bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IJCM_192A: Quality of life and the factors affecting it among type 2 diabetics in the urban field practice area of a government medical college, Bengaluru - A cross- sectional study
Authors: Shekar Sushma C , Kishore SG , Ranganath TS 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease marked by high blood glucose levels. Type-2 diabetes has been far more common during the last three decades worldwide. Approximately 422 million individuals worldwide and 77 million in India suffer from diabetes; most of them reside in low- and middle-income nations, Quality of Life (QoL) is how good or bad a person feels their life to be. It measures physical, psychological, and social well-being; thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the QoL among type-2 diabetics residing in the urban field practice area of a Government medical college, Bengaluru.

Objectives:
To assess the quality of life and the factors affecting it in type 2 diabetics in the urban field practice area of a Government medical college, Bengaluru.

Methodology:
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among type 2 diabetics residing in the urban field practice area of a Government medical college, Bengaluru, from August 2023 to November 2023. With a total sample size of 173, Study participants were interviewed using the WHOQOL– BREF scale to elicit quality of life, and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit the socio-demographic and behavioral profile. The data collected was entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS 21.0.

Results:
For WHOQOL-BREF, the mean scores for all the domains were physical (51.5), psychological (45.5), social (36.0), and environmental (40.5) In addition, the age, duration of diabetes, associated co-morbidities, and regular medication intake in patients showed a highly significant correlation with QoL.

Conclusion:
The Quality of life of type 2 diabetics was poor to average. Hence, to improve the quality of life and to raise awareness among them, public health initiatives and patient education are crucial.
IJCM_193A: To study prevalence of hypertension among medical nursing staff at Maharashtra: A cross sectional study
Authors: Gopalrao Chopade Manda , Gattani P.L , Maidapawad S 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Hypertension, a leading public health concern worldwide, is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are the top cause of global mortality. In India, hypertension contributes substantially to noncommunicable disease burden. Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, are expected to have lower prevalence due to their medical background. However, factors like high-stress work environments and demanding work conditions may increase their susceptibility to hypertension. This study aims to explore the prevalence of hypertension among nursing staff at Maharashtra, considering their unique occupational challenges.

Objectives:
To study prevalence of hypertension among Medical Nursing staff

Methodology:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Medical College at Maharashtra, targeting the entire cohort of medical nursing staff over a period of three months. The study employed total enumeration sampling, including all medical nursing staff at the college. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a pretested and pre- validated questionnaire.

Results:
Prevalence of hypertension among nursing staff was 100 (21.96%). Most participants with HTN are in the 31-40 age range (55.6%), which is also the largest group without HTN (52.4%). Vegetarians are more likely to have HTN (60.2% vs. 43.8% in non-HTN), while the mixed diet group is more prevalent in the non-HTN group (56.2% vs. 39.8% in HTN) which have significant association(p=0.0078)

Conclusion:
The study highlights the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among nursing staff at Medical College at Maharashtra. The findings underscore the need for targeted health interventions and stress management strategies within this group, considering their critical role in healthcare delivery and their exposure to high-stress occupational environments.
IJCM_196A: Exploring the transition from medical students to interns: A leap into clinical practice
Authors: Jain Animesh , Bansal Shivam , Bhuyan Satya Sundar , Babu Achsah Sara , Simna TT , Ranjan Pushpa 
Published: April 2024

Background:
The transition from medical student to independent doctor is a crucial phase, marked by a year-long clinical internship in India. Despite this, challenges arise, and stress is common among interns. This study aims to assess the preparedness of interns graduating under the present MBBS curriculum in India and understand the challenges they face during their internship.

Methodologyology:
This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in teaching hospitals affiliated with Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. Interns working in various departments of these hospitals were included in the study. Universal sampling was employed, approaching all available interns during the 14-day study duration. The sampling strategy was non-random, based on convenient sampling.

Results:
Out of 150 interns, 77 scored well in various aspects of clinical skills. However, discrepancies were observed in specific areas. While 84% demonstrated good history-taking skills, only 55% could effectively discuss medications with patients. Interns displayed lower competence in understanding drug interactions, with only 37 out of 150 scoring well. Communication and teamwork were strong points, with 82 interns effectively working in a multi-disciplinary team. On the contrary, clinical procedures and diagnostic skills showed dismal performance, especially in emergency situations and practical procedures.

Conclusion:
Interns exhibit strength in communication and teamwork but face challenges in diagnostic skills and clinical procedures. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions in specific areas, ensuring a well-rounded preparation for junior doctors. Addressing these challenges will contribute to a smoother transition from medical students to competent healthcare professionals.
IJCM_2A: Perceptions of and challenges faced by college students in receiving sexual health education during their school days- An exploratory study
Authors: Sekhar Monica Albert , Edward Shanthi 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Sexuality health education stands as an essential cornerstone in shaping the physical, emotional, and social well-being of young adults, and nowhere is this need more evident than in India. As a country known for its diverse culture, traditions, and a burgeoning youth population, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities pertaining to sexual health education is of paramount importance. Currently, there is no existing curriculum or syllabus for sexual health education in schools or colleges.

Methodology:
Qualitative data was obtained by conducting in depth interviews. Around 10-20 In depth interviews were conducted. Participants were college going students who gave consent and were open to talk about the topic. Interview was conducted using an interview guide and the process was audio recorded. Data was analysed manually using grounded theory.

Results:
The themes generated were previous exposure to sexual health education, Sources of information, topics under sexual health education. Challenges faced by young adults were explored under the following themes- difficulties faced during school/ college, past experiences, cultural taboos etc. Many young adults advocated the need for sexual health education. Surprisingly a few handfuls of students thought it was not necessary to teach sexual health education at all. However, all of them were not satisfied with the education they received on sexual health in the past.

Conclusion:
This study sheds a spotlight on the lack of sexual health education and its repercussions on young adults today. Difficulties faced by young college going students can be used to design an age appropriate culturally sensitive sexual health curriculum for school going adolescents.
IJCM_201A: Understanding psychological stress in working women: A cross-sectional study in Mangalore
Authors: Rekha T , Rai Aakash , Roy Rose Ann , Marya Manya , Sharma Aparajita , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Mithra Prasanna , Kumar Nithin , Holla Ramesh 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Stress is defined by American Psychological Association is “Any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes.” It is a feeling of being overwhelmed, worried or run-down. Stress affects people of all ages, gender and circumstances and can lead to both physical and psychological health issues. Social contexts and family structures are particularly impacted by stress in women. This study aims to assess the levels of stress and associated factors of stress among working women in Mangalore.

Methodology:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 working women, who were managerial staff/Clerical staff recruited from 2 Banks, 2 shopping malls, health care workers from 2 hospitals and doctors/ clerical staff from Medical College, Mangalore. Data was collected using a semi- structured questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics and perceived stress scale and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results were expressed in mean (standard deviation) and proportion. For comparison across the groups chi-square test was used. A ‘p’ value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
Out of 298 women surveyed, 3.4% were found to be highly stressed, 83.9% were moderately stressed. Significant stress determinants were found to be associated with age, education, occupation, years of work experience and marital status- where the association is statistically significant. Working women prefer to go for leisure activities like outing with friends and family to reduce stress while other activities like smoking and alcohol consumption were least popular among the study participants.

Conclusion:
The study emphasizes the critical elements—age, education, employment, job experience, and years since marriage—that significantly influence women’s stress levels. Furthermore, it highlights that for working women, entertainment is the main way to decompress, and employers need to take note of this to help staff members maintain a healthy work-life balance.
IJCM_204A: A qualitative research to identify the barriers and facilitating factors in the utilization of healthcare services by a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Udupi District
Authors: Biju S , Shetty Ranjitha S , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Gouspure Shrikanth 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Udupi district hosts two major Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) namely Malaikudiya and Koraga. Koraga tribes are declining in number and deprived of availability of healthcare services and accessibility to healthcare facilities. There are a lot of barriers such as lack of awareness and social stigma amalgamate the existing conditions of Koraga tribes in Udupi district. Research studies pertaining to this problem has been seldom done.

Objective:
We aim to explore the barriers and facilitating factors in accessing healthcare services by a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Udupi district.

Methodology:
We conducted qualitative research through 8 in-depth interviews with AMOs from PHC and CHC, ITDP staff and NGO workers, and 3 focus group discussions with community health nurses, ASHA workers, and Koraga community leaders from Udupi district. We explored the major facilitators and barriers that influence the utilization of health care services by the PVTG.

Results:
On the beneficiaries’ point of view, lack of awareness, distance to health facilities, poor public transportation, perceived negative behavior of hospital staff, lack of infrastructure, unwelcoming neighbourhood approaches, and economic instability were the main barriers to utilizing healthcare facilities. On the stakeholders (providers) point of view, availability of healthcare facilities, government policies and schemes and NGO activities are the facilitating factors.

Conclusion:
Our study highlights the barriers to utilizing health facilities; these are not always driven by factors linked to the PVTG members’ socio- economic status but also depend significantly on the quality of the health services and other contextual factors. Although the government has made efforts to improve the rural healthcare system through national-level programs, our qualitative study shows that there are a number of barriers which lessens the effectiveness of the programs to enhance the utilization of healthcare facilities by the PVTG in the study area.
IJCM_205A: A qualitative study to assess factors affecting the uptake of measles vaccine in a metropolitan city
Authors: Chandanshive Pradnya , Hadaye Rujuta 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Measles is a communicable and potentially fatal, but vaccine- preventable disease. India has set a target of 95% vaccination coverage for Measles-Rubella elimination by the end of 2023 with the help of Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 5.0). The National Immunization Schedule of India recommends two doses of Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine at 9 months and 16-24 months. The immunization coverage dropped across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic during the year 2020-2021. Consequently, there was a recent surge in measles cases in some Indian states. The state of Maharashtra reported over 3000 cases; and its capital city Mumbai reported with over 400 cases in December 2022. Various factors such as fear of side effects, lack of information and ignorance have been found to influence vaccine uptake.

Objective:
To determine the factors associated with the uptake of measles vaccine in the community.

Methodology:
The study data collection was conducted during November- December 2023, in the M-east municipal ward of Mumbai, using Qualitative research methods until data saturation, i.e., In-depth Interviews and Focus- Group Discussions. 1. On a one-to-one basis, In-depth Interviews (IDI) were conducted among health authorities and healthcare workers involved in the immunization program, from the Public Health Department of Mumbai. 2. Focus-Group Discussions were conducted with a homogenous group of participants comprising mothers of under-five children, and healthcare workers.

Results:
The most common barriers in measles vaccination that emerged was fear of side effects and overworked healthcare workers, while the motivating factors were good rapport between the community and healthcare workers and communicating health-related information. One of the core themes that emerged was the need for strengthening routine immunization services.

Conclusion:
Tremendous efforts are taken by the public health systems and healthcare workers in the community for ensuring good quality healthcare, including routine immunization. However, establishing a good rapport and building trust among the community members is the need of the hour for ensuring a robust immunization coverage uniformly across the nation.
IJCM_206A: Building a demographic, developmental and environmental surveillance site in an urban slum and resettlement colony in Delhi, India: processes, engagement, and challenges – a SWOT analysis
Authors: Basu Saurav , Sharma Nandini , Rao Shivani , Singh M M , Malik Shikha Taneja 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Demographic, developmental and environmental surveillance sites (DDESS) enable accurate and prospective health-related data collection amongst socioeconomically disadvantaged populations that facilitate health planning and interventions.

Objectives:
We explored the community-engagement strategies, enablers, and barriers in building a DDESS site in an urban slum and resettlement colony-based field practice area of a government medical college in Delhi.

Methodology:
We conducted qualitative research through SWOT analysis that identified both internal (strength and weaknesses), and external (opportunities and threats) factors in building the DDESSS. Informal interviews with multiple stakeholders including researchers, field investigators, project staff, local medical officers, resident doctors, community health workers, local residents, and leaders were conducted.

Results:
The themes related to SWOT analysis were identified as: (1). Internal factors – Strengths (a). Pre-existing linkage with the community especially provision of comprehensive primary care services (b). Establishment of community-advisory boards (c). Community needs assessment (2): Internal factors - Weaknesses (a). Perceived lack of individual benefit in residents (b). Dissatisfaction with functioning of existing health services (c). Inadequate digital literacy among senior staff hindering generation and adoption of health data to meet population healthcare needs (c) Concerns over privacy in questions related to socioeconomic status and mapping of the area. (3). External factors – Opportunities (a). Employment of field workers belonging to the community to demonstrate trust and build confidence (b). Outreach health services including noncommunicable screening camps, and child vaccination. (4). External factors - Threats (a). Inefficient functioning of health system such as out-of-stock drugs, delayed vaccination, unavailability of diagnostic services in existing primary health facilities. (b). ensuring availability of adequate human and financial resources beyond the project period. (c) dominance of CABs by influential individuals or groups.

Conclusion:
Garnering community support and active community engagement enable the process of establishment of medical college based DDESS sites.
IJCM_208A: Challenges in the uptake of testing for Tuberculosis Infection among household contacts of Index Tuberculosis patients: An operational analysis
Authors: Samudyatha UC , Kamath Prasanna BT 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Gaps in Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) cascade among household contacts (HHCs) of Tuberculosis patients are often attributed to the knowledge gaps among the HHCs.

Objectives:
To examine the factors affecting the uptake of IGRA testing among HHCs of drug-susceptible, pulmonary TB patients registered between January and May 2023 in Kolar district, Karnataka using Health Belief model and qualitative interviews.

Methodology:
Between April and June 2023, 196 HHCs of 70 registered TB patients were included in the mixed methods study. Using a four-point Likert scale questionnaire, adult HHCs were interviewed regarding their knowledge of TB disease, perceived susceptibility and severity of TB Infection, benefits, and barriers in testing for TB Infection (IGRA) and cues for action. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the scores of those who were tested and those who were not. Further, reasons for not undergoing IGRA testing were also assessed qualitatively.

Results:
Among 196 HHC, 45 were children under 5 years. IGRA testing had been done in 47% (71/151) of eligible HHCs. Among adult HHC, self- perceived and Index case-attributed susceptibility score was significantly associated with testing; while perceived severity scores, knowledge and perceived benefit scores were not. Major themes in barriers to testing were misinterpretation of ‘TB Infection’, selective testing of HHCs, delayed contact tracing, lack of logistics and lack of planning and coordination. TPT was given to 84% (38/45) under five HHCs. Major cue for TPT provision was availability of TPT, followed by caregiver’s perceived susceptibility.

Conclusion:
Perceived susceptibility of HHC to TB infection is often misinformed. Group counselling of HHCs, provision of IGRA at doorstep and a well-established referral system will improve the uptake of IGRA.
IJCM_211A: Evaluation of Maternal Death Surveillance In Relation To Eclampsia In Jabalpur Division Of Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Toppo Neelam Anupama , Thakur Aditya , Soni Deepali , Dubey Priyanka 
Published: April 2024

Background:
The GOI is striving towards bringing down the MMR.

Objective:
To describe the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) Programme and to assess the maternal deaths due to Eclampsia and factors associated with it in Jabalpur Division of M.P.

Methodology:
A descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted in four purposively selected districts of Jabalpur Divisions from April 2021 to March 2022. In debth Interview was conducted with all stakeholders and verbal autopsy for 68 maternal deaths. Triangulation of data from district, verbal autopsies and in-depth interviews of stakeholders (health care providers) was done to identify the factors responsible for maternal deaths due to eclempsia at various levels.

Results:
There was only maternal death review being done but no surveillance and response system was found. 57.35% deceased women received >4 Antenatal checkups and 25% 3 ANC checkups. 54.38%, 52.63% and 36.84% antenatal deceased women had Anaemia, Edema and High Blood Pressure respectively. Which were diagnosed at First or Second trimester of pregnancy but were not corrected timely or treated effectively. Most of the deaths occurred in postnatal period, women had early marriage and early pregnancy and 55.88% belonged to ST category.

Conclusion:
Families faith on Quacks, Faith healer and Jhad Funk, Poor compliance against medical advice, various delays and multiple refferals found as contributors in maternal deaths. Most of the women died during or after third trimester and 84% had symptoms during first and second semester and those symptoms were treatable. Timely, correct and quality treatment could have been save those deceased women and their precious children.
IJCM_213A: Feasibility and acceptability of different rapid methods for estimation of potentially missed mortality events during COVID-19 pandemic time in West Bengal
Authors: Saha Indranil , Kundu Ramendra Nath , Ghosh Anuska , Chetri Birshikha , Sangwan Ramesh Kumar , Saha Asim , Chakrabarti Amit , Sharma Arun Kumar 
Published: April 2024

Background:
During the surge of COVID-19 pandemic, the mechanism of reporting and documentation of deaths was inadequate. It is crucial to establish the mechanism for measuring the actual events of COVID-19 and associated mortalities as well during this pandemic situation. This is the first instance of application of different rapid methods for death estimation during the pandemic situation. If found to be valid, these methods may be useful for other countries with limited resources and less developed death registration system.

Objective:
To find out the feasibility, acceptability of different rapid method for estimating the cause of deaths among the general population & healthcare workers and also to estimate the number of deaths among allopathic doctors.

Methodology:
The study was conducted from September 2022 to October 2023. Target population being adult deceased person between 1st April 2020 to 30th November 2022 among general population, health care worker and allopathic doctor. For the general population, the study was conducted in one urban municipal area and two sub-centres of Habra Block I under North 24 Parganas district with WHO Verbal Autopsy (VA) tool for adult. Complete enumeration with snowballing, compartmental and capture-recapture method was adopted for general population, health care worker and allopathic doctor respectively.

Results:
Overall, 300 VA could be performed (121 urban & 179 rural) among general population. There were challenges related to both feasibility & acceptability in terms of data access, permission and cooperation. Research team employed a combination of persistence, local collaboration, and strategic decision-making to successfully collect data. Acceptability was more in rural area. Total number of deceased doctors was estimated to be 246 from two different lists.

Conclusion:
Rapid methods may be employed as a part of response systems during pandemic or any future disasters if adequate governmental support and assistance is obtained along with aid from the local people.