ABSTRACT
Context: Covid 19 pandemic which evolved in successive waves had profound pyschosocial impact on affected in-dividuals. Perceptions had impact on both individual and environmental level with potential behavioural conse-quences. The aim of the research is to study the psychosocial perception and psychological impact of COVID- 19 among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methodology: The study was a mixed method research (Quan-Qual sequential design) conducted in the Covid wards of a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore district. The psychological impact was assessed us-ing the General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale. The results of quantitative analyses and qualitative analyses were expressed as proportions and done using thematic analysis using grounded theory respectively. Results: About 55% of the hospitalized Covid-19 patients had psychological impact. On multivariate analysis, the factors which emerged as independent risk factors for presence of psychological morbidi-ties due to COVID were presence of high stress level, sleep disturbances and their perception of COVID as high threat. Conclusions: Focussed Counselling with specific reference to attend to spiritual health component in addition, would go a long way in diminishing immediate and long-term psychological impact due to covid-19 illness.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of CVD risk factors in India is steadily increasing moreover CVD in Indians has been shown to occur prematurely. The study was designed to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk using region specific WHO/ISH risk prediction chart among unskilled workers of a tertiary care teaching hospital and to determine factors associated with risk. Material and methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted among 250 workers selected by simple random sampling. Using structured questionnaire, life style related risk factors name-ly, average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical activity, perceived stress, tobacco and al-cohol use was collected. BMI and BP were measured using standard protocol and classified following standard guidelines. Bio-chemical parameters were also measured. Results: Among 250 workers, 37.2% and 10% consumed daily minimal recommended level of vegeta-bles and fruits respectively, 21.1% was current tobacco user, 17.2% was alcohol drinkers, 50.4% were obese, 18.8% had high blood pressure and 6% had elevated cholesterol. Among the workers 46.7 % had <10% risk, 5.3% had 10% to <20% risk and, 3.3% had 20% to <30% risk to develop CVD within future 10 years of lifetime. Drivers and current alcoholics were associated with being in the high-risk group. Conclusion: Employer initiated regular work place health screening and services need to be aimed at the unskilled workers, especially for CVD targeting drivers and alcoholics.