Bengaluru City Research Articles

Spatial and Temporal Variability of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub> and BC Aerosols over Tropical Megacity Bengaluru, India

PM2.5, PM10 mass levels at six and BC levels at one station were monitored at the tropical megacity, Bengaluru, India, for the year 2019. The annual average levels of PM2.5, PM10 and BC were 31, 73 and 2.72 µg/m3 respectively. PM2.5 levels were within the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standard (INAAQS) value of 40 µg/m3 whereas that of PM10 exceeded INAAQS level of 60 µg/m3 for the year 2019 for all six stations. The season-wise diurnal variability of PM and BC shows bimodal peaks, first one in the morning and the second one in the late evening hours in all the stations. These peaks correspond to rush traffic hours and lower PBL height. The correlation analysis of PM and BC with meteorological parameters is presented. The data are also analysed for the Deepavali festival. The PM2.5 levels in festival have doubled, PM10 levels increased by more than 50 %, while BC showed marginal increase. Further, the night-time levels of PM and BC were higher than the daytime during the festival. The health risk assessment using Air Q+ for the city of Bengaluru for 2019 shows highest PM exposure risk to ischemic heart disease.

Assessment of Immune Responses to Rabies Vaccination in Free-Ranging Dogs in Bengaluru, India.

Rabies is a fatal encephalomyelitis mainly transmitted to humans and other animals by rabid dog bites. Hence, vaccination programs are being instituted for the control of rabies in dogs. Though stray dogs have been vaccinated for years under various programs initiated for control of the disease, the effectiveness of these programs can be ascertained only by assessing the immunity of these dogs. With this in view, a study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the ongoing mass dog vaccination (MDV) program by the Bengaluru City Municipal Corporation, Bengaluru, India. Whole blood and serum samples (n = 260) from vaccinated stray dogs in 26 wards of 8 corporation zones were tested by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) as well as an in-house quantitative indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) for a humoral response and by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ELISA for a cellular response. As determined by the cut-off value of 0.5 IU/mL of serum, 71% and 87% of the samples from vaccinated dogs revealed adequate levels of antibodies presumed to confer protection by RFFIT and iELISA, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the iELISA were 100% and 63.3%, respectively. The IFN-γ ELISA revealed adequate cellular response in 50% of the samples. The quantitative iELISA was found to be useful in large-scale seromonitoring of MDV programs to aid in the elimination of dog-mediated rabies.

Performance assessment of Accredited Social Health Activists under National Urban Health Mission in Bengaluru

ObjectivesTo assess the performance of “Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)” under National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in Bengaluru. The NUHM renews and deepens the commitment and recognizes that ASHA and Mahila Arogya Samiti (MAS) are critical components towards achieving health outcomes. There has not been a systematic approach to assess their performance and this study is the first of its kind in Bengaluru City. MethodsThe study was conducted in Bengaluru among 130 ASHAs selected using Stratified Random Sampling. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview ASHA regarding her work (involving Antenatal Care (ANC) registrations, institutional delivery, home visits, immunization, sterilization, management of childhood illness, attending monthly meetings, etc.) and tracking the incentives that she had received for work in the past one year from the database. ResultsThe mean age of 130 study participants was 36.4 ± 6.4 years. 53.8% of the study participants had scored >75% for their performance and categorized as Grade A. Out of 130 study participants, 30 (23%) had maintained the record of their claim sheets of the incentives received and among which 26.7% had received 75–100% of incentive of their work. ConclusionThe present study concluded that majority of study participants had a good performance and had been categorized as Grade A. Very small percentage of study participants maintained their records. Financial incentives and an opportunity for more exposure to health services were the main reasons among the study participants for joining as an ASHA. They received induction training before joining work, but refresher training was inadequate.

SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics and genomic surveillance to detect variants in wastewater - a longitudinal study in Bengaluru, India.

Environmental surveillance (ES) of a pathogen is crucial for understanding the community load of disease. As an early warning system, ES for SARS-CoV-2 has complemented routine diagnostic surveillance by capturing near real-time virus circulation at a population level. In this longitudinal study conducted between January 2022 and June 2022 in 28 sewershed sites in Bengaluru city (∼11 million inhabitants), we quantified weekly SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations to track infection dynamics and provide evidence of change in the relative abundance of emerging variants. We describe an early warning system using the exponentially weighted moving average control chart and demonstrate how SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in wastewater correlated with clinically diagnosed new COVID-19 cases, with the trends appearing 8-14 days earlier in wastewater than in clinical data. This was further corroborated by showing that the estimated number of infections is strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies detected in the wastewater. Using a deconvolution matrix, we detected emerging variants of concern up to two months earlier in wastewater samples. In addition, we found a huge diversity in variants detected in wastewater compared to clinical samples. The findings from this study have been discussed regularly with local authorities to inform policy-making decisions. Our study highlights that quantifying viral titre, correlating it with a known number of cases in the area, and combined with genomic surveillance helps in tracking variants of concern (VOC) over time and space, enabling timely and making informed policy decisions. This work has been supported by funding from the Rockefeller Foundation grant to National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR) and the Indian Council of Medical Research grant to (FI) Tata Institute for Genetics and Society and Tata Trusts.

Parental Mental Health and Challenges in Parenting of Pre-schoolers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: This study aimed to understand the parental stress, psychological distress, and parenting practices of parents of pre-schoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and Materials: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with the parents of preschool children aged 3–6 years. Researchers used the Parental Stress Scale, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, and Parent Practice Interview to collect data from parents in the Southern Indian city of Bengaluru. Results: A total of 60 responses were obtained from the online survey. Moderate to a high level of parental stress and mild to moderate levels of psychological distress were found among the parents. Around 21 (35%) of parents were found in need of mental health consultation. The study found no group differences in parental stress and psychological distress among various socio-demographic variables. The study found a significant association between parental stress and the parenting practices of participants. Higher mean scores were observed on mothers in setting clear expectations of pre-schoolers. Conclusion: Parenting young pre-schoolers is a difficult task. COVID-19 pandemic has made the parenting process challenging for parents. Parents must engage the children at home, and helping them cope with the new environment is a tightrope walk. Such uncertainties are supposed cause distress and lead to poor parenting parents among the parents, especially with pre-schoolers who are more demanding. There is a need to address parents’ concerns and train them to deal with the situations effectively.

Comparative evaluation of dental caries experience using CAST index and WHO criteria among 5 and 15-year-old schoolchildren.

CAST (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment) index is a relatively new caries assessment tool that hierarchically describes the entire caries spectrum. Its comparability with WHO (World Health Organization) criteria in different populations and age groups needs to be investigated. The objective of this study was to assess caries among 5 and 15-year-old schoolchildren using the CAST index and WHO criteria and to compare both indices on the basis of caries experience and examination time. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 553 schoolchildren aged 5 and 15 years in the North zone of Bengaluru city, India. Examiners underwent training and calibration for performing the CAST index. The first examination was performed using the CAST index followed by a second examination using the WHO criteria 2013, after some days. Time taken for examination was also recorded. The study sample consisted of 279 five-year-old and 274 fifteen-year-old schoolchildren. The difference in caries experience among 5 and 15-year-old children assessed using the CAST index (52%, 45.6%) and WHO criteria (42.3%, 24.5%) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The average examination time was longer for the CAST index (93.77±24.77 seconds and 105.04±9.49 seconds) when compared to WHO criteria (61.05±15.91 seconds and 58.72±9.42 seconds) for primary and permanent dentition (p < 0.05). Though the CAST index took a longer examination time, the information obtained was more precise and facilitated researchers in treatment planning encompassing prevention of initial lesions, restoration, and rehabilitation.

Characterization of Cocoa Bean Husk Extract Particles and its Comparison as a Mouthrinse with Different Vehicles in Children aged 7-12 Years.

Assessing the efficacy of cocoa bean husk extract (CBHE) particles with different vehicles as a mouthrinse in children aged 7-12 years in comparison to chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium fluoride (NaF) mouthrinse. A total of 80 children aged 7-12 years residing at a residential school/orphanage in Bengaluru city were selected and randomly allocated into five groups-group I: 0.1% CBHE with distilled water (DW); group II: 0.1% CBHE with Ringer's lactate (RL); group III: 0.12% CHX; group IV: 0.1% CBHE with normal saline (NS); and group V: 0.05% NaF. A Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) was recorded, salivary pH was assessed, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline (BL) after 30 minutes of rinsing on day 7 and day 14. These saliva samples were subjected to microbiological analysis, and all the data from five groups at four different time intervals was tabulated and statistically evaluated. Nearly 0.1% CBHE with NS as vehicle showed maximum antibacterial properties among all the groups at all time intervals. The addition of RL to CBHE provided better anti-plaque efficacy than 0.1% CBHE with DW and 0.12% CHX mouthwash. All three combinations of 0.1% CBHE and 0.12% CHX mouthwash proved to be better anti-plaque agents than 0.05% NaF. Improving the preparation of CBHE mouthwash by using NS, RL, and with the addition of saccharin sodium also improved the patient's compliance. Thus, preparing chocolate/CBHE mouthwash with NS or RL instead of plain DW increased the salivary pH, anti-plaque efficacy, and antibacterial property by reducing Streptococcus mutans growth. Cocoa bean husk extract (CBHE) mouthwash is a better anticariogenic and nonalcoholic mouthwash compared to CHX and NaF, which can be safely used in children as a routine oral rinse and also for those with gingivitis and high-risk of caries. Kibriya S, Srinivasan I, Setty JV, et al. Characterization of Cocoa Bean Husk Extract Particles and its Comparison as a Mouthrinse with Different Vehicles in Children aged 7-12 Years. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):54-59.

Population Preferences for Primary Care Models for Hypertension in Karnataka, India

Hypertension contributes to more than 1.6 million deaths annually in India, with many individuals being unaware they have the condition or receiving inadequate treatment. Policy initiatives to strengthen disease detection and management through primary care services in India are not currently informed by population preferences. To quantify population preferences for attributes of public primary care services for hypertension. This cross-sectional study involved administration of a household survey to a population-based sample of adults with hypertension in the Bengaluru Nagara district (Bengaluru City; urban setting) and the Kolar district (rural setting) in the state of Karnataka, India, from June 22 to July 27, 2021. A discrete choice experiment was designed in which participants selected preferred primary care clinic attributes from hypothetical alternatives. Eligible participants were 30 years or older with a previous diagnosis of hypertension or with measured diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher or systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher. A total of 1422 of 1927 individuals (73.8%) consented to receive initial screening, and 1150 (80.9%) were eligible for participation, with 1085 (94.3%) of those eligible completing the survey. Relative preference for health care service attributes and preference class derived from respondents selecting a preferred clinic scenario from 8 sets of hypothetical comparisons based on wait time, staff courtesy, clinician type, carefulness of clinical assessment, and availability of free medication. Among 1085 adult respondents with hypertension, the mean (SD) age was 54.4 (11.2) years; 573 participants (52.8%) identified as female, and 918 (84.6%) had a previous diagnosis of hypertension. Overall preferences were for careful clinical assessment and consistent availability of free medication; 3 of 5 latent classes prioritized 1 or both of these attributes, accounting for 85.1% of all respondents. However, the largest class (52.4% of respondents) had weak preferences distributed across all attributes (largest relative utility for careful clinical assessment: β = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.06-0.20; 36.4% preference share). Two small classes had strong preferences; 1 class (5.4% of respondents) prioritized shorter wait time (85.1% preference share; utility, β = -3.04; 95% CI, -4.94 to -1.14); the posterior probability of membership in this class was higher among urban vs rural respondents (mean [SD], 0.09 [0.26] vs 0.02 [0.13]). The other class (9.5% of respondents) prioritized seeing a physician (the term doctor was used in the survey) rather than a nurse (66.2% preference share; utility, β = 4.01; 95% CI, 2.76-5.25); the posterior probability of membership in this class was greater among rural vs urban respondents (mean [SD], 0.17 [0.35] vs 0.02 [0.10]). In this study, stated population preferences suggested that consistent medication availability and quality of clinical assessment should be prioritized in primary care services in Karnataka, India. The heterogeneity observed in population preferences supports considering additional models of care, such as fast-track medication dispensing to reduce wait times in urban settings and physician-led services in rural areas.

Respecting values and perspectives in biobanking and genetic research governance: Outcomes of a qualitative study in Bengaluru, India.

Background: The promise of biobanking and genetic research (BGR) in the context of translational research towards improving public health and personalised medicine has been recognised in India. Worldwide experience has shown that incorporating stakeholders' expectations and values into the governance of BGR is essential to address ethical aspects of BGR. This paper draws on engagement with various stakeholders in the South Indian city of Bengaluru to understand how incorporating people's values and beliefs can inform policy making decisions and strengthen BGR governance within India. Methods: We adopted a qualitative research approach and conducted six focus group discussions with civil society members and seven in-depth interviews with key informants in BGR, identified through a targeted web search and snowballing methods, until data saturation was reached. Data were thematically analysed to identify emergent patterns. Results: Specific themes relating to the ethics and governance of BGR emerged. Fears and uncertainty about future sample and data use, possibilities of discrimination and exploitation in the use of findings and the lack of comprehensive data protection policies in India along with expectations of enhanced contributor agency, control in future use of samples and data, benefit sharing, enhanced utility of samples, sustained BGR and public good, reflected tensions between different stakeholders' values and beliefs. Fair governance processes through an independent governance committee for biobanks and a system of ongoing engagement with stakeholders emerged as best practice towards building trust and respecting diversity of views and values. Conclusions: Ensuring public trust in BGR requires listening to stakeholders' voices, being open to counter narratives, and a commitment to long term engagement embedded in principles of participatory democracy. This is central to a 'people-centred governance framework' involving a negotiated middle ground and an equilibrium of governance which promotes social justice by being inclusive, transparent, equitable, and trustworthy.

‘Songs of the Lake’: Understanding Cultural Expressions of Nature through Dwindling Folk-Songs and Mythologies in Bengaluru

Culture-specific knowledge plays an important role in shaping environmental conservation. Yet we lack a holistic and contemporary understanding of how such local cultural systems interface(d) with ecologies, especially in the fast-growing cities of the Global South which face profound environmental challenges. In this paper, we explore nature-based cultural systems embedded in folk-songs to understand situated social-ecological histories of human-inhabited peri-urban landscapes in the city of Bengaluru in South India. Drawing on empirical observations from the city, we trace local imageries of erstwhile lake-based social systems through folk-songs, mythologies and oral narratives. We demonstrate how many of these cultural narratives, largely embedded within symbolic linkages to the lake ecology, continue to manifest themselves as folk expressions in the city, despite the fact that most of the lakes have been polluted or are managed via restrictions that prohibit village residents from accessing them as they once did for agriculture, livelihoods and domestic use. The songs are also rich reminders of socialities, which, despite being divisive and hierarchical to a large extent, were symbolically and materially embedded in nature.

A Study on Quality of Work Life of Software Professionals in Bengaluru City

Purpose: The earning potential of software companies depends on their employees’ productivity. To improve productivity, the organizations have to provide their employees with a pleasant working environment. By offering pleasant Quality of Work Life (QWL) a company may retain efficient employees and keep them preoccupied with work, thereby improving productivity. Design / Methodology / Approach: Study being descriptive in nature. Data relevant to the study have been collected by employing well-structured questionnaire. By adopting convenience sampling technique software employees have been selected from Bengaluru city. Data have been gathered from select software professionals at Bengaluru city. Questions relating to personal profile and quality of work life are included in the questionnaire. Findings: Result of chi-square test discloses that gender, educational qualification, type of family and working hours significantly influences the perception of QWL of Software Professionals. Practical Implications: The result of the study assist employers to understand their employees’ perception towards quality of work life and understand the employees’ expectations thereby, management are in a positon to fulfil the expectations of the employees. Once employees’ expectations are fulfilled dedicated and committed employees may be retained at the workplace and efficient employees are attracted, thereby productivity and profitability of an institution may improve. Social Implications: Offering better working environment at work place may motivate employees to be loyal and committed and to put their level best for the development of an organization as a whole. Sincere and committed employees are an asset for the institution, their efforts not only contribute towards institution growth but also growth of a nation as a whole. Originality / Value: Data collected through questionnaire are original in nature. Questionnaire assist in understanding the employees’ perception towards quality of work life at their work place.

Relation between PM2.5 and O3 over Different Urban Environmental Regimes in India

Atmospheric ozone (O3) concentration is impacted by a number of factors, such as the amount of solar radiation, the composition of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons, the transport of pollutants and the amount of particulate matter in the atmosphere. The oxidative potential of the atmosphere and the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) as a result of atmospheric oxidation are influenced by the prevalent O3 concentration. The formation of secondary aerosols from O3 depends on several meteorological, environmental and chemical factors. The relationship between PM2.5 and O3 in different urban environmental regimes of India is investigated in this study during the summer and winter seasons. A relationship between PM2.5 and O3 has been established for many meteorological and chemical variables, such as RH, WS, T and NOx, for the selected study locations. During the winter season, the correlation between PM2.5 and O3 was found to be negative for Delhi and Bengaluru, whereas it was positive in Ahmedabad. The city of Bengaluru was seen to have a positive correlation between PM2.5 and O3 during summer, coinciding with the transport of marine air masses with high RH and low wind speed (as evident from FLEXPART simulations), leading to the formation of SOAs. Further, O3 concentrations are predicted using a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) model based on the relation obtained between PM2.5 and O3 for the summer season using NOx, T, RH, WS and PM2.5 as inputs.

Consumer buying behavior towards online meat and meat products : In tier-I cities of India

Online meat and meat products shopping has become more popular now-a-days. People are willing to spend time and energy on purchasing fresh meat through e-commerce. Most of the existing e-retailers offer their services in metros and major urban centers targeting the urban population.The survey was conducted in Bengaluru city. A representative sample of 120 consumers purchasing meat as well as meat products through online retail outlets like Licious, Zappfresh, Tendercuts, Fipola, Freshmeat, Bigbasket, Amazon, Grofers etc.In comparison to other meat items, chicken meat (broiler/country bird) is chosen by 51.66 per cent of consumers. Eggs account for 41.70 per cent of daily consumer consumption, followed by other meat items. The monthly family consumption of meat and meat products is 43.33 per cent, with 3-5 kg consumed each month. Consumers’ reasons for preferring meat and meat goods on e-commerce websites suggest that 36.70% of the sample consumers prefer buying meat and meat products online due to a wider choice. Customers’ attraction to e-commerce when purchasing meat and meat goods finds that 17.50% of consumers were most drawn to buy online meat and meat products due to ease of use. Consumers who preferred to buy meat and meat products revealed that 51.70 per cent preferred butcher shops, while 32.50 per cent preferred online platform. Consumer preferences for fresh meat and meat products found that 42.50 per cent of sample consumers.

Nursing students' perceptions regarding well-being and healthy use of digital technology: A qualitative thematic analysis.

The health and well-being of nursing students are of the utmost importance. Well-being is affected by many factors, ranging from day-to-day hassles to severe stressors in students' college lives. In addition to many other challenges, one new component is added with the advancement of technology, that is, the use of digital technology. The objectives of the study were to explore the perceptions of nursing students regarding well-being, its associated factors, digital technology usage and association between well-being and digital technology use. A qualitative descriptive design using focus group discussion (FGD) was adopted in this study. A purposive sampling technique was followed for selecting the participants. Five nursing colleges in the city of Bengaluru from Karnataka state (Central Government-1, State Government-2, and Private-2) were selected based on their willingness to allow their students to be a part of the study. Around 12-15 students from each college who might provide potentially rich data were invited to participate in the study. Six FGDs were conducted during June-August 2018 with a total of 80 participants. All the participants were informed about the study. Written informed consent was obtained. All FGDs were audio recorded, and audiotapes were transcribed. Thematic analysis was done using Atlas.ti software. The emerging themes were clustered under the following broad categories: understanding the concept of well-being and associated factors; understanding digital technology; ways to healthy use of digital technology; strategies to maintain well-being; and a felt need for professional help. This study provides an insight into the experiences of well-being, stress, and use of digital technology among undergraduate nursing students. The findings have led to elicit the components required to develop an intervention program that may help the undergraduate nursing students to enhance well-being as well as promote healthy use of digital technology.

Different Varieties and Sources of Apples Marketed in Bangalore City

Fruits are essential components of the human diet. India is engaged in the importation of various kinds of fruits sourced from diverse regions throughout the globe. The purpose of this research was to record the sources and various kinds of imported fruits that are accessible in the market. Additionally, the study aimed to analyses consumer preferences for imported fruits and examines the variables that influence the consumption of these fruits. The research was carried out in the city of Bengaluru, with a sample size of 60 participants. The survey revealed that China emerged as the primary recipient of fruit imports to India in the fiscal year 2016-17. The apple had the greatest level of customer preference, with a mean score of 82.33, while the pomegranate trailed closely behind with a mean score of 69. Approximately 41.67% of customers exhibit a preference for purchasing from established and reputable brands, while 36.67% express a willingness to consider any brand. A majority of customers (58.33%) opted to buy imported fruits via contemporary retail formats, although wholesalers accounted for a significant proportion (30%) of such purchases. The results of the survey indicate that a significant majority (81.67%) of customers in Bengaluru city have expressed that aspects such as health, flavor, and quality play a crucial role in their decision to buy imported fruits. The state Agricultural universities, together with Horticultural universities and Horticulture departments, should priorities efforts to enhance the quality, taste, color, and shelf life of local fruits. This is necessary to effectively compete with imported fruits and decrease reliance on them.

An Autopsy Study of Intentional Deaths among Adolescents in the Age Group of 10 to 19 Years in Bengaluru City

Introduction: Unnatural death means a death caused by external causes e.g., injury or poisoning which includesdeath due to intentional injury, such as homicide or suicide, and death caused by unintentional injury in anaccidental manner. The tragedy of suicide in adolescents is a global phenomenon that deserves the attention ofthe world’s pediatricians. An estimated 2 million people die each year as a result of suicide. In 2002, there werean estimated 877,000 suicides in the world, of which approximately 200,000 were adolescents and young adults.Aims and Objectives: To know the type, incidence, and sexwise distribution of intentional deaths of adolescentsin the age group of 10 to 19 years.Material Methods: The present study is a descriptive study of intentional unnatural death cases of Adolescents(10 to 19 years) which were autopsied at BMC &amp; RI, Bengaluru for a period of 18 months from December 2014 toMay 2016Results: In this study of 399 deaths among adolescents, 251 cases (62.90%) were due to intentional injuries and 148cases (37.10%) were due to unintentional injuries. Among intentional deaths 4 cases (1.60%) were homicidal and247 cases (98.40%) were suicidal in nature. In the case of homicide, all were male victims, while in suicide cases.Hanging was the most preferred method to commit suicide with 114 cases (46.15%), followed by burns in 79 cases(31.98%), poisoning in 45 cases (18.21%), drowning in 4 cases (1.61%), railway injury in 3 cases (1.21%) and 2 cases(0.80%) of fall from height.Conclusion: Accurate information on the causes and circumstances of intentional adolescent deaths througha process of medico-legal investigations is essential in creating awareness among National policymakers andeducators/caregivers, to prevent adolescent deaths.

Measuring Consumer Attitude and Buying Behaviour towards Organic Foods in Bengaluru City

The study has shown that consumer behaviour is very important in the market for organic food goods. To adapt to shifting urban consumer purchasing patterns for organic food goods, organic food marketers must be creative and dynamic. While most respondents who did not consume organic food thought that organic food items were made of natural ingredients, the majority of respondents who did believe that organic food products did not contain pesticides. The primary factor influencing someone’s decision to purchase an organic food item is their level of financial ability and the cost of the item. Additionally, it was discovered that psychological influences on perception, attitude, and purchase intention were highly influential on consumers of organic food. Both organic and nonorganic food customers had negligible faith in organic food products. Therefore, initiatives must be taken to foster customer confidence in organic food items in Bengaluru.

Evaluation of interorifice distance in permanent mandibular first molar with middle mesial canal in Bengaluru city, Karnataka: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Aim: Analysis of interorifice distance (IOD) between mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals in the presence of middle mesial canal (MMC) variants in mandibular first permanent molar (MFPM) in an Indian subpopulation. To categorically assess the prevalence of MMC variants considering variation in factors of age and gender. Methods: Analysis of preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images was performed on 256 MFPM. MMCs were classified as fin, confluent, or independent as per the classification given by Pomeranz et al. (1981). Orthogonal slices from pulpal floor to 4 mm below were used to measure mean IOD using the CBCT software tool. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics. The Chi-square test was used for further analysis. Results: The prevalence of independent MMC was 4.7% (n = 12), confluent 14.6% (n = 37), and fin 8.7% (n = 22). The mean IOD measured for fin variant was 3.12 ± 0.512 mm, 3.31 ± 0.402 mm for confluence variant, 3.72 ± 0.493 mm for independent MMC, and 3.36 mm ± 0.579 for two-canal variant. Significant association (P = 0.001) was observed between age, gender, and overall detection of MMC, wherein the presence of fin (8.6%) and confluent (12.9%) configurations was higher (P = 0.003) in individuals ≤40 years. There was increased IOD in females (17.9%) than males (10.3%), for confluent, independent, and two-canal configuration (P = 0.04; =0.01, =0.001). Decreased IOD was observed in individuals >40 years for two-canal configurations (P = 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative CBCT assessment of MFPM aids in the detection of MMC. According to the results of this study, individuals aged ≤40 years have shown higher prevalence of fin and confluent variants. Increased IOD was seen in females for confluent, independent, and two-canal configurations. Decreased IOD was seen in individuals aged >40 years having two-canal configuration. Thus, root canal complexities vary with age and gender, and should be taken into consideration before endodontic treatment.

Patterns of Violence Experienced by Women Victims of Domestic Violence in Bengaluru City: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction Domestic violence has negative effects on the physical health and mental health of women. Domestic violence takes various forms physical, psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse. Many organizations are working with women and their families to prevent and reduce instances of violence. The current study aimed to understand the various patterns of violence among women victims of domestic violence. Materials and Methods The sample of 30 women approaching the women’s helpline, in Bengaluru was considered for the study using a cross-sectional design. The interview schedule for assessing patterns of violence was used. Descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the data. Results The majority of the respondents (50%) were in the age group of 20–29 years, more than half (53.3%) were homemaker and the majority (70%) stayed in nuclear family structures. More than one-fourth reported severe physical violence such as pushing, slapping, and punching. Most of the respondents reported husbands to be perpetrators of violence, 60% reported violence as a habit, and the majority reported dowry harassment as the reason for violence. Conclusion Mental health professionals need to work on the root cause of habitual violence and dowry harassment perpetrated by the spouse and empower the victims.

Economic burden of road traffic injuries among hospitalized subjects in a tertiary care center in Bengaluru, India

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the major causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability among young adults and pose a significant economic burden to individuals, families, and communities. Objective: To estimate the cost of care at discharge, 3 months and 6 months among patients with RTIs admitted to a private tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, India. Methods: A cost-of-illness study from patient's perspective was done among 150 hospitalized injured subjects with RTIs admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru city. A face validated, structured interview schedule was administered in local language at baseline (hospital discharge time), 1 month and at 6 months to capture data on direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs incurred by the RTI victims and their family members. Hospital bills were reviewed for all the patients included in the study. Results: Among the 150 study participants, majority were men (94.67%), with a mean age of 35.36 years ± 14.62 years and majority were two-wheeler riders/pillions and pedestrians. Our results show the median cost incurred for care of RTI to be INR 106,374 (inter quartile range [IQR] 57,402–163,250) (USD 1418 [IQR 765–2176]). Direct medical costs contributed to 66% of the costs, whereas direct nonmedical and indirect costs contributed to 21% and 13% of the total costs, respectively. Conclusion: RTIs contribute to significant economic burden to patients. While prevention should be our primary goal, health financing and risk protection mechanisms should be strengthened by streamlining insurance coverage mechanisms to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.