The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shaped higher education and seen the distinct rise of e-learning as a compulsory element of the modern educational landscape. Accordingly, this study highlights the factors which have influenced how students perceive their academic performance during this emergency changeover to e-learning. The empirical analysis is performed on a sample of 10,092 higher education students from 10 countries across 4 continents during the pandemic’s first wave through an online survey. A structural equation model revealed the quality of e-learning was mainly derived from service quality, the teacher’s active role in the process of online education, and the overall system quality, while the students’ digital competencies and online interactions with their colleagues and teachers were considered to be slightly less important factors. The impact of e-learning quality on the students’ performance was strongly mediated by their satisfaction with e-learning. In general, the model gave quite consistent results across countries, gender, study fields, and levels of study. The findings provide a basis for policy recommendations to support decision-makers incorporate e-learning issues in the current and any new similar circumstances.
Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) has been used for a long period as a surrogative measure for obesity. But BMI does not differentiate between fat and nonfat tissue (blood, bone, and muscle) due to which it is not considered accurate anymore. But since BMI is easier to estimate and used widely for assessment of obesity, it is better if it is re-standardized according to the body fat percentage (BFP) of a specific population, community, and their ethnicity.
Objective: To estimate and propose the BMI cut-off values in young Indian population especially MBBS students taking BFP as a standard.
Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric data (age, gender, height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference) were collected from the participants after taking consent. BMI was calculated using Quetelet’s Rule. BFP was estimated using Omron Body fat Monitor (HBF 385). It measures the BFP by the bioelectrical impedance (BI) method. Data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests and receiver operating curve (ROC) curves were drawn to find the cut-off values of BMI to determine obesity.
Setting: The present study is a multi-centric study conducted in four medical colleges (two in each state; Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, India).
Participants: Apparently healthy MBBS students aged 18-24 years were included in this study. Students having any chronic or acute illnesses were excluded from the study. Out of 904 students contacted from four medical colleges, 863 (430 males and 433 females) consented and participated.
Results: Some 863 MBBS students have participated in this study. After adjusting for age, BMI was found to be higher in males. BMI was found to be 29.33 for males and in females it was 29.06. BFP was higher in females (34.23) as compared to males (20.77). Waist hip ratio was found to be higher in females (0.92) than in males (0.84). Whereas, fat free mass (FFM) and fat free mass index (FFMI) are higher in males, i.e., 56.24 and 18.48 respectively. Most appropriate cut-off value for obesity on ROC curve was found to be 22.09 (sensitivity 84.5%, specificity 83.46%) in males and that of females was 23.73 (sensitivity 85.26, specificity 81.23). Whereas, the conventional cut-off of 25 for males had sensitivity of only 46% and that of females was 70.5%. For total population BMI cut-off value was found to be 22.2 with 81% sensitivity and 74% specificity.
Conclusion: We propose the cut-off value for overweight/obesity in males to be 22.09 kg/m
2
and for females to be 23.73 kg/m
2
in young adult Indian population. These values were found to have more sensitivity and specificity than current BMI cut-off value.
Background: Dairy work is thought to be predominantly a rural occupation. However, due to preferences we see a lot of urban residents consume fresh milk and hence, few people even in the urban areas take up cattle rearing as a cost effective profession. In the midst of much talked re-emerging diseases, caused by close habitation of animals and man, it would be very relevant to see living conditions of these populations and their hygiene practices in a space compromised scenario. In urban settings, they stay in close proximity and due to socioeconomic conditions, dairy workers in do not have appropriate amenities to tend on the cattle,clean or even scope for proper waste disposal. This in nutshell, leads to a disease enabling environment and the study aims at reviewing these living conditions. Besides, an assessment of health conditions of the dairy workers, their awareness regarding the milk borne diseases(MBD) was done. The findings helped generate recommendations for improvement of the profession and ultimately the quality of the milk. Objectives:1) Assess the hygiene practices during the stages of milk collection, storage and transport of milk among the sampled dairy workers from urban unorganized settings of Bhubaneswar. 2) Assess awareness of these workers regarding milk borne diseases. Methodology: This cross?sectional survey was part of a larger study and was conducted in unorganized sector of dairy workers in Bhubaneswar. 60 dairy households were surveyed and from each household, 2 members actively involved in dairy work were selected.The study tool was a semi structured, mixed questionnaire. The questionnaire had 3 sections; A was regarding household information(General sociodemographic details and Housing conditions for 60 HHs); B was to elicit the hygiene status of dairy workers(n=120) during each step of their work, their milk handling details during milk collection, storage and transportation; C had questions to assess the awareness of dairy worker regarding MBD. Results: Hygiene practices were very dismal at all points like milking,storage and transportation. Only 5.0% dairy households practised cleaning udder twice- prior to and after milking. Only 35% households kept the milk storage containers covered. 44.2% workers agreed that “MBD” is a community health problem. On general examination, pallor and icterus was found among workers. This strongly brings out that this group not only have the potential to be infected by zoonotic diseases, but can also transmit it to through the milk they are selling. A felt need is assessed for these workers in terms of creating standards of hygiene practices of cattle and milk handling and also impart them training on improving their occupational practices.
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