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Background: Many studies in India and all over the world have focused on the psychological aspect of infertility in women, but only a few have explored it among men. To deal with psychological distress, sometimes, individuals may use maladaptive coping strategies which can further worsen the stress instead of reducing it. Aim: To assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and various coping strategies adopted by men with infertility along with exploring their coping experiences. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-method study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. The study was conducted among 200 men with infertility seeking treatment from a tertiary care hospital. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using Depression, Anxiety, Stress-21 scale, and coping strategies were assessed using Brief COPE scale. In-depth interviews were conducted among eight men who had moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: The proportion of depressive symptoms was 46% (95% CI: 39.2–52.9), that of anxiety was 51% (95% CI: 44.1–57.8), and that of stress was 59.5% (95% CI: 52.5–66.0). The most common coping strategies used were planning (96.0%), active coping (91.5%), self-distraction (90.5%), and religion (89.5%). The analysis of qualitative data revealed three themes – emotional impact of infertility, coping mechanisms and support systems, and perception toward counseling to improve mental wellbeing. Conclusion: The study shows that the prevalence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress is considerable among men with infertility. The majority of them were using problem-focused coping. Overall, the study highlights the need to diagnose and address mental health problems among men with infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders among pregnant women. Poor mental health can negatively impact glycemic control in women with GDM, leading to adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Aim: To determine the prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) in women with GDM and its association with poor glycemic control. Additionally, to explore the reasons and coping strategies for CMD in women with GDM. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-method study was conducted among 351 women with GDM visiting a tertiary care hospital. The prevalence of CMD was assessed using Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Glycemic control was determined based on two-hour postprandial blood glucose levels. In-depth interviews were conducted with six women who screened positive for CMD and had poor glycemic control. Data were analyzed using SPSS v23 and stats v12. Chi-square test and Poisson regression were performed, and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were reported. Results: The prevalence of CMD was found to be 19.08% (95% CI: 15.32%-23.52%), with 18.2% (95% CI: 14.5%-22.6%) anxiety symptoms 8.3% (95% CI: 5.8%-11.6%) depressive symptoms and stress each. CMD was significantly related to poor glycemic control (aPR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.23-2.03; P value <0.001). The qualitative analysis revealed individual, family, health, and facility factors influencing mental health and glycemic control. Conclusion: Common mental health disorders are prevalent in women with GDM. It has a negative association with glycemic control. Implementing a routine screening program in the ANC clinic can aid in early identification and prompt management of the CMD and its associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) impacts symptomatic and functional outcome in patients with psychosis. Objectives: This study assessed DUP, its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors and its impact on short-term clinical and functional outcome in patients with first episode psychosis. Methodology: Sixty-nine first contact patients with first episode psychosis who had not received adequate treatment for psychosis (adequate treatment - antipsychotic medication of =3.5 mg haloperidol equivalents for = 4 weeks) previously were assessed with Symptom Onset in Schizophrenia Inventory to determine DUP. They were followed up for 12 weeks. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale - II were used to assess symptoms and functioning at presentation and after 12 weeks. Results: The mean DUP for the sample (n=69) was 56.7 ± 89.1 weeks (13.2 ± 20.8 months). About three fifths (60.9%) of the subjects had DUP = 3 months (short DUP) and two fifths (39.1%) had DUP > 3 months (long DUP). Univariate analysis found age, employment, mode of onset and diagnosis to be significant. At followup, treatment-related improvement in positive, general and total symptom scores was significantly negatively correlated with DUP and improvement in functioning was significantly greater in patients with DUP < 3 months. A step-wise multiple logistic regression model identified mode of onset, age, and history of prior attempts at treatment as independent predictors of membership to the two DUP categories; insidious onset led to a 20-fold and a history of prior treatment attempts indicated a 400% increase in the odds of belonging to the long DUP category. An average of 9% increase in odds of having long DUP was observed with every one-year increase in age. Conclusion: Early detection (short DUP) of psychosis was found to have a salutary impact on clinical and functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profile of subjects receiving disability certificates (DCs) issued for psychiatric disorders across multiple centres in India. Materials and Methods: Eleven centres, including ten government and one non-governmental organization spread across the country, participated in the study. Data on the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of patients who were issued DC in the calendar year 2019 were collected on a proforma designed for the study. Results: Overall, 2018 patients were issued DC for various psychiatric disorders across 11 centres in 2019. The number of certificates issued across different centres varied from 34 to 622. In terms of diagnostic profile, intellectual disability accounted for most of the certificates issued. In terms of psychiatric diagnosis, schizophrenia was the most common psychiatric diagnosis, followed by bipolar disorder, for which a DC was issued. When the diagnosis was considered, centre wise, intellectual disability (6 centres), mental illness (MI; 4 centres), and autism and specific learning disability (1 centre) accounted for the most DCs issued. Schizophrenia (9 centres), bipolar affective disorder (1 centre), and dementia (1 centre) were the most common MI for which DC was issued. Across centres, more than two-thirds of DC were issued to males. Conclusion: There is a wide variation in the number and clinical profile of DC issued across centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. In addition to medical/clinical risk factors, various socio-demographic factors also have an impact on birth weight. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the association of antenatal social support and spouse abuse during pregnancy with LBW in Urban areas of Puducherry. Materials and Methods: A community-based case-control study was conducted in Puducherry. Mothers of 100 LBW infants and normal birth weight infants in 2016 were studied. Functional Social Support Questionnaire and Index of Spouse Abuse scales were used. Conditional logistic regression for matched pair studies was done for multivariate analysis. Results: Mean (± standard deviation) age and education of the study participants was 25.6 (±3.5) and 8.28 (±3.6) years, respectively. The proportion of girl child was 59% and 43% among cases and controls, respectively. Mothers with higher perceived social support (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4-0.7) had lesser odds of LBW. The odds of LBW was 3.6 (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.3-9.9) times and 6.9 (aOR = 6.9; 95% CI: 1.5-31.9) times greater among mothers who experienced nonphysical abuse and had pregnancy-induced hypertension respectively and it was statistically significant after adjusting for child's gender, social support, and parity. Conclusions: The presence of nonphysical abuse during the antenatal period increased the risk of LBW. The awareness should be created in the community to prevent maternal exposure to abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many factors associated with unsuccessful TB treatment outcome. Objective: To find out the factors affecting treatment outcome among Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients under RNTCP in urban Pondicherry, Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 265 PTB patients from 6 randomly selected urban PHCs of Pondicherry from Jan 2013 to March 2014. A Pre-tested questionnaire was used. Data were entered in Epi-data v3.1 and was analysed by SPSS v20. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions were used. Results: Out of 265 patients registered 235 (88.7%) patients were included. The Majority were males (79.6%), and Mean (SD) age was 44±14 years. The Majority (83.4%) were formally educated, 74% were employed, and 77% received Cat I treatment. Prevalence of alcohol drinkers, current smokers and smokeless users was 31.5%, 23.5%, 9.4% respectively. A total of 14.5% had bad treatment Outcome Univariate analysis showed that Current smoker and Category II PTB treatment had significantly associated with bad outcome (p value-<0.05). In Multivariate analysis, Category II PTB treatment [AOR = 3.5 (1.6-7.8)] had significantly associated with bad outcome (p value-<0.05) after adjusted with age group, gender, Smoking and alcohol status Conclusion: Current Smoking and Category II PTB Treatment were the major factors affecting the TB treatment outcome [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with psychiatric diseases in non-Indian populations. Objectives: We aimed to determine if total plasma Homocysteine (Hcys) is associated with schizophrenia or depression in South Indian Tamil patients and if so, to correlate their severity and phenomenology to Hcys levels. Settings and Design: 40 patients each with schizophrenia and depression and 40 healthy controls were recruited from the psychiatry department of a quaternary referral centre. Association between Hcys and psychiatric disorders was determined using a Case-control design. Hcys levels were correlated with age, gender and severity and duration of the disease by appropriate statistical methods using SPSS17. Materials and Methods: Schizophrenia and depression were defined using ICD10 DCR version. Severity of depression was assessed by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and that of schizophrenia using Positive and Negative Schizophrenia scales (PANSS). Hcys levels were determined using automated chemiluminiscence immunoassay (74-76). Statistical Analysis: Differences between the mean values of plasma homocysteine levels among schizophrenia, depression and control groups were compared using analysis of variants. The association between the severity and duration of schizophrenia and depression and the plasma homocysteine levels were determine using Pearson correlation. Conclusions: In Tamilian population, schizophrenia and depression are associated with total plasma Hcys levels which correlated with the duration and severity of psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study to find the knowledge and opinion on the legal status of suicide attempt in India among the country's suicide attempters. It notes that the study was conducted at a government tertiary care hospital in southern part of the country. Accordingly, patients with suicide attempt are evaluated at crisis intervention clinic. Evaluation is made in a confidential manner among medically stable, oriented, and cooperative subjects.