Screening Vaccinees for Non-Communicable Diseases and Risk Factors at a Covid-19 Vaccination Center in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Context: Adult population visiting COVID vaccination center is a potential teachable moment for screening and preventive advice on non-communicable diseases. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the proportion of vaccinees volunteering for screening and to know the proportion of newly detected hypertensives and diabetics among the screened vaccinees at COVID-19 vaccination center. Setting and Design: This descriptive, cross-sectional, operational research study was carried out at the COVID vaccination center at a medical college in central Gujarat from July to September 2021. Methods: After receiving the vaccine, the vaccinee was offered screening through a community-based assessment checklist for risk factors of non-communicable diseases, blood pressure, and blood sugar measurement. Those volunteering for this screening received a slip mentioning their risk score, blood pressure and blood sugar reading, and relevant health information and disease prevention advice. The study variables were acceptability (proportion of vaccinees volunteering for screening) and yield (newly detected hypertensives and diabetics among those screened). Results: Among vaccinees, 27.7% volunteered for risk scoring and blood pressure measurement, whereas 8.3% volunteered for blood sugar measurement. Around 15.5% of vaccinees had high-risk scores as per the community-based assessment checklist. The yield of freshly detected high blood pressure and high blood sugar was 19.3% and 10.5%, respectively. The yield was similar even among vaccinees under 30 years of age. Conclusions: Vaccinees demonstrated interest in undergoing screening for non-communicable diseases. Yield indicates that such screening is worth the effort.

Efficacy and safety of colchicine in COVID-19: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug is prescribed nowadays for COVID-19. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated efficacy and safety of colchicine in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We searched databases for randomised controlled studies evaluating efficacy and/or safety of colchicine as compared with supportive care in patients with COVID-19. The efficacy outcomes were mortality, ventilatory support, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and length of hospital stay. The safety outcomes were adverse events, serious adverse events and diarrhoea. A meta-analytical summary was estimated using random effects model through Mantle-Hanzle method. An I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess quality of evidence for each outcome. RESULTS: Out of 69 full texts assessed, 6 studies (16148 patients with COVID-19) were included in meta-analysis. Patients receiving colchicine did not show significant reduction in mortality (risk difference, RD -0.00 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.01), I2=15%), ventilatory support (risk ratio, RR 0.67 (95% CI 0.38 to 1.21), I2=47%), ICU admission (RR 0.49 (95% CI 0.19 to 1.25), I2=34%), length of hospital stay (mean difference: -1.17 (95% CI -3.02 to 0.67), I2=77%) and serious adverse events (RD -0.01 (95% CI -0.02 to 0.00), I2=28%) than those who received supportive care only. Patients receiving colchicine had higher rates of adverse events (RR 1.58 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.33), I2=81%) and diarrhoea (RR 1.93 (95% CI 1.62 to 2.29), I2=0%) than supportive care treated patients. The GRADE quality of evidence was moderate for most outcomes. CONCLUSION: The moderate quality evidence suggests no benefit of addition of colchicine to the standard care regimen in patients with COVID-19.

Do primary care physicians require training in core clinical dermatology? A cross sectional needs assessment study from Western India.

BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians play a crucial role in managing patients with common skin disorders who form around one-third of outpatient attendees. AIM: This study aimed to assess the need for dermatology training among primary care physicians by assessing their knowledge, self-perception of ability to diagnose and manage skin disorders, and their difficulties in managing these patients. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, needs assessment study was done among primary care physicians (n = 61) of rural (n = 34) and urban (n = 27) areas of Vadodara district. A pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire (for self-rating of the ability to diagnose/manage skin disorders and difficulties faced in managing patients) was used along with a photo-quiz (for knowledge assessment) while approaching primary care physicians during their monthly review meeting with prior permission. Data were analyzed by Epi InfoTM software and manual content analysis. RESULTS: The mean score on the photo-quiz was 4.1/10. Forty-three (70.5%) participants rated their ability to diagnose/manage skin disorders as 'average' on a five-point Likert scale. Various difficulties (n = 89) narrated by participants were related to their knowledge/skill, disease factors, patients and administrative aspects. Three-fourths of the participants managed difficulties by referring patients to dermatologists. One-third suggested conducting training in common skin disorders. LIMITATIONS: The study population included primary care physicians from the government healthcare setup only. Knowledge assessment was done using a short ten-item photo-quiz instead of actual patients. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care physicians had poor knowledge of skin disorders, and a majority overrated their own ability for clinical management of these disorders. Most common difficulties faced were related to clinical management. There is a need for training on common skin disorders.

Attitudes of undergraduate medical students toward mental illnesses and psychiatry.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, studies show negative attitude among medical students toward psychiatry and mental illness. The knowledge of the attitude and awareness of the undergraduate medical students toward psychiatry, mental health, and psychiatric disorders are most important as they are going to be involved in the care of these patients either directly or indirectly during the later years of their careers. AIM: This study aims to assess attitude toward psychiatry and mental illness among undergraduate medical students. METHODOLOGY: The responses of 67 medical students from the 6th semester (third professional year) batch who completed their 2-week clinical posting of psychiatry in 4th semester (i.e., second professional year) were collected using validated questionnaires, attitude towards mental illness (AMI), and attitude towards psychiatry (ATP) that assessed their attitudes to psychiatry and mental illness. Double data entry and validation were done using EpiData and analysis using Epi Info software. RESULTS: Median AMI score was 54 (out of maximum 100) showing a neutral AMI. Median ATP score was 82 (out of maximum 150) also showing a neutral ATP. The theme-wise analysis showed that the attitude of students toward psychiatrist and psychiatry branch was relatively better compared to their AMI. CONCLUSION: Undergraduate students have a neutral attitude to psychiatry and mental illness. More efforts are needed to change the attitude to favorable side.