ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease officially called as COVID-19, which was noticed during December 2019 (Wuhan) China, later became a major public health problem leading to pandemic affecting worldwide and causing morbidity and mortality, despite various control measures. This research was undertaken to assess the level of awareness of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among interns of a tertiary care hospital. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess awareness of coronavirus (COVID-19) among interns of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 97 interns of a tertiary care hospital in Dharwad district, Karnataka, India. An online pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was developed using Google forms, with a consent form attached to it for voluntary participation, through which data were collected and the distributions of responses were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Awareness regarding coronavirus among 97 interns were assessed. Of which 41 (42.3%) were male and 56 (57.7%) were female. Newspaper and television were the primary reliable source of information about coronavirus. Cough (95.87%) and fever (90.72%) were the most common symptoms. The majority of the interns (90%) agreed that coronavirus could lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and renal failure. About 90% considered that it can be prevented by handwashing, wearing masks, and by maintaining distance. However, with respect to curability of the disease, the awareness was on a dismal note. Conclusion: Awareness of acquiring and transmitting coronavirus was found to be adequate, except for the curability aspects. Thus, it is the need of the hour to have timely updates about the disease and newer guidelines to restraint the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Background: Postpartum period starts about an hour after the delivery of the placenta and followed until 6 weeks. The hormonal changes that take place during this period lead to depression, one of the silent contributors of poor maternal and child health indices in developing countries leading to increased morbidity among women. In India, postpartum depression (PPD) reports approximately 23% of women in hospital-based data and prevalence varies from 11% to 26% in community-based studies. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors leading to PPD among women residing in urban slums. Materials and Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted for 1 year consisting of postpartum women (2–6 weeks) of any age group in urban slums, Dharwad. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale was used to estimate the prevalence of PPD. Results: Of the 284 women, 45.8% were in the age group of 21–25 years, 38.4% had completed secondary education, and most of them 84.9% were housewives. 35% of women were from nuclear family and 53.2% belonged to the upper middle class. Using PHQ-9 scale, it was seen that 7.7% had minor depression and 0.4% had major depression. Increasing age (χ²âˆ’25.97, P = 0.001), unplanned pregnancy (χ²âˆ’13.51, P = 0.009), those who had pre- and post-term delivery (χ²âˆ’13.83, P = 0.008), and those who delivery through cesarean section (χ²âˆ’35.84, P < 0.0001) were found to be associated with PPD and the association was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Equal importance should be given for both physical and mental health of postpartum women for a healthy mother and child.