Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being and training of medical interns: an experience from a university of Eastern India

Background: COVID-19 pandemic changed routines, with social distancing, quarantines, online classes, negatively affecting the mental health of the medical fraternity.Objectives: To assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being and training and identify stressors experienced by medical-interns.Methods: A cross-sectional study among 150 interns, from 1 st June- 30th September 2021, using Google form with 3sections-demographics, stressors experienced during the pandemic and WHO well-being index; data analyzed using EPI INFO software en-US version7.2.3.1.Results: of the 150 interns, 138 responded. Mean-age was 25.19 ± 1.62SD years; 60.8% were males, 56.5% were hostellers,30% suffered from COVID-19. 78.9% stated “lack of supervision during postings”, 73.9%“postponement of NEET PG” and 60.8%“lack of learning opportunities” as reasons of stress. 65.2% had a good “WHO well-being index”. Their COVID-19 infectivity status had a statistically significant (p=0.004) association with WHO well being index. “Lack of learning opportunities”(p=0.02), “fear of contracting COVID-19”(p=0.03) & “limited time for PG preparation(p=0.01) were associated with their well-being.Conclusion: COVID-19 was associated with stress and poor mental health among the interns. Fear of disease, lack of regular duties and postponement of PG exams were factors leading to stress. Lack of learning opportunities, fear of contracting the virus were associated with poorer mental well-being.

Awareness about Social Security Schemes among elderly: A comparative study among rural and urban population of Khordha District, Odisha

Background: Demographic transition has led to a rise in elderly population, their social security being a priority. Awareness and utilisation of these being less researched, we undertook this study. Aim & Objective: To find the awareness regarding existing social security schemes, the pattern of their utilisation and enlist the challenges faced in utilising them. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2018, among randomly selected consenting elderly in the urban and rural field-practice areas of a medical college. Data was analysed using EpiInfo software. Results: A total of 540(270 each in urban and rural) participants were included.55.93% in urban and 51.48% in rural were aware and 33.38% in urban and 15.56% in rural utilised atleast one of the schemes. 27.78% in urban and 25.19% in rural expressed their dissatisfaction with the pension received. The differences in the awareness about property protection and old age pension had a statistically significant difference between the urban and rural population with better awareness among the urban elderly. Conclusions: The awareness levels were nearly the same in the urban and rural population, but utilisation rates had a marked difference. Lesser utilisation in rural areas needs to be researched, causes identified and addressed.

Familial male pseudohermaphroditism.

Familial male pseudohermaphroditism (MPH) due to 17,20-desmolase deficiency is rare. Here we present two siblings with MPH possibly due to 17,20-desmolase deficiency. The first patient presented with unambiguous female external genitalia and hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Chromosomal analysis revealed 46 XY. Ultrasound evaluation of pelvis revealed gonads in the inguinal canal, and no uterus. These findings were confirmed on laparotomy. Histology revealed the gonads to be testes. The second patient had ambiguous genitalia (perineoscrotal hypospadias, bifid scrotum with palpable gonads) with a 46 XY chromosomal pattern. Both patients had high plasma 17-hydroxy progestrone (17 OHP), low normal dehydro epiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and low plasma testosterone. Plasma testosterone and DHEAS showed no response to ACTH or HCG. These features are compatible with the diagnosis of 17,20-desmolase deficiency.

Molecular Analysis Of The Additional X-Chromosome In Klinefelter's Syndrome Patients.

The parental origin of the extra X chromosome in five families with Klinefelter's syndrome (47,XXY) was studied DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). In four, the extra X chromosome was maternal in origin and one it was paternal. Four X-linked marker loci were used and we were able to specify the origin of the extra X chromosome in all cases. The parental origin of the extra X chromosome in five families with Klinefelter's syndrome (47,XXY) was studied DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). In four, the extra X chromosome was maternal in origin and one it was paternal. Four X-linked marker loci were used and we were able to specify the origin of the extra X chromosome in all cases. The parental origin of the extra X chromosome in five families with Klinefelter's syndrome (47,XXY) was studied DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). In four, the extra X chromosome was maternal in origin and one it was paternal. Four X-linked marker loci were used and we were able to specify the origin of the extra X chromosome in all cases. The parental origin of the extra X chromosome in five families with Klinefelter's syndrome (47,XXY) was studied DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). In four, the extra X chromosome was maternal in origin and one it was paternal. Four X-linked marker loci were used and we were able to specify the origin of the extra X chromosome in all cases.