Knowledge, perception and usage of E-learning among medical undergraduates in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Electronic gadgets help to get study material outside classroom and it is used for self-directed learning which helps user to overcome limitations of Conventional teaching methods. Medical education is constantly growing and evolving with rapid speed. So, it is necessary to keep the upcoming medical graduates and established medical practitioners updated in this competitive world. For this, E-learning is the important tool in the medical field. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the medical college of Andhra Pradesh. Total 285 medical students were included in this study and data is obtained from semi structured self-administrative questionnaire. Among 285 students 99.6% students had smartphone and 89.5% were aware of E-learning. Most of the students 96.1% were Conversant with use of internet and 75.4% participants were aware of academic websites. Majority of students 73% agreed that E-learning helps in writing exams and 87.4% students recommended provision of free internet by institute for e-learning. All students were aware about e-learning and using it in the medical field. So, it is necessary to provide essential facility at institutional level for e-learning.

Prophylactic use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQS) in COVID-19: A questionnaire-based study in health care professionals.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has engulfed the whole world with millions getting infected and losing their lives. Health care professionals (HCPs) who are in the front line of fighting with COVID-19 are particularly vulnerable and it is crucial to protect them from COVID-19. In this regard, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended hydroxychloroquine (HCQS) chemoprophylaxis in HCPs. However, considering the lack of sufficient evidence the HCP are in a dilemma about this aspect. Moreover, there is a paucity of data on use of HCQS as a chemoprophylaxis among Indian HCP. Hence, this study was carried out to study the extent of use and also the perception of Indian HCP toward use of HCQS as a chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done on 205 HCPs working across India. The responses were collected electronically using a prevalidated semi-structured questionnaire. Results: 62.9% (129/205) respondents reported having taken HCQS chemo-prophylaxis for COVID-19 while 34.7% (76/205) did not take it. Among HCP, who did not take the prophylaxis, the main reasons cited were concern about adverse effects (61.5%) and lack of robust evidence (24%). Only 14% of respondents felt that there was sufficient evidence to justify use of HCQS for prophylaxis while an overwhelming majority (86%) felt otherwise or were uncertain. Conclusion: The majority of participants felt that despite a lack of proven efficacy, ICMR guidelines on HCQS prophylaxis in COVID-19 are justified considering the pandemic situation. Our study also found that HCQS is well tolerated by participants and there was no reported serious adverse effect and cardiac-related side effects among them.

RésuméContexte: La pandémie de maladie à coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) a englouti le monde entier avec des millions de personnes infectées et perdant leur des vies. Les professionnels de la santé (HCP) qui sont en première ligne dans la lutte contre le COVID-19 sont particulièrement vulnérables et il est essentiel de les protéger du COVID-19. À cet égard, le Conseil indien de la recherche médicale (ICMR) a recommandé l'hydroxychloroquine (HCQS) chimioprophylaxie chez les professionnels de la santé. Cependant, compte tenu du manque de preuves suffisantes, le professionnel de la santé est confronté à un dilemme à propos de cet aspect. En outre, il y a peu de données sur l'utilisation du HCQS comme chimioprophylaxie parmi les professionnels de la santé indiens. Par conséquent, cette étude a été menée pour étudier l'étendue de l'utilisation et aussi la perception des professionnels de la santé indiens à l'égard de l'utilisation du HCQS comme chimioprophylaxie pour le COVID-19. Matériel et Méthodes: c'était un étude transversale réalisée sur 205 professionnels de la santé travaillant en Inde. Les réponses ont été recueillies par voie électronique à l'aide d'un système semi-structuré prévalidé questionnaire. Résultats: 62,9% (129/205) des répondants ont déclaré avoir suivi une chimioprophylaxie HCQS pour le COVID-19, tandis que 34,7% (76/205) ne l'a pas pris. Parmi les professionnels de la santé qui n'ont pas pris de prophylaxie, les principales raisons invoquées étaient la préoccupation concernant les effets indésirables (61,5%) et le manque de preuves solides (24%). Seulement 14% des répondants estimaient qu'il y avait des preuves suffisantes pour justifier l'utilisation du HCQS à des fins prophylactiques alors qu'un une écrasante majorité (86%) pensait le contraire ou était incertaine. Conclusion: La majorité des participants ont estimé que malgré un manque de efficacité, les lignes directrices de l'ICMR sur la prophylaxie du HCQS dans le COVID-19 sont justifiées compte tenu de la situation pandémique. Notre étude a également révélé que Le HCQS est bien toléré par les participants et aucun effet indésirable grave ni effet secondaire cardiaque n'a été signalé parmi eux. Mots-clés: Chimioprophylaxie, COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine, Conseil indien de la recherche médicale.

Prevalence of self-medication in rural area of Andhra Pradesh.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of medicine without consulting a doctor is called self-medication. In the recent decade, the prevalence of self-medication was increased mainly in the developing countries. The reason varies from the nonavailability of doctors to economical reason. But people are not aware of the side effects and interactions of drugs. This is risky behavior and may lead to death. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence and various reasons, sources, and common drugs used for self-medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study conducted in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. 166 houses were selected by using a simple random sampling method. One respondent from one household was interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed by using SPSS V22. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were applied to find associations. Phi, Cramer Rao V, and contingency coefficient were applied to find the strength of association. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 166 subjects, the majority (58.4%) of participants were in the age group between 18-30 and most of them were female 142 (85.5%). The prevalence of self-medication was 68.1%. The main source of self-medication was directly from the pharmacy, that is, pharmacists (72.6%). Analgesics were commonly (85%) self-medicated drug. The main indication for self-medication was headache (78.8%) and fever (66.4%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of self-medication was high and which is hazardous to health. This needs prompt legislative action.