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Background: Drug addiction is a social problem that affects people all over the world, Increased manufacturing, distribution, promotion, availability, and social values contribute to this issue. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the causes of substance abuse among users and its impacts. Materials and Methods: The study's findings were derived through primary research. In-depth interviews with substance users undergoing treatment at a de-addiction center in Srinagar were carried out in June 2022-July 2022. This study included a thematic analysis of the stories of 20 participants. Results: Data gathered through participant narratives revealed personal experiences as well as common themes. A total of 3 themes emerged from the codes, the themes include (1) Initiation of substance abuse (2) Causes associated with substance abuse (3) Consequences of substance abuse. Conclusion: We conclude that the problem of substance abuse in Kashmir has assumed rising dimensions: curiosity, academic pressure, increasing economic stress, and easy accessibility are leading to initiation into substance abuse. It also reveals the harmful effects of substance abuse. Heroin is mostly used substance by abusers for the first time; substance abuse is on the rise, which is highly concerning for every member of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucknow is one of the most polluted metro-city in India with increasing vehicular density and fuel consumption in the last three decades. The study was conducted during years 2019–2021 for measurement of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), respirable particulate matter (PM10), and noise levels at nine selected sites; 4 residential, 4 commercial, and 1 industrial, encompassing prior-to-lockdown, during-lockdown, and after-lockdown periods. Values of PM10 for prior-to-lockdown, during-lockdown, and after-lockdown period ranged from 133.2 to 197.4, 77.0 to 135.0, and 91.4 to 148.0 µg/m3, respectively while values of PM2.5 were 66.5 to 93.6, 41.9 to 67.5 and 49.5 to 98.6 µg/m3, respectively. Corresponding values of SO2 ranged from 8.7 to 12.8, 5.5 to 7.6, and 11.4 to 17.6 µg/m3, respectively while values of NO2 were 24.6 to 57.0, 20.5 to 32.8, and 26.1 to 43.8 µg/m3, respectively. Order of the trace metals associated with PM2.5 is Co < Cd < As < Cr < Ni < Cu < Pb < Mn < K < Zn, Co < Cd < As < Cr < Cu < Ni < Pb < Mn < Zn < K and Cd < Co < As < Cr < Cu < Ni < Pb < Mn < K < Zn in the same periods. Statistical data evidenced that the air quality of the city witnessed drastic improvement during the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO AIRQ + was utilized to calculate attributable health risk and post-neonatal disease burden; showing 1447 ± 768 estimated number of cases attributable to ambient PM10 per lakh of population. Regulatory authorities need to establish new benchmarks for the prevention and management of public health risks for urban resilience and environmental management for episodic events in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the factors contributing to early-age alcohol initiation among adolescents, focusing on the Indian context. The research is based on qualitative data collected in a senior secondary school and analyzes adolescents' attitudes, situations, and experiences when making decisions related to alcohol initiation. The study found that adolescents are influenced by various factors such as parental alcohol consumption, availability of leftover drinks, family environment, parenting approach, and peer pressure, which collectively contribute to their inclination toward alcohol. The findings suggest that curiosity and expectancy play significant roles in alcohol-related choices, and peers strongly influence adolescents for alcohol initiation. Familial factors, including parental relationship, conflict and family dynamics, also contribute to adolescents' alcohol-related decisions. The study highlights the importance of understanding these factors to effectively address the issue and mitigate the associated risks and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children who play violent video games can become violent and aggressive. An aggressive emotional change in their behavior and deviation in academic performance is usually noticed. Aim: To assess the impact of violent video games playing among school going adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 400 adolescents recruited from four selected English medium schools of a City of Northern India by convenient sampling. Each student was interviewed by using a self-structured questionnaire which covered demographics, video gaming behaviors, and effects of video game playing on adolescents. Statistical Analysis: Collected data were entered in Microsoft Excel and subjected to suitable statistical tests. Results: 83.75% of the participants play video games while 1/3rd preferred to play violent games. 72.24% of the parents did not monitor the video game content of their children. Both boys (58.56%) and girls (17.12%) got aggressive during parent's interference while playing violent video games. Most of the male (62.07%) were willing to apply actions of violent video games in real life. About 63.21% male violent video gamers showed poor academic performance as compared to girls (33.33%). Conclusion: Adolescents and their parents should be updated about the negative impact of excessive video game playing on health and psychosocial functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To research relations of coping strategies between the under graduate and post graduate poor students. This research examined the coping styles in 80 economically disadvantaged adolescent students staying in free hostels in India. Substance use was found to be higher among post graduate students and the emotional support was found to be better among under graduate students when compared to other coping strategies. Economically disadvantaged students may find it difficult to use positive copings when they face a variety of different stressors during their higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the issues and challenges to the Cross LoC Trade which is a good gesticulation as a part of CMBs in consolidating the relations between the people living on both sides of divided Kashmir. The traders and business community across LoC have reinvigorated this initiative since its commencement as they have been dynamically involved to conduct this trade. This is the main reason that despite all the hurdles, the volume of this trade is constantly increasing. However, the local community is apathetic in this trade as goods coming from other part of LoC reach straight to the Pakistani markets through Azad Kashmir and then after repacking, these items once again reach the local markets in Azad Kashmir, making the goods is expansive and not expedient for the local peoples in Azad Kashmir. On the other hand, the Cross LoC trade has been very supportive in reducing tensions between both the traditional contenders (Indian and Pakistan) as the number of firing incidents across LoC have been greatly reduced since its derivation. Despite the success, there are certain concerns which need to be addressed immediately otherwise the future of Cross LoC trade in the existing environment looks obscure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of a brain tumour poses severe challenges to patients as well as their caregivers. As caregivers, women play an important role. However, most of the literature on brain tumours has failed to emphasise the invaluable services of women caregivers, and their psychosocial needs have been overlooked. The current study aims to highlight this neglected aspect. Thirty women caregivers were selected through purposive sampling and their needs were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire under five heads such as, professional service needs, informational needs, psychological/emotional needs, personal and spiritual needs and social support needs. It was found that some of their needs were unmet, especially their psychological/emotional and informational needs. Thus, gender-specific interventions are recommended across neuro-oncological settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]