Smartphone Addiction, Daytime Sleepiness and Depression among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study in a Medical College of Kolkata, India

Objective: Smartphone addiction has become an emerging problem among the youth, especially among medical students in India. It has the potential to hamper their sleep quality as well act as a precipitating factor for depression. This study thus assessed the magnitude of smartphone addiction, excessive daytime sleepiness and depression among undergraduate medical students in Kolkata and elicited its determinants. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 undergraduate medical students in a selected medical college of Kolkata from March to June 2023. Smartphone addiction, daytime sleepiness and depression was assessed using the SAS-SV, EPSS and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken to determine the associated factors of smartphone addiction, while Spearman’s correlation coefficient was estimated to find the relationship of smartphone addiction with depression and daytime sleepiness. Results: Approximately 29.4% participants were addicted to smartphone, 45.5% were suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness. The depression scores on the PHQ-9 scale showed a mean value of 8.15 (±4.72). Factors significantly associated with smartphone addiction were increasing age (AOR=1.23, 95%CI=1.12-2.21), male gender (AOR=2.12, 95% CI=1.36-3.45) and duration of smart phone usage >6 hours per day (AOR=1.92, 95%CI=1.23-2.45). Smartphone addiction showed positive correlation with both daytime sleepiness (ρ =0.5, p-value<0.05) and depression (ρ=0.23, p-value=0.001) Conclusion: Utmost care should be taken for promoting good mental health and wellbeing among medical students. Motivation and counselling sessions along with peer support groups can help in combating this addictive behaviour and depressive symptoms

A study on client satisfaction as per standard treatment guidelines in a rural hospital of West Bengal, India

Patient satisfaction level towards service provided to them was evaluated as per standard treatment guideline (STG).The objectives of STG were to scale up standardize treatment and other service status at the primary care level and to identify the critical gaps and lacunae for better, improved quality services. Patient satisfaction indicators remain stable over time as oppose to clinical indicators which will be changed with technology and progression of medical sciences. The objectives of the present study were to know the level of satisfaction among patients attending O.P.D. of Tarakeswar Rural Hospital. This cross sectional study was done among 204 patients selected by systematic sampling. According to the patient’s opinion, the study showed good satisfaction with respect to doctor services, nurse services, laboratory services and pharmacy staff services. Statistically significant association of patient satisfaction with age, gender, marital status, type of visit, waiting time before consulting the doctor, waiting time before getting the drugs and percentage of availability drugs at pharmacy were found

A study on psychological assessment of adolescent girls in rural schools of West Bengal

Since the adolescent population constitutes oneHsixth of the total global population, their physical and mental health have become a serious concern. Depression is becoming the most common mental health problem. According to the WHO, depression is projected to become the second leading cause of disability after heart disease. Anxiety and its manifestations are influenced by cultural beliefs, practices and associated with substantial negative effects on children’s social, emotional and academic success. Specific effects include poor social and coping skills, loneliness, low selfHesteem, and difficulty forming friendships. The objectives of the present study were to assess the psychological health profile of students using DASS21 Scale. This cross sectional study was done among 435 rural school students selected by random sampling. Statistically significant association of depression with absence of sibling, self Hreported scholastic performance, relationship with parents and peers were found

AEFI Related to Covishield and Covaxin: A Comparative Study in Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata

Introduction: Covid 19 Pandemic could be considered as most relevant health crisis throughout the world for last two years and vaccination was an important weapon for winning the battle against this pandemic. Largest vaccination drive against Covid 19 in India was launched on January 2021. But fear and misconceptions regarding AEFI regarding Covid 19 vaccines was an obstacle to this programme. In this context the present study aimed at determining and comparing proportion of AEFI following receiving Covishield and Covaxin. Method: Observational Analytic study was conducted in Medical College, Kolkata, among 220 adults (&gt;18 years) were taking Covishield (110 participants) and Covaxin (110 participants) 1st or 2nd dose. History of AEFI related to previous dose (when participants received 2nd dose) was obtained by recall method. All participants were observed for half an hour for immediate AEFI. Telephonic interview of participants were conducted 72 hours of vaccination to obtain any AEFI following present dose. Results: Prevalence of any AEFI following present dose (2nd dose) was 58.4%, but in most cases adverse reactions were mild. AEFI following current dose was significantly more in Covishield compared to Covaxin [OR= 5.778 (3.164-10.552)] in unadjusted model, as well as where adjustment done with Demographic, Socioeconomic covariates (AOR= 6.425 (3.421-12.171) and where all comorbidities added [OR= 6.465 (3.423-12.213)]. Conclusion: Both Covid vaccines introduced in India were highly safe and well tolerated among study participants. Proportion of any AEFI following receiving present dose of vaccine was significantly less in Covaxin (which was indigenous vaccine prepared in India)

Menstruation and menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of West Bengal, India: A school based comparative study

Background: Adolescents are often less informed, less experienced, and less comfortable accessing reproductive health information and services than adults. In many developing countries, a culture of silence surrounds the topic of menstruation and related issues; as a result many young girls lack appropriate and sufficient information regarding menstrual hygiene. This may result in incorrect and unhealthy behaviour during their menstrual period. Objectives: To assess and compare knowledge, belief, ideas, source of knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene between school-going adolescents in an urban and a rural school of West Bengal, India. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among adolescent female students of Howrah district of West Bengal, India in the year 2011. Data was collected by pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured self administered questionnaire. Results: The mean age at menarche was 12.1 years among urban and 12.2 years among the rural participants. More than 80% participants had some restrictions imposed during menstruation. Significantly higher number of urban girls had pre-menarchal knowledge on menstruation and used sanitary napkins. Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene is a vital aspect of health education for adolescent girls. For improvement of menstrual hygiene, sanitary napkins should be made universally available and affordable

An epidemiological study on risk factors of diabetes mellitus among the patients attending a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal, India

The report of World Health Organization (WHO) shows that India tops the world with largest number of diabetic subjects. This increase is attributed to the rapid epidemiological transition accompanied by urbanization and changes in the life style, which is occurring in India. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry of Calcutta National Medical College among the patients who were doing first time blood examination for diagnosis of diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess socio-demographic profile and risk factors associated with the diabetic patients. Prevalence of diabetes was more (63.6%) among those who had BMI (Body Mass Index) 25 or more, where as the proportion of diabetes was less among the persons having BMI less than 18.5. This association was found to be statistically significant (χ2 = 32.78, df = 2 p = 0.0001). Prevalence of diabetes was also high among persons consuming tobacco (34.5%) (χ2 = 14.76, df = 1, p = 0.0001) and animal protein (51.5%) (χ2 = 55.65, df = 1, p = 0.0001). Lifestyle modifications, reduction of body weight, increasing physical activity are some of the important primary preventive measures to halt the upward trend of diabetes epidemic in India

Mass Measles Vaccination Campaign in Aila Cyclone-Affected Areas of West Bengal, India: An In-depth Analysis and Experiences

Disaster-affected populations are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of measles. Therefore, a mass vaccination against measles was conducted in Aila cyclone-affected blocks of West Bengal, India in July 2009. The objectives of the present report were to conduct an in depth analysis of the campaign, and to discuss the major challenges. A block level micro-plan, which included mapping of the villages, health facilities, temporary settlements of disaster-affected population, communications available, formation of vaccination team, information education communication, vaccine storage, waste disposal, surveillance for adverse events following immunization, supervision and monitoring was developed. The rate of six months to five years old children, who were vaccinated by measles vaccine, was 70.7% and that of those who received one dose of vitamin A was 71.3%. Wastage factor for vaccine doses and auto-disable syringes were 1.09 and 1.07, respectively. Only 13 cases of adverse events following immunization were reported. An average of 0.91 puncture-proof containers per vaccination session was used. Despite the major challenges faced due to difficult to reach areas, inadequate infrastructure, manpower and communication, problems of vaccine storage and transport, the campaign achieved a remarkable success regarding measles vaccine coverage, improvements of cold chain infrastructure, formulating an efficient surveillance and reporting system for adverse events following immunization, building self-confidence of the stakeholder

Geriatric Disability and Associated Risk Factors: A Community Based Study in a Rural Area of West Bengal, India

Background: Similar to developed countries, aging is increasedin India. Because of the epidemiology and demographictransition phase, chronic diseases and disabilitiesalong with health costs are increasing day by day. As socialfactors and chronic diseases are the major reasons for geriatricdisability, the present study was done with the following objectives:to assess and compare the socio-demographic characteristicsamong the disabled and non-disabled geriatric population,and to find out the association between sociodemographicand chronic diseases with functional disabilityamong the study population.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in a rural communityof West Bengal, India. House to house visit, clinicalexamination, observation, and interview were done with a predesigned,pre-tested proforma. Epi Info and SPSS softwarewere used for statistical analysis.Results: A total of 458 people had chronic conditions and theprevalence of disability was 17.47%. Among the sociodemographicvariables, age, female sex, marital status, literacystatus, and family composition and among the chronic diseases,tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, ischemicheart disease, osteoarthritis, neuropathy, acid peptic disorder,prostatic hypertrophy, and osteoporosis were found as risk factorsof disability in binary logistic regression analysis. 71.2% ofthe disabilities were explained by these risk factors.Conclusion: The data highlighted the different risk factorsassociated with disability. No single measure rather multidimensionalapproach should be the model for the preventionof disability