Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension with thyroid dysfunction among indian adults: Synthesis from national family health survey (2015-16).

Background: Thyroid dysfunction (TD) is considered a common cause of secondary hypertension (HT). Therefore, correcting TD may help in quicker and sustained achievement of desired blood pressure goals. However, there is a paucity of literature from India which estimates the relationship of HT with TD. Objectives: The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of TD with HT and to identify associated factors among Indian population. Materials and Methods: The survey data of the National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS-4), conducted in India during 2015-2016, were analyzed using R statistical software for estimating the relationship between a history of HT and TD among women (N = 687246) aged 15-49 years and men (N = 108492) aged 15-54 years. Descriptive statistical tests and logistic regression were applied. Results: Among the persons suffering from the TD, the prevalence of HT was 32.8%, which was significantly higher than the prevalence of HT (21.9%) in euthyroid individuals. Further, the prevalence of TD was higher among hypertensive adults (2.5%) compared to nonhypertensive (1.5%). Conclusions: The study reported a higher prevalence of TD among the hypertensive persons and higher prevalence of HT among cases of TD. Therefore, screening for thyroid disorders should be routinely considered for better management of HT.

Feasibility of Including Hands-On Microteaching in the Medical Faculty Development Program in India: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background Medical faculty development programs (FDPs) often lack hands-on training in teaching skills. Microteaching, a short, focused teaching practice, could be a feasible way to bridge this gap. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of including hands-on microteaching in a medical FDP in India. Methodology This mixed-methods study involved fresh medical faculty members who never attended FDP on the basics of medical education technologies, stakeholders, and students from a recently established autonomous medical institute of national importance in India. Participants completed a pre-test survey on their teaching skills and received a hands-on microteaching session during an FDP. After the session, participants completed a post-test survey and provided feedback on the feasibility and acceptability of hands-on microteaching in the program. Program evaluation was done by application of Kirkpatrick's Model levels one, two, and three. Results According to the Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation level one (Reaction), the participants reported improved teaching skills and greater confidence in their ability to teach after the microteaching session. They also reported that hands-on microteaching was an effective way to learn teaching skills and receive feedback. Stakeholders opined that microteaching is a very effective tool for improving teaching skills and should be a part of FDP. Evaluation at level two (Learning) shows that there was a significant improvement in the mean score of post-tests. As per level three (Behaviour Change) evaluation, the majority of the students informed that there is observable improvement in the effectiveness of teaching of faculties in the past two months, i.e., since the participation of faculty in hands-on microteaching in FDP. Conclusions Hands-on microteaching could be a feasible and effective way to enhance the teaching skills of medical faculty members in India. The study findings suggest that including hands-on microteaching in FDPs could help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical teaching skills.

Status of drug resistant tuberculosis among patients attending a tuberculosis unit of West Bengal: A record based cross-sectional study.

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the main causes of death due to infectious diseases worldwide. Multidrug resistance/rifampicin resistance (MDR/RR) TB remains a public health crisis. India has the highest burden of tuberculosis and multidrug resistant TB (MDR TB) in the world. There is wide geographical variation in the epidemic and its trends that can be updated by regular reporting and sound surveillance systems. The current study tries to fill this gap by analyzing the data of TB patients from a Tuberculosis Unit, studying socio-demographic and clinical profile from December 2017 to November 2019 in Nadia district of West Bengal. Aims: The aims of this work were to study socio-demographic and clinical profile of TB patients attending Tuberculosis Unit of West Bengal, and to find out factors associated with drug-resistant TB. Settings and Design: Record-based study from Tuberculosis Unit. Methods: Records of all patients who undergo CBNAAT in TU are stored as monthly unit. We randomly selected 10 months from a period of December 2017 to November 2019 by using lot method. Data of all patients undergoing CBNAAT at Kalyani - Gayeshpur Tuberculosis Unit during randomly selected 10 months were accessed. Statistical Analysis Used: Monthly data was entered in Microsoft Excel and descriptive tests of significance, proportions and Chi-square were applied. Results: There was male preponderance for testing of tuberculosis. Seven percent of the TB suspects were HIV positive. The positivity rate of MTB by CBNAAT was 23%. Four percent of the samples were Rifampicin resistance. Tobacco consumption, contact with TB case and Diabetes were common risk factors of TB. Most of the information was missing in the records. Conclusions: Most of Rifampicin Resistant cases showed very low Ct value in CBNAAT. Previous history of TB treatment and positive HIV status was significantly associated with RR TB. There is a need to capture complete information on the records of presumptive TB cases.