Prevalence of psychosocial problems among adolescents in rural areas of District Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is a phase of life marked by special attributes including rapid physical growth and development; physical, social and psychological maturity. Aims & Objectives: The present cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of psychosocial problems among adolescents in a rural area of District Muzaffarnagar. Materials & Methods: The study subjects were 210 adolescent girls and boys (10-19 years old) selected using multistage random sampling technique. The subjects were interviewed & detailed information was collected on a structured and pre-tested questionnaire after taking consent from the subject/ parents. The clinical diagnosis was generated as per the criteria laid down in ICD-10. The data was entered in Epi Info statistical software package Version 3.4.3 and suitable statistical methods were applied. Results: The overall prevalence of psychosocial problems amongst adolescent was found to be 41.43%. Most of them had conduct disorder (40.51% males & 35.88% females) followed by depression (30.38% males & 26.72% females). Conclusions: There are significant psychosocial problems amongst the adolescents. So, enough emphasis should be given to this component of adolescent health and thus it is recommended that a holistic approach to the underlying causes of psychosocial problems of adolescents should be undertaken

Prevalence of COPD in rural population, Muzaffarnagar

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a life-threatening lung disease that interferes with normal breathing – it is more than a “smoker’s cough”. Recently, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has gained interest as a major public health concern and is currently the focus of intense research because of its persistently increasing prevalence, mortality, and disease burden in countries of high, middle and low income. Objective: The present study was undertaken with following objectives  1) To asess the prevalence of COPD in 30 years and above in rural catchment of bilaspur which is field practice area of MMC.2) To study the risk factors associated with COPD in a Study population Material and Methods: Study Area: The study was conducted in catchment area of Rural Health Training Center, which is a field practice area of the department of community medicine, Muzaffarnagar Medical college, Muzaffarnagar, having  1323 registered families with population of 1425. Study design: cross-sectional Study period: carried out between 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015. Results: In the present study, the symptoms of chronic bronchitis were reported by 71 (7.8%) subjects. Out of these only 62 had an airflow limitation based on low FEV1/FVC ratio on spirometry. Conclusion The present study also showed that bidi smoking was more prevalent in the economically underprivileged and those with low educational status due to affordability factor. Bidi smoking was more harmful than cigarette smoking in causation of COPD in the present study. Smoking anytime in life increased the chances of COPD 13 fold

An analytical study about the operational effectiveness of the Covid Control Room in a Medical College of Northern India

Muzzafarnagar Medical College (MMC), Muzzafarnagar was declared a designated covid hospital by the Uttar Pradesh State Government. A Covid Control Room (CCR) was hence established to manage the disaster.  Aims & Objectives: The CCR worked as the operational brain of MMC. Study Setting: Muzzafarnagar Medical College, Muzzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Study Design: A hospital record based observational study. Material Methods: A total of 1132 admitted covid positive patients in three months constituted the study population. The CCTV cameras were installed inside the isolation wards, and the ICUs with 24/7 video coverage. The DGME (Uttar Pradesh) developed the Patient Information System (PIS) wherein information was uploaded in a database   and WhatsApp messages were sent to the relatives twice daily. Results: The CCR received on an average 200 calls per day. A total of 12,622 calls were received in two months. With, PIS in function the no. of calls received in CCR reduced drastically. 100% coverage of the patients’ information was achieved. Conclusion: The scope of the control room has expanded considerably to address various aspects of the covid-19 pandemic crisis. These findings will be helpful as a reference for future. It is one of the first studies and unique in nature

An epidemiological comparative study of weight and height parameters for nutritional assessment of adolescents in a rural area of North India

Research Question: What is the simplest way to assess the nutritional status of adolescents? Objectives: (1) To compare and identify the most appropriate method for rapid assessment of nutritional status of rural adolescents using height and weight parameters. (2) To assess whether EHPA chart is superior over the conventional method of using BMI for the nutritional assessment of adolescents or not. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Setting: Eight registered schools in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Center, Bilaspur, Department of Community Medicine, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar, U.P., INDIA. Sample size: 467 i.e., all the school going rural adolescents of both sexes (11-19 yrs of age). Study variables: Height and weight. Methodology: The weight and height of all the study subjects was recorded by portable dial weighing machine and stadiometer respectively with due permission of the school principal. Age of subjects were recorded from the school register as on their last birthday. The data were subjected to comparision for nutritional assessment by using two study tools i.e., conventional BMI and EHPA chart. Statistical analysis: Proportion and Chi square test by using epi info statistical package. Result:   A total of 467 adolescents were examined. By using conventional BMI, 93.79% of adolescents were classified as underweight and 4.06% as normal; however with the help of EHPA chart it was found that 38.97% adolescents were underweight and 58.67% were normal. Conclusion: Existing norms of using conventional BMI for assessing nutritional status of adolescents is inappropriate as far too many normal adolescents fall in undernourished category, whereas EHPA chart prevents such fallacies

Study on role of rural health training centre (RHTC) as a supporting component to a primary health care system for NRHM programme in district Muzaffarnagar (UP)

Background:The role of RHTC set up under MCI requirement of medical colleges is rising in implementation of NRHM phase 2 programme (2012 onwards); as private medical colleges are expanding in India and they can be an important supporter in public-private partnership for national health programmes.Objective of current study was to assess the role of rural health training centre as a supporting component to a primary health care system for NRHM programme.Methods:The present study was carried out by comparative evaluation of the rural health and training centre of a private medical college with a sub-centre (Muzaffarnagar) on key RCH services of NRHM: a) Family planning materials distribution, b) ANC services and c) Immunization services. Inclusion criteria: Proper ethical approval from both primary health care system and private medical college authorities were obtained for the study. Study design: Prospective evaluation based study on ANM in SC & SN in RHTC in NRHM programme for 1 year duration from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013. Data analysis: The statistical data was analysed by Epi-info version 7.1.3.  Results:The ANC services, family planning services and immunization services delivered under NRHM programme was found to statistically significantly contributed (P <0.05) by SN of RHTC as compared to ANM of SC in area of Bilaspur, Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh).Conclusion:RHTC of a private medical college in Muzaffarnagar (UP) is significantly contributing and supporting in RCH services of NRHM programme for primary health care system. RHTC of medical colleges can be an asset for public private partnership in NRHM programme.

Impact of an Alcohol-based hand sanitizer usage during COVID-19 pandemic on disulfiram treatment: A South Indian psychiatrist's practice experiences

Background: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) usage has become one of the COVID-19 pandemic-related adapted responses. Some disulfiram-ethanol reactions are reported in people who use alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer and take Disulfiram as a treatment for their alcohol use disorders. Aim &amp; Objective: To determine the practice experiences of psychiatrists on disulfiram prescription to alcohol use disorder victims. Methodology: A cross-sectional study on the psychiatrists to find the experiences of disulfiram prescription to their clients with alcohol use disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Nearly 84 (51%) were reverted with a completed questionnaire. Among the respondents, 28 (33.3%) of the respondents decreased to prescribe Disulfiram, 48 (57.1%) reported that their patients stopped using ABHS due to fear of Disulfiram-Ethanol Reaction (DER), and 20 (23.8%) responders notified that their patients were expressed their worry on DER with Disulfiram and ABHS. Conclusion: Disulfiram prescribed for alcohol use disorders; treatment got peculiar experiences with the incidences of DER reported with Alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Many practitioners were scared to prescribe disulfiram due to DER with ABHS. The prevailing evidence that there is no possibility of cutaneous application of ABHS producing enough significant DER. Hence using ABHS is not a contraindication for disulfiram prescription

Cell-based meat: The molecular aspect

Cellular agriculture is one of the evolving fields of translational biotechnology. The emerging science aims to improve the issues related to sustainable food products and food security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide animal wellbeing by circumventing livestock farming through cell-based meat (CBM) production. CBM exploits cell culture techniques and biomanufacturing methods by manipulating mammalian, avian, and fish cell lines. The cell-based products ought to successfully meet the demand for nutritional protein products for human consumption and pet animals. However, substantial advancement and modification are required for manufacturing CBM and related products in terms of cost, palatability, consumer acceptance, and safety. In order to achieve high-quality CBM and its production with high yield, the molecular aspect needs a thorough inspection to achieve good laboratory practices for commercial production. The current review discusses various aspects of molecular biology involved in establishing cell lines, myogenesis, regulation, scaffold, and bioreactor-related approaches to achieve the target of CBM

The Association of COVID-19 Pandemic Stress With Health-Related Quality of Life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Background: There is a global disaster since WHO declared Covid-19 as a pandemic. With the increase in cases &amp; mortality rate, various health issues viz., stress, mental disorders and altered health-related quality of life have been noted as a result of pandemic and lockdowns. This study aimed to assess the association of COVID-19 pandemic stress with health-related quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Methodology: It was a cross-sectional analytical study. Subjects included 878 citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia aged 18 years and above. Convenience, non-probability sampling technique was used. A web-based, self-administered, electronic questionnaire in Arabic language having three sections; Sociodemographic &amp; clinical profile, Standard PSS-10, and Standard SF-12 was used as the study tool and distributed through various social media means. The study period was of 2 months. Data were analyzed using SPS version 25. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, independent sample t-test and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed for suitable statistical analysis.Results: Almost two-thirds of the subjects were between the age of 18 to &lt; 40 and majority (74.1%) being females. Majority (83.0%) reported as having no chronic diseases, and 69.5% had no contact history with COVID-19 cases. The mean of MCS &amp; PCS was (32.34 ± 25.30) &amp; (41.65 ± 11.82), respectively. Majority (67.6%) had a moderate level of COVID-19 stress. A significant negative relationship between total stress scores and HRQOL domains was observed.Conclusion: Majority subjects had a moderate level of stress related to COVID-19 lockdown. Stress during COVID-19 has a significant negative association with both physical and mental HRQOL in which MCS was significantly lower than PCS. It is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of stress management program and follow a holistic approach

STUDY OF FACTORS RELATED TO THE DISCONTINUATION OF IUCD USAGE

Background: Various studies conducted in the past have shown high rates of discontinuation of IUCD especially in rural areas but very few studies have been conducted for determining the responsible contributing factor for the same. It has been emphasized that there is an urgent need to increase its use for which we have to plan the quality of services. Objective: To find out the factors related to the discontinuation of IUCD usage. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the 5 villages around Sewagram of District Wardha by interviewing women currently using or those who have ever used IUCD in the past two years. The data was recorded in a structured and pre-tested proforma and subsequently analyzed. Results: About 20% of women were found to be IUCD acceptors in the last two years of which 43.48 % were using IUCD currently and 56.52% had ever used them in the last two years. Maximum women got it inserted at the institute. Main reasons for discontinuation of IUCD as cited by women were excessive bleeding per vaginum (39.68%), abdominal pain (38.62%), low backache (35.97%), and weakness (28.04%). Conclusion: Increasing the awareness about the importance and benefits of IUCD will be very much helpful in its high acceptance along with providing quality health services. Keywords: IUCD usage, side effects, IUCD discontinuation