EVALUATION OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN ADOLESCENTS IN PATIALA DISTRICT, PUNJAB

Background:What is the morbidity pattern of the adolescent patients coming to seek treatment in Psychiatry Deptt.? Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of mental disorders in adolescents. Methods:The study was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted in the Deptt. of Psychiatry, Rajindra Hospital,Patiala. 500 adolescents aged 10-19 were interviewed. Results: More of the morbid patients were from nuclear families, 6.4% were married among whom, 2.4% were either divorced or separated.13.2% patients had positive history of any family member having psychiatric problem. Only 21.2% had contacted a psychiatrist at first instance while 50.8% had been to traditional healers. The most common diagnosis was Mood (affective) disorders followed by neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders. Next was mental retardation followed by schizophrenia and delusional disorders .The most common diagnosis among males was neurotic, stress related and among females was mood disorders. The difference of distribution of diagnosis among urban and rural , nuclear and joint families was statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients reporting to the hospital with psychiatric disorders were urban males. Most of the patients were eldest in birth order and belonged to nuclear families. Most of the patients had been to traditional healers. The most common diagnosis was mood disorders followed by neurotic stress related illness

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices regarding Swine Flu among adult population

Introduction: Prevention is the most appropriate measure to control H1N1 flu pandemic and awareness of H1N1 flu is ranked very high in preventive measures. Keeping this in view, study was designed to assess the awareness level and to compare it among urban and rural participants. Aims and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding swine flu among adult population, to assess whether there is any difference among rural and urban population and to assess the response generated by the media coverage and the Government efforts.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done from April to July 2015 on 300 houses from the urban area and 150 houses from rural area, chosen from study population by random sampling. Mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and percentages for categorical were calculated. Results: 94% of urban and 91.3% of the rural participants had previously heard about swine flu, main source being TV. 46% of urban and 74% of rural participants had myth about spread of swine flu by eating pork. 41.3% of urban and 8.7% of rural population thought that government measures are sufficient for controlling swine flu. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding swine flu pandemic is good among study participants but role of health care providers is minimal and requires more dedicated effort. Lack of awareness among study population regarding some key focus areas like health promoting habits, vaccination and myths regarding the spread is of serious concern and needs to be addressed by the media, health workers and the Government effort

Lymphatic filariasis in migrant population in non-endemic states - Need to cover by Mass Drug Administration (MDA)

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is targeted by WHO for global elimination as a public health problem by year2020. GoI is signatory to WHO resolution and envisaged elimination by instituting annual mass drug administration (MDA) in all endemic districts under NVBDCP by year 2015.With rapid industrialization and urbanization, large number of landless farmer, unskilled/skilled labour migrate either singly or with entire family members to other states (which may be non-endemic for LF) in search of employment. These migrants from endemic states escape MDA beings migrated to non-endemic states. Aims and Objectives: To find out prevalence of LF and MF density among migrant staying in non-endemic states and assess needs to institute MDA in such migrants. Material & Methods: This study was a cross sectional epidemiological study carried out in migrant population staying at/near the construction site covering the population of 1640. However, only 1092 person participated in the study. Result: A total of 1092 people agreed to participate in the study, out of which, 22 were found MF positive and 4 presented with clinical signs of LF. The study found MF prevalence of 2.01% with average MF density of 3.90. Conclusion: Endemicity (2.01%) of MF among migratory population more than national average (0.45%), which is capable of continuing transmission (>1%) in population at risk living in non-endemic states where MDA is not administered.&nbsp

Contraceptive usage and awareness among postpartum mothers in urban field practice area of a tertiary hospital

Background: To study contraceptive usage and awareness among postpartum mothers. Objective: To assess prevalence of postpartum contraception and factors affecting the usage of contraceptives in Urban area. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Urban Field practice area of Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Bathinda. All females who delivered within last one year were included in the study. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and other details. A total of 92 females were included. The appropriate statistical analysis was done to present the results. Results: 30.4% females had adopted one or the other postpartum contraceptive measure. Condom was the most common method used. Usage of postpartum contraception was significantly associated with women’s and husband’s education, type of delivery and availing of antenatal and postnatal visits. The main reason for not using postpartum contraception was lack of knowledge and access. 16.3% females had unmet need of postpartum contraception. Conclusions: Overall usage of postpartum contraception was low and mainly related to lack of awareness and knowledge