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Aim: To assess the prevalence of non‐communicable disease risk factors among the nursing staff and educate them on prevention. Background: Nursing staff is integral to the Indian community healthcare systems. Recent studies report a high prevalence of non‐communicable diseases in Indian nursing staff. Therefore, data on the prevalence of non‐communicable disease risk factors among nursing staff are crucial for education on prevention. Design: A cross‐sectional digital survey‐based study. Method: We invited 4435 nursing staff to attend our online survey. We used a customized questionnaire for data collection, including a digitized version of the Community‐Based Assessment Checklist form. A score of >4 was considered high risk and warranted screening. Result: Among 682 nursing staff who attended, 70% had never undergone screening for non‐communicable diseases. The prevalence of non‐communicable disease risk factors was significantly higher in male nursing staff. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that age, tobacco and alcohol use, increased waist circumference, physical inactivity and family history of non‐communicable diseases were significant risk factors among nursing staff. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the nursing staff have suboptimal self‐health concerns on non‐communicable diseases. This situation warrants continued medical education, awareness campaigns on adopting a healthy lifestyle and health promotion. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The prevalence of non‐communicable diseases (NCDs) among Indian nursing staff is a growing concern, underscoring the need for comprehensive research and targeted interventions.Despite the significant health risks faced by this demographic, there is a notable lack of data on NCD risk factors specific to Indian nursing professionals. What this paper adds? This paper adds information on the prevalence of NCD risk factors chiefly among nursing staff in the Delhi National Capital Region.Male nursing staff have particularly high NCD risk factors. The implications of this paper: Findings may help develop routine screening programmes for nursing staff, continued nursing education and good, safe nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to examine personal and professional factors in determining the research activity and research culture among dental teaching faculty members in Hyderabad City, Telangana. Materials and Method: Two dental schools with ongoing dental undergraduate and postgraduate programmes were included in the study. The Research and Development (R&D) Culture Index Questionnaire comprising 16 items was employed for this study. Also, self‑reported research activity undertaken in the past twelve months was recorded. The association of demographic variables and professionally related variables with the perception of R&D culture and participation in research activities was assessed using the Chi‑square test. A P value was set at 0.05. Results: Of the one‑hundred and fifteen faculty members who participated in the study, seventy‑four (64.4%) worked in the government sector and forty‑one (35.6%) in privately funded dental college. The mean age of the study population was 34.11 + 7.13 years. The majority of them presented a paper or poster at the conference (66.1%; 76) followed by publishing paper in peer‑review journal (42.6%; 49) and grant application for research (6.1%; 7), and authoring of a textbook was undertaken by only 2.6% of the study population. Males (61.1%; P = 0.04) and those employed in private dental college (65.8%; P = 0.02) had significantly high levels of overall perception than their respective counterparts. Conclusion: Our study concludes that this study population has a positive perception (50.32 + 6.95) towards research with the majority of them having done a paper or poster publication (66.1%) in the last one year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digitization of health records and health delivery processes in health care settings may have an impact on the Patient-Physician communication, wait times, that affect the overall patient satisfaction with the health care services. Aim & Objective: We ascertained the effect of digitization of medical case files on the doctor patient relationship (DPR) domain of patient satisfaction at an urban primary health center in India. Settings and Design: Comparative, cross-sectional study in primary health centres. Methods and Material: The patient satisfaction was compared between the patients attending the Public Health Dispensary (PHD) that uses digitized medical case file system and a Civil Dispensary (CD) which follows the conventional paper based medical records, using a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ). Statistical analysis used: Univariate analysis was done by chi-square test and adjusted analysis was done by multiple linear regression. Results: Patient satisfaction in DPR was found to be similar between the digitized medical case files based and conventional OPD (p=0.453). Significantly higher overall patient satisfaction was reported in the conventional paper based OPD than the digitized OPD (p<0.001). Conclusions: Patient satisfaction towards the doctor-patient relationship (DPR) was similar between paper based OPD and the digitized medical case files based OPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a significant public health problem across the nations, is among the top ten leading causes of death. More than 370 million indigenous people (referred to as tribal people in India) are spread across 90 countries. India has the largest tribal people of 104 million. Tribal populations are not exceptional to the threat of type 2 DM (T2DM) and other non-communicable diseases, and hence, public health programmes are addressing this problem. This paper reports the systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the prevalence of T2DM. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to understand the prevalence of T2DM among the tribal populations of India, following the guidelines of the PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. The gender-wise prevalence was recalculated by extracting the data wherever possible. Forest plots were depicted based on the prevalence, and other analyses were performed. On initial searches from three databases, 5422 citations were identified, and ultimately 27 studies were included in the review. These studies were undertaken amongst different tribes in different parts of India. The pooled prevalence of T2DM among men, women and combined were 6.04% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.55% to 6.57%), 6.48% (95% CI: 6.01% to 6.99%) and 4.94% (95% CI: 4.72% to 5.17%), respectively. Considerable heterogeneity was found among these studies. This systematic review provides an overview of the prevalence of T2DM among the Indian tribal population. The pooled overall prevalence is slightly lower than the general population. This situation is worrisome as the epidemic of T2DM will affect the poor tribal communities, who can least afford to bear the health care costs. Hence, the public health care services must be strengthened in all tribal areas. This review further warrants establishing surveillance of T2DM in tribal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Menstruation is a major physiological change in a woman's life, but lack of knowledge, poor practices, socio-cultural barriers, poor access to products and their improper disposal have significant consequences on health, dignity and well-being of women and adolescent girls. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual health and hygiene amongst females of 10–49 years of age; explore the experiences and challenges of women during menstruation; and identify the key predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we adopted a mixed methods approach for data collection. For quantitative household survey, a total of 921 respondents were selected from three districts of Odisha. Qualitative findings through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews supplemented the survey findings and helped to identify the barriers affecting good menstrual practices. Epi data version 2.5 and R 4.2.2 was used for data entry and data analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate proportion, mean and standard deviation; Chi square test was used to measure the association between categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistics analyses were done to identify predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene. For qualitative data analysis, thematic analysis approach was adopted using software Atlas.ti 8. Results: For 74.3% respondents, mothers were the primary source of information; about 61% respondents were using sanitary pad. The mean age at menarche was 12.9 years and almost 46% of respondents did not receive any information about menstruation before menarche. Lower age and education up to higher secondary level or above had statistically significant associations with the knowledge about menstruation. Age, caste, respondent's education, mother's education, sanitation facility, availability of water, accessibility and affordability for sanitary pads were found to be strongly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices. Conclusion: Traditional beliefs regarding menstruation still persists at the community level. Educating mothers, increasing awareness about safe menstrual hygiene, providing adequate water and sanitation facilities and ensuring proper disposal of menstruation products need priority attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of socio-economic factors on the Mutual Funds' investment pattern in India with reference to the frequency and time period of investments of retail investors is attempted. The paper also recognizes the financial objectives and, proposes a model facilitating the investment behavior of the retail investors. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Chi-square test were conducted to evaluate both the significant demographic impact on investment patterns as well as the pertinent perception of the investors towards particular mutual fund/s selection. The study reveals that mutual fund is now being considered as one of the important investment options among the investors irrespective of their gender and age. The findings further support the impact of educational and income levels on the preference of investment in mutual funds. The study also reveals that the investors are inclined more towards this investment avenue mainly due to its ease of investing, higher returns and the minimum risk associated with investing in mutual funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A decline in fertility rate and expansion in life span has resulted in the growth in the percentage of aged populations in the whole world. India and Odisha are no exceptions. Objectives: The objective of the present paper is to find out the incidence of functional ability/inability among the aged people of the rural areas of western Odisha of India. Materials and Methods: Katz Scale of ADL was used to assess the functional ability of elderly people. Six activities of daily living such as (Bathing, Dressing, Toilet, Mobility, Continence, and Feeding) were analyzed as per age and sex of the samples. Results: Of all the samples (1992), 98.5 percent are physically independent and only 1.4 percent are physically dependent. Out of 945 female elderly people, 931 (98.1%) are independent and out of 1047 male elderly people 1033 (98.6%) are independent. The physical dependency of females is more with a χ² -- value of 0.075 and p -- value of 0.466. The age group wise χ² -- value is 20.899 (3) and p -- value of 0.001. Conclusion: Lesser physical dependency is found among the elderly people in rural areas. An increase in dependency is seen with the increase in age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The banking and financial sector of India is presently on its way towards an era of digitalization. This has led to several disruptions in the financial services sector and the conventional way of maintaining banker-customer relationship. This paper makes an attempt to identify the most tech-savvy person in a family who conducts online financial transactions. Further, it tries to study the role of demography and hedonic motivation to embrace a culture of digital transactions. The study was exploratory as well as descriptive in nature, with a sample size of 1200 individual household units. For the analysis of data gathered from the field survey, counts, percentage, chi square test and logistic regression has been used. The study found that children are the most techno-savvy entities in a family, and they are the ones who mainly perform online financial transactions. And among the various demographic variables considered, it has been found that age and education level of the respondents have a significant impact on the hedonic motivation to adopt online banking. These identified variables can be used as the predictors of hedonic motivation that leads to adoption of online banking. The study also found that respondents in the younger age groups have more hedonic motivation towards adoption of online banking transactions. Further, in terms of educational qualification, respondents with higher level of educational qualifications have more hedonic motivation towards adoption of online banking. These observations can be important inputs for policy makers and marketers while taking key decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have captured the experiences of teachers teaching online, but the current 'emergency' to teach online is unprecedented and has been challenging. Grounded in the theory of cognitive dissonance, this paper attempts to recapitulate the experiences of university teachers and analyses whether they have developed the consonant cognitions to teach online during the pandemic period or would they prefer switching back to 'normal' teaching as soon as the circumstances permit. Technology-enabled teaching has been found to be complex as it mandates teaching in a computerised setting and lacks an element of social interaction, which is at the heart of face-to-face teaching. Using Structural Equation Modelling, this study presents the determining factors that motivate teachers to embrace technology-driven teaching more convincingly. The study finds that in the absence of adequate training imparted to the teachers for developing technological and pedagogical knowledge (TPK), high psychological capital and facilitating conditions are the two most important factors ensuring teaching proficiency, creating positive online experiences and a continued intention to teach online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In community-based studies, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) appears to be a superior predictor of childhood under nutrition than many other anthropometric indicators. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children aged 2-5 years using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off values recommended by the World Health Organization in 2007. The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out in randomly selected 44 ICDS canters in Maynaguri Block, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India. Children aged 24 – 60 months (Boys - 499 and Girls - 522) from three (Rajbanshi, Nama Shudra, Nashya Seikh) ethnic communities. Significant age variation was found among boys (F = 14.777; p< 0.001) and girls (9.465; p< 0.001). The overall percentage of moderate and severe undernourished girls (moderate – 25.67%; severe – 5.75%) is higher than the boys (moderate – 24.85 %; severe – 5.41%). Chi-square analysis shows a statistically significant relationship of under nutrition with age, birth weight, ethnicity, birth order, number of siblings, bath place, fuel of cooking, income level and Asiaspecific maternal BMI level. Comparison with international studies reveals that the prevalence of under nutrition in the present study is higher than the children of Malaysia, Cameroon, Nepal, Nigeria and Pakistan. In the context of India, the present study reported a higher prevalence of under nutrition than the children of Midnapur South 24 Pargana of West Bengal, children of Odisha and Bihar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is currently in a good position to design a particularly Indian set of health reforms to help the health system meet the growing demands of its consumers and personnel. There are several managerial obstacles to ensuring availability, access, affordability, and equity in delivering health services to fulfil community requirements efficiently and effectively for Healthy India's Sustainable Development. In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyse the opinions of users who avail of services offered by Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in selected villages of Vadodara District. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the hypothesis is assessed by using Chi Square test as well as Friedman Rank Test was applied to know the preferences and measure perception of users considering the selected criteria of services offered by the PHCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper delineates the appraising and comparing the circumstances that may influence the choices and preferences of the undergraduates of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) of the north-western region of India for using library's print versus electronic resources. The author investigated the circumstances in knowing whether different situations impact their choice for using print or electronic resources concerning their demographical characteristics for their academic learning. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a survey of undergraduates at six NITs in the north-western region of India. The responses were analysed using Chi-Square, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis statistical analysis tests, via SPSS software. Findings: The study revealed that respondents preferred a mix of both forms of sources for their academic studies under different circumstances. The results reveal that the institution of respondents affected the choice of print resources over e-resources and vice versa in many different circumstances. Respondents' year of study affected the choice of using print over e-resources and vice versa in certain situations. The residential backdrop affects the choice of using e-resources over print in some situations. Gender of respondents affects the choice of using e-resources over print under some situations. Practical implications: The study will further aid librarians at six NITs in the north-western region of India to know whether print resources still have the same importance among library users or their preference switched towards using electronic resources. Originality/value: This study offers new perspectives on the use of print verses electronic resources among the undergraduates at six NITs in the north-western region of India so that the libraries can procure desired resources rather than moving with the market trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contemporary society has led to the increasing use of electronic equipment that is very much responsible for the burden of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste contains very hazardous substance that harms health and environmental conditions. There is no delicate mechanism for the management of e-waste in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh. This study assessed knowledge, practice, and awareness of e-waste management among residents of this city. Material and methods: The study was conducted amongst users of electronic equipment living in the Lucknow City of Uttar Pradesh. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Multi-stage random sampling was done for the selection of participants for the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was administered in a single setting for all phases. The total optimum sample size is 700 individuals who participated in the study. Data were entered in MS Excel 2016 and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were calculated, applying the chi-square test for association using R-4.2.1 Statistical software. Aim and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the management of electronic waste among users of electronic equipment residing in Lucknow city. Results: Only 37% of users are aware that e-waste adversely affects health. Only 34.3% of users knew that e-waste should be given to the seller or manufacturer for recycling while rest told that it should be stored at home, sold to a scrap dealer, or disposed with normal waste. 87.3% users are not aware about e-waste govt guidelines. In the current study electronic and print media like television, radio and news paper were not found to be source of information for e-waste disposal. Conclusion: Education regarding the ill effects of e-waste is essential for people and awareness of proper disposal of e-waste is the need of the hour. Electronic and print media as well as companies producing electronic equipment should play a significant role to awaken the respondent about the disposal of e-waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tries to examine the impact of Ind AS on some accounting numbers and also to examine if there is any statistically significant difference among the prevailing opinions regarding Ind AS adoption in India. We took the top 45 companies from the Bombay Stock Exchange, according to their market capitalisation, and excluded banking, non-banking financial companies, and insurance companies due to non-availability of data, and made a questionnaire for opinion survey. We applied paired t-test on the secondary data and a chi-square test on the primary data. No statistically significant difference was found in the accounting numbers after the adoption of Ind AS. Results also revealed that there is homogeneity in the opinion of respondents with different work experiences and occupations regarding the impact of Ind AS on accounting numbers. Indian companies should provide more disclosure in their financial statements, so that the informational content of accounting numbers can be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to assess the knowledge on use of diaper and its impact on child health among mothers of infants. The objectives of the study was to assess the knowledge on use of diaper and its impact on child health among mothers of infants and to find out the association between the knowledge onuse of diaper and its impact of child health among the mothers of infants and selected socio personal variables. Non experimental descriptive study design was used in the study. The data was collected by using a semi structured questionnaire. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result shows that out of 50 samples majority of the children are of age range 0-2 months, 52% were male children and was first born (54%). Majority of the sample are at age group 26-30 years (36%), 58% samples are educated upto graduate level, 42% of samples were housewives and 48% have family income above 30,000, 94% of children were using disposable diapers ,42% of children using diapers for 3-4 hours and 80% children had no exposure to diaper rash. Among the samples, 56% of mother had moderate knowledge, 34% of mothers had poor knowledge and, 10% of mothers had good knowledge. There is significant association between the age of mother and occupation of mother and there is no association between age of child, sex of child, birth order of child, education of mother, income of family, type of diaper used, duration of diaper used, previous exposure to diaper rash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study includes the concept of Kundalini - a coiled serpent power from the Eastern philosophy of yoga. Generally looked up as one of the mystical concept by common man. The main objective of the paper is to develop a scale which can simplify the concept of kundalini. We have taken a sample of 310 out of 1500 yoga students and scholars from more than five universities of India. We tested the facial validity, Content Validity Index by four experts and further factor loadings (promax rotation) of items which were considered suitable for the intended results. The scale was tested and verified with dimensional reduction through EFA by SPSS 25 version with values Cron-bach alpha 0.94 and variance 51.87%. Sample adequacy was found the good with KMO's value 0.95. and Bartlett's test of sphericity with chi square value approx. 2794.56 with significance level P<0.001. Overall Simplified Kundalini Scale's results were found to be significant at every level. Goodness of the 16 item scale is up to the mark, fitting all the values within the given range of parameters by CFA using AMOS version 25. Simplified Kundalini Scale can be valid and reliable measure for kundalini yoga practitioners. And hence paving the way for common man to gain physical as well as overall wellbeing in every sphere of life. For the further research we would strongly recommend that in future the sub-scales should be interpreted with caution, if constructed and overall scale should be used for best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence and severity of Covid 2019 has brought to light new vulnerabilities of Health Care Workers (HCWs) in their working conditions, social protection, and occupational safety and mental health. In view of this, our paper aimed to provide comprehensive analysis of psychological stress, socio-economic impact, government intervention, interpersonal relations, work-life balance, and coping strategies of HCWs during the pandemic time in India. Based on data collected physically from 606 HCWs working in seven hospitals located in Delhi-NCR using structured questionnaires, six latent variables were constructed. T-test and ANOVA technique along with Post-hoc analysis was used to make comparisons and identify groups across which significant differences existed. Further, a two-group discriminant analysis was performed to find the variables that best discriminated between HCWs from private or public hospitals and medically or not-medically trained. Lastly, chi-squared (χ²) test was performed to examine the statistical association between coping strategies and few demographic characteristics. The results revealed that females and medically-trained HCWs were more psychologically stressed than their counterparts. Work-life-balance and interpersonal relations were found to be more disturbed among the medically-trained HCWs. Government regulations favourably affected the non-medically trained and HCWs with children and elderlies. Additionally, the impact of interpersonal relationships and work-life-balance was found to be adverse on permanent HCWs. Discriminant analysis showed that interpersonal relationships, followed by government intervention, work-life balance and socio-economic impact were the most important predictors between medically and non-medically trained HCWs. However, none of these factors discriminated between HCWs from private or public hospitals. Further, the preference patterns of coping strategies suggested that HCWs worked with an optimistic state of mind and adopted positive techniques. To make the healthcare system more resilient, it is strongly suggested that the government should play a key role during the times of pandemic, especially-encompassing females and financially stressed categories of HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prosocial behaviour is one of the key features of the development of school-going adolescents. Therefore, the current paper focuses on the prosocial behaviour of school-going adolescents in Kollam District, Kerala. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study where 600 school-going adolescents, their parents and 60 class teachers were selected through cluster sampling method. English and Malayalam version of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was administered among respondents. Chi-square and multiple linear regression models were used for analysing the data. Results: Self-report of prosocial behaviour predictors were significantly associated with gender (P < 0.01), urban-rural settings (P < 0.001) and government-private schools (P < 0.001). Parents' report shows highly significant relationship with gender (P < 0.001) whereas teachers' report is significantly related to urban-rural settings (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The current study found that one-fifth of school-going adolescents had borderline to abnormal (self – 17.4%; parents' – 16.9%; teachers' report – 20.8%) prosocial behaviour. School-going adolescents should involve in volunteer activities and campaigns for better development in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background High-risk pregnancies (HRP) place women and their offspring at the highest risk for morbidity and mortality. Maternal and medical risks increase pregnancy risk and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Here, we reported the current prevalence of high-risk pregnancies among Indian women, which is defined through various factors such as maternal, lifestyle, medical, current health risk and adverse birth outcomes. Methods This is a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from India's National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). A total of 23853 currently pregnant women were considered for analysis after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence and contributing factors of high-risk pregnancies were estimated using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, respectively. Results The prevalence of high-risk pregnancies among Indian women was 49.4%, with 33% of women having a single high-risk, and 16.4% having multiple high-risk pregnancies. Notably, pregnant women from Meghalaya and Manipur states had 67.8% and 66.7% with one or more high-risk factors, respectively. About 31.1% of women had short birth spacing, and 19.5% of women had adverse birth outcomes during the last birth. Logistic regression analysis showed that women with no education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.84-2.22) and the poorest wealth quintile (AOR=1.33; 95% CI=1.04-1.29) had significantly higher odds of having HRP than those with higher education and the highest wealth quintile, respectively. Conclusions Nearly half of all pregnancies in India have one or more high-risk factors, which is a matter of concern, and the risks were higher among the vulnerable population such as no educated, poorest groups etc. The leading high-risk factors such as short-birth spacing, adverse birth outcomes, and caesarean deliveries should be addressed through the health policy and programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, twenty-five percent of women who menstruate are unable to utilize sanitary methods, and even among those who have access, there are multiple obstacles to achieving proper menstrual hygiene management. The consequences of inadequate menstrual health may extend to affect a girl's socialisation, empowerment, overall well-being, and even survival. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of unmet menstrual practice needs and its determinants among college going women in Coimbatore district, India. Methodology: A questionnaire based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 3144 college going women from October 2022 to January 2023. Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36) was used to collect data regarding the unmet needs and their mean scores were compared across socio-demographic variables, menstrual knowledge, and the choice of hygiene material. Results: The mean (SD) age of the study population was 19.3 (1.8) years. The prevalence of unmet menstrual practice needs was 62.8% with a mean (SD) MPNS score of 1.8 (0.4). The total MPNS score was low for those currently residing in rural or having a rural hometown. The unmet need was better for those residing in-campus of the educational institute and having educated parents. The socioeconomic class and presence of a personal income also influenced the total MPNS scores significantly (p < 0.05). Menstrual talks with friends before puberty and with friends and family after puberty improved the MPNS scores. Regarding menstrual hygiene methods, modern menstrual methods (MMM), disposable and bio-degradable materials had a lower unmet need. Marital status, freedom to manage expenses, pre-pubertal menstrual talks with family, and total number of family members did not influence the scores of MPNS. Multivariate regression analysis showed that maternal education, menstrual talks with family after puberty, and type of menstrual hygiene method including its disposability were independent predictors of total MPNS scores. Conclusion: Addressing unmet menstrual practice needs among college-going women in Coimbatore district necessitates a multifaceted approach encompassing education, access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, and destigmatization efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The current study compared Self-Figure drawings from Thai and Indian adolescents to assess the cross-cultural applicability of a child abuse assessment tool. The research aims to understand the extent to which distinctions or similarities arise in Self-Figure drawings among adolescents from two culturally similar yet distinct backgrounds characterized by differences in religious affiliations, socioeconomic contexts, and political environments. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilized quantitative measures, including the Traumatic Events Checklist (TEQ-5) and Medical Somatic Dissociation Questionnaire (MSDQ), alongside a qualitative analysis of Self-Figure drawings. Ethical approval was obtained with waived informed consent, and a convenience sample of 386 adolescents aged 13–18 years (193 from Thailand [M = 14.8, SD = 1.73; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)], and 193 from India [M = 15.2, SD = 1.64; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)]), who reported experiencing child abuse, participated in the study by completing questionnaires and drawing themselves. Results: The analysis revealed that Thai adolescents had higher MSDQ scores, while Indian adolescents exhibited more prominent pictorial indicators. Indian participants reported experiencing a broader range of event types, whereas Thai adolescents predominantly depicted verbal or emotional abuse. Variations in pictorial indicators were found significant, except for hair, cheek or chin, omitted legs or feet, and omitted eyes. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of how cultural factors influence adolescents' self-representations through drawing. The differences in pictorial indicators highlight the nuanced variations within similar cultures, emphasizing the cultural specificity of self-expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examines the levels and predictors of malnutrition in Indian children under 5 years of age. Methods: Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure was applied to data from the India National Family Health Survey 2019–2021. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the predictors. Results: 52.59% of children experienced anthropometric failure. Child predictors of lower malnutrition risk included female gender (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.881) and average or large size at birth (AOR = 0.729 and 0.715, respectively, compared to small size). Higher birth order increased malnutrition odds (2nd-4th: AOR = 1.211; 5th or higher: AOR = 1.449) compared to firstborn. Maternal predictors of lower malnutrition risk included age 20–34 years (AOR = 0.806), age 35–49 years (AOR = 0.714) compared to 15–19 years, normal BMI (AOR = 0.752), overweight and obese BMI (AOR = 0.504) compared to underweight, and secondary or higher education vs. no education (AOR = 0.865). Maternal predictors of higher malnutrition risk included severe anemia vs. no anemia (AOR = 1.232). Protective socioeconomic factors included middle (AOR = 0.903) and rich wealth index (AOR = 0.717) compared to poor, and toilet access (AOR = 0.803). Children's malnutrition risk also declined with paternal education (primary: AOR = 0.901; secondary or higher: AOR = 0.822) vs. no education. Conversely, malnutrition risk increased with Hindu (AOR = 1.258) or Islam religion (AOR = 1.369) vs. other religions. Conclusions: Child malnutrition remains a critical issue in India, necessitating concerted efforts from both private and public sectors. A 'Health in All Policies' approach should guide public health leadership in influencing policies that impact children's nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation using short‐term heart rate variability (HRV) and compare it among frailty statuses in older Indian adults. Methods: A total of 210 subjects aged 60 years and above were recruited into three groups: frail (n = 70), pre‐frail (n = 70), and non‐frail (n = 70) from the outpatient department of Geriatric Medicine at a tertiary care hospital in India. Frailty status was assessed using the Rockwood frailty index (FI) criteria. HRV was derived from a 5‐min ECG recording of standard limb leads and assessed using time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear analysis of cardiac interval variability. Results: The HRV parameters indicative of parasympathetic modulation such as SDNN, SDSD, rMSSD, NN50, pNN50, absolute HF power, and SD1 were significantly lower in frail subjects compared with both pre‐frail and non‐frail subjects (P < 0.05). Absolute LF power and SD2 were also lower in frail subjects compared with pre‐frail and non‐frail subjects (P < 0.05). Measures of sympatho‐vagal balance (LF/HF and SD1/SD2 ratios) did not show statistical significance. The FI demonstrated negative correlations with all HRV parameters. Conclusions: Frail individuals exhibit decreased sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation compared with pre‐frail and non‐frail individuals, although maintaining a balanced sympatho‐vagal state. Furthermore, autonomic modulation declines progressively with increasing frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on climatic parameters contributing to psychiatric disorder seasonality is limited, particularly in subtropical, arid climates like Rajasthan, necessitating investigation into seasonal variations in psychiatric disorder incidence in the region. This study investigates seasonal variations in psychiatric disorder prevalence over 2 years at a Rajasthan tertiary healthcare center, aiming to uncover links with climatic factors. Aims: To investigate seasonal variations in the utilization of outpatient psychiatry services and elucidate potential determinants contributing to these temporal variations. Settings and Design: This is a hospital-based study. A retrospective chart review of all new patients who utilized psychiatry outpatient services from July 2021 to July 2023 was conducted. Methods and Material: Data were gathered from psychiatric outpatient records of adults (July 2021 to July 2023), diagnosed using ICD-10. Seasons were categorized: winter (November-January), spring (February-April), summer (May-July), and rainy (August-October). Meteorological data, temperature, and day length were obtained. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation and Chi-square fitness, assessed seasonal associations with psychiatric disorders. Results: A total of 29,164 patient records were observed. Depression correlated with temperature and photoperiod. Mania peaked in August, linked to day length. Schizophrenia showed seasonal variation without environmental correlation. Anxiety peaked in March with no statistical significance. Obsessive compulsive disorder cases spiked in June, moderately correlated with temperature and photoperiod. Alcohol-related disorders peaked in December, while opioid dependence remained steady. Cannabis-induced psychosis peaked in summer, strongly correlated with temperature and day length. Headaches surged in August, positively correlated with temperature and day length. Conclusions: This study reveals complex relationships between seasonality, environmental factors, and psychiatric disorders, emphasizing their importance in mental health research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The implications of maternal anemia extend beyond the immediate physiological consequences; moreover, the consequences of maternal anemia are not limited to the mother alone. It may lead to low Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) scores. It, further, adds up to higher incidence of morbidity rates in neonates. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence and severity of anemia during pregnancy, to establish a correlation between maternal hemoglobin (Hb) levels and APGAR scores in newborns, and determine the association between cardiovascular disease and severity of anemia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at a private medical college in Bareilly from March 2022 to March 2023. The study focused on pregnant females aged 15--49 years who were admitted and delivered within the facilities of the private medical college during this period. Pregnant females with pre-existing chronic conditions affecting Hb levels were excluded from the study. A total of 130 subjects were included in the study, and their Hb levels and APGAR scores at 1 min were considered for analysis. Results: The results show a spearmen rank correlation coefficient (r) = 0.575 between maternal Hb levels and APGAR scores at 1 min, indicating a significant positive relationship (P < 0.05). Infants born to mothers with moderate anemia exhibited the highest prevalence of low APGAR scores (<4), highlighting the potential impact of maternal anemia on immediate neonatal well-being. No significant association was found between cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy and severity of anemia. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the optimization of maternal Hb levels is a critical intervention to ensure a healthier start for the neonate. This study provides a crucial foundation for evidence-based practices in maternal healthcare and neonatal well-being. Focus on improving maternal Hb provides multifaceted benefits both in mothers and neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Community health workers are crucial in improving health and bridging gaps between communities and health care services. They are integral to various national health initiatives to prevent diseases and enhance well-being. Providing health care services to adolescents is a pivotal responsibility for auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the community health workers' comprehension, implementation practices, and viewpoints regarding the implementation of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) program. Methodology The research was conducted across primary health centers in Hagaribommanahalli and Huvina Hadagali taluks. A two-stage sampling technique was utilized to gather data from 404 participants, who were administered a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 software. Results Out of the total community health workers, 336 (83.2%) were ASHA workers, while 68 (16.8%) were ANMs. The mean age of the community health workers was 38 ± 6 years, and 79% had received training in the RKSK program. Of the respondents, 60.9% demonstrated adequate knowledge, and 79.5% correctly executed the RKSK activities. In addition, 80.5% of the participants strongly concurred with statements reflecting their perception of the RKSK program. Conclusion The study findings indicate that community health workers possess a commendable understanding of the RKSK program. Furthermore, their effective implementation practices and positive perceptions regarding the RKSK program and its activities suggest a genuine commitment to supporting the RKSK program and other health-related endeavors targeting adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction One of the most important aspects of happiness is one's health. Increased industrialization in developing nations has contributed to a change in disease patterns away from infectious illness as the major cause of morbidity and mortality toward chronic diseases such as heart disease and trauma. Most emergency circumstances need immediate medical attention before a person is taken to the hospital; therefore, public awareness and training programs can aid in providing efficient basic life support care and services. Only a few works of literature on basic life support and prehospital emergency care in an Indian context are available and are usually studied among school teachers. However, no comparable research including allied health experts such as speech and hearing professionals has yet been published in the literature. Aim The present study aimed at exploring the awareness of speech and hearing professionals regarding basic life support in an Indian context. Methods The questionnaire consisted of two sections where section A comprised 6 questions related to demographic details and participant's experience, and section B composed of 17 questions related to knowledge of normal bodily physiology, medical emergencies, and first aid and related aspects. A cross-sectional exploratory study design was conducted on 250 participants. Out of 250 responses, 42 of them were incomplete and so were removed from the study. Therefore, a total of 208 complete responses received from the participants in the age range of 22 to 60 years from across 23 states and 1 union territory of India were included in the study. Results The result revealed a low percentage of speech and hearing professionals with an adequate understanding of basic life support. The majority of them were found to have insufficient knowledge of normal bodily physiology, medical emergencies, and first aid and related aspects. Discussion Being the first of its kind, the present study revealed limited awareness about basic life support among professionals, and therefore, the need to improvise the knowledge of basic life support and prehospital emergency care. This may be achieved by introducing training programs of various natures and dimensions to speech and hearing professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess anxiety, stress, and depression levels among 300 nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing a quantitative, cross-sectional design. Findings revealed that a majority experienced mild anxiety (53.7%), stress (64.3%), and depression (71.7%). Pearson's correlation showed moderate positive associations between stress and anxiety (p=0.002, r=0.376) and anxiety and depression (p=0.040, r=0.119), with a weak positive correlation between stress and depression (p=0.068, r=0.105). Age, professional experience, and marital status were associated with anxiety, stress, and depression levels. Work-related variables and fears significantly influenced anxiety and stress but not depression. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions and support to enhance nurses' well-being amid ongoing and future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between inclusive leadership (IL), psychological safety (PS), affective commitment (AC) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) at the workplace. By understanding the sequential linkages, the research aims to provide insights for fostering a positive organizational culture that promotes employee commitment and employees' willingness to go the extra mile for the organization. Design/methodology/approach: The authors study how IL and OCB are related through PS and AC. For this purpose, cross-sectional data from 384 nursing professionals in India was collected and structural equation modeling was conducted on the same using IBM AMOS. Findings: The study found that IL has a major impact on OCB. The study further found that perceived IL leads to PS which is associated with OCB through AC. Research limitations/implications: The study has many theoretical and practical implications. This study uses a framework that is based on Affective events theory. In a health-care environment, IL can foster AC by promoting a culture of respect, collaboration and value for diverse perspectives, which enhances health-care professionals' emotional attachment to their work and the organization. Additionally, by encouraging open communication and a sense of belonging, IL contributes to OCB, as health-care staff are more likely to engage in discretionary behaviors that support the overall effectiveness and positive functioning of the health-care team if PS is improved, ultimately improving patient care outcomes. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the primary studies that looks into the sequential mechanism through which IL impacts OCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dementia is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects cognitive performance. The caregivers of individuals with dementia experience a greater burden that affects their Quality of Life (QoL). This cross-sectional study conducted in India was designed to assess the caring burden and QoL among the caregivers of people with dementia, as well as to ascertain the relationship between QoL scores and burden. Our sample included 80 caregivers of people with dementia. Most of the caregivers (n = 59, 73.8%) had a higher level of caregiver burden. There was a negative correlation between caregiver burden scores and QoL. A higher level of caregiver stress and low QoL were experienced by caregivers of dementia patients. In developing countries like India, counseling, and education on home health care for people with dementia should be provided to reduce the burden and enhance the QoL of caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth multifaceted healthcare challenges, including the emergence of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM). This study investigates demographics, clinical presentation, endoscopic grading, radiological correlations, treatment modalities, and outcomes of CAM in Central India. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 312 CAM patients (April-June 2021). Data included demographics, clinical profiles, endoscopic and radiological findings, laboratory results, and treatments. A novel endoscopic grading system was utilized to assess the severity of mucormycosis lesions. Statistical analysis, including chi-squared tests, was performed. Results: Among 312 patients, 65% were male, 82% had comorbidities, and 84% presented with facial swelling. Endoscopic grading correlated with radiological manifestations (p < 0.05) and intraoperative findings. Surgical debridement and antifungal therapy were common treatments, yielding varied clinical outcomes. Mortality was 13% in advanced grades. Conclusion: This study underscores the role of endoscopic grading in risk stratification and prognosis. Findings contribute to CAM management knowledge, underscoring tailored interventions' significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unmet need for contraception is documented as a significant determinant of unintended pregnancies and high number of induced abortions. The period immediately after an abortion is recognised as a unique opportunity to offer contraceptive services. This paper explores the association between place of abortion and women's post-abortion contraceptive behaviour. The reproductive calendar data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) (2015–16) was used for this study. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to understand factors associated with post-abortion method choices. Single decrement life-tables were built to examine rates of contraceptive discontinuation and proportional hazard models were employed to examine probability and correlates of method discontinuation. About 20% of women who underwent an abortion adopted a contraceptive method by the end of one month following an abortion. The decision to choose methods like sterilisation or intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) was associated with the place of abortion, past contraceptive behaviour, number and sex of surviving children at the time of abortion, mass media exposure, and time of the abortion. Compared to women who underwent an abortion at private health facilities, women who sought abortion at public health facilities were more likely to choose permanent methods or IUCDs. Furthermore, women who opted for an IUCD were less likely to discontinue the method compared to those using short-acting modern methods. The lack of post-abortion contraceptive choices for women is evident in the low uptake of post-abortion contraceptives in private facilities and the predominant promotion of permanent methods and IUCDs in public health facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the nature and determinants of product innovation for food and agribusiness firms in India. The study is based on the World Bank's Enterprise Survey and the India Innovation Follow-up Survey from 2014. These surveys included 294 Indian food and agribusiness firms operating in different regions of the country. Simple statistical tools, such as chi-square test and logistic regression, are used for analyzing the raw data. It is evident from the analysis that there is a significant difference in the adoption of product innovations across enterprise sizes. Product innovation is more prominent in large enterprises than small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Results of regression analysis indicate that product innovation in SMEs is more likely to be influenced by a variety of internal, collaborative, and external factors. The findings of the study suggest that SMEs should diversify their product innovations to include new inputs, improved product features, and enhanced technologies to strengthen their place in the market. This research is valuable because there is limited evidence on the nature and determinants of product innovation in food and agribusiness SMEs of emerging economies like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family caregivers are vital for long-term care for persons with serious health-related suffering in Kerala. Long-term caregiving and ageing may become burdensome and detrimental to patients and caregivers. We compared the caregiver burden and quality-of-life of ageing caregivers with younger caregivers. We also explored the palliative care nurses' perceptions of the family caregivers' issues. Methods: We did a mixed method study focusing on two groups: (i) three in-depth interviews and a cross-sectional survey among 221 caregivers of palliative care patients in five randomly selected panchayats (most peripheral tier of three-tier local self-government system in India concerned with governance of a village or small town) of Kollam district, Kerala, as part of development and validation of the Achutha Menon Centre Caregiver Burden Inventory; (ii) five in-depth interviews with purposively selected primary palliative care nurses as part of a study on local governments and palliative care. We used a structured interview schedule to collect cross-sectional data on sociodemographic and caregiving-related characteristics, caregiver burden, and health-related quality of life using the EuroQol EQ5D5L and interview guidelines on caregiver issues tailored based on participant type for qualitative interviews. Results: Older caregivers comprised 28.1% of the sample and had significantly poorer health and quality-of-life attributes. More senior caregivers experiencing caregiver burden had the lowest mean scores of 0.877 (Standard deviation (SD 0.066, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.854–0.899) followed by younger caregivers with high burden (0.926, SD 0.090, 95% CI 0.907–0.945), older caregivers with low burden (0.935, SD 0.058, 95% CI 0.912–0.958) and younger caregivers with low burden (0.980, SD 0.041, 95% CI 0.970–0.990). Caregivers faced physical, psychological, social, and financial issues, leading to a caregiver burden. The relationships between the palliative care nurses and family caregivers were complex, and nurses perceived caregiver burden, but there were no specific interventions to address this. Conclusion: In our study from Kollam, Kerala, three out of ten caregivers of palliative care patients were 60 years of age or older. They had significantly lower health-related quality of life, particularly if they perceived caregiver burden. Despite being recognized by palliative care nurses, caregiver issues were not systematically addressed. Further research and suitable interventions must be developed to target such problems in the palliative care programme in Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is used to identify early signs of fetal deterioration. However, caution is advised when interpreting cardiotocographic parameters. A promising alternative is umbilical cord blood sampling. The analysis of blood gases and lactate levels in the cord within the initial minutes of life is a recommended approach. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study, conducted over eighteen months from June 2021 to December 2022, enrolled 70 patients with non-reactive and 70 with reactive cardiotocograph (CTG) patterns. APGAR scores were recorded at 1 and 5-minute intervals. 1 ml of umbilical artery blood was assessed in an arterial blood gas machine and fetal acidosis was defined as pH <7.0 and a lactate concentration exceeding 4 mmol/L. RESULTS: In the non-reactive CTG group, 35.7% had early decelerations, 37.1% had variable decelerations, and 17.1% had late decelerations (p<0.001). The mean cord blood lactate was 5.220±1.970 mmol/L in the non-reactive CTG group and 3.400±0.228 mmol/L in the reactive CTG group. Similarly, the mean cord blood pH was 7.030±0.007 in the non-reactive CTG group and 7.170±0.076 in the reactive CTG group (p<0.001). 14.3% of cases in the non-reactive CTG group had a 5-minute APGAR <7, with a higher APGAR score in the reactive group. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that abnormal or indeterminate CTG readings are linked to a higher risk of intrapartum fetal acidosis. Non-reactive CTG results were associated with higher mean cord blood lactate and pH levels and more number of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions. There is a definite correlation between abnormal CTG patterns and poorer neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: User satisfaction in healthcare is an important measure of the quality of services provided to the patient and their carers. Since treatment of psychiatric patients requires long follow-up periods, and this long follow-up treatment patients depends on their initial experience with health service,therefor user satisfaction is of increasing importance in the mental health field. Aims and Objectives: Assess the user satisfaction and perceptions of the attitude of emergency health- care professionals (including paramedical staff and physicians of respective specialties) toward psychiatric and nonpsychiatric patients as experienced by the patients and carers. To compare the user satisfaction and perceived attitude of emergency staff in patients with psychiatric illness and nonpsychiatric illness. To determine the service users' decision to revisit the same health-care facility in case of the same problem. Materials and Methods: This study was done in the hospital wing of a tertiary care teaching university hospital in northern India, and ethics approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee patients' sociodemographic details and psychiatric and other relevant medical history after obtaining informed consent. The psychiatric diagnosis was made according to the ICD-10. A self-report questionnaire, comprising 9 questions, and was designed to assess the perceived attitudes of health-care workers toward the patient of psychiatric illness. The questionnaire was designed in Hindi. Descriptive statistics for categorical variables were done. Inferential statistics were calculated using the Chi-square test. Results: Out of a total of 95 respondents, 69 patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and the remaining 26 patients had medical illness or other non-psychiatric disorders. Females were a majority in both groups. Our study majorly showed that service users perceived the attitudes of medical and paramedical staff in emergency units mostly as satisfactory or extremely satisfactory, as well as the majority of service users reported that they were satisfied with the reaction of emergency paramedical staff towards the emotional well-being of the patient. Conclusions: The major strengths of this study were the quantitative analysis of health workers' attitudes toward patients with psychiatric illnesses, which showed user-rated satisfactory attitudes. There was less stigma and more of a positive impact noted. The semi-structured questionnaire was designed in the local language and tailored to cover topics such as emotional well-being and psychoeducation that can all affect the user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, adolescent pregnancy is one of the key issues in women's reproductive health. Adolescent mothers face a higher risk of obstetrical concerns, and motherhood in adolescence is strongly influenced by lower education level and lower socioeconomic status. The present study was carried out across all Indian states and Union Territories using the National Family Health Survey, rounds 1 to 5 (1992–1993 to 2019–2021) in which various socioeconomic and cultural factors associated with adolescent pregnancies was examined in detail. The article uses univariate, bivariate with chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression models to understand the extent of which socioeconomic factors and sexual behavior of the couple are related to early motherhood experiences. It was found that age at marriage, respondent education, employment, age gap between partners, and religion are some of the important variables that affect the likelihood of adolescent pregnancy among females in Indian states. Comprehensive institutional efforts like free contraceptives and counseling services should be provided to address the increasing risk of pregnancy among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis affecting humans and animals worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in high-risk occupational groups (cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) in the state of Gujarat and to determine related risk factors for leptospirosis. Methods: Using an interview-guided questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 123 people in high-risk occupational groups (namely, cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) from five districts of the state of Gujarat, India. The participants' serum samples were screened for antileptospiral antibodies by using Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) followed by a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The Chi-square (χ²) test and odds ratio were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA) to ascertain the associated risk factors. Results: Regarding demographic information, this study included 104 men and 19 women in high-risk occupational groups. The overall seroprevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in these high-risk workers was 46.3%. The seroprevalence was the highest among poultry farm workers (56.6%), followed by cattle farm workers (54.5%) and slaughterhouse workers (25.6%). The MAT in combination with IgM is adequate for the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis, but we have also employed IgG ELISA to understand the chronic infection in these high-risk occupational groups as exposure was both past and present. Tests were conducted for antibodies against various Leptospira serovars in the major serogroups; frequent serovars included Hurstbridge, Panama, Javanica, Tarassovi, Copenhageni, Pomona, and Weaveri, among others. The significant (P < 0.05) risk factors associated with leptospirosis in these high-risk occupations reported to be living in field areas, the presence of livestock in the neighborhood, working in slaughterhouses, drinking water from natural water resources, contact with animals such as dogs or livestock, and wounds during occupational practice. Conclusion: Considering the high seroprevalence of leptospirosis, high-risk occupational groups should be regularly screened for potential development of the fatal disease. Hurstbridge was found to be the most prevalent serovar in the studied population, followed by Panama, Javanica, and Tarassovi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disposal of children's stools is often neglected in Indian sanitation programs, putting them at higher risk of diseases transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the unsafe disposal of child stool in India and to estimate the geographical variation in unsafe disposal. Methods: The study used 78,074 births under two years from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (2019–21). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis with the chi-square test, and a four-level hierarchical logistic regression model were applied to accomplish the study objectives. Results: Findings revealed a 61.3% prevalence of unsafe stool disposal nationwide, significantly varying between rural (45%) and urban (67%) areas. Multilevel logistic regression highlighted that mother's education, wealth quintile, and sanitation facility were significant predictors of unsafe disposal of child stools. Random intercept statistics revealed a substantial geographical unit-level variance in unsafe stool practice in India. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the widespread unsafe disposal of child stool among Indian mothers with young children below two years, and the study underscores a range of contributing factors, including education, media exposure, prosperity, water availability, and sanitation. It also accentuates the significance of the geographical variance in the unsafe disposal of child stool in India, particularly at the household level, followed by the community level. Hence, the findings underscore the importance of focused interventions, including targeted household-level poverty alleviation programs, initiatives to enhance sanitation and water facilities, and community-level public health awareness programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a global decline in tobacco use reported by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), India stands out for its high number of tobacco users. While research in India often focuses on tobacco use among young adults, there's a notable lack of studies addressing tobacco use among middle and old-aged women. However, the national prevalence of tobacco use among middle and old-aged (45 years and above) women in India is 18.2%. Thus, this study seeks to identify the factors influencing tobacco consumption among middle and old-aged women in the country. Methods: The study has utilized secondary data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted in 2017–18. This study exclusively included a total of 38,180 middle and old-aged women who reported tobacco use. The analysis encompassed the utilization of Chi-square tests and Binary logistic regression to pinpoint the risk factors linked to tobacco use among middle and old-aged women. Results: Our study reveals a heightened likelihood of tobacco use among middle and old-aged women residing in the northeastern region of India. The study underscores the imperative to direct targeted efforts toward middle and old-aged women who fall into specific categories, including those who are widowed, separated, or unmarried, individuals who consume alcohol, those with lower socioeconomic and educational standings, residents of rural areas, those living in solitude, individuals experiencing depressive symptoms, and those who self-report poor health. Conclusion: Given the heightened susceptibility of these demographic groups to tobacco use, it is crucial to prioritize tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives specifically tailored to their needs and circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11th March 2020. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated over time, which has resulted in genetic variation among population of circulating viral strains over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventive measures like vaccination, social distancing, using of face mask and hand hygiene practices played a vital role in mitigating the spread of this pandemic. But were these measures effective enough to curtail this pandemic. Purpose: To assess the presenting features of COVID 19 in the third wave and to assess the effectiveness of preventive measures against COVID 19 during the third wave. Methods: This is a hospital based prospective study where participants were regularly followed up till 14 days, conducted in rural part of North of India. Results: A total of 239 participants were included in this study. The study found that 95% of these participants received first dose of COVID vaccine as compared to 49.8% who received second dose. Some of the participants (39.7%) were not obeying the norms of social distancing. 52.1% of the subjects were using masks, which has been proven to be one of the effective measures for prevention of transmission of COVID 19. 71.1% were practicing hand hygiene measures. Conclusion: Vaccination and using face mask were significantly associated with mitigating the spread of COVID-19 among rural population who visited the health care facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased use of smart devices is causing a movement away from traditional learning methods and towards online learning approaches. Concerns have been expressed concerning the harmful impact of increased internet usage among children on a variety of factors, including health, social activities, outdoor participation, academic performance, and behavior. The purpose of this study is to look into how children's internet use affects their academic achievement, outdoor activities, social interactions, behavior, and health. This study presents a model to show the potential correlations between children's internet usage, academic performance, outdoor activities, social interactions, behavior, and health. The study intends to create links and comprehend the total influence of internet usage on children by analyzing these characteristics. A questionnaire with closed-ended questions was used as a survey strategy to collect data for the study. In and around Navi Mumbai, India, 502 responses were collected from parents of school-aged children aged 6 to 12 years. A random sample method was used in the survey research design, and information was gathered using a pre-structured questionnaire. The information gathered was coded and entered into SPSS 20 for analysis. To analyses the data, descriptive statistics and the Chi Square test were used, and conclusions were drawn based on the results. A significant correlation was discovered between children's internet usage, academic achievement, outdoor activities, social interactions, behavior, and health, according to the research. The study's model successfully establishes probable correlations between these factors, and statistical tests confirm these linkages further. Finally, the growing popularity of online learning methods, fueled by the rising use of smart devices, has sparked concerns regarding the influence of internet consumption on children. This study looks into the consequences of internet use on several elements of children's lives. The study proposed model aids in understanding the connections between internet usage, academic performance, outdoor activities, social interactions, behavior, and health. The statistical study supports the probable correlations between these variables, providing important insights into the implications of children's internet usage in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millets are the staple food for millions in Asian and several African countries. They are rich in dietary fiber, micronutrients, and beneficial phytochemicals. This study attempted to understand the consumption pattern of millets among south Indian adults in Chennai using a validated semi quantitative questionnaire which was administered telephonically. Purposive random sampling method was adopted for obtaining data from 100 millet consumers. The study results were analyzed using chi-square test, oneway analysis of variance, and correlation analysis. Equal percent of participants (41%) consumed millets 1-3 times a week and 1-3 times / month. Respondents considered millets nutritious and healthy as the main reason for consumption. Monthly income and family size significantly influenced frequency of consumption of millets. With reference to income groups, respondents belonging to income group >Rs. 50,000/month showed the highest percentage of frequency of consumption of millets, when compared to other income groups. Most consumers felt millets were affordable. Kali (stiff porridge/balls, kanji (porridge), pongal, upma, and biscuits were the most sought-after choices. Majority of the consumers combined other grains especially pulses in millet preparations such as pongal and kichidi. Finger millet preparations were the most commonly consumed millet-based preparation among all income groups or it could be concluded that consumers have a positive attitude toward millets for consumption and voiced the need for development of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat value-added millet products such as millet dosa batter, noodles, flakes, breads, and millet-based beverages, for promoting consumers' health and fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aim of the study: The diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung diseases (ILD), a class of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders that are associated with significant morbidity and death, provide challenges to the clinician. Multidisciplinary discussions (MDD) between a clinician, radiologist, and pathologist are used to diagnose ILD. There is a lack of information on the use of composite prediction models such as the ILD Gap Index and the Composite Physiologic Index. The main objective of the study was to evaluate factors affecting adverse outcomes in interstitial lung diseases with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other non-IPF interstitial lung diseases at 6 months in a tertiary care centre. Material and methods: This was a retrospective cohort research carried out at a tertiary care centre at Howrah, a district of state West Bengal in India. The main inclusion criteria were to include all patients who had complete medical records after being diagnosed with ILD. Any patients who suffered from pulmonary TB or lung cancer were excluded. The study comprised 164 consecutive individuals with a multidisciplinary diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. At 6 months, clinical evaluation, spirometry and DLCO were performed on the patients. FVC reduction of less than 10% at 6 months and mortality were evaluated as outcome variables. Results: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) affected 27.2% of the 164 patients who were evaluated, while non-IPF affected 72.8% of the patients. At a 6-month follow-up, 15.2% of patients died, with 72% having IPF. At 6 months, the FVC of 51.2% had decreased by 10%. Age more than 60, male gender, BMI 18,5, smoking, the presence of pulmonary hypertension, mean saturation more than 90%, percentage predicted FVC more than 50%, percentage predicted DLCO more than 40 per cent, 6-minute walk distance more than 250 m at diagnosis, UIP pattern in HRCT, CPI score more than 50, and ILD-GAP index more than 4 are factors associated with mortality in interstitial lung diseases. Age more than 60 years old and IPF group were variables linked with death in multivariate analysis using logistic regression in bivariate analysis, the same factors were linked to a reduction in FVC of more than 10% at 6 months, whereas in multivariate analysis, smoking history and an initial projected DLCO of less than 40% were significant. In interstitial lung disorders, the ILD Gap index is a better predictor of death than a composite physiologic index. (AURO 0.912 vs., CPI 0.856). Conclusions: Interstitial lung disease mortality indicators include age more than 60, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis type, and FVC decline = 10% at 6 months and less than 50% at baseline. Prediction methods like composite physiologic index (CPI) and ILD Gap index aid prognosis and clinical decision-making. The ILD Gap index predicted mortality better than the composite physiologic index. The main objective of the study was to evaluate factors affecting adverse outcomes in interstitial lung diseases with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other non-IPF interstitial lung diseases at 6 months in a tertiary care centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food insecurity is a matter of public health concern as it is associated with adverse health outcomes particularly among vulnerable population. Accessibility and availability of nutritious and culturally appropriate food is paramount to achieve zero hunger. To assess the prevalence of household food insecurity, to estimate the household dietary diversity and its association with household food insecurity. Material and Methods: Using multistage sampling 381 rural households were surveyed. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and House hold Dietary Diversity Scale were used as study instruments. Chi square test was used to compare the two groups and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of household insecurity was 33.3% (127) among the surveyed households and 8.1% (31) had severe food insecurity. The mean HFIS score was 6.85 ± 4.82. The household Dietary diversity score was 8.14 ± 1.54 for food secure and 6.51 ± 1.38 for severely food insecure households. There was a statistically significant difference in intake of milk and milk products, fruits, eggs and meat/poultry among food secure and insecure households (P < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Food insecurity was high in rural households and was associated with lower dietary intake of foods from protein group, necessitating a need to reinforce the food security programmes in rural India with focus to enhance protein rich diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Safe disposal of feces is ensured when it is deposited into a toilet, whereas unsafe disposal of child's feces plays a crucial role in disease transmission and environmental pollution. These areas are overlooked by many sanitation promotion interventions. Objective: To determine the effect of positive deviance (PD) approach on safe disposal of child's feces among households who owned a toilet. Materials and Methods: A community-based quasi-experimental study was conducted in the four field practice villages of the Urban Health Training Center, Villupuram, for 18 months. Households who owned a toilet and had a child less than 5 years old were included. After IEC clearance, information was collected from a representative sample of 100 households before intervention and another 100 households after intervention. PD approach was applied for 6 months to promote safe disposal practices in the study villages. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 24). The Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of difference between baseline and endline data. The effect size was calculated to estimate the magnitude of difference between baseline and endline data. Results: Before intervention, only 3% of households disposed the feces into a toilet, while after intervention, almost 38% of households disposed in the toilet (χ² = 37.39; df = 1; P = 0.001). The effect size (Cramer's V) was found to be 0.43. Conclusion: PD approach demonstrated considerable improvements in safe disposal of child's feces in rural settings. Further, to sustain the behavior change, frequent reinforcement of key messages at frequent intervals needs to be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In India, even with planned health services, it is difficult to reach the health goals without community participation. While Community needs assessment approach (CNAA) tools like Focussed group Discussion (FGD), Village mapping and matrix ranking have been effective in quickly gathering information, surveys have been conventionally preferred. Aim & Objective: The present study compares qualitative and quantitative methods t o understand feasibility of using CNAA tools in place of survey as an alternative tool Methodology: Mixed Method research employing Survey and CNAA methods of FGD, Village Mapping, transect walk and Matrix ranking score was carried out as a part of academic activity of National Service Scheme(NSS). Data was represented in form of percentages and frequency tables. Association was measured using Chi Square using Epi Info TM version 7.2.1software. Results: Using quantitative survey, we found that 71% used piped supply and 93.1% of the households used toilets. But 6.9% of them still preferred open fields for defecation. Amongst the participants of FGD, it was found that 90% participants preferred going to government hospitals. Comparable data found for variables like Maternal and child health indicators, Sanitation practices and burden of Non communicable diseases. Partially comparable results were found for burden of communicable diseases. Conclusion: CNAA research tools demonstrated comparability with survey in most areas of health concern and reduced the time required for conducting research without compromising the quality of results [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescents are at risk of various psychosocial problems, due to pressure from parents, educational agencies, peers, and society. Often, it is not recognized and goes unnoticed. There is an immense need to screen this group for early detection and proper management. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of psychosocial problems among adolescents and to determine their risk factors. Methodology: The study employed a nonexperimental, exploratory, cross-sectional research design with a quantitative approach. Using a two-stage random sampling technique, a total of 2030 adolescents from 37 schools were chosen. The data collection tool for study participants consisted of three parts: (a) A sociodemographic proforma, (b) a pediatric symptom checklist-youth report, and (c) a checklist for assessing determinants of psychosocial problems. Results: Three hundred five (15.02%) of the 2030 respondents had significant impairment to internalizing problems, 350 (17.24%) to attention deficit problems, and 378 (18.62%) to externalizing problems. Pediatric symptom checklist scores and academic performance showed a moderately positive correlation. There is a significant association between psychosocial problems and adolescent characteristics at a P = 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: Adolescents have a high prevalence of psychosocial problems such as anxiety and attention deficit. Periodic screening, counseling, and referral to psychotherapy can help to lessen the severity of the condition and improve psychosocial well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco is a public health concern at global and national levels. The state of Gujarat has 28.6% prevalence of tobacco use, 22% in males and 8% in females. Rajkot, the fourth largest and fastest growing city in Gujarat, is not free from the burden of tobacco use. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the patterns of tobacco use and utilization of tobacco cessation services in the city of Rajkot. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on adult tobacco users attending rural and urban primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Rajkot. At least 16 participants were recruited from all 75 PHCs (a total of 1152) using probability sampling. Study instruments comprised semi-structured proforma, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and readiness to change questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: A total of 1161 participants were included. Smokeless tobacco (n = 967, 83.3%) was preferred over smoking. Mava was the most common smokeless tobacco preparation consumed. The median age of onset was 28 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 22-37), and the median duration of use was 5 years (IQR: 4-10). Males had a significantly greater duration of abstinence (U = 1218.6, P = 0.002), greater readiness to quit (χ² [df] = 35.66 [8], P = 0.001), and anticipated success (χ² [df] = 28.71 [8], P = 0.004) in abstaining. While utilization of tobacco cessation services was poor overall, counseling (32.5%) and nicotine replacement therapy (19%) were the most commonly used. Conclusion: There is a need for in-depth research on tobacco use among smaller communities, upscaling harm reduction services for tobacco use. Prevention and IEC initiatives need to be revamped considering the special needs of female tobacco users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study objective was to translate, validate, and test the reliability of the original kidney disease and quality of life-36 (KDQOL-36™) instruments in Odia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design with a purposive sampling technique was used. According to RAND Corporation guidelines, initially, the items of the KDQOL-36™ questionnaires were translated into Odia by two independent, bilingual, professional translators, and then back-translated to English, followed by tryout and field testing. The experts validated the KDQOL-36™ instrument review committee for review related to kidney health conditions. The tool was implemented among 180 patients undergoing "maintenance" hemodialysis. The following tests evaluated reliability and validity: test-retest reliability with Cronbach's alpha correlation (stability), (reliability) internal consistency, and contents validity index. Results: The Cronbach's alpha value and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) score of all five domains, namely "physical component summary, mental component summary (MCS), the burden of kidney disease, symptoms and problems of kidney disease, and effects of kidney disease" of both KDQOL-36™ English and Odia (KDQOL-36-E™ and KDQOL-36-O™) version, recommended excellent homogeneity. A high positive correlation (r = 0.998) was found between the Odia version of KDQOL-36™ and the English version KDQOL-36™ questionnaire. The ICC score ranges from 0.889 to 0.997 at a 95% confidence interval for test-retest reliability, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.832. Conclusion: This study explores the Odia version of KDQOL-36™ psychometric properties, depicted at an acceptable level of internal consistency. The KDQOL-36-O™ instrument is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the kidney disease-related quality of life in Odia-speaking hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]