Mental well-being of general population during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected the mental health of people worldwide, with emergence of new mental health problems and worsening of the existing ones. Objectives: This research was conducted with the objective to study the level of mental wellbeing among adult general population during COVID-19 pandemic in India and to identify the association of socio demographic factors with the level of mental wellbeing of study subjects. Methods: It was a community based online cross sectional study involving general population more than 18 years of age. Data collection was done by using a goggle form link which was circulated via online platforms. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 21. Qualitative data was expressed in proportions or percentages and quantitative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation. Chi square test and logistic regression analysis was done to find out association of demographic factors with mental wellbeing. Results: 58.4% subjects had normal mental wellbeing score while 25.1% were found to be at risk of developing psychological distress and 16.5% were at risk of depression. Lower wellbeing scores were significantly associated with younger (<36 years) as well as older age (>55 years), female gender, divorced or widowed, unemployed, businessmen and students. Lowe scores were also associated with increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Conclusion: A large proportion of study population had a poor mental wellbeing during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic

A cross sectional study of knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students towards body donation

Background: The best ethically acceptable source of cadavers for dissection by medical students is voluntarily donated bodies of people during their lifetime. The main objective of this research was to study the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards body donation.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving undergraduate students from a medical institute of Delhi. Sample size of 281 was calculated by taking estimated prevalence of knowledge about the concept of body donation as 88%, 99% confidence interval and 5% sample error. Participants were randomly selected from each year by using random number tables. Data collection was done by using a pre-designed pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 software.Results: The overall knowledge about body donation among medical students was found be poor in many aspects. Their feelings regarding body donation were mostly positive but only a small proportion (22%) were willing to do so, main reasons for unwillingness being disrespectful behaviour towards cadavers (39.7%), lack of approval by family (34.6%), not being comfortable (33.8%) and religious beliefs (18.4%). Higher levels of knowledge were found in females, but a more positive attitude was found in males and those studying in earlier years of graduation (p<0.05).Conclusions: Medical students were found to have poor knowledge about body donation with higher level of knowledge among females. Despite having positive feelings towards body donation, majority were not willing to do so

Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life among Post-Partum Women Residing in a Resettlement Colony of East Delhi.

Abstract: The postpartum period marks a transition phase in the life of the mother as well as the whole family. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important aspect for not only mother’s physical and psychological health. The study was conducted in a resettlement colony, Kalyanpuri located in Delhi, India with a sample size of 330 post-partum women and the data was collected in the 6th week of post-partum period using the MOS SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey) for health related quality of life. Among the study subjects, 34.2% had the birth order two and they showed the best mean HRQoL score. The mean score was low for the study subjects with complications in the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum period (52.9 ± 18.4) as well as in foetal complications where the intrapartum period complications had the worst mean HRQoL score. Healthcare workers of the study area visited 91.5% of the subjects during the post-partum period and had better HRQoL mean score. Also, 22.4% subjects had history of mistreatment and abuse with decline in the mean HRQoL scores. Across the study subjects, 54.4% had financial hardships faced by their family members which had poor HRQoL mean scores. This study uncovered various horizons of health related quality of life for assessment of women in the post-partum period which emphasised the modifications and considerations to include quality as one of the determinant and indicator of health

Inventory control: Its principles and application

Availability of good quality stock, in right quantity, at right place and time and at right cost is the essence of inventory control, which in turn is mandatory for smooth functioning and service delivery of any health care facility. Various techniques are available for inventory control, based on cost, criticality and other factors for e.g., ABC analysis, VED analysis, ABC-VED matrix, FSN analysis, SDE analysis etc. Each technique has its own strength and weakness in its applicability. Economic considerations are also imperative for logistic management of any health facility, as any cost savings could be spent more gainfully in some other way and thus more lives could be saved, reduced morbidities and overall positive impact. Future healthcare managers will have to utilize scientific methods of inventory management and the role of an efficient hospital logistics system cannot be ignored anymore. Inventory control is an important component of hospital management. It provides significant improvement in patient care, customer relationships and optimal use of resources.  The objective of this paper is to present an up-to-date review of inventory control and critically appraise its various techniques, various costs associated with it and methods of indenting stock. This review will benefit post-graduate students and public health workers in understanding the concepts and principle of inventory control and applying the same in their practice

COVID 19 Vaccination strategies in India- A Public Health perspective

COVID-19 has emerged as one of the most challenging pandemics of the recent times.  Although physical-distancing and other transmission-mitigation strategies have helped battling this virus in the most effective way, but this will also paradoxically leave the population without immunity to COVID-19 and thus susceptible to additional waves of infection. Thus, to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, safe and effective vaccination programme is required globally with robust vaccination strategies. This article pens down the important strategies being implemented globally for successful vaccination programme and critically reviewing them from public health perspective

A Cross-Sectional Study on Leisure Time Management and Physical Activity Index among Female Adolescent Medical Students in Delhi

Adolescence is the most promising and also most vulnerable span of life. Being the most energetic and enthusiastic, they spend their time in academic activities, sports, household chores and in various other activities. Free time to do something apart from scheduled academic work, business or household activities is conceptualized as leisure time [1].Leisure time management is important as they cannot compromise with their scheduled academic activities. Leisure time activities differ across countries, age groups, sex and ethnic groups as per different studies but done mostly in Western countries [2–5]. Furthermore, those adolescents who are in professional courses might have less leisure time. Moreover, females might be more vulnerable because they are prone to less outdoor activities and outdoor sports in comparison to males. Thus it is very important to address these issues, particularly leisure time activity and time management, because it serves as a basis for evidence generation in decision-making and policy formulation. An attempt was made to carry out a cross-sectional study in the adolescent female students pursuing a professional course in a medical college of New Delhi

E-learning in medical education: students’ experience, challenges and perspectives: a cross-sectional study in India

Background: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online classes were initiated in medical colleges for continuation of learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 537 undergraduate medical students in an Indian medical college using Google forms. The questionnaire contained sections on students’ online or e-learning experience and role of instructor in enhancing it; challenges and further scope of improved implementation of e-learning. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Among study participants, (46.7%) regularly joined e-classes on time. Prior scheduling of classes (88.6%) and sharing of study material in e-learning application (84%) by teachers/instructors; interactive discussion with teachers (71.1%) and their response to students’ queries through e-learning application (77%) facilitated learning among participants. For (42.6%) e-learning represented considerable challenge in acquiring clinical medical skills. Theory lectures were found suitable for learning by e-learning mode while clinical case discussions were not preferred. Conclusion: E-classes had some definite advantages; however, undergraduate medical students preferred blended approach as e-learning represented a challenge for learning clinical medical skills. Instructors were found to have definite role in enhancing e-learning experience. Providing solutions to barriers like poor internet connectivity and resolution of technical glitches are essential for improved implementation of e-learning

Delay in diagnosis and treatment among registered TB patients in Directly Observed Treatment Short Course cum Designated Microscopy Centres in South Delhi

Background: Knowing delays in treatment seeking and subsequent treatment initiation among the TB patients is important and its detailed understanding is crucial in modifying the treatment seeking behaviour which can help in reducing the TB burden and the transmission in the community. Aim &amp; Objective: To study the treatment seeking behaviour including the delays in initiation of treatment along with its determinants; among tuberculosis patients aged &gt; 15 years in Mehrauli area of Delhi. Settings and Design: A longitudinal follow up study conducted in two randomly selected DMC cum DOTS centres in Mehrauli area of Delhi from January 2018 to April 2018. Methods and Material: Patients of both sexes of age &gt; 15 years, registered under RNTCP from January to April 2018 in the randomly selected DOTS centres i.e. Mehrauli DMC cum DOTS and Chattarpur DMC cum DOTS centre were included in the study. Self-designed, pretested interview schedule and records of DMC were used to collect the relevant information. Statistical analysis used: Information collected in the Performa was coded and entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. Results: The mean patients delay, diagnostic delay, treatment delay, health care system delay and total delay was 48.91 ± 130.38 days, 91.09 ± 155.97 days, 6.25 ± 6.29 days, 62.72 ± 119.48 days and 97.33 ± 155.06 days respectively. The median patients delay, diagnostic delay, treatment delay, health care system delay and total delay was 15 days, 45 days, 5 days, 35 days and 54 days respectively. Conclusions: The major reasons for patient’s delay were lack of awareness regarding the symptoms of TB and self-medication and for health care system delay it was treatment from private health care providers

A retrospective cohort study to find out the association of hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis and COVID 19 infection prevention among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi

Background- With the high morbidity and mortality year 2020 will be remembered as Covid19 pandemic year. Occupational exposure to COVID 19 among health care workers poses a major risk to their lives. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis has been indicated for their use without much scientific evidence. Objective- to find if HCQ prophylaxis had association with Covid19 infection prevention among health care workers. Material &amp;Method- A retrospective cohort study was conducted; through online by utilizing social media platform, among Health care workers of a tertiary care hospital from 1st June 2020 to 27 July 2020. Those HCWs who have taken HCQ (exposed) and who have not taken (nonexposed) and PCR tested Covid19 Positive were taken as diseased.  Results Out of 527 who were analyzed, study subjects who took HCQ prophylaxis had 30% less chance of having Covid19 test positive, {RR- 0.709(0.383-1.296)} as compared those who didn’t took it, but the results were not significant. Conclusion- Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis does not prevent Covid 19 infection and more evidence may be required for use of HCQ prophylaxis for Covid19 infection. Keywords- Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis, Covid19 infection, Health care workers, Retrospective cohort stud

Routine Childhood Immunization: Its health, developmental, economic and social benefits

Introduction: Immunization plays a pivotal role in public health. It is one of the most cost-effective inventions that have helped bring down a significant amount of burden of diseases among under-five children, some of which are now on the verge of extinction. Objective: To assess the diverse benefits of routine childhood immunization. Methodology: A literature review was conducted using electronic database to understand the broader benefits of immunization. Results: Studies have shown that routine childhood immunization have been able to reduce the incidence of influenza and other targeted diseases (diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, polio, and rubella) by 17% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Vaccines are known to have protective and positive health benefit which extends beyond infancy and childhood. It is therefore one of the best strategies in public health to reduce morbidity and mortality and enable child survival