Logaraj M
@medical.srmist.edu.in
Professor of community medicine
SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre
EDUCATION
MD (Community Medicine)
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Infectious Diseases, Geriatrics and Gerontology, Health Informatics
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
S. Kanmani, K. Bincy, and M. Logaraj
Elsevier BV
Muthunarayanan Thahirabanuibrahim, Logaraj and Dr. Thahirabanuibrahim
BACKGROUND: The objective of this interventional study is to investigate the efficacy of health belief model-based health education in screening promotion and improving awareness about cervical cancer prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 370 rural married respondents were selected using a multistage random sampling method. To gather information from study participants before and after the six-month intervention period, the standard questionnaire instrument paired with a health belief model and cervical cancer knowledge assessments was employed. This quasi-experimental study incorporated health belief model-based education for 45 minutes, supplemented by audio-visual, flipchart, and interactive sessions, and regular motivation was given once every three days until the call for mass screening camps, which were held every 15 days. The data was imported into Excel and analyzed using SPSS 21. A paired test for pre- and post-intervention significance and a cross-tab test for association was utilized. At the end of the study, the percentage of all women screened was estimated. RESULTS: The findings revealed that 37.8% of participants were between the ages of 30 and 40, 32.7% had no formal education, and 42% were housewives. The pre-and post-test mean scores for knowledge about cervical cancer and prevention differed, with a mean value difference of 4 for signs of cervical cancer, 24.32 for risk factors, 1.31 for the cervical cancer screening (Pap) test, 1.07 for vaccination, and 0.48 for attitude toward self-assessment of cervical cancer symptoms and attitude toward screening. By the end of the study, 39% of the women had been screened in a mass screening camp and from outside sources. CONCLUSION: The health belief model, therefore, assisted in increasing the required information and addressed the perception regarding screening obstacles, consequently increasing the screening rate, and can thus be implemented as an appropriate strategy for instructing women about cervical cancer screening and prevention.
Manoj P, Logaraj Muthunarayanan, and Kaveri Palanisamy
Medsci Publications
Introduction: Injuries are a major global public health problem. There are very few community-based studies on childhood injury from India in this study, we identified the distribution and risk factors for fall-related child injuries in the Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nādu community. Methodology: A descriptive analysis was done among 710 children of age up to 14 years residing in the Kattankulathur region in Tamil Nādu. The appropriate number of samples were recruited using the cluster sampling method by dividing the subjects into separate clusters and from each cluster 40 samples were obtained. The information on fall-related injury was collected according to mechanism of ‘injury’ Results: The annual incidence of fall-related injuries was 9.1 %. About 72.3% of children had injuries at home and 36% of the persons had fractures in the upper limb. 42% of children had disability in their hands. The age, gender, education and type of family was significant to injury. Conclusion: Our study reported a higher incidence of Fall injuries in Tamil Nādu when compared other studies done in India. Male children are the most common victims of injury and also identified homes, roads/streets as the most common places for the occurrences of fall injury in children.
Leyanna Susan George, Chitra Tomy, Charutha Retnakumar, Uday Narlawar, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Jayasree Krishnan, R. L. Lakshman Rao, Prakash Patel, Anil S. Bilimale, Poornima Baby,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
BackgroundCOVID-19 was declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30th January 2020. Compared to the general population, healthcare workers and their families have been identified to be at a higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the risk factors responsible for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among health workers in different hospital settings and to describe the range of clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection among them.MethodologyA nested case–control study was conducted among healthcare workers who were involved in the care of COVID-19 cases for assessing the risk factors associated with it. To get a holistic perspective, the study was conducted in 19 different hospitals from across 7 states (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan) of India covering the major government and private hospitals that were actively involved in COVID-19 patient care. The study participants who were not vaccinated were enrolled using the incidence density sampling technique from December 2020 to December 2021.ResultsA total of 973 health workers consisting of 345 cases and 628 controls were recruited for the study. The mean age of the participants was observed to be 31.17 ± 8.5 years, with 56.3% of them being females. On multivariate analysis, the factors that were found to be significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 were age of more than 31 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.407 [95% CI 1.53–1.880]; p = 0.021), male gender (aOR 1.342 [95% CI 1.019–1.768]; p = 0.036), practical mode of IPC training on personal protective equipment (aOR 1. 1.935 [95% CI 1.148–3.260]; p = 0.013), direct exposure to COVID-19 patient (aOR 1.413 [95% CI 1.006–1.985]; p = 0.046), presence of diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.895 [95% CI 1.079–7.770]; p = 0.035) and those received prophylactic treatment for COVID-19 in the last 14 days (aOR 1.866 [95% CI 0.201–2.901]; p = 0.006).ConclusionThe study was able to highlight the need for having a separate hospital infection control department that implements IPC programs regularly. The study also emphasizes the need for developing policies that address the occupational hazards faced by health workers.
Sellamuthu Kanmani, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, Russelselvan John, and Mariaselvam Mathew Arumai
Elsevier BV
Tarun Bhatnagar, Sirshendu Chaudhuri, Manickam Ponnaiah, Pragya D Yadav, R Sabarinathan, Rima R Sahay, Faheem Ahmed, S Aswathy, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Anil Bilimale,et al.
Elsevier BV
K. Bincy, M. Logaraj, and V.V. Anantharaman
Elsevier BV
Roshni Mary Peter, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, and Balaji Ramraj
Elsevier BV
K Bincy, Muthunarayan Logaraj, and VV Anatharaman
Medknow
Background: For assessing social networks in the elderly and the social support they receive and to predict social isolation, a proper valid and reliable short-scale screening tool is necessary. The present study aims to estimate the internal consistency and structural validity of the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-18) among community-dwelling Indian older adults. Materials and Methods: We have administered the LSNS-18 scale to 500 older adults (>60 years) and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling for the validation. Cronbach's alpha was done for estimating the internal consistency. Results: The LSNS-18 was easily answerable and the only minimum time is required for administration. CFA identified three domains with six items for each domain that demonstrated a good fit for the older adults with the internal consistency of 0.91. Conclusion: These findings suggest that LSNS-18 may be a valid tool for assessing the social network of the elderly and help to predict the risk for isolation in this vulnerable group.
I. Thahirabanuibrahim and Muthunarayanan Logaraj
Elsevier BV
G.V. Senthilnathan, V.E. Dhandapani, Balaji Ramraj, and Muthunarayanan Logaraj
Elsevier BV
K. Bincy, M. Logaraj, and Balaji Ramraj
Elsevier BV
Balaji Ramraj and Muthunarayanan Logaraj
Elsevier BV
V Senthilnathan, VE Dhandapani, Balaji Ramraj, and Muthunarayanan Logaraj
Africa Health Research Organization
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between thyroid function and coronary artery disease severity. Cardiovascular disease and related mortality has emerged as a major health burden worldwide with atherosclerosis being the major cause. Thyroid dysfunction results in changes in cardiac contractility, cardiac output, myocardial oxygen consumption, systemic vascular resistance, and blood pressure. The relationship between abnormal thyroid function and coronary artery disease has been recognized for a long time, especially in hypothyroidism status due to the associated hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Design/Methods: This is a randomised, double-blinded parallel arm study with a total 300 patients diagnosed coronary artery disease and thyroid dysfunction. Patients were blockrandomised based on third party allocation (1:1).Concealment was done through SNOSE (Sequentially Numbered Opaquely Sealed Envelope) Results: Presence of overt hypothyroidism was significantly more in high risk syntax score 28.1% compared to intermediate risk 17 %. Presence of subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly more in high risk syntax score 18.8% compared to intermediate risk 11.4 %. Presence of euthyroid was significantly higher in low risk 85.6% compared to intermediate risk 71.6% and high risk 53.1 % Conclusions: In the present study showed that the Free T4 was more strongly associated with CAD and severity of atherosclerosis than TSH in the entire study population. We conclude that Overt and Subclinical hypothyroidism patients had more severe Coronary atherosclerosis than Euthyroid study population.
Muthunarayanan Logaraj, Balaji Ramraj, and V Raveenthiran
Africa Health Research Organization
India implemented nationwide lockdown to control COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020 Despite lockdown for 100 days, the incidence of covid-19 does not seem to abate Lockdown induced productivity loss caused severe economic stress In any pandemic, initial lockdown is necessary for every country to ensure preparedness and public awareness India erred in prolonging the initial spell of lockdown During lockdown infected person will spend more time with family members and neighbours thereby infecting all with increase in k-value In the absence of lockdown they may not find so much spare time to spend with his/her family or to visit neighbours with decrease in k-value Although lockdown in India has reduced the rapidity of spread by bringing down R0to 1 27, it was achieved at the cost of prolonging the duration of the epidemic In the absence of adequate herd immunity, lockdown may flatten the curve but area under the curve (AUC) will remain unaltered The idea of lifting the lockdown with an aim of developing herd immunity in 60% of the younger population appears to be promising Reverse quarantine of high-risk population appears to be a cost-effective method of containing the COVID pandemic in resource restricted countries like India
Alex Joseph, RoshniMary Peter, KR John, and M Logaraj
Medknow
Background: Approaching 100 million in number, India has the second largest population of elderly people after China. India's elderly are growing faster than the general population. By the year 2050, the number of elderly population is expected to increase to 323 million. In the geriatric population, fall is the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions. Falls account for 40% of all injury deaths, and the death rates are the highest among 60 years and above in all the regions of the world. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the factors associated with the risk of fall among the elderly of 60 years and older in rural Kattankulathur block. Materials and Methods: The study is a community-based case–control design among the elders in a rural setting. Those who had fallen in the past 12 months were selected as cases, and an equal number of age- and gender-matched controls were selected. Multiple logistic regression was conducted with biological, behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic variables. Results: Of the 747 elderly contacted for the survey, 140 cases and 140 controls each were selected based on self-reported fall in the previous 12 months. The mean age of the participants was 66 with 95% confidence interval (65–67). Individual risk factors for fall were fear of falling (odds ratio [OR] 6.7) and dizziness (OR 4.9). Conclusions: There is now, more than ever, a need to refocus public health priorities for falls prevention in rapidly aging elders in India. This study provides a much-needed information for further investigation into fall and fall-related injury in developing countries like India.
Logaraj M, Sathiyanarayanan S, and Balaji R
Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence of “symptoms not elsewhere classified” under the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification among the female patients attending mobile medical clinics.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 7,124 female patients who attended weekly mobile medical clinics in a rural block in Tamil Nadu. Sociodemographic variables, symptomatology, patient history, and clinical examination details were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire.Results: The five common symptoms affecting the study population were myalgia (18.3%), nasal congestion (13.6%), headache (13.1%), lumbar pain (12.5%), and knee pain (9.3%). The systems commonly affected among the female patients were in the order of general symptoms and signs (R50-R69), circulatory and respiratory systems (R00-R09), and Nervous and Musculoskeletal Systems (R25-R29). In the age group of 10–19 years and 20–39 years, the most common symptom was headache (25.2% and 18.8%, respectively). In the age group of 40–59 years and 60 years and above, it was myalgia (24.2% and 32.3%, respectively).Conclusion: As pain being most common symptoms, an appropriate strategy and guidelines have to be developed to manage the problem of pain at primary care level.
Dinesh John Rajkumar, R. Manikandan, Mohammed Aboobacker Mathuf, Koripella Sree Aakash, Dolly k Pajapath, T. R. Ashok Kumar, S. Sarumathy, and M Logaraj
A and V Publications
M Buvneshkumar, KR John, and M Logaraj
Medknow
Background: Depression among elderly is an important public health problem responsible for considerable morbidity and disability. Causes of depression are multifactorial and often preventable. As there was dearth of community studies in Tamil Nadu, the present study was undertaken. Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and to assess the factors which are associated with depression among elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from July 2014 to July 2015 among elderly in Kattankulathur block with a sample size of 690 by cluster sampling method. House-to-house interview was conducted using a predesigned, pre-tested questionnaire, and depression was assessed using geriatric depression scale-30. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (Trial). The statistical tests used were proportions, Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 35.5% (95% confidence interval: 31.9%–39.0%). Sociodemographic factors such as female sex, nuclear family, being widowed, unemployed status, low socioeconomic status, financially dependent, medical factors such as cardiac disease, visual impairment, arthritis, anemia, life events such as conflicts in family, death of the family member or close relative, and illness of self/family member were significantly associated with depression (P < 0.05). Conclusions: More strength of association for depression was seen with low socioeconomic status, nuclear family, low-intensity work, conflicts in the family, death of family members using multiple logistic regression. These findings show the need for proper care by the family members and counseling for the elderly which are of much importance in preventing depression.
Manikandan R, Nandamuri Sri Sai Sudha, and Logaraj M
Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd
Objective: The present study was conducted to assess the medication adherence among patients with hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus in the urban area of Tamil Nadu and to assess the reasons for non-adherence.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban area of Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled in the study. The patients are diagnosed with HTN and diabetes was included in the study. Morisky medication adherence scale was used to measure adherence among the selected subjects and each patient’s details were regarding non-adherence was noted. The results were tabulated.Results: In our study, the medication adherence of the patients was 84% and the non-adherence patients were 16%. Medication adherence was found to be more in male (58%) when compared with females (42%). In our study, the reasons for non-adherence include high drug cost was more when comparing other factors. In our study, the patients receiving drugs from the medical shop were more comparing with government and private hospitals.Conclusion: A four-fifth of the subjects is adherence to the prescribed medications. The patients having poor medication adherence due to the high cost of the drug and forgot to take use their medication.
Josh Meyers, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, Balaji Ramraj, Padmanesan Narasimhan, and C. Raina MacIntyre
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
We investigated a yearlong varicella zoster virus outbreak in a highly susceptible young adult population at a large university in India. Outbreaks of varicella infection among adults are not well described in the literature. Infection control measures and vaccination policy for this age group and setting are needed.
Kala M, John R, and Logaraj M
Oriental Scientific Publishing Company
India has the highest number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in the world. Community awareness on Tuberculosis in the general population is of foremost importance in combating tuberculosis in india. To assess the level of knowledge about symptoms, mode of transmission, causation, prevention and treatment relating to tuberculosis in a rural population of mamandur. To study the socio demographic factors associated with awareness about pulmonary tuberculosis Community based cross sectional study was conducted at Rural Field Practice Area of SRM at Mamandur in Tamilnadu. A total of 350 persons participated in the study. House to house interview was conducted using a predesigned, standardized semi structured questionnaire. Overall TB knowledge revealed adequate knowledge in 75.7%. There was significant association between the knowledge on TB among study population and the demographic variables of educational status AOR 2.48 (95% CI 1.46 -4.22), marital Status AOR 2.23 (95% CI 1.21-4.10) and Caste AOR 2.22 (95%CI 1.14-4.34) respectively. Nearly 2/3 of the population have adequate knowledge on tuberculosis. Factors like educational status, marital status and caste were significant association with inadequate knowledge on TB.
Ramraj Balaji, Muthunarayanan Logaraj, and Kamala Russel John
SynthesisHub Advance Scientific Research
Background: In India, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death among both males and females and in urban as well as rural areas. Studies indicate that the risk of adverse health outcome increases with more number of unhealthy behaviors and moreover the behavioral risk factors often manifest themselves in specific pattern of combinations. Objectives: To study the pattern of clustering or combination of CVD risk factors in the study population and their associated factors. Results: In this study, 544 adults over the age of 20 years were included. Among them, 211(38.8%, 95%CI 32.3- 45.3)) had none of the risk factors for CVD, 215(39.5%, 95%CI 33.0%-46.0%) had single risk factors and 118(21.7%, 95%CI 14.3-29.1) had clustering of CVD risk factors. The overall clustering of CVD risk factors was higher for adults over the age of 40 years (78.0%) compared to adults less than 40 years (22%) and this difference was found statistically significant (p=0.01). The overall prevalence of clustering was higher among men [29.5%, 95%CI 22.2%-36.8%] than women [18.7%, 95%CI 14.8%-22.6%]. Age, male gender, alcoholism, physical inactivity, family income, educational status and occupation were positively associated with clustering of CVD risk factors. Conclusion: A sound community based comprehensive behavioral and life style intervention approach should be established to reduce the modifiable risk factors of CVD. In addition we should design a strategy to incorporate primordial prevention in the school education such as advocating healthy lifestyle (dietary habits, importance of exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol etc). Key words: Clustering, Cardiovascular diseases, Risk factors, Rural population, Prevalence.