Effect of increased screen time on eyes during COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of increased screen time on ocular health during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. Materials and Method: An online pretested, self-reported questionnaire with relevant details was generated through Google form and sent to participants. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to investigate the associations between the qualitative variables. The associated risk factors of number and frequency of ocular health problems were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Result: A total of 435 responses were considered where 48.5% (N = 211) were female participants and 51.5% (N = 224) were male. Average age of the participants was 35 years. 89% of the participants reported an increase in the screen time during the during the lockdown period. Younger age group reported to have greater screen time than the older participants (p = 0.001) and hence experienced more symptoms of digital eye strain (DES) (p = 0.003). The most common symptoms associated with digital eye strain in our study were eyestrain 52.8% (N = 230) and headache 31.3% (N = 136). In total, 81.37% (354/435) of participants had experienced at least one symptom related to digital screen usage. Conclusion: DES is non-vision-threatening but discomfort caused due to it can have implications on overall physical, mental, and social well-being. The study highlights the increase in digital screen time during the pandemic and the resultant eye strain. There is need of spreading awareness regarding the adverse effects of digital device use and the preventive measures to safeguard our ocular health.

Environment and Health: Need to Rebuild and Maintain Balance

Adaptation is one of the most important virtues for the survival of any organism, including humans. During the past few decades, the issue of climate change has been considered one of the most significant problems faced by humanity and has been debated extensively. The surge of pandemic COVID-19 affected virtually every aspect of our life, including the world economy, education, development, etc. to an apparent standstill. It took the life of our near and dear and left several with irreversible damage. COVID-19 reminds us of lessons about responding to climate change and behavioral responses to global challenges. The re-emergence and increasing burden of human Monkeypox cases are also getting global attention. Every disease has its remedy;we just have to decode it. If we want to reverse the degradation of our environment, we must take some difficult actions and modify our habits and behaviors. The required personal changes are at times difficult and sometimes manageable and straightforward. Through proper environmental health engineering, we must concentrate on a different level of prevention. When the environments where we live, work, and play are safe and free of risks that might harm people's health, we are said to be living in good environmental health.

Attitude, perceptions and willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors among general population of Uttar Pradesh, Northern India.

Background: Several vaccines have been developed and tested against COVID-19 around the globe. Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation poses major challenges to the achievement of coverage and population immunity. Understanding key determinants that influence the preferences and demands of a COVID-19 vaccine by the community may help to develop strategies for improving coverage. Objectives: To assess willingness to receive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and identify the factors associated with it among the general population of Uttar Pradesh, North India. Material and methods: A web-based cross sectional study was conducted in the month of May 2021 among the unvaccinated general adult population of Uttar Pradesh, Northern India adopting an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling technique. A bilingual, self-administered anonymous semi-structured questionnaire in google form was designed and sent to the study participants through social media platform, WhatsApp. Data collected were extracted into excel sheets and was analyzed using SPSS software, version 21.0. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify the key determinants for vaccine acceptance among the participants. Result: Out of 254 participants completing the questionnaire, 219 (86.2%) showed willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 10 (4.0%) admitted hesitancy and 25 (9.8%) were not sure. Younger age-group (18-44 years), female gender, absence of any co-morbidity, lower education level, current employment status, positive history of confirmed COVID-19 infection in the person and positive history of confirmed COVID-19 infection in any family member/friend were the factors found to be significantly associated with the willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: During the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India, high acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination was found among the general population of Uttar Pradesh, whereas concerns about vaccine safety may hinder the actual vaccine uptake.

Does market concentration affect wholesale electricity prices? An analysis of the Indian electricity sector in the COVID-19 pandemic context

This study explores whether the market concentration affects the wholesale prices of electricity generation among Indian companies by drawing 15-min frequency data related to electricity production, wholesale prices, and electricity demand in August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARDL model estimates show a positive relationship between market concentration and wholesale energy prices. The study recommends the adoption of policies to reduce market concentration and enhance clean energy development.