INTRODUCTION:
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. Health is deeply related to lifestyle. Ideal health will however, always remains a mirage, because everything in our life is subject to change. Health may be described as a potentially or the ability of an individual or a social group to modify himself or itself continually I the face of changing condition of life not only function better in the present but also to prepare for the future.
Moreover today increasing emphasis is place on the health, health promotion, wellness and self-care.1
Health is not something that one possesses as a commodity, but connotes rather a way of functioning within one’s environment (work, recreation, and living). The work environment constitutes an important part of men’s total environment, so health to a large extent is affected by work conditions. Through several types of environment exist, it is the physical environment or occupational environment, which plays an important bearing on health.
Occupational environment plays a major role on the health of the exposed. The health hazards get more severe when the duration of exposure increases. Millions of workers spend majority of the working day standing and many hours in static positions. Standing uses 20% more energy than sitting because the human body is not designed to stand continuously at work. Prolonged standing may lead to tiredness, loss of concentrations and increased health risks. These health risk include swelling of feet and legs, feet and joint damage, varicose veins, heart and circulatory disorder, lower back problems and emergency complications. In the present scenario, one of the most important conditions that result from prolonged standing is varicose veins. Severe varicose veins can have an impact on the lives of the people who work on their feet especially the teacher, nursing staffs, flight attendants and dental staff, bar workers, postal workers, construction workers, bank staff and traffic police.2
The traffic police are responsible for maintaining the smooth flow of traffic and stopping offenders in the city or town, while the highway police are responsible for securing the highways and for catching speeding offenders. These personnel have to undergo physical and mental strain in the environment polluted by fumes, exhaust of vehicles, use of blowing horns, blow of dust in the air by a speeding vehicles etc. The personnel also pursue a near sedentary type of work as they only stand at one place for long hours or just walk a few meters, only when necessity arises3. Hence they are more prone to varicose vein. Varicose vein are relatively common, with reported prevalence ranging between 10% and 30% worldwide and it affects 10-20% of population in the western world but in India, it is 5%.
The term “Varicose” is derived from Latin “Varix” (pleural varices) meaning bent. Varicose veins are tortuous, distended and bulging vein (varicosities) beneath the skin of the legs, they are most often swollen, enlarged veins that most frequently occur in the legs, ankles and feet.
Varicose veins are common in the superficial veins of the legs which are subject to high pressure when standing. Accumulation of more and more venous blood in the superficial venous system makes the superficial veins dilated and tortuous. The condition of dilated and tortuous veins in the legs due to damaged value between the deep and superficial venous system is called varicose veins4.
Varicose veins occur when the veins are dilated due to prolonged stress and strain. Veins have one- way valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When these valves fail, bloods begin to collect in the vein rather than continuing to the heart. Varicose veins often affect the legs because they are the far from the heart and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward5
Varicose veins generally appear blue or purple in colour and may seem like they are bulging out of the skin. They are commonly found on the ankles, calves or thighs. Varicose veins are usually not a serious threat but in occasional cases they could be severe and may cause excruciating pain, swelling, heaviness of legs which get worsened at the end of the day. Varicose veins and spider veins often run in families and there may be a hereditary component. Long standing workers are more likely to suffer from the problem even up to 50% of them may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, etc also causes the disease6.
In a few people the high pressure in the veins causes damage to the skin near the ankle. Eczema (a red skin rash) can develop. If these skin changes are allowed to progress, or if the skin is injured, an ulcer may develop7.
Varicose veins originate from leaking valves at groin level or behind the knee. It is important to accurately locate the site of the valve leaks. Diagnosis can be possible with the help of a small probe to assess the veins, this is called continuous wave Doppler. An ultrasound scan (duplex) may be performed which will allow detailed examination of the deep veins8.
Wearing compression stockings all day is often the first approach to try before moving on to other treatments. They steadily squeeze the legs, helping veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. The other treatments include endodermal ablation, radio frequency ablation, endo venous laser treatment, Sclerotherapy and ligation and stripping of the vein9.
As varicose veins cannot be cured, the best course of action is prevention. Some self-care measure that can help in the prevention of varicose veins are avoiding crossing the legs when sitting, exercising regularly, maintain a healthy body weight, avoiding constipation, avoiding tight clothing that constricts the legs, when standing for long periods shifting weight from one leg to the other every few minutes, elevating the legs, eating a high fibre diet, low salt diet, avoiding hard soles shoes, changing sitting or standing position regularly and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting which can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse10.
A 12 year prospective study conducted on Danish population of prolonged standing at work suggested that prolonged standing at work is associated with the development of disease of varicose veins. For employees with jobs that require prolonged standing or walking at work as compared to all other employees, the relative risk was 1.75 for men and 1.82 for women.11
Traffic police are part of our everyday life. He has many duties to perform. He maintains law and order in the country. He is, therefore, called the guardian of law and order. His main duty is to control and regulate the traffic. He generally stands on raised platform and regulates the traffic by making some certain sign with hands. The duty of the traffic policemen is very hard because he has to stand under the scorching sun or in heavy rain for hours together. So the purpose of the study is to motivate the traffic police so that they will make improvements in the way they live, modify risky behaviours and adopt healthy behaviours there by leading a quality life.
MATERIALS AND MEATHODS:
Study Design:
The research design used for the present study was Descriptive Survey.
Setting and Sample:
In present study, 50 traffic police were selected from stations of Hubballi-Dharwad District. Samples were selected through Non-probability; Convenient sampling technique.
Measurement:
The subjects were given Socio-demographic sheet and the structured knowledge questionnaire. This part consists of 40 items for obtaining level of knowledge regarding prevention and management of varicose veins. Each correct answer carries 1 mark and incorrect answer carries 0 mark. The tool was validated by experts in the field of Medical Surgical Nursing and other health care professionals and by the members of research committee of KLES’ Institute of Nursing Sciences, Hubballi. The tool was tested reliability by using Split half Method and applying Karl Person’s Coeffient formula. The reliability of Structured knowledge questionnaire was r=0.80.
Data Collection:
The research investigator had taken formal permission from the Police Commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad District. The investigator introduced himself and explained the purpose of the study written consent was obtained from the participants. The collected data was tabulated and analysed.
Data Analysis:
The data obtained ware analysed in terms of the objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabulation of data in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, median, mode, standard deviation and range to describe the data. Classification of knowledge scores (level of knowledge) were as follows:
·
Good Knowledge =
(
+ SD) and above
·
Average knowledge =
( – SD) to (+ SD)
·
Poor knowledge =(– SD)and below
[Note:
=Mean, SD=
Standard deviation]
RESULTS:
Level of Knowledge score n=50
Graph 1:
The cone graph represents percentage distribution of subjects according to their level of knowledge scores. The level of knowledge has been seen into categories into good, average and poor. 4% had good knowledge, 75% had average knowledge and 18% had poor knowledge.
With regard to statistical association between knowledge scores and selected demographic variable, there was association only between age, education qualification, total service experience, Source of information and history of varicose veins hence H1 was accepted where, there was no association between knowledge scores and other variables such as gender, body weight, duty hours per day, position adopted while on duty. Hence Hypotheses was rejected for above variables.
DISCUSSION:
The present study has been undertaken with the aim to assess the knowledge regarding prevention and management of varicose veins among traffic police in selected police station of Hubballi- Dharwad District.
CONCLUSION:
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. The overall knowledge scores of traffic police regarding prevention and management of varicose veins were average.
2. The results revealed that there was statistical association between Age, educational qualification, total service experience, source of information, history of varicose veins and knowledge scores, whereas, no association was found between the knowledge scores and other selected socio-demographical variables such as gender, body weight, duty hours per day, position adopted while on duty.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Keeping in the view the findings of the present study, the following recommendations were made:
1. This study can be replicated to a larger sample to generalize the findings.
2. A comparative study can be conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding prevention and management of varicose veins among traffic policemen.
3. A prospective study can be conducted regarding prevention and management of varicose veins among traffic policemen.
4. A study can be carried out to assess the effectiveness of a planned teaching programme on prevention and management of varicose veins among traffic policemen.
5. Periodic awareness programme regarding prevention and management of varicose veins traffic police.
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Received on 02.09.2022 Modified on 19.09.2022
Accepted on 08.10.2022 © A&V Publications all right reserved
Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2023; 11(1):11-14.
DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2023.00002