Descriptive study of physical activity and sitting time among medical students from North India

Background: A physically active lifestyle is the cornerstone of good health. A sedentary lifestyle is emerging as a global threat to public health and physical activity is being recommended as an important intervention for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to assess the level of physical activity and duration of sitting time among medical undergraduates to guide the formulation of strategies for healthy lifestyles. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduate students of a teaching hospital in North India. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire regarding the demographic profile, anthropometric parameters, physical activity, and sitting time. The level of physical activity and time spent sitting was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire. R software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 250 medical students were included with a response rate of 83.3%. Overall, 67.6% of students engaged in moderate levels of physical activity, 21.2% engaged in high levels, and 11.2% engaged in low levels of physical activity. The mean time spent sitting was 8.8 hours/day (males: 8.5 and females: 9.1). It showed a significant association between physical activity and body mass index, with the low prevalence of obesity among students engaged in moderate and high levels of physical activity. Conclusion: The study highlights prolonged sitting as an emerging public health problem where three-fourths of students were spending more than 7 hours/day sitting. However, the majority of students were engaged in moderate to high levels of physical activity.

Asynchronous e-learning in microbiology for undergraduate medical students

Background: The most common teaching method in medical institutes in India and throughout the globe is standard lesson-based teaching. E-learning is the use of internet technology to facilitate conscious learning and increase knowledge and competences, notably during the COVID-19 epidemic. Aim and Objectives: The aim of study was to develop a module for an interactive disease-based e-learning teaching session to impart knowledge to undergraduate medical students regarding the microbiological diagnostic techniques for enteric fever/the given organism with objectives of the study was (i) to investigate how Phase II MBBS students feel about e-learning; (ii) to evaluate the impact of this intervention on students; and (iii) to encourage application of this imparted knowledge and skill for rapid, precise, and early diagnosis of the disease. Material and Methods: The research was conducted at the department of microbiology. This was done for the session 2020–2021 of Phase II undergraduate students. All the second professional MBBS were enrolled in the study n = 229 and were better informed about the definition of e-learning. The course material was provided in the form of PowerPoint presentations, questionnaires, and text questions using Google Docs. Students provided feedback in the form of a semi-structured pre-validated set of questions at the conclusion of the week, and the collected data were quantitatively analyzed. There were both closed-ended and open-ended questions in the survey. Results: The results of the feedback questionnaire revealed that the program was of benefit to the students. Nearly 77% of students felt the new teaching and learning method enhanced their grasp of the courses and that the issues presented were important to them. Conclusion: The students responded in a positive way to the new teaching and learning method. It was informative, applicable, and effective to the students. It also increased the level of communication and feedback between teacher and students. To conclude, in the medical program, e-resources may be used to enhance conventional lesson-based instruction.

Dengue fever--an emerging viral fever in Ludhiana, North India.

The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in patients attending medical clinics or admitted in ICU with febrile signs and symptoms of heamorrhages. 168 (39.4%) out of 426 samples were tested positive for IgM antibodies. Of the 168 positive cases 159 were detected during the months of October and November 2005. Early detection of DHF/DSS can go a long way in managing these patients and to reduce morbidity and mortality specially in DHF and DSS cases.

Comparison of rapid colorimetric method with conventional method in the isolation of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate two methods (colorimetric and conventional) for isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A total of 500 clinical specimens were processed by modified Petroff's method and then inoculated into MB/BacT-240 system bottles and on LJ medium slopes. The specimens included 242 sputum, 95 gastric aspirates, 47 pleural fluids, 45 CSF, 32 urine, 18 pus, 11 bronchoalveolar lavage, 3 tissue, 2 stool, 2 lymphnode specimens, 2 synovial fluid and 1 bronchial wash specimens. The isolation rate was 16.4% by the colorimetric method and 2.2% by the conventional method. The mean detection time was 16 days and 26 days respectively. Among 36 direct smear positive samples, 63.9%(23/36) and 30%(11/36) were positive by colorimetric and conventional methods respectively. Out of 464 direct smear negative samples 12.9%(60/464) and 0.6%(3/464) were positive by colorimetric and conventional methods respectively. Therefore, colorimetric method enables rapid detection leading to early diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing.

Acute liver failure.

Acute liver failure in children is associated with a high mortality. Most cases in our setup are due to water borne hepatotropic viruses HAV and HEV. The clinician must be aware of the earliest and the subtle signs of acute liver failure to identify cases early enough and institute supportive therapy. Focus of therapy has to be on prevention, early recognition and appropriate management of complications. Despite good intensive care, about 40-60% children with liver failure die. As and when liver transplantation becomes available in India, it would be an attractive option.

Epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana.

AIM: To study the epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of laboratory data of the year 2001 was done, to study the epidemiology of hepatitis E and A in Ludhiana in relation to prevalence, age, sex, area of residence and seasonal variation. RESULTS: Prevalence of HEV was 13.9%. Infection with it occurred through out the year with no preponderance of cases following the monsoons. Young male adults between 20-40 years of age were predominantly affected. Prevalence of HAV was 5.5% affecting mainly children below 14 years of age. Population of urban areas around "Gandha Naliash" (a large open sewer) was at high risk as there was clustering of HEV & HAV cases around that area.

Evaluation of rapid kits for detection of HIV, HBsAg and HCV infections.

Diagnostic kits (J. Mitra Co. Ltd) for rapid detection of HIV, HBsAg & HCV were evaluated against respective enzyme immunoassay (Ortho Diagnostics). All rapid kits were 100% specific for HIV, HBsAg & HCV. Sensitivity for HIV, HCV & HBsAg was 80%, 87.5% & 93.4% respectively.