Natl Med J India
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Cryptosporidium spp. are a major cause of diarrhoea in developing countries mainly affecting children and HIV-infected individuals with low CD4 counts. The infection is self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, but can be severe and persistent in the immunocompromised and malnourished. Treatment is less than optimal and no vaccine is currently available. ⋯ Using these methods, the common cryptosporidial species reported to affect both HIV-infected adults and children in India are C. hominis and C. parvum. With easier access to antiretroviral therapy for Indian patients with HIV, the effect on the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and aetiology of HIV-related diarrhoea remains to be seen. Therefore, data from different parts of India form a necessary baseline against which the effect of antiretroviral therapy can be evaluated.
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The adverse effects of tobacco use on the health of an individual are well known. It is essential to identify factors leading to tobacco use to plan strategies to limit its use. Education is known to influence the prevalence of tobacco use. We aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use in a rural community with a high literacy rate and to examine the socioeconomic and demographic correlates of tobacco consumption in the area. ⋯ Our findings in this rural community suggest that improvement in the educational and socioeconomic status may lead to a decline in the use of tobacco. Health education to improve dental hygiene may also help to reduce tobacco use in this community as it is predominantly used in the chewing form.