Transition to Medical College: Dynamics of Depression, Internet Addiction and Nutritional Status among Junior Medical Students

Background: The initial years of a medical student’s life can be challenging. Coping mechanisms with internet technology can have adverse health effects. This study assessed the depression, internet addiction and nutritional status among junior medical students. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among first and third semester medical students of a new central institute in South India. Depression and internet addiction were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Young’s Internet Addiction Test, respectively. Mann Whitney U test, Pearson’s Chi-squared/Fishers Exact tests and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were applied. Results: A total of 97 medical students were studied. This comprised 60 male and 37 female students. Mean(SD) age was 19.3 (1.87) years. Most (68%) students were from rural backgrounds. Depression was higher among first semester students (p=0.017), whereas internet addiction was higher among third semester students (p=0.002). Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity were 7.2%, 18.6% and 35%, respectively. Correlates of internet addiction were previous hostel stay (p=0.047), nutritional status (p=0.043) and social media use (p<0.000). SEM explained the relationship of semester, depression and duration of smart phone usage with internet addiction. Conclusion: Depression and internet addiction was higher among first semester and third semester students, respectively. Nutritional problems were prevalent across semesters

Reaching Out to the Urban Underserved For Continuum of Healthcare during COVID-19 Pandemic Using Available Technologies

Background: India is one of the earliest countries to impose Nationwide Lockdown, restricting movement of people in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It has brought a sudden halt to non-COVID-19 health services in terms of consultation, follow-up and access to diagnostics. Objectives: This study was aimed to maintain communication during the COVID-19 lockdown with an underserved community through available and accessible technology. Methods: A total of 32 families residing in the ‘containment zone’ belonging to a minority community were contacted telephonically and enquired about illnesses during the lockdown, access to healthcare, COVID-19 related practices and concerns. They were sensitized about the soon-to-be launched multi-dimensional mobile based teleconsultation application by the Institute. Results: Expressed health needs were doorstep collection of samples instead of having to venture out to health facilities, availability of emergency and routine health care services. Conclusion: A unique model of teleconsultation benefitting the community is proposed

Bombay Begums—A treasure for social guidance films on determinants of women's mental health

A woman's health should reach beyond the narrow perspective of maternal and reproductive health and should encompass physical as well as mental health across the life cycle. The focus should be shifted to a broader, social, legal, and economic factors rather than just immersing on lifestyle and individual factors. Recognition of mental health issues among women, education, training, and interventions at various levels would contribute to the improvement of mental health issues among women

Correlation between screen time and psychosomatic symptoms in children during COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown

Background: This study was planned to estimate the effect of lockdown on psychosomatic problems and sleep of children and their association with screen the time during the lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1–12-year-old children at a tertiary care hospital in South India. A pre-validated questionnaire with 20 related questions was disseminated through pediatric OPD, telemedicine service, and social media to eligible parents. Results: A total of 278 children aged 1–12 years with a mean (SD) age of 6.92 (3.01) years were studied. Most under 5-year-oldchildren had screen time of ≤2 hours/day, whereas 58.16% of children between 5 and 12 years spent >4 hours/day (P < 0.000). A significant proportion of participants aged 5–12 years had vision problems (P = 0.019), whereas under 5-year-old children had significant associated behavioral changes (P = 0.016) and sleep problems (P = 0.043). Conclusion: Behavioral and sleep problems were significantly high and correlated with an increase in screen time among under 5-year-old children. Vision problems were more in 5–12-year-old children

Assessment of Universal Healthcare Coverage in a District of North India: A Rapid Cross-Sectional Survey Using Tablet Computers.

A rapid survey was carried out in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District of Punjab state in India to ascertain health seeking behavior and out-of-pocket health expenditures.Using multistage cluster sampling design, 1,008 households (28 clusters x 36 households in each cluster) were selected proportionately from urban and rural areas. Households were selected through a house-to-house survey during April and May 2014 whose members had (a) experienced illness in the past 30 days, (b) had illness lasting longer than 30 days, (c) were hospitalized in the past 365 days, or (d) had women who were currently pregnant or experienced childbirth in the past two years. In these selected households, trained investigators, using a tablet computer-based structured questionnaire, enquired about the socio-demographics, nature of illness, source of healthcare, and healthcare and household expenditure. The data was transmitted daily to a central server using wireless communication network. Mean healthcare expenditures were computed for various health conditions. Catastrophic healthcare expenditure was defined as more than 10% of the total annual household expenditure on healthcare. Chi square test for trend was used to compare catastrophic expenditures on hospitalization between households classified into expenditure quartiles.The mean monthly household expenditure was 15,029 Indian Rupees (USD 188.2). Nearly 14.2% of the household expenditure was on healthcare. Fever, respiratory tract diseases, gastrointestinal diseases were the common acute illnesses, while heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases were the more common chronic diseases. Hospitalizations were mainly due to cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and accidents. Only 17%, 18%, 20% and 31% of the healthcare for acute illnesses, chronic illnesses, hospitalizations and childbirth was sought in the government health facilities. Average expenditure in government health facilities was 16.6% less for acute care, 15% less for hospitalization and 50% less for childbirth than in the private healthcare facilities. Out-of-pocket expenditure was mostly on medicines followed by diagnostic and laboratory tests. Among households experiencing hospitalization, 56.5% had incurred catastrophic expenditures, which was significantly higher in the poorest compared to richest household expenditure quartile (p <0.002).Expenditure on healthcare remains high in Punjab state of India. Efforts to increase utilization of the public sector could decrease out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure

Malaria in Meghalaya: a systematic literature review and analysis of data from the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme

Abstract Background Meghalaya, one of eight states in the northeastern region of India, has been reported to carry a high malaria burden. However, malaria surveillance, epidemiology, and vector studies are sparse, and no reviews combining these topics with malaria prevention and control strategies have been published in recent years. Furthermore, no analysis of surveillance data has been published documenting the changes in epidemiology following the first distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) statewide in 2016. Methods A hybrid approach was used to describe the status of malaria in Meghalaya. First, a literature search was performed using the terms ‘malaria’ and ‘Meghalaya’. Second, data were obtained from the Meghalaya State Malaria Control Programme for 2006–2017 for analysis of trends. Data from 3 years 2015–2017 were analysed further by district and year to assess changes in malaria incidence and distribution following the introduction of LLINs. Results/conclusions Like malaria in mainland India, malaria in Meghalaya is complex, with both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites in circulation, multiple Anopheles vector species, and reports of both unusual and severe malaria syndromes across all age groups. Integrated statewide malaria epidemiology, vector, and prevention and control data for Meghalaya are not readily available, and published studies are largely focused on a single topic or a single district or region of the state. Although malaria prevention and control approaches are available, (e.g. spraying, LLINs, personal repellents), their use and effectiveness is also not well characterized in the literature. Analysis of state malaria control programme data indicates that case incidence and related fatalities in Meghalaya have declined over the last decade. This could be attributed to changes in treatment guidelines and/or statewide distribution of effective prevention methods such as LLINs. Since the distribution of more than 900,000 LLINs in 2016, the malaria caseload has declined significantly in most Meghalaya districts, excluding the remote and geographically isolated South Garo Hills. Additionally, the proportion of adult malaria cases (15+ years of age versus children 0–14 years) in most districts was significantly greater following LLIN distribution, which likely reflects common lifestyle practices in these areas (e.g. adults working during night hours; small children in the households receiving priority for bed net protection). While reduction in malaria case incidence and related deaths is clear, the changes in malaria transmission and clinical manifestation have not been characterized. Routine epidemiology and vector surveillance combined with real-time data reporting are essential for the continued reduction and eventual elimination of malaria in Meghalaya

Correction: Assessment of Universal Healthcare Coverage in a District of North India: A Rapid Cross-Sectional Survey Using Tablet Computers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157831.]