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Background: Breast and cervical cancers are the two leading causes of cancer-specific mortality and morbidity amongst Indian women. Screening methods are cost-effective. However, the uptake of screening methods in India is very low. Knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals (HCPs) play an important role in reducing the mortality related to cancer. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and utilisation of screening methods for cervical and breast cancer and to elaborate barriers for non-utilisation amongst female HCPs, both doctors and nurses. A cross-sectional study was carried out from April to July 2017 in a tertiary healthcare hospital of eastern India amongst 200 female HCPs using a pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Statistical tests such as proportion and mean were calculated and the Chi-square test was used as a test of significance for categorical variables. Results: Clinical breast examination and mammography were practiced by only 26.5% and 7% of respondents, respectively. Only seven doctors and one nurse had ever undergone Pap smear. More than 90% of respondents knew risk factors, signs and symptoms and the availability of screening tools for the detection of cervical and breast carcinoma. Conclusions: The utilisation of breast and cervical cancer screening was unsatisfactory despite having good knowledge of the preventable cancers and screening methods amongst HCPs. There is a need for attitudinal change amongst HCPs by continuous sensitisation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population of elderly is increasing worldwide due to improved health care and availability of newer treatment and better diagnostics. The increase in elderly population is more in developing countries than industrialized nations. On the other hand, measures taken to improve the quality of life of elderly are not in proportion with this rising demographic trend in developing countries including India. Worldwide, pneumonia and influenza are associated with high morbidity and mortality in elderly. In India, for every 1000 elderly, 16 and 77 persons suffer from chronic lung conditions and asthma. This not only increases hospitalization but also increases the financial burden upon the aged and their caretakers causing out of pocket expenditure on treatment. Two pneumococcal vaccines, i.e., 13 valent conjugate and 23 valent polysaccharides are available commercially. The majority of the elderly population reside in rural areas where treatment facility and quality care is not available. The older population if provided with pneumococcal and influenza vaccine, then morbidity, mortality and cost of health care and consequent out of pocket expenditure will reduce. The studies from India regarding the cost effectiveness of vaccines among elderly are scarce but studies in other developed nations are available which show a dramatic reduction in morbidity, hospitalization and mortality among vaccinated elderly persons. The inclusion of these vaccines in National Immunization Schedule for adults over 60 years of age is the need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's population is aging rapidly, and the epidemiological transition has led to increased mental disorders worldwide. Geriatric depression is masked by multiple comorbidities or the natural process of aging. Our study aims to estimate the prevalence of geriatric depression and find the risk factors associated with geriatric depression in rural Odisha. The study was a multistage cross-sectional study conducted in the Tangi block, district Khordha, Odisha, from August 2020 to September 2022, among 520 participants selected by probability proportional to size sampling. From the selected participants, eligible 479 older adults were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule, Hindi Mini Mental Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The step forward multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors of depression among older adults. Among our participants, 44.4% (213) of older adults were depressed. Substance abuse in family members [AOR: 16.7 (9.1-30.9)], history of elder abuse [AOR: 3.7 (2.1-6.7)], physical dependency [AOR: 2.2 (1.3-3.6)], and financial dependency [AOR: 2.2 (1.3-3.6)] are significant independent risk factors associated with geriatric depression. Living with children [AOR: 0.33 (0.18-0.59)] and recreational activity [AOR: 0.54 (0.34-0.85)] are significant protective factors of geriatric depression. Our study found that geriatric depression is highly prevalent in rural Odisha. Poor quality of family life and physical and financial dependency was found to be the most significant risk factor for geriatric depression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Antony, Parida, Behera and Padhy.)

Objective: To assess the correlates of sociodemographic profile with abnormal blood profile in tribal districts of Odisha., Design: This was a cross-sectional study. The abnormal blood profile cut-offs were: Random blood sugar >200 mg/dl, Triglycerides >150 mg/dl, and Cholesterol >200 mg/dl., Setting: The study was carried out in Daringbadi and Tangi (Choudwar) blocks from Kandhamal and Cuttack district, respectively, in the eastern state of Odisha in India., Participants: Data of 2,000 households selected consecutively from 30 villages was collected for persons aged more than 6 years from either block on sociodemographic aspects and food consumption by households. Anthropometric measurements were taken for persons aged 11 years and above. Approximately 10%, that is, 400 households were chosen for blood sample collection for estimation of random blood sugar (RBS) and lipid profile [Serum Triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol] in persons aged 11 years and above., Results: The blood reports revealed that out of the total samples collected, 9.2% had elevated RBS, 20.8% had elevated TG, and 8.8% had elevated cholesterol levels overall. The prevalence of elevated RBS, TG, and Cholesterol was 2.3%, 15%, and 5.3%, respectively, in Daringbadi, while in Tangi-Choudwar the elevated markers were 17%, 27.2%, and 12.8% for RBS, TG, and Cholesterol, respectively. Our study found that compared to the Daringbadi block, a significantly higher ( P < 0.05) proportion of people from the Tangi-Choudwar block suffered from hyperglycemia (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.20), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.64), and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.59). Hence, it was observed that the population of Daringbadi was 89%, 53%, and 62% less likely to have elevated random blood sugar level, serum triglycerides, and serum cholesterol, respectively, than the population of Tangi-Choudwar block. Overall, the population of Tangi-Choudwar was found to be more predisposed to an abnormal blood profile which might be indicate a less healthy lifestyle and diet in this block as compared to Daringbadi block., Conclusions: This study found that the sociodemographic factors influencing lifestyle and diet patterns of a population have an impact on the health of a population. We found that the tribal block which was more developed and had more intake of junk food and sedentary lifestyle similar to urban areas also had a greater proportion of population with an abnormal blood profile as compared to the less-developed tribal block. Hence, health promotion for a healthy lifestyle and diet is needed as a part of national health policy to implement primordial prevention and to prevent the emergence of risk factors from an early age. The frontline health workers and family physicians can play an important role in promoting a healthy lifestyle., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the world to undergo an unprecedented change in a short period. Personal protective equipment such as the face mask or face cover has become a daily necessity. Moreover, since some states and countries have made the use of face covers or face masks compulsory, one cannot ignore or afford to have a wrong or incomplete awareness about face masks. Current information suggests that the two main routes of transmission of the COVID-19 virus are respiratory droplets and contact. This article aims to review the existing information and highlight the need for the use of face masks or face covers to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and promote and provide necessary recommendations. Many countries have implemented or recommended mask wearing in the community, but recommendation for rational use of masks is being issued, as the crisis and shortage for masks are universally existing. The use of different types of masks has been assigned according to the risk of exposure and should be therefore judiciously used. As this is a novel disease, the guidelines are changing every day and one needs to be updated with correct information so that one can protect themselves and their families from this extreme level of the crisis faced by the world now. The use of face covers or masks should not be discouraged as there has been substantial evidence that its use can help reduce the spread of infection. "Mass masking" along with hand hygiene and social distancing are the only effective recommended measures to prevent the spread of the disease., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)