No abstract

Background: Helmet use reduces the risk and severity of head injury and death due to road traffic crash among motorcyclists. The protective efficacy of different types of helmets varies. Wearing firmly fastened full-face helmet termed as effective helmet use provides greatest protection. This study estimates the prevalence and factors associated with effective helmet use among motorcyclists in Mysuru, a tier II city in Southern India. Methods: Cross-sectional road side observational study of 3499 motorcyclists (2134 motorcycle riders and 1365 pillion riders) at four traffic intersections was done followed by interview of random sample of 129 of the above riders. Effective helmet use proportion and effective helmet use per 100 person-minute of observation was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with effective helmet use. Results: Prevalence of effective helmet use was 28 per 100 riders and 19.5 per 100 person-minute of observation in traffic intersections. Prevalence rates of effective helmet use was higher among riders (34.5% vs pillion riders 18.1%), female riders (51.3% vs male riders 26.8%), and male pillion riders (30.5% vs female pillion riders 13.7%). Riders commuting for work and school and those ever stopped by the police in the past 3 months had significantly higher odds of effective helmet use. Conclusion: Despite helmet use being compulsory by law for motorcyclists, the effective helmet use was low in Mysore. Strict enforcement and frequent checks by the police are necessary to increase the effective helmet use.

BACKGROUNDPsoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease with varied prevalence and morphology. There is no complete cure for psoriasis. Estimation of burden and the clinical profile of psoriasis patients will generate evidence which can be utilized for efficient management of specialist services, better care and improving the quality of life of the psoriatic patients.

Background: Adolescents constitute 21% of the total population in India. Untreated mental disorders affect a person’s potential to live a fulfilling life and raises the possibility of conduct disorders. Moreover, malnutrition leads to growth retardation and sexual maturation in later life. Thus, this study was undertaken to understand the role of family size, socio-economic status, marital status on mental and nutritional health of adolescent girls in urban and rural Jodhpur.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study in three schools each from rural and urban Jodhpur was conducted to include adolescent girls aged 10-19 years. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and socio-economic data along with DASS-21 and SMFQ for mental health assessment and BMI, waist-hip ratio collected for nutritional health.Results: Depression score ≥10 was observed in 34.3% girls (significantly associated with monthly attendance), anxiety score ≥10 observed in 64.8% (associated with socio-economic class and monthly attendance) and stress score ≥10 observed in 26.2% (associated with monthly attendance). Th e17.4% were thin while 4.7% overweight, significantly associated with location, age group and socio-economic class. The 5% were at increased metabolic risk, associated with non-participation in extra-curricular activities.Conclusions: The study indicated high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress, nutritional imbalance and risk of metabolic disorders at an early age, that were significantly associated with the low monthly attendance indicating negative impact of such factors on regular education and academic growth. The findings highlight a greater emphasis needed on mental health and nutritional components during the active growth years of adolescent females.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) shows various trends in different parts of the country and constitute a major public health problem for both developing and developed countries. STD`s increases the risk of transmission of Human Immuno Deficiency virus (HIV) infection causing immense need to understand the patterns of STD`s prevailing in the regions of a country for proper planning and implementation of STD control strategies. To know the pattern of STDs and to analyze the changes during a 7 year period among patients attending the STD clinic at the tertiary care centre. A retrospective analysis of data collected from the clinical records of patients attending the STD clinic of a tertiary care hospital, Mysuru over a period of 7 years (from Jan 2010 to Dec 2016). During this 7 years period, a total of 1,98,991 patients attended Skin and STD Department on out-patient basis, among them 2,111(1.06%) were STD patients [1057 males and 1054 females]. Majority were married (89.86%). The most common STD in males was balanoposthitis (32.92%) and in females was vaginal /cervical discharge (28.42%). Among genital ulcer diseases herpes genitalis was most common and increased gradually while Syphillis and Chancroid declined during the study period. Gonococcal urethritis was seen among 4.69% and LGV only in 0.14% (3 cases). HIV seropositivity in the study population was 7.25%.Bacterial STD`s showed a gradual reduction in number while fungal and viral STD`s showed increasing trends.

Background Globally, the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) varies from 6% to 58% and emerging as a significant behavioural addiction pandemic often coexisting with psychological problems. This study was done to estimate the prevalence and predictors of internet addiction among undergraduate college students of Jodhpur city. Methods Cross sectional study was done among 2035 college students of Jodhpur city between August 2018-October 2019. The study tool consisted of self-administered questionnaire including socio-demographic details, Young’s internet addiction scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and DASS 21scale. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using SPSS v.23. Results The prevalence of internet addiction was 51.0% (95% CI:48.8%-53.2%). Depression, anxiety and stress were highly correlated (r > 0.7). Hence, 3 separate binary logistic regression models were constructed. The predictors of IA common among all 3 models were male sex, age ≥20 years, age at first internet use ≤15 years, urban origin, accessing internet at college, mobile internet use, preference to make online friendship and sleep disturbance. Staying in hostel or paying guest accommodation was predictor in model 2 and 3. Students who screened positive for Depression, anxiety and stress had higher odds of IA. Conclusions Nearly half of study participants were internet addicts. IA was associated with depression, anxiety, stress and sleep disturbance. Key messages The study highlights the need for screening and management of both internet addiction and associated mental health problems with special focus on males and those staying away from home.