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Introduction: The current COVID-19 pandemic has increased emotional and physical toll on healthcare workers. The burnout among doctors could be another psychological outcome due to this. Considering the dearth of literature we planned this study with an aim to explore burnout and its correlates among medical doctors of Nepal. Material And Method: An online survey using a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling was conducted during the lock-down due to COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. The tools used were basic proforma, Copenhagen Burn out Inventory (CBI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (bivariate analysis followed by multiple linear regression) was performed with an objective to study prevalence of burnout and its correlates among the medical doctors. Results: The average age of participants was 30.44 years with the majority being male. All the study participants reported moderate to severe level of perceived stress. Around half of them reported moderate to high burnout. The multiple linear regression analyses showed that perceived stress, and working in surgical department were significant correlates for personal and work-related burnout among medical doctors. Additionally, being front-line worker was a significant correlate for client-related burnout. Conclusion: The burden and severity of burnout and perceived stress reported by the medical doctors during COVID-19 pandemic in the present study, suggests it to be an important mental health issue in Nepal. Suitable interventions for targeting this urgent issue of effectively reducing the burnout are warranted.

Objectives: Objectives were to study prevalence of frailty among Indian oldest old population, and to detect its correlates. Methods: A cross sectional community based study was done including 200 healthy participants aged ≥80 years, randomly sampled from Hyderabad city in India. They completed an administered questionnaire and physical function tests including SPPB, grip strength. Cognitive function was assessed using MMSE and depression using GDS. Blood pressure, haemoglobin, and fasting blood sugar were measured for all participants. Frailty was defined using Fried phenotype criteria. Logistic regression was done to identify independently associated correlates. Results: The prevalence of frailty syndrome was 83.4% in our study population. Frailty among men was 80.3% and among women was 84.7%, and it increased with increasing age. The independent correlates which increased the odds of frailty were poor physical performance (SPPB) (OR: 4.21; 95%CI: 1.12-15.83), depression (OR: 3.35; 95%CI:1.29-8.73), chronic joint pains (OR:4.90; 95%CI: 1.97-12.18) and COPD (OR: 3.01; 95%CI:1.03- 8.78), while hypertension showed inverse association (OR: 0.33;95%CI:0.11-0.94). Conclusion: The prevalence of frailty among the oldest old is very high. Geriatric medicine protocols must include routine screening for frailty, while also including early detection of poor physical performance, depression, COPD and osteoarthritis.

Conventional oral dosage forms having low bioavailability problems due to their rapid gastric transition from stomach, in case of drugs which are less soluble at alkaline pH of intestine. Further drugs which produce their nearby activity in stomach, get quickly emptied don't get enough residence time in stomach. To avoid these problems, different endeavors have been made to draw out the the retention time of drug in stomach. The development of in situ gel systems has gotten impressive consideration in the course of recent years as it gives the most ideal approach to conquer problems of immediate release and short GI residence of fluids. In situ gel forming drug delivery systems are principle, capable of releasing drug in a sustained manner maintaining relatively constant plasma profiles. The in situ gel dosage form is a liquid before administration and after it interacts with gastric contents gets changed over to gel which floats on gastric contents. In situ gel formation happens because of one or combination of various stimuli like pH change, temperature modulation and ionic crosslinking. This accomplishes expanded residence as well as sustained release. It can be easily applied to the site of drug absorption where they swell to form a strong gel that is capable of prolonging the residence time of the active substance. This review gives a short thought regarding floating oral in situ gel formation and research done by different researchers on various drugs.

Software testing is a field to insure that delivery of any software or application in android is error free. Education program in Software Engineering aims at imparting skills among the students that focus upon meeting the expectations of the fluctuating needs of the industry. It has always been a worry about the skills and knowledge becoming outdated in a flash. The current article focuses the results and draws on experiences from improving the quality of a computer game after testing process using Genetic Algorithm. The quality of Gamming Apps can improve some areas of an individual like learning ability, problem solving, and sovereign learning and learn by doing. In order to better understand this research authors applied this change to 100 students which shows that they are good learner compare to others. The improved quality of the gamming also give the confidence to the parents that their child will learn in efficient manner.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of inclusion of hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus) on productivity in carp based pond aquaculture. An experiment for a period of 270 days was conducted in two sets of earthen ponds (each of 0.132 ha size with 1.5 m depth). In Set I, five species viz. Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio) were stocked (@13636 ha-1) in a respective ratio of 1:1:1:1:2. In Set II, hybrid red tilapia was included as additional species to other five carp species and stocked @ 13636 ha-1 in equal numbers. The seeds stocked (initial size 5-6 cm) were fed on commercial pellet feed having 20% protein, by broadcasting over the pond surface. The water quality parameters viz., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, nitrogen, phosphate and potassium remained more or less same in both the sets of experimental ponds. However fish growth parameters significantly differed in both the sets of experiments. Highest production of 2575.79±107.08 kg ha-1 was recorded in Set II followed by Set I with a production of 1894.32±428.44 kg ha-1. Tilapia stocked as an additional species provided a net estimated additional yield of 680.64 kg ha-1, which was 36.47% higher than that of Set I. The results of this study have proved significant impact of hybrid red tilapia inclusion on enhancing the net productivity. Keywords: Additional species, Farm ponds, Productivity, Red tilapia, Stocking density, Yield enhancement

Aim. Falls are an important contributor to loss of function, morbidity, and mortality in elders. Little is known about falls in Indian populations. The objective of this cross-sectional report was to identify the prevalence and correlates of falls in a cohort of 562 rural southern Indian men and women. Methods. Risk factors included demographics, anthropometrics, self-reported health, medical history, physical function, vision, depression, and lifestyle. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. Results. 71 (13%) subjects reported at least 1 fall in the past year. Prevalence was higher among women (17%) than men (8%), P=0.003. Sex and age showed significant interaction (P=0.04) whereby falls prevalence increased with age among women but decreased among men. Correlates of falls among men included a history of osteoarthritis (OA) (odds ratio (OR): 6.91; 95% CI: 1.4–33.1), depression (OR:9.6; 3.1–30.1), and greater height (OR per 1 standard deviation increase: 2.33; 1.1–5.1). Among women, poor physical performance (OR: 3.33; 1.13–9.86) and history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR: 2.42; 1.01–5.80) were independently associated with falls. Implications. Prevalence of falls in elderly South Indians was lower than published reports from western countries and likely reflects low exposure to fall risks. Patterns with age differed in men and women and may reflect sex differences in the accuracy of age recall. Presence of comorbidities specifically OA, CVD, and depression was independent correlate of falling.

Context: Acute infections of eyes, ears, skin, and others are a common cause of morbidity in under-five children. The overall burden of other infections and their risk factors is not known. Evidence Acquisition: Available literature was searched comprehensively using PubMed for acute infections (except acute respiratory and diarrheal diseases) using the relevant medical subject heading terms. Extracted articles were independently reviewed against inclusion/ exclusion criteria and rated for quality. 10 articles were abstracted and reviewed to identify the reported prevalence and risk factors for acute infections among children. Results: The pooled prevalence of infections (not including acute respiratory and diarrhea) between 2002 and 2013 was 18.42 (95% confidence interval: 9.30-30.62), with reported range of 3.7-50.8%. The significantly positively associated factors reported in single studies were young age of the child, malnutrition, poor breastfeeding, low socio-economic status, animal rearing near household and mothers’ illiteracy for independent morbidities. Conclusion: The evidence on risk factors including breastfeeding, vaccination, age, and sex that predispose under-five Indian children to different infections is inconclusive. There is a need to conduct more studies on acute infections other than acute respiratory and diarrhea, to establish their determinants in Indian children. Key words: Ear infection, Eye infection, India, Meta-analysis, Prevalence, Risk factors, Skin infection, Systematic review, Under-five children

The present paper ascertains the functional efficacy of ASHAs and suggests measures for the optimization of their functioning in Punjab. For carrying out the study, different phases included random selection of three districts followed by two health blocks from each district and three sub centres from each block and subsequently one village from each sub centre. List of eligible women who had delivered a baby during the last three months prior to the survey was prepared and at last stage, five women from each village were selected at random. The findings revealed that the norms, including the age limit, educational qualification, residence and marital status set for the selection of ASHAs revealed clear adherence of the NHM guidelines. However two-thirds of the ASHAs were covering a population of more than 1,000 persons. About 90 percent of the ASHAs couldn’t specify their job responsibilities promptly on the activities related to spreading health awareness among adolescents, promoting hygiene practices, generating awareness on preventive measures on RTI/STI, HIV/AIDS, tobacco and alcoholism. About 94 percent of ASHA workers had received drug kit. However there were delays in the replenishment of drugs. As per NHM guidelines, no drug kit has AYUSH medications in it. Inter-sectoral collaboration among the ASHAs, ANMs, PRImembers and AWWs was more or less satisfactory even though ASHAs intervention in VHSNC meeting was not encouraging due to non-cooperation of other stakeholders. For strengthening of the ASHA programme, it is essential that the factors discouraging them are addressed properly.

Background Geriatric depression is a growing global problem, expected to be the leading cause of mortality in the next decade. We attempted to explore the previously unidentified burden of depression and its correlates amongst South Indian elderly residing in an urban area. Methods A cross sectional study including 100 community dwelling urban elders aged 60 years and older was conducted. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, chronic health conditions, changes in vision and cognition, addictions, and medication usage. Depression was assessed using Geriatric Depression Scale. Other measurements included anthropometry and blood pressure. Logistic regression was done to identify the independently associated correlates of depression. Results The prevalence of geriatric depression was 23%. 15.4% men and 31.2% women had depression. On logistic regression, the independent correlates of depression were living single (OR:4.26; 95% CI:1.06-17.09), poor self-rated health (OR:12.09; 95% CI:1.41-103.14), bedridden (OR:5.29; 95% CI:1.21-23.04) and osteoarthritis (OR: 4.91; 95% CI:1.39-17.28). Conclusion The burden of depression in our urban geriatric population was moderate. Several correlates were positively associated. While addressing geriatric morbidity, screening for elderly depression, as well as exploration and management of related factors would be of significance.

Client satisfaction is an important method to assess the pattern of utilization of health care services amongst all sectors indirectly reflecting on the quality of services. Most of the clients prefer private over government services due to multiple reasons. The aim of this study was to assess the level of satisfaction of patients attending rural government and private health facilities in rural Andhra Pradesh. Ten villages were randomly selected from the field practice area of a teaching medical institution, and all patients who visited any facility during the past three months were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire focusing on access to care, competence of the providers, quality and cost of the services and overall satisfaction with the services. Data was analysed using Microsoft Access software. One hundred and eight clients who visited different facilities for common ailments, chronic diseases, maternal and child health services were interviewed. The average time to reach the facility was 52.23 ± 44.52 min. The average waiting time was 34.25 ± 42.47 min. More than 80% were satisfied with the clinic hours, cleanliness and comfort of the facility, and privacy maintained during examinations. 40% were satisfied with the cost of services. The client satisfaction with different health care providers in rural areas of Andhra Pradesh is high. Clients expect the quality of services to be better; nevertheless they continue to use the available services without complaining much. Key words: Client satisfaction, quality, health care services, private, government, cost.

Background: Hypertension is a major problem among the geriatric population, presenting the risk of multiple associated co-morbidities and organ system damage. Data related to the epidemiology of controlled and uncontrolled hypertension among the oldest old population is sparse, more so from developing countries. The objectives of the present paper were to identify the prevalence and correlates of hypertension according to gender among the urban community-dwelling healthy oldest old population.Methods: 200 healthy people aged 80 years and above were recruited by random selection from Hyderabad city of South India in 2017. A trained investigator collected data on background history, history of hypertension and other co-morbidities, medications and sleep. Participants were tested for muscle strength, gait speed, and SPPB and cognitive impairment.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 83.5%; 81.6% among men and 84.7% among women. 64.5% was self-reported. Hypertension was controlled with treatment among only 46.2%. In 74.6%, it was controlled even without treatment. The independent correlates were BMI per SD increase (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.17-3.16), diabetes (OR: 6.02, 95% CI: 1.24-29.11) and asthma (OR: 3.59, 95% CI: 1.05-12.29). Among men, BMI per SD increase was significantly associated while hemoglobin per SD increase, height per SD decrease, and arthritis were positively associated among women. Increasing heart rate among total subjects (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.27-0.71), and among women (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24-0.92) showed a negative association.Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was high. The correlates were different for men and women. Subjects were unaware of their control status which posed an increased risk for organ damage, and development of co-morbidities. Policies aimed at improving quality of life of the oldest old should place due stress on appropriate hypertension management in developing countries.

Background Cognitive impairment among older people is increasing worldwide because of higher in life expectancy. We hypothesise that multiple factors play role in the development of cognitive impairment and it varies in different populations. Our objective for this research was to study the prevalence and the risk factors of cognitive impairment in older population of urban India. Methods We enrolled 100 randomly selected older men and women aged >60 year, residing in urban India. The study was cross sectional and the data collection was done by pretested questionnaire and forms, upon home visits. Measurements included depression, blood pressure, anthropometry, medical history, demographic history and medication. Cognitive impairment was measured using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score Results Women had a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment than men. Overall prevalence of cognitive impairment in our study population was 10%. increasing age, living single, no schooling, low weight, low waist and hip ratios, poor activities of daily living (ADL), poor self-rated health, bedridden (past 6 months) and depression were significantly associated with cognitive impairment. Independently associated risk factors on logistic regression were increasing age, no schooling and bedridden status. Conclusion Prevalence of cognitive impairment is low among urban older population of India. Various modifiable factors exist in this population that may increase the burden of cognitive impairment in future. Geriatric health policy could address the modifiable risk factors to manage risk of increasing cognitive impairment and complications.

Background: Acute diarrhea accounts for a huge burden of infectious diseases in under-five children. Objective: This systematic review was carried out to study the prevalence and associated risk factors of diarrhea among Indian children aged

Aim The Mobility and Independent Living in Elders Study (MILES) was established in 2012 to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for disability and age-related disease in rural older Indians. Here we describe the main goals of MILES, the essential elements of its design and examinations, and the initial findings from the baseline visit. Methods A random sample of 562 men and women aged ≥60 years was enrolled from the Medchal region in Telangana State. Baseline examination consisted of two separate clinical visits, and included measurements of blood pressure, anthropometry, physical function, peripheral artery disease, cognitive function, bone and muscle quality, knee osteoarthritis, carotid intima-media thickness, and blood biomarkers. A comprehensive interview was carried out for demographics, disability and disease history. Annual follow-up visits are ongoing to collect information on incident disability and disease. Results The median age of participants was 66 years (range 60–92 years); median body mass index 21.7 kg/m2, median gait speed 0.67 m/s and 55% self-reported their health status as fair or poor. Conclusions These findings suggest a more frail population in the MILES cohort compared with older adults in USA cohorts. MILES will provide estimates of burden of disease, and disability and risk factors in older adults. Findings will be used to identify potential interventions to prevent disability in this rural Indian population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 31–40.

Present study explores impact of INR crunch on grocery shops in Phuentsholing, commercial nerve centre of Bhutan. To study impact of Indian National Rupee crunch, it attempts to find out effects with regard to change in sales, profitability, and trading practices of grocery shops. Bhutanese perceived that prices of commodities were triggered by rupee crunch. It attempts to verify whether prices of commodities were really affected by rupee crunch. Since, number of grocery shops in Phuentsholing town is meager; the sample size for research is whole population. Data were collected from all 34 grocery shops through distribution of questionnaires and, to gauge the situation prior to rupee crunch, interviews were also conducted. Data collected were analyzed with the appropriate statistical tools.

Aim: Malaria continues to remain a serious public health problem and causes significant economic burden especially among the poor tribal and marginalised communities in the tropical and subtropical countries of the World. In view of the lack of information in respect of malaria and economic losses in Haryana, an attempt was made to assess the relationship between the occurrence of malaria and socio-economic conditions as well as to estimate the direct and indirect costs incurred due to malaria in Rohtak and Mewat districts of Haryana. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional survey was carried out in a highly malaria endemic cluster of six selected villages of Rohtak and Mewat region of Haryana, to estimate the Original Research Article Kumari et al.; BJMMR, 7(8): 654-661, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.373 655 economic burden in terms of direct and indirect costs of malaria. Results: The study revealed that on an average a household incurred a total cost of Rs.1835 (29.77 US$) in Rohtak district and Rs 2027 (32.91 US$) in Mewat district as direct and indirect cost per patient. It was estimated that direct costs due to malaria consumed 36-40% of annual income of poor households and 3-4% of high income households suggesting that the burden of malaria is significantly higher among poor households. Conclusion: The study revealed that malaria posses a significant economic burden on poor households both through out-of-pocket expenditure and man-days lost. To reduce the economic burden of malaria implementation of suitable intervention measures with focus on poor and marginalised along with better allocation of resources and health care facilities at the Government hospitals must be taken into consideration. It is also needed the intensification of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaigns regarding malaria to enhance awareness and solicit community participation.

Pulses productivity in Jammu Kashmir, India, in North-Western (NW) Himalayas is far less than the national averages because of poor crop management cultivation of low yielding varieties. Frontline demonstration (FLD) program is an effective technology transfer tool for better technology adoption that bridges the yield gaps. The technological extension yield gaps in pulses crops were studied for 3 years during 2009-10 to 2013–2014 under an FLD programme in the Poonch District of Jammu Kashmir, India, revealing that there was a wide yield gap between potential demonstration yields due to technology extension yield gaps. In case of chickpea on the basis of three year mean data demonstrations gave 40.60 % higher yield than local check or farmers practices. Technological yield gaps affecting yield in pulses were highest in chickpea var. BG-1103(13.00 q ha-1) during rabi 2010-11 followed by moong var. SML 668 (12.40 q ha-1) during 2010-11 while lowest gap was observed in rajmash var. local (0.36 q ha-1) during 2011. In general, the technological gaps were highest in chickpea cultivar (BG-1103) lowest in rajmash cultivars in the present study. Extension yield gap varied to the extent of 0.78 to 6.00 q ha-1 in chickpea. In case of lentil, demonstrations gave 12.77 % higher yield over the local check. Extension yield gap varied from 0.25-12.52 q ha-1 in lentil. In case of moong, FLDs gave 71% higher yield than the local check extension yield gap varied from 1.27 to 1.46 qha-1. In case of mash, demonstration gave 35.5% higher yield than farmers average plot yield whereas in case of rajmash on the basis of five year mean data, demonstration gave 28.73% higher yield. Overall, it is inferred that improved farm technology has great potential in enhancing the pulse productivity and profitability through frontline demonstration programme in Poonch district of Jammu Kashmir collateral farming situations in NW -Himalayas as well.

Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) provides biomechanical estimates of bone strength. Rural South Indian men have reduced biomechanical indices of bone strength compared to US Caucasian and Afro-Caribbean men. This suggests an underlying higher risk of osteoporotic fractures and greater future fracture burden among the rural South Indian men. Geographical and racial comparisons of bone mineral density (BMD) have largely focused on DXA measures of areal BMD. In contrast, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measures volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone structural geometry and provides estimates of biomechanical strength. To further understand potential geographical and racial differences in skeletal health, we compared pQCT measures among US Caucasian, Afro-Caribbean, and rural South Indian men. We studied men aged ≥ 60 years enrolled in the Mobility and Independent Living among Elders Study (MILES) in rural south India (N = 245), Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (MrOS) in the US (N = 1148), and the Tobago Bone Health Study (N = 828). The BMI (kg/m2) of rural South Indian men (21.6) was significantly lower compared to the US Caucasians (28) and Afro-Caribbean men (26.9). Adjusting for age, height, body weight, and grip strength; rural South Indian men compared to US Caucasians had significantly lower trabecular vBMD [− 1.3 to − 1.5 standard deviation (SD)], cortical thickness [− 0.8 to − 1.2 SD]; significantly higher endosteal circumference [0.5 to 0.8 SD]; but similar cortical vBMD. Afro-Caribbean men compared to US Caucasians had similar trabecular vBMD but significantly higher cortical vBMD [0.9 to 1.2 SD], SSIp [0.2 to 1.4 SD], and tibial endosteal circumference [1 SD], In comparison to US Caucasians, rural South Indian men have reduced bone strength (lower trabecular vBMD) and Afro-Caribbean men have greater bone strength (higher cortical vBMD). These results suggest an underlying higher risk of osteoporotic fractures and greater future fracture burden among rural South Indian men.

Background Depression is expected to be the leading cause of deaths in elderly population globally in next decade. This cross sectional study aimed to explore the previously unidentified correlates and prevalence of depression in urban south Indian elders. Methods One hundred community dwelling urban elders, aged 60 years and older, participated in the study. Pretested questionnaire and forms were administered, by trained investigator, to collect information on chronic health conditions, height, weight, hip and waist circumference, blood pressure, sociodemographic history, changes in vision and cognition, medication and addictions. Presence of depression was defined using Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores > 5, moderate depression as scores 9 – 11 and severe depression as scores between 12 – 15. Independently associated correlates of geriatric depression were identified by using logistic regression analysis. Results 15.4% men and 31.2% women had depression and over all prevalence of geriatric depression was 23% in our population. Living single (OR:4.26; 95% CI:1.06-17.09), poor self-rated health (OR:12.09; 95% CI:1.41-103.14), bedridden status (OR:5.29; 95% CI:1.21-23.04) and osteoarthritis (OR:4.91; 95% CI:1.39-17.28) were identified as independent correlates on logistic regression. Conclusion The prevalence of geriatric depression in our population was moderate. Various correlates were associated. While addressing geriatric morbidity, screening for elderly depression in routine and management of related factors would be of significance to reduce the risk of chronic comorbidities.

A survey of various issues (mainly wormhole attack) in MANET regarding security is done considering all major aspects. In the proposed MANET architecture, the network is formed with two types nodes, namely trusted mobile nodes and truster mobile nodes. The trusted and truster mobile nodes resemble with specialized and non-specialized responders respectively at the disaster site. In the proposed trust management scheme, the trust derivation is through reputation, recommendation and context. Reputation of a node, as evaluated by another node, is through comparing of monitored traffic with each other. Suggested through neighboring nodes leads to truthfulness of a node. A node with truth value less than a threshold is treated as malicious. To discover a trustworthy path in the MANET, the trust management scheme has been incorporated in the routing protocol. The proposed trust based routing protocol computes truthfulness of the path before it is selected for data delivery. Explicit path trust computation by a trusted node, through recommendations from neighboring nodes along the path, ensured the path discovered as trustworthy. The solution proposed, made the MANET secure from packet dropping attack and its variants like, active forge and resource consumption attack. In this survey paper we discussed about routing protocol on the basis of security by avoiding and detecting wormhole attack. Worm hole attack is found on the network layer and it is one of the severe attack in wireless mobile ad hoc network. In worm hole attack malicious nodes always gives an illusion to both sides sender and as well as the receiver side.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is widely prevalent in Indian populations. Very few studies that reported risk factors for low BMD and osteoporosis did not explore its relationship with age and sex. Objectives were to determine the prevalence of low BMD and osteoporosis in urban adults, and study the age- and sex-wise trends of changing BMD. METHODOLOGY: BMD of 521 healthy adults aged 20 years or more was tested using quantitative ultrasound of right tibia, and T-scores thus obtained indicated normal or low BMD. Multivariate analysis was done to calculate odds ratios for risk factors for low BMD and osteoporosis. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent participants had low BMD. Low BMD increased significantly with increasing age in both genders. An increase in age per standard deviation (SD) was associated with four-fold increase in risk of low BMD for both women (odds ratio [OR]: 4.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.61–8.92) and men (OR: 4.14, 95% CI: 2.44–7.05). Age per SD (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.37–3.81) and age–gender interaction (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17) was positively associated with osteoporosis. Increasing age by one SD was associated with seven-fold increase (OR: 7.35, 95% CI: 3.51–15.40) in risk of osteoporosis among women. CONCLUSIONS: Low BMD is highly prevalent in South Indian urban population. Low BMD and osteoporosis were positively associated with increasing age. Loss of BMD appeared to begin at young ages thereby indicating the need for early institution of prevention measures.

Background: Awareness regarding fever is reportedly low among Indian urban parents, leading to its over- management among under five children. We attempted to study the awareness and fever management practices of South Indian urban parents. The objectives were to find the awareness of parents regarding childhood fever management, and correlates of practices.Methods: One hundred parents of under-five children with history of fever in past three months were randomly selected and interviewed using a predesigned tool. Children’s weight and height was measured. Awareness scores for causes of fever and fever management were constructed. Logistic regression was done to identify correlates of incorrect practices.Results: 95% parents were aware about correct temperature above which fever became harmful. Awareness score for causes of fever was poor (

Based on the primary data for 499 patients, 135 IPD and 364 OPD, in 62 hospitals across all the 20 districts in Punjab, the study discovered that contrary to the popular notion, the satisfaction level of the patients with the services delivered at hospitals managed by Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) was significantly high on most of the parameters. Both outdoor patients and indoor patients found the location of the hospitals accessible, diagnostic facilities in order, and quality of medical care satisfactory. There were, of course, some difficulties faced in respect of availability of medicines from within the hospitals, delay in obtaining the reports of diagnostic tests, and laxity in emergency cases. Many of the identified areas for quality improvement are related to the time factor and non-availability of medicines at the hospitals. The escalating costs involved in the purchase of medicines from the market emerged as a cause of worry for every patient. Indications are that the institutions like PHSC can be more effective than the conventional Health Departments in the delivery of health services especially to the patients belonging to the poor strata of society. This is endorsed by nine out of every ten patients who felt that the services offered at the private hospitals were unaffordable and beyond their reach. Moreover, a mismatch between the huge amount of money spent and the quality of services received impelled many of them to seek the services of a government hospital. The indispensability of the role of the public sector in health care in the Indian context cannot be missed.

This paper examines the status of women in Punjab in the light of some selected important gender-related indicators covering a wide spectrum of access to amenities and demographic and reproductive health status of women. The main aim of the paper is to examine the inter district variations in the status of women in respect of various selected variables under study. Data from various sources, including Census and DLHS-4 and NFHS-4 surveys, had been put to use to calculate Z scores and generating a correlation matrix. The average score of each component was summed up for all districts and a quantitative measure of the status of women was obtained.

The present study investigation entitled “A study of new business opportunities for Reitzel Products in Jammu and Kashmir” Hugo Reitzel offers a full range of the highest quality condiments, mustards, oils and dressings. A creator by vocation, Hugo Reitzel constantly introduces new specialties, driving the market towards more innovation and even higher standards of quality and customer satisfaction. The study was carried out on the basis of primary and secondary data. The present study has been conducted in Jammu and Kashmir to identify the market potential of the company, ten prominent hotels has been selected from each city. Thus in total 20 samples have been drawn from the study area. The study used Henry Garret ranking technique for knowing the preference towards food stuff in streamlining company's base to market its products. The study revealed that the Indian food stuff has occupied 1st rank, Chinese 2nd rank, Italian 3rd rank, Germany 4th rank, Spanish 5th rank, and French 6th rank in terms of preference respectively and thus streamlined high demand of the Reitzel products in the markets at Jammu and Kashmir. Out of 20 hotels, 16 were using Jalapenos (80.0 per cent) and rest of them are not using jalapenos and in case of Gherkins 12 are using (60.0 per cent) in Italian food. In Chinese food, out of 20 hotels, 17 were using Jalapenos (85.0 per cent) and 5 were using Gherkins (25.0 per cent) and in Indian food out of 20 hotels, 12 were using Jalapenos (60.0 per cent) and 15 were using Gherkins (75.0 per cent).

Afield experiment was conducted at Ludhiana during rabi season2012-13. Asetof 27 treatment combinations including three dates of sowing, viz. 16th October (D1), 15th November (D2) and 15th December (D3) in main plot, three varieties (PL 172, PL 426 and PL 807) in sub plot and three nitrogen levels, viz. 75, 100 and 125% of recommended dose of nitrogen-RDN (62.5 kg ha−1) in sub-sub plot were evaluated in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Crop sown on 16th October took minimum days (3) for initiation of emergence, whereas the highest number of days (8) was taken by the crop sown on 15th December. Interaction effect of barley varieties and date of sowing on dry matter production was significant and progressive increase in dry matter production by variety PL 172 and PL 426 as the sowing was delayed from 16th October to 15th December through 15th November. At dough stage leaf area index of variety PL426 was significantly higher than other two varieties when crop sown on 16th October. It was found that the root mass density (0–15 cm) was the highest in crop sown on 15th December, which was significantly higher than crop sown on 16th October but was statistically at par with 15th November sown crop. Application of 125% of RDN crop resulted in significantly higher root density up to a depth of 15 cm than crop received 75% of RDN, but was statistically at par with crop sown with the application of 100% of RDN.

A study has been conducted to observe the management practices adopted by broiler growers in Jammu district of Jammu & Kashmir state in the year 2014. The growers were categorized into three groups on the basis of number of birds namely; growers with less than 500 birds, 501–1000 birds and more than 1000 birds. The data from 60 growers were collected by selecting randomly 20 growers from each category. The socio-economic and management characteristics of broiler farms have been studied for each category which include family composition, educational status, occupational status, investment pattern, distance from input and output markets, training and experience of growers, system of housing, feeding, water, power etc. and the marketing channels adopted for sale of broilers.

International relations include exchange transactions, contracts, flow of information and resulting behavioral responses between and among separate organized societies. After disintegration USSR in December 1991, lot of changes has happened in the international relations. The concept of regional cooperation in the field of economic in the third world countries has assumed greater importance. After the end of cold war India and Afghanistan have established a strong relationship and is significant landmark event for their implications for Indo-Afghan relations as well as it is a new dimension in economic relations to enable both nations to integrate more effectively with the Indian economy and other economics in South Asian countries. Such alliance not only helps securing Afghanistan that can also boosts economic and trade cooperation among countries in the region. This paper highlights some of the important aspects related to international relation between Afghanistan and India such as economic and developmental relations.

Context: Truck drivers in India suffer from multiple health problems related to their long travelling and inadequate rest hours. Aims: The objective was to study the health problems and risk factors in a sample of truck drivers in Hyderabad city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June 2011 among 59 truck drivers from a transport company, who were interviewed using a pretested proforma and examined by trained investigators. Lab results and medical consultations were provided the following day. Results were analyzed using Microsoft Access software. Results: The mean age of truck drivers was 28.46 ± 9.3 years. 54% suffered from low backache, 16.95% from visual problems, 45.76% had hypertension, 8.47% had anemia and 30.51% had high-risk body mass index. The prevalence of risk factors for metabolic disorders was lower compared to the general population. Conclusion: Proper road and job policies for truck drivers should be framed, aiming at subjecting them for periodic health evaluations to detect the diseases early.