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Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) presents a major public health challenge world-over including India. While several risk-factors, early signs and symptoms of BC are known, the knowledge and awareness of this disease remains poor among the population. The present study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and awareness of BC, its risk factors, early signs and symptoms and breast self-examination (BSE) practice as an early detection method among Indian college-going female students. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey at a University in Delhi-NCR. Data on socio-demographic, knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was performed. All tests were two-sided and significance was set at p < 0.05. Findings: A total of 866 female students participated in the study with mean age of 22.32 (±0.146) years having mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.22 (±3.52). As high as 82.1% of the participants had heard of BC but while 74.8% thought early detection is possible, 70.7% believed BC cannot be prevented. Gene mutations (60.2%) were identified as a significant risk factor, while breast pain (61.4%) was commonly recognized as a sign of BC. Only 29.8% of students ever performed BSE. Increased odds of performing BSE (OR = 3.4) was found among students who recognized gene mutations as an important BC risk factor. Research limitations/implications: Knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE among female college students were found to be below average. It is suggested that there is an urgent need for increasing BC awareness among young girls through workshops and mobile-health interventions. Practical implications: This study provides new information on the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors, sign and symptoms and self-examination practice among young college girls. Moreover, this study advocates the need for design and implementation of a sustainable digital health model for active population BC screening, which is not being done currently. Social implications: BC is a highly aggressive disease, which is now one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India and world over. Although the knowledge of BC risk factors and its signs and symptoms have increased, the awareness of these elements among the general population at large is low and/or missing, especially in India. Furthermore, as a consequence of unorganized screening programs in the country, majority of women are presenting young with locally advanced disease. Understanding the existing level of knowledge and educating school, college and University students of the pertinent factors and screening practices such as BSE could drastically help in improving the self-screening and/or clinical examination rates. This could potentially lead to early detection and improved prognosis, thus ameliorating disease burden. Originality/value: This study is one of the few studies conducted in India among young female college students belonging to non-medical backgrounds, delineating the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors and signs and symptoms along with practice of early detection method such as BSE. The study has a considerable sample size and provides valuable evidence for a need to implement programs incorporating digital health models for accelerating awareness and screening of young girls in both rural and urban settings.

Background: There is a constant concern that the pattern of mobile phone usage may have harmful effects on physical and mental health of people. There is insufficient evidence regarding this potential risk.Hence, our objective is to study the pattern of mobile phone usage and it’s association with stress among university students. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 185 students in a private university in Noida, UP. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was used for measuring stress level. Descriptive statistics was used to explore data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between categorical variable. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Result and Conclusion: There were 62.2% females and 37.8% males. Low stress symptoms were reported by 17.8% students, moderate 74.6% and high stress in 7.6% students. We concluded that there was Asymptotic significance between stress and using mobile phone for more than 180 minutes in a day(p=0.001), checking phone in between sleep(p=0.004), burning eye sensation(P=0.025) and mobile phone addiction(P=0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost one-third to half of the global population is now under some form of COVID-19 induced lockdown. The objective of this study was to assess the perspective of people in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India towards the COVID-19 induced nation-wide lockdown. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 159 residents of the state of Himachal Pradesh using snowball technique. The questionnaire was prepared through Google Forms and contained 21 perspective based questions. Results: Majority of the participants (96.2%) were found to be fully aware and satisfied (66.7%) with the implication of the nation-wide lockdown. It was also revealed that only few of the participants were working from home or taking online classes (18%). The percentage of participants facing mental and physical health issues were 55.3% and 49.7% respectively. Conclusion: The overall findings of the study revealed that even though most of the participants were fully aware and were satisfied with the implication of the nation-wide lockdown, there were some problems being faced by them. However, most of the participants agreed with the necessity of nationwide lockdown for the control of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the worst global crisis after World War II. Since the vaccine trials are still ongoing, the national lockdowns have been the most effective way to contain its spread. The pandemic has been extremely stressful and full of anxiety for those with comorbidities as they are the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infections. Various efforts to assess and enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practice, especially the high-risk groups, are critical to managing the COVID-19 pandemic successfully. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out using a self-designed questionnaire. A total of 383 participants who were 30 years or older, with at least one comorbidity, were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 50.63±11.83 years. The most common comorbidities among the included participants were hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders (48.5%, 44.7% and 23.3%, respectively). Our study also showed the education (p=0.004) and occupation (p=0.04) had a significant association with the attitude and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, our study showed that a high level of knowledge, attitude, and practices are the backbone to combat a global crisis like COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This objective of the study was to report the prevalence of internet addiction, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress in undergraduate medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 221 undergraduate medical students at Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Data pertaining to internet addiction, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms were also collected using validated and reliable questionnaires (Young Internet Addiction Test, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21). Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality, severe anxiety, and severe depression was 33.9%, 7.3% and 3.6%, respectively. The place of residence was significantly associated (p = 0.006) with internet addiction. The mean Young Internet Addiction Test score was higher in students residing in hostels compared with students staying with families. Stress was associated with age. The mean stress score was higher in the age group 17-20 compared with the 21-24 age group. Stress and depression were independent predictors of sleep quality. Conclusion: Quality sleep is the key for good health. Based on limited samples, this study showed that poor sleep quality was associated with stress and depression. Hence, continuous counselling is suggested for supporting students managing their stress and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the emerging significant public health problems is mental distress which includes somatic symptoms such as anxiety and depression. In comparison to the general population, earlier studies reported higher mental distress among university students. Students having mental distress suffer from poor academic performance and other learning disabilities. Due to the dearth of literature on the burden of this problem in India, the present study was done to assess the prevalence of mental distress and its association with sociodemographic, personal and academic related variables among students of a private university of Delhi, NCR. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional observational study was done on 300 private university students of Delhi, NCR. We applied the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for the assessment of mental distress Descriptive and Chi-square statistics were done. p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The study participants were predominantly females 58.7%. It was also observed that 13% participants were unsatisfied with admission in the college, 17.3% were unsatisfied with their academic course and 16.3% were unsatisfied regarding coping up with course. On bivariate analysis it was observed that level of course (p<0.001), history of parental conflict (<0.001), satisfaction with life(<0.001) showed higher statistically significant association with mental distress. Similarly, academic variables such as satisfaction with admission to college (p<0.001), satisfaction with academic course (<0.001), satisfaction with coping up with course (0.003) were also highly statistically significant. Conclusion: It is noted that mental distress is common among university students and there is a need for attention, support and personalized counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the awareness, practice, and utilization pattern of Unani medicine among the general population of Trilokpuri, East Delhi., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational descriptive survey was conducted in New Delhi using pretested, predesigned, and structured questionnaire to assess the awareness and utilization pattern of Unani medicine on a sample size of 100 subjects., Result: Out of 100 subjects, 60% were males and 40% were females with mean age 38.96 ± 9.12 years, ranged between 18 and 65 years. The awareness about Unani medicine was found in 67% of adopted population, while 57% population among them preferred Unani system of medicine as a mode of treatment. Unani is preferred because of minimal side effects associated as reported by 47% users. On the other hand, among nonuser ( n = 29), 48% population do not prefer Unani medicine because of its slow action. Very few (2.6%) users adopted Unani medicine exclusively, while most of them preferred Unani as an adjuvant with allopathic. Unani medicine is preferred mainly for the management of musculoskeletal disorders (35%), followed by GIT disorders (19%) and their related disorders., Conclusion: The awareness level regarding Unani medicine is good rather utilization of is relatively lower as compared to modern system of medicine. There is a need and scope for promotion of health education as well as improvement in the people's attitude towards Unani system of medicine., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India causing increased mortality. Lack of awareness leads to detection of breast cancer in advanced stages and is difficult to cure then., Objective: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast cancer and its screening among women in India., Methodology: Literature search was done on electronic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar. Specific keywords related to breast cancer were used such as breast cancer or breast carcinoma AND awareness or knowledge or attitude or education or practice AND women or females AND India. Searches were limited to articles published in English language in the last 10 years., Results: Fifteen studies were selected with a total of 7545 women between the age of 14 and 75 years. Study population varied from health-care professionals, rural and urban women to general population. Majority of the women were married with illiteracy levels ranging from 5.6% to 42.8%. The knowledge of breast cancer was seen to be 62.99%. Knowledge and attitude toward breast cancer screening were 78.67% and 71.10%, respectively. Most reviewed studies showed a significant association of the knowledge of breast cancer with the education level, marital status, and age of study participants., Conclusion: Majority of the population knew about breast cancer and had low percentage for practice of screening methods. Programs on information about breast cancer are required. Women from all populations need to be motivated for positive change toward proper screening, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer., Competing Interests: None

Introduction: Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage our own feelings and of others. It has emerged as one of the vital elements of success and interpersonal relations in everyday life. There are individual differences of EI depending on characteristics and behaviors of an individual, which determines their personality., Aims and Objectives: The present study assesses the EI and personality traits of medical students and determines the relationship of EI with personality traits of the medical students., Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and was conducted among students of a government medical college, located in New Delhi. A total of 210 participants were included in the study. After obtaining written informed consent from all participants, a questionnaire consisting of demographic information, Ten-Item Personality Inventory and Schutte EI Scale, was administered. The means and proportions were calculated. Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation test were used to test significance. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the study participants was 21.54 (±1.98) years. The majority (65.7%) of the students were male. 51% of the students had moderate EI, and high EI was seen in 49% of the students. A positive and significant relationship between personality traits and EI was found in the study., Conclusion: Personality traits and EI are related to one another and could influence student academic achievement. Since EI influences academic performance so personality trait assessment and empathic perceptions exploration can facilitate to aid the academic performance of the students., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)