Public Health Education and Promotion Commons^™

Alkaptonuria Presenting With Back Pain: A Diagnostic Dilemma, Arnav Salar, Dyuksha Arora, Mahabaleshwar Mamadapur

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Alkaptonuria is a rare inborn error of metabolism due to a deficiency of homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase, resulting in homogentisic acid accumulation in tissues. It is characterised by homogentisic aciduria, ochronosis, and arthritis. We hereby discuss a 46-year-old male who presented with progressive lower back pain and polyarthralgia for ten years, initially diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis. Characteristic skin pigmentation, ochronosis, and radiological findings led to the correct diagnosis of alkaptonuria. This case highlights the importance of considering alkaptonuria as a differential diagnosis for chronic back pain and arthritis, mainly when sacroiliac joints are spared, and ochronosis is present. While no cure …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Among Health Care Professionals In A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Mysuru, Rakesh M, Dr Sunil Kumar D, Dr Shwethashree M, Kodeeswaran M, Aradhya M. Gowda

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

ABSTRACT

Background: Biomedical waste (BMW) refers to waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals, posing risks to health and the environment if not managed properly. Proper knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among healthcare professionals are essential for effective BMW management. This study assessed the KAP of healthcare workers regarding BMW in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 149 healthcare professionals at a private medical college from April 10 to May 10, 2023. Participants were selected using simple random sampling, including consultants, postgraduates, interns, nursing staff, laboratory technicians, and housekeeping …

Exploring The Elective Experience: A Review Of The "Adult Psychiatry" Elective At A Medical College, Dyuksha Arora, Kishor M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

This review delves into the motivations, experiences, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the 'Adult Psychiatry' as an elective at JSS Medical College. Experiences from four students, two from the 2019 batch and two from the 2020 batch, provide a comprehensive overview of their elective.

A Rare Case Of Early Onset Vitamin B6 Dependent Epilepsy, Rohit Thorat, Qudsiya Ansari, Kailas Randad, Vinaya Singh, Akash Sarkate

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Pyridoxine dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare seizure disorder which manifests in neonatal period, but can be manifested in early infancy also. Seizures are seen in the first month of life in the classical form, but in the atypical form they don't show up until later in life, sometimes as late as three years old. It has an autosomal recessive inheritance caused by mutation in ALDH7A1 gene, causing deficiency of alpha-aminoadepic semialdehyde dehydrogenase commonly known as antiquitin (ATQ). Its deficiency leads to accumulation of metabolites, which causes deficiency of functional form of pyridoxine. The seizures are non-responding to antiepileptic medications, …

Clozapine And Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy (M-Ect) In Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia (Trs) – A Case Report, Kareena Arora, Kishor M, Murali M R, Suhas K Mr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Schizophrenia is psychiatric disorder affecting less than 1% of population that can be devastating, characterized by positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. This can lead to significant functional impairment. Despite intensive and ongoing research, outcomes from best-practice treatment are often suboptimal. Unfortunately, not all the patients respond to antipsychotic medications. Overall estimates suggest that one-fifth to one-half of patients have treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS).

TRS include failure sequential trial of two different antipsychotics with sufficient dose, duration and adherence as a minimum criterion. TRS represents major clinical challenge.

Clozapine is the only drug approved for TRS as it is the drug …

Osteochondroma At Unusual Location Causing Deformity (Metacarpal): A Rare Case Report, Pranshu S. Panwar, Prakash M, Purushothama Sastry, Gurumurthy B, Punith N, Ravi H. S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

INTRODUCTION: Osteochondroma is benign tumors of bone which usually occurs in long bones. Common locations proximal tibia, distal femur and proximal humerus. Metacarpals are rarely affected.

Case Report: Patient, 10 years old/boy came to JSS hospital with complaint of swelling and deformity over left hand for 2 years. After relevant clinical examination and radiological investigation, patient was diagnosed with synostoses of 5^th metacarpal with 4^th metacarpal. Patient was taken up deformity correction and intra-op patient was diagnosed as exostoses of 5^th metacarpal. Post-op radiograph was taken. After 1-month ex-fix was removed. After 4 months follow up, deformity …

Internet Gaming Disorders Amongst Medical Undergraduates In Tamil Nadu, India - A Cross Sectional Study, Rejee Sneha Ebanezer, Sumedha K, Murugan V

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) or internet-related gaming addictions are characterized by severely impaired control over gaming affecting routine activities, followed by several psychological, physical and social issues. Budding medical undergraduates who are future health professionals might have positive effects on their studies and career goals when saved from internet gaming addictions. Hence, this study aimed to identify the proportion of medical undergraduate students and interns with internet gaming disorders studying in a private medical college and tertiary care hospital.

Setting: A tertiary care Hospital and Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India

Study design: Cross – sectional study.

Participants: Medical …

High Stakes And Hidden Risks: A Case Series On Pathological Gambling In Context With Affective Disorders And Substance Abuse, Avni Gupta, Namita Deka, Mahesh Kumar

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Pathological gambling is a non–substance-related addictive disorder, characterized by persistent preoccupation with gambling, impaired control, and continuation despite negative consequences. It is associated with financial losses, social and occupational dysfunction, and psychiatric comorbidities, including affective and substance use disorders. Although international prevalence estimates range from 1–2%, research in India remains limited, particularly with the rise of online gambling.

Methods: We report a case series of three individuals presenting to a tertiary-care psychiatry outpatient department with pathological gambling. Clinical assessments included detailed psychiatric evaluation, mental status examination, and psychometric assessments using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Beck Depression Inventory …

Gambian Mothers Lack Obstetric Danger Sign Knowledge, But Educational Intervention Shows Promise, Kara Shannon, Jocelyn Burridge, Brodus Franklin, Sheena Bhushan, Susan Hilsenbeck, Elena V Petrova, James N'Dow, Ibezimako Iwuh, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Jeffrey P Wilkinson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The Gambia has the 12th highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 80% of deaths resulting from avoidable causes. Unawareness of pregnancy danger signs (DS) has been shown to be a barrier to seeking obstetric care, while app-based education intervention has shown promise.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to assess patient awareness of DS, identify barriers to awareness, and evaluate potential for implementing smartphone-based technologies for education.

METHODS: A cross-sectional semi-structured survey was administered to Gambian women (n = 100) across five hospitals/health centers. Data and informed consent were collected via an online survey portal. Analysis included bivariate analysis and …

Prevalence And Patterns Of Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Young Hypertensive Patients, *Raghu V S R Tanuku Dr., Major Venkata Shree Krishna Dr., Sreedhar Tanuku Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Hypertension ranks among the top ten causes of mortality, with around 4% attributed to hypertensive complications. High salt intake, Type 2 diabetes, smoking, elevated serum lipids, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet heavy in saturated fat, genetic predisposition, as well as stress are among the factors that contribute to hypertension. Hypertension affects about 1 billion people worldwide, with considerable differences between populations and ethnic groups [2]. The Framingham Heart Study indicates that a person's lifetime risk of developing hypertension is 90% if they are normotensive at age 55. According to the NHANES IV (4th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), the …

– Foreign Body Ingestion In Children(<12 Years) At A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study Studying Role Of Socioeconomic Status And Parental Supervision., Khyati Gupta, Gargi Rekhawar, Anisha Jain, Vishal D. Sawant, Sushma Save

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background- Foreign body ingestion is a long-standing problem concerning pediatric population. We aim to evaluate the correlation between the median time interval between ingestion of foreign body and arrival to the hospital with socioeconomic factors, effect of parental supervision and number of children in the family. We also aim to find out the deciding factors for proper selection of method of removal of ingested foreign bodies.

Methods- The data was collected from patient’s admission files, medical and endoscopic records. Chi-square test was used to calculate the corelation of time since ingestion with the socioeconomic status of family, method of removal …

“The Study Of Correlation Of Diet Pattern And Anemia In Pregnant Women In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Mysuru-A Prospective Study”, Soniya Pal, Dr Mamatha S Professor And Head Of The Department, Shiva S Dr, Anupama Marnal B A Dr

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Assessing Discharge Knowledge For Caregivers Of Newborn (Using Video Discharge Instructions As An Adjunct To Standard Written Instructions) In Covid Period – A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jayesh Yadav, Khyati Gupta, Vishal D. Sawant

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: Studies have demonstrated that caregivers of newborn frequently face challenges in comprehending the instructions provided to them upon discharge. Video discharge instructions provide a clear and concise message and can potentially alleviate factors which have an impact on comprehension of caregivers like illiteracy, communication barriers and limited physician time. We aim to assess the impact of incorporating video-based discharge instructions on caregivers' comprehension of newborn care and post-discharge follow-up, specifically in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Caregivers of newborn in the COVID times were randomized into written only and written with video discharge instruction groups; …

Comparison Of Empathy And Compassion Fatigue Among Mental Health And Non-Mental Health Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study, Fathima Fiza K T, Anil Kakunje, Ashwini Dinkar

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Empathy refers to the ability to understand and comprehend others' thoughts and emotions as if it's their own, evoked by witnessing and connecting to the other person’s emotional state. Compassion fatigue, a consequence of an empathetic reaction, is the mental and physical tiredness resulting from being a witness to the suffering of others. It can result in negative consequences ultimately affecting the quality of treatment. The purpose of the study was to compare the level of empathy and compassion fatigue among mental health, and non-mental health professionals.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over one year using 88 …

A Previous Thyroidectomy- The Culprit Of Laryngospasm Several Years On!, Vyshnavi Sriram, Ashwini N, Chillara Meena

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Laryngospasm is the sustained closure of the vocal cords resulting in partial or complete loss of airway patency. Among the several causes of laryngospasm, history of total thyroidectomy performed several years back, though reported, is a rare occurrence. We present here the case report of a lady with an uneventful intra operative course of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy who developed stridor and laryngospasm in the immediate post operative period. Evaluation revealed unilateral vocal cord palsy and hypocalcemia. Compensated unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and asymptomatic hypocalcemia can exist in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy and can result in stridor several …

Assessing Laryngectomy Patient Education On Youtube: Investigating Quality And Reliability, Matthew E Lin, Oluwatobiloba Ayo-Ajibola, Carlos X Castellanos, Jonathan West, Neil Luu, Ian Kim, Niels C Kokot

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the quality of laryngectomy-related patient education on YouTube and understand factors impacting video content quality.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort analysis.

SETTING: Laryngectomy-related videos on YouTube.

METHODS: YouTube was anonymously queried for various laryngectomy procedure search terms. Video quality was evaluated using the validated DISCERN instrument which assesses treatment-related information quality. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize our cohort. Univariate and multivariable linear regression were used to assess factors associated with increased DISCERN score. Significance was set at

RESULTS: Our 78-video cohort exhibited moderate levels of engagement, averaging 13,028.40 views (SD = 24,246.93), 69.79 likes …

How Individuals’ Opinions Influence Society’S Resistance To Epidemics: An Agent-Based Model Approach, Geonsik Yu, Michael J. Garee, Mario Ventresca, Yuehwern Yih

Faculty Publications

Background: Protecting public health from infectious diseases often relies on the cooperation of citizens, especially when self-care interventions are the only viable tools for disease mitigation. Accordingly, social aspects related to public opinion have been studied in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of opinion-related factors on disease spread still requires further exploration. Methods: We propose an agent-based simulation framework incorporating opinion dynamics within an epidemic model based on the assumption that mass media channels play a leading role in opinion dynamics. The model simulates how opinions about preventive interventions change over …

The Effects Of Night Shift Work On Heart, Gut, And Reproductive Health, A Systematic Review, Courtney Grayson, Preeti Oza

Pacific Journal of Health

Night shift work, a commonplace in today’s society, creates a variety of health-related challenges for individuals who participate in it. Often, the only adverse health effects discussed in relation to night shift work are sleep dysfunction and mental health issues. This systematic review examined the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and fertility health effects that plague individuals working night shift. The goal of this work is to illuminate these lesser known, but equally important, health effects in an effort to bring awareness to the issues. By educating night shift workers and health care providers of the acute risks associated with this type of …

Enhancing Antenatal Education In Pakistan: An Audit And Recommendations, Maliha Abbas, Shelina Bhamani, Yasmin Kanjani, Lumaan Sheikh

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Antenatal Education equips parents with knowledge for safe maternal health and infant care. It also reduces fear and anxiety during childbirth. ANE curriculum can vary according to country and institute. It can include classes focusing on childbirth, pain relief techniques, mode of birth, parenting, breastfeeding, breathing techniques, etc. Although ANE is widely practiced in developed countries, there is no standard program in developing countries like Pakistan. This study aims to improve antenatal education at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan potentially proposing an upgraded curriculum as a national standards
Methods: This multiphase study used mix-method design was conducted …

Improving Access To Cardiac Catheterization, Sunitha Dharman

Student Scholarly Projects

The American Heart Association lists cardiovascular disease as the underlying cause of death for 874,613 people who lost their lives in 2019 (Tsao et al., 2022). On average, someone in the United States has a myocardial infarction every 40 seconds, and someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Studies support coronary artery disease as a significant contributor to cardiac arrest in a non-hospital setting (Yannopoulos et al., 2019). The authors provide evidence supporting the importance of early cardiac catheterization. There is a 10-15% survival rate with a higher level of functioning compared to delayed or no …

Embryological Basis Of Polydactyly In 56 Years Old Male Patient, Sarayu M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Polydactyly is a common congenital hand deformity. The limb buds are the precursor structures of the limbs. Their formation begins in the 4th week, with the activation of mesenchymal cells in the somatic layer of lateral plate mesoderm. As mesenchyme cells enter the limb region, they secrete factors that induce the overlying ectoderm to form a structure called the apical ectodermal ridge (AER). Polydactyly is the congenital deformities which is seen in 1000 births. To observe and study the various type of polydactyly in relation to the preaxial polydactyly and postaxial polydactyly with other classification. So, thumb polydactyly is a …

Circulating Metabolites May Illustrate Relationship Of Alcohol Consumption With Cardiovascular Disease, Yi Li, Mengyao Wang, Xue Liu, Jian Rong, Patricia Emogene Miller, Roby Joehanes, Tianxiao Huan, Xiuqing Guo, Jerome I Rotter, Jennifer A Smith, Bing Yu, Matthew Nayor, Daniel Levy, Chunyu Liu, Jiantao Ma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Metabolite signatures of long-term alcohol consumption are lacking. To better understand the molecular basis linking alcohol drinking and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we investigated circulating metabolites associated with long-term alcohol consumption and examined whether these metabolites were associated with incident CVD.

METHODS: Cumulative average alcohol consumption (g/day) was derived from the total consumption of beer, wine, and liquor on average of 19 years in 2428 Framingham Heart Study Offspring participants (mean age 56 years, 52% women). We used linear mixed models to investigate the associations of alcohol consumption with 211 log-transformed plasma metabolites, adjusting for age, sex, batch, smoking, diet, …

Importance Of Geriatrics In Psychiatric Postgraduate Education, Dr Anand R, Dr Kishor M, Dr Murali M R

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Introduction

To assess the importance of Geriatrics in Psychiatric postgraduate education

Methodology

Marks allotted in question papers from Geriatrics in Psychiatry postgraduate examination from a university for a 5-year period was evaluated.

Discussion

1-6% of entire theory evaluation was related to Geriatric mental health topics predominantly on dementia and related disorders.

Psychiatric Morbidity And Dental Problems Among Women From Institutional Care, Meghana Hanchate, Kishor M, Ashwini T S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Diabetes Distress And Counseling During The Pandemic - Rural Provider Perspectives, Ranjita Misra, Brenna O. Kirk, William D. Lewis

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

West Virginia is an Appalachian rural state that ranks highest in the nation in the prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). The COVID-19 pandemic impacted routine diabetes care. As a result, individuals experienced diabetes distress over the physical and psychological burdens of diabetes management. In rural and medically underserved counties (71%), diabetes care is often provided by primary care physicians. However, healthcare providers’ perspectives on diabetes distress and related counseling to address them are unclear. This cross-sectional study’s objective was to explore healthcare providers’ (HCP) perspectives regarding their patient’s diabetes distress and how it guided their counseling for diabetes self-care during …

Does A Program That Focuses On Lifestyle Changes Reduce Heart Disease Risk Factors In A Rural Community?, Reach Dissemination Committee, Maine, Usa

REACH: Research Evidence-to-Action for Community Health

Interventions like HeartHealth—that focus on self-care of heart disease risk factors and that are driven by collaboration with the community of interest—are effective in medically underserved, socioeconomically distressed rural areas.

Quality Improvement Project To Increase Hepatitis C Virus Screening For Ambulatory Gme Internal Medicine Clinic Patients, Nghia Nguyen, Karrar Al Gburi, Arturo Suplee, Jarrad Mcadams, Serag Fares, Carol Soler, Ans Albustamy, Jorge Alejandro Bernal, Sumandeep Brar, J. Paredes

Research Symposium

Background: In 2020, CDC established new guideline expanding Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening to all adults aged 18 to 79 years. Our QI project objective is to enhance HCV screening amongst the UTRGV-DHR IM department by establishing suitable reminders and educational sessions.

Methods: We reviewed HCV screening status of all adult patients 18 to 79 years old from June 1^st 2020 to December 1^st 2020. We then provided one lecture on the new screening recommendation from CDC 2020 guideline. We also encouraged residents to educate patients on the importance of HCV screening, and to identify and overcome barriers …

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus In Person Living With Hiv, Connecticut, Usa, 2021, Jonathan Dyal, Shiv Gandhi, Caitlin M Cossaboom, Austin Leach, Ketan Patel, Marjorie Golden, Joseph Canterino, Marie-Louise Landry, Debi Cannon, Mary Choi, Inna Krapiunaya, John D Klena, Trevor Shoemaker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is an underreported cause of miscarriage and neurologic disease. Surveillance remains challenging because of nonspecific symptomatology, inconsistent case reporting, and difficulties with diagnostic testing. We describe a case of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus disease in a person living with HIV in Connecticut, USA, identified by using quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

Neuroimaging Manifestatations In Covid-19 And Its Sequelae, Abhigna M, Vikram Patil

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a novel pathogenic virus in late 2019, infecting millions of people with severe pulmonary infections. It spread worldwide in a short time and became a pandemic, after which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a public health emergency. Central nervous system involvement by COVID-19 is already an established entity in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate in detail the acute and delayed neurological manifestations of COVID -19.

RESULTS: COVID-19 infection can cause various neurologic manifestations and imaging findings. The most common neuroradiological abnormality is cerebrovascular …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Sexual And Reproductive Health Literacy Among Youth Living With Hiv In Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study, Benedicto Mugabi, Miisa Nanyingi, Richard Kabanda, Juliet Ndibazza, Peter Elyanu, John Baptist Asiimwe, Gorret Nazziwa, Gilbert Habaasa, Adeodata Kekitiinwa

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

Adequate sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL) among young people has been linked to informed sexual behaviours. Studies on SRHL have largely been conducted among the general adolescent population. Little is known about youth aged 15-24 years living with human immunodeficiency virus (YLHIV). There is a possible lack of SRHL in this population, considering the high rate of teenage pregnancies and unprotected sex reported by YLHIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated personal and environmental factors for SRHL among YLHIV at a high-volume urban HIV Clinic in Uganda.

Methods

Through a cross-sectional survey, YLHIV receiving routine …