10, 8 and 10 participants.The analysis of the focus group discussion was done by coding the key words and grouping them under various themes and sub themes. The results showed that alcohol is a social burden in families and communities. It is reported that young age, lack of proper education, child labor, peer pressure, family history and accessibility of the alcohol are the contributing factors of the alcoholism. It is showed that financial problems, not able to educate their children, loss of peace in the family and women harassment are the effects of alcoholism on family. The participants suggested preventive measures for reducing social burden on alcoholism are banning child labor, proper education, enforcing strict laws and closing of alcohol shops.
Key words: Social burden, alcoholism, burden on wives of alcoholics and alcoholism in tribal area
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Assessment of occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among quarry workers at work places in India

Assessment of occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among quarry workers at work places in India

Published in International Journal of Nursing Education and Research

ABSTRACT

Introduction: As quarry site is the dangerous place to work in and quarry workers are more likely to be killed in accidents at any time. Therefore, the investigators tried to assess the occupational safety, hazards and related health problems among the quarry workers at work places in India.

Methodology: A cross sectional survey approach was used. The study was conducted in two quarry work sites in Vellore district. The study population consisted of all 72 quarry workers, who worked in the two quarry sites and the investigators selected the subjects by using convenient sampling method. The check list consisted of demographic data and 30 items, which covers the dimensions of occupational safety, hazards and  related health problems among the quarry workers. Data collection was done for a period of two weeks. 

Results: It was showed that the majority of the quarry workers 52.8% were between the age group of 18-45 years. Among them, 76.3%  of the quarry workers were males and 23.7% of them were females. It was observed that none of them were using any of the personal protective equipments, fist aid boxes were not available and there was no ambulance facility available with in 10 kms of diameter. The quarry workers were not covered under any health insurance schemes and were not trained for quarry work such as machine operation, first aid treatment and safety measures. The majority of the workers had frequent respiratory tract infection(88.8%), back ache (65.2%), joint pain (48.8%) and sinusitis (26.3%). Regarding vision and hearing acuity, 12.5% of them had reduced visual acuity and 15.3% of them had negative Weber and Rinne test too.

Conclusion: The study results make an urgent call on authority for job redesigning, scheduling policies, implementation of strict rules and regulations, health protection programmes and insurance schemes for workers who are involved in dangerous work places such as construction sites, quarry, mining and nuclear power plants.

Key words: Quarry, Occupational hazards, Occupational safety, Occupational problems 

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Development and assessment of Adolescent Boys Stress Questionnaire (ABSQ-2015)

Development and assessment of Adolescent Boys Stress Questionnaire (ABSQ-2015)

Published in ICCR-JNR Journal

Abstract:

Aim-The study aim was to develop and assess an instrument to measure stress level among adolescent boys in relation to school, family, personal and social life.

Methods-Before administering the ABSQ-2015 to adolescent boys (N=380), experts from nursing and psychology in research, practice, tool development reviewed it twice, known as two step validation process. Reliability, construct validity assessment such as content, face, contrasting groups and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was done. Out of 26 items, 16 items were selected and loaded as three factors after EFA, deemed to be interpretable and meaningful.

Results-The assessment of ABSQ-2015 supported construct validity (0.93), reliability (0.97) and Factor analysis KMO and Bartlett's Test 0.82 (P<0.01) which is highly significant.

Conclusion-The ABSQ-2015 is found to useful psychologically and statistically to elicit the stress level among adolescent boys effectively in relation to various determinants of life.

Keywords – Adolescence, adolescent boys, Research instrument, Standardized tool, Stress questionnaire, developing tool
  

Full PDF_ABSQ-2015 

 

Best Scientific Paper Award 2016

Best Scientific Paper Award

I have presented a scientific paper on "Longitudinal investigation of lived experience among disaster victims of South Indian floods 2015: To develop a Concatenated Disaster Crisis (CDC) model using phenomenographical framework analysis" in an International Conference on disaster risk reduction and role of nurse, conducted by College of Nursing, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India on 17.11.2016 & 18.11.2016. I have received "Best Paper Award" for my presentation. Thank you very much for your help and support.

Best Scientific Paper Award 2016

Best Scientific Paper Award

I have presented a scientific paper on "A qualitative study to explore social burden among the wives of alcoholics in tribal area" in a National Conference, conducted by Sree Balaji College of Nursing, Bharath University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India on 27.06.2016 & 28.06.2016. I have received "Best Paper Award" for my presentation. Thank you very much for your help and support.

National Health Mission

(By Sehmeet singh (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

National Health Mission

National Health Mission (NHM 2012-2017) is an initiative undertaken by the Government of India for the development of under reserved areas. It mainly focuses on universal access to quality oriented and affordable health care services. It consists two sub missions- National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The main components include  Health System Strengthening,Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH & A) , communicable and non communicable diseases in rural and urban areas.

Goals

• Reduce MMR to 1/1000 live-births
• Reduce IMR to 25/1000 live-births
• Reduce TFR to 2.1
• Prevention of anemia in women
• Prevent mortality and morbidity from communicable and non communicable diseases
• Reduce annual incidence and mortality of TB by half
• Reduce incidence of leprosy to zero
• Kala Azar elimination by 2015

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 

It is launched in 2005 and envisages to provide equitable, affordable and quality health care services to rural population. Under NRHM, a special focus gives to Empowered Action Group States as well as North Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. A wide range of determinants of health such as water, sanitiation, education, nutrition, social and gender equality are covered. The community health workers are appointed under the NRHM, named as Accredited Social Health activists (ASHA).

National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) 

NUHM is approved by Government of India on 2013. It envisages to meet the health care needs of urban population, especially slum dwellers and other marginalized groups like rickshaw pullers, street vendors, coolies, street children and construction site workers.

Fight the Fear: Using Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Model (PCSA Model),2015

Fight the Fear: Using Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Model (PCSA Model),2015

(Published in International Journal of Comprehensive Nursing)

Abstract

As the child sexual abuse is wide spread public threat, it is high time to take action to stop the sexual predators. Here, the author attempts to develop and utilize a Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Model (PCSA Model), 2015 to address the issue focusing on levels of prevention. The Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Model (PCSA Model) is a conceptual model, focuses on problem solving domain by using a cross sectional flow chart. The PCSA model divides into three swim lanes named 3As- Assess, Action and Awareness. It helps the health care providers in identifying the victim, refer them for care, protect them, follow up and giving awareness with the multidisciplinary approach through the levels of

primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, to fight the fear of children.

Key words: child neglect, child sexual abuse, conceptual framework, conceptual model, fear of children, prevention model. 

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HEALTH BEHAVIOUR AND LEVEL OF STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENT BOYS

HEALTH BEHAVIOR AND LEVEL OF STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENT BOYS

(Published in journal.sochni 2014)

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The concept of adolescent health is getting importance ahead globally, thus far there is a paucity of national studies to assess the health behaviour and stress level among adolescent boys.

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the health behaviour and stress level among adolescent boys in Vellore city, Tamil Nadu.

Methodology: Descriptive design was used. Using proportionate and purposive sampling technique, 380 subjects studying in 8th, 9th, 10th 11th and 12th grades were selected from the 10 selected schools in Vellore city. The investigator utilized the WHO questionnaire for assessing Health Behaviour and the adolescent stress questionnaire which is developed by the researcher. The content validity of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire tool was 0.93, reliability was 0.97 and Factor analysis KMO and Bartlett's Test 0.82 (P<0.01) which is highly reliable for using the instrument in Indian context (Adolescent Stress Questionnaire 2014).

Results: The adolescent boys were categorized into 10-13, 14-16 and 17-19 years with the distribution of 29.73%, 42.63% and 27.64% respectively. The mean age of the subjects was 14.49±1.46. It was uncovered that 4.7% of the subjects had smoked in their life time and 0.3% of them were currently smokers. Those who have consumed alcohol, majority 17.1% were from upper socio economic families (P=0.05).  Among those who had higher level of stress in regard to family relations, majority of them (54.5%) consumed alcohol (P=0.04). Regarding the safety behaviour, the subjects from upper socioeconomic status (76.3%) were not practising safety behaviour on the roads as compared to the subjects from lower socio economic status (P=0.002). 

Conclusion: The findings suggest an urgent call for implementing the life skill education programme in schools to develop and nurture the adaptive health behaviour among adolescent boys and to cope with stress, which paves the way for moulding a healthier workforce in coming days.

Key words: Health behaviour, stress, smoking, alcoholism, physical activity and adolescent boys.

Adolescent Health Behavior and Stress Level (Full PDF)

Adolescent Stress Questionnaire 2014

Sahli's Acid Hematin Method

Sahli's Acid Hematin Method

Principle- The hydrochloric acid in the acid hematin solution converts the hemoglobin into acid hematin and the value is determined by matching with the color comparator

Article needed are:

• Pipette, marked at the 20 mm level
• Stirring rod
• Color comparator
• 0.1N Hydrochloric Acid Solution- Add 1 ml of concentrated HCL to 99 ml of distilled water
• Graduated tube with scale on two sides, percentage scale reads from 0 to 170 and gram scale reads from 0 to 24.
• Distilled water

Procedure

1. Pour 5 drops of 0.1N HCL solution in graduated tube.
2. Wear gloves and aspirate the blood from the finger tip with pipette up to 20 mm mark .
3. Pour blood into graduated tube and note the time.
4. Shake the tube well and add distilled water drop by drop until the color of the solution matches the color comparator. Stir it well using stirring rod.
5. After five minutes, read the result from the scale by noting the lower edge of the meniscus.
6. Finding are reported in gm per 100 ml of whole blood

Normal Values

Male- 14-16 gm/ 100 ml of whole blood

Female- 12-14 gm/100 ml of whole blood

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

(Image by Rama (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

It is an emergency procedure in cardiac arrest to maintain the blood flow to the brain and vital organs by compressing chest manually in an unconscious patient with no pulse and no breathing or abnormal breathing such as agonal gasping.

During CPR in an emergency, one has to focus on critical concepts such as

• push hard and fast
• allow maximum chest recoil during compression
• compression a rate of at least 100/min 
• should not interrupt compression often or for long

Follow these steps to perform chest compression:

• Ensure the scene is safe
• Rescuers should wear gloves 
• Keep the patient in supine position and on a flat and firm surface
• Remove the clothes from the chest of the patient
• Keep the heel of the one hand on the middle and center of the chest and place the other hand on the top of it with fingers intertwined ( draw an imaginary line between the nipples)
• Push hard and fast and count it loudly

Depth of the compression is

• For adults- 2 inch/ 5 cm
• For children-2 inch/ 5 cm
• For infants- 1.5 inch/ 4 cm

Facts to be considered:

• If the rescuer's hands and wrists are arthritic, keep one hand on the chest and grasp the wrist of the hand with the other hand to support it for deep chest compression. This technique may be useful to push hard and fast.

World AIDS Day- 01/12/2014

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed on 01 December in every year, is one of the official public health campaigns, initiated by World Health Organization. All over the world including government organizations, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations observe the day, giving importance to raise the awareness against prevention and control of AIDS pandemic, which is caused by HIV virus.

The facts of HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the body's immune system and higher the chance of getting secondary infection. This virus is transmitted mainly through sexual contact without a condom and by sharing infected needles or equipment. This is the fact that 90% of people are getting infected through the unprotected sexual contact. No one could develop vaccine yet, thus, no cure for HIV.

The main aim of observing World AIDS Day is to create awareness regarding route of transmission, prevention and control measures including use of condoms and disposable syringes.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2014 is closing the gap between prevention and treatment. To achieve 'Zero HIV case' in 2030, we have to close the gap between the people who have access to HIV prevention and treatment and who haven't.

Ebola Virus Disease

(Image by See Source [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons)

Ebola Virus Disease

Since the past two decades, the world has been experiencing the outbreaks of viral diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Bird flu and Swine flu. Now, we are experiencing the outbreak of Ebola virus.

The Ebola virus disease or Ebola, is a disease caused by Ebola virus in humans and other primates. It was firstly identified in 1976 in two different outbreaks- one in Sudan and the other in Zaire.The main factors contributing for an outbreak is, human activities like changes in land use, urbanization, high density population in cities, climate change and under utilization of health care systems.

The incubation period is 2-20 days.The Ebola infection shows a sudden onset of the disease resulting fever, chills and malaise. Later it progresses to vomiting, diarrhea and hemorrhagic conditions at its peak.Finally, it results in uncontrolled bleeding, shock, convulsions and severe metabolic disorders. The death of the victim usually occurs within about two weeks.

The African Fruit Bat is considered to be the natural host for the Ebola viruses as well as the major sources of human infection.It can be spread through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, urine, saliva, semen and indirect contact with environment contaminated with fluids. It does not spread through air.

Currently no drug or vaccine can cure this disease. So, it is very important to focus on reduce the risk of wildlife to human transmission and human to human transmission. The outbreak containment measures are safe burial of infected people,quarantine measures for 21 days, maintain clean environment and practice hygienic measures.

Sure, this outbreak will subside one day, though only after consuming many lives.  At the same time, when it reappears, the world will be ready with high tech weapons to fight it...hopefully...

World Diabetes Day- 14 November

(Image by International Diabetes Foundation [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

World Diabetes Day- 14 November 2014

It is a primary global awareness campaign for diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November of each year. It was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in 1991. The day marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who discovered insulin in 1922.

Each year, it focuses on a theme related to diabetes mellitus. Themes in the past were diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle and the cost of diabetes. Recent themes include 

• 2007-2008: Diabetes in children and adolescents
• 2009-2013: Diabetes education and prevention
• 2014-2016: Healthy living and diabetes

The World Diabetes Day Logo

The circle symbolizes life and health. The color 'blue' represents sky that unites all nations. The blue circle signifies the unity of the diabetes community world wide in response to the diabetic pandemic.

Activities

Activities include health camp, free screening, public information meeting, poster presentation, workshop, newspaper article, walk, run, cycle race, quiz program, debate session, diabetic diet exhibition, public health education program, puppet show, radio and television programs.

To conclude,

World Diabetes Day 2014

Rokitansky syndrome

I am very glad to say that a woman's dream come true. In October 2014, it was reported that a 36 years old Swedish woman, who was diagnosed with Rokitansky Syndrome and was undergone womb transplant, gave birth to a healthy baby.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome is a disorder that affects female reproductive system. It is a congenital malformation, characterized by a failure of development of mullerian duct, resulting in underdevelopment of uterus and vaginal hypoplasia.

It may be associated with other malformations such as renal agenesis, ectopia of kidneys and cardiac anomalies.

Signs and Symptoms

• Primary Amenorrhea

• Infertility

• Difficulty with sexual intercourse

• History of recurrent urinary tract infection

Management

Goal: To provide the patient with an unscarred vagina

• Perineal dilation

• Vaginal reconstruction by Mclndoe technique with skin graft

• William's vaginoplasty with vulval flap

• Intestinal neovagina uses an isolated segment of bowel

• Uterus transplantation

In conclusion, the risk for transmission of the disease can not be predicted, as the genetics of the MRKH Syndrome is very little known currently.

World Geriatric Day- 1st October 2014

World Geriatric Day

'Let us join together to active and healthy aging for Elderly Persons'

 

Elderly care is the fulfillment of demands and needs by them. It encompasses wide range of services such as assisted living, home care, adult day care and hospice. The most important part of elderly care is to love them and keep them active.
There are different ways to keep them active:

• do different forms of physical activity every day
• more aerobic exercises
• pursue hobbies
• take part in social activities
• have balanced diet
• shift to vegetarian food including more fruits and vegetables
• have good sleep
• pay attention to foot care
• use assistive devices if needed
• regular medical check ups
• take medicines according to physician's prescription

Taking care of them is a part of our tradition and culture......yes....let us care for our elders....

World heart day-2014

World Heart Day

World heart day -2014

                     ‘Creating heart healthy environment’
World heart day, which dates back to 2000, is an annual global awareness day, its objective to create awareness among people around the globe that the heart diseases and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year.

The theme of world heart day focuses on an environment in which we live, work and play should not increase our risk of cardio vascular diseases. The environment factors such as air pollution, water pollution, availability of healthy foods and mental environment at place of work play a vital role in contributing cardio vascular diseases.

Talking about pollution, smoking including passive smoking create accelerated rate of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Staying in crowded places where hygiene of air and water is poor, the risk of infectious diseases is very high and this can lead to rheumatic heart diseases.

About availability of healthy foods, one should focuse on low carbohydrate, low fat and high protein rich foods including fresh fruits and vegetables. It is very essential to stress on low salt intake, as World Health Organization targets a 30% reduction in salt intake worldwide by 2025.

But, environment is not restricted to just the physical environment, it also covers mental environment including place of work, the pressure to perform, long working hours and skipping meals etc.