Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Undergraduate Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Depression, anxiety, and stress among medical undergraduate students are often under- recognized and undertreated. Prolonged online classes in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in tremendous psychological stress among students. Objective: To assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among medical students during the COVID pandemic and the associated factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students in a medical college in Delhi. A self-administrated questionnaire, containing general information (on-screen time, death or hospitalization in family due to COVID) and the DASS-21 version, was circulated to students enrolled before 2020. Data collected was tabulated in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Out of 550 students, 345 (62.7%) participated in the study, of which 341 gave consent. High frequencies of depression 214 (62.8%), anxiety 199 (58.3%) and stress 150 (43.7%) were reported. Significant association was found between the determinants like hectic online classes and curbs on travelling and socializing. Conclusion: The high burden of depression, anxiety and stress detected among the students is a pointer towards a negative impact of online classes that can negatively impact academic performance, professionalism and empathy towards patients

Women's health: Beyond reproductive years.

With changing demographic profile India has more older women than men as life expectancy for women is 67.57 as against 65.46 for men. Gender differences in the aging process reflect biological, economic, and social differences. Both social and health needs of the older women are unique and distinctive as they are vulnerable. The social problems revolve around widowhood, dependency, illiteracy and lack of awareness about the policies and programmes from which they can benefit. Among the medical problems, vision (cataract) and degenerative joint disease top the list, followed by neurological problems. Lifestyle diseases form another single-most important group of health problems in the elderly women. The risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with the outcome being poorer than men. The most common causes of death among women above the age of 60 years are stroke, ischemic heart disease and COPD. Hypertensive heart disease and lower respiratory tract infections contribute to mortality in these women. Common malignancies viz. Cervical, breast and uterus in women are specific to them and account for a sizeable morbidity and mortality. In a study done at Lady Hardinge medical college in Delhi, Hypertension (39.6%) and obesity (12-46.8%) were very common in postmenopausal women. Half or more women had high salt and fat intake, low fruit and vegetable intake and stress. There is a need to recognize the special health needs of the women beyond the reproductive age, to be met through strengthening and reorienting the public health services at all levels starting from primary health care to secondary till tertiary care level with adequate referral linkages. All policies and programs need to have a gender perspective. At present there is lack of sensitization and appropriate training of the health personnel in dealing with the needs of elderly. Women too need to be aware to adopt healthy lifestyle and seek timely care.

Measles elimination goal: Is it feasible for India.

Objective : To assess whether measles elimination goal would be feasible for India or not. Methodology: Secondary review of data from WHO Regional Consultative Meet on Measles and Workshop on Rubella. Discussion with stakeholders such as UNICEF experts, PATH, and Government officials. Results: The National Technical Advisory Group of India (NTAGI) has chalked out two broad strategies depending on the routine measles coverage of first dose (MCV1). In 18 states with sustained MCV1 coverage ≥80%, a second routine dose of measles would be given, whereas those states with <80% coverage, supplementary immunization will be introduced in a phased manner. There are many challenges at this juncture-unfinished agenda polio eradication, lack of VPD surveillance system, financial and manpower constraints. However, solutions are possible. Conclusion: Before setting an elimination goal in India, a thorough understanding of the regional situation is required. India should opt for the Measles Mortality Reduction before proceeding to the Elimination Goal by 2020.

Psychosocial effect and economic burden on parents of children with locomotor disability.

Objective. To assess the social and financial burden on parents of children with locomotor disability. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Institute for Physically Handicapped (IPH), Delhi, where parents of 100 locomotor disabled children of age group 6 to 15 years were interviewed to estimate the socioeconomic burden of caregiving their children. Results. The study observed that the parents of the disabled children were severely burdened in terms of financial burden and mental health. Conclusions. There is an urgent need for support activities for such families at a national level in order to curb the huge economic and social burden of care-giving. Counselling should be an integral part of rehabilitat ion for such families.