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Background: There is a limited number of studies from India investigating the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This clinic-based study reports on the effectiveness of tDCS as an add-on treatment in individuals suffering from TRD. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six right-handed individuals suffering from major depressive disorder who failed to respond to adequate trials of at least two antidepressant drugs in the current episode received tDCS as an augmenting treatment. Twice daily sessions of conventional tDCS were given providing anodal stimulation at the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathodal placement at the right DLPFC. A total of 20 sessions were given over 2 weeks. The outcome was assessed based on changes in scores of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results: There was a significant reduction in outcome assessment after tDCS intervention as compared to baseline, with more than 50% of the participants showing response in both scales, which increased further to approximately 77% by the end of 1 month of the follow-up period. Conclusion: Twice daily tDCS sessions with anodal stimulation of left DLPFC and cathodal stimulation of right DLPFC is an effective add-on treatment strategy in individuals with TRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emotional facial expression database, used in emotion regulation studies, is a special set of pictures with high social and biological relevance. We present the AIIMS Facial Toolbox for Emotion Recognition (AFTER) database. It consists of pictures of 15 adult professional artists displaying seven facial expressions—neutral, happiness, anger, sadness, disgust, fear, and surprise. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 15 volunteer students from a professional drama college in India (six males and nine females; mean age = 26.2 ± 1.93 years). They were instructed to pose with different emotional expressions in high and low intensity. A total of 240 pictures were captured in a brightly lit room against a common, light background. Each picture was validated independently by 19 mental health professionals and two professional teachers of dramatic art. Apart from recognition of emotional quality, ratings were done for each emotion on a 5-point Likert scale with respect to three dimensions—intensity, clarity, and genuineness. Results are discussed in terms of mean scores on all four parameters. Results: The percentage hit rate for all the emotions, after exclusion of contempt, was 84.3%, with the mean kappa for emotional expression being 0.68. Mean scores on intensity, clarity, and genuineness of the emotions depicted in the pictures were high. Conclusions: The database would be useful in the Indian context for researching facial emotion recognition. It has been validated among a group of experts and was found to have high inter-rater reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: There is lack of research on somatic symptoms in schizophrenia. We aimed at finding prevalence and types of somatic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and assessed their association with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: We assessed somatic symptoms using Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) in 93 patients with schizophrenia diagnosed on ICD10-DCR. Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, WHO Quality of Life (BREF) Hindi version and Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side-Effect Rating Scale were used to assess psychopathology, disability, quality of life and side effects. Results: Significant somatic symptoms (n ≥5 on PHQ-15) were present in 62 (67.7%) patients with schizophrenia. Forty three (69.4%) had mild (n = 5-9 on PHQ-15), 17 (27.4%) had moderate (n = 10-14 on PHQ-15), and only 2 (3.2%) had severe (n = ≥15 on PHQ -15) somatic symptoms. Mean somatic symptoms score on PHQ-15 was 7.28 (± 3.83); 96.8% reported feeling tired, 76.3% had constipation or diarrhoea, 67.7% trouble in sleeping, 61.3% nausea or indigestion, 52.7% back pain and 51.6% headache. Patients with somatic symptoms were older in age, had longer duration of illness and treatment, and had more negative symptoms. They had higher disability and poor quality of life especially in physical domain. Conclusion: Somatic symptoms are common in patients with schizophrenia and are associated with chronicity, refractoriness and negative symptoms, significant disability and poor quality of life. Thus during routine clinical practice, somatic symptoms should be assessed and managed in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Eye movement dysfunction is a common abnormality in Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Various eye movement paradigms can be used to measure predefined parameters using eye trackers. The current study intends to understand the eye movement characteristics in individuals suffering from psychosis using newer eye-tracking instruments with better precision. Methodology: In this study, we included 29 individuals meeting the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders based on the clinical assessment as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition along with 29 age- and gender-matched healthy controls and measured various eye tracking parameters using a Tobii Pro Spectrum. We compared the eye-tracking parameters between both groups. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in the free-viewing task. The average duration of fixations was higher, whereas the number of fixations and total amplitude of saccades was found to be reduced in the patient group. The peak velocity of the first saccade was also seen to be reduced in the patient group. However, there were no abnormalities in the anti-saccade, predictive saccade, memory saccade, and smooth pursuit tasks. Eye movement parameters were also found to be significantly correlated with the cognitive task measurements. Conclusion: These findings confirm the presence of eye movement abnormalities in psychosis spectrum disorders and their role in cognitive deficits in psychosis. Altered free viewing may be linked to deficits in social cognition found in patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The intent to start an entrepreneurial venture is predisposed by certain personality traits. The study aims to analyze the impact of various identified personality traits and entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intentions of management students. Design/methodology/approach: The data for the study were gathered from 440 students of top 5 management institutes in India. The study used a cross-sectional design and structured questionnaire based on seven-point Likert scale and was administered employing a purposive sampling method. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to validate posited hypotheses in the study. Findings: The study discerns that apart from agreeableness dimension of personality traits, all remaining identified dimensions along with entrepreneurial education had a significant influence on entrepreneurial intentions of management students with need for achievement emerging as the most important enabler. Conscientiousness was the major dimension among big five personality traits bearing a positive influence, while neuroticism registered a negative impact on entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, results bespeak that entrepreneurial education partially mediates the effect of need for achievement, locus of control and innovativeness on entrepreneurial intentions. Research limitations/implications: The compendious model proffered in the study might be helpful for students, educators, consultants, financial institutions and policymakers in appreciating the gravity of underlying personality traits. Originality/value: There is a dearth of research on big five personality traits and entrepreneurial education as enablers of entrepreneurial intentions. The study attempts to integrate big five personality traits model with dimensions of need for achievement, locus of control, innovativeness and entrepreneurial education for management students in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical picture of COVID-19 is as complex as it is psychosocial impact. The sheer subjectivity of the illness experience demands that each individual affected be heard and noticed. Aims: To assess lived-in experiences and coping strategies of COVID-19 positive individuals. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at designated COVID care center of a tertiary care hospital using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Materials and Methods: Interviews were collected from 13 COVID-19-positive individuals using an open-ended interview guide and were recorded, transcribed and further analyzed. Statistical Analysis: Analysis was done using Smith's Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. Themes and sub-themes were extracted and thematic schema was developed. Results: A total of 10 themes and 36 sub-themes were identified. The themes extracted with context to before being diagnosed with COVID-19 positive are impact of COVID-19 and preconception about hospitalization and hospitalized individuals. The themes with relation to active COVID-19 infection are psychological reactions, behavioral responses, positive experiences, negative experiences, stigma, coping strategies, and perceived needs. The theme re-adjustment with life was identified for postrecovery from COVID-19. Conclusions: COVID-19-positive individuals have myriad of experiences from their transition of being positive to finally being free of infection. Their experience with the illness sheds light on the gray areas like stigma that demand immediate attention. Future policies need to be developed in accordance with the identified perceived needs to potentially guide the satisfaction and recovery of COVID-19-positive individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus induced disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a type of common cold virus responsible for a global pandemic which requires immediate measures for its containment. India has the world's largest population aged between 10 and 40 years. At the same time, India has a large number of individuals with diabetes, hypertension and kidney diseases, who are at a high risk of developing COVID-19. A vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2, may offer immediate protection from the causative agent of COVID-19, however, the protective memory may be short-lived. Even if vaccination is broadly successful in the world, India has a large and diverse population with over one-third being below the poverty line. Therefore, the success of a vaccine, even when one becomes available, is uncertain, making it necessary to focus on alternate approaches of tackling the disease. In this review, we discuss the differences in COVID-19 death/infection ratio between urban and rural India; and the probable role of the immune system, co-morbidities and associated nutritional status in dictating the death rate of COVID-19 patients in rural and urban India. Also, we focus on strategies for developing masks, vaccines, diagnostics and the role of drugs targeting host-virus protein-protein interactions in enhancing host immunity. We also discuss India's strengths including the resources of medicinal plants, good food habits and the role of information technology in combating COVID-19. We focus on the Government of India's measures and strategies for creating awareness in the containment of COVID-19 infection across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the mental well-being of the population and posed many challenges in availing mental healthcare. Telepsychiatry has been proven to be an effective route for the delivery of mental healthcare. We share our experience of using the telemedicine approach in providing mental health services at a tertiarycare hospital in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, following the break in routine outpatient services during the national lockdown. The telepsychiatry approach helped in ensuring the maintenance of mental healthcare. The utility of telepsychiatry as an option for such future situations and for its use in routine follow up care in indicated cases, have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The caregivers of patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) experience significant distress. It is important to understand their needs to plan adequate interventions for them. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the needs of caregivers of young patients with FEP in India, using a qualitative approach. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In phase I, a script for conducting focus group discussions (FGDs) with caregivers was developed, based on literature search and expert opinion generated from FGD with mental health professionals. In phase II, five FGDs were conducted with 30 caregivers of young patients with FEP having minimal of 6 participants in each FGD. Data was analyzed using principles of grounded theory. Results: Seven broad themes and subthemes of the needs of caregivers emerged from the FGDs. The final themes, which highlighted the needs of caregivers of young patients with FEP, were (in order of ranking) as follows: information regarding treatment, information regarding illness, services provided by the government, optimum quality of care from treatment facility, management of psychosocial issues related to patient's illness, availability and accessibility of treatment, and identification and recognition of mental health and physical problems in family members. Conclusion: Qualitative method was useful to identify the needs of the caregivers of young patients with FEP in multiple domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was carried out at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (India) during kharif 'season 2013 to study the Effect of mulching and planting geometry on seed production in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. The planting geometry consists of row layouts and plant layouts. The treatment combinations comprised of four different mulches viz., no mulch, black-plastic mulch, silver-black plastic mulch (upper side of mulch is silver while lower side is black and crop residue mulch, three row layouts with constant population of 37037 plants ha-1 were recommended single row 60 x 45 cm² (single rows 60 cm apart and plants within rows are 45 cm apart, double row (75+45)x45 cm², 75 cm between two double rows, 45 cm within two double rows and plants within rows are 45 cm apart, and double row (90+30) x 45 cm² (90 cm between two double rows, 30 cm within two double rows and plants within rows are 45 cm apart, and two plant layouts viz., rectangle/square, and triangle. The treatment combination of silver-black plastic mulch, double row (75+45) x 45 cm² and triangle method of planting was found superior over all other treatments in terms of growth characters, fruit and seed yield characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Accelerated Power Development & Reform Programme (APDRP) was launched in February 2001 by the Union government of India to promote the distribution reforms. But the APDRP could not achieve the desired goals within the stipulated time. Government of India rethought its course of action and came up with another ambitious project, Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (RAPDRP) to overcome the shortcomings of APDRP and to reduce the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses to 15% by implementing projects within 18 to 24 months. Restructured APDRP was approved in July 2008 for implementation in the 11th five year plan. The focus of the programme is on actual, demonstrable performance in terms of sustained loss reduction. This paper analyses the major reasons behind the failure of APDRP and discusses the proposed scheme of R-APDRP and its challenges. The paper also provides a model for R-APDRP scheme for a sample State of India. This paper may be a helpful tool for policy maker and state government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychosexual problems are very common presentation, be it with psychiatric or physical illness but there are very few studies available on psychosexual disorders especially in the Indian context. Indian society is deeply ingrained in customs and several misconceptions, myths, prejudices, and social taboos are attached to sex which makes it further very difficult to tackle. Objectives: The aim of this current study was to descriptively analyze the nature of sexual disorders in a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: The current retrospective chart review included 698 consecutive subjects seeking treatment for their psychosexual problems at the Sexual Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Ram Manohar Hospital, New Delhi (between 2006 and 2010). Results: This study observed erectile dysfunction (ED) (29.5%), Premature ejaculation (PME) (24.6%), Dhat syndrome (DS) (18.1%), and ED with PME (17.5%) as the common sexual dysfunctions leading to treatment seeking. DS was the major complaint among younger and unmarried individuals. We observed more married individuals seeking treatment for sexual disorders. Conclusions: These findings provide important information on a relatively under-researched area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schizophrenia has been identified as one of the most disabling condition known to mankind. Until recently there was no published literature on disability certification seeking behavior of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The current study aimed at understanding the profile of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia seeking disability certification for a tertiary level multispecialty hospital in India. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at the Psychiatry department for a tertiary care hospital in India. The evaluation of the subjects was carried out in the presence of a primary care giver. First, the diagnosis was established using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Conditions (ICD)-10. Subsequently, the disability was assessed using Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS). Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software version 17. Results: A total of 169 subjects seeking disability certification over the study period of 5 years were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Out of 169 subjects 132 (78.1%) were male and 37 (21.9%) were female. There was a statistically significant difference in the marital status of the male and female study subjects. Family history of psychiatric illness was positive in 9.8% of male subjects and 10.8% of female subjects. There was no significant difference between male and female subjects for the duration of illness and duration of being on treatment. Male and female subjects did not differ significantly on the IDEAS global score, personal care, interpersonal interaction, and understanding and communication domains of IDEAS. The two groups differed significantly on the work domain. Conclusions: Majority of patients with schizophrenia seeking disability certificate continue to be male. However, male and female subjects tend to differ very little on various socio-demographic and illness related variables. The levels of disability are also comparable among males and females. However, the work related disability is relatively higher among males and females continue to be financially dependent on the family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Inhalant abuse is the deliberate inhalation of a volatile substance to achieve an altered mental state. Inhalants continue to be a poorly recognizable risk for morbidity and mortality globally. Aims: The current study explores the pattern of inhalant abuse across different year groups among the individuals seeking treatment form the de-addiction center of a tertiary care hospital. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at a tertiary care multi-specialty hospital. Materials and Methods: The current study is a chart review of the cases with inhalant abuse/dependence presenting to the clinic. All the treatment records of the de-addiction clinic were reviewed and information was gathered regarding patients with inhalant abuse/dependence. The comparisons have been made across two different year groups. The two groups were compared for various continuous and categorical variables using the independent sample t test and χ² test/Fisher's exact test, respectively. The level of statistical significance was kept at P<0.05 for all these tests. Results: The two study groups have been found comparable for various socio-demographic and inhalant use patterns. Conclusions: The findings of the current study suggest that the pattern and parameters associated with inhalant use among those presenting to a tertiary care drug dependence center tend to remain stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to two articles "Decompression syndrome (Caisson disease) in an Indian diver," by UA Phatak and colleagues in the October 2010 issue, and a letter to the editor "Decompression syndrome, Ear Plug and Barotrauma," by G Uzun and colleagues in the October 2011 issue.

The author comments on the Cornell International Hospitality Summit organized by Cornell School of Hotel Administration in India in 2012. A Dean's Leadership Panel was included in the event comprising of several of Asia's top hospitality leaders. An industry roundtable that addressed issues surrounding customer value and the rapidly changing dimensions of hotel distribution was also held. The author, however, suggests the role of globalization in the challenges faced by India's hoteliers.

Background: Approximately 16%-62% of patients undergoing non cardiac surgeries develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction. We compared the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults aged 60-80 years who underwent open abdominal surgeries under general anaesthesia using isoflurane or desflurane and correlated it with the serum concentration of interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, amyloid β and S100 on postoperative day 3., Method: Forty American Association of Anesthesiologists Physical Classification I or II patients were included after acquiring institutional ethics committee approval, registering in the Clinical Trials Registry - India, and informed written consent. They underwent open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia and epidurals between 2017 and 2019. Patients with substance abuse or any disorder affecting cognition were excluded. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was assessed by Stroop test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Trail making test - B, Porteus Maze test, PGI memory scale, mini-mental state examination, and Bender Gestalt test the day before surgery and on the third postoperative day along with blood samples., Results: Thirty-seven percent of the patients developed postoperative cognitive dysfunction. The risk was similar to isoflurane in comparison with desflurane (risk ratio: 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.30, 1.40). A significant percentage increase in reaction time for Porteus Maze test and Trail making test - B was noted with isoflurane (6.69 (4.20-8.94) and 8.01 (2.08-12.5), respectively) in comparison with desflurane group (13.01 (9.09-17.33), p = 0.003 and 11.62 (7.5-17.5), p = 0.017, respectively)., Conclusion: Isoflurane and desflurane had a similar impact on the elderly for developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction and no correlation with any of the biomarkers used in the study on postoperative day 3., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Acute pancreatitis as an initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare occurrence and timely diagnosis of PHPT is crucial in preventing repeat attack of pancreatitis. The study aimed at evaluating the clinico-radiological profile of patients admitted with acute pancreatitis as the index presentation of PHPT and to determine the factors associated with development of severe pancreatitis. This series included retrospective analysis of medical records of 30 patients admitted with acute pancreatitis as initial manifestation of PHPT. Additionally, we analyzed the data of another 30 patients admitted with PHPT but without any evidence of pancreatitis, to serve as control group. The mean age of the subjects was 44.9±13.9 years with male to female ratio of 1.30. The mean serum calcium level was 12.24±2.79 mg/dl and five (16.6%) patients had normocalcemia at time of presentation. Presence of nephrolithiasis was significantly associated with severe pancreatitis. One patient had refractory hypercalcemia associated with renal failure and was successfully managed with denosumab. Patients with PHPT associated with acute pancreatitis had significantly higher calcium levels and lower frequency of skeletal involvement as compared to PHPT patients without pancreatitis. PHPT masquerading as acute pancreatitis is rare and high index of suspicion is required to diagnose this condition especially in the presence of normocalcemia at presentation. Patients with PHPT associated pancreatitis had male preponderance, higher calcium levels, and lower frequency of skeletal involvement as compared to PHPT patients without pancreatitis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Abnormalities in brain development and plasticity have been associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in schizophrenia is the recent area of interest because it regulates neurogenesis. The current study aimed to assess and compare serum BDNF levels between first-episode schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, and evaluate its correlation with the socio-demographic and clinical variables., Methodology: It was a cross-sectional comparative study for the assessment of serum BDNF levels between patients with first-episode schizophrenia (N=50) and healthy controls (N-50) conducted in the Department of Psychiatry at a tertiary care public hospital attached to a medical school in North India. Participants were assessed for the socio-demographic parameters, nicotine dependence, and clinical details using structured scales. Serum BDNF level estimated using the sandwich ELISA technique. The comparison between the groups was done by using a Student t-test or chi-square test. Spearman correlation was performed between mean BDNF scores and demographic or illness variables in both first-episode schizophrenia and healthy control groups., Results: There was a significantly lower mean score of total serum BDNF levels in first-episode schizophrenia patients as compared to controls (8.44 ± 1.54 vs 10.44 ± 2.04; t = 5.52, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 1.28-2.71). The total FTND scores for smokeless tobacco use were negatively correlated to BDNF levels among healthy controls (r=-0.30, p=0.03) as well as in the first-episode schizophrenia group (r=-0.32, p= 0.04). None of the other illness-related variables were correlated to serum BDNF values in the first episode schizophrenia group., Conclusion: Individuals with first-episode schizophrenia have lower serum BDNF levels than healthy controls. The illness-related factors such as duration of untreated psychosis or psychopathology were not correlated with BDNF levels. Thus abnormal signaling of BDNF can lead to abnormal brain functioning which can make an individual more susceptible to schizophrenia., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mobile application based delivery of psycho-social interventions may help reduce the treatment gap for severe mental illnesses (SMIs) and decrease the burden on caregivers. Apps developed in high income settings show effectiveness, but they suffer from lack of applicability in low resource scenarios due to the difference in technology penetration, affordability, and acceptance., Objective: This study aimed to understand health technology usage, perceived needs, and acceptability of app based interventions in patients with SMIs to improve illness management and reduce caregiver burden., Methods: The study was conducted in inpatient and outpatient settings of a tertiary care center in North India. A cross-sectional survey assessed smartphone and health app usage. Further, three focus group discussions evaluated the needs and apprehensions in using apps in management of SMIs., Results: A total of 176 participants including 88 patients and 88 caregivers completed the survey. Smartphone ownership was similar to the national average (30%) in both caregivers (38.6%) and in patients (31.8%). Although subjects regularly used a third party app, health app usage was very low. Cost, unfamiliarity, and language were significant barriers to adoption. The focus group discussions provided insight into the various apprehensions of caregivers in using and in allowing patients to use smartphones and such apps. Caregivers wanted mobile apps for accessing information regarding services and resources available for people with SMI, and they felt such apps can be helpful if they could automate some of their routine caregiving activities. However, the significant difficulty was perceived in regards to the cost of the device, language of the medium, and unfamiliarity in using technology. Apprehensions that SMI patients might misuse technology, or damage the device were also prevalent., Conclusions: The study systematically looks into the scope, design considerations and limitations of implementing a mobile technology based intervention for low resource settings. With only one-third of the patients and caregivers having access to smartphones and internet, parallel outreach strategies like IVRS should be actively considered while designing interventions. The difficulty of understanding and searching in a non-native language needs to be addressed. Hand holding of caregivers and frequent encouragement from treating doctors might significantly help in technology adoption and in surmounting the apprehensions related to using technology. To make the solution acceptable and useful to the already over-burdened caregivers, developers need to work closely with patients' family members and follow a ground-up collaborative approach to app development. The scope of delivering mental health services through technology is immense in resource constrained settings like India, provided we, researchers, appreciate and accept the fact that in the varied landscape of a divergent economic, educational, and cultural milieu, a single solution will never suffice for all, and intervention modality matching with end user capacity will be of paramount importance in determining the success of the endeavor., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major health problem worldwide. The number of infected people is increasing daily. Knowledge and awareness toward prevention and control of the disease is necessary among both educated and illiterate people., Objective: This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge and awareness about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS among undergraduate students studying in a technical institute in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India., Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among youths aged 15-30 years studying in a technical institution in Gorakhpur. Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire developed with the help of existing literature, from 250 participants (students)., Results: The main source of information was the television; knowledge about the difference between HIV/AIDS was satisfactory. The findings showed that the knowledge about modes of prevention (blood checkup, needle/syringe sterilization) was satisfactory. There were several misconceptions about the modes of transmission of the disease, such as through mosquito bites, eating/drinking, and kissing., Conclusion: The knowledge of the study population was satisfactory, and there is a need for innovation and comprehensive education to impart better knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS.