Background: Substance use among adolescents is increasing at an astounding rate globally posing a major threat to the health system and the society. This problem can be tackled if the adolescents are equipped with knowledge and positive attitude towards substance use. This study was an attempt to assess the knowledge and attitude towards substance use based on consumption and its determinants among college students. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,170 college students aged 18 years and above in Udupi taluk for two years using a predesigned questionnaire. Factors associated with knowledge and attitude towards substance use were identified using multiple logistic regression. Results: The mean age of study participants was 19 ± 1.38 years with 39(1.8%) of them indulging in substance use. Around 434(20%) and 1866(86%) of them had good knowledge and positive attitude towards substance use respectively. Though the substance users had better knowledge as compared to non-users, attitude was better in the non-users. Paternal education, affluent socioeconomic status and usage of substances significantly correlated with knowledge. Gender and substance usage were independent predictors of attitude Conclusions: The present study reveals that substance use is low among college students in Udupi taluk. Though knowledge about substance use is better in users as compared to non-users, the attitude is better in non-users. This calls for an urgent need to have health education sessions in the respective colleges with collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and psychological counsellors to address the ill effects of substance

Background: About 10% of Indians have common mental disorders (CMDs) which include depression and anxiety. These disorders are common in women, which not only impacts on their quality of life but also their family members. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of CMDs, and factors associated with them among women residing in coastal Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 980 women aged between 18 and 60 years from 2019 to 2021. Women were administered a baseline questionnaire along with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). Data were collected using Epi-info and were analysed using SPSS version 15.0. Association between CMDs and socio-demographic, reproductive health and behavioural factors were expressed as crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The prevalence of CMDs among women was 5.7%, with 4.6% having depression and 3.37% with anxiety disorders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residing in urban areas (OR = 2.15; 95% CI:1.10–4.17), having a chronic illness (OR = 2.38; 95% CI:1.14–4.97), history of recent bereavement in the family (OR = 2.20; 95% CI:1.02–4.75), early marriage (OR = 2.63; 95% CI:1.09–6.33), history of abortion (OR = 2.89; 95% CI:1.42–5.92), and exposure to domestic violence (OR = 3.08; 95% CI:1.14–8.33) were significantly correlated with CMDs in this sample. Conclusions: The study revealed that CMDs were prevalent among the surveyed women, which calls for routine screening of women for CMDs in primary care settings for early identification and appropriate interventions.

Background: Illicit substance use is a major social issue affecting youth worldwide. Early identification of its drivers is essential to implement effective interventions and protect youth from its harmful consequences. Aim: To examine patterns and risk factors of illicit substance use among young adults and explore perceptions of students and teachers on the issue. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was conducted over 2 years, among 2,170-degree college students in Udupi taluk. A cross-sectional study identified risk factors, followed by four focused group discussions with students and teachers to explore perceptions. Tobacco and alcohol use was excluded. Binomial logistic regression analysed the factors associated with substance use, while deductive thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data; findings were integrated through data triangulation. Results: 1.8% participants reported lifetime illicit substance use. The mean initiation age was 19 (SD 1.4) years, with cannabis used by 74.3%. Substance use was associated with male gender, lack of parental awareness of children’s whereabouts, poor knowledge, and negative attitudes. Drivers included curiosity, pleasure-seeking, festivities, stress management, relationship breakups, peer pressure, career stress, pre-sport use, and social media influence. Conclusions: Illicit substance use among young adults arises from a complex interplay of factors. The findings highlight the need for screening and brief intervention, along with educational interventions to improve awareness among adolescents and teachers to prevent substance use.

Section Objectives Immunization with conventional rotavirus vaccines (RVVs) has been reported to intensify the risk of intussusception (IS). However, the risk of IS following vaccination with the recently introduced ROTASIIL is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of IS among children after vaccination with RVV. AbstractSection Methods A hospital-based multicenter observational study was carried out at five private medical college-based tertiary care hospitals in Karnataka, India, over a 30-mo period. Children younger than 2 y admitted with confirmed IS were enrolled. Data were collected on demographics, clinical features, and vaccination history. AbstractSection Results Of 196 children with confirmed IS, 153 (78%) had received ROTASIIL. The median age (interquartile range [IQR]) of the participants was 9 (6–14) mo, and 69% were male. The median age (IQR) at receiving first, second, and third dose of RVV was 7 (6–9) wk, 12 (11–14) wk, and 17 (16–20) wk, respectively. Of the participants, 91.8% had ileo-colic IS and the IS was resolved by imaging-guided reduction in 78.6%. Two, three, and eleven cases of IS were reported within 21 d after receiving the first, second and third dose of RVV, respectively. AbstractSection Conclusions This study provides baseline epidemiological data on IS among children younger than 2 y. Although, no definite association between ROTASIIL and IS was noted, this study provides health authorities with information on the risks and benefits of ROTASIIL in a real-world setting.

Background: The Family Adoption Program (FAP), launched by the National Medical Commission, is a community-based initiative aimed at enhancing medical student’s understanding of rural health. The program fosters both academic and social impact by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile, burden of chronic illnesses and healthcare-seeking patterns related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) among families enrolled in FAP in a rural area of South India. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across eight villages in selected taluk of Udupi district, Karnataka chosen by feasibility and convenience sampling. Second-year MBBS students revisited the families they were assigned in their first year. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire covering demographics, chronic disease prevalence and healthcare preferences. Analysis was performed using SPSS version16. Results: Among 696 households surveyed, covering 3364 individuals, 98% response rate, approximately 21.3% reported at least one chronic illness, hypertension (13.9%) and diabetes (10.8%) being the most common. Multivariate analysis showed age more than 45 years (AOR: 13.25, 95% CI: 9.89–17.72), illiterates (AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.48–2.38) as significant independent predictors for the presence of chronic illness. Preference for private healthcare facilities, especially for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, with over 90% of such patients seeking care in the private sector. Conclusions: FAP not only strengthens student learning through community engagement but also offers critical insights into rural health trends. The study highlights the dual challenge of rising NCD burden and underutilization of public healthcare services in rural regions.