Mental health status of healthcare providers during the Covid-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study across India

BACKGROUND From the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, studies have observed an increased prevalence of psychological symptoms in the general population and healthcare providers. We studied the prevalence of psychological symptoms among the latter. METHODS We did this study using a self-administered questionnaire among healthcare providers across India who were involved in caring/treating patients. The questionnaire collected information on demographics, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and semi-structured questions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. RESULTS A total of 612 healthcare providers participated in the study; 254 were doctors of various specialties and 358 were nursing care-providers. According to the DASS-21 assessment, the prevalence of depression was 12.4%, anxiety was 19.1% and stress was 10.8%. The prevalence of psychological problems was more among nursing staff compared to doctors (depression risk ratio [RR] 2.4, anxiety RR 1.73 and stress RR 2.93) and they were equal among both genders (depression RR 1.05, anxiety RR 1.06 and stress RR 1.21). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that there is a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among healthcare providers, particularly among nursing care-providers. We suggest psychological interventions to nursing care-providers and also those who are vulnerable among doctors, to improve their mental health status.

Study of maternal and fetal outcome in pregnancy beyond 40 weeks: a prospective observational study at a tertiary institute

Background: Prolonged pregnancy is one that exceeds 42 0/7weeks. Management of prolonged pregnancy is very challenging in modern obstetrics.Methods: It is prospective observational study in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shri B.M Patil medical college and Research center, deemed to be University, Vijayapur, North karnataka. Study period was from January 2018 to January 2019.Results: Total of 186 pregnant women were included in the study. Results in terms of age, gravidity, gestational age, time of induction, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and maternal complications.Conclusion: Pregnancies beyond 40 weeks require early detection, effective fetal monitoring and proper planning of labour. In pregnancies beyond 40 weeks, decision of induction should be taken cautiously as early induction leads to failure of induction and increased rates of lower (uterine) segment Caesarean section (LSCS), while delayed induction leads to increased fetal complications.