PREVALENCE AND TYPE OF MICROORGANISMS ISOLATED FROM PHONES USED BY MEDICAL STAFFS/STUDENTS, WORKING/STUDYING IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Objective: To find out the prevalence and type of microorganisms isolated from mobile phones used by health care workers, students working/studying in a tertiary care center as well as to find the rate of contamination of the hands of the individual. Methods: Swabs moistened with sterile saline was used to swab on phone surfaces and was incubated using standard culture and identification methods. The respective user was instructed to imprint their fingers of both hands on plates of culture media. These were incubated and processed as per standard culture methods. Results: The most common isolated microorganisms in both groups were Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) and MSSA. Among Mobile phones of HCW, the highest contamination rate was noted in physicians 70% followed by Intensive care doctors 60%, and Nurses. Finger impression growth rate was observed high among Nurses 70% followed by Intensive care doctors 60% and physicians 40%. Conclusion: There is found to be a moderate contamination rate of mobile phones and fingers with pathogenic bacteria as well as normal flora of skin isolated from health care workers. Mobile phones and hands of Health care workers serve as a potential reservoir for hospital-acquired infections as multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria. In order to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections, there should be an implementation of handwashing practices

Evaluating the benefits of early rehabilitation intervention for patients with sepsis in the medical intensive care unit: A retrospective study

Purpose: To evaluate the benefits of early rehabilitation intervention for patients with sepsis in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and to identify the factors associated with positive outcomes at discharge. Methods: A retrospective review of 97 electronic medical records of patients with sepsis admitted to 2 similar-sized MICU pods of an urban tertiary care hospital was conducted. Bivariate analyses were conducted to compare the sociodemographics, length of stay, mobility level, and discharge disposition of 47 patients who received early rehabilitation intervention in MICU pod 1, with 46 patients who received standard rehabilitation intervention in MICU pod 2. In addition, multivariate analysis of the entire sample was conducted to identify the factors associated with positive discharge outcomes. Results: Patients in pod 1 had significantly higher level of mobility at discharge (mean difference = 0.80, P = .009) and a better discharge disposition (λ2 = 25.05, df = 7, P \u3c .001) than those in pod 2. The positive outcomes of increased mobility and return to home at discharge were associated with rehabilitation intensity (F1,91 = 52.30; P \u3c .001, b = 0.82) and rehabilitation initiation (adjusted odds ratio: 0.85, P= .039), respectively. Conclusion These findings provide empirical support for the safety and benefits of providing early intensive rehabilitation for patients in the MICU with sepsis using a therapist-driven model of care

Selfie addiction: the prodigious self-portraits

Background: Selfie’s are self-portrait taken to admire the excessive pride in one’s own appearance. When these selfies are taken persistently in increased numbers with futile efforts to stop taking them is called as “SELFIE ADDICTION”. There is an uncontrollable craving for taking selfie’s which has a great impact on the life style modifications substantially in the adolescent age group. This problem has just commenced but it has disseminated rapidly to a greater magnitude.Methods: This study was done as a community based cross sectional study at Pondicherry, Chennai and Kadaloor district during November 2015 and February 2016 with the objectives of assessing the prevalence and its risk factors of the Selfie addiction among adolescents. Individuals of adolescent age group were randomly selected and the data were collected using direct questionnaire method with proper informed consent. The data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysis was done using SPSS software.Results: A total of 766 college students were interviewed of which 53% were males with the mean age of 19 years. The purposes of taking selfies were time pass (46%), to admire themselves (14.5%), to post in social network sites (23.7%). Among the study participants 87% of them had the habit of taking selfies regularly using mobile phones and the number of selfies per minute varied from 2 to 10 per minute. The prevalence of selfie addiction was present among 111 (14.5%) and it was significantly associated with gender, higher version mobile phone users, early morning selfie takers, chronic mobile users.Conclusions: The prevalence of selfie addiction among adolescent population in our study was moderately high and hence interventions should be made to create cognizance among the general population about the risk factors and its consequences

Family Caregiving During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a disproportionate toll on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as well as their family caregivers. This is especially true for older family caregivers, many of whom assume dual or compound caregiving roles, and provide care as they undergo their own aging experiences. This research brief presents findings from family caregivers of adults with I/DD to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their lives. Method: Thirty family caregivers from across the state participated in a one-hour special COVID-19 virtual discussion group. All participant identifiers were deleted from a session transcript that was examined by two independent researchers to identify common themes using content analysis. The themes were grouped into the area of challenges and unexpected positive outcomes. Results: The most common challenge identified by the participants was limited access to medical services such as cancellation of appointments and obtaining medications. The quick transition to telehealth without adequate training for users or clinicians was also seen as a challenge. The increased use of technology also raised challenges in other areas of life such as education and employment. These challenges were related to inadequate equipment, internet service, having to share the limited equipment, and insufficient experience using technology. Caregivers also reported feeling socially isolated including not being able to leave their homes or see family or friends. They also described frustration of being together all the time. Caregivers also reported several unexpected positive consequences (‘silver linings’). A common theme was that the pandemic slowed life’s pace allowing for more flexibility, more time with their families, and gratitude for everyday things. While technology was discussed as a challenge, it was also mentioned as a positive in that it allowed for social connectedness. Several creative uses of Zoom to connect with family and friends were discussed including virtual game nights, dance parties, cocktail parties, and happy hours. Some shared that their family members were able to make friends more easily online where they had difficulties doing so in-person. Helpful strategies for coping with the quarantine such as physical activity and hobbies were also shared. Conclusion: The duration of COVID-19 and its ramifications are unknown. Many challenges experienced by family caregivers are not new, rather they are intensified due to the pandemic. Family caregivers indicated challenges and needs related to accessing medical services and use of telehealth. Strategies that build on family caregivers’ concerns and strengths are needed to offset the burden posed by COVID‑19. Family Support Navigators (FSNs) and other supportive individuals can play an integral role in helping family caregivers during these unprecedented times

Temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of imidazolium ionic liquids.

The electrical conductivities of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids and of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids with different anions were determined in the temperature range between 123 and 393 K on the basis of dielectric measurements in the frequency range from 1 to 10^7 Hz. Most of the ionic liquids form a glass and the conductivity values obey the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation. The glass transition temperatures are increasing with increasing length of the alkyl chain. The fragility is weakly dependent on the alkyl chain length but is highly sensitive to the structure of the anion.ionic liquids; molten salts;

Chloroform Extract of Rasagenthi Mezhugu, a Siddha Formulation, as an Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine for HPV-Positive Cervical Cancers

Rasagenthi Mezhugu (RGM) is a herbomineral formulation in the Siddha system of traditional medicine and is prescribed in the southern parts of India as a remedy for all kinds of cancers. However, scientific evidence for its therapeutic efficacy in cervical cancer is lacking, and it contains heavy metals. To overcome these limitations, RGM was extracted, and the fractions were tested on HPV-positive cervical cancer cells, ME-180 and SiHa. The extracts, free from the toxic heavy metals, affected the viability of both the cells. The chloroform fraction (cRGM) induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was indicated. Though both the cells responded to the treatment, ME-180 was more responsive. Thus, this study brings up scientific evidence for the efficacy of RGM against the HPV-mediated cervical cancer cells and, if the toxic heavy metals are the limitation in its use, cRGM would be a suitable candidate as evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine for HPV-positive cervical cancers

Digital interventions in alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery: Systematic maps of international research and interventions available in England

Executive Summary Background Digital interventions in alcohol and drug prevention, treatment and recovery have the potential to overcome barriers faced by non-digital interventions. However, we lack a clear understanding of the types of digital interventions that have been evaluated and where gaps in the evidence base exist. We also need to understand the effectiveness of different types of digital alcohol and drug interventions for various population groups. Further, we do not know which digital alcohol and drug interventions are being used in England, and whether the interventions in use align with those that have been evaluated. Research questions To address the above concerns, we sought to address the following questions: • RQ1: What is the possible range of digital alcohol and drug interventions? • RQ2: Which types of digital alcohol and drug interventions are currently available for use in England? • RQ3: What systematic reviews provide findings for digital alcohol and drug intervention strategies within a prevention/treatment/recovery pathway? • RQ4: Which types of digital alcohol and drug interventions have been evaluated in primary research? • RQ5: To what extent does the evaluation evidence overlap with digital alcohol and drug interventions that are currently available for use in England? • RQ6: What evidence is there that certain types of digital alcohol and drug interventions are (cost-) effective or ineffective for specific population groups or in particular contexts? This report covers our findings in relation to questions RQ1 - RQ5. Based on these findings we also provide suggestions as to what could be the focus of further work to answer RQ6. Methods To address RQ1 an initial typology was drafted, adapting and building on existing typologies of digital interventions. Through this process it became clear to OHID/PHE that a pathway, presenting a route through services, with different types of interventions recommended for use at different times would be more helpful than a typology of intervention characteristics. This pathway was then developed by OHID/PHE and trialled by the research team, with refinements made over time with discussions between the study team and PHE. To address RQ2 we contacted people in England in 2019, who were involved in developing, commissioning, prescribing, recommending or evaluating digital alcohol/drug interventions. Using an online survey, we asked them to describe the interventions they were involved with. To address RQ3, RQ4 and RQ5 we conducted systematic searching and screening to identify and describe existing systematic reviews (RQ3) and primary studies (RQ4). Included systematic reviews were appraised for quality and detailed information was extracted from full reports. For primary studies we extracted basic details using the information contained within the title and abstract. The pathway developed for RQ1 was employed to code and describe the nature of available interventions (RQ2), systematic reviews (RQ3) and primary studies (RQ4). EPPI-Mapper software was used to produce online interactive maps to visually display the findings

The utilisation of systematic review evidence in formulating India's National Health Programme guidelines between 2007 to 2021

Evidence informed policymaking integrates the best available evidence on programme outcomes to guide decisions at all stages of the policy process and its importance becomes more pronounced in resource constrained settings. In this paper, we have reviewed the use of systematic review evidence in framing National Health Programme (NHP) guidelines in India. We searched official websites of the different NHPs, linked to the main website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in December 2020 and January 2021. NHP guideline documents with systematic review evidence were identified and information on the use of this evidence was extracted. We classified the identified systematic review evidence according to its use in the guideline documents and analysed the data to provide information on the different factors and patterns linked to the use of systematic review evidence in these documents. Systematic reviews were mostly visible in guideline documents addressing maternal and newborn health, communicable diseases and immunization. These systematic reviews were cited in the guidelines to justify the need for action, to justify recommendations for action and opportunities for local adaptation; and to highlight implementation challenges and justify implementation strategies. Guideline documents addressing implementation cited systematic reviews about the problems and policy options more often than citing systematic reviews about implementation. Systematic reviews were linked directly to support statements in few guideline documents, and sometimes the reviews were not appropriately cited. Most of the systematic reviews providing information on the nature and scale of the policy problem included Indian data. It was seen that since 2014, India has been increasingly using systematic review evidence for public health policymaking particularly for some of its high priority NHPs. This complements the increasing investment in research synthesis centres and procedures to support evidence informed decision making, demonstrating the continued evolution of India's evidence policy system

Interventions to support contraceptive choice and use: a global systematic map of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND: To review the highest level of available evidence, a systematic map identified systematic reviews that evaluated the effectiveness of interventions to improve contraception choice and increase contraception use. METHODS: Systematic reviews published since 2000 were identified from searches of nine databases. Data were extracted using a coding tool developed for this systematic map. Methodological quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2 criteria. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: Fifty systematic reviews reported evaluations of interventions for contraception choice and use addressing three domains (individual, couples, community); Meta-analyses in 11 of the reviews mostly addressed interventions for individuals. We identified 26 reviews covering High Income Countries, 12 reviews covering Low Middle-Income Countries and the rest a mix of both. Most reviews (15) focussed on psychosocial interventions, followed by incentives (6) and m-health interventions (6). The strongest evidence from meta-analyses is for the effectiveness of motivational interviewing, contraceptive counselling, psychosocial interventions, school-based education, and interventions promoting contraceptive access, demand-generation interventions (community and facility based, financial mechanisms and mass media), and mobile phone message interventions. Even in resource constrained settings, community-based interventions can increase contraceptive use. There are gaps in the evidence on interventions for contraception choice and use, and limitations in study designs and lack of representativeness. Most approaches focus on individual women rather than couples or wider socio-cultural influences on contraception and fertility. This review identifies interventions which work to increase contraception choice and use, and these could be implemented in school, healthcare or community settings

Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health among Healthcare Workers in India: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

Healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed comprehensively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HCWs in India. A mixed-methods review adopted a results-based convergent approach incorporating quantitative and qualitative data. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in relevant databases: PubMed-MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ProQuest. All available full-text studies in the English language that assessed the mental health outcomes (anxiety, stress, depression) of HCWs during the pandemic and published till February 28, 2022, were included. A total of 31 studies were included in this review (27 quantitative studies, three qualitative studies, and one mixed-method study). The pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 32.96%, 29.49%, and 33.47 %, respectively among the HCWs in India. The qualitative analysis resulted in the themes: challenges faced, and coping strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings using social determinants of health framework resulted in various contributing factors and coping strategies. There is a need for a supportive work environment, mental health support, and mental health policies for HCWs in India