1. Original Scientific Paper
Abstract

Aims: The present study was aimed to find out percentage of arsenic affected population of three villages of Gaighata, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, a severe Arsenicosis affected area and to compare different anthropometric indicators (especially health and nutritional anthropometry) of Arsenicosis affected population with non-affected groups. Methods: The study participants consisted of randomly selected 87 Male and 90 Female aged between 18 and 60 years belonging to the Arsenicosis affected families in Gaighata block of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. All
Anthropometric measurements were obtained by using standard Anthropometric techniques and Blood Pressure had also been taken to reveal out the consequences of health & nutritional status among Arsenicosis affected people after comparing non affected counterpart. Results: It is observed that male are more affected in Arsenicosis than female and the maximum Arsenicosis affected peoples are found between the age of 43 to 57 years. Weight, Body Mass Index, Mid Upper Arm Circumference, Percentage Body Fat, Fat Mass all represents the nutritional status are significantly lower among affected groups except the Fat Free Mass. Arsenicosis also results the hypertension or high blood pressure in affected people. Conclusion: Arsenicosis as a public health problem is a comparatively recent concept, for which effective treatment measures are still not known. The primary ways of prevention are the raising the level of awareness, Identification of the unsafe water sources, methods of removal of arsenic from the arsenic-contaminated water, and development of alternative sources of arsenic-free water.

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