Background:Stress is very common psychological phenomena where medical students faced in day to day activities. Epidemiological studies have asserted that about 70-80% of the diseases may be related to stress. Research related to this stress especially among medical students is essential, considering their learning, role and responsibilities as a future physician and health intervention programs.Objectives:To estimate the prevalence of stress and identify stressors among medical students.Materials and Methods:A Cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduate medical students and self administered GHQ-12 and stressor questionnaire were used to collect information regarding stress. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratio (OR).Results:Prevalence of stress was 94.52% and more common among females. 33.56% students felt constantly under strain and 25.34% had loss of sleep over worry. Majority of the students of all semesters had stress (P > 0.05) and stressors viz. ‘competition for marks’ (P = 0.005), ‘frequent examination’ (P = 0.001), ‘difficulty in finding time for recreation’ (P = 0.014) and ‘being away from home’ (P = 0.027) were predominantly experienced by the 1st year medical students. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the causal effect of main parameter on the GHQ caseness and students who found difficulties in following teaching language among the caseness had 81.59% higher chance of developing stress (OR = 8.159, CI = 1.228-54.213).Conclusion:The stress experience was more common due to academics and seen among all year of medical students. Strategy development for eliminating stressors is necessary for promoting healthy life.

Background: Agartala is one of the fastest growing cities in India. With rapid increase in the number of bikes and other motor vehicles, road traffic accidents (RTA) are also increasing sharply. Ocular trauma and resultant ophthalmic morbidities following RTA is common. Aims & Objective: To study the epidemiology and pattern of ocular trauma among the road traffic accident cases. Materials and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during February to July 2013 among 700 road traffic cases attending Ophthalmology and Casualty Department of Agartala Govt. Medical College, Tripura. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used for presenting data. Results: Out of 700 RTA patients 82.86% (580) were male and 17.14% (120) were female. Majority i.e. 76% (532) of the RTA cases occurred among the two-wheeler users, 42 (35.29 %) were drunk and 17% (119) of the RTA cased sustained ocular injuries. Among the ocular injury cases, 60% (72) suffered from ecchymosis. Out of 119 RTAs with ocular injuries, 22 (18.48%) had no PL at reporting due to due to ocular nerve injury and all of them failed to recover even after treatment. Conclusion: Two-wheeler accident is common and an important cause for loss of vision following RTA. Victims of RTA reporting with loss of vision due to optic nerve injury had poor visual prognosis. Hence, primary preventive approach through behaviour change communication among the bikers for promoting safe riding practices and strict implementation of traffic rules like riding at safe speed, wearing helmet and avoiding alcohol before driving are needed to prevent RTA associated blindness.

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Consecutive decline in sex ratio of our country signals an impending crisis. Gender preference of women may have a role in determining sex ratio. Aims & Objective: To study the gender preference and the factors affecting gender preference of mothers. Material and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during August-September 2013 among 390 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Agartala Government Medical College using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test and logistic regression were used. Results: 40.8% had son preference, 29.7% preferred daughter and the rest had no particular preference regarding the outcome of their current pregnancy. Significantly higher son preference was observed among the rural, illiterate and nullipara or women having no male child (68.24%, 58.33% and 68.24% respectively, p < 0.05). Higher son preference was also observed among housewives (58.00%), primigravida (54.61%) and women from joint families (61.18%), though it was not significant. Preference for son was higher in both the presumed situation of having either one or multiple children. Reasons for son preference were 'better security in old age' 39.1%; 'generation continuation' 31.1%; 'status symbol' 18.8%; and 'better earning' 11.1%. Reasons for daughter preference were, 'daughters are more trust worthy'55.1%; 'daughters help in household work' 19.67%; 'daughters are laxmi of family' 15% and non-specific reasons 10.23%. Conclusion: Improving social security at old age, facilities favouring girl children and steps for elimination of dowry from the society may help in improving the preference for girl children leading to a balanced population.