Prevalence of depression and associated factors among undergraduate medical students

Background: Depression has become one of the commonest mental ailments in current era. Its impact is far more in medical personnel than general population. Most of the medical students leave their houses for the first time and enter into the new environment of knowledge and responsibility. Though various studies have reported high prevalence of depression among undergraduate students, it was desirable to know its status in south Rajasthan. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 302 undergraduate medical students to know prevalence and risk factors for depression. Along with the pre-designed questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Scale was used as study tools. Cut off value of 17 and above was considered to define the depression on BDI scale. Results: Prevalence of depression was 10% among undergraduate medical students. Statistically, female gender and students studying in fifth semester were significant risk factors. Residence, socio-economic class and family history of depression were not significant associated factors. Conclusion: Prevalence of depression is higher among medical undergraduates as compared to general population with female gender and fifth semester students being important risk factors

Internet addiction among adolescents: prevalence, impact on scholastic performance and psychiatric co-morbidities

Background: Looking at the increasing use of internet, it is time to concern about internet addiction(IA) and its consequences. Though researchers have started paying attention to it, it is desired to study IA among adolescents residing in smaller cities and towns of India. Aim and Objectives:To knowthe prevalence of IA among school going adolescents and to find out its risk factors, impact on scholastic performance and presence of anxiety/ depression. Material and Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Jhalawar city of Rajasthan. A total of 421 students studying in class VIII to XII were recruited after taking complete enumeration sample from two schools. Along with proforma, study tools includedYoung’s Internet Addiction Test 20 (YIAT-20)and Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety & Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). Results: Observed IA prevalence was 14%. IA was found to have deteriorating effect on scholastic performance. 64.4% and 54.2% of internet addicted students suffered from various grades of depression and anxiety respectively, which is quite high. Male gender and use of internet mainly for entertainment were predominant risk factors for IA on logistic regression.Conclusion:IA has adverse impact on adolescents in terms of poor scholastic performance and psychiatric co-morbidities.

A study highlighting the reluctant use of ORS by mothers of children under-5 years in field practice areas of Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Introduction: Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death and accounting for 9% of all deaths among children under 5years worldwide in 2015. It is both preventable and treatable. Rehydration therapy is a critical intervention to save the lives of children during the episodes of diarrhoea. Objective: Study was conducted to identify the gap between knowledge and practices of ORS use in diarrhoea among mothers of under 5 year’s children and treatment practices during diarrhoea. Material and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using pretested, semi structured interview schedule, among 320 mothers, of children under 5years who suffered from diarrhoea within two weeks before study, in field-practice areas of UHTC and RHTC, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj.) from February 2017 to July 2017. Results: Among 320 children, 50% children had diarrhoea of age >6 month to 24 months. Majority of mothers (41.5%) were educated up to secondary level. 95% mothers knew the ORS but exact knowledge about preparation and use of ORS was only 29.3%. Majority of mothers got knowledge from Doctors. ORS use was 88.7% in rural area and 85.6% in urban area. Use of Zinc preparation was 2.5% and antibiotics was 76.5% during diarrhoea. Statistically significant association was found between education of mother, vaccination of children for measles and supplementation of Vitamin A with the knowledge about ORS of mothers. Conclusion: In present study knowledge and use of ORS is fairly good but the correct preparation and use of ORS is only among 29%.