Papers by Sree Tirukkovalluri
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 2020
Context: In spite of the high burden of tobacco consumption among migrants, disparities in the aw... more Context: In spite of the high burden of tobacco consumption among migrants, disparities in the awareness of tobacco-related harms, health-seeking behaviors, and intention to switch to lower risk alternatives remain understudied area. Aims: Assess the social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services among migrant construction workers in urban Chennai, India. Settings and Designs: A community-based, cross-sectional study design. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire adapted from GATS survey was used among migrants working across 13 construction sites of Chennai during May–September 2019. A counseling session was provided for the migrant workers who were willing to quit. Statistical Analysis Used: Data entered in MS Excel was analyzed using SPSS and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: Among 345 migrants, 338 (98%) were currently using tobacco and smokeless tobacco (57.4%) consumers. In spite of awareness (84.6%) about tobacco ill-effects on health, only 48% care providers enquired of the tobacco use in the previous one year. Pictorial health warnings were seen by 315 migrants (91.3%) in the past one month, but only 110 migrants (34.9%) considered quitting. The majority (341 migrants, 98.4%) have not heard of the lower risk alternatives such as nicotine gums and lozenges and only 89 migrants (26.33%) agreed to try lower risk alternatives for tobacco on trial basis. Migrant construction workers who were using tobacco less than 5 years (P = 0.001) were more likely to try lower risk alternatives. Conclusions: Reappraising social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services to migrant construction workers may be a promising strategy to reduce health harms of tobacco intake.
Indian Journal of Community Health
Background: Social isolation is identified as a state in which individuals lack a sense of belong... more Background: Social isolation is identified as a state in which individuals lack a sense of belonging, true engagement with immediate family, friends, peers in the form of fulfilling relationships. The subjective form ‘perceived social isolation’(PSI) arises from a feeling of lack of engagement with above is linked to adverse physical and mental conditions. Aim & Objectives: To assess the factors associated with social medial use and levels of perceived social isolation among study subjects. Materials & Methods: PSI was assessed by using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) which was adapted in this study and the scores and grades from PROMIS-4 were classified as: low PSI: 4-6, medium PSI: 7-10, high PSI: 11 and above. Results: PSI was significantly higher among the subjects using social media for than two hours per day. In our study the association between gender, time spent on social media on daily basis, year of studying and PSI scores was found to be...
in secondary and matriculation schools in sub-urban parts of Rathinamangalam, Kancheepuram Distri... more in secondary and matriculation schools in sub-urban parts of Rathinamangalam, Kancheepuram District. A total of 1540 students were randomly selected from six schools in the study area and purposive sampling of adolescents is done for the operational feasibility. Blood pressure readings along with socio-demographic and life-style characteristics were recorded using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: Among 1540 students, the prevalence of hypertension (>95 percentile distribution per age and gender) among male adolescents in this study is 1.9% and 1.72% among female adolescents. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension (>95 percentile distribution per age and gender) among males is 0.71% when compared with 0.28% in females. Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension is found to be less but life style factors, which can have negative effect on blood pressure, are highly prevalent. Preventive efforts should target school attending adolescents to promote healthy life styles habits.
Background: People Living with HIV (PLHIV) experiencing stigma when accessing care will diminish ... more Background: People Living with HIV (PLHIV) experiencing stigma when accessing care will diminish their confidence in the healthcare system and may adversely affect the efforts for the prevention and halting of the HIV epidemic. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perceived practices (KAP) towards stigma of PLHIV among clinical undergraduates of a private medical college in South India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study on clinical undergraduates aged between 18-20 years was undertaken in 2013 to evaluate the KAPs. The study sample of 200 was selected using purposive sampling method and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 19 years. The definition of stigma as per UNAIDS was correctly identified by 43% and concept of QQR-quality of virus, quantity of virus and route of transmission as determinants of acquiring HIV infection by only 17% of participants. Thirty-three percentage of participants mentioned fear of contagion and lack of correct knowledge about HIV transmission risks, judgmental behaviors and myths and misconceptions-17% each among health care workers (HCW) as the reasons for stigma towards PLHIV in healthcare settings. Participants stated provision of separate beds and wards-93%, mandatory HIV testing without consent for surgeries-68%, and 7% expressed they would be ashamed to be identified as HIV care providers. Conclusions: Clinical undergraduates demonstrated very poor knowledge and alarming negative attitudes about stigma towards PLHIV in healthcare settings. Educational programs are to be included urgently in the medical curriculum to promote non-stigmatizing attitudes towards PLHIV in healthcare settings.
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Papers by Sree Tirukkovalluri