RÉSUMÉ
Background: Globally, the number of people using mobile phones is estimated to be around 8.1 billion, with the majority being youths. Therefore, our aim was to assess problematic mobile phone use among late adolescents. Methods: We conducted an exploratory mixed-method study among selected schools in Puducherry, South India, from September to October 2019. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were held among students exhibiting high problematic mobile phone use. Results: A total of 498 students were enrolled, with a mean (SD) age of 14.3 (1.4) years, and more than half were male. Approximately 77% reported using mobile phones, with around 30% spending more than one hour per day on mobile use. Of the total, 23% (95% CI 19.3-26.8) exhibited problematic mobile phone use. Factors significantly associated with problematic use included the student's level of education (APR= 5.6, 95% CI 1.3 – 24.7), parents' occupations (APR= 3.8, 95% CI 1.2 – 12.2), and hours spent on mobile phones (APR= 2.1, 95% CI 1.3 – 3.4). Only 50% were aware that increased mobile phone use is harmful. Qualitative interviews provided significant insights into smartphone dependency and challenges faced by students. Conclusions: There is a pressing need for comprehensive initiatives to promote responsible smartphone use.
RÉSUMÉ
Background: Oral cancer ranks among the top three types of cancer in India. Opportunistic screening of the oral cavity at an early stage could potentially offer long-term survival, improve treatment outcomes, and makes health care affordable for oral cancer patients. The objective is to determine the proportion of suspected oral precancerous lesions among the patients attending the outpatient department of the Primary Health Centres of Puducherry (PHC) by opportunistic screening through visual inspection. Methods: This study was a facility-based cross-sectional study, conducted at the outpatient department of one urban and one rural primary health centre of Puducherry. Twelve hundred individuals aged above 18 years were opportunistically screened at the outpatient department using systematic random sampling. The oral examination was done through visual inspection, and socio-demographic characteristics were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of suspected oral precancerous lesions was 14.3%, of which (18.5%) in rural areas and (10%) in urban areas. The study revealed that 32.1% of the study participants were in 46-60 years with female predominance of 63.3%. A high prevalence of suspected oral precancerous lesions was seen among the age group >60 years (21.8%) and males (19.1%). Smoking, chewing tobacco/betel quid, and alcohol consumption were the risk factors associated with the prevalence of suspected oral precancerous lesions. Conclusions: Further confirmation of those diagnosed positive for suspected precancerous oral lesions, appropriate follow-up, and treatment of the lesions. Opportunistic screening for all individuals above 30 years of age for suspected oral precancerous lesions is recommended and feasible in primary healthcare settings.
RÉSUMÉ
Background: COVID-19 pandemic has largely affected the well-being and quality of life among health care workers. We undertook this study to assess the burden and determinants of compassion satisfaction, burnout and Secondary traumatic stress among resident doctors Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done among the residents posted in covid wards for clinical duties in tertiary care in Puducherry. All residents who did at least 5 shifts during the last month of their COVID duty were emailed a google form that contained the professional quality of life questionnaire version 5. Results: Around 108 residents agreed to participate in the study. We found that around 80% of the residents experienced moderate compassion satisfaction, while 73% of them experienced moderate burnout, and 66% of them experienced secondary traumatic stress. Speciality, marital status, tobacco use, and being posted in ICU/wards stood out as independent determinants of burnout, while caffeine/ alcohol and tobacco intake were found to be associated with secondary traumatic stress. Conclusions: Thus, our study highlights the burden of burnout among residents posted in COVID wards.