https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/751 Sat, 17 Oct 2026 09:41:46 GMT 2026-10-17T09:41:46Z https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9971 Title: Practices and Determinants of Household Solid Waste Management: A Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Karnataka, South India Authors: Abhiharshan, SB; Samudyatha, UC Abstract: Introduction: Scientific and sustainable household solid waste management is crucial in achieving SDG 12 (responsible consumption) and SDG 3 (good health). Poor waste practices can harm both the environment and people's health. Objective: To assess the solid waste management practices and its association with sociodemographic profile of households in a selected urban locality of Kolar, in South India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023, covering 318 consecutively sampled urban households, using a validated semi-structured questionnaire to collect data. Results: The majority (28.6%) of households were from the lower middle socioeconomic class. Food and kitchen waste, plastics, and paper waste were the most common types of waste generated. Sanitary napkins/ pads were disposed of with plastic waste without segregation. Closed containers were used for wet waste storage in 64.8% of households. Households with children under 5 years were more likely to use closed containers (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.18-3.50). Sanitary disposal of waste was practiced by 64.4% of households, with higher odds in households located along main roads. Conclusion: This study found high waste segregation rates but poor sanitary waste management so this recommends a multi-faceted approach to improve waste management. Urban governance should adopt a circular waste management approach to improve accountability and resource efficiency. Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9971 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9721 Title: Enforcement of Section 5 of COTPA in a District in South India: Hits and Misses Authors: Naresh Kumar, S J.; Prasanna Kamath, B T.; Ananta, Bhattacharyya.; Waseem, Anjum Abstract: The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) has been enacted in the year 2003 and came into force in the following year. Section 5 of COTPA prohibits advertisement of cigarette and other tobacco products. Despite being in force for more than 15 years COTPA has not been enforced to its fullest extent. Objectives: The study’s goal was to assess the current level of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar. Methodology: A sample size of 423 Points of Sale (PoS) shops was calculated based on 95% confidence level, by using Open Epi software 3.01, a 50% anticipated compliance rate and a 5% error margin with a design effect of 1.1. Data analysis was done using SPSS Version22. Results: Among the 423 PoS surveyed very few were found displaying advertisements in the form of boards (6 Nos,1.4%), Posters (6 Nos,1.4%), banners (2 Nos,0.5%), or stickers (2 Nos,0.5%). In fact, no shop was found to have displayed any dangle, LCD, product show case, illuminated boards, black lit or offering promotional gifts and inserts. Conclusion: The study revealed a fair amount of compliance to Section 5 of COTPA in Kolar. In fact the very absence of any shop displaying dangles, LCDs, illuminated or black lit advertisement boards or offering promotional gifts and inserts were encouraging findings. Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9721 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9701 Title: Does Vitamin D3 supplementation improve Depression scores among rural adolescent? A Cluster Randomized control trial Authors: Satyanarayana., P T; Suryanarayana., R S Ty.,; Reddy., S N Ag Abstract: Abstract: Background: Contemporary evidence has been established demonstrating that stunted vitamin D levels are associated with depression, poor mood, and other mental disorders. Individuals with normal vitamin D levels have a much lower probability of developing depression. Improving vitamin D levels by supplementation has shown betterment in depressive patients among different age groups. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression scores among rural adolescents. Material and methods: This study was a cluster randomized controlled trial carried out for a period of 3 years among adolescents from rural Kolar. The sample size was calculated based on previous research and was determined to be 150 for each group. The intervention arm received 2250 IU of vitamin D, and the control arm received a lower dose of 250 IU of vitamin D for 9 weeks. To assess sociodemographic status, a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used, and, to assess depression, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used. A baseline assessment was carried out for vitamin D status and depression status, followed by a post-intervention assessment. From the start of the trial, the participants were contacted every week by the pediatric team to investigate any side effects. Results: Out of 235 school students in the vitamin D supplementation arm, 129 (54.9%) belonged to the 15 years age group, 124 (52.8%) were boys, and 187 (79.6%) belonged to a nuclear family. Out of 216 school students in the calcium supplementation arm, 143 (66.2%) belonged to the 15 years age group, 116 (53.7%) were girls, and 136 (63%) belonged to a nuclear family. By comparing Beck depression scores before and after the intervention, it was found that the vitamin D intervention arm showed a statistically significant reduction in Beck depression scores. Conclusions: The present study showed that vitamin D supplementation reduced depression scores, showing some evidence that nutritional interventions for mental health issues such as depression are an excellent option. Vitamin D supplementation in schools can have numerous beneficiary effects on health while mutually benefiting mental health. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9701 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9630 Title: Community Medicine in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: The Hidden Cornerstone Authors: Kosambiya, J K.; Dr Samudyatha, U C.; Suwarna, Madhukumar Abstract: Background: India has launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), to provide an integrated digital health infrastructure. The success of digital health systems lies in their ability to achieve universal healthcare and incorporate all levels of disease prevention. The objective of this study was to develop an expert consensus on how Community Medicine (Preventive and Social Medicine) can be integrated into ABDM. Methods: A total of 17 and 15 participants, who were Community Medicine professionals with more than 10 years experience in the Public Health Sector and/or Medical Education in various parts of India, participated in round 1 and 2 of this Delphi study respectively. The study explored three domains: 1. Advantages and challenges of ABDM, and possible solutions; 2. Intersectoral convergence in Unified Health Interface (UHI) and 3. Way ahead in medical education and research. Results: Participants envisaged improved accessibility, affordability, and quality of care due to ABDM. However, awareness generation, reaching out to marginalized populations, human resource constraints, f inancial sustainability, and data security issues were anticipated challenges. The study identified plausible solutions addressing six broad challenges of ABDM and classified them based on the priority of implementation. Participants listed out nine key roles of Community Medicine professionals in digital health. The Study identified about 95 stakeholders who play direct and indirect roles in public health and can be connected to the general public through the Unified Health Interface of ABDM. Further, the study explored the future of medical education and research in the digital era. Conclusion: The Study contributes to broadening the scope of India’s digital health mission, with elements of Community Medicine in its cornerstone. Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://dspace.sduaher.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/9630 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z