ABSTRACT
Background: Breast milk, the first natural food for a new-born, provides all the energy and essential nutrients an infant requires for the first 6 months of life. The NHFS -4 survey shows only 45.5% of children are exclusively breastfed (EBF) in Puducherry. This study aims at assessing the socio-demographic characteristics associated with exclusive breastfeeding in a tertiary hospital in Puducherry and identify the barriers in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study at a tertiary hospital in Puducherry. Sample size: 115 mothers of 6 months to 2-year-old children, born term gestation with a birth weight of >2.5 kg, attending the Paediatric OPD. Questionnaire-based study comprising of socio-demographic and parameters pertaining to exclusive breast-feeding.Results: Only 44.3% of the mothers have exclusively breastfed in the first 6 months. Shorter duration of spacing between births and caesarean section had significant negative association with exclusive breast-feeding. Most of the mothers received postnatal counselling on breast-feeding (94%) of which 58% were by health care personnel. Despite that, only a sixth (19%) of them were well versed with proper breastfeeding techniques. Poor secretion (45.3%), sore/inverted nipple (23.5%) amounted to the most common of the barriers. Among working mothers, 42.9% attributed their jobs as the cause for early weaning.Conclusions: The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is still low even among a literate study group. There were no significant association with socio-demographic factors found, but lacunae were identified. A more objective post-natal counselling to mothers involving their caregivers may improve the current scenario.
ABSTRACT
Mobile phones are considered as an essential part of day to day life. But its excessive use is detrimental to the mind and body; especially, for the young population. Even though there are many reports regarding the issues related to excessive use of smartphones and its impact on the academic and social life of college going students, research related to medical students is sparse. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of smartphone usage on academic performance of a selected group of medical students using a structured questionnaire.METHODSA survey-based study has conducted among randomly selected MBBS students (N=200), comprising of 85 males and 115 females, in the age group of 17-25 years. A self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire which includes questions on the effect of smart phone, was used.RESULTSResults of the survey showed that all the participants are using smart phones and agreed that it is an essential part of their life. Among these, only 12.2% of students are using it for academic purpose. Surprisingly 68.8% students use their mobile phone inside the classroom. 44.2% of the participants felt that their smartphones are distracting them from studies. They also reported that due to the overuse of smartphones they are unable to concentrate on studies (34.2%), it affects study habits and leads to poor performance in exams (40%), produces stress for the eyes (21%) and a decrease in overall academic performance (29.1%).CONCLUSIONSThe present study group of medical students felt that overuse of smartphone is the main reason for their poor academic performance. They also realise the ill effect of overuse of mobile phones on health. The present study helped us to create awareness among the participants regarding the impact of overuse of smartphones and how it is influencing their academic activities. Universities and colleges can also create awareness regarding mobile phone use.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the preventive effects of aqueous extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark on dexamethasone induced insulin resistance and to compare it with rosiglitazone. Methods: The animals were categorized into two series of dexamethasone (dexamethasone 4mg/kg, dexamethasone 8mg/kg series) with 5 groups in each [plain control, dexamethasone 4/8mg/kg as per series, rosiglitazone 8mg/kg and 16mg/kg, cinnamon bark extract (CZE) 250mg/kg BW]. Six animals were studied in each group. In a12 day study period, rosiglitazone and CZE groups received respective drug treatments and dexamethasone dosing (4mg/kg or 8mg/kg) was started from day 7onwards. On day 12, fasting blood, urine and post IPGTT blood samples were collected and processed for glucose, insulin and ketone estimations. Results: In both series, CZE 250mg/kg treatment showed significant reduction in mean fasting glucose and insulin compared to rosiglitazone 8mg/kg and 16mg/kg groups and dexamethasone controls (4mg/kg, 8mg/kg groups) (P<0.05). The fall in glucose and insulin levels observed with CZE treatment at 30, 60 min post IPGTT in both series were significant compared to rosiglitazone and dexamethasone treatment groups (P<0.05). Glycosuria and ketonuria were absent in CZE groups, whereas these were reduced significantly in rosiglitazone groups compared to dexamethasone groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: The aqueous extract of C. zeylanicum bark prevented the insulin resistance as evidenced by reduced fasting and post IPGTT glucose and insulin levels in steroid induced insulin resistance model.
ABSTRACT
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), and its prevention is related to the duration as well as control of DM. The prevalence of diabetes has reached a pandemic proportion which is mostly attributed to rapid lifestyle transitions and by a narrowing in the urban-rural divide in living conditions. In another 15 years, nearly one-fifth of the world’s diabetic population will be in India. This will increase the prevalence of DR-related eye disease that can potentially cause blindness in younger people. Since DM and DR is a public health problem, its management requires public health approaches. This article reviews the various challenges in implementing public health interventions in preventing DR-related blindness.