ABSTRACT
Background: Psychological stress among medical students is common as compared to other professional courses. The prevalence of perceived stress among medical students affects not only their academic performances but also to some extent their health. Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of self – perceived psychological stress among Under-Graduate medical students, to identify probable factors responsible for it and to suggest possible interventions. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study using self administered questionnaire was conducted among a sample of undergraduate students chosen from all the years of MBBS who were enrolled at Govt. Medical College Surat at the time of study period. Results: In this study 3.12% of the students reported having no stressor experience, 55.6% reported mild to moderate stressor experience and 41.2% with severe stressor experience. Major factors responsible for stress identified in this study are increased load towards exam, vast syllabus, not getting expected marks, less time for repeated learning and procrastination Conclusion: This study has found that majority of undergraduate students experience stress. Both academic and emotional factors are responsible for this stress. Proper guidance and counseling by faculties may help to improve the present scenario.
ABSTRACT
Background:In India low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Objective:To quantify the effect of maternal anthropometry, education and socio-economic status on birth weight. Materials and Methods:Study Design: Prospective, Observational, Hospital based study.Study Setting: Gram Seva trust Hospital at Gandevi Block of Navsari district.Study Period: Sep 2009.Study Population:105 women who delivered in this hospital.Study Variable: Age of the mother at time of delivery, socio-economic status, education, parity, height and weight of mother, no. of ANC visits, sex of the delivered child.Outcome Variable: Low birth weight (LBW).Statistical analysis: Receiver Operative Characteristic (ROC)curve, chi square test, multivariate logistic regression Results:Low birth weight was found in around 35 % of infants. Bivariate analysis revealed that Maternal age less than 20 years (p= 0.02), education (p= 0.009), socio economic status (p =0.001) was significantly associated with low birth weight. Maternal age <20 years, number of years of education < 7 found to increase risk of LBW. Maternal height, weight, BMI, parity, sex of the child, number of ANC visits and type of family had no statistically significant effect on determining the risk for LBW. However, adjusted Odds ratio was found significant for only BPL status and pre term. Conclusion:Maternal age, Education, Economic states and Pre term were found to be the most important maternal parameters, which influence birth weight and the risk for LBW. However, Multivariate Logistic analysis revealed only BPL status and preterm had effect on LBW.
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular diseases including hypertension are increasing in developing countries especially among high-risk group people like bank employees. A cross-sectional study of 1493 bank employees of Surat city was conducted during August, 2004 to September, 2005 to study the prevalence of hypertension among bank employees and the effects of socio-demographic factors on prevalence of hypertension. Data were analyzed using epi 6 software. The χ[2] -test was applied as a nonparametric test of statistical significance. Prevalence of hypertension was 30.4% and prehypertension was 34.5%. Out of 455 found as hypertensive, 258 (56.70%) were not having any symptoms at the time of examination. Prevalence was high among persons with age 50 years and above (48.5%); among male (32.5%) as compared to female (23.1%); among employees having small family size; among separated/divorcee person (40.0%). Prevalence of hypertension increased with seniority of the official position of bank employee with highest prevalence among managers (45.9%). Prevalence of hypertension was noted highest among the higher socioeconomic group; SEC I (35.0%) followed by class II (20.4%). Effects of different risk factors of hypertension were observed here. This study may help in identifying the common profile of hypertensive or persons at risk, which may further help in identifying the risk group and planning the group specific IEC interventions.
ABSTRACT
Aim: Eye morbidities with or without symptoms delineate a significant morbidity among adolescent schoolgirls in India. The study was undertaken to assess the extent of visual impairment and ocular morbidity to identify influencing factors and the impact on scholastic performance. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 3002 urban girl students of Surat in Gujarat, India. Overall prevalence of refractive error was found to be 15.22%; myopia affected 91.47%, hyperopia 4.60%, and astigmatism 0.04%. The prevalence of myopia and astigmatism was more in higher age groups, while hyperopia was more in lower age groups; even students with good vision reported ophthalmic symptoms. Of all spectacle users, in 29.73% cases the eyesight was not found to be with the best possible corrections. Refractive error was observed to be higher among the general caste (50.98%) and among Muslims (54.05%). Still, among those with problems of eyesight, 75.93% students had good academic performance. Associated ocular morbidity was noted in 20.35% participants along with the refractive error. Conclusion: This study highlighted the load of eye morbidities of adolescent Indian urban girls.