Gestational diabetes: How risky are the mothers of rural Bengal, India

Early detection of gestational diabetes in antenatal mothers can improve both pregnancy and fetal outcome. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the magnitude of gestational diabetes by selective screening using “American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk approach strategy” and distribution of risk factors of gestational diabetes among the mothers attending the antenatal clinic of Singur Rural Hospital. Pregnant women with gestational age between 24-28 weeks were interviewed using a predesigned schedule adapted from American Diabetes Association and WHO guidelines and their clinical and obstetrical examination was done. Mothers identified with at least 1 risk factor were advised for screening by Glucose Challenge test (GCT). Those with a positive result were confirmed by Glucose Tolerance Test. Out of 625 antenatal mothers, majority i.e. 60.32% of the mothers were exposed to low risk for developing gestational diabetes. Among 248 (39.68%) mothers who had at least one risk factor, 20.56% were GCT positive amounting to 8.16% of the total population. 11.69% of the mothers with positive risk factors were GTT positive amounting to 56.86% of GCT positive mothers. This accounted for 4.64% of the total study population. Thus this method of preliminary screening for risk factors of gestational diabetes undertaken in all antenatal mothers followed by confirmatory testing in those found to be risk factor positive can provide a feasible alternative in increasing the yield for detection of gestational diabetes articularly in a low resource setting

Assessment of stress, anxiety, and depression among the nursing personnel employed in tertiary care hospital during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Work related stress is an important occupational hazard among the forefront healthcare workers like nursing personnel. It is their demanding nature of occupation which exposes them to a higher risk of developing negative mental states. Aims and Objectives: Objectives of the study were to assess the stress, anxiety, and depression among the nursing personnel and their potential risk factors for stress, anxiety, and depression. Materials and Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted among the nursing personnel employed in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. The data collection was done with the help of a predesigned pretested semi-structured questionnaire having information regarding socio demographic profile, history and personal history, and the questions from depression, anxiety and stress scale following permission from Institutional Ethics committee. The data were compiled, analyzed, and presented. Results: The present study found that 29.09%, 40% and 33.64% of the study subjects were suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Nuclear families, staying at hostel, nonspecific symptoms, COVID-19 exposure, and nonspecific symptoms were significant contributing factors for depression. COVID-19 exposure was significantly associated with anxiety. Nuclear families, presence of nonspecific symptoms were significant contributing factor for stress. No significant association was found with age, educational level, marital status, leisure activity, chronic morbidity, testing, and quarantine. Conclusion: Early assessment of the occupational stress, anxiety, and depression among the nursing personnel can initiate targeted intervention strategies. This would improve their personal and professional quality of life which affects the quality of health-care service

Gestational diabetes: How risky are the mothers of rural Bengal,India

Early detection of gestational diabetes in antenatal mothers can improve both pregnancy and fetal outcome. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the magnitude of gestational diabetes by selective screening using “American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk approach strategy” and distribution of risk factors of gestational diabetes among the mothers attending the antenatal clinic of Singur Rural Hospital. Pregnant women with gestational age between 24-28 weeks were interviewed using a predesigned schedule adapted from American Diabetes Association and WHO guidelines and their clinical and obstetrical examination was done. Mothers identified with at least 1 risk factor were advised for screening by Glucose Challenge test (GCT). Those with a positive result were confirmed by Glucose Tolerance Test. Out of 625 antenatal mothers, majority i.e. 60.32% of the mothers were exposed to low risk for developing gestational diabetes. Among 248 (39.68%) mothers who had at least one risk factor, 20.56% were GCT positive amounting to 8.16% of the total population. 11.69% of the mothers with positive risk factors were GTT positive amounting to 56.86% of GCT positive mothers. This accounted for 4.64% of the total study population. Thus this method of preliminary screening for risk factors of gestational diabetes undertaken in all antenatal mothers followed by confirmatory testing in those found to be risk factor positive can provide a feasible alternative in increasing the yield for detection of gestational diabetes particularly in a low resource setting

Adolescent Obesity: its correlates and associated morbidity

Obesity is currently one of the major public health problems, in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome. Increasing rates of childhood obesity and more sedentary lifestyles has led to an age shift in metabolic syndrome which now occurs at an earlier age. Thus, the present study was conducted to get an idea about the occurrence of obesity among adolescent school children, risk factors associated with the condition and the related morbidity among them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two higher secondary government girl schools with the help of a pre- designed and pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 245 students 16.73% were overweight and 6.54% were obese. Among overweight students, 59.65% exercised less than 4 hours a week, 61.4% watched TV ≥ 4 hours per week, 87.72% consumed junk food ≥ 4 days per week and 45.61% skipped meals. Puberty related menstrual irregularities, hypothyroidism, acne and stria were more commonly found in overweight students CONCLUSION: The rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity accompanied by unhealthy lifestyle habits among adolescents is one of the most challenging dilemmas of public health importance