Prevalence of refractive errors and their association with socio demographic characteristics in pediatric patients attending tertiary eye care centre

Background: Uncorrected refractive errors are one of the major culprits of visual impairment among children in our country. Children included in school going age groups i.e., 6-16 years, represent 25% of population in developing countries. They fall in the category of preventable age group for correction of refractive errors. This paper describes the salient features and results of the cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence of refractive errors and their association with socio demographic characteristics in pediatric population objective were to study the prevalence of refractive errors and their association with socio demographic characteristics in pediatric patients attending tertiary eye care centre.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year among children in 0-16 years age group and a total of 444 patients were included. All children were examined by ophthalmologists and refraction was done by optometrists. Data was analysed using web-based software open epi version 3.01.Results: Prevalence of refractive errors was found to be 29.5%. Amongst the socio demographic factors, there was a significant association of age and literacy with refractive errors whereas gender and residence were not found to be significant.Conclusions: Refractive errors are an important preventable cause of childhood ocular morbidity. Schools are an excellent platform to educate children and their parents regarding eye care and signs of ocular morbidity due to refractive errors. Health education activities in schools need to be intensified

Molecular Typing of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus using coa Gene Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The need for fast, precise diagnostic tests to identify active tuberculosis is essential, mainly in endemic nations such as India. An automated real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) detection known as the Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) or GeneXpert assay shows great promise as a complement to the TrueNat and conventional sputum microscopy techniques. Aim: To compare sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of CBNAAT with TrueNat and smear microscopy in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study on 175 patients with suspected pulmonary TB was conducted from June 2021 to November 2021 in a tertiary care hospital at Government Medical College, Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of tuberculosis were calculated for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy, TrueNat, and the GeneXpert and compared with each other. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted with Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Out of the total 175, 168 (96%) patients were TB positive by CBNAAT, 162 (92.6%) by TrueNat, and 148 (84.6%) as per smear microscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain in the detection of pulmonary TB in sputum samples were 86.31%, 57.14%, 97.97%, 14.81%, and 85.14%, respectively. Whereas in the case of the TrueNat technique sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 94.05%, 42.86%, 97.53%, 23.08%, and 92.00%, respectively. In the case of CBNAAT sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy in the detection of pulmonary TB in sputum samples were 97.02%, 28.57%, 97.02%, 28.57%, and 94.29%, respectively. Conclusion: In respiratory samples, CBNAAT is more sensitive than ZN smear microscopy and TrueNat. Positive CBNAAT, but TrueNat and AFB microscopy negative results should be read cautiously and be well correlated with the clinical and treatment history of the patien

Assessment of mental health among hospital-discharged patients of COVID-19 in North India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Psychological impact of COVID-19 is an emerging area of interest among researchers worldwide. We aimed to study the prevalence of anxiety and depression among COVID-19 survivors and its association with individual characteristics including demographic variables. Methods: One hundred and fifty COVID-19 survivors from a tertiary care hospital were contacted to collect information regarding anxiety and depression using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The Pearson's Chi-square was used for univariate analysis of categorical variables. The Mann–Whitney test was used to check the significance between group medians. Results: 21.3% of the survivors (n = 32) reported postdischarge COVID-19 anxiety. Mild, moderate, and moderately severe anxiety was reported by 17.3%, 3.3%, and 0.7% of the patients, respectively, on using the GAD-7 questionnaire. PHQ-9 revealed that 29.3% (n = 44) had depression. Minimal, mild, moderate, and moderately severe depression was reported by 19.3%, 24.0%, 2.0%, and 3.3% of the respondents, respectively. None of the survivors had severe anxiety or depression. In both the questionnaires, variation in median scores was statistically significant with age, whereas for GAD-7 scores, the difference in median scores was statistically significant only for gender. On analysis, age above 40 years was a statistically significant determinant for both anxiety (P = 0.041) and depression (P = 0.018) while male gender showed a statistically significant association in case of anxiety (P = 0.028). The correlation between age and respective scores and GAD-7 scores and PHQ-9 scores was also found to be significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: These preliminary screening results provide convincing evidence of anxiety and depression among COVID-19 survivors, thus reiterating the need of timely detection and management of mental health issues through formulation of strategies to tackle the concurrent psychological comorbidities amid the ongoing pandemic

Study of Morbidity Pattern, Activities of Daily Living and Health Seeking Behavior among Rural Elderly in Jammu District

Introduction: Elderly are the fastest growing segment of popula- tion due to demographic transition. This study was conducted to assess the morbidity pattern, health seeking behaviour and func- tional status of geriatric age group using Katz index. Methodology: Community based cross sectional study was con- ducted among elderly residing permanently in two villages. Per- sonal interview, general & clinical examinations were carried out. ADL scale was used to measure the functional status of elderly. Results: Out of 200 study subjects, 51.5% were males and 48.5% were females, 53.5% males and females were young old followed by middle old 35.5% and oldest old 11%. The prevalence of hyper- tension, diabetes and cataract was 56.5%, 52.0% and 40.0% respec- tively and significant association with gender was found for diabe- tes, hypertension and CVD with gender. Dependency assessed by ADL, showed that 16.0% were partially/ totally dependent and total dependency increased with age. Conclusion: Secondary prevention of health problems of elderly and screening of functional disabilities by primary care physicians should be prioritized

Predictors of Hypertension among Indian Women of Reproductive Age Group: An Analysis from NFHS -5 Data

Introduction: Hypertension among women not only augments the risk of cardiovascular diseases but also leads to antenatal and intra-natal complications. Materials and Methods: A subset of data collected during National Family Health Survey-5, comprising of 7,24,115 women, 15–49 years of age was analysed to identify key predictors of hypertension, using Probit Regression Model (PRM) which was run separately for rural and urban women. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension among women of reproductive age group was 11% (10.4% and 12% in rural and urban areas respectively). 5% and 13.41% of women were obese and 1.2% and 2.6% were diabetic in rural and urban areas respectively. Obese, uneducated, rich women and those on medications showed higher prevalence, while women consuming milk, eggs, chicken, fruits, and vegetables daily showed lower prevalence. On using PRM, significant predictors of hypertension were increasing age, rural residence, pregnancy, increasing weight, diabetes, illiteracy, access to medical insurance, and indulgence in alcohol and smoking. Conclusion: Findings from the study contribute to the body of evidence favouring multifactorial causation. Hypertension awareness should be promoted especially among rural residents, older women, with emphasis on intake of balanced diet with less consumption of sodium and increased intake of fruits and vegetables

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anemia among Antenatal Mothers Registered at a District Hospital in North India: A Cross-sectional Record Based Study

Background Anemia is the most common disorder which contributes significantly to high maternal mortality. Despite the availability of low-cost effective interventions for prevention and treatment of anemia among pregnant women its prevalence is still high.Objective This study aimed to check the prevalence of anemia and its associated risk factors among pregnant women attending a secondary level health care center in North India.Method A cross-sectional record-based study was carried out at a District Hospital in North India to study the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among the registered antenatal females.Results Mean age of antenatal females was 27.68plusmn4.59 years Range 18 ndash 45 years. Around 89.38 females were fully immunized with tetanus toxoid TT 8.94 had taken only one dose and 1.68 were unimmunized. About 96.08 of pregnant women had taken iron folic acid IFA supplementation. 78.77 delivered normally while one-fifth delivered through lower segment Caesarean section LSCS. 20 of registered females delivered neonates with low birth weight. 97.21 pregnant mothers were found to be anemic. 19.55 59.22 and 18.44 pregnant women had mild moderate and severe anemia respectively. Moderate anemia was highest in second order pregnancies while severe anemia was highest in third order pregnancies. Severe anemia was higher among caesarean deliveries 28.95 in comparison to normal deliveries 15.60. There was statistically significant difference between hemoglobin levels of women who delivered low birth weight and those who delivered normal weight babies p0.017 and also between females who had received TT and those who were unimmunized p0.002.Conclusion Anemia in pregnancy continues to be a major public health challenge. Rigorous efforts for implementation of various maternal health schemes at grass root level are imperative to reduce its catastrophic consequences

Seroprevalence of Human Brucellosis among Patients admitted with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) at a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

Background Brucellosis is a disease reported in many parts of the world including India and the disease is also one of the important causes of PUO Pyrexia of Unknown Origin. The present study was conducted with an aim to determine the seroprevalence of human Brucellosis in patients reporting with PUO.Method A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at a tertiary care medical teaching institute in Northern India. A total of 369 serum samples were collected from PUO cases and tested for human Brucellosis by using Rose Bengal Plate Agglutination Test RBPT Serum Tube Agglutination Test STAT Enzyme linked Immunoassay ELISA.Results Overall seroprevalence in our study was found to be 2.98 0.5 0.8 and 1.6 by RBPT STAT and ELISA respectively.Conclusion In spite of the low prevalence of human Brucellosis clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for the possibility of a patient suffering from Brucellosis while encountering a case of PUO and it is advisable to elicit history in terms of certain occupations and risk factors for Brucellosis in patients reporting with PUO

Expenditure Incurred by Patients of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in District Tuberculosis Center, Jammu

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) patients suffer enormously due to huge cost on diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to assess the total expenditure and its predictors among patients of TB. Methodology: A longitudinal study was conducted among TB Patients registered in first quarter of 2018 at District Tuberculosis Center, Jammu. Data was collected by interviewing the patients and their attendants. Statistical significance of median expenditure between patients of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB in relation to various predictors was assessed using nonparametric tests followed by Multiple Linear Regression. Results: Total median cost, median direct and indirect cost incurred by a TB patient were recorded as USD 489.55, USD 246.55 and USD 229.5 respectively. Treatment costs were slightly higher in patients of pulmonary TB in comparison to extrapulmonary TB (p>0.05). On bivariate analysis, upper class, previously treated patients, Category 2 patients, with chronic illnesses, with guardians and who were employed expended significantly higher amounts on their treatment, but on multivariate analysis, only formal employment, current earning and being reimbursed significantly predicted the total cost (p < .001, adjusted R square = 0.56). Conclusion: Huge direct costs incurred by patients is a matter of great concern, more so as the Indian government has made all diagnostics and treatment free since the inception of the RNTCP

Diagnostic Accuracy between CBNAAT, TrueNat, and Smear Microscopy for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir- A Comparative Study

Introduction: The need for fast, precise diagnostic tests to identify active tuberculosis is essential, mainly in endemic nations such as India. An automated real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) detection known as the Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) or GeneXpert assay shows great promise as a complement to the TrueNat and conventional sputum microscopy techniques. Aim: To compare sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of CBNAAT with TrueNat and smear microscopy in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study on 175 patients with suspected pulmonary TB was conducted from June 2021 to November 2021 in a tertiary care hospital at Government Medical College, Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of tuberculosis were calculated for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy, TrueNat, and the GeneXpert and compared with each other. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted with Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Out of the total 175, 168 (96%) patients were TB positive by CBNAAT, 162 (92.6%) by TrueNat, and 148 (84.6%) as per smear microscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain in the detection of pulmonary TB in sputum samples were 86.31%, 57.14%, 97.97%, 14.81%, and 85.14%, respectively. Whereas in the case of the TrueNat technique sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 94.05%, 42.86%, 97.53%, 23.08%, and 92.00%, respectively. In the case of CBNAAT sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy in the detection of pulmonary TB in sputum samples were 97.02%, 28.57%, 97.02%, 28.57%, and 94.29%, respectively. Conclusion: In respiratory samples, CBNAAT is more sensitive than ZN smear microscopy and TrueNat. Positive CBNAAT, but TrueNat and AFB microscopy negative results should be read cautiously and be well correlated with the clinical and treatment history of the patient

A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on Covid-19 And Mental Health

Purpose: The present study analyzed the existing literature related to COVID 19 and Mental Health by using the technique of bibliometric analysis which may serve as guide-map for future researchers and policy makers. Method: Bibliometric analysis is conducted in the present study by using various techniques like citation analysis, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence of keywords, thematic mapping by using visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer open-source software and R-based bibliometrix. Results: The study highlighted the most significant journals, authors, co-cited authors, institutions, keywords co-occurrence, and most cited articles in the area of COVID-19 and Mental Health on the basis of bibliometric analysis of 149 studies taken from the database of Scopus for the past three years (2020–first quarter of 2022). Also, authors identified few relevant themes such as Economic Effects of COVID-19, COVID-19 and its Impact on Healthcare workers, COVID-19 and its Impact on Patients and General Population as important emerging key areas for further research. Conclusion: We have highlighted significant citations, co-citations and keywords co-occurrence to summarize the literature. The present bibliometric study convincingly confirms the effect of COVID 19 pandemic on mental health and provides enough evidence to advocate formulation of strategies to tackle mental health issues