bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploitation of steroids in coronavirus disease 2019: An overview
Authors: Punuri Salome Satya Vani , Jangra Sarita , Shaima Kattungal Arunan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCorticosteroids, more specifically glucocorticoids, are one of the most prescribed drugs. Corticosteroids are adrenal hormones that serve significant physiologic activities such as modulating glucose metabolism, protein catabolism, calcium metabolism, bone turnover control, immunosuppression, and downregulation of the inflammatory cascade. Corticosteroids are regarded as life-saving due to their various effects and have been used therapeutically to treat a broad range of autoimmune, rheumatologic, inflammatory, neoplastic, and viral illnesses. However, the therapeutic benefits of glucocorticoids are restricted by their adverse effects. The most serious side effects of corticosteroids are associated with the use of higher doses for longer periods and over the counter medicine availability in specific pharmacies, which leads to dependency, as well as its usage in mild and moderate server instances, which is contrary to guidelines. In recent times, the use of corticosteroids has been multiplied with the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. WHO and the standard guidelines have recommended the usage of corticosteroids in critically ill COVID-19 patients, but their usage in mild and moderate cases caused more harm than benefit. This illicit usage has resulted in the development of opportunistic fungal illnesses such as mucormycosis, posing an extra risk to patients in terms of quality of life and finances. Other adverse effects of systemic corticosteroids include morphological changes, increased blood sugar levels, delayed wound healing, infections, decreased bone density, truncal obesity, cataracts, glaucoma, blood pressure abnormalities, and muscle fiber atrophy. In this review, we want to discuss the significance and detrimental effects of corticosteroids emphasizing on recent times, that is, COVID-19. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are the best-studied class of APEDs (appearance and performance-enhancing drugs). Anabolic steroids increase lean muscle mass when used in conjunction with weight training. The aim, for nonathlete weightlifters is typically the improvement of appearance. The vast majority of people who misuse steroids are male nonathlete weightlifters in their 20s or 30s.
Perceptions and practices of shopkeepers toward single-use plastics ban in Puducherry: An exploratory study
Authors: Kittu Devi , Chellamuthu Lalithambigai , Sivapushani Aruljothi 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
The plastic industry is one among the fastest growing markets around the world and within India. Single-use plastics may represent the epitome of today’s throw-away culture. The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2019, stipulates minimum thickness of 50 micron for plastic sheets.

Objective:
The objective was to explore the perceptions and practices of shopkeepers toward single-use plastics ban in Puducherry.

Materials and Methods:
This was a community-based, qualitative study conducted for a period of 3 months from September to November during the year 2019 in the urban and rural field practice areas of a medical college at Puducherry. The study population was shopkeepers who have been owning the shops located in the study setting. The shopkeepers were selected by purposive sampling. A total of four focused group discussions were held (two discussions in each urban and rural area) with six participants in each group. Ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Written informed consent from each participant was sought.

Results:
Four themes were identified from the content analysis of focused group discussions among shopkeepers: preban practices toward single-use plastics, perceived rationality for ban on single-use plastics, postban practices against single-use plastics, and reflections on the enforcement of ban for single-use plastics.

Conclusions:
The respondents perceived the ban as a moral initiative, and the rationality of the government behind it was well appreciated. The stakeholders perceived a few bottlenecks for adhering to the law and also came up with solutions for the same. The study participants felt that the ban was enforced for their own betterment, and so they had a positive attitude toward the legislation of avoiding single-use plastics.
Checklist-based training for essential clinical skills in 3 term MBBS students
Authors: Bhat Smitha 
Published: October 2023

Background:
Undergraduate students find the correct sequence & method of eliciting clinical signs is ambiguous, leading to confusion & reluctance to demonstrate. The 3-term posting is the introduction to clinical skills & it is essential that bedside teaching is organized & delivered well. Studies have shown that a structured clinical training improves students' examination skills. This study aimed to estimate the difference in competence in basic physical examination in students taught by checklist-based training and those taught by standard clinical teaching.

Materials and Methods:
This was a randomized crossover trial conducted on 3 term MBBS students posted to medicine. Checklists for general physical examination (GPE) and vital sign examination were framed, piloted. Students were divided in to control & test groups by simple randomization. In phase 1, the control group learnt measurement of vital signs by standard clinical teaching in the units. The test group learned using checklist-based demonstration. In phase 2, the groups were interchanged and GPE was taught by checklist method in the test group. Skills were assessed by OSCE after each training. OSCE scores between control & test groups were compared and analysed.

Results:
Students showed significantly higher scores when GPE was taught by checklist-based method (Test 1.49, control 0.6. P – 0.000). There was no significant difference in OSCE scores in vital sign examination (Test – 1.15, Control 1.19 P – 0.378). Students found the checklist-based method systematic and easy to remember

Conclusion:
Checklist-based training improves student clinical learning in GPE, though not in vital sign examination.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:
Medical knowledge, Patient care, Practice-based learning and improvement.
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 AstraZeneca Vaccine on Safety and Blood Elements of Egyptian Healthcare Workers
Authors: Meshref Taghreed S. , Hamad Dina A. , Aly Mai M. , Kamal Dalia T. , Elkhayat Mariam R. , Elghazally Shimaa A. 
Published: October 2023

Background:
Many coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were approved worldwide. Their safety was the primary concern. In Egypt, Oxford–AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine was the first approved vaccine initially for healthcare workers (HCWs).

Objective:
We aim to determine adverse events and hematological abnormalities following the COVID-19 AZ vaccine and estimate the infection rate of the candidates by COVID-19 between the first and second doses of vaccination.

Methods:
Within 8–10 days of receiving their initial dose of the AZ vaccine, 909 HCWs were assessed for adverse events as part of a prospective longitudinal study. Complete blood counts (CBCs) were evaluated before and one month after vaccination.

Results:
37.2% of the candidates experienced side effects following vaccination. Pain at the injection site was the most common (25.4%) and more frequent in participants between 20 and 40 years (27.9%). The mean total leukocyte count (TLC), absolute leukocyte count (ALC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and absolute monocyte count (AMC) increased one month following vaccination (P < 0. 001). Sixty-six vaccinated HCWs were infected with COVID-19 between the two vaccine doses. 82% were infected after 14 days of the first dose, while 18% were infected before 14 days (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:
Most of the vaccinated personnel did not experience any side effects after the first dose of the vaccine. Furthermore, the most common complaints were pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, and chills. Infected people with COVID-19 after the first dose had significantly more severe disease if they were infected before 14 days than those who got infected later on.
Pesticide Use and Health Effects among Nepalese Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tokha Municipality
Authors: Karki Rajesh , Dangol Kanchan 
Published: October 2023

Background:
Pesticides are essential for agricultural development, but their increased use in developing countries like Nepal poses health risks to farmers.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in wards 1, 2, and 3 of the Tokha Municipality in Kathmandu District to identify the health effects of pesticides and associated factors among farmers. The study included 333 respondents who were interviewed between April 26 and June 04, 2022.

Results:
The majority of farmers (36.6%) were aged between 40 and 49 years, with a median (IQR) age of 45.0 (38.0 to 51.0) years. All farmers reported using pesticides, with 100% usage in vegetables. Most respondents (73%) reported experiencing health effects: headache (69.5%), skin irritation (42.8%), and burning eyes (31.3%) were the most common symptoms. Only 8% sought medical care. Additionally, 94.6% of respondents had not received training on integrated pest management, and none of them reported using a complete set of personal protective equipment. The study found that older age groups, females, those who were unable to read and write, and those of the Hindu religion, as well as respondents with longer pesticide use, more frequent spraying, and not detecting wind direction, had significantly higher odds of self-reported health problems (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Our findings show that all farmers in the study were using pesticides, and the majority had reported health effects. Therefore, we recommend that farmers receive training on integrated pest management, use a complete set of personal protective equipment, and promptly seek medical care if they experience health issues.
An insight regarding oral hygiene among 10–15-year-old schoolchildren in the rural area of Jaipur district – A questionnaire study
Authors: Nagaraj Anup , Deka Barsha Priya , Tambi Swasti , Sarma Shruti Madhuri , Mathur Gaurav 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
Good oral health is a barometer of overall health which empowers an individual to eat, speak, and socialize without active disease, discomfort, or embarrassment, which contributes to general quality of life. Schools can provide a supportive environment for promoting oral health. Children are the ideal target group for early intervention because healthy behaviors and lifestyles developed at a young age are more sustainable.

Aim:
The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among school-going children 10–15 years aged in rural areas of Jaipur district.

Materials and Methods:
A study sample of schoolchildren aged between 10 and 15 years old in Bhanpur rural area of Jaipur district were examined to assess oral sanitation awareness. Data on oral hygiene were collected by a survey form, which were prepared with the help of a self-administered structured questionnaire translated into Hindi language. The questionnaire was calibrated before data collection and inter-examiner agreement during calibration was measured using kappa statistic (K = 0.86). All participants were requested to complete 18 close-ended questionnaires. The observation was reviewed and analyzed.

Results:
Among the total 275 children, 41% (n = 113) boys and 57.8% (n = 159) girls, of age between 10 and 15 years with a mean years of age is 13 years. Fifty-six percentage knew that they should brush their teeth once daily. About 46.5% of subjects were aware that limiting sweet snacks from diet will prevent tooth decay.

Conclusion:
Results of the study proved that KAP among schoolchildren is poor and needs to be improved.
A retrospective analysis of the trends in modern contraceptive use among adolescents and young women (15–24 years) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last two decades
Authors: Kaniki Freddy R. , Sanni Olaniyi F. , Kyampof Kirota N. , Lazare Sebitereko R. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
The increasing rate of unsafe abortion among adolescents and young women (AYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa may be attributed to a high rate of undesirable pregnancies and limited access to contraception services. The study looked at the prevalence of current contraception use among young women (15–24 years old) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Methods:
The study analyzed secondary data from the demographic health survey (DHS) and UNICEF concerning AYW aged 15–24 years using IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). The study population included 15,319 female adolescents and young adults in DRC. DHS datasets for 2001, 2010, 2017/2018, and UNICEF 2007 and 2013–2014 were downloaded after permission to use the data.

Results:
The AYW aged 20–24 accounted for 67% of the study population. The use of modern contraceptives has followed a roller coaster course. It dropped significantly from 2.6% in 2001 to 0.1% in 2007; it climbed to 2.7% in 2010 and 3.3% in 2013/14 but dropped to 2% in 2017/18. The most used method was male condoms (1.76%). A higher proportion of unmarried (2.3%) used any methods than married (1.8%). Those who attained secondary/higher education (2.6%) used modern contraceptives more than those with no formal education (1.5%), P < 0.0001. Those residing in the urban areas (4.5%) used modern contraceptives compared to those who lived in rural areas (1.7%) P < 0.0001. Modern contraceptive use among those with birth histories (2.6%) was comparatively higher than those who have not (2.3%), P < 0.0001. Those who lived in urban areas were adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.504 times (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.793–3.497) more likely to use birth control than those in rural areas (P < 0.001)

Conclusion:
As reported in this study, the proportion of AYW’s awareness of modern contraceptives is deficient in DRC, which might be attributed not only due to a lack of knowledge or enlightenment but also due to healthcare facilities’ limited capacity to provide reproductive and sexual health services. Educating the AYW about modern contraceptive methods and interventions, including parents, the school system, and youth organizations, and strengthening the capacity of health facilities to provide modern contraception should be considered.
Feeding practices and nutritional status of children (6-23 months) in an urban area of Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Prasad Reshma , Shukla Arvind , Galhotra Abhiruchi 
Published: October 2023

Background:
The first 1,000 days of a child’s life is a critical window for growth faltering, deficiencies, and common childhood illnesses. Even with optimum breastfeeding, children 6-23 months are at higher risk of being undernourished if they do not receive adequate and appropriate complementary feeding. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of children 6-23 months and find the association between sociodemographic profile and nutritional status.

Materials and Methods:
Mothers of 411 children of age 6–23 months in an urban area of Raipur were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire based on the WHO indicators to record their complementary feeding practices. Weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was taken to assess the nutritional status. Overall and specific (sex-wise and severity-wise) prevalence rate of stunting, wasting, and underweight were calculated. The distribution of these according to various factors like infant and young child feeding practices, and details of study subject and family were calculated. Chi-square test of significance was applied to find the association between nutritional status and independent variables and their strength of association.

Results:
The prevalence of wasting was 25%, underweight 30%, and stunting 15%. Statistically significant association of underweight with age of the parents, both mother and father, was observed (P < 0.05). Minimum dietary diversity was achieved by only 4.1% and minimum acceptable diet by 2.4% children.

Conclusions:
The prevalence of wasting and undernutrition was assessed. Complementary feeding indicators were unsatisfactory among children. Ending all forms of malnutrition is the global goal. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that directly affect or indirectly influence nutrition have to be recalled at this stage and addressing malnutrition is a key element required to achieving them.
A systematic review: The relationship of COVID-19 to iron, zinc, and vitamin D
Authors: Alsharif Meshal M. , Alyousef Raghad , Alturki Abdullah , Kofi Mustafa A. 
Published: October 2023

Background:
Primary care physicians are crucial in identifying SARS-CoV-2 infection and transferring suspected cases since they are on the front lines of health care. Micronutrients are used as an adjunctive treatment for viral respiratory infections. Because there is currently no effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19, micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin D may be important for the survival of critically ill patients.

Objective:
To establish and emphasize a relationship between iron, zinc, and vitamin D to COVID-19.

Materials and Methods:
PubMed database was used for articles selection. All relevant articles to our review with the topics regarding the use of iron, zinc and vitamin D in COVID-19 patients. We excluded other articles, which are not related to this field and did not match inclusion criteria. The data extracted according to specific form and double reviewed by the group members.

Results:
The search of the mentioned database returned a total of 3614 studies that were included for title screening. 2910 of them were included for abstract screening, which lead to the exclusion of 1064 articles. The remaining 1846 publications full texts were reviewed. The full-text revision led to the exclusion of 1812 studies, and 34 were enrolled for final data extraction.

Conclusion:
This study raised the idea of employing zinc, iron, and vitamin D as ingredients to either protect SARS-CoV-2 patients or to speed up recovery, decrease symptoms severity and decrease mortality rates.
Frequency and risk factors stratification of hypertension among the rural population of Bangladesh
Authors: Acherjya Goutam Kumar , Tarafder Keya , Dutta Debasish , Mortuza Md. Golam , Sarkar Alok Kumar , Das Nanda Lal , Ali Mohammad 
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives:
Hypertension is one of the major risk factors of premature morbidity and mortality in our daily clinical practice. Various studies carried out in the urban settings, but there is scarcity of epidemiological data regarding hypertension among the rural people in Bangladesh. Therefore, this current study has been designed to find out the frequency and risk factors stratification of hypertension among the rural people in Jashore, Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study recruited 1812 participants above 18 years attending on national hypertensive week of 2019 in Bagherpara and Keshabpur upazila (subdistrict) health complex in Jashore, Bangladesh. 2020 International Society of Hypertension Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines had been demonstrated to classify hypertension.

Results:
Out of the total study population, the frequency of hypertension was 20.6% (Grade 1 and Grade 2 hypertensive patients 15.8% and 4.9%, respectively), and high normal blood pressure was 9.0%. The mean age of the study population, Grade 1 hypertensive and Grade 2 hypertensive cohorts were 42 ± 16, 49 ± 15 and 51 ± 14 years, respectively, with a male and female ratio was 1:2. Progressive rise of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noticed with increasing age. Age (P: <0.001), sex (P: 0.004), occupation (P: <0.001), BMI (P: <0.001), family (P: <0.001) and past history (P: <0.001) of hypertension, sedentary life style (P: 0.004), additional salt intake (P: <0.001) and smoking (P: 0.011) were significantly associated with hypertension following bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age after 50 years (AOR = 1.866, 95% CI: 1.210-2.876), positive past history of hypertension (AOR = 3.493, 95% CI: 2.676-4.558), additional salt intake (AOR = 0.591, 95% CI: 0.453-0.770) and obesity (AOR = 3.389, 95% CI: 1.830-6.274) were significantly associated with developing hypertension.

Conclusion:
High frequency of hypertension was found among the rural population in Bangladesh where presence with a lot of significantly associated risk factors. The data would be helpful for the health policymakers dealing noncommunicable diseases to reach the sustainable goal and mitigate morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases in Bangladesh.
Men’s knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors toward obstetric danger signs: A community-based cross-sectional study in Debre Tabor North West, Ethiopia
Authors: Ayalew Abeba B. , Sisay Filorenes A. , Erga Besfat B. , Ferede Wassie Y. , Kebede Habtamu B. 
Published: October 2023

Introduction:
Maternal mortality remains a public health challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Men should be informed about these danger signs to be better equipped to act if they occur. Studies on the topic have been limited in the area. The study aimed to assess men’s knowledge, attitudes, and related factors about obstetrics danger signs in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods:
A study was conducted in Debre Tabor Town with 609 participants using a pre-tested questionnaire. The data were analyzed using EpiData version 4.6 and SPSS version 25. Variables with P values ≤0.2 were analyzed with multi-variable logistic regression. A statistically significant association was determined using an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P value <0.05.

Results:
In this study, 609 men were interviewed, with a response rate of 96.9%. Men’s knowledge of obstetric danger signs was 44.8%, while their attitudes were 35.6%. Wives’ education level (AOR = 7.27, 2.13–8.83), history of obstetric danger signs (AOR = 5.34, 3.49–8.16), receiving antenatal care (AOR = 2.44, 1.29–4.64), giving birth in a hospital (AOR = 4.38, 1.69–11.31), and having a health development army leader (AOR = 3.86, 1.38–10.75) were all associated with knowledge at 95% CI. Having a higher wealth index (AOR = 6.30, 3.44–11.53) and having two or more children (AOR = 2.80, 1.51–5.25) at 95% CI were associated with attitude.

Conclusions:
Men’s awareness and attitudes concerning obstetric danger signs were low. The husband’s education, place of birth, and prenatal care are all important factors in increasing men’s understanding and attitudes. As a result, the government and stakeholders must prioritize education, attitude reform, and health education for men.