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Context: Information on the pattern of mortality among alcohol users is important for advocacy and planning. The proportion of deaths attributed to alcohol is often underestimated. Aim: We determined the risk of mortality among alcohol using adult males compared with adult male nonalcohol users. Settings and Design: Cohort study was conducted in the population registry of lifestyle diseases cohort in a rural block in Kerala, India. Materials and Methods: During 2002-2007, trained fi eld workers conducted interviews, and underlying cause of death was coded by local physicians trained in verbal autopsy. Statistical Analysis: Risk ratios of death among men using alcohol and not using alcohol were calculated. Risk ratio of alcohol for various causes of mortality across various age groups was also determined. Log-rank test was done to compare the mortality of adult men using and not using alcohol. Results: Risk ratios of all-cause mortality in alcoholic men were 1.87 (1.45, 2.4) in 20-44 age group, 1.3 (1.07, 1.57) for 45-59 age group. Relative risks of alcohol use status for coronary heart disease mortality were 2.91 (1.67, 5.05) among 20-44 years and 1.49 (1.09, 2.03) among 45-59 years. Conclusion: Young and middle-aged male alcohol users (20-59 years) showed signifi cantly increased risk ratio of death. Alcohol users have a higher risk of coronary artery disease mortality and mortality from injuries. The results support a restrictive alcohol policy and screening for coronary artery disease in men using alcohol seeking care in treatment facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two epidemics of chikungunya fever were reported from Kerala in 2006 and 2007. We aimed to investigate the environmental factors of households affected by chikungunya fever and to estimate the proportion of population that suffered from the disease during the epidemic in 2007., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the 5 heavily affected districts of Kerala during October-November 2007. The 2-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 10 clusters, each having 18 houses from every district, by interviewing the subjects using a structured questionnaire. The sample size was 900., Results: The proportion of the population affected by chikungunya fever was 57.1% (95% CI: 52.8%-61.4%). There was a significant association between location of houses and disease status. Houses located near a public conveyance facility (within 250 m) were relatively protected from the disease (OR 0.19 [0.06-0.60]). About 69% of the households perceived mosquito infestation as a problem and 46.6% used fumes to avoid mosquitoes. More than 42% of households were not using any anti-mosquito measures at the time of the survey. Stored drinking water was the most common potential breeding source in the houses (23.5%). Households which did not store water inside were protected from the disease (OR 0.22 [0.08-0.65])., Conclusion: The study indicated the persistence of favourable domestic and environmental factors after the epidemic, reflecting the necessity to strengthen anti-mosquito campaigns.