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Introduction: Since 1990, Internet usage is increasing day by day and availability of smart mobile phones and electronic gazettes like tablet, laptop etc. has given it an exponential rise. During COVID-19 lockdown period, Internet usage pattern has changed a lot as per behaviour of students studying in schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes etc. Background: To study the prevalence of Internet addiction and the effect of Internet usage on lifestyle of college students of Haryana. Method: Total 1035 students, of various educational streams in various colleges of Haryana state were included in the study and data was collected by pre-tested self-designed questionnaire and young's Internet addiction test questionnaire was used to assess its effect on life style. Results: Out of 1035 students, 436 (42%) participants were below average users of Internet, followed by 369 (36%) average users and 230 (22%) excessive users of Internet. Average of total score of young Internet addiction questionnaire was 27.72. Various life style factors like feeling stressed while working, neglects other activities, miss a diet, checks Internet many times, obsessed with phone and Internet usage per day were found significantly associated with Internet addiction (p < 0.05). Conclusion : Excessive Internet usage during COVID-19 pandemic may lead to various abnormal behavior changes which cause negative effect on various aspects of students like emotional, hyperactivity, depression, sleeping disorder etc.
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Background: The ongoing pandemic has caused severe crisis in the hospitality sector with millions of people forced to stay home and under quarantine to stop the spread of contagion. The following paper aims to highlight the problems and difficulties faced by the hospitality sector and the host communities in particular due to the mandatory nation-wide lockdown owing to COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The purpose of the study was to analyse and highlight the common characteristics of the host community towards the stranded international and domestic travellers while catering and accommodating them owing to local authorities' obligatory lockdown along with the forced shutdown of hotels and large commercial establishments in Rohtak and Durgapur. Methodology: The geographical area of the research and data collection was limited to the city of Rohtak in Haryana and Durgapur in the state of West Bengal. Population of the study is limited to the region of Rohtak and Durgapur. The number of participants or respondents were 42. The paper is exploratory in design and follows a qualitative methodological approach. The data was collected with the help of an online self-report questionnaire. Results: Over a period of 95 days, the interviews of hosts and tourists were conducted. The content analysis revealed eight themes in all the recorded interviews. A majority of tourists and host communities were impacted by the pandemic in psychological aspects by 35.7%, followed by accommodation and protocols by 33.3% each. Conclusion: There have been various studies that have been conducted in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic but not many of them have highlighted the importance of host communities which are an indispensable part of our society as well as the hospitality sector.
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Background & Aims: The coronavirus pandemic has caused a rapid surge in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The mainstay of treatment is supplemental oxygen therapy by an oxygen mask, nonrebreathing mask, high flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT), non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. HFNOT is a relatively newer, easy-to-use technique with better patient compliance. This study aimed to assess the outcome of HFNOT in Corona Virus disease (COVID) patients in ICU. Methods: This record based;retrospective study included 43 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) confirmed COVID patients whose respiratory support was initiated on HFNOT as per the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation (HFNOT failure). The secondary outcome was to assess the association of HFNOT failure with age, co-morbidity index, and severity of illness. Results: Out of forty-three patients, twenty-five patients (58%) required conversion to mechanical ventilation. Eighteen patients (42%) were managed with HFNOT alone. HFNOT failure was more with increasing age and higher comorbidity score (p value<0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that HFNOT can be successfully used in COVID patients in ICU without the need for mechanical ventilation. However, it should be used cautiously in patients with higher 4C mortality scores.
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Objective: The present study aimed to ensure the safety and related potential adverse effects following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination (AZD1222) in a scenario when numerous vaccines have been approved on an emergency basis by the WHO and other regulatory agencies to prevent the widespread of COVID-19 infection and to decrease the associated mortality and morbidity. Method(s): This study was an open, non-comparative, non-interventional, observational study conducted on healthcare workers of BPS Govt. medical college for women and elderly people who received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccinationChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) by conducting their interviews and recording the data Results: Between January and March 2021, a total of 1907 participants were enrolled in this study. Out of 1907 recipients, 70 recipients reports adverse drug events following vaccination. Myalgia (0.629%), headache (1.31%), fever >=(37.5 degreeC, 0.839%) and fever with chills (>= 37.5 degreeC, 1.048) were the most common adverse events after the first dose of vaccination of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222. Throat irritation (0.209 %) and Generalised itching (0.262) were the least common adverse events. Conclusion(s): ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Astrazeneca) has an acceptable safety profile as observed in this study. To our knowledge, very few studies are done that review the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Further safety data from a larger sample size and of longer duration are warranted to establish safetyCopyright © 2023 Innovare Academics Sciences Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Background: India is one of the most severely affected countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A higher risk of severe illness and complications from COVID-19 had been observed in pregnant women as compared to nonpregnant women. The government of India on July 2, 2021, provided approval for the vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19. A little data regarding the safety or harm during pregnancy of vaccination were available that time. Lack of safety data, fear, mistrust, underestimation of efficacy of vaccine, and chaos due to pandemic makes indecisive surrounding for pregnant women and this causes hesitancy with decision making about the COVID-19 vaccination. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to analyze the willingness and hesitancy of pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care institute in Northern India. Five hundred antenatal women who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination were included in this study. Informed consent has been taken and data were analyzed after filling face to face questionnaire regarding vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. Results: The present study revealed low acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Prime reasons for the same are no allowance by the family and the possibility of vaccine harming the baby. Conclusion: Specific efforts should be directed toward high-risk populations including pregnant women and those who are planning for pregnancy. This will promote vaccination rates by increasing people's trust in immunization and the health-care system.
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Background: WHO has declared Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as pandemic on 11th March 2020. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) chemoprophylaxis has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for asymptomatic healthcare workers treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic household contacts of confirmed patients. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding the efficacy and safety of HCQ for COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment. Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the adverse drug reaction (ADR) profile of HCQ prophylaxis among healthcare workers in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Methods: A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Kalpana Chawla Medical College and Hospital, Karnal for duration of 3 months (April-June 2020). The study was performed on the reported ADRs due to HCQ prophylaxis by the healthcare workers to the ADR monitoring centre of the institute during this period. Results: Gastrointestinal disturbance such as loose stool (16.4%) and hyperacidity (14.9%) were the most commonly reported ADRs during the study period. The incident rate of adverse drug reactions was 23.7%. The number of ADRs was found to be significantly (p<0.01) more in female as compared to male. We have observed that most of the reactions were reported following the 1st day loading dose. Conclusions: Our results showed that gastrointestinal system was most commonly affected. Loose stool and hyperacidity were most frequently reported ADRs due to HCQ prophylaxis. Larger studies are required to ensure the safety of the use of HCQ as prophylaxis for COVID 19.
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The first case of the corona virus illness (COVID-19) was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and India discovered its first case on January 30, 2020. As it expanded slowly over the world, several nations began to experience its effects. Because of its severity, the World Health Organization declared it a new pandemic on March 11, 2020. Although while all age groups were affected by Covid-19, some were shown to be particularly susceptible in terms of morbidity and death. Immune system deterioration is a common side effect of aging. Thus it only seems sense that older people are more impacted by COVID-19. According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), 8 out of every 10 fatalities in the US are caused by those 65 years of age or older. These results made it very evident that older people are sufficiently concerned about Covid-19 infection. Coupled with the limits imposed by the government as a result of the epidemic, several health concerns among the elderly population also surfaced. Physical health suffered from restricted access to medical services already in place, while elderly people's mentality suffered from the frightening environment brought on by the epidemic. Older people's social lives were also negatively impacted by lockup or Covid-19 restrictions. So, there is a strong assumption by researcher that the quality of life of elderly need to be assessed in present pandemic situation. Methodology: In this current study researcher adopted a quantitative approach with descriptive research design to investigate the research problem. The elderly was identified as a population whereas the elderlies of selected areas of Sonipat, Haryana identified as samples. Based on power analysis method researcher identified the sample size as 500 elderlies, which were recruited based on eligibility criteria of sample identification. RThe non-probability convenient sampling strategy was chosen by the researcher to assemble the study's sample. For the purpose of gathering pertinent information from study participants, research instruments were devised. These tools were divided into two categories: socio-demographic factors, which collected baseline data on participants;and quality of life assessment measures, which were used to gauge research participants' quality of life. These tools were developed and verified by specialists, and a pilot study was used to evaluate their viability and dependability. Elderly people were given these instruments, and comprehensive data were gathered. The collected data were tabulated and analysed in SPSS version-23. Result(s): findings in regard to quality of life among elderly in relation to covid-19 have mentioned. It reflected that majority of elderlies 79.4% (397) were scored at poor level of quality of life whereas remaining 20.6% (103) found at average level of quality of life. The mean and standard deviation of quality of life among elderlies during Covid-19 was 89.45+/-19.74. In Section-IV the significant association in between quality of life among elderly with selected demographic variables were stated and it revealed that gender (4.266), education (10.483), family monthly income (8.662), working status of elderlies (4.065), and suffering with other disease (8.924) were significantly associated at 0.05 level of significance. Based on analysed data the research hypothesis H1 were accepted by investigator. Conclusion(s): Based on findings of the study, researcher concluded that majority of elderlies are facing poor level of quality of life in relation with Covid-19 pandemic and none of study participant found with good level of quality of life, which shows that current pandemic deeply influenced the life of elder population. Thus, the researcher advises that a process intervention be implemented to improve the aged population's quality of life during this difficult period of the Covid-19 epidemic.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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E-teaching/leaming methods have replaced classroom teaching during COVID-19 pandemic. Medical Teachers are the key stakeholders of medical education and their perception to ETL and their attitude towards it has a significant impact on education. Aim was toAssess the attitude and perception of medical teachers of SHKM, GMC, Mewat, Haryana towards ETL. This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey from 50 medical faculty members. Scoring was done according to five point Likert scale. 68%faculty was not happy about student teacher interaction,82%felt students are more attentive in classroom;were not motivated during online lectures;82%responded that students are more disciplined during classroom lectures.92%Faculty had sufficient computer knowledge and IT skills to conduct lectures,80%stated they could have flexible hours, 60%faced technical difficulties, 78%got difficulty conducting practical /clinical teaching;50%experienced ETL reduces the power of teacher in front of students;77%responded ETL reduces the skills of students in learning;68%felt would not help students in writing exams better;84%faculty agreed that they should have ETL training;84% felt ETL has limited application in medical education;78%felt ETL would slow down the curriculum;94%responded classroom lectures should not be replaced by online teaching but can be used as a supplementary tool especially during the emergency. Concluded thatETL can be an aid during an emergency such and blended learning is more acceptable. There is need to develop and implement innovative solutions in response to this present demand of use of technology to prepare for future. Training for medical teachers is required in regard to newer teaching learning technologies.
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Introduction: Attributable to the difficulties in specimen collection, discomfort and symptoms caused on by Nasopharyngeal (NPS) and Oropharyngeal Swab (OPS) collection, and significant risk to Healthcare Workers (HCW), evaluation of an alternative specimen for the diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is required. Saliva specimen could be an alternative specimen with many advantages over NPS and OPS, however little is known about how well it performs this purpose. Aim(s): The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of saliva as a viable and simple alternative specimen to NPS and OPS for COVID-19 Real-Time reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR). Material(s) and Method(s): The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, SGT Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Haryana, India, from July 2020 to December 2020. A total of 60 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients were recruited for the study and specimen viz., saliva, NPS and OPS were collected at four different sampling points i.e., on day 1, 5, 7 and 14 after confirmation of COVID-19 rRT-PCR test positivity. Data obtained from the study was analysed and expressed as median, frequency, interquartile range and Chi-square test was done for comparison of categorical variables. Result(s): Majority of the patients in symptomatic hospitalised COVID-19 patients were males (n=49, 81.7%) and remaining were females (n=11, 18.3%) and in asymptomatic group 8 (40%) were males and 12 (60%) were females. Saliva was the most sensitive specimen (74.2%), followed by NPS, Naso Oropharyngeal Swab (NOPS) with 70.8% each and OPS (65.8%) for detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in symptomatic patients at four different sampling points. Comparable findings were also observed in specimens obtained from asymptomatic individuals as well. In addition, the viral load was also highest in saliva sample, as measured by Cycle Threshold (CT)-value. Across all specimen types, high viral load (lower CT-values) was observed during the early period of infection. Majority of the study participants reported discomfort during NPS and OPS collection (90% and 85%, respectively), lacrimation, sneezing and gag reflex being the most commonly reported induced symptoms. Conclusion(s): In the present study, saliva could be a viable and alternate specimen for COVID-19 diagnosis due to its ease in sample collection, specimen stability and reduced risk of transmission of infection due to droplets.Copyright © 2023 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.
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Aim: The COVID-19 global pandemic had resulted in a rise in a spike of Mucormycosis (black fungus) in COVID-19 individuals and diabetes is a standalone risk factor for both severe COVID-19 and black fungus, especially in India. We sought to find out how often CAM (Covid 19-associated Mucormycosis) was among both diabetes and non-diabetic individuals. Method(s): The data was gathered from Kaushik pathology Lab, Barara, Ambala, Haryana. The study includes 300 patients divided into 2 groups. Both the groups comprise of 150 patients each. Group 1 consist of patients with diabetes whereas group 2 comprise of non-diabetic patients. Prevalence of CAM was then noted in both the groups. Result(s): The study showed that in group 1, 74.4% cases were reported as CAM and 25.6% cases were identified as non-CAM whereas in group 2, only 38.4% CAM cases were reported in non-diabetic patients and majority of them (61.6%) were evaluated as non-CAM. A significant difference was also observed between the prevalence rate of both the groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion(s): A significant difference in the CAM cases of both the groups was observed. Interestingly diabetic patients were found to be more prevalent to be infected with CAM. Further, it was concluded that New-onset diabetes was the predominant risk factor for CAM in our study. COVID-19 being other important ones for Mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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The global spread of Covid-19 brought a dramatic decrease in vehicular activities, industrial activities and tourism for a limited period of time during the lockdown phase (Year 2020). The variations in ambient air quality were studied in Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak city (Haryana state, India) during the lockdown period and pollutants data were gathered from Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). The study was conducted for 186 days in three periods;first pre-lockdown, second during the lockdown and third during post-lockdown phase (62 days each). The results showed a significantly decreased the levels of air pollutants through the lockdown season in comparison to pre and post-lockdown concentrations of air pollutants. Mean PM2.5 concentration was found to be higher than their standard limit for the episode of pre and post-lockdown and the mean value of PM2.5 was 2.3 and 2.8 times higher in pre and post-lockdown compared to during the lockdown period. The average air quality index (AQI) during lockdown has shown a 64.1% decrease as compared to pre-lockdown data and a 69.3% reduction from post-lockdown period. Based on one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results show ozone accepts the null hypothesis that lockdown had no effect on the atmospheric pollutant concentration due to the increasing pattern of ozone concentration because of a decrease in the concentration of NOx, which breakdown ozone. © 2022 Chemical Publishing Co.. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Fear and uncertainty are the 2 ingredients of psychological challenges brought about by coronavirus (COVID-19). Fear and intolerance of uncertainty can affect decision-making. Because of the pandemic and owing to their phase of cognitive development, adolescents are more susceptible to such influence. Objective(s): To explore and understand the effects of COVID-19 on emotion and cognition by investigating the association between fear of COVID-19, intolerance for uncertainty, and decision-making in Indian adolescents. Method(s): The sample constituted 136 Indian adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. The sampling technique used was a nonprobability sampling technique called snowball sampling. The sample was collected through an online platform, ie, WhatsApp, Facebook, and most responses were received from Delhi, Sirsa (Haryana), and Chandigarh. The tools administered were the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCVS-19), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), and the adolescent decision-making questionnaire (ADMQ). Correlational, regression, and mediational analyses were conducted to study the associations and interactions between the 3 study variables. Result(s): The sample consisted of 51.5% females and 48.5% males. The correlational analysis reported significant positive relationships between fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, and maladaptive decision-making. Further, mediation analysis reported: (a) the intolerance of uncertainty mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and maladaptive decision-making patterns and (b) fear of COVID-19 mediates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and maladaptive decision-making patterns. Conclusion(s): The findings indicated that emotions experienced by adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic could have a negative and significant effect on their decision-making. Thus, it is necessary to mitigate these effects to ensure optimal development of their cognitive skills during calamities such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2022 Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, unless otherwise noted. Manuscript content on this site is licensed under Creative Commons Licenses.
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Background: The Covid-19 vaccines: Covishield and Covaxin have been approved by the Govt. of India for emergency use against SARS COV-2 virus. The vaccination drive was initiated on 16 Jan 2021 among healthcare workers. Following this, age groups above 45 years and people with co-morbidities were covered. On 1st May 2021, the vaccination drive was extended to cover young adults (18-45 years). Objective: To evaluate Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) profile of Covishield and Covaxin among young adults (18-45 years) in Karnal district, Haryana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed for 2 months at the ADR Monitoring Centre located at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC), Karnal, Haryana, India. ADRs of both vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin) among young adults (18-45 years) voluntarily reported at the ADR-monitoring centre from various vaccination centres of Karnal District, by healthcare workers or beneficiaries were recorded and selected for the study. Results: One hundred and eleven ADRs were reported amongst 51 beneficiaries (85 ADRs among 38 Covishield vaccinated beneficiaries and 26 ADRs among 13 Covaxin vaccinated beneficiaries). There was no significant difference in the numbers of ADRs reported among males and females in both vaccine groups during the study period. The common ADRs reported in both vaccine groups were fever followed by body ache. One serious ADR was reported, which required admission in the hospital but was discharged on the same day. The majority of the suspected ADRs were classified as ‘Probable’ as per the WHO-UMC scale. Conclusion: Among both the vaccine beneficiaries, no event of death or disability was reported. Common ADRs observed were fever, body ache, and weakness. There was no significant difference in the number of ADRs reported in the two vaccine groups.
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Introduction: Lipids are fundamental biomolecules of the body. Infections like COVID-19 with intricate immune response in some patient’s leads to acute complications by affecting metabolic pathways at multiple levels. Metabolism of cholesterol, triglyceride and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-Cholesterol is deranged by cytokines and multiple inflammatory mediators. The sex differences in lipid metabolism may contribute in susceptibility, severity and outcome of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Performing lipid profile in COVID-19 patient may help in assessing severity and prognosis of disease. Aim: To assess the relationship between lipid profile and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients and also to evaluate the gender wise differences in lipid parameters and their correlations with inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry at SHKM, GMC, Mewat, Haryana, India (tertiary care health centre) on COVID-19 positive patients attending Outpatient Department (OPD) and Inpatient Department (IPD), from October 2020 to December 2020. The data of 85 patients with COVID-19 positive, confirmed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and who were prescribed for lipid profile along with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and serum ferritin were included in the study. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-Cholesterol, CRP and ferritin were measured in the subjects. Data was statistically analysed using Student’s t test and Pearson correlation coefficient. results: Total 85 (46 males and 39 females) COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Mean age in male and female patients were 43.02±15.52 years and 42.02±15.25 years, respectively with a range of 5-82 years. Mean value of Serum triglycerides, HDL-C and total cholesterol was 204.94±141.27 mg/dL, 42.97±13.38 mg/ dL and 187.058±45.75 mg/dL, respectively. Serum triglycerides were statistically significantly higher in males than females (p-value=0.0413). The HDL-C however was significantly higher in females than males (p-value=0.0006). In male patients, r-value between cholesterol and CRP was -0.3538, and p-value was 0.016. Ferritin had a significant negative correlation with HDL-C (r-value=-0.3578, p-value=0.00079). Weak Positive correlation was noted between triglyceride and ferritin (r-value= 0.2285, p-value=0.035). conclusion: High levels of serum triglycerides, low total cholesterol, and low HDL-cholesterol correlates with inflammatory markers like CRP and ferritin in COVID-19 patients. Lipid profile may be used as a potential marker in all COVID-19 patients in assessing prognosis of disease.
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Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a major health crisis throughout the world. In order to control the spread of disease in India, the Central Government imposed a nationwide lockdown. The ongoing spread of the pandemic, strict lockdown measures and delay in the opening of educational institutions in the country are expected to affect the mental health of medical college students too. In order to help and guide the students, we should first be aware of the magnitude of the problem faced by medical students due to the pandemic. For this purpose, this study was conducted online. Aim: To assess the effect of the pandemic on the psychological status of the students and their perception towards medical profession. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Biochemistry of Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, Haryana, India from 22nd May 2020 to 5th June 2020, among 538 first year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students from several Government and Government aided medical schools in the state of Haryana after obtaining ethical clearance. The detailed questionnaire, a study consisting of sections on the current status in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, perception towards medical profession and psychological status. It was posted online on social media platforms and the responses were collected within 15 days of posting. The psychological status was assessed based on a 21 item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Statistical analysis was done by Chi-square test, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Results: Out of 538 student’s responses, it shows that 19.1% (n=103) of students experienced moderate stress, probably because of the COVID-19 outbreak and the effect it had on the social and academic aspects of their lives. About 11.5% (n=62) of students had a moderate level of anxiety, and 16.9% (n=91) had experienced moderate depression during the ongoing pandemic. Conclusion: The study demonstrates various factors, like interruptions in regular studies, social distancing, fear of infection, fear of losing a loved one, and worry about the completion of the syllabus and examinations, all cause stress and anxiety in students.
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Introduction: Rhino-orbito-cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) is an uncommon but devastating fungal infection caused by Mucoraceae family fungi, which are angiotropic and filamentous, with significantly high morbidity and mortality despite treatment. Post Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), there was a sudden surge in ROCM cases nationwide due to immunologically and metabolically compromised status. Aim: To describe retinal manifestations in ROCM in a tertiary eye care centre of Northern India. Materials and Methods: An analytic, cross-sectional and hospital-based study was conducted in Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, PGIMS Rohtak, Haryana, India, from May 2021 to September 2021. This study was conducted on 200 admitted patients of RCOM in the institute, which was only designated Nodal centre in Haryana, India. Detailed history was recorded in every patient regarding presenting symptoms, history of COVID-19, hospital stay, oxygen inhalation, steroid intake and immunisation. Thorough ocular examination was done in every patient including visual acuity, ocular movements and pupillary reactions. Dilated fundus examination was done by Indirect Ophthalmoscopy (IDO) for posterior segment evaluation. Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CE-MRI) brain with orbit and Paranasal Sinus (PNS) was done in every patient to see the extent of spread and planning further management. Results: Out of 200 patients of ROCM, majority of patients (64/200) were of 51-60 year age group (32%) followed by 41-50 year age group (28%). Out of 200 cases of ROCM, 146 patients (73%) had history of COVID-19 infection in past and 134 (67%) patients had history of hospital stay during COVID-19 infection. Oxygen (O2) supplementation was given to 98 patients either at home or during hospital stay. History of steroid intake was present in 34 patients and 46 patients received injection Remedsivir. Only 12 patients had vaccine against COVID-19 and none of them were fully vaccinated. Most common presenting symptom was unilateral nasal stiffness (22%) followed by loss of vision (17%). Most common predisposing factor was Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in 78 patients (39%) followed by steroid intake in 34 patients (17%). Out of 200 patients, only 60 patients had retinal manifestations and most common was Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) (35/60) and the main mechanism is the direct infiltration of central retinal artery due to angioinvasion of fungi from the orbit. Conclusion: CE-MRI brain with orbit is an important tool in diagnosing and monitoring progression of RCOM but it cannot provide information regarding retinal findings like CRAO, central retinal venous occlusion (CRVO), disc pallor and optic atrophy. Thus, the fundus examination of every ROCM patient should be emphasised, as it not only helps in categorising ROCM but also tells about the visual potential of affected eye. Patients with CRAO and combined vascular occlusion should be considered for exenteration on urgent basis, so that intracranial spread can be prevented and patient's life can be saved.
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Background: To date, the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is the greatest public medical issue in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) declared this outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern” on January 31, 2020. Therefore, it bodes well to look for a potential biomarker that could quickly and effectively distinguish serious cases early. Of the total confirmed Covid-19 patients, the severe cases often suffer from underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that can accelerate the movement of 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Moreover, acute respiratory distress syndrome could lead to death in some severe Covid-19 patients, and various disorders often accompany this. Biochemical findings showed representative features of acute respiratory distress syndrome and association of multiple organs. Aim: To estimate routine biochemical parameters of patients admitted to the Covid-19 ward. Method: Clinical samples from cases of Covid-19 admitted to Adesh Medical College and Hospital, Mohri, Shahbad (M), Haryana, India, during 1st, 2nd, and 3rd waves were collected and analyzed. Result: In this study, we investigated routine biochemical investigations (RBS, LFT, RFT & Serum Electrolyte) of Covid-19 patients and calculated De Ritis ratio. It was found that biochemical parameters and De Ritis ratio were worse affected than the first and second waves. Conclusion: De Ritis ratio may be a good marker for liver abnormalities and prognosis and a hospital stay of the Covid-19 patients.
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Writers have responded to contemporary epidemics and diseases in their own unique ways depending on which disease or illness is represented. They have found expression in varied forms of literature. It has been a medium of projecting sympathetic, empathetic, and realistic points of views. On scrutiny, one can find references of the social responses to pandemics available in literature, like interaction among human beings and interface between people and state, and what strategies were followed/adopted to maintain health systems. Further, illness does not necessarily mean only the physical. It can be psychological as well, which the writers often identify and represent in their works. It would, therefore, be fruitful to consider psychoanalytic theory in the context of the effects and consequences of a pandemic. A poem or prose not only mirrors the world around or imparts wisdom or acts as a matter-of-fact project possibility, but is also a reliable source that soothes the mind, body, and soul. It has a therapeutic impact, especially when preserving life is the primary objective and concern. Research has also shown that bibliotherapy is a treatment for various ailments, like depression and mood upliftment, preventing dementia, and cognitive ageing. Considering all these, the paper seeks to identify, while developing an understanding of pandemics, how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the youth, particularly girls aged 17-21 in select rural areas of Haryana, its social, economic, and psychological consequences, and draw certain signposts that can work as a steering to an inclusive and resilient society.
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Background: India which is home to more than one sixth of the world's population, accounts for more than two thirds of total deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCD). Out of this, hypertension and diabetes are the most common NCDs. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and diabetes remains a major challenge despite various national programs being run to curb the rising burden NCDs. In order to fill the knowledge gap, awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes and hypertension were studied by using data from the STEPS survey among the adult population in two major northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. Methods: Two state-wide NCD risk factors surveys were conducted using WHO STEPS methodology among 5,127 individuals in Punjab and 5,078 individuals in Haryana aged 18-69 years in the year 2014-15 and 2016-18. Standardized questionnaire was used to determine the behavioral risk factors in step one followed by anthropometric measurements for physical risk factors in step two and in the third step serum and urine samples were collected for biochemical risk factors. Results: The prevalence of hypertension in Punjab was 40.1% while that in Haryana was 26.2%. In Punjab, only 48.3% of the hypertensive were aware of their condition, 30.9% were on treatment while only 18.3% of the cases were controlled. While in Haryana 33.4% of the respondents were aware of their condition, 26.3% are on treatment while only 12% of the cases were controlled. Similarly, the prevalence of diabetes was 14.3 and 15.1% in Punjab and Haryana, respectively. In Punjab 34.2% of diabetics were aware of their condition, 28.2% were on treatment while only 14.2% of the cases were controlled. The awareness and control rates in Haryana were similar to that in Punjab. 29.5% of the respondents were aware of their condition, 22.4% were on treatment while only 13.8% of the cases of diabetes were controlled. Family history of diabetes and hypertension was found to be associated with higher odds of being aware, on treatment and controlled blood glucose and blood pressure levels in both Punjab and Haryana. Discussion: Hypertension and diabetes are a major public health problem in Punjab and Haryana and awareness, treatment and control rates are low which require specific interventions with a focus on access to treatment, regular follow up for better control. There is an urgent need to effectively implement the existing national NCD programmes in these states in India.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus , Hypertension , Noncommunicable Diseases , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , India/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Noncommunicable Diseases/epidemiology , Prevalence , Young AdultABSTRACT
With increase in average age of population and increasing trend of nuclear families, old age homes are fast becoming a norm in India. The COVID-19 pandemic has made nutritionists revisit the health status of our elderly living in different family set ups. The present study was carried out with the objective to compare the health and risk of malnutrition among elderly (? 60 yrs in age) living in three different residential set ups i.e. old age homes, urban family or rural family. The study was carried out in Hisar district of Haryana state in Northern India. In this cross-sectional study, sixty subjects each (N=180) from the three residential set ups were selected randomly and assessed for depression, level of independence in daily activities and risk for malnutrition. Standard scales viz. Geriatric Depression Scale, Barthel Index and Mini Nutritional Assessment Scale were used. The PAR (Physical Activity Ratio) values for activities performed in a day were aggregated over the period i.e. 24 hours to yield physical activity level. It was observed that respondents from rural family set up were more active as compared to their counterparts in urban family set up or old age homes. Osteoporosis (94.44%), joint pain (87.78%), loss of appetite (85.56%) and anemia (80.56%) were the most commonly reported problems. Per cent prevalence of most problems was higher in old age home respondents. The level of independence for most activities was lowest in old age home respondents as compared to other two residential set ups. Depression was evident in 36.67 per cent of total respondents with higher per cent prevalence in residents of old age home. It may be concluded that elderly people from old age homes have higher risk of malnutrition and depression as compared to urban or rural family setup. Interventions are highly recommended for mental and nutritional well-being of elderly specially those living in old age homes. Considering the increasing trend of old age homes, deeper studies are required on their living conditions. There should be stringent SOP's for all old age homes and elderly care.