Background Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has not only spawned a lot of stigma and discrimination towards its survivors but also to their corpses. We aimed to assess the magnitude and correlates of stigma in these survivors, on return to their communities. Methods This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based, exploratory study conducted by the postgraduate department of psychiatry, in collaboration with the postgraduate department of chest medicine, Govt. medical college, Srinagar. The study was performed among COVID-19 survivors, who attended the outpatient department after their discharge from the hospital. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded through semi-structured proforma. Stigma was measured by the stigma questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results A total of 91 survivors consented to participate in the study. Almost half (46.2%) of them were in the age group of 30–49 years and close to two-thirds (68.1%) were males. About three–fourths (74.7%) were from the urban background. The mean time from hospital discharge to study entry was 11.7±5.1 [Range(R) = 7–21] days. 98% of survivors provided at least one stigma endorsing response and the total mean stigma score was 28.5±7.1[R = 6–39]. The mean stigma sub-scores were highest for enacted stigma (7.6±1.8) [R = 2–9] and externalized stigma (15.0±4.1) [R = 1–20]. Enacted stigma was significantly high in males as compared to females. Enacted stigma and internalized stigma were both associated with education. Enacted stigma, externalized stigma, disclosure concerns, and total stigma was significantly associated with the occupation. Being unemployed and time since discharge were identified as independent predictors of total stigma. Conclusion Our study results showed high levels of enacted and externalized stigma among COVID-19 survivors. Enacted stigma was more among males and in those who were highly educated. Survivor centered and community-driven anti-stigma programs are the need of the hour to promote the recovery and community re-integration of these survivors.

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Background: As orthopaedic implants are being increasingly used, managing the implantassociated infections has become a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacteriological profile with antibiotic susceptibility patterns and biofilm detection in orthopaedic implant-associated infections. Study Design: Cross-sectional prospective. Place and Duration of Study:The study was conducted in the department of Microbiology and Orthopaedics, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (J&K) India, a tertiary care institute from August 2014 to February 2016. Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients having orthopaedic implant infections.

Purpose: To study the biofilm formation and to examine the correlation between antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation among the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter. Materials and Methods: A total of 43 isolates of Acinetobacter collected from samples like peripheral venous catheter tips, urine from Foley's catheter, central venous catheter tips and endotracheal tube aspirates were preserved and processed. The tube method was performed to qualitatively detect Biofilm production. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done as per CLSI guidelines.