A cross sectional study on quitting behavior of tobacco use among rural population in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Background: Nearly 275 million adults use tobacco in India, which contributes substantially to potentially preventable morbidity and mortality. Awareness towards tobacco is increasing steadily but its role towards cessation is questionable. There is little evidence available about quitting behavior in the Uttarakhand region. Aims & Objectives: To assess the quitting behavior among current tobacco users in a rural population of Dehradun. Material and Methods: The study was cross sectional in nature carried out among 993 current tobacco users aged 10 years and above in the field practice area and quitting behavior was assessed using a pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Result: Of the 993 Current tobacco users, 38% and 40% of the current smokers and current smokeless tobacco users respectively had attempted to quit smoking and smokeless tobacco use in the past 12 months. 54.3% of the smokers wanted to quit smoking with majority of male smokers (56.3%) willing to quit smoking compared to only 40.5% of female smokers. 36.0% of the smokeless tobacco users wanted to quit smokeless tobacco use where in contrast more female smokeless tobacco users (39.3%) wanted to quit smokeless tobacco compared to 33.3% of males. Conclusion: Previous quit attempts were found to be more among males compared to females. The desire to quit smoking tobacco was also found to be more among males as compared to female smokers. More females showed desire to quit smokeless tobacco compared to males.  &nbsp

Social Support, Inflammation, and Depressive Symptoms among Cancer Survivors and Older Adults: Testing Direct and Mediation Effects

Background: There are two leading hypotheses that explain how social networks influence chronic diseases, such as depression. The “main effects hypothesis” describes a direct relationship between social support and depressive symptoms. The “stress- buffering hypothesis” posits that inadequate social support and life events increase the risk of disease outcomes. Insufficient social support is believed to be expressed through physiological changes (e.g., inflammation) that lead to the development of depression and other chronic conditions. The objective of this study was to empirically test these two leading hypotheses among cancer survivors and older adults without cancer and to explore the intermediate pathways between social support, chronic inflammation, and depressive symptoms.Method: A secondary analysis of two waves of data (2005-2011) from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) was used to test the hypotheses of interest (n=698). Depressive symptoms were measured with the 11-item Iowa version of the CES-D. Inflammation was measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Social support was assessed with six items measuring emotional and tangible support. Structural equation models were used to assess direct and indirect paths between social support, inflammation, and depressive symptoms.Results: Cancer survivors and older adults without a history of cancer were similar in terms of their depressive symptoms, inflammatory levels and social support over time. A significant negative direct effect was observed between the total amount of social support in Wave 2 (W2) and depressive symptoms in W2 (p=0.01). No differences between cancer survivors and older adults without cancer were observed in path models and no indirect paths between social support, inflammation, and depressive symptoms were statistically significant in either group.Discussion: The results support the main effects hypothesis, whereby social networks directly influence depressive symptoms. Clinicians should consider screening for social support to prevent or reduce depressive symptomatology

Assessment of nutritional status among adolescents: a hospital based cross sectional study

Background:Adolescence, a period of transition between childhood and adulthood, occupies a crucial position in the life of human beings. The primary causes of under nutrition in India are its large population, socio-economic differences and inadequate access to health facilities. Nutritional assessments among adolescents are important as they are the future parents and constitute a potentially susceptible group. Studies on the assessment of nutritional status of adolescents are less in number and a National database has not yet been developed.Methods:The present hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in year 2013 among 344 rural adolescents of 10-19 years age (166 boys and 178 girls) attending the outpatient department at rural health training centre (RHTC) Dhaura Tanda, district Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the Muslim and Hindu caste communities. The nutritional status was assessed in terms of under nutrition (weight-for-age below 3rd percentile), stunting (Height-for-age below 3rd percentile) and thinness (BMI-for-age below 5th percentile). Diseases were accepted as such as diagnosed by pediatrician, skin specialist and medical officer.Results:The prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness were found to be 32.8%, 19.5% and 26.7% respectively. The maximum prevalence of malnutrition was observed among early adolescents (28%-47%) and the most common morbidities were URTI (38.6%), diarrhea (16.8%), carbuncle / furuncle (16%) and scabies (9.30%).Conclusion:The study concluded that the most common morbidities among adolescents were related to nutrition and personal hygiene. Regular health programmes should focus to educate and promote health among adolescent.

Impact of Abusive Supervision on Organizational Citizenship Behavior with the Mediating Role of Organizational Justice: A Study of Individuals Working in Private Sector Firms of Pakistan

This study examines the result of the effect of Abusive Supervision (AB) on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) with the mediating role of Organizational Justice (OJ). Data were collected from individuals working in the private sector firms of Pakistan. A total of 275 questionnaires were distributed among respondents. To test the proposed hypotheses, the technique of structural equation modeling was used. AMOS-22 was used for the analysis and the results affirmed the direct and indirect effects of the Abusive supervision on the Organizational Citizenship Behavior along with the significant effect of partial mediation. It is evident from the results that perceived organizational justice strongly mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, this study furnishes several future directions for academic scholars and practitioners

Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone with or without enzalutamide for patients with metastatic prostate cancer starting androgen deprivation therapy: final results from two randomised phase 3 trials of the STAMPEDE platform protocol

Background: Abiraterone acetate plus prednisolone (herein referred to as abiraterone) or enzalutamide added at the start of androgen deprivation therapy improves outcomes for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Here, we aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes and test whether combining enzalutamide with abiraterone and androgen deprivation therapy improves survival. Methods: We analysed two open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trials of the STAMPEDE platform protocol, with no overlapping controls, conducted at 117 sites in the UK and Switzerland. Eligible patients (no age restriction) had metastatic, histologically-confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma; a WHO performance status of 0–2; and adequate haematological, renal, and liver function. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computerised algorithm and a minimisation technique to either standard of care (androgen deprivation therapy; docetaxel 75 mg/m2 intravenously for six cycles with prednisolone 10 mg orally once per day allowed from Dec 17, 2015) or standard of care plus abiraterone acetate 1000 mg and prednisolone 5 mg (in the abiraterone trial) orally or abiraterone acetate and prednisolone plus enzalutamide 160 mg orally once a day (in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial). Patients were stratified by centre, age, WHO performance status, type of androgen deprivation therapy, use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pelvic nodal status, planned radiotherapy, and planned docetaxel use. The primary outcome was overall survival assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in all patients who started treatment. A fixed-effects meta-analysis of individual patient data was used to compare differences in survival between the two trials. STAMPEDE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00268476) and ISRCTN (ISRCTN78818544). Findings: Between Nov 15, 2011, and Jan 17, 2014, 1003 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care (n=502) or standard of care plus abiraterone (n=501) in the abiraterone trial. Between July 29, 2014, and March 31, 2016, 916 patients were randomly assigned to standard of care (n=454) or standard of care plus abiraterone and enzalutamide (n=462) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial. Median follow-up was 96 months (IQR 86–107) in the abiraterone trial and 72 months (61–74) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial. In the abiraterone trial, median overall survival was 76·6 months (95% CI 67·8–86·9) in the abiraterone group versus 45·7 months (41·6–52·0) in the standard of care group (hazard ratio [HR] 0·62 [95% CI 0·53–0·73]; p<0·0001). In the abiraterone and enzalutamide trial, median overall survival was 73·1 months (61·9–81·3) in the abiraterone and enzalutamide group versus 51·8 months (45·3–59·0) in the standard of care group (HR 0·65 [0·55–0·77]; p<0·0001). We found no difference in the treatment effect between these two trials (interaction HR 1·05 [0·83–1·32]; pinteraction=0·71) or between-trial heterogeneity (I2 p=0·70). In the first 5 years of treatment, grade 3–5 toxic effects were higher when abiraterone was added to standard of care (271 [54%] of 498 vs 192 [38%] of 502 with standard of care) and the highest toxic effects were seen when abiraterone and enzalutamide were added to standard of care (302 [68%] of 445 vs 204 [45%] of 454 with standard of care). Cardiac causes were the most common cause of death due to adverse events (five [1%] with standard of care plus abiraterone and enzalutamide [two attributed to treatment] and one (<1%) with standard of care in the abiraterone trial). Interpretation: Enzalutamide and abiraterone should not be combined for patients with prostate cancer starting long-term androgen deprivation therapy. Clinically important improvements in survival from addition of abiraterone to androgen deprivation therapy are maintained for longer than 7 years. Funding: Cancer Research UK, UK Medical Research Council, Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Janssen, and Astellas

A Mobile Multimedia Reminiscence Therapy Application to Reduce Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Persons with Alzheimer’s

The goal of this project is to develop a novel and innovative mobile solution to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) that occur in individuals with Alzheimer’s. BPSD can include agitation, restlessness, aggression, apathy, obsessive-compulsive and repetitive behaviors, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and wandering. Alzheimer’s currently affects 5.4 million adults in the United States and that number is projected to increase to 14 million by 2050. Almost 90% of all affected with AD experience BPSD, resulting in increased healthcare costs, heavier burden on caregivers, poor patient outcomes, early nursing home placement, long-term hospitalizations, and misuse of medications. Pharmacological support may have undesirable side effects such as sedation. Nonpharmacological interventions are alternative solutions that have shown to be effective without undesirable side effects. Music therapy has been found to lower BPSD symptoms significantly. Our study is based on combination of the reminiscence and the music therapies where past memorable events are recalled using prompts such as photos, videos, and music. We are proposing a mobile multimedia solution, a technical version of the combined reminiscence, and music therapies to prevent the occurrence of BPSD, especially for the rural population who have reduced access to dementia care services

A Cross Sectional Study on Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers of Rural Population in Bareilly District

Background: Breastfeeding is the natural way of providing young infants with the optimal nutrients needed for healthy growth and development of infants. Following delivery, separation of mother and baby should be delayed for at least first hour to promote initiation of breastfeeding besides allowing uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 statistics, children under 3 years breastfed within one hour of birth was 40.1%. Aim andObjective: To study the breastfeeding practices among mothers belonging to rural population in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. Methodology: The cross sectional study was conducted among the mothers who gave birth to a live baby within the last 6 months in the rural field practice area under RHTC of Department of Community Medicine, Shri Ram MurtiSmarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS IMS) at Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted over a period of one year i.e. from 1st July 2015 to 30th June, 2016. Data collected was entered in SPSS Version 20. Results: Overall 300mothers participated in the study andwere enquired about their breastfeeding practices. It was observed that breast feeding was initiated within 1 hour in only 10(15.2%) of home deliveries as against 46(19.7%) institutional deliveries.Breast milk given as first feed to the baby after birth was more in 178(76.0%) institutional deliveries than 18(27.3%) home deliveries. Conclusion: This study necessitate the need for breastfeeding intervention programs to be organized especially for the antenatal mother and during postnatal check-ups to sensitize them about the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding besides cautioning them against harmful and widely prevalent practice of prelacteal feeding

A cross sectional study on quitting behavior of tobacco use among rural population in Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Background: Nearly 275 million adults use tobacco in India, which contributes substantially to potentially preventable morbidity and mortality. Awareness towards tobacco is increasing steadily but its role towards cessation is questionable. There is little evidence available about quitting behavior in the Uttarakhand region. Aims & Objectives: To assess the quitting behavior among current tobacco users in a rural population of Dehradun. Material and Methods: The study was cross sectional in nature carried out among 993 current tobacco users aged 10 years and above in the field practice area and quitting behavior was assessed using a pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Result: Of the 993 Current tobacco users, 38% and 40% of the current smokers and current smokeless tobacco users respectively had attempted to quit smoking and smokeless tobacco use in the past 12 months. 54.3% of the smokers wanted to quit smoking with majority of male smokers (56.3%) willing to quit smoking compared to only 40.5% of female smokers. 36.0% of the smokeless tobacco users wanted to quit smokeless tobacco use where in contrast more female smokeless tobacco users (39.3%) wanted to quit smokeless tobacco compared to 33.3% of males. Conclusion: Previous quit attempts were found to be more among males compared to females. The desire to quit smoking tobacco was also found to be more among males as compared to female smokers. More females showed desire to quit smokeless tobacco compared to males. 

Taking sides: Public Opinion over the Israel-Palestine Conflict in 2021

The Israel-Palestine Conflict, one of the most enduring conflicts in history, dates back to the start of 20th century, with the establishment of the British Mandate in Palestine and has deeply rooted complex issues in politics, demography, religion, and other aspects, making it harder to attain resolve. To understand the conflict in 2021, we devise an observational study to aggregate stance held by English-speaking countries. We collect Twitter data using popular hashtags around and specific to the conflict portraying opinions neutral or partial to the two parties. We use different tools and methods to classify tweets into pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel, or neutral. This paper further describes the implementation of data mining methodologies to obtain insights and reason the stance held by citizens around the conflict.Comment: Accepted for publication in Proceedings of the International Workshop on Social Sensing (SocialSens 2022): Special Edition on Belief Dynamics, 202