Background: Adolescent obesity is a very common issue in our culture. Recent studies have shown that this is a form of global burden that may predispose factors in advanced life for many other diseases. Adolescents are a positive force for a country, responsible for their future prosperity and also for their nations. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of obesity among adolescents and its diverse contributing factors. Methods: The analysis was a cross-sectional sample method and was carried out using a sampling methodology which was not possible. Through using standardized questionnaires and using validated and calibrated heighometers and weighting devices, data was obtained from 385 participants. Body mass index (BMI) scale of the World Health Organization (WHO) has been used to create a category for obesity. BMI values greater than + 1 SD fall in the range of overweight, and levels of obese greater than + 2 SD. Results: It was found that 6.8% of adolescents were obese and that about 17.1% were overweight. Remaining 53.8% percent had normal category of BMI and 22.3 percent were category of underweight. A significant association of gender, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, chocolate eating habits, mode of transportation to school, sports participants, physical activity, and screen time. Adolescents who were athletic enthusiasts and those who did physical activity had a good BMI. The teens who watched more than 2 h of screen time were more obese, and these were only a few reasons that were responsible for teenage obesity. Conclusion: Health care practitioners and policy makers need to be aware of the prevalence and contributing factor to teenage obesity. Adolescents will embrace practices such as healthy eating habits, avoiding smoking and physical inactivity. This obesity may increase their risk of developing chronic illnesses in adulthood and later life stage.

With the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases across nations worldwide, World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Besides various policy guidelines and directions issued from time to time to combat the menace, there was the dissemination of a lot of misinformation and disinformation through social media or otherwise. This led to emotional, psychological, and mental agonies in the general population as well as Healthcare Workers (HCWs). A cross-sectional quantitative study using purposive sampling techniques was done to assess the health-seeking behavior during the pandemic among HCWs of a tertiary care hospital in North India, designated as a dedicated COVID-19 hospital by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India. A semi-structured questionnaire validated by experts with a reliability value (r=0.92) was taken. To maintain minimal contact and to follow COVID-19 Appropriate Behavior (CAB), a web-based link was used to obtain the data. Privacy of the participants and confidentiality of data obtained was maintained. Out of the total 250 participants enrolled in the study, the response rate was 81% (203). For 123 (60%) respondents, social media was one of the sources of access to information during the pandemic. The most common social media app(s) accessed were WhatsApp 82 (40%), Facebook, and Instagram 67 (33%). Social media had both positive as well as negative impacts on the mindset of respondents as 147 (72%) agreed that social media networks helped to further improve their understanding, whereas 178 (88%) stated that it aroused fear and panic among them. During epidemics, timely, accurate, and authentic information is vital in shaping public opinion; on the contrary, an infodemic can pose a serious threat and panic in society by disseminating false and wrong information as was seen in the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a large-scale disease outbreak, one needs to respond to the situation quickly towards capacity building, by identifying areas that require training and planning a workable strategy and implementing it. There are limited studies focused on fast-track workforce creation under challenging circumstances that demand mandatory social distancing and discouragement of gatherings. This study was conducted to analyze the planning process and implementation of fast-track training during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and evaluate its effectiveness in building a rapid, skilled, and massive workforce. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate rapid preparedness training delivered from March to June 2020, based on documents and data regarding the process, planning, and implementation for large-scale capacity building. Pre-test and post-test scores were compared to assess the effectiveness of training. The number of personnel trained was evaluated to determine the efficiency of the training program. Data on COVID-19 among health care workers (HCWs) were analyzed. The Advanced Center of Continuous Professional Development acted as the central facility, quickly responding to the situation. A total of 327 training sessions were conducted, including 76 online sessions with 153 instructors. The capacity-building of 2,706 individuals (913 clinicians and 1,793 nurses, paramedics, and non-medical staff) was achieved through multiple parallel sessions on general precautionary measures and specialized skills within four months. The rate of hospital staff infected with COVID-19 was found to be 0.01% over five months. A fast-track, efficient, large-scale workforce can be created through a central facility even under challenging circumstances which restrict gatherings and require physical distancing. A training action plan for disease outbreaks would be a useful resource to tackle such medical emergencies affecting substantial populations in future.

Objectives: Change in the past few decades in human life style, nowadays international health organizations, i.e., World Health Organization are also focusing on prevention along with treatment aspect of chronic illness. Researches focus that women of age group 30–45 years are at increased risk for hypertension and heart disease due to increased weight. Yoga is an effective method to control our physiological variables like blood pressure (BP), pulse, etc. The main aim of this study was to identify the effects of yoga on physiological variables. Methods: The study was an experimental study with two group, pretest and posttest control group, design, which was conducted on 40 female participants. Pranayama and meditation for a period of 6 weeks was done by these women. Results: Yoga therapy significantly reduced the BP (0.000*) and pulse rate (0.000*) of women, which was also statistically proved. Conclusions: Yoga therapy can be an effective method to control BP and pulse rate of patients with chronic diseases.

Background: The recent pandemic of COVID-19 caused havoc on the health system globally and raised a lot of questions and issues. Treatment for cancer is an emergency that cannot be taken back, particularly in an era of global pandemics. Cancer treatment mainly includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and palliative care, and because of the pandemic, all of these treatments are affected. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a potential effect on the quality of life and mental health of patients as well as health workers. Objective: This systematic review was intended to discuss the quality of life of people with cancer in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic in India in the light of the best available facts. Methods: An extensive literature search was done on PubMed, Medline, Embase, Clinical Key and Google Scholar databases till 3rd Feb 2021. Out of 1455 research articles, 06 research articles were included in this systematic review. Results: The results showed that cancer treatment delivery was as per standard safety protocol and the best treatment decisions were made by scheduling and setting priority. Till data, no direct research was conducted on the Indian continent to assess the quality of life of cancer patients in the COVID-19 era. The effect on the quality of life of cancer patients is very large and needs to be explored more by further research. Issues to be discussed with health care administrators and policy makers further. The tele-oncology method of cancer care delivery to patients is another rational option which is applicable as well. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated up-to-date evidence regarding the quality of life of cancer patients in the COVID-19 era in India. No research has been done to assess the quality of life of cancer patients. Still, the area is unrevealed, but evidence from other global studies indicates an altered quality of life for cancer patients. To maintain quality of life, cancer physicians should make evidence-based decisions and incorporate multidisciplinary management into decision making.

BACKGROUND: Basic infection control measures are required in India's health-care setting in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to lower the prevalence of hospital-associated infections. The aim of the present study was to assess practices followed by nurses of NICUs for nosocomial infection prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to February 2020, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants in the study were chosen by total enumeration sampling technique, i.e., 60 nurses were included in this study who working in tertiary care institutions, India. The study respondents' knowledge and practice for nosocomial infection control strategies were assessed by using a 30-item and 27-item questionnaires, respectively. SPSS (version 23.0) was used to analyze the data collected. RESULTS: Results showed that all nurses (100%) were females, belongs to the age group of 26–35 years (82%), hold professional qualifications (34%) in GNM as well as post basic BSc nursing, married (72%), had 1–5 years of professional experience (66%), and working in the NICUs for 1–3 years (74%). Most of nurses (55%) had never attended any session on nosocomial infection prevention. Nurses of NICUs (70%) had just a moderate degree of understanding on nosocomial infection prevention. Nurses' practice showed good practise (60%) for nosocomial infection prevention in NICUs. CONCLUSIONS: The necessity to adopt health-care policy about nosocomial infections and execution of regular training program to upgrade and refresh nurses' knowledge and practices regarding for nosocomial infection control measures is indicated to fill gap among knowledge and practices concerning nosocomial infection control and prevention.