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To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tamil (India) Version of MoCA

Background: Worldwide, one in ten pregnancies is related with diabetes; 87.6% of which are gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Maternal hyperglycaemia affects the successful progression of pregnancy. Objectives: To determine the proportion and the factors associated with poor glycaemic control among women with gestational diabetes. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Puducherry, South India from September to October 2019. Pregnant women diagnosed as GDM and on treatment for at least one month were approached consecutively for the study. A fasting blood sugar (FBS) ≥92 mg/dl and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) 1 hour ≥180 mg/dl or PPBS 2 hour ≥153 mg/dl were considered as poor glycaemic control. Results: A total of 301 women with GDM were included and the mean (SD) age was 27 (5) years. Of total, 29 (10%) reported GDM during their previous pregnancy and 95 (32%) got diagnosed before reaching the tertiary care hospital. Lifestyle modifications (77%) were the most common mode of management for GDM. Of total, 116 (38.5%; 95% CI 33%-44.3%) had poor glycaemic control. Multigravida women (46.9%) and those on pharmacological treatment for GDM had poor glycaemic control. Conclusion: One-third of women with GDM at a tertiary care centre had poor glycaemic control. Therefore, a novel approach to improve awareness about GDM control both among pregnant women and the medical fraternity is needed.

Background: As more people are utilizing smartphones, nomophobia is also on the rise. Several Indian studies have revealed nomophobia among young adults. The severity of nomophobia and related behaviors is underrated and often go unnoticed in India. Methods: The sociodemographic characteristics, smartphone usage pattern, and perceived ill-health related to smartphone usage of the participants were obtained using a semistructured questionnaire. Twenty-item Nomophobia questionnaire was used to assess nomophobia. In-depth interviews were conducted among students with moderate and severe nomophobia scores. Results: Among the 774 participants, 23.5% had severe nomophobia scores. Older age, male gender, duration and frequency of smartphone usage, use for social networking, checking without reason, and checking smartphone after waking up in the morning were significantly associated with nomophobia. The in-depth interview showed attributes of addiction among the students, like dependency and compulsive behavior. Students also experienced anxiety and frustration when they had to part with their smartphones. Conclusion: A sizable minority of the students had signs of severe nomophobia, distinct patterns of usage, and misperceptions regarding health and their usage pattern.

In the first 6 months of life, non-exclusive breastfeeding (NEBF) is estimated to be the cause of 1.4 million deaths worldwide and contributes to 10% of the disease burden in under-five children.The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of NEBF amongst the high-risk children and the factors associated with NEBF.This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst high-risk babies admitted between August 2016 and February 2018 who also attended the high-risk follow-up clinic at the neonatology department. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to determine the factors associated with NEBF and prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.Amongst 304 children, 56.3% were male and 87% had birth weight2500 g. Nearly three-fourth of the mothers were30 years of age. The prevalence of NEBF was 49.3% (95% CI: 43.7-55.0). There was a significant association of NEBF with employment status of the mother (PR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), NEBF in previous child (PR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.9) and EBF at the point of discharge (PR = 2.3; 95% CI: 2-2.6). The barriers reported by the mothers leading to NEBF were insufficient or less milk secretion, poor breastfeeding attachment, perceived thirst and poor maternal health.One out of every two children admitted in neonatal intensive care unit were non-exclusively breastfed before 6 months of age. The employment status of mother, practice of exclusively breastfeeding the previous child and EBF at the time of discharge were significantly associated with NEBF.

Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable bacterial disease of ancient origin. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily infects the lungs causing pulmonary tuberculosis. TB continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. World Bank has estimated the global burden of TB in terms of DALYs loss and stated that tuberculosis stands 7 th in the ten leading causes of global DALYs loss and expected to maintain its position even in 2010 AD. Because of its severity and consequences, in 1993, WHO has declared TB as a "global emergency". Premature death is the main cause of the burden of TB, as measured in terms of DALYs lost. Besides the disease burden, TB also causes an enormous socio-economic burden to India. TB primarily affects people in their most productive years of life with important socio-economic consequences for the household and the disease is even more common among the poorest and marginalized sections of the community. Almost 70% of TB patients are aged between the ages 15 and 54 years of age. So this study was planned to know about prevalence of chest symptomatics in study population. Material and Methods:A cross sectional study was carried out in Kancheepuram, a district belonging to the field practice area of Rural Health training Centre-Chunampet, Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences. House to house survey was done for selection of the study respondent. The study was carried out in from the month of Feb-April, 2012. About 2005 adults were interviewed by using a pretested validated questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS 16.0. Result: Total of 2005 respondents were interviewed out of which 1196(59.7%) were females and remaining 809 (40.35) were males. Maximum (35.3%) respondents belonged to the age group of 15-30 years followed by 31-35 years age group (28.7%). Out of the 2005 study population majority, 1474(73.5%) had no ailments whereas, 277(13.8%) suffered from associated symptoms like hemoptysis, chest pain, Breathlessness, loss of appetite and decreased energy levels despite adequate rest. However, 254(12.7%) were found with one or more symptoms suggestive of TB. When the symptoms suggestive of TB was considered, 181(9.0%) of the study respondents had cough for more than 2 weeks, 91(4.5%) had loss of weight, 57(2.8%) and 49(2.4%) had fever for more than 2 weeks and night sweats respectively. Conclusion: prevalence of suspected tuberculosis patient was high in the community. Key words:- Tuberculosis, prevalence, rural area

Background: India was home to 62.4 million diabetics in the year 2011 and the incidence is on a continuous rise. It was projected that India will have the largest number of diabetics in 2025. So studying the risk factors for diabetes is much needed in India. Objectives: To assess the association between alcohol intake and diabetes mellitus in a study population and to assess the association between socio demographic profile and diabetes in a study population. Methodology: A community based case control study to associate alcohol and diabetes was conducted in the rural area of Chunampet, Cheyyurtaluk of Kanchipuram district in Tamilnadu, which is under field practicing area, Rural Health Training Centre , Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Chunampet. Study participants: Adult population aged above 30 years of age. Sample size: Calculated using Epi info. 150 cases and 150 controls. Definition of cases: Known diabetics or persons with FBS> 126 mg/dl or RBS>140mg/dl. Definition of controls: Persons who are not a known a case of Diabetes and with FBS

The present study is aimed to assess the relation between Perceived Parenting Style and Personality Factors among Post Graduate students. Random sampling technique was used to collect the data and the sample of the study includes 185(91 male and 94 female) post graduate students. The data was collected through questionnaire method by using the Parenting Style Questionnaire (Gafoor&Kurukkan,2014) and Big Five Personality Factor (Mc Crae& Costa, 1991).Mean, Standard Deviation, Pearson Correlation, and t-tests were used to analyze the data and found partial relationship between Perceived Parenting Style and Personality factors; no significant difference between male and female in their personality factors; and significant difference in Perceived Parenting style of Father and Mother.

Global contraceptive usage was 63.3 % in 2010 which was 9 % more than that in 1990. NFHS-III 2005–2006 revealed that the contraceptive prevalence rate was 56 % while in the past decade it was 48 %. In India, female sterilization is the most commonly preferred method of contraception accounting for 76 %, while in Tamil Nadu it was 90 %. Thus, this study aims at measuring the prevalence of unmet needs of family planning and its determinants in a rural area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. The study was carried out as a community-based cross-sectional study in Chunambed panchayat, a rural area in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India, among 505 women of age group 15–49 years. Cluster random sampling was done to select the households to include in the study. In every household, all the available and eligible women were explained about the study and recruited after obtaining informed consent. Chi-square test was applied for finding the difference in proportion, and p value

Background: India was home to 62.4 million diabetics in the year 2011 and the incidence is on a continuous rise. Of the various risk factors for diabetes smoking is still under debate. Objectives: To assess the association between smoking and diabetes mellitus in a study population and to assess the association between socio demographic factors and diabetes in a study population. Methodology: A community based case control study to associate smoking and diabetes was conducted in the rural area of Chunampet, Cheyyurtaluk of Kanchipuram district in Tamilnadu, which is under field practicing area, Rural Health Training Centre , Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Chunampet. Study participants: Adult population aged above 30 years of age. Sample size: Calculated using Epi info. 150 cases and 150 controls. Definition of cases: Known diabetics or persons with FBS> 126 mg/dl or RBS>140mg/dl. Definition of controls: Persons who are not a known a case of Diabetes and with FBS

Background: Globally, the proportion of elderly population is in rise, and as age advances, there is an increased morbidity and disability. Depression is the most usual mental disorder in the elderly, but usually under diagnosed and undertreated. The phenomenon of old age coupled with depression is a serious public health problem which needs to be addressed. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and determinants of elderly population in a rural area of Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried among 351 elderly participants during November–December 2014 residing in a rural area of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. Data were collected using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire including the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale by the trained interns. Multivariate analysis was done to identify the independent predictors of depression among the elderly. Results: Of the 351 participants, 70 (19.9%) 95% confidence interval (17.7–22.03) of the people had depression. Unemployment, nuclear family, socioeconomic status, relationship with family members, financial support, and living with a spouse were identified as independent predictors for depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was 19.9%, and it was high among the people above the age group of 70 years, respondent belongs to the upper class, and unemployed and unsatisfactory relationship with children was associated with depression.

The prevalence of obesity has doubled since 1980 worldwide. With the changing dietary and life style habits, overweight and obesity have become a threat globally. As on 2011, more than 40 million children worldwide are overweight and more than 30 million of them are living in developing countries. Body image perception of an individual plays a major role in determining the diet and lifestyle modification to alter their body shape.Materials and methods: The study was carried out among 1034 polytechnic college students in Puducherry aged 15-25 years as a cross sectional study. Stunkard’s visual figures scale was used to measure Body Shape Dissatisfaction.Statistical analysis: Chi-square test was used to test the statistical significance in difference between proportions, p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The prevalence of Body Shape Dissatisfaction in our study subjects was found to be 62.2%. More female students wanted a thinner body shape while more male students wanted a bigger body shape than their current body shape. 45.3% of the students with normal BMI were satisfied with their current body shape, 26% of them wanted a bigger shape and 28.7% of the students wanted to have a thinner shape.Conclusions:The prevalence of BSD was considerably high in our study population. Body shape misconception might lead to unnecessary weight reduction measures and students tend to follow unhealthy methods for weight reduction. Proactive preventive measures could be initiated targeting towards weight management and dietary practices of college students.

Background: Noncommunicable disease (NCD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and mortality owing to NCD is higher in low- and middle-income countries. Worldwide, hypertension-related mortality accounts for 9.4 million in the form of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In India, there has been an alarming increase in the prevalence of NCD over the past two decades so much so that accounts for 24% of all deaths among adults aged 25–69 years. Objective: To study the prevalence and determinants of systemic hypertension among 15-year and older respondents in a rural area of Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 3,681 15-year and older respondents in Chunampet panchayat, a rural area in Kancheepuram district. JNC 7 guidelines were used for diagnosis of hypertension. Data entry was done in MS Excel 2013, and SPSS version 21 was used for analysis. The 95% confidence interval for proportions was calculated using EpiInfo software. Result: The overall prevalence of hypertension in our study population was 10.8%, which included the participants who are known hypertensive on treatment and/or whose blood pressure was more than 140/90 mm Hg in sitting position for adult and adolescence more than 95 percentile. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension was 2.9% (n = 104), 2.7% among male and 2.9% among female subjects. The prevalence of hypertension increased proportionately with increasing age. Hypertension was more prevalent among those who had the habit of smoking tobacco (18.2%), alcohol consumption (17.4%), and those who were obese (14.2%). Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension increases as the age advances. Smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol, and obesity were found to be significant risk factors for hypertension. Interventions aimed toward alleviating these risk factors can help in reducing the risk of developing hypertension.