ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity and malnutrition are common in adolescent and postadolescent age groups mainly due to their affinity for fast food and irregular diet. It was an effort to estimate the health status of students by conducting specific tests. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate nutritional status and obesity in medical students. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighteen medical students aged 17–22 years were included in the study. It was conducted between July 2017 and February 2018 in Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, India, after obtaining ethical clearance. Body mass index was calculated, and hemoglobin percentage was estimated for each student. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity, and anemia was estimated. The findings were statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of obesity and malnutrition was calculated. Among them, 7.6% were underweight, 70.3% were normal, 20.33% were pre-obese, and 1.7% obese. Their nutritional status was correlated with food habits and physical activity. Conclusion: We can estimate the nutritional status and health status of students by performing simple procedures such as measurements of height and weight and estimation of hemoglobin. By this, we can make students aware of their health and improve their food habits by giving suggestions on their diet.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anxiety is one of the most prominent psychiatry disorders related to common stress. Approximately two-thirds of anxious patients respond to currently available treatments but the magnitude of problem is still disappointing. Ocimum sanctum (OS), a perennial shrub grown in India, has anti-stress activity. Yet, there is a paucity of data regarding this. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the anti-anxiolytic effect of OS leaf extract (OSLE) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test are standardized tests done for screening anxiolytic effects of drugs. The animals were grouped and the tests were conducted and the results were compared with the standard drug diazepam. Results: There was significant increase in the time spent in open arm and number of open arm entries in the diazepam group and group receiving OSLE at dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg in EPM test. Furthermore, in the open field test, there was significant increase in the number of square crossed and rearing in the diazepam group and OSLE at dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: OSLE shows significant anxiolytic effect in EPM and open field test models in Swiss albino mice. This can be further studied to open up new possibilities for new drug development for anxiety.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered as most prevalent non-communicable disease throughout the world. It is associated with many complications. Hearing loss among diabetics is a recent concern, its magnitude and pathophysiology are not yet clearly defined. Aim and Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the relation between diabetes and hearing loss. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted with 200 diabetes mellitus patients aged between 20 and 50 years, selected from endocrinology outpatient department, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. Participants were subjected to pure tone audiometry at the department of ENT. Two hours PGBS (75 g) value was collected. Results: About 58% of the participants were detected with sensorineural hearing loss. There was a significant association of hearing loss with the duration of diabetes and glycemic status (with P < 0.05). Conclusion: The hearing loss found among diabetics showed strong association with the duration of the disease and the glycemic status. If detected earlier in its course, long-term complications of hearing can be avoided.
ABSTRACT
Obstetric fistula (OF) is one of the most important consequences of a prolonged obstructed labor, a big issue for low-income countries (LICs) like India. The objective is to identify and explore the knowledge regarding OF as a public health problem in LICs from peer review literature. The PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases were searched to identify the prevalence, risk factors, and management of OF in LICs. Quantitative evidence-based paper reviewed. Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The 15 provided population-based OF prevalence data of OF and 12 provided risk factors and social causes of OF rates associated with the birth that caused an OF. OF has one of the big public health problems. There is a lack of scientific research on the prevalence and risk factors of OF in LICs. This review helps to eradicate or alleviate the problem of OF in LICs like India.
ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a global health problem both in the developed and developing countries. Patient education forms an important part in the management of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge about osteoporosis and its correlates among women aged ≥ 40 years attending an urban health centre in India and to identify their sources of information on osteoporosis. Knowledge about osteoporosis was assessed using the Osteoporosis Questionnaire (OPQ) in 243 women over 40 years of age, attending an urban health centre in the city of Mumbai located in the state of Maharashtra in western India. This exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of eight months. The OPQ analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 13.0. The scores were expressed as mean ± SD (Standard Deviation). The one sample-t test was used to study the differences in the mean scores between socio-demographic variables. The mean total OPQ score was 0.91 (SD ± 5; range -9 to 10; maximum possible score 20). There was a significant difference in the total OPQ scores by the level of education and family history of osteoporosis (p<0.05). The main sources of information identified were television/radio (55%), family and friends (23%), newspapers (22%) and doctors (20%). The study reveals lack of knowledge about osteoporosis in the present sample, and the need for increased involvement of doctors in educating patients about osteoporosis.