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Objectives: Post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms were widely reported. However, data on post-COVID-19 conditions following infection with the Omicron variant remained scarce. This prospective study was conducted to understand the prevalence, patterns, and duration of symptoms in patients who had recovered from COVID-19. Methods: A prospective study was conducted across 11 districts of Delhi, India, among individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. Study participants were enrolled, and then returned for post-recovery follow-up at 3 months and 6 months interval. Results: The mean age of study participants was 42.07 years, with a standard deviation of 14.89 years. The majority of the participants (79.7%) reported experiencing post-COVID-19 symptoms. The most common symptoms included joint pain (36.0%), persistent dry cough (35.7%), anxiety (28.4%), and shortness of breath (27.1%). Other symptoms were persistent fatigue (21.6%), persistent headache (20.0%), forgetfulness (19.7%), and limb weakness (18.6%). The longest duration of symptom was observed to be anxiety (138.75±54.14 days), followed by fatigue (137.57±48.33 days), shortness of breath (131.89±60.21 days), and joint pain/swelling (131.59±58.76 days). At the first follow-up visit, 2.2% of participants presented with abnormal electrocardiogram readings, but no abnormalities were noticed during the second follow-up. Additionally, 4.06% of participants exhibited abnormal chest X-ray findings at the first followup, which decreased to 2.16% by the second visit. Conclusion: The most frequently reported post-COVID-19 symptoms were joint pain, dry cough, anxiety and shortness of breath. These clinical symptoms persisted for up to 6 months, with evidence of multi-system involvement. Consequently, findings highlighted the need for long-term follow-up during the post-COVID-19 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is designed for sustainable healthcare system with providers' initiatives to provide quality services in healthcare organisations. Healthcare providers' initiatives promote quality and ensure better healthcare services. Among the healthcare providers who were studied and reviewed, it was observed that the initiatives of the healthcare providers improved the overall quality. There is a distinct scope of further enhancement with the participation of healthcare providers in healthcare organisations. The purpose of this research is to learn and determine the answers to questions through scientific application. This study shows that an augmented frequency of sustainable healthcare systems is only possible through the initiatives of healthcare providers. In healthcare services, patients remain satisfied without expressing their dissatisfaction to the management. To know the needs of patients, there has to be a certain level of relationship between healthcare providers and patients. For this purpose, the system has to be very proficient in the service conditions and their applicability for quality in the hospital. Healthcare organisations management has the conviction that the participative role of healthcare professionals in hospitals will increase patient satisfaction. In this perspective, the pressing priority of healthcare providers for hospitals will always be patients. Thus, apart from the availability of healthcare facilities and quality of care, the location of the hospital has predominant importance. Based on the findings, it is to be stated that sustainable healthcare is subject to provider's initiatives and actions for quality in healthcare organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urban poor face a disproportionate burden of ill health and high out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), creating a severe unmet need for affordable and quality health care. This article highlights the impact of health insurance on OOPE and catastrophic healthcare expenditure among the urban poor of India. Methods: The study uses randomly collected household data from a baseline survey conducted in the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Separate Insurance impact models have been generated for the analysis. Results: Mean out-of-pocket health expenses is higher in the private health facility for the inpatient care but in case of outpatient care, the expenditure was more in public. Expenditure on medicine constitutes the largest part of the total OOPE. Insurance impact model shows that coverage on medicine alone can reduce medical impoverishment by 85% in the case of Outpatient Deparment (OPD) and 71% in the case of Inpatient Department (IPD). The urban poor preferred private facility for treatment in case of illness, albeit when it comes to delivery, they prefer public facility Conclusions: Study findings indicate overt reliance on private health care must be regulated, to reduce OOPE among the urban poor. Also, effective universal health insurance can go a long way in reducing the OOPE with availability of free medicines and diagnostics in the public health facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients suffering from end‑stage renal disease and health‑related quality of life (HRQoL) is routinely used for measuring the outcome. Although the generic HRQoL questionnaire provides useful information on multiple dimensions, they fail to capture emotional and behavioral components of well‑being, which is supplemented by the Transplant Effects Questionnaire (TxEQ). The present research studies the impact of these two questionnaires on various parameters affecting the health of kidney transplant recipients. Methodology: This cross‑sectional study included 500 postrenal transplant patients within 5 years of transplant (18–70 years) evaluating HRQoL using a Short Form Survey‑36 Questionnaire and emotional/behavioral outcomes using a TxEQ. Results: Mean age of participants was 44.92 ± 5.86 years and males constituted the majority (>75%). The mean physical component score (PCS) was 41.3 ± 9.2 and the mental component score (MCS) was 48.1 ± 8.4. The highest score was observed for bodily pain, followed by role limitations attributable to emotional problems (RE). The PCS was significantly higher among younger participants, among males, among participants who have got a transplant >24 months ago, and among participants who had serum creatinine levels <2 mg/dl (*P < 0.05). However, the mental component score did not differ significantly in any of the matched variables. In TxEQ, medication adherence had the highest mean score, followed by perceived responsibility toward others. Conclusion: In our study, we concluded that reduced physical functioning among female gender, illiterate patients, with increasing age, in employed section, and with associated comorbidities such as hypertension and with a history of rehospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant literature is available on an extremely high temperature associated with mortality for cities of the developed world, but there is a dearth in the literature for coastal, desert and dry cities of the developing world, especially for India. We examined all-cause mortality and extreme high temperature in three Indian cities representing coastal, desert and dry areas for summer months (March to June) from 2006 to 2015. We obtained the data on temperature and all-cause mortality for ten years for the summer months. The city-specific effect of ambient heat on all-cause mortality was assessed through time series ordinary least square linear regression model. A total of 75,571, 122,117 and 53,042 deaths for 1,203, 1,220 and 1,180 summer days from 2006 to 2015 were analysed with ambient temperature for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat, respectively. There were 994 (27.6%) out of 3,603 summer days having temperature ≥40°C and 2,495 (69.3%) out of 3,602 summer days having feel temperature/heat index (HI) of ≥41°C. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) criteria for the heatwave, Surat has the maximum number of 75 days with a maximum temperature of ≥40°C, whereas Hyderabad has only 4 days and Jaipur faced 35 days with a maximum temperature of ≥45°C during the study period. The per-day mean all-cause mortality increased to 39% and 11% for Jaipur and Hyderabad, respectively, at ≥45°C and 20% for the coastal city of Surat at ≥40°C as per IMD heatwave criteria. A time-series linear regression model shows that adjusted R-squared is 0.593, 0.629 and 0.348, which explained the variation of 59.3%, 62.9% and 34.8% for all-cause mortality (dependent variable) by independent variables (maximum temperature, humidity and HI) for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat, respectively. The maximum temperature threshold (cut-off) for all-cause mortality for Jaipur, Hyderabad and Surat is 42°C, 41°C and 40°C, respectively. The impact of ambient heat in the rise of all-cause mortality for all study sites was evident. Hence, findings support the efforts for reducing the public health burden of high ambient temperature through developing and implementing city-specific heat action plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World is suffering from a pandemic situation due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since December 2019. In this emergency, everyone at individual/country/global level is trying to contribute at their best with their available knowledge and resources. However, more and more research and developmental activities are going on but, the reality is far away for a grass-root level health professional. They rely on the indirect sources, that is, published or unpublished literature, social media, internet etc. Many a time, these sources may share an unrealistic or false positive/negative information. Our study was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19 among the healthcare professionals of different levels. We conducted an online survey after the initiation of the first lockdown in India. Our research team in consultation with the subject experts designed a mix method-based study tool and shared it by sending emails to 1,200 participants. A total of 180 respondents participated in the online survey of which 34% were government health professionals and 24% were working with a research/academic institution. All participants were between 23 and 74 years age group (mean 39 years). Participants shared their views on first, knowledge about symptoms, preventive measures and treatment options for COVID-19. Second, on attitude towards handling COVID-19 pandemic using social distancing, following lockdown and travel advisory, etc. Third, on the practice of non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent COVID-19. We found that the social media platform acted as one of the most important platforms for awareness generation regarding COVID-19 but it was also generating stigma among people. Till the time of the survey, there is still a dearth of knowledge about social distancing and what it means, especially physical distance of 1–3 metres and correct usage of mask in different situations. Various important issues pertaining to infant feeding practices, mother and childcare and disposal of dead bodies of COVID infected persons require deliberations and awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayushman Bharat is a flagship programme of Government of India and has been much publicised; however, the extent of its translation to the ground level has not been documented. A study was conducted to assess the implementation and satisfaction of the AB-PMJAY scheme in the inpatient department of AIIMS, New Delhi. Data were collected from January 2019 to June 2019. The sample size was a universal sample, and therefore, all the beneficiaries who availed the services at AIIMS, New Delhi were enrolled. A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participant was 36.37 years, about 45.83% of the participants were illiterate and 69.17% resided in the rural area. A total of 88% of patients did not face any problem in availing the scheme, while 18% of the patients were asked to purchase medications from outside. Patients were highly satisfied with the ease and benefits of availing the scheme. The government should examine the reasons why some medications are being purchased from outside, and a contingency fund may be given to the hospital to prevent people from purchasing the medications from outside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure all over the world, and the demand for organs has increased as a result. Organ donation involves legal, psychological, and ethical considerations. Many countries around the world have reported that people's attitudes toward organ donation are influenced by various factors such as knowledge, education, and religion. The existing study sought to explore the awareness, attitude, and willingness of organ donation among adult population in Western Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based survey was conducted with 445 adult populations who were visiting the hospital. Self-Structured Awareness Assessment Scale for Organ Donation and Attitude Assessment Scale for Organ Donation were used. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software 22.0 version. Results: 74.61% of participants were aware about organ donation. Statistically (P < 0.001) higher odds for organ donation willingness was found among participants who were aware that organ such as eye (odd ratio [OR]: 10.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.40--24.25, P < 0.001), heart (OR: 4.71.95% CI: 2.68--8.25), P ≤ 0.001), intestine (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.41--3.6, P = 0.001), skin OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.83--4.70) P ≤ 0.001), extremities (Lower and upper) (OR: 2.46,95% CI: 1.53--3.95, P ≤ 0.001) can be donated or transplanted. 40.6% of the participants disagree that it is better to die than to receive an organ from another person. Interestingly, 35.28% of the participants agreed that organ donation is a true donation and a real service to mankind. Conclusions: This study not only echoes low awareness of organ donation among the adult population in Western Rajasthan, India but also reflects low and neutral level of positive attitude and willingness for organ donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity is growing globally as one of the curative treatment options for many hematological diseases. A stem cell transplant registry plays an important role in such treatment. Setting up a functional stem cell donor registry is quite challenging with several issues such as resources, donor recruitment, donor attrition, ethnicity, lack of support, and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aim: The aim of the current study was to present the experience of a resource-constrained registry in India as well as the effect of COVID-19 on its operations. Settings and Design: The present study was a descriptive study which was designed to study the functioning of a resource-constrained registry from north India. Materials and Methods: The study data for the period of 2012--2020 pertaining to donor recruitment, number of searches, number of matched donors, number of transplants performed, and donor attrition was collected from the registry software "Prometheus." Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage was used. Results: During the past 9 years of operation, the registry has faced several issues pertaining to lack of funds, donor recruitment, donor attrition, and COVID-19 has exacerbated their pain points significantly. The registry has recruited a total of 20,093 donors, of which only 7794 have been human leukocyte antigen typed, with the remaining samples awaiting funding. Out of this small number of typed donors, registry has performed 15 matched unrelated donor transplants for Indian and international patients. As a result of COVID-19, donor attrition was on the rise and showed a peak in 2020. During the year 2020, the number of searches, donor recruitment camps, and donors all decreased considerably. Conclusion: The establishment and operation of a stem cell transplant registry necessitate extensive planning and resources. The resource-constrained registries face a number of issues pertaining to effective functioning and future developments. The external support and awareness for the cause can help minimize the pain points of these registries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disclosure is governed by a host of individual, health and psychological factors that operate in and shape the decisions related to disclosure in a patient among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV).This article studies process of disclosure, how gender affects disclosure and how it differs among PLHIV by studying their life events integrating quantitative and qualitative information from 204 respondents. Mix method approach was used to collect the data from selected male and female respondents. A total of 204 completed interviews were carried out. Bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques have been used in the study. One-third respondents reported to not have disclosed status to their partner. Female PLHIV were significantly more likely (AOR: 2.8, p <.05) to disclose their HIV status to their spouse/regular partner. Three-fifths of women were tested after they lost their husbands to AIDS or living with HIV. Around 94% women reported self-perceived stigma and 83% feared of being discriminated. Female PLHIV are approximately 3 times (p <.05) more likely to have the fear of discrimination. Findings of the study reinforce the necessity of integrating gender in every HIV prevention efforts as disclosure of HIV status may provide opportunity for early initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), which may ensure adherence to ART services and suppressing the viral load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 32nd edition of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation's yearly conference was recently hosted in Nagpur, coinciding with the 2nd Mid-term Meeting of the Liver Transplantation Society of India and the 15th Annual International Conference of Network and Alliance of Transplant Coordinators. Aims and Objectives: We are delighted to present our insights and observations on the social media coverage of #ISOT22. Materials and Methods: In order to ensure comprehensive coverage, a specialized social media team was assembled by the ISOT. This team comprised of twenty-five dedicated educators who attended the conference live. Social media coverage was done mainly by live-tweeting, taking faculty interviews, and sharing images of presentation slides. Results: Social media played a crucial role in covering the #ISOT22 event, with Twitter being the most extensively used platform. There were 2.318 million impressions with 2037 conference tweets with the hashtag #ISOT2022Nagpur. Total number of participants on Twitter was 177 and average tweets/hour were three. There were twelve average tweets per participant. Conclusions: The use of social media at 32nd Annual Conference offered several benefits, including the dissemination of presented scientific research and engagement with both physical and virtual attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite well-known benefits, rates of exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding are very low. This study was conducted to identify most important and easily modifiable barriers to Early Initiation of Breast Feeding (EIBF). Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2018. Data on factors which could impact EIBF was collected by interviewing with mothers using semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Only 306 (33.7 percent) of the total 908 mother–neonate dyads enrolled received breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth. Factors affecting EIBF included: delivery by lower segment cesarean section (LSCS), lack of prenatal advice on breastfeeding, use of prelacteal feeds, and maternal illness. Conclusion: Rates of EIBF were very low in present setting. Counseling during antenatal visits on the importance of EIBF, and having adequate staff to support initiation of BF, may improve the EIBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the social context of increasing premarital sex in India in a gender perspective, which affects the overall contexts, patterns and the characteristics of premarital sexual behaviour. The study has been conducted on data collected from 169,814 unmarried women and 40,003 unmarried men, a part of the Indian Demographic Health Survey (DHS), 2015–2016. Gender differences in premarital sex were pronounced, where unmarried men were five times more likely to have premarital sex (16%) as compared to unmarried women (3%). Cox regression portrays that both men and women at younger ages were significantly more likely to initiate premarital sex. Muslim men were significantly more likely (HR = 1.16 times) to have premarital sex at younger ages. Regional variations in the prevalence of premarital sex are pronounced. Findings reveal that unmarried women with higher education, residing in urban areas and who belong to richest wealth quintile and exposed to regular mass media were more likely to have multiple sexual partners in premarital sex. There is a striking regional variation in the low prevalence of condom use in the premarital sex reported by unmarried men as well as women. In fact, unmarried men were more likely to use condom in their first as well as last premarital sexual encounter than their women counterparts. Findings suggest strengthening the empowerment of youth, especially women, through enhancing their reproductive and sexual rights education and promoting safe sexual behaviour in premarital sexual encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are various individual factors that impact child diarrhoea-related behaviours among primary care seekers. Behavioural factors, social norms, economic considerations, access to healthcare, gender, etc., are some of the factors that can impact the treatment-seeking behaviour of the parents for their children who are suffering from diarrhoea. This article also establishes the relationship between open defaecation as a social behaviour and the incidence of child diarrhoea. Other than this, the relationship between open defaecation and child nutritional indicators is also established through substantive evidence. Open defaecation is known to have significant health impact, especially on children. Children from ODF distrcits are also significantly less wasted and under weighing than children from Non-ODF districts. However, the open defaecation free (ODF) status showed no significant impact on stunting in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enormity of air pollution has always been a matter of concern due to rapid development and urbanization over a long period. The increasing level of pollutants in ambient air in 2016-2017 has deteriorated the air quality of Delhi at an alarming rate. This brought us to focus our study on air quality in Delhi region. The prediction of future air quality has been carried out by analyzing the pollutants using data analysis techniques. In our previous study, we had analyzed the data from 2011-2015. Detailed analysis from 2009-2017 of air pollutants has been proposed in this extended paper along with the critical observation of 2016-2017 air pollutants trend in Delhi. Descriptive analysis and predictive analysis have been used to study the trends of various air pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), suspended particulate matter (PM), ozone (O 3 ) carbon monoxide (CO), benzene, and forecast the future trend. We have observed through data analytics techniques that SO 2 is likely to increase by 1.24ug/m 3 , NO 2 is likely to increase by 16.77ug/m 3 , O3 is likely to increase by 6.11 mg/m 3 , benzene is likely to reduce by 1.33 mg/m 3 and NO 2 is predicted to reduce by 0.169 mg/m 3 in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Laboratory diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis ( HS) relies on increased incubated red cell osmotic fragility test for screening. We evaluated the diagnostic role of eosin-5′-maleimide ( EMA) binding test by flow cytometry in spherocytic and microcytic hypochromic hematological disorders in North Indians. Methods EMA binding test using flow cytometry was performed on 55 HS (40 families), 26 iron deficiency anemia ( IDA), 32 β-thalassemia trait (β TT), and 10 autoimmune hemolytic anemia ( AIHA) cases and 121 normals. Mean channel fluorescence ( MCF) and coefficient of variation ( CV) were studied. Different MCF parameters ( MCF, MCF ratio, percent decrease MCF) and percent increase in CV were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was performed to determine best cutoff values, sensitivity, and specificity for discriminating HS from other red cell disorders. Results MCF ratio of HS group was significantly lower than normals (0.67 ± 0.07 vs. 1.01 ± 0.05, P < 0.001) and other cases. All patients with HS showed MCF ratio to be ≤0.79. Four postsplenectomy cases with near-normal hemograms also revealed low MCF ratio, showing the specificity of the test. Conclusions EMA assay was efficient to diagnose cases of HS including postsplenectomy cases and shows no overlap with IDA, β TT, and AIHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Children with cystic fibrosis may have a deficiency of micronutrients, including zinc, which may affect their susceptibility to infections. There is a paucity of data on zinc supplementation among children with cystic fibrosis. We hypothesized that a pharmacologic dose of zinc administered daily for 12 months would reduce the need for antibiotics by 50%. METHODS: This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted among children with cystic fibrosis to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on the need for antibiotics and pulmonary function tests. The children, age 5-15 y, of either sex, received either 30-mg zinc tablets or similar looking placebo tablets daily in addition to standard care. They were followed up every month for a period of 12 months and whenever they had pulmonary exacerbations. Their serum zinc was estimated at baseline and at 12 months of enrollment. During each visit, the children underwent a pulmonary function test and sputum culture. RESULTS: Of a total of 43 children screened, 40 were enrolled, and of them, 37 completed the study. The median (interquartile range) number of days of the administration of antibiotics over 12 months of follow-up among the children receiving zinc was 42 (14-97) d. In the placebo group, it was 38 (15-70) d (P = .79). There were no significant differences in the percent-of-predicted FEV, or change in FEVX values at 12 months (P = .44). The number of children in whose respiratory specimens Pseudomonas was isolated was similar for the 2 groups at different time intervals. The adverse events reported were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: We did not find any significant difference in the need for antibiotics, pulmonary function tests, hospitalization, colonization with Pseudomonas, or the need for antibiotics for children with cystic fibrosis receiving zinc supplementation of 30 mg/d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to study and compare knowledge, attitude and practices regarding self-medication in healthcare and nonhealthcare university students. Methods: Suitably constructed, structured and pretested questionnaires were distributed to 350 students in each group; data were documented in SPSS software version 20.0 and analyzed using χ2-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Completed questionnaires only were analyzed, which were 314 and 310 in healthcare and nonhealthcare groups, respectively. The majority of students practiced self-medication (84.4% vs. 68.1%; p < 0.001) with the most common indications being fever (46.4% vs. 37.9%; p < 0.001) and cough and common cold (30.9% vs. 37%; p = 0.004). Most commonly self-medicated drugs were antipyretics (67.9% vs. 52.6%; p = 0.03) and multivitamins (28.7% vs. 16.8%; p < 0.001). A few of them experienced adverse drug reactions due to self-medication (6.8% vs. 1.9%; p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for self-medication were younger age group (OR = 2.93, CI 95% 1.09-7.85), storage of medicines at home (OR = 2.49, CI 95% 1.21-5.12), healthcare students (OR = 2.54, CI 95% 1.72-3.74), higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.65, CI 95% 1.08-2.52), those consuming homeopathic preparations (OR = 9.19, CI 95% 1.24-68.11), multivitamins (OR = 6.7, CI 95% 2.88-15.6) or health supplements (OR = 6, CI 95% 2.15-16.74), participants who strongly agreed that self-medication is a part of self-care (OR = 3.97, CI 95% 1.56-10.09), and those self-medicating with an old prescription for same illness (OR = 0.04, CI 95% 0.01-0.15) or over advice from home (OR = 0.11, CI 95% 0.04-0.3). Conclusions: Though self-medication is common in university students, there is a dearth in their knowledge regarding the same. This highlights the need for increasing awareness among students regarding hazards of self-medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Cervical spine tuberculosis is a relatively less frequent form of spinal tuberculosis. Cervical spine tuberculosis has a greater propensity to involve the spinal cord and results in major sensory motor deficit. In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging predictors of outcome in conservatively managed patients.Methods:In this study, 42 patients of cervical spine tuberculosis were included. Patients were subjected to a detailed clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were treated with antituberculosis treatment and were followed up for 18 months. The Modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to assess the disability. Good outcome was defined as MBI >12 and poor outcome as MBI ⩽12. Clinical and imaging characteristics were used to analyze the predictors of outcome, using univariate and multivariate analysis.Results:Four (9.5%) patients required surgery. Data from 38 patients, who were conservatively managed, were analyzed for predictors of outcome. Among conservatively managed patients, at presentation, 29 patients had an MBI score of ⩽12. At 18 months, the majority of patients (81.6%) had a good outcome. On univariate analysis, a duration of illness >3 months, a major motor deficit, bladder involvement, flexor spasms, significant cord compression and spinal extension of the abscess were significantly associated with a poor outcome. However, on multivariate analysis significant cord compression (P=0.003) and spinal extension (P=0.02) showed a significant correlation with a poor outcome.Conclusion:Medical management was effective in cervical spine tuberculosis. Patients with significant cord compression and spinal extension of the abscess showed poorer outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article regarding elevated mean neutrophil volume+CRP is a highly sensitive and specific predictor of neonatal sepsis.

Abstract: Recent studies have found that many factors, both biological and operator induced, influence electrodermal measurements. Here, we report on operator variability for a series of measurements made by four operators at Jing-Well points on 132 individuals of both sexes (68 males and 64 females) by using the AcuGraph 3 ‘Digital Meridian Imaging Tool’: Operator 1 (16 males, 12 females), Operator 2 (18 males, 13 females), Operator 3 (15 males, 21 females), and Operator 4 (19 males, 18 females). The individuals studied were attending a yoga therapy program for type 2 diabetes mellitus and were assessed on the 1st day of treatment. Large inter-operator variations in overall acumeridian energy readings were observed. For individual meridians, the AcuGraph 3 measure differed by up to 42 points for minimum values and 67 points for maximum values. After normalization, the data showed similar patterns between different acumeridians. This suggested that variations were caused by operators applying different pressures when making measurements. Thus, inter-operator variability should be considered when interpreting electrodermal measurements made by several different operators. Unless inter-operator variability is taken into account, actual values may not have meaning; only then can readings for the same population taken by different operators be evaluated correctly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to compare self-esteem, job-satisfaction and burnout between psychiatric and general nurses as well as to determine how these three elements are interrelated to each other. Like other professionals, nurses are also at risk of developing problems like professional burnout and a sense of dissatisfaction regarding their jobs. Causal factors of burnout among professionals are multi-factorial, starting from socio-demographic and occupational background to one’s personality characteristics. In this study, 30 psychiatric nurses and 30 general nurses were selected through a purposive sampling method. This was a one-time cross-sectional hospital-based study, data was collected during the period September, 2008 to November, 2008 and written consent was taken from the subjects. Statistical measures like descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test and Pearson’s correlation-coefficient were used to analyze the data. In this study psychiatric nurses had been found to have higher level of self-esteem than general nurses. Nurses working in a general hospital had been observed to have a higher level of burnout and lower job satisfaction than psychiatric nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India, with dyslipidemia contributing significantly to the risk. There are few community-based studies that highlight the burden and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia in the Indian population. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia among adults ages 18 years and older in a resettlement colony located in central Delhi. Methods: A cross-sectional study that included a random sample of 200 adults was designed. A study tool based on the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors (STEPS) questionnaire was used. Fasting venous blood sample was collected to assess the lipid profile and anthropometric measures of the participants were recorded. Criteria based on the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults were used to define the cut offs for dyslipidemia. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 17. Results: Of a total of 200 study subjects, 34% had increased total cholesterol levels (≥200 mg %), 38% had increased low-density lipoprotein levels (≥130 mg %), 40% had increased triglyceride levels (≥150 mg %), and 42% had low high-density lipoprotein levels (<40 mg %). Using the logistic regression model, we found age, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and abdominal obesity to be associated with increased odds of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: A high proportion of individuals in the community have dyslipidemia, often associated with modifiable risk factors. The situation demands programs aimed at risk factor reduction. A focus on behavior change and health promotion targeting the younger age group is recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]