Effect of mobile phone overuse on health of medical students

Background: In this modern era of the 21st century, mobile phones have undoubtedly been part and parcel of our lives as it has revolutionized our lifestyle. We can communicate with one another, retrieve information about education, and can use it for entertainment purpose. However, like all other good things, mobile phone also comes with its own demerits such as it causes various health hazards ranging from insomnia, numbness of fingers, irritability to headache, anxiety, and dreadful addiction. Objectives: The aim and objective of this study were to assess adverse health effects of mobile phone use among medical students in a government medical college. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among the medical students in Murshidabad Medical College, West Bengal. A pre-designed, pre-tested, anonymous questionnaire was used to assess the mobile use pattern among the students. Results: All the students were using mobile with 28% using it for more than 6 h every day. 43% of students experienced medical problems with majority complained a lack of concentration. Duration of the use of mobile phones was significantly associated with the development of health problem. Conclusion: With increased risk of health problems associated with excessive mobile use, one should emphasize on reserving the use of cell phones for shorter conversations and other healthy modes of entertainment.

Retrospective study of chikungunya outbreak in urban areas of India.

Background & objectives: A retrospective study on chikungunya outbreak in India in five States viz. Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra and Kerala was conducted in 2007-2008 to know the distribution and determinants of chikungunya fever outbreak in India. Methods: On the basis of high and low incidence of chikungunya fever, two districts from each State and two wards from the selected district were taken for random selection of 1000 households from 10 districts and 5 States. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to individuals, patients, qualified health professionals and to stakeholders for collecting information. Results: The educational background and occupation of the respondents showed variations across the study States. Only in high incidence ward of Maharashtra, water storage period for 3-6 days and emptying, drying of water containers on weekly basis was noted. The study through knowledge, attitude, belief, practice (KABP) obtained individual's perception of chikungunya fever, its prevention and control. Patients’ expenditure on treatment was mainly recorded less than Rs 500 across study States. Health facility survey obtained an overview of the capacity of local health facilities. Stakeholders’ perception regarding chikungunya fever was also noted. Interpretation & Conclusions: The study revealed differences in awareness of chikungunya, cause of the disease, vector responsible, mode of transmission, biting time and elimination of breeding of mosquitoes statistically significant among high and low incidence wards of all the States. Expenditure on treatment was independent of economically active status and loss of man-days across all the States. Education and occupation did not have any relation with emptying/drying of water containers in high incidence wards. Strengthening of surveillance, information, education and communication (IEC) activities along with case management facilities may be provided by the State health department for prevention of chikungunya outbreaks in future. Stakeholders should be more involved in outbreak management and future planning.

Blood meal identification by using Microdot ELISA in vector mosquitoes.

The blood meals of five mosquito species which are vectors for malaria, J.E. and Filaria were determined by using Microdot ELISA technique, which is a rapid and sensitive method. A total of 4354 freshly fed mosquitoes comprising of Anopheles culicifacies, An stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. vishnui gp. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were tested. Results of the study reveal that highest proportion of An. culicifacies between 76-100% fed on bovine host followed by 0.3 to 24.2% on human. Cx. vishnui showed 1.9% feeding on human, 49-87.7% on bovine and 7.4-12.3% on the pigs. It has been observed that malaria vectors namely An. culicifacies and An. stephensi are still zoophilic in nature. Similarly, the vector of J.E. namely Culex vishnui gp. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus also fed on cattle but some samples have indicated feeding of blood meal from pigs.

Ecological observations on the anopheline mosquitoes of Jalpaiguri Duars, West Bengal.

A nine month entomological study was conducted from August 1989 to April 1990 in Jalpaiguri duars of West Bengal where malaria has been persistent problem. Amongst the anopheline fauna three vector species were recorded; An. minimus was the principal vector supported by A. dirus during the rainy months and An. fluviatilis in dry months. All the three vectors were found in close association with human orbit and An. minimums was found to be primarily a domestic vector. The primary role of An. minimus in the transmission of malaria in the region has been highlighted. Observations on seasonal variation, biting preferences, and biting time and vector infection rates were recorded.