A study to determine smartphone addiction among nursing students at a private healthcare university college in Malaysia

Background: In the era of advancement of digital technology, individuals are empowering to take control of their future. Despite smartphone usage's advantages and positive impact, the unlimited usage of smartphones for social needs and communications leads to smartphone addiction. Smart addiction is considered a form of technological addiction. This study aims to determine the level of smartphone addiction among nursing students at Private Healthcare University College. Method: This study used a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design using convenient sampling. A self-administered Smartphone Addiction Scale questionnaire with close-ended items of questions were distributed to 159 selected diploma nursing students. Results: The study results show high smartphone addiction 126 (58.95%) among nursing students of Private Healthcare University College. Besides, the nursing students spent excessive time on a smartphone, particularly on social networks. However, there was no significant relationship found between smartphone addiction and selected sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion: This study has provided an initial insight into smartphone usage among nursing students at Private Healthcare University College and suggest that they are more vulnerable to smartphone addiction. Therefore, university management, parents, and students themselves need to take the initiative to free them from smartphone addiction. KEY WORDS: Smartphone Usage, Smartphone Addiction, Unlimited Usage, Nursing Students.

Immunity against COVID-19: Potential role of Ayurveda: A Review

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has affected people's lives globally, since first case was detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world’s attention to the immune system, the body’s defense mechanism against disease. Concept of Ojas is well explained in all ayurvedic classics, in modern perspective it is considered as immunity (Vyadhikshamatava). Ojas is necessary for well-being of the body, and mind. In Ayurveda textbook, the epidemics and along with their management are discussed under the term of Janapadodhvansa. The preventive and curative treatments for communicable diseases of the Janapadodhvansa (epidemics) are Panchkarma (five bio-purification therapies), Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation treatment), Achara Rasayana (good conducts), and migrate to the place, free from communicable diseases. The intake of all types Rasayanas leads to increase of Ojas and reduce all psychological (mainly stress and emotional) disorder, thereby causes increase immunity responses and help to fight against covid-19. Key Words: Ayurveda, Covid-19, Immunity, Janapadodhvansa, Ojas, Rasayana Chikitsa.

Incidence of Mortality rates due to Tuberculosis in Association of South East Asian Nations and its relation to Current Health Expenditure Per Capita: A secondary Data Analysis

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a devastating health condition with a high incidence in the ASEAN population. This study analyses mortality trends due to TB among the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and also investigates the relationship between mortality and Current health expenditure (CHE) per capita Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis on mortality rates and CHE per capita from the year 2002 to 2017. The data was obtained from global health observatory data repository databases and World Bank Organization respectively. They were analysed using SPSS trial version 23. Results: This study showed an overall reduction in mortality rates among the ASEAN countries except Brunei Darussalam which showed an increase. This study also showed an indirect intermediate correlation between mortality rates and CHE per capita. Discussion: Among the ASEAN, Singapore, which follows the TB control program suggested by WHO, achieved 2/5 TB control performance indicators. Its healthcare spending has almost doubled since 2010. Since implementation of directly observed treatment, short-course in Thailand in 2001, Thailand has succeeded achieving the detection target. Brunei Darussalam witnessed an increase in mortality rate. The rise in the number of people with chronic Non –communicable Diseases, especially diabetes mellitus, is posing a major challenge to Brunei's TB control efforts. Myanmar has a heavy TB burden, it seeks to cut TB incidence in half by 2025. Key words: Tuberculosis , ASEAN, Secondary data analysis, Mortality, Current health expenditure per capita.

Concept of Majja Dhatu of Ayurveda in Perspective of Bone Marrow: A Review

Ayurveda has described three basic physiological constituent dosha, dhatu and mala for the existence of human body. Among them, seven dhatus form the structural units of the body. The functions of dhatus are dharana (to support) and poshan (to nourish). Dhatus undergo continuous construction and degeneration to maintain a state of equilibrium of the body. Majjadhatu is the sixth dhatu to be formed after asthi dhatu in uttrottardhatuposhan cycle. Bone marrow can be considered as a part of majja dhatu playing a significant role in erythropoiesis. Acharya Sushrut has mentioned about saraktameda and majja. Asthi (bone) and sandhi (joints) are the foundation of majjavahasrotas. The quantity of majjadhatu is one anjali. This manuscript is an attempt to explore the physio-anatomy of majja dhatu based on physiological functions described in ayurveda classics. For which the basic material has been collected from the ancient classics with the available commentaries as well as text books of contemporary modern medical science. KEY WORDS: Bone Marrow, Majja, Majjavahasrotas, Medas, Saraktameda.

Effect of Formaldehyde on Cardiorespiratory parameters in Medical students – An observational study

Formaldehyde is extensively and commonly used in Department of Anatomy for preservation of biological specimens as well as cadavers. Formaldehyde being a noxious chemical, may cause respiratory health problems among 1st year medical students attending dissection periodically as a part of MBBS curriculum. The following study was planned to observe the effect of formaldehyde vapours on heart rate, blood pressure, percentage oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate of 1st year medical students who are routinely exposed to formalin vapours periodically. Randomly selected fifty medical students [Mean (SD) age of 18.94 (0.65) years] were assessed within 1week of admission to college and re-examined at intervals of 1 month and 6 months. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and was analysed using Epi Info software version 7. There was a decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, SpO2 values and respiratory rate (on comparing values after 6 months with that of baseline values) but it was not statistically significant. But it may be statistically significate after 1 year of periodical exposure and it could also be due to lower quantity of formalin exposure owing to the proper ventilation of the dissection hall as per the MCI regulations. KEY WORDS: Formaldehyde, heat rate, blood pressure, SpO2, respiratory rate.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Teaching Hospital, Kurnool

Introduction: To describe socio - demographic and clinical profile of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to assess the compliance of patients to the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Materials and methods: Prospective study of 100 patients with VKC was done. Purposive sampling of 100 Patients with signs and symptoms of VKC were taken, who satisfy inclusion and exclusion criteria. Treatment was given depending on grade of disease. Results: Out of 100 patients 66 were Males and 33 were Females. Mean age at presentation was 9.4 years and 2 patients presented at the age of 28 and 30 year and 60% patients from rural area, 40% from urban. Family history of allergies was noted in 7% patient. History of chronic perennial disease was seen in 57% patients. Mixed form of VKC was seen in 66%, limbal form in 18% and palpebral form in 16%. 47% had mild and 10% had severe disease. Conclusion: VKC is a bilateral disease affects most commonly young males between ages of 6 to 10 years. Male: female ratio of 2:1. Association of family history of allergic disorders are less. For persistent severe disease needs frequent follow-up. KEY WORDS: Allergy, Compliance, Papillae, and Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.

A Study of Clinical Profile of Thyroid Disorders in Children in A Tertiary Care Hospital, Kurnool

Background: Thyroid hormone abnormalities are the commonest endocrine disorder in India and also the commonest preventable cause of mental retardation, so we want to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in children at kurnool district. Materials and Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study performed in new born and children below 18 years fulfilling the inclusion criteria visiting the pediatric OPD and IPD in Viswabharathi medical college, Kurnool if they had clinical suspicion of thyroid dysfunction. If suspicion of hypothyroidism, Free T4, Total T4, TSH levels and if suspicion of hyperthyroidism Free T3 and TSH were done. Results: Out of 70 case 3 cases (4.3%) are hyperthyroidism and 67 cases (95.7%) are hypothyroidism in these 3 (4.3%) cases had family history of thyroid disorders, male to female ratio was 1.3:6 and prevalence rate was high in the age group of 10 - 12 years 32.9% (23 cases). 13 (18.6%) cases had thyroid enlargement and 48 (68.57%) cases had anaemia. Treatment was started according to standard guidelines. Conclusion: The higher prevalence rate of thyroid disorders in childhood that to in female children and age group of 10 - 12 years in and around kurnool. Hence, screening of all new-borns and children should be mandatory as early diagnosis and treatment helps in prevention of complications of thyroid disorders. KEY WORDS: Free T3, Free T4, Goiter, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Thyroid stimulating hormone.

Prevalence of dry eye syndrome in type-2 diabetic patients in tertiary care hospital kurnool

Introduction: The examination of dry eyes should be an integral part of the assessment of diabetic eye disease. So, this study is undertaken to study the prevalence of dry eye syndrome in type II diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: This hospital based Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with 100 patients with type II diabetes and 100 matched controls patients who were attending the Ophthalmology Department in Viswabharthi medical college Kurnool by Simple random sampling method. The data collected and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 version software for analysis. Results: The mean age of diabetics with dry eye was 56.49±9.32 years. As the age increased, the occurrence of dry eye also increased significantly. 30-40yrs age group are having 2 (33.33%) patients, 41-50 yrs age group are having 16 (59.26%) patients, 51-60 yrs age group are having 19 (57.58%) and above 60 years age group are having 20 (58.83%) patients are having dry eye, out of this 64.7% also had retinopathy of some degree. With increasing age, the number of patients with diabetic retinopathy also increased significantly. Conclusion: The dry eye is a significant factor responsible for ocular surface disease in diabetics, these complications high in advanced diabetic retinopathy. High prevalence could be attributed to reduced tear secretion in DM patients caused by autonomic dysfunction in these patients. Hence our study insists that clinical evaluation of dry eye should be an integral part of ocular examination in diabetic patients. KEY WORDS: Dry eye, ocular surface disease index, Retinopathy, Schirmer, Tearfilm breakup time.

Prevalence of bronchiectasis among children less than twelve years of age in kurnool district

Background: In the modern era, the global burden of childhood Bronchiectasis remains poorly captured by the literature. However, bronchiectasis is essentially a disease of poverty. Clinical trials across multiple countries are essential to further improve interventional and clinical management of bronchiectasis. Hence, the present study taken up and studied the prevalence of bronchiectasis among children less than twelve years of age in kurnool district, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was design with 96 patients with bronchiectasis from Viswabharathi hospital medical college and all the children were followed up clinically and radiological findings. The details of these children were collected through a structured proforma and statistical analysis was done. Results: Age groups below twelve years of age with the median age at presentation was 4.5 yrs and Male children (51.1%) being slightly, occurs predominantly in lower socio-economic population (93%) and urban population (55%) being more affected. The common symptoms in these children are cough (100%), fever (65%) and breathlessness (53%). Cough with expectoration (56.3%) and hemoptysis (30.2%) was predominant in above six years of age. Conclusion: we present epidemiological data for bronchiectasis in Kurnool, A.P., India that will be important to inform quality improvement efforts in India as well as future clinical trial design and disease understanding. KEY WORDS: Breathlessness, Bronchiectasis, Cough, expectoration, fever, Hemoptysis.

IS MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING STRESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND INCREASING LEVEL OF SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS? A META-ANALYSIS OF RCTs

Introduction: During Covid-19 pandemics, healthcare workers are on the front lines putting themselves and their families at risk this could result in mental health problems .stress is a major obstacle for health care personnel that makes them less satisfied, less capable of making the best choices and could have difficulties when confronted with their patients which affects patient's care. Mindfulness – Based stress reduction (MBSR) is a program aimed to improve awareness of one’s mental processes, become flexible and act with the principal of compassion. (2). Many researches proposed MBSR for helping practitioners of becoming less vulnerable to stressors. However, results were inconclusive. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of MBSR intervention in stress reduction and enhancing level of satisfaction among health care professionals. Method and design: Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Data Source: Medline, Psych info, PubMed, Web science and Cochrane Library Database from 2009 till 2019 for related RCTs. Selection Criteria: Published RCTs Comparing Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction with other modalities for stress reduction and improving level of satisfaction among health care workers and stressed personnel were eligible for inclusion. Data Collection and analysis: Data entered organized in Microsoft excel 2010 then exported to comprehensive meta-analysis software version 3. Pooled: for analysis of multiple studies, and found adjusted accumulative outcome Z score method: to test difference in mean. Test for heterogeneity: Cochran’s Q test and I2. Results: In the ALL 6 included studies, 2896 subjects. There is significant improvement in perceived stress score significantly more among intervention (MBSR) group with pooled significant difference (Mean change-3.47 & SE 1.01, Z score 8.11) with no significant heterogeneity among studies. There is significant job satisfaction improvement in MBSR group significantly more than other group with pooled significant difference (mean change 5.18, SE 1.23, Z score 13.2) with no significant heterogeneity. Conclusion: these finding support that MBSR program is effective in reducing stress and increases job satisfaction among health care professionals. KEYWORDS: Mindfulness, Health workers, Stress, COVID-19 Pandemic, Systematic review, RCTs.