ABSTRACT
Introduction: According to the 2009 Global Health Risks report, substance abuse is one of the top 20 factors for death and disability worldwide. Globally, there is an increasing trend for people to use multiple substances, either together or at different times, which is likely to further increase the risks. This study was undertaken to know out the prevalence of substance abuse among male undergraduate students and to find out any influencing factor. Material & Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among male undergraduate students of G.S.V.M Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh in 2015. Data was recorded in a pre-designed and pretested questionnaire and analyzed using standard statistical tools Results: Nearly 40.5% of students accepted substance abuse. Peer pressure (41.97%) and anxiety or stress (37.03%) were the commonest reasons for initiation. Substance abuse by parents was found to be significantly associated with substance abuse by students (P<.001). Conclusion: Substance abuse is prevalent among male medical undergraduates. Peer pressure followed by anxiety or stress were the commonest reasons for initiation. Substance abuse by parents increases the likelihood of substance abuse by students.
ABSTRACT
Background: Radiotherapy has an important role in treatment of oral cancer, but it causes some deleterious effect on healthy cells. Radiation produces free radicals which cause lipo-peroxidation, alteration of protein, and DNA damage, and eventually cell death. This study is designed to evaluate protective role of antioxidants in oral malignancies treated with radiotherapy. Methods: This study is conducted in patients of oral cancer treated with radiotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups, control (n=7) and test (n=9). Patients in control group treated with radiotherapy alone and in test group were supplemented with oral antioxidants throughout the radiotherapy course. Pre and post radiotherapy levels of MDA, SOD and Glutathione reductase were measured in blood and cancerous tissue in both groups and statistically compared. TNM staging before and after radiotherapy and side effects of radiotherapy were also compared in both groups. Results: On statistical comparison of mean difference values of MDA, SOD & GR of control v/s test group, it was noticed that there was a significant reduction in MDA (p<0.05) and significant increase in GR levels (p<0.05) but non significant increase in SOD levels (p>0.05) in test group in comparison to control group for both blood and tissue levels. TNM status of patients improved significantly after radiotherapy in test group. Comparison of side effects between both groups indicated that there was reduction in side effects in test group after radiotherapy. Conclusion: These findings indicated the protective role of antioxidants against free radicals produced in oral malignancies treated with radiotherapy.