Psychological distress and quality of community life among migratory construction workers in India.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to elicit sociodemographic details, assess the level of psychological distress, and measure the quality of community life (QoCL) of migratory construction workers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional research design and survey method of sampling was followed. The semi-structured interview schedule, self-reporting questionnaire, and QoCL scale were used as measures for the study. Results: Out of 75 respondents, 37 (49.3%) did not have formal education, 38 (50.7%) have migrated for less than a month duration, 33 (44.0%) respondents migrated with their families. The mean age of respondents was 32.03 ± 9.82 years. About 48 (64.0%) were identified as potential respondents for psychosocial care and female respondents (M = 12.90 ± 4.03, t = -3.03, P < 0.003) have higher distress than males (M = 9.50 ± 4.56, t = -3.03, P < 0.003) ones. Overall, QoCL indicated a below moderate (59.08 ± 8.31) level. Conclusion: The distress was high and QoCL indicated a below moderate level. Intersectoral and community mental health services were required to enhance QoCL and reduce distress among migratory construction workers.

Community perception of accessibility and barriers to utilizing mental health services.

BACKGROUND: The Government of India and State Government authorities are trying their best to provide adequate mental health services through various mental health policies and programs. To reduce the burden in psychiatric hospitals, Government has decentralized mental health services. Although Government has provided mental health services, the utilization has always been low due to many reasons. In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the accessibility and the barriers to utilizing mental health services with various community stakeholders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative study wherein data was collected from youth, women, geriatric groups, community key leaders, and Anganwadi workers. The primary data were collected through focused group discussions and interview methods. The collected data were analyzed using thematic coding. RESULTS: A total of twenty-five factors have been identified in the study, which were categorized under eight themes. (a) Lack of awareness and misinformation on mental health, illness, and available services, (b) Perceived causes for mental illness, (c) Reasons for not approaching health professionals, (d) Treatment adherence-related issues, (e) No multidisciplinary team in private hospitals and lack of involvement in government sector (f) Manpower issues, (g) Quality of service issues and building confidence among community people, and (h) Belief system and stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate mental health services, lack of awareness of mental health, and illness are still persist. The District Mental Health Program and other service providers need to reach communities, especially in remote areas. Periodical evaluation should be carried out to improve the utilization of mental health services.

Techno Trend Awareness and Its Attitude Towards Social Connectedness and Mitigating Factors of COVID-19.

While COVID-19 has taken a toll on many professions and livelihood of all walks of lives, technology has amplified its intrusion to ease the necessities. Innovative technology, therefore, has improved the glitches and provided the software to adhere to these new normal. However, individuals' awareness and attitude toward the advancements of these technological trends need to be addressed. Although the government has taken measures to prevent and curb the growing cases for COVID-19 with the help of technology, the support from the individuals would depend mostly on their level of awareness and the attitude toward those measures. The present qualitative study explored the techno trend awareness, perception and attitudes of techno experts and technical professionals toward social connectedness and mitigating factors of COVID-19. Besides, it also explained individuals' shift toward virtual interaction to maintain social connections during the pandemic. The thematic analysis generated four prominent themes. Social Connectedness, emphasized on the emotional connections that created a positive feeling of belongingness. Technological Advancement provided three sub-themes highlighting perception, techno trend awareness and desirable attitudes toward the mitigation of COVID-19. The categories under Treatment and Preventive Measures indicated the enhanced self-care of individuals and also the tendencies to minimize the spread of diseases. The emergence of the theme Inclination toward Indigenous Knowledge, which is an important finding, indicated the techno-experts inclination toward the indigenous knowledge amid vague scientific shreds of evidence.

Do Social Connections and Digital Technologies Act as Social Cure During COVID-19?

Although COVID-19 pandemic has re-orientated humans to be more physically healthy and hygienic, it has also persuaded humans to create affiliations and experience a sense of belongingness through social networks and digital technologies. However, amidst these changes, experiences of COVID-19 patients and their perception of the outside world's attitudes toward them appears to be less attended in literature which formed the basis for the current study's objectives. Using qualitative methodology, the present study explored the experiences, perceptions and attitudes of patients and their care-givers' toward COVID-19. The thematic analysis emerged with four major themes. Psychological Experiences of People was generated prominently with sub-themes indicating the perceived experiences like fear of spreading diseases to others, and the need for psychological counseling. Attitude of others toward patients and caregivers revealed that family members and relatives played a major positive role on the patient's mental health, however, the neighbor's stigmatized attitude led to several undesired behaviors. Social Connectedness was another major theme derived from the study. Altruistic volunteers, a sub-theme of Social connectedness have indicated that amidst these negative factors, one can spread social harmony by motivating and supporting the victims with basic needs, financial support, hope and social empathy. Opinions of participants for digital technology through technological aids and preventive measures emphasized an overall positive attitude as it helped the society, in general to maintain social connections as well to curb the rate of COVID-19 cases.

Chewing Beedis: A Case of Cross-Tobacco use in a Patient with Schizophrenia.

While tobacco use occurs in many forms all over the world, there is little information on cross-tobacco use. Authors report an unusual case of tobacco use in the form of chewing beedies which are normally smoked (cross-tobacco use). A 22-year-old single female, diagnosed with schizophrenia for the last 6 years, started chewing beedies from the age of 15 years and was using it in a dependent pattern since 7 years. After 3 years of treatment for her schizophrenia, patient's family pressured her to seek tobacco cessation treatment. Initial treatment with nicotine gum replacement and behavioral counseling did not prove useful. Subsequently she was treated with bupropion 300 mg/day and able to successfully abstain. Cross-tobacco use is relatively rare, and merits further study, especially in the mentally ill population.