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Background: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors among the underprivileged women of the urban areas are expected to increase. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of these risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 women between 25 and 64 years in an urbanized village of India. Risk factors for NCDs were assessed using the WHO STEPS instrument. To determine the sociodemographic predictors of these risk factors binary logistic regression was used. Results: The prevalence of tobacco consumption, physical inactivity, and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, overweight, and obesity was found to be 18.3%, 61.6%, 96.5%, 27.6%, and 5.9%, respectively. Raised blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol were found to be present in 23%, 22%, and 42%, respectively. Older age was found to be a significant predictor of tobacco consumption, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, and raised blood glucose. Conclusion: The current study reported a high prevalence of physical inactivity and insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, with age being a significant predictor of the majority of risk factors. Thus, arises the need for programs and policies tailored toward addressing the local needs, targeted toward older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent technological advances have exponentially expanded globally; harbouring upon Electromagnetic fields (EMF). The utilization of Electromagnetic field has become universal from everyday usage of electronic appliances such as micro wave ovens, tablets and portable computers to telecommunication systems mobile phone towers, radio-television broadcast systems and electronic power transmission systems resulting in electromagnetic field and associated radiations. EMF can have biological effects on cell at microlevel and have the potential ability to cause cell dysfunction manifesting in various biological effects. This review tried to gather evidence from the existing literature about the biological effects of EMF on human health. Materials and Methods: We did extensive literature search using PubMed and Cochrane database using key words, "electromagnetic fields", "Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs)", "biological effects", "health effects", "public health". We included 20 studies conducted from Dec 2009 to Dec 2019 in our systematic review. Data from each study was extracted by two independent researchers and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Results: Significant biological effects of EMF exposure were reported on human health ranging from anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), hypersensitivity to infertility and increased risk of multiple carcinomas. Conclusion: Application of preventive measures in order to minimize the exposure becomes the need of the hour especially so in occupational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Feeding practices both in terms of quality as well as quantity is of great importance in the initial years of life for the optimal growth especially the "critical window period". Urban slum dwellers are at higher risk of poor child feeding status. The study aims to assess the IYCF indicators related to complementary feeding in an urban slum of East Delhi and to explore its association with the socio-demographic factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban slum of Sunder Nagari in East Delhi. One hundered and eighty one children between 6-24 months of age were included in the study. The infant and young child feeding (IYCF) status data was collected using pretested and pre-validated questionnaire adapted from the standard WHO-IYCF questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics were also recorded. Chi-square tests were applied to explore the association of socio-demographic variables with IYCF status. Results: Early initiation of breastfeeding was practiced in around half of the children. Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD) was found to be 17.7%, 69.1% and 16.6%, respectively. These complementary feeding indicators were found to be better (p<0.05) among higher age group children, mothers with higher level of education and middle socio-economic class in comparison to lower socioeconomic section of the study population. Conclusion: Infant and young child feeding practices were found to be poor in the present study. More impetus is needed to promote IYCF practices in urban slums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Research forms the backbone of rapidly evolving world of medical sciences. In the existing medical curriculum, every student pursuing MD/MS Degree has to conduct a research study and submit a write up in the form of thesis as an essential requirement to earn the degree of Masters of Medicine/Surgery. There is thus a need to identify perceptions, attitudes, motivational factors and barriers among these postgraduate studentsin carrying out their thesis work in medical colleges. Materials and Methods : This was cross sectional study, conducted in a Medical College of Delhi, in February 2017 among 247 MD/MS post-graduate students. Self-administered questionnaire was used to assess perceptions, attitudes, motivating factors and barriers towards doing thesis work. Results : Almost 70% postgraduate were motivated towards doing their thesis work but still, 62.8% perceived that thesis should be made optional. Major motivating factors included support from the supervisors, satisfaction towards career aspiration and advancement in the current field. Major barriers included unavailability of samples, difficulty in following up patients, lack of internet access in the department and lack of time. Conclusion : Even with knowledge regarding the importance of research in the field of medicine, barriers outnumbered the motivations towards conducting thesis work. Overcoming these barriers in various forms will help enable a greater number of students to pursue research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]