The multisectoral impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can impair treatment adherence of patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This mixed-method study, conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, assessed the quantum of their treatment adherence and its determinants in rural West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 213 NCD patients while qualitative exploration for barriers of treatment adherence was conducted as 6 in-depth Interviews. Treatment adherence was assessed by “Medication Compliance Questionnaire” and “Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle and Follow-up Advice” Questionnaire. A total of 39.4% were nonadherent to medications while 67.1% had nonadherence to healthy lifestyle and follow-up advice. Significant predictors associated with nonadherence were increasing age, female gender, lower socioeconomic status, decreasing patient empowerment, and decreasing trust in the medical profession. Economic crisis, fear of contagion, and nonavailability of investigation facilities were some new emerging barriers in addition to preexisting barriers of treatment adherence. Therefore, measures for improving patient empowerment and patient–provider relationship by motivation and counseling, taking proper care of vulnerable patients affected by the pandemic, and correcting deficiencies at the health-system level should be given utmost priority.
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of mortality in the world, more so in the perimenopausal age group due to decreased levels of estrogen and diminished ovarian function because of ageing.Objective:To find out the magnitude of CVD risk amongperimenopausal women residing in rural Bengal and its associated determinants.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of Barasat block I during April-July 2021 on 150 peri-menopausal women selected by cluster sampling. A pre-designed pretested questionnaire was used for data collection and a 10-year probability of CVD risk was assessed using Framingham Risk Score. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out the associated factors.Results: Intermediate & high CVDrisk was present in 28 (18.7%) and 63 (42%) participants respectively. Among 150 participants, 62% were hypertensive, 44.7% were diabetic, 51.3% with borderline high total cholesterol and 76% had low HDL cholesterol. Factors significantly associated with intermediate to high CVD risk were high mental stress [AOR=6.96, 95%CI=2.17-22.31], family history of chronic illness [AOR=14.46, 95% CI=4.26-49.06] and presence of chronic morbidities [AOR=6.84, 95%CI=1.93-24.22].Conclusion: A significant proportion of perimenopausal women were at risk of developing CVD. Thus, awareness campaigns in the community would help in empowering women in maintaining their health through regular screening and timely intervention when deemed necessary.
Introduction: Awareness regarding Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among antenatal women is necessary for early diagnosis and management of the disease for ensuring a safe motherhood and a healthy child. Objective: This study envisaged to assess the awareness regarding GDM and its determinants among antenatal women attending healthcare facilities in a rural area of West Bengaland to explore the perspectives of health workers with regard to gaps in proper awareness generation activities among antenatal women. Method: This mixed-method study was conducted from April 2021 to July 2021 at 4 health facilities in Singur, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 195 antenatal women using a pretested questionnaire which were analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews among 6 health workers working in the health facilities and were analysed thematically. Results: Overall, 75.4% of participants were not aware of GDM. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that secondary education and below (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42), no history of GDM among family & relatives (AOR=7.24,95% CI=2.12-24.66), lesser number of antenatal visits (AOR=3.48, 95% CI=1.63-7.42) and non-receipt of counselling regarding GDM during antenatal visits (AOR= 3.09, 95% CI =1.45–6.58) had a significant association with poor awareness. From health workers’ perspectives, lack of reorientation training, shortage of supplies for testing, and overburdening with other responsibilities were the major gaps identified in proper awareness generation activities. Conclusion: Present study revealed majority of study participants possessed poor knowledge regarding GDM. Reorientation training of health workers, organizing awareness campaigns at the community level, and relevant counselling regarding GDM during each antenatal visit should be given utmost priority for improving knowledge about the disease.
Background: Smartphone usage is gradually escalating among Indian adolescents, which is having adverse consequences on their health and well-being. Awareness regarding adverse health impacts of smartphone usage among adolescents is thus necessary. Aims and Objectives: This study assessed the smartphone usage pattern and perception regarding its health effects among adolescents attending adolescent friendly health clinic (AFHC) at Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 adolescents from January to March 2023 at AFHC of Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata selected by systematic random sampling technique. Pre-designed self-administered questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Factors associated with the duration of smartphone usage were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: Smartphone was used by all the study participants (n = 187). A significant proportion has utilized smartphones for >3-year duration, whereas 114 (60.9%) used them for 1–2 h per day and 56 (29.9%) used them for ≥3 h per day. The major adverse health impacts of smartphone usage perceived by the participants were eye symptoms (64.2%), headache (50.8%), and neck pain (46.5%). gender (χ2=12.98, df = 2, P = 0.0012), type of residence (χ2 = 7.98, df = 2, P = 0.018), and socioeconomic status (χ2 = 34.96, df = 2, P < 0.001) were factors significantly associated with the duration of smartphone usage per day. Conclusion: Smartphone should be optimized to protect the physical and mental well-being of adolescents. Motivation and counselling regarding the adverse effects of smartphone usage is should be given the utmost priority. Generating awareness among parents at the community level through field health workers is also the need of the hour.
Introduction: Doctors are amongst the major frontline health-care providers combating the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. This overwhelming burden has not only resulted in physical exhaustion but also taken a toll on their mental health. It is thus important to determine the anxiety levels among doctors working in Kolkata and identify its associated factors which can serve as important evidence for promotion of mental well-being among them. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done through online social media platform-based survey from August to October 2020, in Kolkata, among 313 doctors. Levels of anxiety was assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (modified for COVID-19 pandemic). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was done to find out the association of risk factors with high anxiety levels among the study participants. Results: Among 313 study participants,31.9% had mild, 22% moderate and 6.4% had severe anxiety levels. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age, female gender, working in government sector, presence of associated co-morbid medical condition, working as designated frontline COVID-19 health-care worker, working in increasing number of high-risk areas in the health facility, poor quality of available personal protective equipment and increasing number of difficulties faced while working had significant association with high anxiety levels. Conclusion: Present study showed that considerable proportion (28.4%) of doctors had high anxiety levels. Maintaining appropriate COVID-19 protocols at the workplace, periodic health check-up to detect co-morbidity at the earliest, counseling services with particular attention to female providers would add on to betterment of their mental health.
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