Thematic Area: Health & Hygiene
Project Guides: Dr. Arun Menon, Department of Endocrinology, and Dr. Aswathy S., Department of Community Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center
International Partner: Mathilde Puginier, EPFL, Switzerland
Amrita Partner: Department of Endocrinology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Department of Community Medicine, Department of Microbiology, and Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center
Village: Njarakkal, Kerala
Project Duration: 3 months
Identified Challenge & Aim:
There has long been speculation about the association between diabetes and TB – is diabetes associated with active TB, is diabetes associated with a favorable TB treatment outcome, does screening for diabetes in TB patients lead to an increase in detecting diabetes?
This project seeks to understand such associations in rural populations.
The Study/Innovation:
The main idea of the project was to analyse the following parameters: presence of diabetes, duration of diabetes, current and previous treatment for diabetes, medications given for TB, response to treatment, and time to treatment completion. To address these parameters, data was collected from the Department of Endocrinology, Department of Community Medicine, Department of Microbiology, and the Department of Pulmonary Medicine. This was followed by a visit to the Njarakal Community Health Center to understand the role and importance of local rural healthcare bodies and the overall rural healthcare system in Kerala. There were also several meetings with a gereatirc SHG to understand commonly faced health challenges, a visit to the immunization clinic to understand current immunization practices, interaction with doctors in Njarakkal to understand the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP), and participation in medical camps for diabetic patients. Field work was wrapped up with a house-to-house visit to identify and assess correlations between diabetes and TB within the selected rural population.
Addresses Sustainable Development Goals:
