Pestilent relationship between smoking and hypertension or pulse pressure among males over 15 years in India: NFHS-5 Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in India has divulged that 28.6% of the populace aged 15 years and above partakes in tobacco consumption in various modalities. Despite the availability of numerous studies on the correlation between smoking and hypertension, the nexus between tobacco smoking and hypertension remains enigmatic. Smoking has predominantly been linked to blood pressure, with scant investigations exploring the plausible association that may subsist between smoking and pulse pressure. METHODOLOGY: This study is based on secondary data analysis from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). 17 Field Agencies gathered information from 636,699 households, 724,115 women, and 101,839 men. The data related to only men was included and analysed in this present study. RESULTS: Male participants had a mean age of 32.2+1.2 years, an average waist circumference of 80.4+12.2 cm, and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 123.4+13.8 mmHg and 80.5+10.2 mmHg. Daily smokers had a slightly higher likelihood of hypertension compared to non-smokers (OR = 1.2, p <0.001). Male quitters had significantly lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.9, p <0.001). Quitters had reduced odds of narrow pulse pressure but increased odds of wide pulse pressure (OR = 0.81 and 1.14, respectively). CONCLUSION: The study found that regular smoking was associated with hypertension, while factors such as age, obesity, urban dwelling, wealth, and tribal residence were linked to increased blood pressure. Male quitters had a lower likelihood of hypertension, and middle-aged men and those with central obesity showed distinct associations with deranged pulse pressure.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Associated Risk Factors among Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northern India.

Context: Prevalence statistics of postmenopausal osteoporosis and knowledge regarding its independent predictors are lacking, especially in India, where every third woman and every eighth man is suffering from it. Aim: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of osteoporosis and associated risk factors among postmenopausal women. Study Settings and Design: This was a hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was carried out among postmenopausal women, who attended orthopaedics outpatient department from August 2020 to July 2021 and 587 women ranging in age between 50 and 80 years who had confirmed menopause were enrolled for the study. Finally, 539 women were recommended for bone mineral density testing, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Statistical Analysis: To analyze the differences between the groups, a Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for the categorical and continuous variables, respectively. P < 0.05 was considered to show significant associations. Results: In our study, 54.7% of subjects belonged to <60 years of age group. Half of the subjects (51.9%) were illiterate. 37.7% of subjects were having 6 or more children. 14.5% of subjects were currently smoking or chewing tobacco. Age of menopause among 38.0% of subjects was after 50 years of age and duration of menopause at the time of enrolment in the study was more than 10 years in 48.8% of subjects. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased with the increase in the parity and increased number of abortions. Subjects with family history of symptoms related to osteoporosis, and fragility fracture; and self-history of fragility fracture had higher prevalence of osteoporosis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, the overall prevalence of osteoporotic fractures among postmenopausal females was 82.2% (osteoporosis: 37.5% and osteopenia: 44.7%). The findings of current study and previous studies clearly indicate the urgent need of collective efforts towards the growing problem of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

A comparative study of sleep quality in different phases of the medical course: A study from Haryana (North India).

BACKGROUND: Inadequate sleep quality is a crucial problem in today's hectic lifestyle. Sleep is known to facilitate cognitive skills, aid memory, and is important for physical, emotional and intellectual health. OBJECTIVES: To determine the sleep quality of the medical undergraduate students and to explore differences in various phases of medical curriculum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sleep quality was assessed in 400 medical students in various phases of the medical course using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Chi square test was used for comparisons of the all seven components of PSQI and sleep quality for different study year, whereas ANOVA was used for comparison of the components and global score. RESULTS: Of the total, 25.3% of the participants classified their sleep quality as either very or fairly bad, and 31.1% reported taking more than 30 min to fall asleep. The average hours slept per night was 7.1 ± 1.21. Of the total, 8.4% of the participants reported using sleep medication at least once a week. Subjective sleep quality and sleep duration were found to be significantly different among the four groups. CONCLUSION: Poor subjective sleep quality was high for students in all class years of the undergraduate medical course. The comparison across the various phases of the course showed that first years reported worse sleep quality than did those in other class years.

Reciprocate and nonreciprocate spousal violence: A cross-sectional study in Haryana, India.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of intimate partner violence is an important public health goal owing to its negative psychological and physical health consequence. OBJECTIVES: Estimate the prevalence of reciprocate and nonreciprocate violence, severity of injuries, and related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a community-based cross-sectional study using multistage random sampling in which a total of 880 currently married women in the age group 15-49 years were interviewed using modified conflict tactics scale. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with both the types of domestic violence. RESULTS: Total prevalence for spousal violence was 33.2% (283), out of which 14.84% (42) were reciprocally violent. Alcoholic husband [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 3.262, P = 0.001], late year of marriage (>2 years) [AOR: 0.359, P = 0.001], low education of the participants [AOR: 1.443, P = 0.033], and low socioeconomic class [AOR: 0.562, P = 0.004] are the risk factors for nonreciprocate domestic violence. Alcoholic husband [AOR: 4.372, P = 0.001] and nuclear family [AOR: 3.115, P = 0.001] were found as significant risk factors for reciprocate domestic violence. Women indulging in reciprocate violence were associated with more severe injuries than nonreciprocate violence. CONCLUSION: This study depicts that every third female has experienced spousal violence and also highlights the existence of reciprocate violence in India. Alcoholism, low education of husbands, and living in nuclear family are the important determinants for reciprocate violence. Also, reciprocate violence is associated with severe injuries.

Knowledge Attitude and Perception of Sex Education among School Going Adolescents in Ambala District, Haryana, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a highly dynamic period characterised by rapid growth and development. Adolescents have limited knowledge about sexual and reproduction health, and know little about the natural processes of puberty, sexual health, pregnancy or reproduction. Sex education should be an integral part of the learning process beginning in childhood and continuing into adult life, because it is lifelong process. AIM: This study was carried out to identify the knowledge and attitude of imparting sex education in school going adolescents in rural and urban area of Ambala district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study design was used to study the knowledge of reproductive and sexual health among school going children. A total of 743 adolescents from age group of 13-19 year were studied, using self designed semi-structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding reproductive and sexual health among adolescents. RESULTS: The mean age of study subjects was 15.958±1.61 years, majority of adolescents i.e., 93.5% favour sex education. An 86.3% said sex education can prevent the occurrence of AIDS and 91.5% of adolescents prefer doctors should give them sex education followed by 83.0% school/teacher and least preference was parents 37.3%. CONCLUSION: There were substantial lacunae in the knowledge about reproductive and sexual health. Students felt that sex education is necessary and should be introduced in the school curriculum.

A descriptive study of perceived stress among the North Indian nursing undergraduate students.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there is a growing appreciation of the stresses involved in nursing training. It is important for nursing educators to know the prevalence of psychological distress and psychological well-being among nursing students. The present study aimed to assess perceived stress in the undergraduate students studying in a nursing college located in North India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out at College of Nursing, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Haryana, in the month of August 2011 using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Perceived stress score was measured using perceived stress scale (PSS). RESULTS: The mean perceived stress score of all 282 students was 28.67 (SD = 5.32), with a median of 26 (IQR = 22-34). Female students had more perceived stress score (31.33) than male students (26.01). The maximum mean perceived stress score (29.66) was observed in 2(nd) year students, and the least mean perceived stress score (26.28) was found in 3rd year students. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates high levels of psychological disturbance among nursing undergraduate students in the middle phase of the course. Hence, there is an urgent need to take measures by the authorities to reduce stress among the nursing students.

Women and AIDS: awareness and attitudes in a peri-urban setting in Punjab.

Women account for 39.3% of HIV/AIDS infection in India. There are many biological and socio-cultural factors which make her highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS can help her in protecting herself from the disease. This study was conducted to the level of awareness of young females with respect to knowledge of the HIV/AIDS, its modes of transmission, methods to prevent it, availability of testing and treatment and attitudes in relation to HIV/AIDS. A cross sectional study was done in a peri-urban setting in Patiala, Punjab among 1044 females in the age group 15-24 yrs using a self designed semistructured questionnaire. 93.9% had heard about AIDS. Television was the most common source of information (79.7%). Knowledge about the different modes of transmission was high (68-78%), but knowledge about preventive methods especially condom use was low (34-54%). Increase in educational status was seen to significantly increase the knowledge of the modes of transmission and preventive methods (p < .001). Knowledge of symptoms of HIV was low. (2-15%). Only 28.5% knew about the availability of HIV testing facility. 33.8% knew about treatment available for HIV. The study subjects were having favorable attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS. There is a need to focus the education programs and the mass media towards preventive methods rather than just the knowledge of the modes of transmission. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on making people aware about the existence of HIV testing facility and availability of treatment.

Larvicidal and structure-activity studies of natural phenylpropanoids and their semisynthetic derivatives against the tobacco armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The larvicidal activity of 18 phenylpropanoids, 1-18, including phenylpropenoate, phenylpropenal, phenylpropene, and their semisynthetic analogues, were evaluated against the tobacco armyworm, Spodoptera litura (Fab.), to identify promising structures with insecticidal activity. Amongst various phenylpropanoids, isosafrole, a phenylpropene, showed the best activity, with an LC(50) value of 0.6 microg/leaf cm(2), followed by its hydrogenated derivative dihydrosafrole (LC(50)=2.7 microg/leaf cm(2)). The overall larvicidal activity of various phenylpropene derivatives was observed in the following order: isosafrole (6)>dihydrosafrole (16)>safrole (12)>anethole (4)>methyl eugenol (11)>eugenol (13)>beta-asarone (8)>dihydroasarone (18)>dihydroanethole (15). Dihydrosafrole might be a promising compound, although presenting a lower larvicidal activity than isosafrole, because of its better stability and resistance to oxidative degradation (due to the removal of the extremely reactive olefinic bond) in comparison to isosafrole. Such structure-activity relationship studies promote the identification of lead structures from natural sources for the development of larvicidal products against S. litura and related insect pests.