Background: Elder abuse is an important public health problem hidden from public view in spite of its detrimental effect on physical and mental health. In the last three decades, there is responsiveness toward abuse of children and spouses worldwide but even today abuse and neglect of aged people seem to be the matter of least concern. This study aims to reveal the magnitude of elder abuse and its predictors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a community setting among elderly people (60 years and older) from October 2015 to September 2017 in a rural area of West Bengal, eastern part of India. Elder abuse was elicited by questions adapted from the Actual Abuse Tool. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 16.0). Logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the factors associated with elder abuse. Results: The study found that 25.6% of the respondents had experienced abuse, psychological abuse being the commonest type. Disability was the most common perceived risk for abuse. Univariate logistic regression showed higher age (70 years and older), female gender, who were Scheduled caste, living in a nuclear family, having more than three children, financially and functionally dependent, who was suffering from depression and multimorbidity had increased odds of being abused. In multivariable logistic regression, people aged above 70 years, living in a nuclear family and dependent for instrumental activities of daily living remained significant predictors of abuse. Conclusion: Around one in four of the respondents was abused in a 1 year duration which implies the urgent need for action. Routine screening for elder abuse at ground level and abuse prevention campaigns can be an important measure to alleviate this hidden problem. Also, there is a need to explore culturally specific forms of elder abuse to provide an age-friendly environment.

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Background: Bus drivers as compared to workers in other jobs, are more likely to experience cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and musculoskeletal disorders. Occupational stress is believed to play a significant role in causing these problems. The objective of this study is to assess the occupational stress and to find the prevalence of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal disorders among bus drivers and its association if any, with occupational stress. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted from June 2004 -May 2005 among bus drivers of a Bus terminal of Mumbai city. 210 bus drivers were included in the study. Occupational stress was assessed by using Stress-related health complaints questionnaire. Results: Hypertension was seen among 24%, Dyspepsia, regurgitation among 52%, lower back among 79% of bus drivers. Morbidities were significantly high among the drivers who had high occupational stress score. Conclusions: Occupational stress is associated with hypertension, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal problems among bus drivers.

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Background: Medicines are often used incorrectly; around 50% of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately, while 50% of patients fail to take their medicines appropriately (WHO 2002). Self-medication is an important concern worldwide and WHO has laid emphasis on correctly investigating and controlling it. Self-medication practices have dramatically increased in the last few decades, especially in developing countries like India. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the prevalence of self-medication for during acute illness episodes and factors associated among a rural community.Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2017 in Anandnagar village, Singur block. All the 900 households in village were included in the study. Data regarding pattern of self-medication were collected by using pretested structured schedule from head of the family or next available adult member. Data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel 2016.Results: Amongst 900 household’s data could be collected from 864 households. Majority respondents were housewives in age group 40-60 years and primary educated. 50.7% respondents reported having acute illness among family members in past 3 months, 48.5% amongst them reported using self-medication. Cough (56.6%), fever (20.3%) and pain (11.2%) were the conditions for which self-medication was used. Nearby medicine shop was the source of self-medication among 59.3% respondents. 2.3% reported using old prescriptions.Conclusions:Half of the communities having acute illness were using self-medication. Uncontrolled use of medicines needs to be addressed as it brings potential health hazards, drug resistance and misuse.