Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Measure a Medical Student's Interest in the Subject of Community Medicine.

Background: Lack of interest has been cited by many studies as the predominant cause for students undervaluing the subject of Community Medicine. However, there are few valid and reliable tools that could measure this interest. To develop and validate a questionnaire to measure a medical student's interest in the subject of Community Medicine. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted at MTMC Jamshedpur. The Community Medicine Interest Questionnaire (CMIQ) was developed in two phases: item generation and item reduction. Items were generated through a review of the literature, focused group discussions, and in-depth interviews. In the item reduction phase, the content and construct validity of the questionnaire were ascertained. Content validity was carried out by a group of experts based on three parameters: the interrater agreement on the representativeness of the item, the interrater agreement on the clarity of the items, and the content validity index. The construct validity was ascertained through pilot testing of 480 responses from undergraduate medical students. Exploratory factor analysis through principal axis factoring and Promax rotation. Results: Twenty-five items were generated. Three of these items were removed following expert validation. Furthermore, three items were removed after pilot testing. The resulting CMIQ consisted of 19 items distributed over three dimensions: feeling, value, and predisposition to reengage toward the subject. The internal consistency of each of the subscales was ascertained. Conclusions: CMIQ is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to measure such interest for providing educational interventions.

Sputnik V vaccine perception and hesitancy in a tertiary health care centre transformed to Covid-19 vaccine centre: A case study.

BACKGROUND: Sputnik V vaccine was approved in India in April 2021 to tackle the pandemic situation. However, there was lack of information on the effects, side effects, and peoples' perception toward it. The present case study aims to evaluate the vaccine coverage, the awareness, and perception toward it and compare the adverse effects after each dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A unique case study was conducted in a sample of 200 participants comparing 2 groups of population who took first and second dose of Sputnik V vaccine during June to November 2021. The data were collected by a prevalidated questionnaire, follow-up telephonic interviews focused on knowledge, awareness, side effects of vaccine, and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. RESULTS: The vaccine coverage for first and second doses were 98.3% and 96.5%, respectively. The mean age of the participant was 29 + 9.5 years and majority 68.5% were males. Seventeen percent experienced the S/E for the vaccine with 9.5% from second dose. There were usual side effects; however, it was more after second dose of vaccination. Friends and healthcare workers were the main source of information (33.5%) and motivation (43%). Majority (73.5%) were aware of the side effects. Forty three point five percent took vaccine attributed to its protective role, availability, and peer pressure. There was no significant association between type of doses and side effects of the respective doses of vaccine. CONCLUSION: The vaccine coverage was >90%. Participants were well aware of the vaccine and side effects which were more in second dose. However, there was no significant difference between the two doses of vaccine.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Thyroid Levels and its Relationship with Salt Iodine to Suggest the Way Forward!

BACKGROUND: In India, 42 million people suffer from thyroid diseases. One in 10 adults suffer from hypothyroidism. Although coverage of iodized salt utilization has increased after universal salt iodization, we are yet to achieve the goals of NIDDCP for which the present study was planned to identify the hidden factors. The aim is to identify the factors affecting thyroid hormone levels, their association with salt iodine content and suggest strategies for improvement based on patient perceptions. METHODS: A hospital based prospective follow up study was conducted among 140 patients, with an in depth interview and testing of salt iodine content. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: 96 (69%) patients were of age 18-35 years. 129 (92%) were females, 120 (86%) were from rural areas, 95 (68%) were literate, 116 (83%) were unemployed, and 115 (82%) were of low socioeconomic status. Most of them had poor cooking practices and dietary habits. The T3, T4, and TSH levels were within the normal range in 84 (60%) patients. Only in 28 (20%) salt samples, the iodine content was adequate. The association between factors like intake of inadequately iodized salt (P < 0.01), rural distribution (P < 0.05), illiteracy, presence of the comorbid conditions (P < 0.0001), and thyroid hormone abnormality was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The factors that adversely affect thyroid levels were higher age, female gender, rural distribution, comorbid conditions and patients with low salt iodine were prone to abnormal levels. Monitoring salt iodine content, training of health care workers to create awareness were the key strategies proposed for improvement.

Utilisation of nutritional support scheme among the patients of tuberculosis: A myth or a truth.

INTRODUCTION: Under-nutrition increases the susceptibility to active tuberculosis and delays recovery. Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides a financial incentive of Rs. 500/month for each notified TB patient for a duration until the patient is on anti-TB treatment. OBJECTIVES: 1. To find out the utilization of the nutritional support scheme among TB patients. 2. To give evidence-based recommendations. METHODS: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted among TB patients. 2 DMC's in each of the 2TU (randomly selected from 12 TUs) were chosen. 83 patients responded to telephonic interview out of all patients registered in the last six months. The demographic details were collected from TB treatment cards and registers and other information by telephonic interview of 10-15 min each conducted over a period of 15-20 days. The quantitative data thus collected was analysed in terms of frequency, percentage and Chi-square test and qualitative data from patients and providers were analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Majority were of 40-60 years of age and were males. A total of 76 patients were aware of the scheme but only 17 patients had received their first instalment after two months in their account. Among the 17 who faced difficulty while getting the money, 13 TB patients spent it on nutrition. Lack of communication, stigma, unawareness, ignorance, illiteracy, multistep approval process and technical issues were few themes that emerged as difficulties encountered while utilisation. CONCLUSION: There is a large gap between demand and supply chain of services. A majority were unsatisfied and thus the administrative scale up for proper implementation of services and measures to bring down the stigma attached with the disease was recommended.

Multimodality imaging review of the post-amputation stump pain.

Limb amputation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures performed for a variety of indications. Little surgical technical improvements have been made since the first procedure, but perioperative and post-operative refinements have occurred over time. Post-amputation pain (PAP) of the stump is a common complication but is an extremely challenging condition to treat. Imaging allows early diagnosis of the underlying cause so that timely intervention is possible to minimize physical disability with its possible psychological and socioeconomic implications. A multidisciplinary approach should be taken involving the rehabilitation medicine team, surgeon, prosthetist, occupational therapist and social workers. Conventional radiographs demonstrate the osseous origin of PAP while high-resolution ultrasound is preferred to assess soft-tissue abnormalities. These are often the first-line investigations. MRI remains as a problem-solving tool when clinical and imaging findings are equivocal. This article aimed to raise a clear understanding of common pathologies expected in the assessment of PAP. A selection of multimodality images from our Specialist Mobility and Rehabilitation Unit are presented so that radiologists are aware of and recognize the spectrum of pathological conditions involving the amputation stump. These include but are not limited to aggressive bone spurs, heterotopic ossification, soft-tissue inflammation (stump bursitis), collection, nervosas, osteomyelitis etc. The role of the radiologist in reaching the diagnosis early is vital so that appropriate treatment can be instituted to limit long-term disability. The panel of authors hopes this article helps readers identify the spectrum of pathological conditions involving the post-amputation stump by recognizing the imaging features of the abnormalities in different imaging modalities.

The impact of rainfall and seasonal variability on the removal of bacteria by a point-of-use drinking water treatment intervention in Chennai, India.

Point-of-use water treatment has received widespread application in the developing world to help mitigate waterborne infectious disease. This study examines the efficacy of a combined filter and chemical disinfection technology in removing bacterial contaminants, and more specifically changes in its performance resulting from seasonal weather variability. During a 12-month field trial in Chennai, India, mean log-reductions were 1.51 for E. coli and 1.67 for total coliforms, and the highest concentration of indicator bacteria in treated water samples were found during the monsoon season. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the microbial load of indicator organisms (coliforms and E. coli) between seasons, storage time since treatment (TST), and samples with and without chlorine residuals. Findings indicate that the bacteriological quality of drinking water treated in the home is determined by a complex interaction of environmental and sociological conditions. Moreover, while the effect of disinfection was independent of season, the impact of storage TST on water quality was found to be seasonally dependent.

A clinic-based study of refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia in pediatric age-group.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional observational study was to determine the distribution and patterns of refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia in children seen at a pediatric eye care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a Private Hospital in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from March to July 2013. During this period, a total of 1350 children, aged 1-15 years were seen at this Center's Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit. All the children underwent complete ophthalmic examination with cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: Refractive errors accounted for 44.4% of the cases, the predominant refractive error being hypermetropia which represented 83%. Strabismus and amblyopia were present in 38% and 9.1% of children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinic-based study, the focus was on the frequency of refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia which were considerably high. Hypermetropia was the predominant refractive error in contrast to other studies in which myopia was more common. This could be attributed to the criteria for sample selection since it was clinic-based rather than a population-based study. However, it is important to promote public education on the significance of early detection of refractive errors, and have periodic screening in schools.