Evaluation of psychometric properties of a leaflet developed for schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia may benefit from a variety of patient education materials. Despite the availability of various resources, it is essential to assess the extent to which patients can comprehend the materials provided. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and readability of the patient information leaflet (PIL) for schizophrenia. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study was conducted for a period of 6 months in the departments of psychiatry. Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were recruited for the study. A user-testing questionnaire was developed and validated with the help of an expert committee to assess reliability. Later, translated versions of the questionnaire were then administered to the patients based on their language preference and evaluated by test-retest analysis. The readability was assessed using pre-validated and translated versions of the PIL. Initially, baseline scores of patient knowledge were assessed using a reliable user-testing questionnaire. Later, their responses were reassessed again using the same questionnaire after reading the PIL. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients participated in the study. From the total sample, 20 participants were randomly selected for reliability assessment. Intraclass-correlation coefficient (ICC), a statistical tool of reliability, give .6 for Kannada, .7 for Malayalam and 1 for the English version of the questionnaire. The overall patient's knowledge was found to be improved from 50.4 to 76.4 after reading the PIL. CONCLUSION: Patients with schizophrenia were able to comprehend the information available on the PIL. Therefore, further research is needed to determine its efficacy in a larger population.

Comparison of Physiological and Biochemical Autonomic Indices in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background and objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neuro-developmental disorder and it has been suggested that symptoms of ASD are associated with neural networks that regulate the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). However, the nature of autonomic atypicalities in ASDs remain largely unknown. Measures like Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and urinary Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) estimation are sensitive and non-invasive physiological and biochemical indicators of autonomic nervous activity. This study aimed to compare the physiological and biochemical autonomic indices in children with and without ASD. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 40 children with autism and 40 Typically Developing (TD) children were recruited. Measures of physiological autonomic index were assessed by the analysis of short term HRV, and the urinary levels of VMA estimation was used as a biochemical autonomic index. Results: Cardiac sympathetic activity assessed by Low Frequency (nu) of HRV was significantly higher in the ASD group in comparison with the TD group (p = 0.006). On the contrary, both the High Frequency (abs) and (nu) of HRV were found to be significantly lower in autistic children (p = 0.034 and p = 0.000) than controls. Autistic children also exhibited a significantly higher level (p = 0.049) of VMA concentration compared to TD children. Conclusion: The study concludes that children with ASD exhibit lower cardio-vagal activity as measured by HRV and increased sympathetic activity as assessed by urinary VMA compared to that of TD children. The core autistic symptoms exhibited by children with ASD could be due to the differences in baseline arousal or stress which might be associated with autonomic dysfunction. Further studies are needed to examine the association of this autonomic dysregulation with ASD symptoms and comorbidities.

Prevalence of excessive internet use and its association with psychological distress among university students in South India.

BACKGROUND: Excessive internet use, psychological distress, and its inter-relationship among university students can impact their academic progress, scholastic competence, career goals, and extracurricular interests. Thus, a need exists to evaluate the addictive internet use among university students. OBJECTIVES: This study was set up to examine the internet use behaviors, internet addiction (IA), and its association with psychological distress primarily depression among a large group of university students from South India. METHODS: Totally 2776 university students aged 18-21 years; pursuing undergraduate studies from a recognized university in South India participated in the study. The patterns of internet use and socioeducational data were collected through the internet use behaviors and demographic data sheet, IA test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA and psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms were evaluated with Self-Report Questionnaire-20. RESULTS: Among the total n = 2776, 29.9% (n = 831) of university students met criterion on IAT for mild IA, 16.4% (n = 455) for moderate addictive use, and 0.5% (n = 13) for severe IA. IA was higher among university students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on the Internet and had psychological distress. Male gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA. CONCLUSIONS: IA was present among a substantial proportion of university students which can inhibit their academic progress and impact their psychological health. Early identification of risk factors of IA can facilitate the effective prevention and timely initiation of treatment strategies for IA and psychological distress among university students.

Internet Use Patterns, Internet Addiction, and Psychological Distress Among Engineering University Students: A Study from India.

BACKGROUND: Internet addiction (IA) among university engineering students and its association with psychological distress can impact their educational progress, academic competence, and long-term career goals. Thus, there is a need to investigate the IA among engineering students. OBJECTIVES: This study was a first such attempt to explore internet use behaviors, IA, among a large group of engineering students from India, and its association with psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms. METHODS: One thousand eighty six engineering students aged 18-21 years pursuing bachelors in engineering from the south Indian city of Mangalore participated in the study. The socio-educational and internet use behaviors data sheet was used to gather demographic information and patterns of internet use, Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was utilized to assess IA, and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) assessed psychological distress primarily depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Among the total N = 1086, 27.1% of engineering students met criterion for mild addictive internet use, 9.7% for moderate addictive internet use, and 0.4% for severe addiction to internet. IA was higher among engineering students who were male, staying in rented accommodations, accessed internet several times a day, spent more than 3 h per day on internet, and had psychological distress. Gender, duration of use, time spent per day, frequency of internet use, and psychological distress (depressive symptoms) predicted IA. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of engineering students have IA which can be detrimental for their educational progress in university studies and long-term career goals. Early identification and management of IA and psychological distress among engineering students is crucial.