Rahul Bansal

A Hospital-based Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pregnant Women on Gender Preference, Prenatal Sex Determination and Female Feticide

India has witnessed a decline in sex ratio in the past few decades. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out to find out the attitude toward gender preference and knowledge as well as practice toward prenatal sex determination and female feticide among pregnant women. A majority (66.0%) of the pregnant women did not show any gender preference, followed by male preference (22.2%) and female preference (11.8%). A high proportion, i.e. 84.7% and 89.7%, of the total subjects were aware that prenatal sex determination and female feticide is illegal, respectively.

How are our medical students using the computer and internet? A study from a medical college of north India.

Background: In todays world, use of Internet has become indispensable. Medical students have much to gain from the Internet technology that has revolutionized the medical field. There is a very rapid change in the way communication technology is being handled and our medical students should also be ready to embrace it. Very few studies have been done on this topic in India. The aim was to find out the knowledge, practice, and barriers of Internet use among the medical undergraduates of Subharti Medical College, Meerut. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the MBBS students belonging to the first, second, third, and fourth years of their course during August to October 2009. A pretested questionnaire was used collecting information on their Internet usage patterns, knowledge about information technology, and barriers to using it. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and appropriate statistical tests were applied for analysis. Results: The proportion of respondents having a laptop were more in cohort of students belonging to the admission year 2009 (65.8%) followed by 2008 (54.7%), 2007 (53.0%), and 2006 (38.0%), i.e., a gradual increase in newer cohorts. About half (57.4%) of the students had some sort of formal training in computer and Internet use. Knowledge about Internet was more among the junior cohorts compared to the senior cohorts (P<0.0001). Only about one-fifths of the respondents used Internet for searching literature for projects from medical journals on the Internet. Majority of the respondents accessed Internet for less than 3 hours per week. About one-tenth (8.0%) of the students felt that Internet is totally useless in medical field. The major barrier (54.4% of the respondents) to using Internet was lack of time. Conclusions: Further research should focus on designing and implementing computer and Internet training for medical students.

Impact of short term yoga intervention on mental well being of medical students posted in community medicine: A pilot study

Background: High level of stress, anxiety and depression is seen among medical students. Aims: To assess the impact of brief structured yoga intervention on mental well being of MBBS students. Materials and Methods: The participants consisted of 82 MBBS students of 3rd semester in the age group of 18-23 years. The students were assessed at baseline and at the end of one month of specific yoga intervention by using General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Results: The students reported improvement in general and mental well being following the intervention and difference was found to be highly significant. Conclusion: A short term specific yoga intervention may be effective in improving general and mental well being in MBBS students. It is feasible and practical to include yoga practice in block postings of community medicine.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding among Women: A Cross-sectional Study in Meerut

Proper breastfeeding practices are effective means of reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. Many mothers understand the importance of breastfeeding, others are less aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.

Prevalence of severe acute malnutrition and associated sociodemographic factors among children aged 6 months–5 years in rural population of Northern India: A population-based survey

Introduction: National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 documented that nearly 57 million children are undernourished in India, which is one-third of the worlds share. We planned a study to identify the prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children aged <5 years in a rural population of Northern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 2 blocks of District Meerut during 2012–2014. A total of 70 villages were identified and all children in the age group 6–60 months were approached through house-to-house visits. Data on sociodemographic profile and anthropometry were collected utilizing standards methods and equipment. The Z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height (WHZ) were calculated using the World Health Organization (WHO) reference data as standard. SAM (severe wasting) was defined as per the WHO criteria (WHZ score <−3 standard deviation or severe visible wasting or bipedal edema). Results: A total of 19,449 children were screened and 18,463 children (age, 32.6 ± 15.4 years, and 53.4% males) were enrolled, and 466 were excluded due to erroneous age estimation and physical deformities. The prevalence of SAM was 2.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.02–2.44%, (409/18,463). Multivariate logistic regression documented age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.98), nuclear family (OR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.54), lower occupation of head of family (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.05–1.59), and lower paternal education (OR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.16–1.91) as independent predictor of SAM. Conclusion: The prevalence of SAM was lower (2.2%) in this Northern district of India as compared to national prevalence (7.9%). Younger age, nuclear family, lower parental education, and poor occupation of the head of the family predispose a child to SAM.

Prevalence of Diabetes and Impaired Fasting Glucose and its Association with Indian Diabetes Risk Score and Obesity in Rural Population of Meerut

The prevalence of diabetes is rising globally. The International Diabetes Federation estimates around 40.9 million diabetics in India. Indian Diabetes Risk Score has a sensitivity and specificity of over 60 per cent and can be used to selectively screen Indians. Present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural Meerut. 150 participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, testing fasting blood glucose and physical examination of participants. The prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) came out to be 11.3% and 12% respectively. 26.3% participants had very high IDRS. Significant association was seen between diabetic status with IDRS and BMI. More studies are needed in rural areas to get a full picture of diabetes.

A Review Study on Impact of Ramadan Fasting on BMI and Biochemical Parameters

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and Muslims keep fast during daytime in Ramadan month. Pre dawn meal is known as “Sahari “ and cut-off time is one hour before the sunrise; fast breaking meal known as “ Iftar” it is taken immediately after the sunset.

Association of Health Status with Dietary Habits and Lifestyle of Medical, Dental and Nursing Students of Meerut UP

Background: The life of professional students is stressful throughout the whole course of trainings. Types of food intake, lack of exercise, psychological depression due to study burden, pressure of examination, discrepancies between expectation and reality all can be anticipated in bring psychological stress. Research Question: To find out the Association of health status with dietary habits and lifestyle of students? Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between dietary habits and life style and perceived health status among students. Study design: Cross sectional study Participants: 255 students of medical dental and nursing courses of SVSU, Meerut UP Sample Size: 255 university students Study Period: July 2011 to Dec 2011 Study variables: A Pre-designed, Pre-tested, self administered questionnaire related to life style and perceived health was used. Statistical Analysis: Microsoft Excel Results: In this study, consumption of non-vegetarian diet and fast food was found among students. Smokingatobacco chewing and consumption of alcohol were seen in students. Sedentary life, over weight and high blood pressure was found in students. Conclusion: Medical students were not much conscious to make extra effort to choose a healthier lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle among medical students are even more important as they are future doctors and the students who personally ignore healthy lifestyle are more likely to fail to establish health promotion opportunities for their patients.