Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Career Choice among Medical Postgraduate Aspirants in Chennai: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Many frontline workers including doctors and nurses have succumbed to the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the COVID-19 pandemic, medical postgraduate (PG) aspirants had to deal with a variety of problems, including an increased workload, delay in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) PG test and counselling. Aim: To assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and various factors influencing career choice among medical PG aspirants in Chennai. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in the Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from August 2021 to September 2021 among 272 medical Postgraduate (PG) aspirants. A Google form questionnaire was sent to students who were in an internship in the past six months or had completed their internship in the past one year. There were 28 multiple choice questions comprising of socio-demographic details (with exception of age) and various factors related to career choice. Five questions were scored yes/no, and 15 questions were scored using 5-point Likert scale. Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.41±1.81 years and there were 129 males and 143 females in total among the study participants. Change in career choice was observed in 39.33% of the participants. The top two choices prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic was General Surgery and General Medicine. Among the participants who had a change in career choice, the mean score of four questions in COVID-19 pandemic domain was higher when compared with participants who had no change. Conclusion: Most of the participants believed that the COVID-19 pandemic limited the learning opportunities for postgraduates and the violence against doctors had an impact on their decision to pursue a particular career. Due to the present pandemic, participants interest in community medicine and infectious diseases has increased

Impaired Cognition – A Menace to Aging

Cognition is defined as mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. It is an age-related degenerative condition, as the age advances, individuals experience deteriorative changes in their cognitive abilities. It is estimated that nearly four fifth of the elderly above 60 years of age will be living in developing countries like Africa, Asia by 2050, thereby placing the developing countries to face threat of cognitive impairment among elderly when compared to developed countries. The result of striking increase in ag-ing population of India, it is expected to have a substantial increase in elderly suffering from cognitive impair-ment. This review involves discussing the various causes, pathophysiology, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with this increasing cognitive deterioration in elderly people, diagnostic criteria, and preven-tive methods. This review will help in better understanding of the cognitive impairment in elderly people. Better understanding of the disease helps in better treatment modalities

Impaired Cognition – A Menace to Aging

Cognition is defined as mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and senses. It is an age-related degenerative condition, as the age advances, individuals experience deteriorative changes in their cognitive abilities. It is estimated that nearly four fifth of the elderly above 60 years of age will be living in developing countries like Africa, Asia by 2050, thereby placing the developing countries to face threat of cognitive impairment among elderly when compared to developed countries. The result of striking increase in ag-ing population of India, it is expected to have a substantial increase in elderly suffering from cognitive impair-ment. This review involves discussing the various causes, pathophysiology, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with this increasing cognitive deterioration in elderly people, diagnostic criteria, and preven-tive methods. This review will help in better understanding of the cognitive impairment in elderly people. Better understanding of the disease helps in better treatment modalities.</jats:p

Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services In an Urban Slum of Bangalore- A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Pregnancy is golden period in woman’s life. They must not face any complications during this period. In spite of the developed health care system in India, it is disgraceful to see many mothers who succumb to pregnancy and child birth. Although there is decline in maternal mortality, still India contributes to lot of maternal deaths. Accessibility and utilization of services are two major issues to be addressed immediately. Objective: The study was to assess the utilization of maternal health care services in urban slum. Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study. Study was conducted among the postnatal women of an urban slum area in Bangalore. Sample size was 125. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire by interview method. Data regarding socio-demographic profile, antenatal visits, health services utilized, type of health center and also regarding postnatal visits were obtained. Results: Registration of pregnancy 124 (99.2%), 4 antenatal visits-123 (98.6%), TT doses-121 (96.4%), Institutional delivery was found to be 100%. IFA tablets consumption was only seen in 86 (68.6%). Minimum 3 postnatal visits in 6 months duration were completed by only 93 (74.5%) subjects. Family planning services was adopted by 57 (45.6%). 98 (78%) of the study participants followed Exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: The insights provide an opportunity to develop strategies to address the inadequacies and inequitable distribution of health care services

Effect of Educational Intervention on Road Safety Awareness and Practice among Medical Students in Chennai-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Road transport is predisposing people to the risk of road accidents, injuries and fatalities. Road traffic injuries caused an estimated 1.24 million deaths worldwide, of which India alone accounted for 73%. This study was conducted to determine the improvement in the awareness of road safety measures post educational intervention. Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study with a follow-up component. The study was conducted among undergraduate medical students in Chennai. The sample size was calculated as 220. Study tool consisted of two questionnaires; one of which was given as pre-test and post-test and other 4 weeks after educational intervention to assess behaviour. Frequency and paired t test were used for analysis. Results: 46 (21%) did not have the habit of wearing helmet/seatbelt during every drive. 56 (25.5%) of them had used mobile phones while driving. Overall non-compliance to traffic rules was 25- 30%. 31 (14.1 %) faced road traffic accidents. The knowledge on road safety measures improved to 96% after educational intervention. Conclusion: An educational intervention presented in this study is effective to improve knowledge, attitude and behaviour about road safety among the study participants

Prevalence of Psychological Problems among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Background: There is growing evidence that patient care is affected by increasing psychological problems among healthcare workers all around the world. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of psychological problems among health care workers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months. A structured questionnaire that included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Cohen’s Perceived stress scale were used. Analysis was done using SPSS 21.0 software. Frequency was expressed in percentage and association with factors was tested for significance using Chi square test. p Value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.&#x0D; Results: Among the participants, nurses had the highest scores for psychological problems, followed by doctors and other staffs. According to PHQ-9, 32.4% of participants were found to have depression and 9% of participants had suicidal intentions, 20.3% reported high stress levels and about 70.02% reported moderate stress levels.&#x0D; Conclusion: Compared to senior and experienced faculty, the junior and young faculty had higher proportions of stress, depression. It was found that lower recreational activities, experiencing abuse either verbal or physical from patients/caregivers/senior staff, lack of empathy among co-workers showed higher association with psychological problems among the health care workers.</jats:p

Prevalence of Psychological Problems among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Background: There is growing evidence that patient care is affected by increasing psychological problems among healthcare workers all around the world. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of psychological problems among health care workers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months. A structured questionnaire that included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Cohen’s Perceived stress scale were used. Analysis was done using SPSS 21.0 software. Frequency was expressed in percentage and association with factors was tested for significance using Chi square test. p Value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the participants, nurses had the highest scores for psychological problems, followed by doctors and other staffs. According to PHQ-9, 32.4% of participants were found to have depression and 9% of participants had suicidal intentions, 20.3% reported high stress levels and about 70.02% reported moderate stress levels. Conclusion: Compared to senior and experienced faculty, the junior and young faculty had higher proportions of stress, depression. It was found that lower recreational activities, experiencing abuse either verbal or physical from patients/caregivers/senior staff, lack of empathy among co-workers showed higher association with psychological problems among the health care workers

Out Of Pocket (OOP) Health Expenditure and Utilization of Financial Risk Protection Measures Among COVID-19 Affected Individuals in Chennai- A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Pandemic has affected people physically, mentally and economically. India being a growing economic power house, spends only around 1.2% of GDP on health which thereby leads to high OOP spending. This study aims to estimate out of pocket health expenditure and proportion of financial risk protection. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted among Covid-19 affected individuals in Chennai. It was a questionnaire based study with questions about covid-19 management status, cost and insurance utilization. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis was used for analysis. Results: Total of 47 were treated at hospital and 85% of them were treated at private hospital.. The mean cost investigations for patients treated at hospital was of Rs. 50000+11547 and for medicines was Rs. 110000+57735. 53% of study participants had health insurance. 29 (54.72%) of them had Covid-19 treatment cost covered under insurance. The multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between total OOPE incurred and age, religion and socio-economic status. Conclusion: Majority of participants spent for their treatment through savings and borrowing money. OOPE was compensated by reimbursement through health insurance. Provision of quality health care in government hospitals, increase public health spending and creating awareness about health insurance are ways to reduce OOP costs

Effect of Educational Intervention on Road Safety Awareness and Practice among Medical Students in Chennai-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Road transport is predisposing people to the risk of road accidents, injuries and fatalities. Road traffic injuries caused an estimated 1.24 million deaths worldwide, of which India alone accounted for 73%. This study was conducted to determine the improvement in the awareness of road safety measures post educational intervention.&#x0D; Methods: This was a Cross-sectional study with a follow-up component. The study was conducted among undergraduate medical students in Chennai. The sample size was calculated as 220. Study tool consisted of two questionnaires; one of which was given as pre-test and post-test and other 4 weeks after educational intervention to assess behaviour. Frequency and paired t test were used for analysis.&#x0D; Results: 46 (21%) did not have the habit of wearing helmet/seatbelt during every drive. 56 (25.5%) of them had used mobile phones while driving. Overall non-compliance to traffic rules was 25- 30%. 31 (14.1 %) faced road traffic accidents. The knowledge on road safety measures improved to 96% after educational intervention.&#x0D; Conclusion: An educational intervention presented in this study is effective to improve knowledge, attitude and behaviour about road safety among the study participants.</jats:p