INTRODUCTION: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) community has always faced discrimination across the globe. Due to a lack of information in medical curricula and no training or sensitization of doctors towards their health needs, there are numerous health disparities faced by this community. Negative attitudes and inadequate knowledge may also cause students to feel hesitant to treat patients in the community. The present study thus aims to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge of medical students and interns towards LGBTQ+. METHODOLOGY: The present study is a cross-sectional observational study where a self-administered questionnaire was shared with the medical students of India via an online platform. The collected data was then analyzed using Microsoft Excel STATA version 14.0 (StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA). RESULTS: A total of 790 responses were analyzed. 67.2% of respondents had an overall positive attitude, with students under the age of 20, female students, and medical students being more likely to have a positive attitude towards the community. 60.7% of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge, with interns being more likely to have more knowledge than students. The respondents with better knowledge were more likely to have a positive attitude. CONCLUSION: The study participants had satisfactory knowledge, and the majority had a positive attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community. However, to clear misconceptions regarding the LGBTQ+ community, the medical curriculum must be updated to include more information and provide proper training and sensitization in order to ensure optimum healthcare for all, regardless of sexual orientation and identity.
Background: Anemia among adolescent girls is a worldwide public health problem. Although anemia has several causes, the most common and significant is iron deficiency. Treatment of anemia with iron alone may result in reduced compliance on account of adverse effects. Various studies have revealed that use of vitamin C in addition to iron improves its absorption and reduces the ill effects of the therapy. However, a concrete evidence of adding vitamin C to iron for treating iron deficiency anemia is lacking. Aims: Protocol for current systematic review was prepared and registered with the aim to generate evidence on role of vitamin C in addition to iron for treatment of anemia. Materials and Methods: Present protocol has been prepared based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Data extraction will be done by the reviewers independently. Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool will be used for risk of bias assessment. Results: For primary outcome and each of the other outcomes pairwise random effects meta-analysis and network meta-analysis will be performed. Sensitivity analysis will be performed in case of any heterogeneity is detected to find out the difference of the effect estimation between subsets. Conclusions: The evidence for role of vitamin C as an adjunct in iron and folic acid for treatment of anemia in adolescent girls will be generated once the systematic review and meta-analysis is completed.
Introduction Technological developments are drawn on a path of continuous inventions. Smartphones have been used in educational activities to access course content, acquire information related to students' performance, and encourage discussion and sharing between students and teachers. Students as learners are the drivers of using new technology for their learning needs, and this is always evolving. Aim The aim of the study is to assess the usage of smartphones for academic learning among postgraduate medical students in a teaching institute in Central India. Materials and methods This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on 130 postgraduate medical students for a period of four months from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022. Results The mean age of the study subjects was 28.34 ± 3.22 years with the range being 23 to 44 years. Smartphones had a significant impact on the academic learning of postgraduate medical students. The major impacts of smartphones on academic learning were in the form of improved learning skills (60.91%), timely completion of assignments (40%), increased participation in discussions (34.55%), enhanced academic performance (33.64%), and development of critical and innovative thinking (29.09%). Conclusion A significant proportion of medical postgraduates are utilizing smartphones and social media for academic purposes. Although this new technology offers the potential to enhance learning and patient care, it has some inherent problems associated with its use. However, it may go a long way in redefining how we manage information in medicine.
Introduction Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus from the Poxviridae family. As the future front-liners of healthcare, it is crucial to equip medical students with adequate knowledge of diseases like monkeypox that pose a potential pandemic threat. Aim This study was planned to evaluate the level of awareness of monkeypox among Indian medical students. Methodology This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research conducted using a web-based platform. The study population consisted of medical (MBBS) students from India studying in their first, second, third, final, and internship years. Data collection was done using a self-designed, semi-structured questionnaire. Results Out of the 511 students who filled out the form, 280 (54.79%) were males and 230 (45.01%) were females. Of the study respondents, 459 (89.82%) had heard about monkeypox. The internet (60.5%) and social media (55.3%) were the most common sources of information about monkeypox. The study participants were found to be fairly aware of the different modes of monkeypox transmission. A significant majority (about three-fourths) of internship-year students demonstrated knowledge about preventive measures for monkeypox, with only a minimal 5% reporting a lack of awareness. In contrast, a substantial percentage of first-year students (38%) and second-year students (37.6%) admitted to being unaware of prevention methods, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion The overall knowledge levels were generally satisfactory, with respondents demonstrating awareness of different modes of monkeypox transmission. However, a concerning proportion of first-year (38%) and second-year (37.6%) students reported being unaware of prevention methods.
BACKGROUND: An adequate diet is a prerequisite for appropriate growth and development so as to remain active. Balanced nutrition coupled with physical activity forms a healthy lifestyle which eventually leads to multiple health benefits such as positive mental health and a lower risk of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, etc. It has become an upcoming trend for young adults to join a gym. In order to maintain weight members, go to the gym because they consider it as a positive opportunity to boost self-esteem and to make appropriate health decisions to feel better. There is a need to highlight with the help of research studies that lifestyle modification in the form of diet and physical activity on a regular basis can help in controlling obesity. METHODS: A before and after the study was carried out in Nagpur city located in Central India for a period of 8 months (April 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022). The study subjects were obese young adults going to the gym in Nagpur city. Diet and physical activity interventions were given for a duration of three months to the study subjects. The study instrument was a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: In the present study, total 110 study subjects responded by completely filling out the questionnaire The total calorie and protein intake of the study subjects before and after giving intervention for three months was found to be highly significant (p-value < 0.0001). The change in mean anthropometric parameters of the study subjects before and after giving intervention for three months was found to be highly significant (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dietary modification combined with physical activity for an average of 75 minutes is the most effective short-term intervention for weight loss. The present study concludes that lifestyle modifications can reverse the trend of obesity. It is reversible, and obese individuals can normalize their BMI with appropriate interventions as was performed with the present obese study subjects.
Introduction The integration of family and career poses a significant problem for women in the medical profession. Balancing residency program demands with burgeoning family issues has always been a dilemma for female medicos. Lack of support and sometimes hostility from life partners, program administrators, teachers, and other residents have been reported. The present study is an attempt to assess perceptions and experiences of female medicos regarding pregnancy during residency. Methods The present descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a government medical college and hospital, which is a tertiary care center as well as a public sector teaching and training institute located in central India. Data were collected by interview technique using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the statistical software Epi Info version 7.2.5 (CDC, Atlanta, Georgia). Mean and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables and the chi-square test was applied for categorical variables. Results Of the 612 study subjects, 409 (66.8%) belonged to the clinical disciplines and 203 (33.2%) were from nonclinical and paraclinical disciplines. A total of 66 (32.5%) subjects from the paraclinical and nonclinical sides had experienced pregnancy during residency, whereas only 54 (13.2%) from the clinical side were pregnant during residency. Positive influences for pregnancy during residency were concerns about age and fertility, pressure from in-laws and parents, desire for family and pregnancy, etc., all with a mean score of 3.5 and above on a five-point Likert scale. Tight schedules, availability of childcare arrangements, support from faculty and other residents, etc. were relatively negative influences with a mean score of less than 3.5. Around 66% of those from nonclinical and paraclinical groups had conceived before 26 years of their age, whereas only 30% of residents from clinical departments had experienced pregnancy before that age. Thus, the age at conception was relatively lower in residents from nonclinical and paraclinical disciplines as compared to their counterparts from clinical disciplines, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). The complications during pregnancy were more in clinical residents than in those from the nonclinical and paraclinical side. Conclusions This study concludes that concerns about age and fertility, pressure from in-laws and parents, desire for family and pregnancy, and enjoying children are relatively positive influences on the occurrence of pregnancy, whereas tight schedule, availability of childcare arrangements, support from faculty and other residents, and timing professionally are relatively negative influences.
Introduction The present study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of primary headaches amongst undergraduate medical students by determining the prevalence of primary headaches and their associated psychosocial factors. Methods A crosssectional study was conducted at a medical college in the Vidarbha region of India from January 2023 to February 2023 amongst 471 medical students. Diagnosis of tension-type headache (TTH) was made according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria. Data were collected by interview technique using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. that consisted of socio-demographic variables and psychosocial factors. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Prevalence of headache was 80% and was higher in females (87%) than in males (71%). TTH is the most common type with a prevalence of 76% in females followed by 64% in males. Psychosocial factors associated with presence of headache in study subjects were disappointment in relation to academic performance (OR 3.85, CI 1.68-2.71), poor socio-economic status (OR 2.69, CI 1.58-4.57), work overload (OR 0.41, CI 0.24-0.68), irritability (OR 0.33, CI 0.19-0.57) and frequent conflicts (OR 1.45, CI 0.78-2.70). Stress (OR 0.27, CI 0.11-0.71) and anxiety (OR 3.45, CI 1.31-9.08) were associated with headaches only in females and depression (OR 0.50, CI 0.25-1.01) was found to be associated with headaches only in males. Conclusions Psychosocial factors from the personal sphere like stress, overwork, and anxiety were highly prevalent amongst students and these factors need to be addressed meticulously in order to mitigate the problem of primary headache disorders amongst medical undergraduates.
Context: Gender-based discrimination is more predominant in India. In spite of various laws, gender inequality is an evil that plagues society even today. This is an important challenge for meeting our Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an urban field practice area. Study subjects were married women and their husbands in the age-group of 15-49 years along with their under-five children. Gender egalitarianism was assessed for factors like education, employment and media exposure. Factors which were studied for revealing gender egalitarianism among children included sex ratio, immunization status, nutritional status and health care expenditure. Completed family size and preference for the sex of the child were enquired about to assess the inclination towards male gender of the baby. Anthro software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Gender egalitarianism was found with regards to education. However, significant difference was noted in the employment status of men and women. Overall, sex ratio was in favor of girls. Though gender inequality was evident from the results, it was more in favor of girls. There was no evidence of gender bias for immunization of children. It was observed that more boys were stunted than girls and almost equal proportion of boys and girls were wasted. Conclusions: Factors like high literacy, control over income, access to financial resources made women more empowered and such empowered women were less likely to show son preference. Hence, there was no gender inequality among children in the present study.
Introduction There are numerous reports of disrespectful, abusive, or neglectful treatment during childbirth from health facilities worldwide. Although India has substantially increased the number of hospital deliveries and reduced the maternal mortality ratio, the quality of intrapartum and immediate postpartum care for delivering mothers has not been given much importance. Therefore, assessing mistreatment and quality of care during childbirth is vital for promoting respectful maternity care. Methods A descriptive hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care center in central India. A convenience sampling method was used, and a total of 150 consecutive consenting women aged 18-49 years who delivered in the study setting were included. Data was collected using a predesigned and pretested questionnaire based on seven major categories per the Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) Charter. Results All the 150 women in the present study, i.e., 100%, experienced at least one form of disrespect during their labor, childbirth, or postnatal period at the hospital. The mean scores for domains of non-confidential care (0.59), non-consented care (0.95), abandonment or denial of care (1.21), and physical abuse (1.26) are low. Conclusion The findings of the present study shed important light on the current state of respectful maternity care in the study area. Though mothers are noticing and reporting positive changes in maternity care practices, respectful maternity care still has a long way to go.
Introduction Initially, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination was started in India for the elderly above 60 years of age. Adults with any comorbidity have been gradually included in the vaccination drive. It is empirical to gain insight into the satisfaction of these beneficiaries with the vaccination as it may act as an influencing factor for receiving the vaccine. Materials and methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the COVID-19 vaccination clinic of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, among individuals above 60 years of age and those from 45 to 60 years of age with comorbidity. The survey tool was a predesigned structured questionnaire that had close-ended questions on various aspects of awareness about the COVID-19 vaccines and their satisfaction with the immunization center. Interviews were conducted by two interviewers on each day. Data were analyzed using open software Epi Info (CDC, Atlanta, Georgia). The chi-square test was applied as a test of significance. Results A total of 290 subjects participated in the study. The majority had correct knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and appropriate COVID-19 behavior after vaccination. Fever and body ache were known to most of the subjects as adverse effects following immunization. Social media was the most common source of knowledge. The majority of the subjects were satisfied with the services provided at the vaccination center, but there was no difference as per age, gender, or residential status of the subjects. Conclusion Despite mixed rumors about the COVID-19 vaccine, the majority of the study subjects were well satisfied with the vaccination. They were apparently having fair awareness about the vaccine.
Introduction Non-utilization of public health care facilities by women in India is one of the crucial concerns when ensuring universal health coverage. However, contrary to the fact that women need more health care assistance throughout their lifespan, there is a considerable lack of awareness among them, and this is a major contributor to their unwillingness to use these services. Methods A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women of the reproductive age group (15-49 years) in an urban field practice area of a tertiary health care center in central India. Data were collected for two months by interview technique using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2.2.6 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia) software. Results Of the total 132 women, 77 (58.33%) respondents were aware of the availability of public health care facilities in their area of residence. Despite this, only 59 (44.69%) were utilizing the services. Non-utilization of public health care facilities was significantly more in those belonging to upper socioeconomic status (chi-square = 14.36, p < 0.05 at a degree of freedom [df] = 2). The common reasons being lack of personal attention, cleanliness, and overcrowding at these facilities. Conclusion Even though a substantial population in central India cannot afford private or corporate health care services, the utilization of public health care facilities has not been up to the mark. Overall, most of the subjects were aware of the facilities available to them. This awareness, however, did not match with the utilization of such facilities. Less than half of the women were utilizing the public health care facilities.
CONTEXT: COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown have led to adverse psychological outcomes in general population. Stress is mounting at an unbelievable pace and one gender is taking the brunt more than the other. While it's easy to understand the predicaments of working women and how stressful they are during the lockdown, what escapes the notice is the condition of homemaker women who face a lot of challenges as their workload has increased due to lack of house help. Hence the study was conducted to assess anxiety and stress related to problems arising out of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown among Indian women. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Cross-sectional study was carried out among women across India using snowball sampling technique. Data was collected by a semi-structured online questionnaire based on GAD-7 and PSS scales. It was done using STATA 10.1 and Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kendall's Tau, etc., were applied. RESULTS: Majority of study participants mentioned either improvement or no change in their personal relations. Anxiety was present in 55.97% and moderate stress in 90.53% of the female participants. Mean GAD and PSS scores were 5.91 and 21.91 respectively. Anxiety and stress were found to be significantly related to getting help in the household work and occupational status. Watching movies and trying different recipes were the main destressors. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the women are having anxiety and almost all have some form of stress due to COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.
