Indian Journal of Community Health
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Effect of Screen-Time on Sleep Pattern and Dietary Habits among College-Going Students in COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFBackground: Optimum and good quality of sleep are pertinent to the health and equilibrium of biological functions. Increased use of electronic gadgets for academics and social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic has extended the screen time of students, affecting sleep and eating patterns. Aim & Objective: To study the association of extended screen time on sleep pattern and calorie intake among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Settings and Design: Observational study was conducted using ‘Google forms’ to collect data on sleep and food intake among 60 college-going students. Methods and Material: Google form composed of questions related to demographic, anthropometry, screen time, sleep quality (PSQI) & dietary pattern (food frequency questionnaire) and tied to written consent was sent via WhatsApp to college students. Statistical analysis used: Data were grouped based on the screen time >10 hrs and </=10 hrs/day. Independent “t” test, Chi-square test and Mann Whitney test were used to compare the sleep domains scores and calorie intake. Results: With an average screen time of 10.9 hrs, 38% of students were using the screen maximally during the night. Poor Sleep Quality was (PSQI Score>5) observed in 80% of the college students, with 46.6% having a sleep of <5 hrs/day. Students\u27 calorie intake was ten times the recommended daily requirement during the stay at home but was negatively related to screen-time, though non-significant. Conclusions: The study concludes that average screen time of students of age group 18-24 years have increased during night under the lockdown. This extended viewing in night has shifted the sleep circadian cycle to morning hours, with daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality. The high calorie intake was also observed in students during lockdown though no correlation was established with the screen time and sleep quality
Geographic Information System enabled dengue surveillance system in south zone, Bangalore city: A pilot study
Get PDFIntroduction: The Public Health Information and Epidemiological Cell (PHIEC) of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) utilizes the Geographic Information System (GIS) enabled integrated surveillance for collection, integration, analysis and reporting of geo-referenced epidemiological diseases in Bangalore city. Dengue fever is an emerging disease and there are minimum studies conducted in India about the GIS enabled dengue surveillance system. Objective: To assess the relationship between dengue cases and vector indices as depicted in the GIS map. Methodology: Data regarding dengue confirmed cases was obtained from PHIEC and entomological surveillance data from Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) for May to July 2017 in south zone of Bangalore city and active data collection was done for August and September 2017. Results: There was significant association between the number of dengue cases and the Breteau index in the month of September. However, there was no association between vector indices and the number of cases during the month of October. In some wards, contrary findings were noted between dengue vector indices and number of cases reported. Conclusion: There was a relationship between reported dengue cases and vector indices and there is a need for incorporation of entomological data into GIS system along with epidemiological and intervention data. Involvement of more private and government health care providers may help answer the gap between entomological data and number of dengue cases
Social & Behavioural Problems among School Going Adolescents of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand
Get PDFBackground: Mental health disorder is a major cause of impairment in youth aged between 9 to 17 years as one in every fifth youth has a mental disorder. In India, the prevalence of mental problems among adolescents is 14.3%. Objective: To find out the proportion of social and behavioural problems among adolescents and their association with the sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 150 school going adolescents (11-17years). All the study participants were recruited through non-probability sampling technique. Data was collected through Google Forms. For assessing the social and behavioural problems, Strength and Difficulty questionnaire (SDQ) was used. Result: There were 76 (50.7%) males and 74 (49.3%) females in this study. 16% of school going children were categorized as “abnormal”, 12% as borderline and 72.% as normal for social and behavioural problems based on scores of SDQ. The findings have implications that gender do play a role in affecting mental health status.Conclusions: Mental health problems are one of the most common and highly prevalent disorders among adolescents in India. For addressing psycho-social problems among adolescents there is a dire need of counsellors. Training of parents as well as teachers should be conducted for timely intervention
Effect of gibberellins and ascorbic acid treatment on phytic acid and micronutrients dialyzability in germinated biofortified wheat seeds
Get PDFIntroduction: Phytic acid chelate minerals, including Fe and Zn and render them inaccessible once ingested by human beings. The evaluation of differences in the dialyzability of macronutrients including Fe and Zn in various wheat derivatives is therefore important for the enhancement of nutritional quality of grains. Objectives: The objective of current study was to improve the micronutrient content in wheat grain. Methods: During germination (12, 24, 48, 72, 96 h), effects of gibberellins and ascorbic acid on phytic acid content as well as dialyzability of iron and zinc of wheat derivatives were determined. Results: The phytic acid content in wheat flour was determined and it was found 7.61 to 7.48 mg/g. After the treatment with gibberellins, it was significantly reduced from 8.68 to 21.6 % and 9.65 to 20.9 % with ascorbic acid. In wheat flour dialyzabilty of Fe was 4.53 to 8.97 mg/kg. After germination, Fe content was increased from 9.77 to 32.0 % with gibberellin, and 13.9 to 31.0 % with ascorbic acid. Moreover, with gibberellins, Zn content was increased from 8.68 to 21.6 % and 9.65 to 20.9 % with ascorbic acid, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggested that gibberellins as well as ascorbic acid can be exploited to improve the dialyzability of iron and zinc content due to reduced antinutrient i. e phytic acid and make the minerals available for the absorption in monogastric animals including human beings
Have we forgotten about the Person with Disabilities for COVID 19 Vaccination – A need of the hour!!!
Get PDFPersons with disabilities (PwDs) are less likely to access health care facilities, education, and employment in their day-to-day life. They are more likely to experience higher rates of neglect and abuse. The present COVID-19 pandemic situation has further affected the PwDs in terms of physical and social neglect. Moreover, the concept of social distancing, using a face mask, and following cough hygiene, which is fundamental in controlling the spread of COVID 19, is likely to be followed by the person with an intellectual impairment since they are highly dependent on their caretakers for their day to day activities. This scenario is even worse with PwDs who are living in congregate settings like residential camps, nursing facilities, and psychiatric institutions where infectivity is very higher. Thus a pronged approach is needed to assure that PwDs are not left behind during the times of pandemic. This paper argues that PwDs, because of their increased risk for exposure to COVID-19 and its consequences of developing morbidity and even possible deaths, should be prioritized in vaccination strategies. Otherwise, they will be left behind, experiencing disproportionate loss of lives and livelihoods, inaccessible health care services, and disconnection from society
Prevalence and knowledge of hypertension among students of medical college of central Uttar Pradesh, India
Get PDFBackground: Hypertension is one of the biggest health challenges, which is continuously increasing among young adults, especially students. The aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge of hypertension among undergraduate students of a medical college of a rural area in central Uttar Pradesh, India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the medical college of central Uttar Pradesh, India. Data were collected on socio-demographic and behavioral factors, and anthropometric assessments were carried out using standard equipment and procedures. Results: The present research involved 147 undergraduate medical students with a mean age of 21.9±2.2 years. Knowledge about hypertension was poor, average and good among19.7% (n=29), 76.8% (n=113) and 3.4% (n=5) students, respectively. Mean systolic blood pressure (mean SBP) was 127.07 ± 10.109 mm of Hg with a range 110 to 154mm of Hg, and mean diastolic blood pressure (mean DBP) was 80.5 ± 6.587 mm Hg with a range 68 to 94 mm of Hg. Conclusions: Smoking, alcoholism, non-vegetarian diet, body weight over 60 kgs and waist-hip ratio over 0.9 were recognized as risk factors of hypertension. Hence it needs a powerful surveillance program to find the exact problem
Care of caregivers – who is responsible?
Get PDFDemographic and epidemiologic transition coupled with increasing life expectancy has resulted in high old age dependency ratios and rising burden of comorbidities; especially non communicable diseases. This demands large pool of caregivers to support the dependents; physically, psychologically and financially. But the problems faced by caregivers – stress, anxiety, monetary, physical exhaustion and sickness, lack of time for personal care and health resulting in caregiver burden – is often neglected. This article summarizes the importance and/or role of caregivers, theirs problems and recommendations to identify, manage and prevent caregiver burden. The involvement of various stakeholders namely medical and para-medical colleges through training and medical education, hospitals, physicians, psychiatrists and/or psychologists, research organizations, governments and their policies is the need of the hour
Preferences and Practices regarding Delivery Place: A community-based cross-sectional study in Agra city, Uttar Pradesh
Get PDFBackground: Understanding preferences and practices for delivery place among women would assist in better resource utilization for skilled attendants. Objectives: To study factors influencing women’s preference and practice regarding their place of delivery. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Agra from 1st October 2018 to 31st October 2020. Multi-stage random sampling was used. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule. Both bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Result: Majority (72.67%) of women had preference for delivery at government hospital while 19.67% for private hospital and only 7.67% for home. In actual practice, 58.33% had delivered at government hospital and 32.33% delivered at private hospital while 9.33 % at home. On multiple-logistic regression analysis, parity found to have significant association with preference of delivery at government hospital. Preference for delivery in private hospital was found to be significant with OBC caste and in women whose husband has skilled/highly-skilled occupation. In actual practice, Government hospital as delivery place found to have significant association with parity and presence of ASHA. Private hospital as a delivery place found significant with literate mothers and parity. Conclusion: Majority had preferred and practiced institutional delivery, preferring government hospital over private hospital. In actual practice, delivery at private hospital as well as home delivery out-numbered the preferred proportion
Lifestyle, dietary and treatment adherence pattern of uncontrolled diabetics in coastal Karnataka, India
Get PDFBackground: Diabetes Mellitus shows a rising trend in India, driven by a combination of factors like sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and tobacco use. The cornerstone for interventions to reduce this is lifestyle modification. Aim & Objective: This study aims to determine lifestyle behaviours among uncontrolled diabetics in rural South India. Settings and Design: This is a pilot study conducted as part of a community trial which enrolled uncontrolled diabetics (Glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1C of 7% or more) selected from baseline survey of 2 RBS readings. Methods and Material: The sociodemographic details, lifestyle habits and treatment adherence of eligible participants were recorded with a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis used: Data was compared among 2 groups of poor glycaemic control using Chi square test. Results: There was no significant association of age or gender with HbA1C levels. Majority were non-smokers, non-alcoholics and did not exercise. Higher proportions of those with hospital admissions, longer duration of disease and less frequent check-ups had poor control; but these were not statistically significant. Dietary control was inadequate. However, there were no significant association of dietary habits with poor control. Conclusions: Although overall adherence to medication and follow up was satisfactory, lifestyle modification is not being sufficiently followed
Challenges in Vaccine Acceptance– A Framework & Toolkit for the COVID -19 Battle
Get PDFDuring the first wave of this COVID-19 pandemic, India’s performance was relatively superior among the countries that had their first cases in January 2020. We grouped these countries as ‘January Cohort’ and analysed their relative performance (IJCH, April 2020), supporting India’s management. Fast forward to the present, India’s performance is woefully lacking, accounting for 30% of daily cases and 31% daily deaths with 18% of the world population [Worldometer Coronavirus database, June1,2021). On this same day, 50% of the countries worldwide (110 of 222) reported no deaths and 25% (57) without any daily new cases. Thus, we have faltered with a series of public health missteps despite a good start.
The latest and the most remarkable failure of India is the vaccination, despite being the world’s foremost producer. Many of the poor performers initially in the January Cohort, such as UK and USA, focused on ‘vaccinating their way out of the pandemic’ since the roll out of vaccines in December2020. The results are in display starting February 2021- to date, with cases/ deaths on decline in these countries, while India is in a reverse direction. On June 1st, UK reported no COVID-19 deaths and USA had about 31% decline of 14-day moving average