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Introduction and background: The musculoskeletal pain (MSK) develops at an early age and pains in adolescence dispose to subsequent pain episodes in adulthood. High physical fitness levels in childhood and adolescence are linked to favorable health outcomes. This study has evaluated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among school students. Additionally, it examines the existing physical fitness of those children and explores potential associations between musculoskeletal pain and physical fitness. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Guwahati urban area, a capital city of North East India, in different schools. The mean and standard deviation of age was 9.49 ± 2.53. Prevalence of MSK pain was determined by the Faces Pain Scale–Revised and pediatric Gait Arm Leg Spine (pGALS) assessment, whereas physical fitness was assessed by Fitnessgram test battery. Statistical analysis: Paired "t" test and logistic regression analysis were used. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for all tests performed, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used in all cases. Results: The percentage of musculoskeletal pain is 38.28% where female school students have 40.33% and the male students have 36.52%. The odd ratio of 0.934 (CI = 0.916–0.972) was found between pain occurrence and aerobic capacity. The odd ratio of 0.72 (CI = 0.704–0.761) was found between the chances of pain onset and abdominal strength and endurance. The odd ratio of 0.859 (CI = 0.831–0.899) was found between pain occurrence and trunk extensor muscle strength and endurance. Conclusion: The prevalence of the musculoskeletal pain in school students is found to be 38.28%. The incidence of musculoskeletal pain and the physical fitness of a child has a significant relationship, with children who have poor physical fitness being more likely to develop musculoskeletal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary and High School students are usually adolescents, most of them in the urban areas and metropolitan cities are aware about the existence, various opportunities, career paths and advancements of the space industry. They are constantly updated, given they have access to quality and organized education models and a competitive environment. Although, the students in the rural areas who are equally ambitious and talented yet are not fortunate enough to have access to the state of art facilities like the counterparts. Even if they try and gain access with their self-interest, they do not have the motivation to sustain the passion, given their lack of clarity in subject, lack of awareness about engaging in various ways and fields in space other than technological related and mainly lack of driving force. The purpose of this paper is to develop and present an education model, exclusively for the high school students of the rural areas and inculcate sustainable passion for space. As opposed to the primary school students, the secondary school students have a consciousness of the space industry. This paper will talk about various plans and strategies, that will allow them to gain exposure, guide them about the existence of different career paths which are not entirely technological related, yet are still essential in the space like, administrative framework for example. This opens a new dimension in their brain helping them realize how they can be part of the industry in countless ways, and this shall assist them in being on the right track to space. In addition to, hosting creative space themed exhibitions, fun and engaging model design competitions, workshops, all of these would widen their knowledge boundaries and help them challenge their skills. A real time case study example from a school located in the rural southern of India shall be focused on this paper. Including data from a survey thereby the results, with action plans shall be presented in detail, which will aid in the analysis of the need, feasibility, and long-term sustenance of this approach and the requirement to scale it over different rural areas globally. • Need for improvised education models in rural areas elucidated, with data collection. • Data analysis and correlation of space education awareness, for high school students across two geographical locations. • Readily executable action plans age groupwise, for real-time education models in remote areas globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have considerable impairment in their ability to perform in a variety of contexts. The combined prevalence of ADHD worldwide is 5.29%. According to several research, the prevalence of ADHD in India ranges from 1.6 to 14%. Approximately 7% of school-age children have been diagnosed with ADHD. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the present study is to find out the prevalence of attention-deficient hyperactivity disorder in primary school children. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of psychiatry in collaboration with department of paediatrics, at Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow for the duration of one year. CARS was given to the teachers and to the parents of the children. Based on the score obtained as per the teachers rating presence of ADHD was identified. For the children identified in the study as having ADHD, the CBQ A and B were given to the teachers and Personal Information Questionnaire to the parents to identify the comorbid conditions. CARS was given to both parents and teachers to compare the teacher's and parent's rating score. Statistical analysis: The data was analysed using SPSS Windows Version 16 and online GraphPad software. Mean and Standard Deviation and student's t test were used for statistical analysis. Discussion: In the present study, 880 primary school children were included based on inclusion criteria. Out of 880 children, 480 were males and 400 were females. Out of 880 children 78 children were found to have ADHD based on CARS as per teachers rating. Th prevalence of ADHD among primary school children aged 6-12 years, was found to be 8.86% as presented in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the distribution and prevalence according to the type of ADHD. In the present study it is found that, out of 78 children with ADHD, 41 (52.56%) children had inattentive type (most common), 26 (33.33%) children had combined type, 11 (14.10%) had hyperactive impulsive type. The overall prevalence of Inattentive, Combined and Hyperactive Impulsive were 4.65%, 2.95% and 1.25% respectively. Figure 3 shows the distribution of co-morbidities in ADHD. It is seen that 11.5% children had Conduct Disorder, 15.3% oppositional defiant disorder, 33.33% depression, 16.66% multiple comorbidities and 23.07% children had no comorbidities. Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of ADHD was found to be 8.86% and the most common type of ADHD was inattentive type. Children with ADHD typically underachieve academically, repeat grades, drop out of school, have difficulties with peer relationships, disrupt family functioning and a clear negative effect on the self-esteem, so it must be diagnosed at the earliest because thousands of children otherwise go undiagnosed, untreated and face long term consequences of the disorder. This study indicates the importance of early identification and thus helping in early intervention of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified determinants of malnutrition among school children in West Bengal, India. A total of 896 children aged between 4 and 13 years in eight districts were evaluated. BMI, weight, and height-for-age z-scores were used to categorize the stages of malnutrition. The study results revealed that the average height of the boys and girls was as per the standards set by the National Council of Health Sciences. Body mass index of the children ranged between 14.4 and 21.42 kg/m2, and stunting was 56.77%. Age and stunting were positively correlated in 5- to 10-year-old children. The most common deficiency was of fluoride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavior Change Communication (BCC) is evidence-based, theoretically supported and utilizes all opportunities for communication. Evidence reports BCC as a relevant tool for averting and controlling many forms of public health challenges. Through schools, many countries have shown health improvements via students and the community's exposure to behavior change messages. The study was planned with an aim of evaluating the effectiveness of mosquito-borne disease control measures implementation through BCC to adolescent school students in a Cantonment area, in North India. The present study was undertaken as a quasi-experimental study from April 2019 to March 2020. Of the 334 students enrolled in the school as per eligibility criteria, 315 were available during the initial assessment, and 288 were available throughout the study. For the evaluation of effectiveness of the BCC at household level, 200 households (100 intervention and 100 control) were selected. Students' knowledge about mosquito-borne diseases was the primary outcome measure. The difference in proportions was tested using the chi-square test. The difference in proportions for paired samples was tested using Mc Nemar's test. Proportion of students who gave correct responses significantly increased after intervention in post-test as compared to pre-test for most of the knowledge-related questions. The proportion of households with the availability of mosquito nets and self-reported use of mosquito nets was significantly high in intervention group as compared to control group post-intervention. BCC in the form of different intervention programs to adolescent school children was effective in improving the knowledge and attitude toward mosquito-borne diseases and also ensured less mosquito-genic environment in households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In architectural education, informal interaction spaces play a significant role in experiential learning, allowing adult learners more flexibility and freedom. In India, the significance of these spaces has been heightened by the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) formulated by the Ministry of Human Resources, Government of India, which aligns with the activities promoted in educational institutes' informal interaction spaces. This research paper explores the role of informal interaction spaces in enhancing student-centered learning in architecture schools, presenting best practices for their design and utilization. The study employs mixed research methods, including literature review, case studies, and interviews, to gather perspectives from learners and instructors. The case study reveals a strong positive correlation between the percentage of informal interaction space and the learning outcomes of students. In addition to identifying challenges in informal interaction spaces, including interference and design issues, the literature study and respondents' views associate the crosscultural discussions happening in these spaces with academic learning, life skill enhancement, and the development of collaboration skills, establishing their significance in facilitating effective and student-centered pedagogy. Varied preferences of respondents regarding design criteria to be adopted in designing informal interaction spaces emphasize the need for adaptable designs that cater to diverse student needs regarding placement, visual connection, and amenities. The conclusions underscore the multifaceted impact of these spaces, providing valuable insights for their refinement and contributing to ongoing discourse in architectural education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to establish the normative data of horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), vertical visible iris diameter (VVID), and palpebral fissure height (PFH) in a cohort of South Indian children. The study included 1,234 children from six schools of different regions of Tamil Nadu state, India. HVID, VVID, and PFH were measured using a simple millimeter ruler by three optometrists. Based on their age, the children were divided into three groups: preprimary school children (4-5 years), primary school children (6-10 years), and high school children (11-15 years). Mean age was 4.49 ± 0.50 years, 8.00 ± 1.41 years, and 12.87 ± 1.42 years in the three groups, respectively. Mean HVID was 10.45 mm, 10.54 mm, and 10.73 mm, respectively. Mean VVID was 9.18 mm, 9.32 mm, and 9.57 mm, respectively. Similarly, mean PFH was 8.15 mm, 8.30 mm, and 8.52 mm, respectively. There was a significant difference in HVID, VVID, and PFH among the three age groups (P = 0.001), as well as among male and female children in the 6-10 years age group (P = 0.05) but not in the other groups. Intraclass correlation coefficient values (0.78-0.95) show good agreement among the three optometrists for all parameters. The normal range of HVID, VVID, and PFH presented in the current study can help practitioners in the diagnosis of corneal disorders, serve as a basis for the design of contact lenses, and enable accurate intraocular lens power calculations for South Indian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Video game addiction has emerged as a significant concern among adolescent children in recent years. With the widespread availability of technology and the increasing popularity of video games, a substantial number of adolescents are displaying addictive behaviours. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of video game addiction among adolescent school children in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India and find out the various risk factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India among 300 school children aged 10-17 years from four private schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from February 2023 to June 2023. Data collection involved the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents (GASA) and a pretested semistructured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: The study revealed that approximately 31.7% of the participants had video game addiction. Categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test, with a significance level of p <0.05. Bivariate logistic regression was utilised to determine unadjusted odds ratios, and variables with p <0.05 were included in the multivariate model to calculate adjusted odds ratios and construct 95% confidence intervals. Conclusion: Video game addiction among adolescent school children is a significant issue with multiple associated risk factors. By promoting awareness, encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, and fostering balanced lifestyles, we can effectively address video game addiction and enhance the wellbeing of adolescent school children. [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]

Background: The nationwide lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily routines, especially for children. Being at home and attending virtual classes unintentionally precipitated an increase in both academic and nonacademic screen time and probably led to decreased physical activity in children. However, there is lack of evidence related to the physical activity and screen time of school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic. So this study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on physical activity and screen time of children. Methods: An online survey was used to recruit parents of school-age children through convenience sampling. Parents were asked to compare their child's physical activity and screen time in the previous week with those in the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. The global physical activity questionnaire was used to assess physical activity, and a screen time questionnaire was developed and validated. Data collection was done from September 2020 to December 2020. Results: Data of 104 children were collected from parents' reports. The average age of parents was 39.1 + 4.8 years for mothers and 40.8 + 6.9 years for fathers. Results revealed a decrease in physical activity from 564.95 min/week before the lockdown to 146.05 min/week during the lockdown, with the absolute decrease of 448.9 min/week. Total screen time increased from 2.42 h/day before the lockdown to 7.41 h/day during the lockdown. Conclusion: Necessary steps to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic unintentionally affected children in terms of decreased physical activity and increased screen time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity in children has become a public health concern worldwide with a significant rise in recent years. Aim & Objective: This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of overweight and obesity in adolescents studying in school and to determine the risk factors for obesity as well as overweight in this population. Settings & Design: This cross-sectional research was carried out among adolescent children of age group 12-15 years from Jodhpur's rural and urban schools. Methods & Material: The present study included 1864 school children. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and the researchers measured weight and height with the help of calibrated tools. Index for Body Mass (BMI) and Z-scores were calculated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized gender-specific growth chart was used to classify children as being overweight and obese. Statistical analysis used: The statistical evaluation was conducted utilising SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square analyses were applied to analyse the relationship of independent variables with overweight/obesity status. Variables showing statistical significance at a 5% level were further analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: It was discovered that the rate of overweight and obesity among Jodhpur schoolchildren was 23.2%, with 22.9% classified as overweight and 0.3% as obese. The analysis revealed that children attending urban and public schools exhibited higher rates of obesity and overweight compared to those in rural and private schools. Conclusions: The study highlights a considerable burden of overweight among children enrolled in schools of Jodhpur, warranting the implementation of sustainable intervention aimed at encouraging physical exercise and a balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity is currently one of the major concerns in the pediatric field. Socioeconomic status (SES) and physical activity (PA) are key factors in achieving efficient weight status and help them to prevent obesity in the future. Hence, the present study was undertaken to find out the relationship of body mass index (BMI), SES, and PA among school children. METHODOLOGY: A correlational study was carried out on randomly selected 120 children studying in the 6th, 7th, and 8th standards from two different schools in Surat city. The underweight, healthy weight, and overweight--obesity status were based on BMI percentiles for age and sex. SES was assessed using the Kuppuswamy scale based on parameters such as the head of the family's educational status, occupational status, and overall aggregate income of the whole family. PA during the previous 7 days was assessed using the Gujarati version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C [G]). Spearman's correlation test was applied to find out the correlation of BMI, SES and PA among all the students. RESULTS: Overall, boys have higher PAQ-C scores as compared to girls. Inadequate PA was noted among all children. Results of the present study showed that there was a statistically significant weak positive correlation of SES with BMI (r = 0.34, P < 0.05), a statistically significant moderate positive correlation of SES with PA (r = 0.65, P < 0.05) but a statistically significant moderate negative correlation was found for BMI and PA (r = -0.46, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study concludes a significant relationship between BMI, SES and PA among school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the prevalence of anisometropia and its association with stereopsis and amblyopia in Goan school children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students between 9 and 14 years of age from two randomly selected schools in Goa. All students underwent an assessment of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, stereo acuity, and complete ophthalmic examination. Children with refractive errors without any other coexisting ocular pathologies were included. Refractive correction of children with a best-corrected visual acuity of logMAR 0.0 was measured using a manual lensometer. Subjects with visual acuity greater than logMAR 0.2, further improving with pinhole, were subjected to objective and subjective refraction. The prevalence of anisometropia, anisometropic amblyopia, and degree of stereo acuity in anisometropic children was assessed. Results: Four hundred and six children were screened for refractive errors. Sixty-four children were found to have refractive errors, of which 58 students (90.6%) were myopic, and six (9.4%) were hyperopic. The prevalence of anisometropia of ≥1.0 D spherical equivalent was found in 12 students (18.75%), among whom myopia was the most common refractive error (9.75%). Anisometropic amblyopia was noted in eight students (66.6%), five of whom were myopes and three hyperopes. All three hyperopic anisometropes (100%) had amblyopia. Seventy-five percent of children with poor stereo acuity, ranging from ≥160 seconds of arc, belonged to the hyperopic anisometropia group. Conclusion: Amblyopia is more prevalent among anisometropes than isometropes, with hyperopic anisometropes having poor stereoacuity and being more likely to develop amblyopia. Hence, early identification and treatment of anisometropia will significantly reduce the risk of amblyopia in school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2030, 6.2% of adolescents aged 10-19 will be obese, and 10.81% of children aged 5-9 will also be obese. In India, it is estimated that over 27 million children will be obese. It is important for children to have a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight and proper development. The quality of nutrients that children consume can significantly impact their health, growth, and functions. This study provides insights into the eating habits and preferences of school-aged children, the prevalence of junk food consumption, and parental concerns. Junk food is appealing to children because of its taste, affordability, and convenience, and its negative impact on health is not always understood. To promote holistic development, physical activity is essential for children's physical, social, and mental well-being. Nutrition advice can also facilitate the adoption of healthy eating habits in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Many children were suffering with oral health problems such as dental caries, gingival infections & malocclusions. Early identification of these problems plays a decisive role in prevention of oral diseases. First dental visit within first year of life is an important milestone in child's life. Aim and Objectives To assess first dental visit and reasons for seeking dental care at first visit at two different locations in a city from South India. Material and Methods A cross sectional questionnaire survey along with oral examination were carried out among school children (n=400). Descriptive statistics and independent t test were done. Results Mean DMFT and OHI-S scores, 0.92 ± 1.194 and 0.89 ± 1.578, were higher among children having access to dental institution. Approximately 62.5% near institution and 66% away from institution reported that, their first direct contact with a dental professional was at school. General dental checkup was the dominant reason for first dental visit followed by dental caries and tooth pain. Conclusion Significant differences were found among the groups in relation to first dental visit and its reasons. So it is necessary to work out recommendations towards preventive care rather than curative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall prevalence of dental caries among individuals aged 3 to 75 years in India is approximately 54.16% and the burden is ever increasing. This cross-sectional study aimed at mapping oral health status among government school children in Mumbai. The study focused on identifying the prevalence of dental caries and tobacco consumption among students. The study involved 94 randomly selected schools, focusing on healthy 9th and 10th-grade students in M.C.G.M-run schools. A closeended questionnaire assessed demographics, oral hygiene practices, and tobacco use, followed by oral examinations for dental caries and hygiene status, with subsequent oral health education provided to all students. A high prevalence of dental caries (62.6%) and tobacco use (5.1%) was observed among 14-16-year-old students, emphasizing the urgent need for habit interception and oral health education. To progress, Indian health systems must collaborate to promote oral healthcare for all children, with a focus on disease prevention, especially among disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special healthcare needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School absenteeism in India is associated with adverse socio-economic conditions for children belonging to vulnerable groups. Matching-based analysis of the current study shows that the world's most extensive poverty alleviation program, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), helps reduce school absenteeism. In this regard, poor children from the families participating in the program are less likely to be absent from school. In addition, the program has social implications, as scheduled caste and tribe children at the lowest level of the social hierarchy are significantly less likely to miss school. Furthermore, as the gendered impact, girls, including those belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families, are less likely to be absent from schools. Considering that social, economic, and gender-related vulnerabilities are closely related in India, the program helps overcome multidimensional barriers preventing children from attending schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimisation of vision screening programmes can result the detection of refractive anomalies in a high proportion of school children. The Refractive Errors Among Children (REACH) programme aims to optimise outcomes of school-based vision screening in India by collaborating with hospitals and monitoring eye care throughout school attendance. REACH delivers school vision screening using pocket vision screeners (cards presenting rows of seven 0.2 logMAR Sloan letters at a 3 m viewing distance) in five states across India. Children who fail screening are referred for detailed evaluation including refraction, those requiring cycloplegic refraction are referred to partner hospitals. Spectacles are dispensed as needed and compliance is assessed. All data are recorded electronically. Out of 2,240,805 children aged 5 to 18 (mean 11.5; SD ±3.3) years, 2,024,053 have undergone REACH screening in 10,309 schools predominantly in rural locations (78.7%) and government-funded (76%). Of those screened, 174,706 (8.6%) underwent detailed evaluation. A higher proportion of children in private or urban schools (11.8% and 10.4% respectively) were referred for detailed evaluation than those in government-funded or rural schools (5.9% and 7.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). The proportion referred for detailed evaluation differed by state (p < 0.001), from 4.0% in West Bengal to 14.4% in Kerala. The REACH programme screened a high proportion of school children, providing further care and follow-up to optimise visual outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Many school children experience psychological inflexibility, which leads to anxiety regarding their academic wellbeing, subsequently affecting their psychological well-being. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the relationship between psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety among school children, understand the sociodemographic characteristics of the selected participants, and identify significant mean differences in subgroups based on sociodemographic details in relation to psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety. Aim: To examine the relationship between psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety in students who were preparing for their board exams. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study involved the selection of 348 school children from 9th to 12th grade in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, using simple random sampling. Data collection took place from March 2021 to June 2021. The study employed a 17-item Acceptance and Fusion Questionnaire (AFQ-17), a 25-item academic anxiety scale, and a semi-structured interview schedule. The data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS) software, version 19.0. Descriptive statistics were used, and the Pearson's correlation method was employed to determine the relationship between variables. Additionally, a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted to identify significant mean differences between demographic variables, with a 95% confidence level and p-value<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: Out of the total 348 participants, majority 184 (52.9%) were in the age group of 16 to 18 years. The results indicate a positive correlation (r=0.117, p<0.05) between the level of psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety among school children. Furthermore, significant relationships were found between psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety in terms of age and gender. Conclusion: The present study highlights a positive correlation between psychological inflexibility and academic anxiety. It emphasises the importance of raising awareness, promoting psychological flexibility, and reducing academic anxiety among school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in India which may be related to changing dietary patterns. We aimed to assess dietary patterns in children since they have time to change unhealthy patterns before NCDs develop. Participants were 665 children, 9–12 years old, born with low birth weight and 77 similarly aged normal birth weight controls. We collected data on sociodemography, anthropometry, body composition, and markers of risk for NCDs: grip strength, long jump, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary data from which dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). Fourteen food groups were included in the PCA analysis, resulting in three components: 'fruits and vegetables', 'protein', and 'sugar and fat'. Higher socioeconomic status and maternal education were associated with lower adherence to the fruit and vegetable pattern and higher adherence to the protein and sugar and fat patterns. Adherence to the fruits and vegetables pattern was associated with lower height‐for‐age, whereas the fat and sugar pattern was associated with higher indicators of body fat. In linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, religion, socioeconomic status, maternal education, and season of data collection, adherence to the 'fruits and vegetables' pattern was associated with lower grip strength, shorter long jump, and lower HbA1c. Adherence to the other patterns was not associated with NCD risk factors. Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, achievable even by poorer families in the cohort, may lower HbA1c, a risk factor for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning the four skills of the English language is a requirement for pupils to utilize the language effectively, given the importance of learning it for both school and profession. Spelling -- an important part of writing skill -- is considered to be fundamental for written texts. The real meaning of a piece of writing can be changed by spelling mistakes, making it more challenging to understand. In India, teaching spelling is frequently overlooked while teaching English as a second language. The research attempts to determine the current level of spelling proficiency among Indian primary school students as well as the gaps and issues they encounter when spelling English words. The research approach used for this investigation was a form of descriptive survey. Children attending Jalpaiguri Municipal Corporation's elementary school in West Bengal, India, served as the study's sample. Normal probability curves and Ogive were created to analyze the frequency distribution of the English Diagnostic Test results. Central tendencies of the sample and sub-samples were studied. According to the study, spelling proficiency among elementary school students differs significantly depending on whether they attend government or non-government schools, even though there is no statistically significant difference between them based on gender and the medium of instruction they receive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handwashing with soap at critical moments is one of the most important factors in controlling the spread of germs and preventing the spread of infection. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a low-cost, school-based intervention that simulated germs and their spread on hand hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice of primary school children. Five hundred and sixty-two students from 28 rural schools were enrolled in this pre-posttest study. Endline data was collected 4 weeks after conducting the intervention at baseline. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice improved significantly after the intervention (p <.05). Significant positive gains were also observed in children's understanding of germs, the associated illness threat and washing hands with soap as a prevention mechanism. The present study suggests that entertainment-education-based interventions have the potential to improve hygiene behavior among children while being low-cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mental and physical growth, nutritional status, academic achievements of school-going children in the age group of 6-15 years are some of the important factors that would play a key role in shaping the future of our country in the coming years. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and obesity among urban school going children of Western Maharashtra, India so that corrective actions can be taken to improve the nutritional status. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study on children aged 6-15 years studying in urban schools of Western Maharashtra. 2276 children were included in the study and a simple random sampling technique was used to select the sections of classes I to X standard. All children belonging to that section were included in the study. Institutional ethical clearance was taken, and informed consent was taken from all parents. Data was collected by the investigator himself by using a standard protocol and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard techniques. Results: In our study, according to WHO MGRS standards, the total prevalence of underweight was 3.57% among 5-9 years old children. Out of this, 0.4% of children were severely underweight. 3.3% boys and 3.87% girls were underweight. Stunting was observed in 1.4% of children. About 0.1% of children were severely stunted. Sex specific prevalence observed was 1.2% in boys and 1.8% in girls. Wasting was observed in 11.1% children. About 1.9% children were severely wasted. Among boys, 12.6% were wasted. As for girls, 9.3% were wasted. About 19.1% and 5.1% children were overweight and obese, respectively. Sex distribution for overweight was, 22.1% boys and 15.2% girls and that for obesity was, 6.4% boys and 3.4% girls. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was less among the study participants, nutritional education should be imparted to children, regarding the type of food to be eaten, major food groups, nutritive value of various foods, and common nutritional problems and their effects. Overweight and obesity prevalence was high, hence requiring special emphasis to be given to these children. Health education should be imparted to parents during parent teacher meetings and IEC campaigns, regarding correct dietary practices such as food diversification and common nutritional problems in children and their consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India is the home to almost 30% of total children aged 13 to 19 years. Road traffic injury dominates over all causes of unintentional injuries. Children's road safety is neglected issue in the planning and designing of roads in the urban towns of India where a third of a billion children travel to school every day. As India is motorizing rapidly, road traffic injuries are projected to increase in near future. In the present study, awareness regarding road safety issues and prevalence of self-reported road traffic injury incurred while commute to school was estimated in the school going children aged 14 to 18 years. Methods: A Crosssectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among three schools in Pune, Maharashtra India. The information was collected about mode of commute to/ from school including distance from home and understanding about road safety issues. The data was also collected about any road traffic injury incurred during commute to school in the past 12 months. Results: Total 398 children participated in the study of which 212 (53.3%) respondents were male. The mean age of the respondents was 15.5years (SD 1.1 years). The overall prevalence of selfreported road injury during journey to school in the last 12 months was 17.3% (95% CI, 13.75-21.42). A higher proportion of boys (18.9%) reported road injury than girls(15.6%).Children who walk (OR = 2.79; 95% CI 1.04-7.52) or travelled by autorickshaw (OR = 2.37; 95% CI 0.78-7.24) to school were more likely to report road injury than those who travelled by school bus/school van. Conclusions: A sixth of the children reported a road traffic injury in the past 12 months during school journeys in Pune district, Maharashtra. Road safety education may be made part of the syllabus of school going children. Children's road safety should be given utmost priority in any urban planning of roads, schools and streets in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) have remained an unresolved public health problem in India. In this survey, we have estimated the prevalence of IDD among 6-12 years of school children in rural areas of north Karnataka, India and estimated the prevalence of low iodine content (<15 ppm) in salt at the household level and urine iodine excretion in this population. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, we recruited 16,827 children between 6 and 12 years of age through multistage sampling from six districts. Goitre was examined clinically for all children. Household-level salt iodine estimation and urinary iodine estimation were carried out among a subset of the participants. Results: Overall prevalence of goitre was 17.1% (95% CI: 16.5, 17.7). Out of this, 76.7% (n = 2116) had Grade-1 goitre, and 23.7% (n = 656) had Grade-2 goitre. The prevalence of goitre was higher among females (17.9%, vs. male 16.4%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of low iodine content (<15 ppm) in salt was 48.5% (95%CI: 46.7, 50.3). The overall median iodine excretion in urine was 85 µg/L (IQR: 60-150 µg/L). In total, 37.2% (n = 601) had mild iodine deficiency, 5.2% (n = 84) had moderate deficiency, and 10.1% (n = 163) had severe deficiency. All parameters showed high inter- and intradistrict variations. Conclusion: North Karnataka has a high goitre prevalence. Low use of iodized salt can be a major reason for the high prevalence of the condition. Ensuring the availability of iodized salt in this region and periodic surveillance to measure the impact of the programme should be the priority in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case control research was conducted in the tribal block of Sirohi district of Rajasthan, India to assess the impact of the food supplementation program on the nutritional status of school-going children. With 1:1 matching using parameters of sex and age of children from six villages each, data of 430 1st to 8th grade children, 215 cases and controls each, were analysed. World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro plus tool was used to determine the Weight for Age, Height for Age and Body Mass Index (BMI) for age indicators. Results showed that children who were on the intervention of milk were found to be 1.7 times more active as compare to those not receiving milk. It was also found that the proportion of children with severe malnutrition- in terms of wasting, stunting and underweight – was less among cases as compare to the controls. However, the difference was found significant only for wasting and underweight respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that milk-based interventions have been proved to be successful strategy in combating acute malnutrition among school-going children. More research is needed to evaluate the impact of such interventions on stunting, and to improve the program planning for scaling up and replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores factors affecting children with disabilities' enrolment and experience in school in Tamil Nadu, India. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 caregivers and 20 children with disabilities. Children were purposively selected to maximise heterogeneity by gender, impairment type and enrolment status, using data from a previous survey. Overall, caregivers recognised the importance of school for their children's future livelihoods or at least as a means of socialisation. However, some questioned the value of school, particularly for children with intellectual or sensory impairments. Other barriers to school enrolment and regular attendance included poor availability and affordability of transport, safety concerns or school staffs' concerns about children's behaviour being disruptive. While in school, many children's learning was limited by the lack of teacher training and resources for inclusive education. Poor physical accessibility of schools, as well as negative or overly protective attitudes from teachers and peers, often limited children's social inclusion while in school. These findings carry implications for the implementation of inclusive education in India and elsewhere, as they indicate that despite legislative progress, significant gaps in attendance, learning and social inclusion remain for children with disabilities, which may not be captured in traditional metrics on education access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a correlation between obesity and a rise in cardiovascular disease risk factors. Several investigations have demonstrated their continued presence into adulthood from early childhood and adolescence. Materials and Methods: A case-control or cross-sectional survey was done at Department of Paediatric, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College, Siruvachur, Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, India, between November, 2021 to October, 2022. We did a random sampling and selected a sample size of 500 to ensure a 95% confidence interval and 20% precision at a prevalence rate of 10%. Results: There were a total of 500 cases recorded among kids aged 12-16. 15-year-olds made up the bulk of the population that was analysed. And the 12 year-olds make up the youngest age group. Overall, 500 children of both sexes had their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values analysed and compared to age. It was discovered that BP levels rise steadily with ageing. Conclusion: In both sexes, the overall prevalence of "at risk for overweight" and "overweight" was 10.47%. Independent risk factors for childhood obesity were identified to include higher socioeconomic status, parental obesity and parental hypertension and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools are one of the most important social-geographic sites where children's lives play out. Although researchers have sought to understand children's school experiences in India, very few have considered marginalised children's opinions regarding what they value and the alternatives to their current school experiences. Consequently, this article draws on the voices of 10 marginalised children (11-13 years) as co-researchers from a remote public school in Uttarakhand, India. The co-researchers generated qualitative data with the help of participatory tools based on the Mosaic Approach to identify ways in which their experiences at school could be improved. Children expressed three critical aspects where their school experiences can be enriched: 1) better school and classroom conditions to enhance learning spaces, 2) enhancing school accessibility, classroom pedagogy, and curriculum, and 3) space to act and effect change by learning and becoming. Last, we provide implications for policymakers, educators, and researchers with a call to reimagine schooling and children's agency within the rural and remote school context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Based on the long-term impact of childhood obesity, there is a compelling need to assess the burden of obesity and micronutrient deficiency and the interactions between the two. Thus, the aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents to compare micro-nutrient levels in these children with normal and underweight categories and explore the factors affecting overweight and obesity in the presence of micronutrient deficiencies. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey-India (2017–2018) was done. The survey recorded information from 112,245 preschool children (6–60 months), school age children (5–9 years), and adolescents (10–19 years). Half of these participants were invited for biochemical testing and were included in our analysis. The presence of overweight or obesity and micronutrient (serum erythrocyte folate; vitamin B12, A, and D; ferritin; zinc; and urinary iodine) deficiencies were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcome included the mean serum levels and predictors of overweight and obesity in the presence of micronutrient deficiencies. Results: Of the 38,060, 38,355, and 35,830 preschool, school-age, and adolescent study participants, about 2.69, 4.18, and 4.99% were overweight or obese. We observed significant variations in the mean folate and vitamin B12 levels among the overweight and obese preschool and school-age children compared to the normal weight group. School-age children exhibited significant differences in all micronutrient levels. In contrast, adolescents only showed substantial differences in vitamin D and A and serum ferritin levels. The predictors of overweight and obesity included geographical locations, wealth quintiles, and societal castes. Iron, folate, vitamin D, and zinc levels significantly affect the odds of developing childhood overweight and obesity. Conclusions: It is vital to halt the growing burden of childhood overweight and obesity. Addressing micronutrient deficiencies can help us bring a sustainable and feasible approach to managing this menace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has made steady progress in improving rates of primary school enrolment but levels of learning achievement remain low. The Support To Rural India's Public Education System (STRIPES) trial provided evidence that an after-school para-teacher intervention improved numeracy and literacy levels in Telangana, India. The STRIPES2 trial investigates whether such an intervention will have a similar effect on the literacy and numeracy of primary school age children in the Satna District of Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods/design: The STRIPES2 trial forms one part of a cluster-randomised controlled trial with villages (clusters) randomised to receive either a health (CHAMPION2) or education (STRIPES2) intervention. Building on the design of the earlier CHAMPION/STRIPES trial, villages receiving the health intervention are controls for the education intervention and vice versa. The primary outcome is a combined literacy and numeracy score. Secondary outcomes include separate scores for literacy and numeracy; caregivers' engagement with child's learning; expenditure on education; enrolment in school; caregiver's report of school attendance and the cost effectiveness of the intervention. Over 7000 primary school age children have been recruited and randomised in STRIPES2. Discussion: This update to the published trial protocol gives a detailed plan for the statistical analysis of the STRIPES 2 trial. Trial registration: Registry of India: CTRI/2019/05/019296. Registered on 23 May 2019. http://www.ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=31198&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2731198det%27 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the effectiveness of educational intervention to reduce the weight of school bags. Material and Methods: The study design was one group pre- and posttest experimental Research design. Place and Duration of Study: Government Senior Secondary School Dhanas, Chandigarh, and Shri Guru Harkrishan Model Senior Secondary School Sector-38D, Chandigarh (A private school) between July and November 2018. Names of the schools can be avoided. Total 760 students from selected sections nursery to 10th class of school were enrolled in the study. At baseline and end line weight of children, school bags and its content were weighed using weighing scale. Length of bag strap, breath of bag, torso of children, and their shoulders size were measured by measuring tape. Bag carrying style, posture, etc., were observed by observation checklist. Interviewed children (5th to 10th class) were using Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire for musculoskeletal system assessment. Educational intervention was provided to the children for one month to reduce weight of school bag by teaching in assembly and displaying the charts in school. (Use of softbound thin textbooks, breaking thin books in 2-3 thin softbound books, use lightweight bag, pencil box, lunch box, and water bottles. Pack bag as per timetable.) Result: The result revealed that heavy school bags were carrying 69.7% children from government school and 80.2% from private school. Children carrying heavy bags reported musculoskeletal problems 5 times higher than their counterparts. After intervention, there was significant reduction in the weight of school bags (P < 0.001 as per paired t-test). Provide the weight of the bags before and after intervention in addition to the P value. Conclusion: Children carrying heavy bags were suffering from musculoskeletal problems. Intervention helped in reducing the weight of school bag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disease affecting children and adults all over the world. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has significantly increased among children in developing countries. It has a significant effect on the quality of life and performance of children. There are only a few studies in India on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. This was a hospital based cross sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and associated co-morbidities among school going children. Methods: This was a hospital based observational cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care medical college hospital of Kerala for a period of one year. A questionnaire was distributed to 200 parents of children aged 3 to 15 years attending the out-patient department. The questionnaire was prepared based on the one developed by ISSAC Steering committee (International Study of Asthma and allergies in childhood) with some additional questions. Questions regarding the symptoms, risk factors and co morbidities were asked and the responses were analyzed. Conclusion: In our study we found a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis among children. Moderate - severe persistent was the most commontype. It was associated with various co- morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers who wish to become insiders to children's cultural worlds need to genuinely engage with the difference in social power between them and their participants. Most published accounts of adult positionality have been provided by those who have explored children's school practices. The ethnography discussed in this paper focused on the home and school literacy practices of children in a rural village in India. Cognisant of the unequal teacher-student relationships in this part of the world, I positioned myself as a least-teacher which, I argue, presents a cultural approximant for the least-adult role extensively discussed in literature. The role enabled the children to view me differently from their teachers – as a madamii. In this paper, I discuss its various facets with the twin focus of examining the efficacy of the role for future research and its affordances for the vision of a teacher provided by Indian policy documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide the prevalence of vision impairment and blindness among 250,000 school children aged 6 to 17 years, screened in Tamil Nadu, India. The study was conducted between 2016 and 2019 as a part of the school eye screening program in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. The clinical examination included basic vision testing, objective refraction, subjective acceptance, spectacle dispensing, and a posterior segment evaluation. The prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, low vision, and the association with other demographic variables using logistic regression were calculated. A total of 250,052 children were screened in 1047 schools and the prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, and low vision in Kanchipuram district was 3.83%, 0.01%, 0.19%, respectively. The major causes for vision impairment, blindness, and low vision were refractive errors (3.05%), high myopia (0.002%), and refractive amblyopia (0.04%), respectively. Vision impairment was significantly associated with urban location (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.36–1.48, p <.0001), females (OR = 1.11, 95%CI – 1.08–1.15, p <.0001), private schools (OR = 2.43, 95%CI – 2.35–2.42, p <.0001), higher secondary class grade (OR = 1.69, 95%CI – 1.61–1.77, p =.001), high-school class grade (OR = 1.65, 95%CI – 1.58–1.72, p =.001) and middle school class grade (OR = 1.53, 95%CI – 1.47–1.59, p =.001). This large-scale school eye screening reports a comparatively lower prevalence of vision impairment, blindness, and low vision when compared to other studies conducted around the world. Although the overall prevalence is relatively low, the causes are mostly refractive. Urban, female, private school-going children aged 11–17 are at higher risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to report the distribution of astigmatism among school children in South India. The study was conducted as part of a national school eye screening project named 'Refractive Error Among Children' (REACH) between 6 and 17 years of age. Children underwent presenting visual acuity screening, external eye examination, screening for color vision deficiency, and non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies. Those who failed screening underwent, objective and subjective refraction, and identification of other ocular conditions. Astigmatism was defined as cylindrical power greater than 0.50D. Refractive errors were classified into myopia (≤0.50D), hyperopia (≥0.75D), and other refractive errors (between −0.50D and +0.75D). The data on astigmatism were analyzed and were deduced into its vector components (M, J0 and J45). Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were performed. Data of 245,565 children from 1047 schools were taken for analysis. The average age was 11.63 ± 3.32 (range:6–17) years. After screening, refractive errors and astigmatism was found to be 6.57% (n = 16157) and 3.69% (n = 9064), respectively. Astigmatism among children aged 6 to 10 years was 1.37%. The mean cylindrical power, J0, and J45 was found to be 1.93 ± 1.06D, 0.06 ± 0.59D, and 0.43 ± 0.81D, respectively. Linear regression showed a decreasing trend in the cylindrical component (p <.001) and shift towards less positive J0 values (p <.001). Higher proportions of astigmatism more than 1.50 D (1.83%,n = 4578) and unilateral astigmatism (1.20%,n = 2952) are evident among refractive errors. More than 50% of children who failed vision screening with refractive errors presented with astigmatism. Prevalence was higher among primary school children. Presence of higher magnitude and unilateral astigmatism is amblyogenic and needs early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children in developing countries such as India will experience severe consequences of climate change. Primary school students, in particular, are the most vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves intensifying due to climate change. This will adversely impair their development, well-being, and learning outcomes. However, significant research gaps exist in understanding and mitigating children's vulnerabilities. There is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of the impact of heat waves on children's health and well-being in India. Further, the discussion on the state of heat safety in Indian primary schools is limited. This study addresses these gaps by surveying 335 primary school teachers in seven Indian cities. The data gathered from the field survey offers a better understanding of classroom experiences and challenges encountered by children and teachers during heat waves. It underscores several aspects of students' vulnerability to heat exposure and its adverse impact on their health, such as absence from school, physical symptoms of heat distress, etc. Furthermore, it highlights the pressing need for classroom heat risk management in light of climate change and makes several policy prescriptions in primary schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Growth is a complex process and influenced by genetic back ground, different functions of endocrine system, nutrition, effect of any chronic disease and the level of individual physical activity. Regular height measurement is one of the methods to evaluate growth. Short stature might be the first sign of various pathological conditions. Early recognition of short stature allows early intervention optimising the possibility of achieving good health and normal adult height. Community based studies utilising standard protocols are less from India as many studies are limited to children visiting tertiary care centre with complaints of short stature. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and aetiological profile of short stature in urban school children of Bangalore. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted among five schools in Devarajevanahalli, Bangalore from November 2015 to January 2017. Written informed consent was taken from the principal. Children from 6-11 years were recruited into this study till the sample size was reached. Total of 1128 children were chosen for the study. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) was done. Height was plotted in Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) growth charts. Those with height <3rd centile were considered of short stature. Children with short stature were followed after one year to see for height velocity. Children with height velocity of <25th centile were evaluated. Detailed history focussing on nutrition and complete physical examination, relevant investigations were done. The cause of short stature in them was assessed and grouped into physiological and pathological short stature. Continuous variables like height, weight, BMI were presented as mean [standard deviation (SD)] and were compared using unpaired t-test. Categorical variable like gender, height velocity were expressed as actual numbers and percentages and association was done using Chi-square test. Height between age categories among boys and girls was compared using ANOVA test. Results: Out of 1128 school children, 62 were found to be short. The prevalence of short stature was 5.50%. Among 62 children, 31 children remained short after one year. Out of 31, only 22 children were investigated as remaining were not willing for investigations. Out of 22 children, pathological short stature was found in 13 (59.1%) and physiological short stature in nine (40.9%). In pathological short stature, chronic malnutrition with Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is in 10 (45.5%). Hypothyroidism, idiopathic short stature, uncontrolled asthma was seen in one each (4.5%). In physiological short stature, familial short stature was found in six (27.3%) and constitutional delay of growth and puberty in three (13.6%). Conclusion: Overall prevalence of short stature was 5.50% and it represents a significant percentage of our society which needs proper attention. Chronic malnutrition with IDA was most common cause of short stature in this study. As significant percentage of children had treatable causes, growth monitoring with standard growth charts should be mandatory in all schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (GRIT) is an optimistic character that mixes passion and dedication. It is a driver of achievement and success, independent of and beyond what intelligence and talent contribute. The study aimed to assess GRIT and factors influencing it among mid-adolescent school students (13–18 years) in the Perambalur district, Tamilnadu, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among mid-adolescent school students. We used a self-reported questionnaire to collect the data on sociodemographic characteristics and parents' details and the standard eight-item GRIT questions. Analysis was done with the total and subscale scores. Results: Among the 1663 participants, 966 (58.1%) were males. The mean (SD) age was 15.6 (1.19) years. The mean GRIT score was 26.65 (4.12). Most students (755) showed medium (45.4%) GRIT scores. The age factor had a weak negative correlation with GRIT (r = −0.052, p = 0.033) and females had higher scores (t = 9.13, p = 0.002). Perseverance of effort was significantly more in those from a rural background (t = 1.9, p = 0.012), while consistency of interest was more in those from urban background (t = 0.63, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Most students had average or medium GRIT scores, with higher GRIT among females. The concept of GRIT should be properly addressed among children during their school years in order to inspire them to dream with passion and perseverance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work of school counsellors has become complex with the increasing technological advances and adolescents' dependency on them. There is a surprising lack of study in the Indian context, aimed at school counsellor's challenges in dealing with adolescents' digital use. This paper provides better understanding of the challenges of school counsellors involving adolescents' digital use in Indian schools. Three significant themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) negative aspects of digital use among Indian adolescents, (b) the need to effectively teach how to navigate the digital world and (c) the challenge of integrating technology with traditional counselling approaches to educate adolescents about their digital use. Furthermore, this paper presents implications for school counselling practice and research within Indian context. Practitioner points: School counsellors address challenging situations involving adolescents' use of digital media.School counsellors play a crucial role in teaching and modelling how to navigate the digital world.Little research has been conducted in the Indian context; hence this study is a good step forward to understand and acknowledge the challenges of school counsellors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Addiction to the internet is becoming more common among teenagers, but very few studies conducted in India have examined and taken into account the numerous elements that may contribute to internet addiction in this at-risk demographic. We investigate the differences between adolescents with and without internet addiction in family functioning, temperament, character, and psychopathology. Methods and Materials: 2000 teenagers from urban middle-class families participated in this comparative cross-sectional study using a tworandomized group design. The participants for the clinical and control groups were drawn from high schools. Those having a serious internet addiction were contrasted with others who didn't have one. As a screening tool, the Internet Addiction Test, Temperament and Character Inventory, Devereux Scale of Mental Disorders, McMaster Family Assessment Device, and General Health Questionnaire were all administered. The statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7 edition. Result: Adolescents who were addicted to the internet had strong novelty seeking and low persistence. Depression and behavioural issues were also linked to internet addiction. Depression and years of internet use were significantly positively correlated. Families of young people with internet addiction have more trouble communicating, settling problems, controlling their behaviour, and being affectively attentive and involved. Conclusion: Study concluded that adolescents that use the internet excessively tend to have temperamental issues, increased psychopathology, and unstable households. Family-centered techniques for managing internet addiction must be addressed because families are so important in Indian culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A healthy mouth is the gateway to a healthy body. Oral health is an integral component of the overall health and well-being and dental caries is probably the commonest chronic disease in the world (Levine 2011)1. Worldwide, 60-90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities, often leading to pain and discomfort. (WHO, April 2012)2. Unfortunately, many children are afflicted with dental caries at an early age. According to the National Health Survey3 conducted nationwide in 2004 in India, the percentage prevalence of dental caries were found to be 51.9% in 5 year old, 53.8% in 12 year old and 63.1% in 15 year old children. AIM: To analyse the possibility of early detection of caries prone children from their rate of flow of unstimulated saliva and salivary pH. DMF: For children over 7 (seven) years and upto 11 or 12 the decayed, missing and filled primary molars and canines have been used to determine a dmft or dmfs when the surfaces are counted. A primary molar or canine is presumed missing because of dental caries when it is missing before the normal exfoliation time. III. dft and dfs: Description: In the deft and defs as described, both 'd' and 'e' are used to describe teeth with dental caries. Because of that 'd' and 'e' are sometimes combined and the index becomes the dft and dfs. Teeth not counted: 1) Missing teeth including unerupted and congenitally missing. 2) Supernumerary teeth 3) Teeth restored for reasons other than dental caries are not counted as f. Over 7,187 DMF index publications included in PubMed (Larmas M, 2010)102. underlines its leading role in the present epidemiological caries research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharyngitis is common in children, accounting for nearly 12 million visits annually in the India . Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus (GAS) is the most common bacterial cause of pharyngitis for which antibiotics are indicated. Antibiotic treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis virtually eliminates the presence of bacteria from the pharynx and thus removes the risk of subsequent rheumatic fever. GAS is spread from person to person via respiratory droplets with a short incubation period of 2w5 days. GAS pharyngitis peaks in the late winter and early spring months when children are predominately indoors for school and sports. Colonization is also higher in winter months, and while up to 20% of school age children are colonized with GAS in their throat during this time, colonization has not been shown to contribute to the spread of disease. In low- and middle-income countries and other situations in which crowding is common (e.g., schools), outbreaks of pharyngitis are common. GAS pharyngitis can occur at all ages and it is most common in school-aged children with a peak at 7w8 years of age. Pharyngitis caused by GAS is rare in children <3 years of age and becomes much less common in late adolescence through adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood obesity is emerging as a major public health issue of the twenty- first century with an alarming rise in its prevalence in several developing countries. Obesity has reached epidemic levels in developed countries. It is emerging as a major health problem in developing countries such as India, particularly in urban settings. Most studies related with Obesity and its complications like Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus in early adulthood, but the data's in rural children are less. Aim: To assess the prevalence of obesity among rural school children of 6-12 years of age and to determine factors associated with obesity Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 children aged 6-12 years using a semi structured questionnaire. Risk factors like socio-economic status, BMI were taken into account. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.03±1.8. The prevalence of Overweight, obesity and Underweight is 8%, 6% and 8% respectively and majority of the children, 78% were found to be normal. The proportion of obesity was more among males (4%) than females (2%), whereas the proportion of overweight was more in females 6% compared to males 2%. Conclusions: This study concluded that the overall prevalence of overweight was higher than obesity with 8% and 6% respectively. There was also an equal proportion of underweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: India has the largest population of youth in the world, thereby making them important contributors to the "India of Tomorrow". Over 80% of knowledge gained is by the visual sense, thereby making school screening programs a necessity in our country. Data from the pre-COVID era, that is, 2017–18 was collected from close to 19,000 children in Gurugram, Haryana, a tier two city in National Capital Region, India. A similar prospective observational study is planned post COVID-19 (2022–23) for further analysis to depict the impact of COVID-19 in these areas. Methods: The program They See, They Learn was set at government schools in the area of operations (district of Gurgaon, Haryana), where the children and their families were unable to afford eye care services. All children who were screened underwent a comprehensive eye examination at the school premises itself. Results: A total of 18,939 students were screened over a period of 18 months, covering a total of 39 schools in the Gurugram belt, in the first phase of the program. Eleven point eight percent (n = 2254) of all school students had some form of refractive error. Girl students were found to have a higher refractive error rate (13.3%) compared to boy students (10.1%) across the schools screened. Myopia was the most common type of refractive error. Conclusion: School students require perfect vision or else they can be discouraged and may become a major burden to the economy of any developing nation. A school screening program aiming at populations that cannot afford such basic needs like spectacles is a must in all zones of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children still experience enteric fever as a severe health problem in developing countries like India. It is an infectious disease that exclusively affects humans. In the developing world, it is one of the most prevalent bacterial causes of acute febrile sickness and is spread by the consumption of unhygienic food or water. Aim: To identify the incidence and resistance pattern of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi isolated from school-age children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children with Salmonella enterica infections in the Department of Microbiology, Santosh Medical College and Hospital in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. During the study period, (July 2021-June 2022) a total of 776 blood samples were obtained from school going children (03-17 years old) and immediately inoculated into Bact/Alert aerobic blood culture bottle and incubated at 37°C for upto five days. After receiving a positive result from Bact/Alert, Gram staining was done. Standard microbiological procedures were followed such as different biochemical reactions, agglutination with different antisera for the identification of Salmonella serotypes. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method. Data was analysed by software version 16.0 of the Statistical Programme for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Total 88 Salmonella isolates were found, of which 21 (23.86%) were Salmonella Paratyphi A and 67 (76.14%) were Salmonella Typhi. Infection rate was more common in summer season. S. Typhi as well as S. Paratyphi A was found to be most resistance to Nalidixic acid {58 (86.6%), 19 (90.5%)} followed by ciprofloxacin {42 (62.7%), 18 (85.7%)}. Ceftriaxone and azithromycin resistance pattern among S. Typhi isolates was 07 (10.4%) and 15 (22.4%), respectively and among S. Paratyphi A it was found to be 07 (33.33%) and 06 (28.6%), respectively. Conclusion: This study found an increase in resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, which are frequently thought of as the best medications for empiric therapy in children. Regular monitoring of the resistance pattern is necessary for doctors to select the appropriate empiric therapy due to the increasing resistance to the available class of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The global burden of disease study 2016 estimated that oral diseases affected 3.58 billion people with dental caries. Severe tooth loss and total edentulous condition has been reported as one of the leading causes of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) in some high-income countries. Oral health inadequacies exist among and between different population groups and social determinants have a strong impact on oral health. WHO defines oral health as "a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral infections and sores, periodontal diseases, tooth decay, tooth loss and other disorders and diseases that limit individual capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking and psychosocial well-being". National Oral Health Survey Report 2004, states that caries prevalence in India was 51.9%, 53.8%, and 63.1% at 5, 12 and 15 years respectively. Literature on - caries research in eastern India is few and reports related to West Bengal are sparse with respect to the dentition status and treatment needs. Aim: To assess Dentition Status, Treatment Needs and their Association with diet and Oral Hygiene Practices among School going Children Population of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: The survey was carried out after obtaining institutional ethics clearance. The state of West Bengal was divided into 3 zones and random sampling method was employed to examine students using WHO questionnaire and achieve the target sample size of based on the formula N=4pq/L2 and a sample size of 784 per zone. Results: Significant Caries Index of 2352 respondents has been found to be 5.57 in this study and mean DMFT is 2.34.Need for one surface filling in 384 (34.3%) children from zone 1, 360 (32.1%) from zone 2 and 377(33.6%) from zone 3. The need for two surface filling was observed as 200 (32.4%) children from zone 1, 223 (36.1%) from zone 2 and 194 (31.4%) children from zone 3.Association of brushing vs. caries prevalence was not statistically significant (p=0.0601). Conclusion: Caries prevalence was found to be 53.3% in this study. Difference in caries prevalence across the zones is not statistically significant. Toothbrush and paste twice a day is used mostly as oral hygiene aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]