Knowledge and attitudes of family members towards postpartum depression.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) has been recently recognized as a public health issue. While family members play an important role in early recognition of PPD among women, research that explores family members awareness on PPD is limited from India. AIM: To explore the knowledge and attitudes of family members towards postpartum depression. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey carried out among family members of postpartum women (N = 202) at a pediatric tertiary care center. The data was collected through face to face interview technique using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean scores on knowledge (18.92 ± 3.27) attitude (31.39 ± 4.91) scales suggest that a majority of the participants had a good level of knowledge (54%) and positive attitudes (69.7%) towards women with postpartum depression. However, misconceptions and negative stereotypes related to postpartum depression still prevailed. Family members who had a good level of education (χ2 = 4.21, p < 0.05) and had come across women with postpartum depression (χ2 = 13.27, p < 0.001) hold positive attitudes towards postpartum depression compared to family members with a lower level of education and those did not come across women with postpartum depression. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest the need for educational campaigns to improve perinatal mental health literacy and address prejudices and negative stereotypes related to postpartum depression among family members.

Effect of Vitamin D on Canine Distalization and Alveolar Bone Density Using Multi-slice Spiral CT: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM: The aim of this split-mouth, blinded randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effects of locally delivered 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25 DHC) on the amount of canine distalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients between age groups of 15 years to 30 years willing to undergo orthodontic treatment in a dental college participated in the study. A computer-generated randomization list was generated to divide the maxillary arch into experimental side and control side. Allocation concealment was applied. Canine distalization was initiated using nickel-titanium (NiTi) closed coil springs delivering a force of 150 g per side, which was attached to the maxillary first molar tube and canine hook. Local periodontal gel injection of 1,25 DHC was given on the experimental side and placebo gel on the control side at distal side of the maxillary canine at monthly interval, respectively. Patients were evaluated from beginning (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3). CT scans were taken at T0 and T3 to measure the changes in bone density. The difference in amount of canine distalization and the changes in bone density were assessed on the experimental and control sides, respectively. Descriptive statistics and paired t test were used to determine any differences. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant increase in the amount of canine distalization and decrease in cancellous bone density on the experimental side when compared to control side. CONCLUSION: The active form of vitamin D can be an effective agent to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides a new insight into the scope of vitamin D in clinical orthodontics and its innovative method of application to accelerate tooth movement in patients will revolutionize treatment as well as open newer boundaries in orthodontic research at a biomolecular level.