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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in profound mental health impacts among the general population worldwide. As many in-person mental health support services have been suspended or transitioned online to facilitate physical distancing, there have been numerous calls for the rapid expansion of asynchronous virtual mental health (AVMH) resources. These AVMH resources have great potential to provide support for people coping with negative mental health impacts associated with the pandemic; however, literature examining use prior to COVID-19 illustrates that the uptake of these resources is consistently low. ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to examine the use of AVMH resources in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic among the general population and among a participant subgroup classified as experiencing an adverse mental health impact related to the pandemic. MethodsData from this study were drawn from the first wave of a large multiwave cross-sectional monitoring survey, distributed from May 14 to 29, 2020. Participants (N=3000) were adults living in Canada. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and bivariate cross-tabulations were used to examine the relationships between the use of AVMH resources and self-reported indicators of mental health that included a range of emotional and coping-related responses to the pandemic. Univariate and fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between sociodemographic and health-related characteristics and use of AVMH resources in the subgroup of participants who reported experiencing one or more adverse mental health impacts identified in the set of self-reported mental health indicators. ResultsAmong the total sample, 2.0% (n=59) of participants reported accessing AVMH resources in the prior 2 weeks to cope with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest rates of use among individuals who reported self-harm (n=5, 10.4%) and those who reported coping “not well” with COVID-19–related stress (n=22, 5.5%). Within the subgroup of 1954 participants (65.1% of the total sample) who reported an adverse mental health impact related to COVID-19, 54 (2.8%) reported use of AVMH resources. Individuals were more likely to have used AVMH resources if they had reported receiving in-person mental health supports, were connecting virtually with a mental health worker or counselor, or belonged to a visible minority group. ConclusionsDespite substantial government investment into AVMH resources, uptake is low among both the general population and individuals who may benefit from the use of these resources as a means of coping with the adverse mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the barriers to use.

Introduction: Obesity in children has been on the rise globally, and India is no exception. Rapid urbanisation, changing dietary patterns, and sedentary lifestyles are contributing factors to this alarming trend. Understanding the prevalence and factors associated with childhood obesity in urban areas is crucial for developing targeted interventions and public health strategies. Aim: To investigate the effects of a nurse-led yoga intervention on body composition and biochemical parameters in overweight and obese adolescents (11-13 years) in schools. Materials and Methods: This pilot randomised controlled study used a true experimental study design, specifically the pretest and post-test control group design. Data collection was conducted in schools of Puducherry. A total of 18 overweight and obese adolescents, nine in the experimental group and nine in the control group, were included. The experimental group performed a nurse-led yoga intervention three times a week for 60 minutes for six months from March 2022 to August 2022. Study outcomes on body composition and biochemical parameters such as lipid profile, adiponectin, leptin, Apolipoprotein A, and Apolipoprotein B were measured at baseline and six months after the nurse-led yoga intervention. Data analysis was performed using Social Sciences Software {Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0}. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tests, such as the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) F-test, repeated measures ANOVA F-test, and paired t-test, were conducted. Results: A significant difference was noted in fat percentage, water, intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, and body fat mass index between the pretest and post-test (p<0.05), and no significant difference was observed in Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and fat-free mass index (p>0.05) in the experimental group. The nurse-led yoga intervention significantly improved Lowdensity Lipoproteins (LDL), Apolipoprotein A, and adiponectin levels; however, there were no significant differences in Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), total cholesterol, High-density Lipoproteins (HDL), Apolipoprotein B, or LDL in the experimental group. The control group showed no significant difference between the pretest and post-test in FBS, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Apolipoprotein A, or Apolipoprotein B (p>0.05). Conclusion: The nurse-led yoga intervention positively impacted body composition and biochemical indicators in overweight and obese adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary aim of treating congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21 hydroxylase deficiency is to replace the deficient glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, to minimize the excess androgen production and to facilitate normal growth. Children with CAH require daily treatment lifelong and increased dosage plan during acute stress, in order to obtain the benefit of optimal outcome from the ongoing treatment schedule. This emphasizes the need for the parents of affected children to be empowered with adequate knowledge regarding such lifesaving therapy. Aims & Objectives: This study was aimed to assess their knowledge regarding corticosteroid therapy. Materials and methods. Caretakers of children with CAH were recruited by using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured interview technique. Results: It was observed that only 10% of study group had adequate knowledge about therapy and the majority of them were from rural areas, lacking in awareness of essential steps of management. Conclusion: It was concluded that these caretakers need to be given appropriately planned education regarding corticosteroids, drug actions, and the need for enhanced steroid dosage during stress situations. They should also be given relevant instructional materials to read for improving their knowledge about their child's disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the awareness of learning disabilities of children before and after the planned teaching program among primary school teachers. Research design: A pre-experimental, nonrandomized, one group pretest and post-test design were used. Materials and Methods: The accessible populations were all teachers working in private primary schools at Montfort Matriculation School, Chennai. Purposive sample technique was used to select the 40 samples. The instrument consisted of two sections—Part-I: demographical variables, Part-II: awareness questionnaire on learning disabilities in children. The collected data were grouped and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics and a paired t-test was used to determine the difference between pretest and post-test in the group. Result: The study indicates that the majority of the primary school teachers had inadequate awareness regarding learning disabilities and 10% had moderate level of awareness, whereas in the post-test, 7.5% had moderate level of awareness and 92.5% had adequate level of awareness. There was a significant association between awareness of learning disabilities among primary school teachers. Conclusion: The planned teaching program is an effective method in enhancing the awareness of primary school teachers regarding the care of awareness of learning disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Patients diagnosed with a disease like cancer require not only physical control of disease but also they need psychological reassurance, social and spiritual support in coming to terms with their disease. Nurses working in the specialized cancer hospitals play a significant role in the care of terminally ill patients. They must be knowledgeable, skilled and sensitive to the needs of these patients and their families in order to provide active, holistic care. Aims: In this study, we attempted to assess the level of knowledge about palliative care among nurses working in the oncology department using a self administered structured questionnaire and also to assess the effectiveness of information booklet designed on various aspects of palliative care on their knowledge. Settings and Design: Indo American Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad, AP, India. The design adopted for this study was One Group pretest — posttest, pre - experimental design. Materials and Methods: Hundred nurses working in Indo American Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad, AP, India were selected by using the non probability purposive sampling technique. A structured self administered questionnaire was prepared and administered as a pretest. An information booklet was developed pertaining to the general concepts of palliative care, care components (physical, social, emotional and spiritual) and role of the nurse in palliative care and it was given to the participants. As a post test, the same questionnaire was re-administered after four days to the same study subjects. Pretest and post test knowledge scores were compared and the findings were analyzed statistically. Statistical analysis used: Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Science package. Results: The post test scores were significantly higher than the pretest knowledge scores, which indicate that the developed information booklet regarding palliative care was highly effective in enhancing the knowledge levels of the nurses. Conclusions: The information booklet was effective in enriching the knowledge of nurses on palliative care. Enhancing the nurse's knowledge about palliative care will promote their understanding of the needs of the advanced stage patients and will enable them to provide quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that includes increased blood pressure, increased blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and a rise in triglyceride levels which could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. While metabolic syndrome is typically associated with adults, concern is growing about its prevalence and implications among children and adolescents. The rapid rise in childhood obesity and physical inactivity has led to an increase in risk factors among young populations, making it a pressing public health issue. This study aims to investigate the risk of metabolic syndrome among children aged 11-13 years, exploring its association with various sociodemographic and clinical factors., Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted from June 2021 to November 2021 among a cohort of school children aged 11-13 years in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Twenty-two clusters (schools) were identified from the schools in Thiruvananthapuram's educational subdistrict using populations proportionate to size. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle practices of 1,580 schoolchildren and their parents were collected using a questionnaire. Body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure were also assessed to screen children for metabolic syndrome. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and high‑density lipoprotein levels were evaluated in 57 cases (children with metabolic syndrome after screening) and 116 controls (children without metabolic syndrome after screening)., Results: The prevalence of pediatric metabolic syndrome as defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) classification in the sample was 3.6% (n=57) (95%CI 1.6-6.6). Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors found to be associated with pediatric metabolic syndrome after multivariate analysis were gender, decreased physical activity, especially organized physical activity and moderately vigorous physical activity or play, skipping meals, sleeping for less than eight hours at night, eating with screens on, use of screens for more than two hours daily, and preference for soft drinks or carbonated drinks over water when thirsty. This study also evaluated the predictive power of the associated factors for pediatric metabolic syndrome using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve of 0.926 (95% CI: 0.891-0.961, p < 0.001), indicating high predictive power., Conclusion: The findings of this study brought out evidence of an escalation in the rate of metabolic syndrome among children in their early adolescent stage. This rise is a trend with increasing sedentary time and the overuse of screens by the younger generation in this modern era of gadgets and technologies. Our findings would act as a catalyst in implementing community and school-based activities to improve physical activities and lifestyle modifications among children, thereby reducing the risk of early development of metabolic syndrome., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research, Chennai, India issued approval IEC-NI/19/NOV/71/86. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Aravindakshan et al.)