Sharmistha Bhattacherjee

Physical injury: A profile among the municipal primary school children of Siliguri, Darjeeling District

A cross sectional study was conducted from February - May 2009 with the objectives to find out profile of injuries among municipal primary school children in Siliguri, West Bengal and to identify the related factor associated with injury. 20% of total primary schools under municipal corporation of the town were selected and a pre-designed, pre-tested schedule was used to assess the profile of injury and associated factors. The Chi square test was usedto determine statistical significance at the 0.05 significance level. Out of 956 participants, a significantly higher injury was observed among males (68%). Open wound injuries were commonest (59.6%) occurring mainly at the extremities. Falls were mainly responsible for overall injuries. Injury at home (41.8%) was also found to be more. Mother education, number of siblings and presence of caregiver were significant related factors to injury.

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among women of Bankura District, West Bengal

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency which is critical in averting maternal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To find out awareness and practices regarding BPCR among pregnant and recently delivered women in Bankura, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study was carried out among 120 pregnant women and 235 recently delivered women. Information on sociodemographic variables as well as awareness and practices regarding BPCR were collected through semi-structured interview. For statistical analysis Z-test was used. Results: The majority of respondents (69.3%) had registered for antenatal care within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy and 74.0% of the recently delivered women had four or more antenatal check-ups and 81.3% had institutional delivery. The BPCR index of pregnant women and recently delivered women was 45.2 and 59.0, respectively, whereas BPCR index of the total was 52.1. Conclusion: Although the BPCR indicators are satisfying, the health system should use the opportunity during visits to health institutions to increase awareness among the pregnant women and her family on how to plan for the pregnancy and identify danger signs.

A study of insulin resistance and its clinico-metabolic associations among apparently healthy individuals attending a tertiary care hospital

Background: Insulin resistance (IR), as a result of unhealthy life-styles and westernization, most likely contributes to the increased incidence of metabolic abnormalities and consequently, the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). Aim: The present study was undertaken to determine the magnitude of IR and associated clinico-metabolic risk factors among the out-patients of a tertiary care hospital in Bihar, India. Subjects and Methods: Anthropometric profile, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and C-peptide of 112 individuals were measured using the standard procedures. IR was assessed using the homeostasis model (Homeostatic model assessment [HOMA]-IR). Results: The mean IR was 1.5 (1.0). Individuals with MS, higher body mass index and CRP ≥6 mg/l had higher IR. Linear regression showed, among the components of MS, waist circumference had the highest contribution toward IR. The optimal cut-off value to detect IR by HOMA2-IR was 1.35. Conclusion: IR was found to have a strong association with various clinico-metabolic risk factors.

Nomophobic behaviors among smartphone using medical and engineering students in two colleges of West Bengal

Background: Growing smartphone usage among global and Indian college students has resulted in considerable issues of “nomophobia” (NMP) or feelings of discomfort or anxiety experienced by individuals whenever unable to use their smartphones. This significantly impacts their health, work, and study. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of NMP among smartphone using medical and engineering undergraduates of West Bengal and to compare the nomophobic behaviors, its predictors, and smartphone usage among them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 303 medical and 305 engineering undergraduates in West Bengal using a validated NMP questionnaire consisting of four factors. Comparison of means of individual questions and factor scores was done. Nomophobic clusters among the two groups were identified using two-stage cluster analysis. Binary logistic regression was used for comparison of predictors of NMP. Results: Engineering students showed a higher proportion of nomophobics (44.6%) than medical students (42.6%). Significant higher means was observed among engineering students for the factor “giving upconvenience” and individual variables like “scared due to running out of battery,” “nervous due to disconnection from online identity,” “uncomfortable when unable stay up-to-date with social media” and “anxious when unable to check E-mails.” A Higher proportion of nomophobics among both groups were females, those owning smartphone beyond 2 years, having monthly mobile bill above Rs. 200 and spending over 4 h daily on smartphone. Conclusion: NMP has emerged as a significant cause of concern among both the groups. Standardized measures for identification and appropriate psychobehavioral therapy for those seeking help might alleviate the problem.

Food Security in Households of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study in a Subdivision of Darjeeling District West Bengal.

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) adversely impacts food security in households of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Little research has focused on food insecurity among PLWHA in India. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors relating to food security in households of PLWHA in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 173 PLWHA residing in Siliguri and registered at the Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected at the household level with interviews of PLWHA using a food security survey instrument. We analyzed the associations using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of household food security among the participants was 50.9% (88/173). Five years or more of schooling, higher socioeconomic class and males were found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of food security. A later stage of the disease and the presence of other family members with HIV/AIDS were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food security. The major coping strategies to deal with food insecurity in the acute phase HIV infection included borrowing money (56.1%), followed by spousal support, loans from microfinance institutions, banks, or money lenders, borrowing food, or selling agricultural products. Conclusions: The present study revealed that only about half of households with PLWHA were food secure. Prior interventions relating to periods of food and economic crisis as well as strategies for sustaining food security and economic status are needed in this area.

Pattern and Trend of Morbidity in the Infectious Disease Ward of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

BACKGROUND In spite of experiencing a large decline in the spread and burden of infectious diseases, the Global Burden of Disease Project suggests that about 30% of the disease burden in India is attributable to infections. The hospital data constitute a basic and primary source of information for continuous follow up of this changing pattern of morbidity and mortality. AIM To identify the pattern and trend of different infectious diseases among admissions in the Infectious Disease ward of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of inpatient hospital database over 5 years period (January 2008 - December 2012) of Infectious Disease ward of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. RESULTS Among 3277 admissions in the Infectious Disease ward during 2008-12, diarrhoeal diseases (84.3%) were most common. The highest mortality was recorded for rabies cases (83.9%), followed by tetanus (32.6%) and diphtheria (27.3%). The majority cases of diphtheria (78.9%) and measles (53.1%) belonged to below 9 years age. Except the year 2010, there was a gradual rise in admissions from 2008 to 2012. CONCLUSION Review of hospital records provided information regarding the pattern of diseases but no definite trend among admissions in the infectious diseases ward.

Primary Multi Drug Resistant Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis Presenting as Cervical Lymphadenitis.

DOI: 10.4103/0974-777X.132064 4. Abe K, D’Angelo MT, Sunenshine R, Noble-Wang J, Cope J, Jensen B, et al. Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia bloodstream infection at an outpatient hematology and oncology practice. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2007;28:1311-3. 5. Heo ST, Kim SJ, Jeong YG, Bae IG, Jin JS, Lee JC. Hospital outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis bacteraemia related to contaminated chlorhexidine in haematological malignancy patients with indwelling catheters. J Hosp Infect 2008;70:241-5.

Assessment of knowledge and attitude regarding intrauterine devices among auxiliary nurse midwife in two districts of North Bengal

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are long-acting methods of family planning, which are cost-effective and viable ways of reducing unmet need and unintended pregnancy, especially in low income countries. They are safe, convenient and highly efficacious, and their use is advocated as an ideal option for all women, including nulliparous women. In 1952, India was the first country in the world to have launched a National Programme for Family Planning, but still the proportion of women using any modern method of contraception is far from satisfactory. The two most commonly used reversible contraceptives in India: the oral contraceptive pills and condoms, are highly userdependent. Despite requiring less motivation and offering cost-effective long-term protection, the latest NFHS 4 reports suggest that only 1.5% women use IUDs as preferred method of contraception. ABSTRACT

Author’s reply for article “nomophobic behaviors among smartphone using medical and engineering students in two colleges of West Bengal”

Sir, We appreciate that the readers have taken great interest in our topic of research.[1] It would be beneficial for all of us to clarify some aspects of the methodology in a point‐wise manner. 1. The Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP‐Q) developed by Yildirim and Correia[2] did not mention any specific cutoff for classifying nomophobia. Using Likert’s scale, the higher scores indicated more toward the nomophobic spectrum. We used two‐step cluster analysis incorporating all the individual items of NMP‐Q. Hence, based on the responses of the participants, the group with higher mean scores in Cluster analysis indicated the nomophobic group 2. The readers have indeed raised a valid point. Our objective was to compare nomophobic behaviors of smartphone‐using students in the two colleges, which might not, in general, represent the picture of other colleges in West Bengal or India. It might be that some facilities are also available in other mobiles, but it is inclusive in smartphones as well. As it is a validated questionnaire, used in a similar group of participants, questions were not omitted. Both the colleges had in campus Wi‐Fi connectivity free of cost. Both the colleges were government institutions. Although it was not assessed, it can be assumed that students belonged to similar socioeconomic background. Moreover, booking cabs using digital platform was not the norms in the area. These intricate qualitative issues were beyond the purview of our study 3. We agree to the point raised by the readers. The purpose of smartphone or gadgets usage might vary. In that case, gadgets over usage or technophobia could be explored like other authors[3,4] 4. We have tried to introduce the topic at first in our discussion. Within limitations of our study, we have explored few aspects of this emerging problem. Further researches could be done for in‐depth exploration of the issue.

A study on the prevalence of depression and its risk factors among adult population of Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district, West Bengal

Introduction: Considering morbidity and mortality, depression is a burning issue in the modern civilization. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly reduces the incidence of morbidity and mortality. In this context, the present study was conducted to find the prevalence and associated factors of depression among adult population of Siliguri subdivision, Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult population (≥18 years) of Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Thirty-cluster sampling method was used to identify the study participants. Becks depression inventory–II was used as the screening tool. Binary logistic regression was done to find the associated factors of depression using IBM SPSS software Version 20.0 (Armonk, New York). Results: Overall, 36% of the study participants were depressed and 11% were significantly depressed. In binary logistic regression, female gender, rural resident, and lower educational status were found to be significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: Screening of depression and early identification of associated factors helps in reducing the adverse outcome of depression. More than one-third of the population depressed and there were some modifiable associated factors such as educational status and rural residence.