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Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) often co-occurs with mood disorders like anxiety and depression. This study investigates the relationship between SUD and mood disorders using a dimensional approach. Methods: A total of 290 participants, including 145 with SUD and 145 healthy controls, were assessed. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) evaluated mental health, followed by interviews using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Demographic information, substance use behaviours, and mental health symptoms were collected and analysed. Results: Of the participants, 90% were men and 10% women; 68.2% were married. Most SUD patients were smokers (71.0%) and alcohol users (35.8%), with others using drugs or tobacco (33.7% and 19.3%). The majority (84.8%) used drugs for a high. HAM-D results showed moderate to severe depression in 7.5% of SUD patients and 5.5% of controls. HAM-A results indicated 80.6% of the SUD group had anxiety, compared to 88.9% of controls with no anxiety. Conclusion: SUD patients frequently experience concurrent anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for dual diagnosis and integrated treatment for SUD and mood disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a national lockdown and physical contact was avoided that substantially changed people's lives. The overall impact of lockdown during COVID-19 was negative on the general & mental health of adolescents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a 25% massive increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression. Aims & Objectives: To assess anxiety & depression and their association with socio-demographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic among school-going adolescents. Methodology: Using two simple random sampling, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 690 school-age adolescents (14 to 19 years) in four Nagar Palikas of the district of Dehradun. The questionnaire includes sociodemographic section, GAD-7, PHQ-2, Modified version of CoPaQ and coping strategies. Result: In study it's been found that more than half of the participants were facing symptoms of anxiety and 58.7% of participants had a major depressive disorder likely. 78% participants used phone and internet f/b watching TV (73.8%) and sleeping (68.1%). Conclusion: In order to combat adolescents' mental illness, we advise the creation of support groups at the family and school levels as well as prompt intervention through the revision of current strategies or formulation of new legislation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: All women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) require optimal care. With western Uttarakhand alone recording a HIP prevalence of 9.7%, the successful implementation of HIP guidelines pan-India at primary healthcare level becomes paramount. Aim and objective: The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the baseline awareness of medical undergraduates regarding HIP management protocols assuming higher their knowledge better the successful implementation of these guidelines within the community. Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out among 309 medical undergraduates at a private teaching institute in Uttarakhand. Data was collected using a selfadministered, pre-tested questionnaire. Based on individual knowledge scores, participants were subdivided into: good (score≥24), moderate (score 12-24), and poor (score<12) knowledge categories. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: Most subjects (92.2%) reported reading Indian textbooks on obstetrics; despite this, only 3.6% of subjects had good awareness of the protocols. Sub-domain analysis showed while 90.0% of respondents had a fair understanding of the disease basics, more than two-thirds lagged in recollecting its standard diagnostic and management protocols including the role of health workers. Conclusion: Most medical undergraduates have overall poor-to-moderate awareness of HIP management especially the diagnostic and management protocols including the role of health workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Middle age is a link between adulthood and old age, which requires special attention. During middle age among females, changes like menopause occur, which is responsible for causing various physical, vasomotor, psychological, and social changes, which may affect overall well-being and positive mental health status. Hence, the present study has been planned to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged females. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out in rural and urban areas of district Dehradun among 400 females. A stratified systematic random sampling technique method was used. All the females fulfilling the inclusion criteria and aged 40–60 years were included in the study. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms. Results: A total of 400 women were recruited in the study, 200 from rural and urban areas each. The mean age of the total study participants was 50.00 ± 0.32 years. Among 400 middle-aged women, 189 were premenopausal and 211 were postmenopausal. The frequencies of occurrence of menopausal symptoms were explored in 189 premenopausal and 211 postmenopausal women. The mean age of premenopausal women was 44.21 ± 2.35 and postmenopausal was 54.39 ± 4.21. Females experienced varying grades of MENQOL symptoms. Conclusions: It was found that majority of the females' quality of life were found to be affected with different grades of menopausal symptoms. With increasing age, symptoms also increase and are significantly high among postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uttarakhand, a hilly state in north India, reported the first coronavirus disease (COVID) case on 15 March 2020. Since then, the case numbers rose multiple folds. As Uttarakhand has been on a 'war-footing' amidst the recent second wave and is gearing up to fight against the third wave, the present study aims to uncover baseline clinical profile and in-hospital outcomes of COVID patients in Dehradun district (Uttarakhand) during the first wave. Methods: A record-based descriptive analysis was carried out for 671 COVID patients admitted to a private dedicated COVID hospital in Dehradun district between August 2020 and February 2021. Data was collected from medical records on a standardized abstraction form. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: The present study showed most admitted COVID patients were males, aged 40 years and above, moderately ill, had co-morbidities with about one-fourth lately succumbed to death. The proportions of deaths, moderate-to-severe and severe category of illness were invariably high for those with co-morbidities irrespective of the gender. Females, age <60 years, and absence of co-morbidities had overall high mean survival estimates from COVID. Conclusion: Females, younger age group, and absence of co-morbidities are more likely to survive from COVID than males, older age groups, and those with co-morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are major public health concerns exerting a huge burden on the health system. According to WHO, 1.2 million people lose their lives every year owing to RTAs. Objective: To find out the pattern of injuries among patients of RTAs presenting to a tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand and to find the association between RTAs and various factors. Method: All the eligible patients or their care takers attending the emergency department were interviewed after taking informed consent over a period of one year. Results: Overall 717 respondents were interviewed. The mean age of the victims was 34.0 years ±15.093. Significantly more accidents took place between 6:00 PM and midnight (41.6%) and on the highways (69.2%). Two wheelers were responsible for majority (60.1%) of the accidents. Head injuries (25.6%) were most common, closely followed by lower limb injuries/fractures (23.8%). Head injuries were significantly more in 2-wheeler riders, who did not wear helmets. Conclusion: RTA is preventable non-communicable disease which is on rise due to ignorance and non-compliance of traffic rules as well as bad conditions of roads. Stringent road and traffic policies are required which are to be followed with strict compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Violence against women is a significant public health problem, as well as a fundamental violation of women's human rights. It is one of the most common forms of violence globally and includes physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence. Aims and Objectives: 1.To study the prevalence of Violence against Women (VAW) amongst ever-married women of reproductive age group in district Dehradun.2. To study their awareness regarding protection from such violence. Methodology: The community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage random sampling method, amongst 880 ever married women aged 15-49 years, in the rural & urban areas of district Dehradun. Results: Out of the surveyed sample of 880 women, receiving obscene phone calls was reported by 11.8%; eve teasing by 9.4%; being followed home by 5.7% and unsolicited advances by 3.9%. About 1.0% women reported being forced into unsolicited sexual activity by a person other than a spouse. Overall only 19.2% women had any knowledge about protection laws and agencies for victims of VAW. Conclusion: Nearly 37% women in our study reported suffering from any harassing activity ever in life, it was disheartening to see that only one-fifth had knowledge regarding protection laws. Primary prevention in this scenario becomes very important to disjoin VAW from cultural acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Empathy is the ability to understand others' experiences and emotional states from their perspective. It is considered as a part and parcel of healthy doctor-patient relationship. The assessment of empathy among undergraduate medical students is an important step towards yielding a better fruitage from medical education in the form of empathetic doctors. Objectives of the study were to assess the empathy level and its determinants among undergraduate medical students. Methodology: This study was conducted among 351 undergraduate medical students studying at Dehradun by using the "Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version (JSPE-S)" and analyzed by SPSS-22. Results: The arithmetic mean (±SD) of empathy scores was 98.89±12.9. Compared with male students, empathy scores were significantly higher in female students (p<0.05 by Independent sample t test). One way ANOVA followed by Post Hoc test revealed a peculiar finding that empathy is more on initial clinical exposure but decreases as the clinical experience increases. The variation in empathy scores according to the future specialty plans was inconclusive. Conclusion: This study showed a slightly low mean empathy score as compared to similar studies. Gender and clinical experience were found to be associated with empathy. Further studies are recommended to explore other determinants of empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adulteration of food items is common phenomenon in India. It includes both willful adulteration to improve texture and quality of food items and supply of substandard food items. The usual outcomes is outbreak of food borne illness. Aims & Objectives: i) To estimate the prevalence of food adulteration in selected food items ii) the awareness of subjects regarding food adulteration act and iii) their buying practices. Material and Methods: Samplesize:150 households was sampled, based on prevalence of adulteration to be around 50%, with 95% confidence interval and absolute allowable error of 10%. Sample household were drawn from the selected villages randomly. Pre-designed and pretested questionnaires was administered to fulfill the objectives and food items were tested using NICE food adulteration kit. Data were analyzed by numeral with percentage, Pearson's correlation test and F test. Results: In 59.3% households, housewives purchased the food items for the house. The prevalence of adulteration ranged from 17.3% to 66.2% in selected food items. Loose product was purchased by 54.3%. The food labels on packed items was not read by 86.3%. Mean percentage of purity was highest among literates (57.3 ±12.3) than illiterates and those having primary education. Statistically significant F ratio was seen for mean percentage of purity and respondent's literacy status. Conclusion: Adulterant is rampant in poor strata of society due to consumer's illiteracy and lack of awareness towards food safety rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases account for a large proportion of all deaths and disability worldwide. Hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease deaths in India. Studies have shown a high prevalence of hypertension in both urban and rural areas. Although there is generally a lower prevalence of hypertension in rural Indian population, there has been a steady increase over time in this rural population as well. Methodology: This observational cross sectional study was conducted in a randomly chosen block in district Dehradun. Overall 457 people were interviewed and measurements were taken to know the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors. The collected data was entered and analysed in SPSS software (21.0 version). Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 23.9% and male subjects had higher prevalence than females (26.2% and 21.5%respectively). With increasing age, prevalence of hypertension increased significantly. Age, sex, marital status, family type and occupation were found as important bio-social predictors of hypertension. Conclusion: Increasing prevalence of hypertension in rural areas and in younger age groups is of concern to the public health. In developing countries like India, preventive strategies should be directed towards masses with focus on behaviour change communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Accidents occur not only due to ignorance but also due to carelessness, thoughtlessness and over confidence. Human, vehicle and environmental factors play roles before, during and after a trauma event. Accidents, therefore, can best studied in terms of agent, host and environmental factors and epidemiologically classified into time, place and person distribution. Objective: To know the epidemiology of Road Traffic Injuries as seen in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Himalayan Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done among patients of RTA admitted at a Tertiary Care Centre. A pretested semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect necessary information regarding the time, place and the person involved in the accident. Descriptive statistics for continuous variables and frequency, percentage for categorical variables were determined. Results: There was a marked male preponderance (83.24%) with maximum involvement of younger age groups. Most of the accidents had taken place in the evening hours (6 pm -12 midnight). Accidents were equally distributed throughout the year. Conclusion: Majority of the patients of RTI belonged to 21 to 30 years age group. Males out- numbered females victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First few years of life is the most crucial period of life as this age is known for accelerated growth and development, warranting regular monitoring. During this period about 40% of physical growth and 80% of mental development occurs. Any adverse influences during this period may result in severe limitations in their development. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre. Mothers of children between 0-3 years of age were enquired about the morbidity in the past two months. Results: Diarrhea (47.9%) followed by ARI (22.21%), Pica (13%) and Worm Infestation (9.21%) were the commonest morbidities found in the study population. Morbidities were found to be common in males as compared to females. Amongst the nutritional deficiencies anaemia & Vitamin B deficiencies were the commonest. Conclusion: There was considerable sickness load amongst the toddlers. Morbidity can be reduced by improvement in the health care system at peripheral level [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weaning plays a major role in determining the nutritional status of a child. Poor weaning practices during infancy and early childhood, resulting in malnutrition, contribute to impairment of cognitive and social development, poor school performance and reduced productivity in later life. The objective of this study is to know weaning practices of mothers of difficult terrain. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in all villages under Rural Health Training Center, the field practice area of Department of Community Medicine. A total of 500 mothers with children within 3 years of age were included in the study. Pre-tested pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on weaning practices. Results: Majority of children (51.57%) were weaned at >6 months and were observed to be more under nourished (79.34%) as compared with those between 4 months and 6 months (61.50%). Majority of boys were weaned earlier than girls irrespective of the age of the weaning. Malnutrition was found in majority of those children who were weaned inadequately in terms of both frequency and amount. Conclusions: The present study revealed suboptimal weaning practices among the mothers of hilly region. Thus, appropriate educational strategies should be directed particularly on counteracting various myths related to infant feeding Moreover, promotion of appropriate feeding should target not only on maternal caregivers, but also on other family members, particularly husbands and grandmothers, taking into account the social and cultural situation of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, tobacco use causes 1 in 10 deaths among adults worldwide - more than five million people a year. By 2030, unless urgent action is taken, tobacco's annual death toll will rise to more than eight million. Material & method: A community based cross sectional study was undertaken in district Dehradun. Multistage stratified random sampling was done for selection of study area. A sample of 632 was taken for study purpose. Kish method was used for selection of respondents in selected household. Statistical analysis: Chi-square test, Mantel Haenszel Odds Ratio and Multi Variate Logistic Regression Analysis was done to develop results. Significant level was assumed at p<0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of ever use of tobacco was 24.4%. It was more (32.9%) in rural area as compare to urban area (15.8%). Tobacco use was directly proportional to age, more prevalent in Muslims and was indirectly proportional to education & socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Legislation pertaining to tobacco and alcohol sale and use does exist. However its strict enforcement is required in order to reduce the menace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Personality is not only the physical and mental aspect but also the behaviour or adjustment to the surroundings of an individual. It develops gradually from the childhood -adulthood & may affect or gets influenced by various factors like genetic, social and environmental. Adolescent period is the best time to shape & determine ones destiny. We can channelize their energy in a right direction to make them a responsible human being. Yoga is one intervention mentioned by Pallant (2000), as being directed at increasing control over one's physical reactions. Method: A longitudinal interventional study was done in school children of classes VIII- X. Introversion - Extroversion Inventory was used to assess the type of personality before & after yoga therapy and appropriate suggestions were given accordingly. Results: A total of 271 secondary school students were included in the study. Before intervention majorities (77.1%) were of ambivert trait, Girls were found to be more introvert & boys were more extroverts. After yoga therapy pattern was same but the number of students decreased in introvert & extrovert personality from (10.7 & 11.5) to (2.9 & 4.8) respectively. Conclusion: The present study has shown that training in yoga helped in modifying the personality type in adolescent students. After home, school is the second important place, which help in developing sense of morality and sociability .Yoga is cost effective and easy to implement but need to be regularly reinforce to bring about a sustainable behavioural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Disaster can occur at any time any place. Disaster preparedness plays an important role to reduce the loss of a community/country. The aim of this interventional study was to ascertain the impact of a video-based educational intervention program on improvement in knowledge and attitude of paramedical students in a hospital., Materials and Methods: A pre-post study (interventional study design) was conducted on paramedic students. Our study period was 6 months which was divided into Phases I, II, and III. For administrative purpose, we included all paramedical students, and our sample size was 119. The baseline assessment of knowledge and attitude of paramedic students was done by a pretested questionnaire (Observation 1) with having a baseline scoring. After that, intervention Phase 1 was implemented, and later, end line observation (Observation 2) was made. Changes in knowledge and attitude were observed by the score difference (Observation 2-Observation 1). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the mean of cumulative score was compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We applied Mann-Whitney U-test for finding associations between dependent variables with an independent variable using SPSS version 22 (IBM, Chicago, USA) software., Results: Our baseline results showed that most of our participants had average knowledge (54.6%), followed by poor knowledge (24.4%). Approximately one-fifth (21.0%) of the participants had good knowledge regarding disaster preparedness. A significant improvement was observed in cumulative score ( P < 0.005). A significant difference was observed in knowledge and attitude with respect to age and courses ( P < 0.05). Forty percent of the students responded that they would like to get trained by that mock drill, and 26.1% were interested in disaster preparedness workshops in the future., Conclusion: Our present study results indicate that the overall knowledge and attitude level of the students was average and required improvement. A similar result was reported in some studies conducted globally for the same purpose. All of our students perceived that training for disaster preparedness is necessary for all health facilities, and it is important to have an emergency plan and disaster management committee. Regarding training methods, most of our students liked our interactive audiovisual method. However, their preferred methods were mock drill and workshops. It can be arranged in the future for them., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)