ABSTRACT
Background: Smartphone addiction among adolescents is an increasingly recognized problem worldwide. It affects the psychological well-being of an individual. Aim and objective: The current study aimed to assess smartphone addiction’s prevalence and its relation to depression among adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 school-going adolescents. Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short version (SAS-SV) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to assess the prevalence of smartphone addiction and depression. Data were analyzed using Epi info software for windows (CDC, Atlanta). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of study participants was 14.4 years (SD=1.5 years). The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 23%, while depression was present among 45% of the study participants. Comparatively higher duration of smartphone use was significantly associated with smartphone addiction. Depression was significantly higher among smartphone addicts (77.2%) as compared to their counterparts (35.4%). Conclusion and Recommendation: The smartphone usage of adolescents, if not monitored, could lead to its addiction and thus increase the risk of depression among them. To prevent smartphone addiction, limiting children’s screen time is recommended. In this regard, parents can play a pivotal role by becoming responsible digital role models for their children.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Dental Health Education programs among school children of different socioeconomic groups. The investigators made a visit to three different schools and studied 500 children. A ten items, open-ended, self-administered questionnaire was pretested on the primary and higher primary school children before and after an educational intervention. A second visit was made to one of the schools 1 year later and the same questionnaire was re-administered to those subjects who had participated in the original study. Results showed that although educational intervention was successful in improving the Dental health awareness of most children, the socioeconomic background is an important determinant for the same. Also, single-lecture technique seems to be inadequate in improving the knowledge of children in the long term.
ABSTRACT
The effect of 'Mentat', a herbal preparation, was studied on pharmacokinetics of single and multiple doses of phenytoin in rabbits. No significant effect was found after single oral dose of 'Mentat' on single dose kinetics of phenytoin. However, 'Mentat' administration for 7 days increased the steady state kinetic parameters. Peak plasma phenytoin concentration, area under the implasma concentration and elimination half life were significantly increased and t-max was significantly reduced, indicating the suppression of phenytoin metabolism by 'Mentat'.