Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertension among Police Personnel of District Gwalior- A Cross Sectional Study.

Context: Hypertension is an emerging public health problem due to its high prevalence and association with cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality. Police personnel constitute a special occupational group with exposure to violence and stress at work, which affects their health directly and indirectly. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hypertension and its relation with respect to police duty profile along with other risk factors among the police personnel of the Gwalior district stationed at various police stations. Results: In total, 402 police personnel were included in the study. Forty (14.7%) participants reported that they had h/o hypertension, while 26 (9.5%) reported that they were diagnosed as hypertensive in recent 1-2 months. As per the findings of our study, 273 (67.91%) participants come out to be hypertensive; among them, 207 (75.8%) were diagnosed in the current study. With increase in hierarchy, more police personnel suffered with hypertension. Conclusions: Long duty hours, higher rank, prolonged service duration, and inappropriate eating habits are the significant factors for the high prevalence of hypertension in police personnel.

Evolution of the pandemic: Analysis of demographic characteristics of COVID-19-infected patients during its two waves in Gwalior district of central India.

Background: Studies of pandemics in past centuries have suggested that the second wave was always more lethal and devastating as compared to the first wave. Regarding coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic also, various speculations were made that during the second wave virus changes its nature either for age structure, gender or rural-urban differential. Present study was aimed to compare the demographic and mortality profile of COVID-19 patients during the two waves. Materials and Methods: A total of 51,425 individuals with 16,538 cases from first wave and 34,887 cases from the second wave were included in the study. Frequency, percentage, case fatality rate (CFR) and OR (95% CI) were calculated. Level of significance was considered at 5%. Results: Maximum cases were observed in the age group 21-30 years (23.7%). During the first wave, 29.5% females were infected while during the second wave 38.5% females were infected. Infection in rural areas increased to 5.7% as compared to 4.8% in the first wave. Among the females, CFR increased to 37% in second wave which was 25.2% in the first wave. Disease load was at its peak in the month of April 2021. Conclusion: During the second wave, infection rate and mortality were higher in females and patients residing in rural areas showing extension of community spread. Patients with age above 50 years succumbed more. Occurrence of more than two-fifth of the cases in a single month (April 2021) shows a need for better planning for the supposed third wave to tackle any unwanted situation.

Motivating Students for Project-based Learning for Application of Research Methodology Skills.

INTRODUCTION: Project-based learning (PBL) is motivational for students to learn research methodology skills. It is a way to engage and give them ownership over their own learning. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to use PBL for application of research methodology skills for better learning by encouraging an all-inclusive approach in teaching and learning rather than an individualized tailored approach. METHODOLOGY: The present study was carried out for MBBS 6th- and 7th-semester students of community medicine. Students and faculties were sensitized about PBL and components of research methodology skills. They worked in small groups. The students were asked to fill the student feedback Questionnaire and the faculty was also asked to fill the faculty feedback Questionnaire. Both the Questionnaires were assessed on a 5 point Likert scale. After submitted projects, document analysis was done. RESULTS: A total of 99 students of the 6th and 7th semester were participated in PBL. About 90.91% students agreed that there should be continuation of PBL in subsequent batches. 73.74% felt satisfied and motivated with PBL, whereas 76.77% felt that they would be able to use research methodology in the near future. CONCLUSIONS: PBL requires considerable knowledge, effort, persistence, and self-regulation on the part of the students. They need to devise plans, gather information evaluate both the findings, and their approach. Facilitator plays a critical role in helping students in the process by shaping opportunity for learning, guiding students, thinking, and helping them construct new understanding.

A Cross-sectional Study to Find out the Prevalence of Different Types of Domestic Violence in Gwalior City and to Identify the Various Risk and Protective Factors for Domestic Violence.

BACKGROUND: Violence against women is a universal phenomenon that persists in all communities and in all countries of the world and the perpetrator of that violence is often well-known to the victim. Domestic violence in particular continues to be frighteningly common and well-accepted as "normal" within too many societies. OBJECTIVES: (1) The primary aim of this study is to find out the extent of different type of domestic violence and to identify various risk factors for domestic violence against married women. (2) The secondary aim is to identify the various protective factors of domestic violence against married women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a population based cross-sectional study carried out in the urban area of Gwalior city for a period of one year. Stratified random sampling technique was used for the selection of the samples. The study participants were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Proportion, Pearson's, chi-square test and odds ratio were calculated for the analysis of the study. RESULT: Of the 144 study participants, 68 participants reported some form of domestic violence, which was either physical, sexual or emotional. The most common type of violence reported was physical violence. The most important risk factor for domestic violence was alcoholism followed by literacy status. Majority of the abused women were dependent on their husbands for money, material assets and expenditure. CONCLUSION: The study hereby recommends that to prevent domestic violence government has to take stringent action for making women more self-reliant especially by making the women more literate and more financially independent.

A comparative assessment of KAP regarding tuberculosis and RNTCP among government and private practitioners in District Gwalior, India: an operational research.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. However, still practitioners are unaware of various facts associated with it. OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices adopted by practitioners of both government and private sectors in diagnosis and management of TB patients. (2) To assess the views of practitioners in strengthening the RNTCP programme. METHODOLOGY: 200 allopathic practitioners from both government and private sectors providing their services in Gwalior District were interviewed using pre-designed pre-tested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean score of knowledge related to tuberculosis and RNTCP was higher among government practitioners (9.8) compared to private practitioners (6.1). All practitioners were having positive attitude towards regular up gradation of knowledge while statistically significant differences were noted on issues related to management of TB patients as per RNTCP guidelines. X-ray was the most preferred modality for diagnosis and follow up among private practitioners compared to sputum examination among government practitioners. Referral of poor and serious patients was also very low among private practitioners. CONCLUSION: The present study hereby concludes that there is a large gap in Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on TB and RNTCP among the practitioners of both the sectors. There is an urgent need for upgrading the knowledge on various issues and regular Continuing Medical Education (CME) involving various professional bodies.