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Introduction: Depression, anxiety, and stress among medical undergraduate students are often underrecognized and undertreated. Prolonged online classes in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in tremendous psychological stress among students.
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Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as one of the leading global health threats as identified by WHO, that may be detrimental to efforts to control the pandemic. Frequent interruptions in the vaccine supply clubbed with hesitancy can result in lower immunization coverage than expected. Assessing factors influencing the behavioural decision to accept, delay or reject is imperative in scaling-up the vaccine uptake. Objectives: To estimate the delay and its determinants towards COVID-19 vaccination among educated class in Northern India. Method: An online cross-sectional, observational study was conducted among teachers and their family members, close relatives and friends across India among 362 adults aged 18 years or more using structured questionnaire incorporated into kobo toolbox wherein information pertaining to vaccination hesitancy among study subjects was sought.
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COVID-19 has emerged as one of the most challenging pandemics of the recent times. Although physical-distancing and other transmission-mitigation strategies have helped battling this virus in the most effective way, but this will also paradoxically leave the population without immunity to COVID-19 and thus susceptible to additional waves of infection. Thus, to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, safe and effective vaccination programme is required globally with robust vaccination strategies. This article pens down the important strategies being implemented globally for successful vaccination programme and critically reviewing them from public health perspective. © 2021, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.
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Background: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online classes were initiated in medical colleges for continuation of learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 537 undergraduate medical students in an Indian medical college using Google forms. The questionnaire contained sections on students’ online or e-learning experience and role of instructor in enhancing it;challenges and further scope of improved implementation of e-learning. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Among study participants, (46.7%) regularly joined e-classes on time. Prior scheduling of classes (88.6%) and sharing of study material in e-learning application (84%) by teachers/instructors;interactive discussion with teachers (71.1%) and their response to students’ queries through e-learning application (77%) facilitated learning among participants. For (42.6%) e-learning represented considerable challenge in acquiring clinical medical skills. Theory lectures were found suitable for learning by e-learning mode while clinical case discussions were not preferred. Conclusion: E-classes had some definite advantages;however, undergraduate medical students preferred blended approach as e-learning represented a challenge for learning clinical medical skills. Instructors were found to have definite role in enhancing e-learning experience. Providing solutions to barriers like poor internet connectivity and resolution of technical glitches are essential for improved implementation of e-learning. © 2021, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.
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Background: COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected the mental health of people worldwide, with emergence of new mental health problems and worsening of the existing ones. Objectives: This research was conducted with the objective to study the level of mental wellbeing among adult general population during COVID-19 pandemic in India and to identify the association of socio demographic factors with the level of mental wellbeing of study subjects.
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Background-With the high morbidity and mortality year 2020 will be remembered as Covid19 pandemic year. Occupational exposure to COVID 19 among health care workers poses a major risk to their lives. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis has been indicated for their use without much scientific evidence. Objective-to find if HCQ prophylaxis had association with Covid19 infection prevention among health care workers. Material &Method-A retrospective cohort study was conducted;through online by utilizing social media platform, among Health care workers of a tertiary care hospital from 1st June 2020 to 27 July 2020. Those HCWs who have taken HCQ (exposed) and who have not taken (nonexposed) and PCR tested Covid19 Positive were taken as diseased. Results Out of 527 who were analyzed, study subjects who took HCQ prophylaxis had 30% less chance of having Covid19 test positive, {RR-0.709(0.383-1.296)} as compared those who didn’t took it, but the results were not significant. Conclusion-Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis does not prevent Covid 19 infection and more evidence may be required for use of HCQ prophylaxis for Covid19 infection. © 2021, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.
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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased mental health issues. Yoga and meditation can help in alleviating mental stress and improving psychological wellbeing. METHODS: It was a community-based online cross-sectional study involving adult general population. Data collection was done by using a Google form link that was circulated via online platforms. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 22. Qualitative data were expressed in proportions or percentages and quantitative data were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test was used to check the association of various factors and mental wellbeing. RESULTS: A total of 649 (58.4%) subjects had normal mental wellbeing score, whereas 279 (25.1%) were found to be at risk of developing psychological distress and 184 (16.5%) were at risk of depression. A significantly larger proportion of subjects with normal mental wellbeing was found with the practice of both yoga and meditation (66.2%), followed by practice of only meditation (62.1%), only yoga (59.9%), and none of them (50.6%). A similar association of yoga and meditation practices was found with the change in eating, sleeping patterns, and family relations. The frequency of practice was positively associated with a higher level of mental wellbeing in the case of both yoga as well as meditation, with daily practice having the highest wellbeing scores. CONCLUSION: The practice of yoga and meditation, preferably both of them, is associated with higher level of mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.