Effect of Mindfulness meditation on depression, anxiety and stress- A Mixed method longitudinal study

Introduction: Depression, Anxiety, and stress are frequently seen as significant contributors to diseases such as cardiovascular and immunological diseases. Meditation is one of the self-help tools that are effective in treating these problems. Mindfulness meditation is one of the techniques that is used in psychotherapeutic interventions for these conditions. This study was done to find the effect of mindfulness meditation on depression, anxiety, and stress. Methodology:A Mixed method longitudinal study was done in a Yoga Teaching centre (Sri Ramakrishna Yogashramam) in the Kanchipuram district. All 25 participants who were enrolled in the yoga classes during February- March 2021 were included in the study. DASS 21 scale was used and administered before and after the completion of classes among the study participants. Data were collected and entered in MS Excel and analyzed in SPSS 25. Paired “t” test was used. Semi-structured telephonic interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: All 25 participants had a beneficial improvement in DASS-21 scores after the course. The difference in means of scores of DASS-21 for depression, anxiety, and stress was found to be statistically significant with t-values of 11.6, 7.2, and 15.6 respectively. Study participants reported many benefits of mindfulness meditation. Changes were seen in Depression, anxiety, and stress after the completion of the course. Most of the patients wanted a longer course and an adjunct mobile application to guide them through the meditation technique in their homes. No effects were seen with respect to body pain and memory recall abilities. Conclusion: Mindfulness meditation has a positive impact on depression, anxiety, and stress and needs to be incorporated into the management of depression, anxiety, and stress.     &nbsp

Mental Health among Automobile industry workers in Chennai – A Cross-sectional study from a Single Industrial unit

Introduction: Working in a mentally healthy place is necessary for people. Adverse mental health conditions can lead to disruption in work which in turn causes absenteeism, low productivity, and financial constraints. This study intends to assess the levels of depression, anxiety and stress and to determine its associated factors among the workers in the automobile industry in Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 Automobile industry workers in Chennai, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information about the socio-demographic and working details of the study subjects, while the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS -21) was used to assess mental health status. Descriptive variables were expressed as proportions, while Pearson's Chi-square test was used to study the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: A total number of 227 participants were included in the study. More than 80 % of the workers were permanent employees. The prevalence of Depression, anxiety and stress among the study subjects are 38.8%, 43.6 % and 26.9 %, respectively. Workers in the middle age group of 30- 39 years had a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress than those in the other age groups. For Depression, age, type of family, employment status, and working experience were statistically significant (p<0.05). The sleeping hours, comorbidities, substance use, co-worker support, and supervisor support of the workers were the factors that showed no association with Depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: There is a need for attention to be paid to the development of a healthy psychosocial workplace climate which should be supported by stronger workplace support

Effectiveness of straight walking on selected parameters among hypertensive participants attending outpatient department in selected urban primary health centre at Puducherry

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the number one cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. World Health Organization and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study have reported that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most important reason for fatality and disability. Age-adjusted mortality has increased by 31% in last 25 years. Case control studies have reported that hypertension is most important risk factor for CVD in India. The present study was to conduct to evaluate the effectiveness of straight walking on selected parameters among hypertensive participants attending out patient department in selected urban Primary Health Centre at Puducherry. An experimental pre and posttest control group design was utilized. By using simple random sampling technique 60 subjects were selected. The data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaire (demographic performa), bio-physiological and bio-chemical parameters. The data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that The independent ‘t’ test value for heart rate (t=3.800, p=0.0001), respiratory rate (t=4.089, p=0.0001), SPO2 (t=4.068, p=0.0001) and HDL (t=6.018, p=0.0001) was found to statistically significant at p&lt;0.001 level

Primary immunization coverage among Migrant children in the age group of 12 to 23 months in Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kanchipuram District

Background: Migrants carry with them a burden of health risks and public health implications due to their poverty, unequal access to social benefits including health care services like immunization.&nbsp;Aims &amp; Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic profile and the primary immunization status of migrant children in the age group 12 to 23 months and also identify the various factors related to immunization failure if any in Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;Material &amp; Methods: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was done among 173 migrant children in the age group of 12 to 23 months from 12 construction sites in the study area between July 2016 – September 2016. The data was collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire.&nbsp;Results: The age group of mothers varied from 18-39yrs. About 46 (26.6%) mothers were illiterate. Majority of the children 159 (91.9%) had a birth certificate. Almost all 171 (98.8%) children were having immunization card. Only one child was found to be partially immunized. Lack of time was found to be the reason for not taking the child for immunization. All others 172 (99.4%) were fully immunized.&nbsp;Conclusion: Awareness should be created among migrant workers regarding importance of immunization through regular health education activities

Primary immunization coverage among Migrant children in the age group of 12 to 23 months in Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kanchipuram District

Background: Migrants carry with them a burden of health risks and public health implications due to their poverty, unequal access to social benefits including health care services like immunization.&nbsp;Aims &amp; Objectives: To describe the socio-demographic profile and the primary immunization status of migrant children in the age group 12 to 23 months and also identify the various factors related to immunization failure if any in Sriperumbudur Taluk, Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;Material &amp; Methods: A community based cross sectional descriptive study was done among 173 migrant children in the age group of 12 to 23 months from 12 construction sites in the study area between July 2016 – September 2016. The data was collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire.&nbsp;Results: The age group of mothers varied from 18-39yrs. About 46 (26.6%) mothers were illiterate. Majority of the children 159 (91.9%) had a birth certificate. Almost all 171 (98.8%) children were having immunization card. Only one child was found to be partially immunized. Lack of time was found to be the reason for not taking the child for immunization. All others 172 (99.4%) were fully immunized.&nbsp;Conclusion: Awareness should be created among migrant workers regarding importance of immunization through regular health education activities

Impact of Aerobic and Strengthening Exercise on Quality of Life (QOL), Mental Health and Physical Performance of Elderly People Residing at Old Age Homes

Background: The COVID-19 infection spread rapidly in Malaysia, and elderly people with underlying comorbidities were affected most. The study aimed to determine the effect of exercise on QOL and mental health among elderly people residing in old age homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Out of 178 older adults from old age homes in Kedah and Penang States, 39 respondents undertook aerobic and strengthening exercises. A single group pre-test and post-test study was conducted in one government home and nine private homes in the northern region of Malaysia. The DASS-21 scale was used to assess mental health, and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to evaluate QOL. Results: After 12 weeks of the exercise programme, scores for the physical domain increased from 53.1 to 61.8, for the psychological domain from 51.8 to 59.3, for the social domain from 53.2 to 60.5 and for the environmental domain from 67.2 to 72.1. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the depression score from 6.2 to 4.4, the anxiety score from 3.5 to 2.2 and the stress score, from 4.6 to 2.8. Conclusion: Performing aerobic and strengthening exercises for a minimum of 12 weeks may have helped to improve mental health among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it may also improve the quality of life for those who are residing in old age homes

Evaluating the effectiveness of ‘AETCOM Module’ on the medical interns posted in peripheral health centres of a tertiary care medical college in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Introduction: Effective communication skills between doctor and patient leads to enhanced patient satisfaction, better compliance to treatment and improved health outcomes. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of Attitude, Ethics and Communication (AETCOM) module in improving the communication skills of the interns posted in peripheral health centres after methodical training and approach. Methods: A Module based interventional study was conducted among the medical interns posted in in the months of December 2019 and February 2020 at Rural Health Training Center (RHTC) and Urban Health Training Center (UHTC). The tool used to assess the interns was Kalamazoo Essential Element Communication checklist (KEEC) based on Kalamazoo Consensus Statement (KCS) comprising 7 components. Statistical Analysis: The difference in the means of pre test scores and post test scores were analyzed for statistical significance using Paired T test (p value < 0.05 considered significant). Results: The post-test scores were higher when compared to the pre-test scores with regard to batch, gender, mother tongue, center where the interns were posted and type of batch and these findings were statistically significant. Females had better competencies of opening discussion, understanding the patient's perspective, reaching agreement and providing appropriate enclosure to discussion than males and it was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: AETCOM Module is effective in improving the communication skills of the medical students, which in turn will prevent malpractices and litigations against doctors in the near future

Impact of Aerobic and Strengthening Exercise on Quality of Life (QOL), Mental Health and Physical Performance of Elderly People Residing at Old Age Homes

Background: The COVID-19 infection spread rapidly in Malaysia, and elderly people with underlying comorbidities were affected most. The study aimed to determine the effect of exercise on QOL and mental health among elderly people residing in old age homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Out of 178 older adults from old age homes in Kedah and Penang States, 39 respondents undertook aerobic and strengthening exercises. A single group pre-test and post-test study was conducted in one government home and nine private homes in the northern region of Malaysia. The DASS-21 scale was used to assess mental health, and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to evaluate QOL. Results: After 12 weeks of the exercise programme, scores for the physical domain increased from 53.1 to 61.8, for the psychological domain from 51.8 to 59.3, for the social domain from 53.2 to 60.5 and for the environmental domain from 67.2 to 72.1. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the depression score from 6.2 to 4.4, the anxiety score from 3.5 to 2.2 and the stress score, from 4.6 to 2.8. Conclusion: Performing aerobic and strengthening exercises for a minimum of 12 weeks may have helped to improve mental health among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it may also improve the quality of life for those who are residing in old age homes