Introduction: Antepartum anxiety and depression are two of the most common risk factors for the development of postpartum depression. Women are at a higher risk of developing depression and suffering from mental disorders during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Psychopathological symptoms during pregnancy have physiological consequences for the fetus, such as impaired blood flow leading to low birth weight, as well as cognitive delay and behavioral problems. Objectives: To screen antenatal women for common mental health disorders and to determine the factors associated with mental health disorders during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 208 pregnant mothers in the third trimester attending the antenatal clinic at a Government Maternity Home in a low-income urban area of Bengaluru was conducted using clinical interview schedule-revised (CIS-R) questionnaire as a screening tool for detecting the presence of mental morbidity. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: In the study population, 12 (5.8%) screened positive for antepartum mental morbidities, of which depression was the most common. 3.8% of all women screened positive for depression, with 15.4% demonstrating depressive symptoms. Overall, 82 (39.4%) had the presence of one or more psychological symptoms, including fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and problems with sleep and concentration but scored less than the CIS-R cutoff score of 12. Factors associated with the presence of antepartum mental morbidities included poor relationships with their spouse, poor/satisfactory relationship with siblings or in-laws, as well as the desire to have a male child. Conclusion: In the study population, 12 (5.8%) screened positive for antepartum mental morbidities. Considering the effects on quality of life for these women as well as poor fetal outcomes associated with maternal mental morbidity, it is important to include screening and treatment of mental morbidity as a part of routine antenatal care.

Background: According to the United Nations, India will become the most populated country by 2050.This will lead to further strain in social and economic life. Family planning plays a major role in bridging this rapid population growth. But unmet needs for family planning prevent women from availing this benefit. Aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of unmet needs for family planning and its associated factors among ever married women in selected villages of Anekal taluk, Karnataka.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted during a period of two months among ever married women in selected villages of Anekal. A structured interview schedule consisting of questions about unmet needs for family planning and its determinants was administered to 133 ever married women.Results: Of the 133 study participants 127 (95.5%) were aware of at least one contraceptive method. The prevalence of unmet needs for family planning was 11.3%. Younger age (18-24 years), <5 years active years of married life, women having a single live child and who were a sole decision maker had higher unmet needs for family planning. Among the women who had unmet needs for family planning, the major reason reported was family and cultural problems.Conclusions: The unmet need for family planning was found to be 11.3% which is more than the state value of 8.8% (rural Karnataka NFHS 4). So there is a need to create increased awareness among the women in the study area regarding the importance of contraceptive measures in the family and the society.

Background: A food handler is anyone who works in a food business and handles food, or surfaces that are likely to come into contact with food. The chance of food becoming contaminated depends largely on the health status and knowledge and practices of food safety of food handlers. Current statistics on food borne illnesses in various industrialized countries show that up to 30% of cases may be caused by poor food handling techniques, and by contaminated food served in food service establishments.Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken among 150 food handlers working in eateries in Anekal town, Bangalore Urban district, to determine their health profile and assess their knowledge and practices regarding food hygiene. A pre-validated, structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practices among food handlers. Knowledge and practice scores were categorized to find associations between levels of score and demographic variables.Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 33.68±12.86 years. Fever and dizziness was reported by 39 (26.6%) of food handlers. Poor knowledge was found in 80 (53.3%) and poor practice in 83 (55.3%) regarding safe food hygiene. An increase in age and education levels showed a positive association with knowledge and practice of safe food hygiene.Conclusions: Given high levels of poor knowledge and practice regarding safe food hygiene among these food handlers, there is an urgent need to address this issue that may translate into increased morbidity and suffering among populations served by these food handlers.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is the commonest mental health disorder post-childbirth, yet there is a paucity of data in rural areas regarding the actual incidence of PPD, which excludes pre-existing or antenatal depression. To estimate the incidence of PPD among rural women of south Karnataka and identify predictors of PPD, including antenatal psychiatric disorders. Methods: A longitudinal study in 25 villages in south Karnataka among 150 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy using simple random sampling. Baseline data collected and revised Clinical Interview Schedule used to screen antenatal psychiatric disorders. Participants followed-up 6–8 weeks postpartum, end-line data collected, and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale administered. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests for association between PPD and covariates. Logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios. Results: Prevalence of antenatal psychiatric disorders was 15.3%. The incidence of PPD was 11%. A significantly higher proportion of PPD was found among women with adverse events in the last year, low socioeconomic status, and perceived lack of care/support at home. Predictors of PPD were antenatal psychiatric disorders (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.22–5.11; P = 0.028), mothers reporting worry about their infant’s health (AOR = 7.7, 95% CI = 1.22–48.32; P = 0.012) and mothers receiving postpartum care by caregivers other than their own mother (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.13–8.09; P = 0.030). Conclusions: Our study found that one in ten rural women is developing PPD and there is a strong link between PPD and antenatal psychiatric disorders and family factors. This calls for capacity building of general physicians and village-level workers and strengthening of the Home-Based Newborn Care Program, where weekly postpartum home visits by ASHA are an opportunity for screening and counselling mothers.

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Context:Buses take up more than 90% of public transport in Indian cities and serve as a cheap and convenient mode of transport for all classes of society. However, the well-being of employees of this mode of transport is paramount in passenger and personal safety. As in any job, the person has to balance work and personal issues. Work–life balance is a concept that supports the effort from an employee in any sector to split their time and energy to balance work and personal lives.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study using a structured interview schedule was conducted among 103 Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) workers in Anekal town, Karnataka, to determine the work–life balance among them. The total score was classified into high, medium, and low work balance categories. The scores for each domain were analyzed separately to derive at the factors which act against work–life balance.Results:Low work–life balance was found in 26 (25.2%) of all subjects. The important factors that affected work–life balance were identified to be shift work, work load, night duties, social functions, and negative attitude of family members. The reasons that motivated them to work were to support family (35%), future security (33%), and to clear personal debts (15.5%).Conclusion:Given the low work–life balance in a quarter of several individuals in this study, there is a need to address this issue to ensure necessary balance and safety and well-being of both road transport employees and passengers.

Since the implementation of national rural health mission (NRHM), rural healthcare has got a big boost in India. This has made a huge difference in the maternal and Child health care in our country. Many PHCs were upgraded into first referral units (FRUs; 24 X 7 obstetric care centres), untied fund was provided to PHCs and sub centres to improve the facilities. 108 ambulance scheme (free government ambulances) was started to take care of the transport problem of the patients. Introduction of ASHAs as interface workers has redefined obstetric care as they take complete charge of conceived mother till her baby is immunized. This has contributed in reducing infant and maternal mortality to the desired level. Mysore is one of the districts which have implemented NRHM and all other national programs promptly and its IMR and MMR fare well below national values. It has 135 PHCs, 25 CHCs, seven talluka hospitals, two medical college hospitals. 1