bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the socio-economic and health impact of COVID-19 in the NGO intervention areas of Gujarat
Authors: Shah Neeta , Ray Tarnishtha , Shah Hetvi , Kapasi Malav , Patel Pallavi , Shah Komal 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim:
By this time, the world has already witnessed catastrophic effects of the pandemic on economic and healthcare services infrastructure, from India the scientific publications documenting this effect are quite sparse. The current report aims to compile the socio-economic, demographic and healthcare services transactions among the population in the non-governmental organization (NGO) supported areas of Gujarat state.

Methods:
The data were collected by human research of the NGO from Sanand, Mundra and Ahmedabad sites at three different time intervals – pre-lockdown, during lockdown and post-lockdown.

Results:
The findings of the study reported a clear increase in availing of healthcare services in all three study sites covered under the programmes of the NGO. It was clearly evident that the impact of lockdown on the livelihood of the population in all three sites was devastating with a significant proportion of individuals losing their jobs. However, the majority of the people were able to rejoin the jobs (though with lower average income) in all three sites. During the lockdown, people heavily relied on stored food sources such as grains and pulses and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits reduced significantly. Lockdown has severely hampered essential maternal and child care services which were remarkably improved in the months of post-lockdown. A considerable number of the family had to mortgage their assets during the lockdown. The mortgage proportion varied widely (3–58%) among all the study sites.

Conclusion:
It was observed that in the unprecedented time, the national lockdown was a challenging time, where there was a drastic shift in the livelihood profile of the population due to significant loss of jobs. Lockdown has also severely affected the essential healthcare services coverage; however, with efforts from the government and the NGO, it was restored to a near pre-lockdown situation in all three sites.
Clinical features, management, and mortality because of COVID-19 in an intensive care unit in Surguja, a tribal district in Central India: A single-centre descriptive study
Authors: Malik Chetanya , Lal Roshan , Chandrakar Kajal , Singh Lakhan , Jadhao Sunil , Kalkonde Yogeshwar , Khanna Shilpa , Kale Neha 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
The clinical features and management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been well documented in urban India. However, little data exist on the management and outcomes of severe COVID-19 in rural and tribal areas.

Methods:
This was a retrospective chart review of the patients admitted in a 20-bedded COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) set up at the Government District Hospital, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, between 17 May and 17 July 2021 during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. The ICU was managed by a team of primary care providers, family physicians, and nurses under the supervision of three specialists. Data related to socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment profiles were extracted using a data extraction tool and analysed.

Results:
A total of 55 of the 63 (87.3%) patients admitted in the ICU during the study period were eligible for the study. The mean age of the patients was 50.95 [standard deviation (SD) 15.76] years; 66% were < 60 years of age, and 63.6% were men. The mean duration of symptoms before ICU admission was 7.52 (SD 4.16) days. Breathlessness (63.6%), fever (58.2%), cough (52.7%), and altered sensorium (38.2%) were the most common presenting symptoms. 67% of the patients had any co-morbidity, and 43% had two or more co-morbidities. 32.7% patients needed non-invasive (14 out of 55) or invasive ventilation (4 out of 55). 12.7% of the patients (7 out of 55) needed dialysis. The intra-ICU mortality was 47%. Patients who died had higher prevalence of heart disease, hypoxia, and altered sensorium.

Conclusion:
Our study highlights the need for critical care services in Government District Hospitals in India and the feasibility of providing such care by primary care providers through specialist mentoring.
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among nurses in a teaching institute in South India
Authors: Kayaroganam Rajarajan , Sarkar Sonali , Satheesh Santhosh , Tamilmani Santhi , Sivanantham Parthibane , Kar Sitanshu S. 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Nurses are constantly exposed to physical and mental stress due to the nature of their job. Estimating the prevalence and the factors associated with psychological distress among nurses is crucial to devise health promotion strategies. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and its associated factors among nurses working in a teaching institute in Puducherry.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional study among 1217 nursing employees aged between 21 and 60 years from May 2019 to April 2020. We assessed psychological distress by using a self-administered general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Participants having a GHQ-12 score of ≥ 3 were considered to have psychological distress. Chi-squared test and adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) were used to determine the factors associated with psychological distress.

Results:
The response rate was 99% (1217/1229), and the majority 943 (77.5%) were women. The mean (SD) GHQ-12 score among nurses was 1.88 (2.6). More than one-fourth of nurses, that is, 27.2% (95% CI: 24.8–29.7) had psychological distress. Psychological distress was significantly higher among women (aPR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14), those having less than ten years of work experience (aPR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00–1.18), those with poor sleep quality (aPR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.22–1.35), and those having severe to dangerous level of workplace stress (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.17–1.39).

Conclusion:
We report a high prevalence of psychological distress among nurses, especially among women, those having poor sleep quality, and those having severe to dangerous level of workplace stress. We highlight that reducing workplace stress and improving sleep hygiene can be vital in improving mental health status.
Mental stress faced by the mental health counsellors working in a Malaysian Medical University: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Marzo Roy Rillera , Bhattacharya Sudip 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Globally, mental health today poses a significant hazard to all of us. It is more vital for students, whose survival in a highly competitive atmosphere places them under enormous pressure.

Aim and Objective:
This qualitative study sought to determine how mental health counsellors now address the mental health concerns of their pupils. To achieve this objective, two research questions were developed to direct this study: (1) What are the experiences of counsellors who provide support to students with mental health issues? (2) How might guidance and counselling services and programmes enhance the academic success of students with mental health issues?

Methodology:
Participants were selected from a university in a northern Malaysian neighbourhood. Several semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with two counsellors to collect data.

Results:
Overall, the counsellors regarded multitasking to be a hindrance to their job performance. Participants felt that their caseloads prevented them from being proactive with each student, resulting in irritation. According to the participants, the job’s requirements have changed, but the number of tasks and caseload have not. This has led to feelings of exhaustion and frustration. The study revealed two important research’s findings: first, there has been an increase in the number of mental health concerns, particularly anxiety and depression, among students; second, counsellors would be able to effectively support children intellectually and personally if they had appropriate staffing and professional development.

Conclusion:
It was concluded that the counselors regarded multitasking was a hindrance to their job performance. Participants reported an increase in the frequency of anxiety and depression exhibited by their students and they felt that additional programming with friends, family, and professors could increase students’ social well-being.
Effect of proximal exercises of lower extremity on static balance parameters during quiet standing
Authors: Rakhshani Mahla , Ashtiani Ahmad Reza Askary , Payandeh Abolfazl , Akbari Asghar , Ghiasi Fateme , Hosseinifar Mohammad , Namvar Hasan , Najafi Atefe , Reyshahri Romina Zayer Mohammadi 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose:
People who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) face reduced balance, which causes increased falling and many serious complications and injuries. The purpose of the extant study was to determine the effect of proximal exercises of lower extremity on static balance parameters during quiet standing.

Materials and Methods:
In the present randomized controlled trial, 36 patients were divided into intervention and control groups (n = 18 in each group). Both groups received routine physiotherapy in three sessions per week for 6 weeks, while the intervention group did proximal exercises in addition to physiotherapy routine. In the extant study, the pain intensity was measured through a visual analog scale (VAS), and individuals’ static balance parameters were measured using Biodex Balance System. All measurements were done before and after the intervention, and then statistical data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 24 software.

Results:
Intergroup comparison indicated significant progress of pain intensity, anterior–posterior (AP), and Overall balance stability in both studied groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase in medial–lateral (ML) balance stability only in the intervention group (P < 0.05). Intergroup comparison showed that there was not any significant difference between variables before the intervention (P > 0.05). The results showed more progress in the intervention group than the control group after they received the intervention, which was significant in terms of ML balance stability (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Adding proximal exercises to physiotherapy had more effect on ML balance stability in KOA patients; however, 6 weeks of these exercises in addition to physiotherapy had also the same effect on pain intensity, Overall, and AP balance stability.
Evaluation of alkaline phosphatase in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals
Authors: Rasaei Neda , Ghadiri Ataollah , Peighan Maryam , Rekabi Atefe , Atashkar Nastaran 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
In recent decades, biomarkers have been used to predict the progression of chronic periodontitis. One of these biomarkers is alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Due to limitations of the performed studies, this study was performed to determine the amount of salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods:
Twenty-three patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 23 healthy individuals referred to the Periodontology Department of Ahvaz Jundishapur School of Dentistry were evaluated in this analytical epidemiological study. Salivary ALP and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were measured using ALP measuring kit and Hitachi device. Results: Mean (standard deviation) of ALP enzyme was 19.43 (12.5) in GCF of patients with chronic periodontitis and 12 (1.48) in the healthy group, and it was 80.17 (23.9) in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and 24.78 (4.37) units per litre in the healthy group. There was a significant difference in the mean of this enzyme in GCF and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The results showed that mean of ALP enzyme is significantly higher in GCV and saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis than in healthy individuals. Therefore, it seems that this parameter can be used as a useful biochemical parameter for the diagnosis of periodontal disease.
A survey on diabetes risk prediction using machine learning approaches
Authors: Firdous Shimoo , Wagai Gowher A. , Sharma Kalpana 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition that can lead to a variety of consequences. Diabetes is a condition that is caused by factors such as age, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and stress, poor food, and so on. Diabetics are at a higher risk of developing diseases such as heart disease, nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), eye problems (diabetic retinopathy), kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), stroke, and so on. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 382 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. By 2035, this number will have risen to 592 million. Every day, a large number of people become victims, and many are ignorant whether they have it or not. It primarily affects individuals between the ages of 25 and 74 years. If diabetes is left untreated and undiagnosed, it can lead to a slew of complications. The emergence of machine learning approaches, on the other hand, solves this crucial issue.

Aims and Objectives:
The aim was to study the DM and analyze how machine learning algorithms are used to identify the diabetes mellitus at an early stage, which is one of the most serious metabolic disorders in the world today.

Methods and Materials:
Data was obtained from databases such as Pubmed, IEEE xplore, and INSPEC,and from other secondary sources and primary sources in which methods based on machine learning approaches used in healthcare to predict diabetes at an early stage are reported.

Results:
After surveying various research papers, it was found that machine learning classification algorithms like Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Random Forest (RF) etc shows the best accuracy for predicting diabetes at an early stage.

Conclusion:
Early detection of diabetes is critical for effective therapy. Many people have no idea whether or not they have it. The full assessment of Machine learning approaches for early diabetes prediction and how to apply a variety of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms to the dataset to achieve the best accuracy are addressed in this paper.. Furthermore, the work will be expanded and refined to create a more precise and general predictive model for diabetes risk prediction at an early stage. Different metrics can be used to assess performance and for accurate diabetic diagnosis.
Inequities in maternal child health, education, and empowerment among tribal population in India
Authors: Manna Souvik , Gupta Varsha , Sanchaya Saras , Garg Aseem 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
The well-known phenomenon of tribal disadvantage in India requires constant monitoring to ensure diligent attention to equitable protection of tribal people’s right to life.

Methodology:
This study, based on an analysis of secondary data from the National Data Analytics Platform database in different tribal communities in Indian states, charts the differential progress of tribals by establishing a gap.

Results:
Huge differences were observed in the total fertility rate among the tribal population across the states, with the lowest in Sikkim (1.02) and Delhi NCT (1.24) and the highest in Bihar (2.98) and Meghalaya (3.07). Similarly, family planning is a matter of great concern as contraceptive usage showed wide disparities with the tribal women of Meghalaya (28.0%) and Mizoram (30.9%) on one end of the spectrum and that of Uttarakhand (77.9%) and Delhi (75.7%) on the other end. An association was demonstrated between the literacy gap in any state and the percentage of ST population below the poverty line. The patriarchal social structure in mainland India and matriarchal structure in North-Eastern India were also evident in tribal population. Financial independence ranged from 29.5% in Andhra Pradesh to nearly 67% in Karnataka. Similarly, mobile phone penetrance among tribal women ranged from 25.8% in Madhya Pradesh to nearly 90% in Sikkim.

Conclusion:
While many households in these tribes still lack basic amenities, notable differences regarding maternal child health, education, health insurance, and overall empowerment were identified, supporting arguments for devising more sophisticated differential forms of intervention.
Clinical spectrum of myasthenia gravis: An institute experience over 8 years from North East India
Authors: Synmon Baiakmenlang , Rawat Sanjib , Kynta Reuben , Hussain Masaraf , Sharma Shri R. , Lyngdoh Bifica S. , Wankhar Baphira , Hynniewta Yasmeen 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular junction disorder usually associated with a thymic lesion.

Aims and Objective:
To study the clinical, serological, and thymic pathology in patient of MG from this corner of the country.

Material and Method:
A retrospective study involving all myasthenia patients presenting to neurology and cardio-thoracic department from the year 2013 to 2020. The clinical findings, Osserman grade of severity, antibodies profile, computed scanning thorax findings and histopathology of the thymic lesion were noted and collected as data.

Results:
Thirty patients of MG were included with mean age of onset being 39.10 ± 15.77 years which included 22 females and eight males. Four patients had only ocular findings while 26 patients had generalized myasthenia with three patients of respiratory failure. Ach receptor antibodies were positive in 27 patients and negative in two patients. Anti-MUSK was positive in one out of five patients. Abnormal findings in CT thorax seen in 20 patients which included enlarged thymic gland in 11 patients, thymic hyperplasia in two patients, thymoma in four patients, and anterior mediastinal mass in three patients. Thymectomy was done in eighteen patients with thymoma as the most common histopathological findings seen in eight patients, follicular hyperplasia in five patients; other was thymic hyperplasia, thymic cyst, normal thymus gland, and features of sarcoidosis in one patient.

Conclusion:
MG is a treatable autoimmune disorder with a variety of clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings.
Public sector primary care services in Sri Lanka and the specialist family physician: A qualitative study
Authors: Ramanayake R. P. Janaka C. , Perera Dinusha P. , Jayasinghe J. A. Piyumi H. , Munasinghe M. M. Erandi M. , de Soyza E. C. Eric S. , Jayawardana M. A. Vindya S. 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
In the background of a rising burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) Sri Lanka has prioritised reorganising primary care based on a family medicine approach.

Aims:
This study explored the integration of a relatively new specialist family physician (SFP) role into the state public health sector of Sri Lanka. Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 SFPs attached to the Ministry of Health. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results:
SFPs had faced initial challenges related to recognition and collaboration within the state health sector. They provided comprehensive primary care in a variety of roles; most importantly in care of NCD and elderly care, and focused on professional development of medical officers and support staff in the settings where they worked. Challenges were insufficient laboratory facilities, medication availability, primary care trained manpower and linkages with secondary care. These barriers hindered the ability of the SFPs to provide a full range of family practice-oriented health services.

Conclusion:
SFPs have integrated well into the public health sector of Sri Lanka providing comprehensive primary care services. The findings identify areas that need strengthening to further improve primary care services in the country and operationalise proposed new primary care service models.
Profile and outcome of COVID-19 patients treated at a secondary hospital in Central India during the second wave of the pandemic
Authors: Deepti Mogili Krishna , Paul Arun John , Timothy Fiona Robin , Kuttikat Sija Joseph , Karuppusami Reka , Abhilash Kundavaram Paul Prabhakar 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
The second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a significant rise in the number of infections and deaths as compared to the first wave. The published literature till now is limited to tertiary hospitals. We did this study to describe the demographic characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to a secondary care hospital in central India during the second wave of the pandemic.

Methods:
This was a single-center, retrospective observational study conducted in a secondary hospital in central India. The data of patients with COVID-19 infection admitted between March 25 to May 25, 2021, were retrieved and analyzed.

Results:
A total of 184 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 54.8 ± 14.5 years. Comorbidities included hypertension (40.2%), diabetes mellitus (29.9%), hypothyroidism (4.3%), and asthma (2.7%). The most common presenting complaints were cough (78.8%), breathlessness (61.4%), and fever (60.9%). The mean duration of symptoms was 5.4 ± 2.6 days. According to High-Resolution Computerised Tomography (HRCT) chest severity score, 29/181 (16%) patients had mild disease, 135/181 (74.5%) patients had moderate disease, and 17/181 (9.5%) patients had severe disease. The majority of the patients received remdesivir (90.2%) and 123 patients (66.8%) received corticosteroids. Half the patients (52.2%; n = 96) required intensive care unit admission, 79.3% (145 patients) required oxygen support, and 8.1% (15 patients) required non-invasive ventilator support.

Conclusion:
Our study from a secondary hospital setup showed that the second wave was very severe with a high requirement of oxygen support and intensive care monitoring.
Addressing determinants of malnutrition: A protocol of project Tushti
Authors: Saha Somen , Saxena Deepak , Puwar Tapasvi , Pandya Apurvakumar 
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
Improved nutrition situation analysis can increase the understanding of the likely magnitude and main causes of the nutrient gap among children less than 2 years of age. The present study was aimed at assessing nutritional status and factors related to it in children less than 2 years of age in the Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat, India.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample size for a population-based survey was calculated using Open Epi and considering 20% non-response rate. Sample size for the study was 1,200 but sample size achieved was 1,301. Chi-square analyses were performed to identify significant determinants of under-nutrition separately for stunting, wasting, and underweight.

Results:
The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting was 14, 17, and 32%, respectively. Prevalence of low birth weight was recorded as 14% in the district. The overall prevalence of overweight was 20% and 6% as per weight for height and weight for age criteria, respectively. The proportion of children with exclusive breastfeeding observed to be decreasing with increasing age from birth to 6 months; 70% of children were exclusively breastfeed at the age of 6 months compared to 84% at their births. Chi-square analyses revealed that parity and spacing as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district.

Conclusion:
In Devbhumi Dwarka, burden of malnutrition was recorded. Maternal literacy, parity, and spacing emerged as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district. Multipronged and convergence approach is needed to combat menace of child malnutrition.