Indian Journal of Community Health
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Designing a blueprint for Theoretical assessment of community medicine phase III Indian Medical Graduates
No full textIntroduction: A blueprint serves as a high-quality, standardized document that encapsulates all instructional resources and the outcomes they have produced. It ensures that every aspect of the curriculum and its instructional domains is thoroughly addressed during the review process. Objective: To create blueprints for the undergraduate community medicine exam curriculum. Material & Method: The distribution of various question types (MCQ, SAQ, and LAQ) and cognitive domain levels (recall, understanding, and application) is proportionally allocated. The impact point (I) ranges from 1 to 3, and the frequency score also ranges from 1 to 3. The weightage coefficient (W) is calculated using the formula I × F / T. Result: The total of all I × F for Paper I amounts to 44, while for Paper II, it totals 43. Blueprints for Community Medicine Paper I and Paper II are each worth 100 marks. Conclusion: Our study\u27s findings indicate that the topics "Principles of Health Promotion and Education," "Occupational Health," "Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases," "Demography and Vital Statistics," and "Health Care of the Community" collectively represent more than half of the total weightage
Assessment of Problems & Challenges faced by Anti-retroviral Therapy Seekers at an ART Centre of tertiary care hospital during the COVID-19 -pandemic
Get PDFBackground: The prodigious COVID-19 pandemic has gravely impacted people with pre-existing health issues and has also had a negative impact how these health issues were managed.C0VID -19 pandemic has a significant impact on patient receiving treatment in tertiary care hospitals.HIV care cascade disruption linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic-associated disruptions in the HIV care cascade. Even temporary disruptions in ART services can cause long-term increases in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality. So, this study was worked out to evaluate problems faced by the beneficiaries due to the COVID-19 pandemic in seeking services at ART centers Aim & Objective: Aim was to assess the various problems encountered by ART seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective was to identify the key challenges faced by ART seekers in accessing treatment and follow-up services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Settings and Design: A teaching hospital\u27s ART centre served as the study\u27s location. The study\u27s cross-sectional design was intended to accomplish the objectives. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was planned to inquire about the challenges faced by HIV patients in availing of ART services during the spread COVID-19 across the world. Antiretroviral therapy seekers getting treatment from a selected ART center were included in the study. Problems faced by participants during the pandemic in availing of ART services were recorded with the help of semi-structured proforma. Statistical analysis used: Statistical data analysis was carried out with the assistance of SPSS -24. Chi-square test was applied for find out the association. Results: Almost 35% of participants could not turn up on time for follow-up as scheduled, and 24% reported deterioration due to difficult access to ART services during the universal spread of COVID-19 . A statistically significant relationship was found between the status of follow-up with sex and occupation Conclusions: The present study concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected ART seeker\u27s accessibility to health care. Movement restriction was the main problem & missed follow-up was the most common challenge faced by ART seekers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Patient and Health System Delay among New Pulmonary TB patients: A cross-sectional study in Eastern India
No full textIntroduction: The burden of TB is increased by delays in diagnosis and treatment, which are frequently brought on by inefficiencies in the patient and health system. Reducing mortality and transmission rates requires early detection and treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate patient and health system delays among new pulmonary TB patients in Khordha district, Odisha. Methodology: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 pulmonary TB patients registered under the NTEP between June 2022 and July 2024. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select participants. Data on delays were collected using a semi-structured, pre-validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, was performed using SPSS version 21. Results: 50.47% of patients experienced diagnostic delays longer than 15 days, and 8.8% of patients experienced delays longer than 14 days. 6.19% experienced treatment delays longer than seven days. Long-term delays were substantially correlated with factors like self-medication, trips to traditional healers, female gender, and age >30 years. Conclusion: Due to delays caused by systemic and sociodemographic factors, timely TB diagnosis and treatment are still difficult to achieve. Effective TB control requires addressing these through focused awareness efforts, early referrals, and reducing inefficiencies in the health system
Community engagement for healthcare delivery without incentive: sustainable or not for Universal Health Coverage?
No full textApart from healthcare service delivery, the growing digitalization of health records raises a need to connect every citizen with a digital health ecosystem under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Considering this fact, an ICMR-funded project, the human resource in the form of Home Health Guides (HHGs) is envisaged to bridge the gap between the community and the health system as complementary to the existing health workforce. These are active volunteers in the community who are educated till matriculation and are willing to work in the field for at least two or three hours without any incentives/remunerations. Their assigned roles are to record and update the health-related information of the assigned families. They are also supposed to assess health emergencies, guide the community regarding their healthcare needs, and link them with the existing healthcare system. As part of the project, we have provided hand-holding support, training, and a few other non-monetary incentives in the form of first aid and medical tool kit, stationary, etc. It was observed that along with the health system, the community also needs the assistance of such a cadre for updating their health records. Also, despite so much effort, these volunteers are not motivated therefore, such initiatives need to be revised and should include monetary incentives to keep them motivated
Transforming Medical Assessment: Virtual OSCEs in Community Medicine - Medical Students\u27 Standpoints"
No full textBackground: Virtual OSCE sessions offer significant utility as an educational tool by enhancing accessibility standardization, immediate feedback, and technology integration. Aim & Objective: To study the utility of a Virtual OSCE assessment method and to determine the students\u27 standpoints and attitude of this approach in comparison to the traditional structured viva method. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 first-year medical undergraduates at a medical institute. Methods and Material: OSCE stations assessed blood pressure and nutritional Anaemia. Students were sensitized in small groups via a virtual platform. Clinical skills station was evaluated virtually, while other stations were assessed physically. A structured, self-administered validated questionnaire with close and open-ended responses were used to analyze students\u27 standpoints on the virtual OSCE. Statistical analysis: The Shapiro–Wilk test of normality, Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test, and the Phi or mean square contingency coefficient were applied. Results: Out of 150 students, 133 participated in the assessment. Among them, 82.4% found virtual OSCE teaching engaging, 80.4% found it interactive, and 87.6% felt it enhanced their interrogation and interpersonal skills. Most students not only appreciated the virtual OSCE for being interesting, innovative, and less time-consuming but also found it to be an effective tool for reducing their fear of facing teachers through immediate feedback. However, a few still preferred the traditional viva method for in-person contact. Conclusions: Virtual OSCEs are a feasible, engaging, and interactive alternative to in-person assessments, enhancing confidence, history-taking, and communication skills
Assessment of Effective Vaccine Management in Government Health facilities of Jammu District- A cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Maintenance of the cold chain is critical to the effectiveness of vaccination. Maintaining the Cold Chain properly requires a lot of attention to implement Universal Immunization Programme and make it success. Effective Vaccine Management was introduced by UNICEF and WHO in 2010. EVM evaluates the logistical management of the vaccination supply chain. Aim & Objective: The study\u27s objective was to assess iSC\u27s performance at the government health facilities of Jammu District’s cold chain points and find the existing gaps. Methodology: In the UT of J&K’s Jammu district, cross-sectional study was conducted which was facility based. Using the questionnaire WHO-UNICEF for EVM assessment created on EVM assessor app. Version (v1.7-March 2014) of Site selection tool of the WHO EVM was used to determine the sample size and site selection. 31 HFs were evaluated. The EVM assessor app was used to generate scores. Results: The consolidated overall scores generated for CCPs ranged from 62% to 66%. The total scores of these CCPs were below the desired score of 80%. Consolidated scores generated for Management criteria (M1-M4) revealed that M1 has achieved ?80% for all CCPs. Conclusions: The Jammu district ‘s cold chain overall performance fell short of proposed level. Supportive supervision, vaccine transportation facility, power backup, training of Cold Chain Handlers can aid in improving EVM
Millets: Need of the Hour – An Overview
No full textThis comprehensive article investigates millet’s role in supporting sustainable agriculture and mitigating global health issues, especially malnutrition. A varied family of small-seeded grains, millets are very essential source of nutrients and plays very crucial role in a gluten-free, high-nutrient substitute for traditional cereals. The article examines India\u27s initiatives to grow and promote millets, highlighting the crop\u27s critical role in preventing malnutrition, addressing lifestyle-related health problems, and fostering food security. India is a significant millet producer. The United Nations proclamation of the International Year of Millets highlights 2023, the significance of millets recognised worldwide. India\u27s state-specific programmes and legislative actions show a concerted attempt to promote millet as a staple grain in line with global health and development objectives
Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude regarding Hepatitis B infection and its prevention among medical undergraduate students of a medical college of Western Uttar Pradesh
No full textBackground: Compared to the general population, healthcare workers (including medical students) have a greater chance of developing a hepatitis B infection. There has often been a lack of awareness and observance of precautionary measures among the students. Aim & Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitude & awareness of hepatitis B infection and preventive strategies among medical students. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted for 6 months, enrolled all medical undergraduate students from all the batches studying at a medical college in Agra. A questionnaire-based proforma was filled out by each participant. Results: Mean age (SD) of participants was 22 ± 0.92 years with 53% female participants. Mean knowledge score among the participants was 10.6 ±2.19 and mean attitude score was 26.4±2.24. Knowledge score was significantly associated with age, sex, professional year (p value 0.000), religion (p value 0.021). Attitude was significantly associated with age (p value 0.048), sex, permanent residence (p value 0.002), socioeconomic class, knowledge (p value 0.000). Conclusion: There is need to improve knowledge regarding hepatitis infection from the very beginning itself to ensure proper attitude and hopefully better preventive practices among the students those will become future doctors in coming time
Knowledge and Attitude Toward Breast Self-Examination Among Medical Students
No full textBackground: Breast Self-Examination (BSE) is a fundamental method for the early detection of breast cancer. Despite its importance, awareness and practice of BSE among medical students—a key segment of the future healthcare workforce—remain inadequate. Aim & Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of BSE knowledge, identify misconceptions, and evaluate the students’ willingness to discuss and promote BSE. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Data was collected using a questionnaire with sections on demographic information, BSE knowledge, and attitudes toward BSE. Results: The study found that 42.7% of students were not taught how to perform BSE, and 35% received information about BSE from their teachers. Knowledge of BSE was limited, with many students holding misconceptions about the frequency and timing of the examination. Approximately 89.1% of students indicated they would seek medical attention if they found an abnormality, though 0.9% reported doing nothing in response to abnormal findings. A significant portion (77.7%) expressed a willingness to discuss BSE with peers. Conclusions: The study highlights critical gaps in BSE knowledge and practice among medical students, revealing a need for enhanced educational programs. Addressing misconceptions and improving education on BSE are essential for equipping future healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to advocate for early breast cancer detection
Psycho-Social and General Health Status of Adolescent Girls in Rural Area of Gurugram, Haryana
Get PDFIntroduction: Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development. Especially for girls, late adolescence is a challenging period to move from adolescence and step into womanhood. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 adolescent girls coming to the weekly health camps organized by the institute, aged 17 to 19 years living at Garhi Harsaru in Gurugram, from June 2023 to September 2023. Results: Mean age for adolescent girls was 18.23±0.52 years. Majority of the girls were unmarried (99.4%) and belonged to nuclear family (61.5%) with monthly family income upto 5 lakh (57.7%). The proportion of undernutrition and overweight among the adolescent girls was 15.4% and 20.5% respectively. The majority of the girls were satisfied with their looks (87.8%) and complexion (91.7%) and 28.2% of girls were concerned for their height and weight. Regarding social dimensions, most of the girls (69.9%) were scolded at home and 30.8% were beaten at home. Other social problems encountered ranged from feeling humiliated (19.9%), hurt physically (7.7%) and forced for sex (5.8%). Approximately half (55.8%) of the girls have expressed their desire to report the violence incidence. Conclusion: The social dimension of adolescent girls needs urgent action. Physical dimension of health also needs to be addressed. Overall empowerment of adolescent girls is needed in the society