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Background: HIV illness and its related problems were significantly and positively correlated with both caregiver’s burden and caregiver’s adjustment. As there were limited studies on HIV caregiver’s stress, present study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and level of perceived stress among the predominant informal care giver of the PLHIV and to find out its correlates.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study conducted on informal primary caregiver of PLHIV who was receiving ART since more than 2 months and attending the FIART centre of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, Bankura between July 2018 to December 2018. PLHIV who were severely ill and informal caregivers having a psychological illness, disability, a severe form of chronic diseases except for HIV, were excluded. Data were collected using predesigned, pretested, semi-structured interviewer administered anonymous questionnaire including 10 points Sheldon Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS) following simple random sampling method. Multivariate logistic regression was done to find out the predictors of higher stress using SPSS software version 22.0.Results: Ultimately 108 caregivers were included. Mean score of PSS was 19.93±11.44 and score ranges from 0 to 40. In multivariate linear regression, it was found that caregiver who were belonging to lowest socio economic status were 3.9 times more perceive moderate to high stress than others. If HIV patients were suffering from other co-morbidities their primary caregiver perceived moderate to high stress 6.2 times more than others.Conclusions: Support group interaction among caregivers can alleviate the stress
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Background. The addition of research-oriented medical education (ROME) to the existing curriculum could promote logical thinking, rapid literature search and a better understanding of research methodology. Creation of research temperament could lead to innovations in healthcare. We assessed the perception, awareness and practice of ROME among undergraduate students. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 234 students of R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata selected by the simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested, validated questionnaire by direct interviews. Results. The mean (SD) perception score was 44.2 (5.03). Students from outside West Bengal (p=0.05), women (p=0.03) and students whose parents were doctors (p=0.01) had significantly higher scores. Students in the second and fourth semesters had a better perception than those in the sixth and eighth semesters. Awareness of research fellowships granted to undergraduate students such as the Indian Council of Medical Research–Short-term studentship (ICMR-STS) was low among the second semester students (13.9%), but more than half (59.3%) of the students in the eighth semester were aware (difference across semesters, p<0.001). Awareness about journals, conferences and ‘research bodies promoting student research’ was low. Students in the senior semesters spent more time on research (6th semester 72.2% and 8th semester 88.9%) than those in the junior semesters (2nd: 66.7% and 4th: 77.8%; difference across semesters, p=0.03). About 3% of students participated in extracurricular research and/or had presented work at a conference. Conclusion. There is a good perception about the need for research but a lack of awareness of the why and how, as well as hardly any practice of ROME among medical students of this medical college. Natl Med J India 2016;29:94–7
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Background: Under nutrition and anemia are common co-morbidities in school age children. Due to transition in dietary habits in developing countries, a paradoxical finding of coexistence of anemia and normal/over nutrition is also a cause of concern. Objective:> T o assess the nutritional status and prevalence of anemia among school age children (6 - 16 years) residing in rural and urban areas of a district of West Bengal and also to find out the association between weight status, measured as Body Mass Index(BMI) and anemia. Materials and Methods: Age, height & weight were measured in 86 rural and 86 urban school age (6 -16 years) children in rural and urban field practice areas of Midnapore Medical College. Their blood was estimated for haemoglobin concentration. Results: Overall prevalence of anemia was 80.2%, and not significantly different between the rural (83.7%) and urban (76.7%) participants and across the genders both in rural (86.4% versus 80.9%) and urban (85.7% versus 72.4%) areas. Thinness was observed to be higher in urban area (48.8% versus 41.9%). However, severe thinness was higher in rural area (18.5% versus 13.9%). Significantly, higher proportion of boys revealed severely low BMI compared to girls in both rural (33.3% versus 4.5%) and urban (17.2% versus 7.1%) areas with no significant differences between the prevalence of anemia across the grades of underweight and normal nutritional status. Conclusions: Poor nutritional status and anemia are still, taking heavy toll and new program strategies are needed, particularly those that improve the overall nutrition status of children.
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An intervention study was conducted among students of three randomly selected free primary schools in rural West Bengal to assess the effect of health-nutrition education for behavior modification of parents on nutritional anemia of children. Clinically anemic students were school-wise randomized into 'groups of two' and intervened with anthelminthic, iron-folic acid (IFA) pediatric tablet and health-nutrition education by reoriented teachers. Parents of study group were involved in behavior change processes. Baseline overall prevalence of anemia was 64.4%. After IFA therapy, prevalence of anemia was not found to differ between two groups (χ2 = 2.68, P > 0.05, RR= 0.48, 95% C.I 0.2 < RR < 1.19) while reducing 52.2% of relative risk. Reassessment after six months showed significantly lower prevalence in study group (χ2 = 18.14, P < 0.05, RR = 0.20, 95% C.I. 0.08 < RR < 0.49). Parental involvement for life style and dietary modification may curb childhood anemia.
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Background: HIV/AIDS being a behavioral disease, appropriate knowledge is important for those who are infected. Objectives: To elicit and compare knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending or admitted in Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine, (CSTM), Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among previously diagnosed HIV/AIDS Patients admitted in indoor wards and newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) of the School of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. Data were gathered by interviewing patients using a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Results: More in-patients had heard about AIDS than ICTC patients. Television was the most popular source of information in both groups, followed by health personnel and friends. Correct knowledge about transmission, symptoms, prevention of AIDS, and lifestyles desirable for affected patients was significantly higher among in-patients who had already been counseled, than the newly diagnosed ICTC patients yet to receive. Within each group of patients, the knowledge score was significantly higher among females, Christians, urban residents, patients educated beyond middle school, and non- migrants. In-patients had a significantly higher attitudinal score toward HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Repeated counseling is required to keep up high level of knowledge and positive attitude pertaining to HIV/AIDS to reduce risk behavior, prevent disease transmission, and improve quality of life.