Perambalur District Research Articles

Geochemical characterisation and geostatistical evaluation of groundwater suitability: a case study in Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Groundwater is a naturally occurring potential source for drinking, irrigation, agricultural and industrial purposes. The population growth and accelerated development of industries and agriculture activity degrade groundwater quality. The groundwater quality of an area was determined by the physical and chemical parameters, influenced by geology, soil, land use, land cover and anthropogenic activities. Perambalur district in Tamil Nadu has been selected as a study area with a total geographical area of around 1757 km2. In the study area, groundwater quality decreases due to the usage of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural land and miningactivities. So, the hydrogeochemical assessment will help to determine the groundwater suitability for drinking. Forty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the study area during the pre-monsoon (July 2021) and post-monsoon season (January 2022). Samples were analysed using the standard methods prescribed by the American Public Health Association for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate and fluoride. The spatial distribution of major physiochemical parameters is mapped using the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique. The evaluation of hydrochemical facies from piper plots revealed that the major cation and anion were in the order of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+ and Cl- > HCO3- > SO42- > NO3- in both seasons, respectively. Further, the plot explains the presence of both permanent and temporary hardness in the groundwater. The evaluation of hydrochemical facies from the piper plot emphasises that the reverse ion exchange controls groundwater chemistry. The assessment of chloro-alkaline indices reveals that the sodium and potassium in groundwater get substituted with magnesium and calcium in the parent rock, which determines the groundwater composition. The values of saturation indices reveal that calcite and dolomite are supersaturated and tend to precipitate. From principal component analysis, the principal components have an eigenvalue of more than 1, containing 79.8% and 79.2% in the total variance in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, respectively. Most physiochemical parameters like TDS, EC, Na+, Mg2+, Cl- and SO42 - have strong positive loading and are responsible for the changes in groundwater chemistry. Finally, the calculation of the water quality index identified that groundwater quality in post-monsoon tends to decline compared to pre-monsoon.

Determinants of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Adults in Perambalur District of India

Background Sugar is a ubiquitous element in processed meals and is a major source of the energy we derive from them. The risk of obesity and other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tooth destruction, as well as dental cavities, increases proportionally with the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This study intends to determine the prevalence of SSB intake among adults in the Perambalur area of Tamil Nadu, India, as well as the factors that influence it. Methodology We surveyed 1007 individuals using a cross-sectional design from June to November 2022. We included residents who were at least 18 years old and less than 80 years old. Using a convenience sample method, we gathered responses from the public in the urban and rural field practice areas of a teaching medical college in the district of Perambalur, India. We conducted in-person interviews to get data regarding the consumption of SSBs. Among other socio-demographic information, the participants' names, ages, religions, levels of education and employment, household incomes, family compositions, marital statuses, lifestyle behaviors, and comorbid conditions were also gathered. We measured the SSB consumption frequency and duration, and we also considered the contexts in which they consumed SSBs. We examined the factors that play a role in SSB consumption and questioned the participants' familiarity with SSBs' constituents, adverse effects, and cumulative toll. Besides examining the effects of SSB use, the research also explores the possibility of reducing or stopping it altogether. Results The prevalence of SSB use among the current study population was 96.3%. Half of the population has consumed SSBs, between 100 and 200 ml, for over 10 years. Taste and peer pressure are the primary reasons for facilitating SSBs, whereas the media has a minor impact. Most of the population (69%) began consuming SSBs, mostly during vacations and at parties. About one-fifth of the population experiences negative consequences after ingesting SSBs, while only half of the population is aware of the contents of SSBs. Likewise, just 50% of the population is aware of the long-term implications of SSBs. Nearly 16.7% of the population attempted to stop using SSBs. Being overweight, belonging to a high socioeconomic class, and dwelling in a rural location are risk factors related to the consumption of SSBs. Conclusion The prevalence of SSB use among the current study population is exceptionally high. Being overweight, belonging to a high socioeconomic class, and dwelling in a rural location are risk factors related to the consumption of SSBs. There is a need to educate the public about the short- and long-term negative effects of consuming SSBs. Government and non-government entities must work together to generate public behavior change communication.

Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (GRIT) Among Mid Adolescent School Students in a District of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Guts, Resilience, Integrity, and Tenacity (GRIT) is an optimistic character that mixes passion and dedication. It is a driver of achievement and success, independent of and beyond what intelligence and talent contribute. The study aimed to assess GRIT and factors influencing it among mid-adolescent school students (13-18 years) in the Perambalur district, Tamilnadu, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among mid-adolescent school students. We used a self-reported questionnaire to collect the data on sociodemographic characteristics and parents' details and the standard eight-item GRIT questions. Analysis was done with the total and subscale scores. Among the 1663 participants, 966 (58.1%) were males. The mean (SD) age was 15.6 (1.19) years. The mean GRIT score was 26.65 (4.12). Most students (755) showed medium (45.4%) GRIT scores. The age factor had a weak negative correlation with GRIT (r = -0.052, p = 0.033) and females had higher scores (t = 9.13, p = 0.002). Perseverance of effort was significantly more in those from a rural background (t = 1.9, p = 0.012), while consistency of interest was more in those from urban background (t = 0.63, p = 0.03). Most students had average or medium GRIT scores, with higher GRIT among females. The concept of GRIT should be properly addressed among children during their school years in order to inspire them to dream with passion and perseverance.

Anxiety and Stress During the COVID-19 Lockdown Among the General Population in Perambalur: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown had a significant impact on mental health during the last two years. However, the majority of studies do not concentrate on the risk and protective factors that influence the relationship between COVID-19 and subjective well-being. Therefore, the present study aims to identify such stressful experiences and the influence of COVID-19 and various stressors. Methodology We have conducted this community-based, cross-sectional, analytical study in the Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu for four months. After obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, we gathered data for the study. Two field practice areas were involved in data collection. A convenient sampling procedure was used to select 291 households for the study. The lead investigator interviewed one individual from each household, preferably the head of the family. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the pertinent information.The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS),Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), andGeneralized Anxiety Disorder(GAD) scale were used to assess anxiety and stress.All collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA), and SPSS software version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used to analyze the results. Results Among the participants, 34% had a history of COVID-19 infection, and 58.4% of the families had at least one chronic comorbidity among the family members. The CAS score was significantly associated with the residence (p = 0.049), marital status (p = 0.001), and previous history of COVID-19 (p = 0.016) of the study participants. The study found that gender was the only factor associated with both the PSS score (p = 0.022) and the GAD scale score (p = 0.010) of the study participants. Conclusions Even though doctors can treat many mental health illnesses for a comparatively minimal cost, there is still a wide disparity between those who require care and those who have access to it. Governmental programs and regulations that conduct routine surveys to identify anxiety and stress can lead to successful preventative strategies.

EFFICACY OF TRICHODERMA AGAINST GREEN GRAM ROOT ROT PATHOGEN MACROPHOMINAPHASEOLINA

Green gram (Vignaradiata L.) is one of Indias most essential and widely cultivated pulse crops. Several biotic and abiotic factors cause the yield loss in green gram. Among the biotic factors, root rot is one of the devasting factors which can cause maximum yield loss under severe conditions. Ten pathogenic isolates of Macrophominaphaseolinacausing root rot in Greengramwere collected from different locations in the Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu. The isolates produced root rot symptoms under artificial inoculation to confirm the pathogenicity. Among these isolates, Macrophominaphaseolina 1 isolated from Valikandapuramwas virulent, which took for further study. To test the efficacy of fungal biocontrol agents against the Greengram root rot pathogen, ten Trichodermaviride were isolated from ten different places in the Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu and evaluated in vitro. Among the ten isolates tested against Macrophominaphaseolina, the isolate Tv- 1 isolated from the Esanai village of Perambalur District effectively arrested the mycelial growth of Macrophominaphaseolina, which recorded 61.00 per cent growth inhibition over control.

The Use of Sanitary Latrines and the Practice of Open-Air Defecation in a Rural Setup in Perambalur District: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Public health initiatives aim to decrease infectious diseases by enhancing sanitation, which is their primary goal. The practice of sporadically contaminating the environment with human feces has been around for generations and is embedded in the cultural behavior of villagers in India. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of people with access to latrine facilities and the proportion of people who practice open defecation in the villages of Perambalur, Tamil Nadu. Methodology This community-based, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in two rural villages in the Perambalur district for six months. After obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee, we informed participants about the study's purpose. We conducted the study in selected rural areas and included every single residence in the hamlet, irrespective of whether the residents were permanent or temporary. We did not include families that were not reachable at any point during the survey. A convenient sampling procedure was used to select 330 houses for the study. The lead investigator interviewed one individual from each household, preferably the head of the family. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the pertinent information.All collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA), and SPSS software version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used to analyze the results. Results Only around 3.6% of the study participants lived in kutcha households, and about 99.1% of participants identified as Hindu. The proportion of household latrines used was 64.1% among the study participants. Of them, 52.3% engaged in open defecation. Only 4.7% of participants had access to an underground drainage system. Most participants gained knowledge from medical professionals (84.8%). Social media was the second most used source, accounting for about 60.7% of the total. The most frequent reason given for practicing open-air defecation was the perception that constructing restrooms would be expensive (76.3%), while the second most frequent reason was a lack of land (53.4%). An independent t-test found no statistically significant relationship between the availability of household latrines and the number of girls or boys, age, or family income. Compared to those living in semi-pucca and kutcha households, most participants (77.3%) who lived in pucca houses had household latrines. The chi-square test revealed that this proportional difference was statistically significant (p =0.0001). Conclusions The study participants used household latrines 64.1% of the time. Of the participants, 52.3% engaged in open defecation. The government's initiative to build toilets has only helped a quarter of the population, which needs to be improved. Only 5% of people living in rural areas have access to an underground drainage system. The results of our study provide a justification for the government program's mandate that healthcare practitioners must deliver health education. Therefore, a personalized approach is required to overcome the behavioral barrier among rural people and achieve behavior change.

Street Dance in Temples of Perambalur District and its Impact

Developing a rural area is good for a city. Villages are places where civilization and culture are recreated. The family members feel happy and proud when close relatives visit their house. The villagers keep praying to the gods to protect the happiness of their family. During the worship people of various ethnicities unite and they organize many programs. Various cultural arts events and games are performed in these festivals. Artists participates and show off their skills in the events. At these times artists are given gifts and appreciation. Thus, the street dancers receive friendship and love from the audience as they express their artistic skills with various techniques. Although there are many events that can happen during the festival season, the one event that can impress the audience are street dance. The narrative element of the story acts as a bridge between the performers and the audience. The plot of the story is about the glory of the ancient leaders and the history of the deities. All these performances are done with the hope that it will influence the minds of the country people and guide them in their lives.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices Among Households in Perambalur District: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Sanitation, cleanliness, and access to clean water are essential for maintaining human health and well-being. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices are linked to diseases that lead to poor health outcomes, such as pneumonia and diarrhea, trachoma, infestations of soil-transmitted helminths, respiratory tract infections, and pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate household WASH practices in the rural and urban field practice areas of the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Perambalur, India, and identify the factors that influence them. Methodology We conducted a five-month cross-sectional survey with 278 households in the rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care center in Perambalur district. We gathered data using the core questions developed by the World Health Organization-United Nations Children's Fund (WHO-UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), which is affiliated with UN-Water. Data analysts used a Pearson chi-square test to assess the relationship between WASH practices and several independent covariates, and we regarded P < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results Amongthe 278 households, 118 respondents were from rural areas and 160 (57.7%) from urban areas. For drinking water, 31.4% of rural households used tube wells or boreholes, while 56.8% of those used public taps. In metropolitan areas, 25.6% of people used bottled water and 54.4% used water from tanker trucks. In terms of sanitation, 25.2% of households lacked a toilet and 72.7% used the flush/pour flush technique. Water, sanitation, and hygiene practices have been found to be associated with a population's socioeconomic status and place of residence. The Pearson chi-square test revealed that the rural population has 99.1% more improved drinking water sources than the urban population, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion In rural areas, nearly 92% of households used improved sources of drinking water compared to only 55% of households in urban areas. On the other hand, just 47.5% of households in the rural area had improved sanitationcompared to 95% of households in the urban area. Therefore, the Indian government should take steps to enhance urban drinking water quality and rural sanitation infrastructure.

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) IN PERAMBALUR DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

The Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), a migratory polyphagous pest with high feeding preference to maize, is native to American continent but detected in African continent in the year 2016 and reached the Indian sub-continent by 2018. Now the pest has been spread over the maize growing states in India and causing drastic economic loss. Studies on population dynamics of Spodoptera frugiperda was carried out in all the four blocks of Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu by conducting the season long survey with the aim to correlate the occurrence and weather variables. The number of egg masses and larval population were counted and percent infestation was worked out. Among the four blocks, Veppur block showed the heavy infestation of 85%. Thus, the climatologic conditions prevailing in the cropping season decides the fluctuation and abundance of FAW. So, abiotic factors must be taken into consideration in the IPM model for the management of FAW.

Health information seeking behaviour of rural women in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu, India

This paper aims to provide some findings of health information behavior of rural women in Perambalur District. The study revealed the health status, Health awareness, and Health Satisfaction and Health Information Seeking behavior of rural women in Perambalur Distirct. In this study, survey method has been used. Health Information Status questionnaire has been developed to assess the Health Information Status among Rural women from Perambalur District has been considered as a population of the study. The strata random sampling technique is used for this research study. This technique will be very useful in the case of a large population. In the present project, 498 rural women from 121 village panchayat comprise of four panchayat unions have been taken. Rural women in Perambalur district are having poor health information seeking behaviour in sanitation facilities and having less knowledge in understanding of health schemes and usage of health schemes. Most of the rural women in Perambalur District having fatal death, Gastrointestinal, lung diseases, and Urinary Tract Infections as in their family medical history. The rest of them are having other than these diseases. It could be inferred that they are not having much awareness about these diseases.

A Study on Adoption of TNAU Released Small Onion Variety CO (On) 5 among Farmers of Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an inevitable vegetable in Indian diet. India holds first place in onion cultivation in the world and Tamil Nadu state occupies ninth place in onion production in India. Perambalur district is the top most producer of small onion in Tamil Nadu. This study was aimed to find the adoption level of small onion variety CO (On) 5 among the farmers of Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu. This study had been conducted using ex post facto research design. Of the 4 blocks of Perambalur district, Alathur block was purposively selected for this study that it produces more quantity of small onion compared to other 3 blocks. Irur, Chettikulam, Nattarmangalam and Padalur were the four villages selected in Alathur block for study. The data were collected from 120 respondents among selected four villages using well-structured interview schedule between April to May, 2022. The collected data were tabulated and analysed using frequency and percentage. The results of the study revealed that 65.83 % of the respondents belonged to medium level of adoption category, followed by 23.33 % and 10.33 % of the respondents in low and high level of adoption categories. The farmers who had adopted small variety CO (On) 5 have not been adopted the package of practices properly.

"Effect of Integrated Watershed Management Programmes on Farming in Rainfed Tracts of Tamil Nadu: An Evaluation"

"As a holistic approach, watershed development activities turn out to be very effective and convenient to manage water and land resources efficiently in the rainfed areas. The present study aimed to conduct an impact assessment of watershed development programmes in Thoothukudi, Krishnagiri, Perambalur districts of Tamil Nadu by using indicators on biological, physical, social and economic aspects. In the study area, watershed development structures are found to be satisfactory and contributed for additional storage capacity, rise in water table and prolonged water availability, increasing irrigation intensity and cropping intensity which resulted from enhanced gross cropped area, crop productivity and assured access to water. More number of water harvesting structures has to be developed by engaging private investments in constructing check dams, farm ponds, percolation ponds etc. in the farms. Creating awareness about responsibilities of stakeholders in maintenance of all the assets created in the watershed areas will ensure more empowerment of the community."

Integrated GIS and AHP techniques for land suitability assessment of cotton crop in Perambalur District, South India

Integrated GIS and AHP techniques for land suitability assessment of cotton crop in Perambalur District, South India

GIS-Based Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking in Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu

Water quality parameters such as TDS, Ca , Mg , Na , K, Cl, So , F, pH and TH were used to determine the groundwater quality in 2+ 2+ + 2 4 the Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu. The BIS scale is used to determine the water quality index based on standard weight. ion The chemical indicates that an alkali exceeds periods The highest numbers of wells alkaline earth and weak acids exceed strong acids in both monsoon . where the chemical constituents were above the permissible limit Mg , TDS and total hardness and the lowest was in Ca . In 2018, poor with 2+ 2+water quality covered 1345 sq km in pre-monsoon and 1203 sq km in the post-monsoon season. Therefore, it is imperative to improve water quality using proper water purification and pollution control in areas where poor water quality is noted.

Studies On The Effect Of Micronutrients In Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) var. PKM-1

Acid lime (Citurs aurantifolia Swingle) belongs to the family Rutaceae and widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions of India. India is the largest producer of acid lime in the world. In India, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bihar are grown in larger area. In Tamil Nadu, commercially cultivated in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Turicorin, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar and Perambalur districts. Fruits are being used for preparation of pickles and beverages. They are rich in vitamin C, minerals and salts. Micronutrients such as Zinc, Iron and boron play a vital role in acid lime for growth and development. With this background, the present experiment on studies on the effect of micronutrients in acid lime var. PKM-1 was conducted at Citrus Research Station (TNAU), Sankarankovil during 2020-21 to study the effect of micronutrients on growth, yield and quality of acid lime. Foliar application was given twice in a season viz., the first spray was given during peak flowering stage and next spray during fruit set stage on selected five trees for each treatment at farmer’s field. The trial was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice.

An Investigation into the Impact of COVID-19 on the Performance of a Non-profit Microfinance Institution

This article deals with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of a non-profit microfinance institution operating in the Nilgiris and Perambalur districts of Tamil Nadu in India. The primary focus of the paper is on the microfinance institute’s financial performance in terms of outreach and portfolio quality before and after the coronavirus outbreak. The most worrisome factors that were encountered in due course of the study include a decline in loan portfolio and clientele, and an increasing trend in portfolio at risk (PAR) percentage due to a surge in client overdues, outstanding loan amount and rise in number of delinquent clients. These negative impacts on performance were further investigated by establishing a connection to the clients’ repayment ability. A survey was conducted among the women clients of the microfinance institution by enlisting 120 respondents, 60 from each district to identify the various constraints faced by them in loan repayment as a result of the government-imposed lockdown that affected their livelihood and curbed their source of income. Therefore, an attempt has been made to bring out the ground level realities that played an important role in disrupting the normal functioning of the microfinance institution during the pandemic outbreak. This will prove useful in setting guidelines for future crises of like nature to enable microfinance institutions to keep functioning efficiently without any drastic changes to their performance.

Food Consumption Pattern and Dietary Diversity among the Farmers in Kanyakumari and Perambalur Districts of Tamil Nadu

Aims: To study the consumption pattern and dietary diversity among the farmers in rural areas.&#x0D; Study Design: Random Sampling.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Primary data were collected from the Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts of marginal and small farmers between July and August 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: The study was conducted in Kanyakumari and Perambalur districts based on Tamil Nadu state planning commission report 2017.The Simpson index of dietary diversity was calculated to score the quantity and consumption of food items were consumed. The multiple linear regressions were used to understand the variation of socio-economic and demographic features of the household members.&#x0D; Results: The overall result of the SIDD score for Kanyakumari district was 0.73 and 0.72 for Perambalur district. When compared to Perambalur district, the results clearly showed that Kanyakumari district farmers had a higher dietary diversity. Because the food habits of Kanyakumari district farmers differ significantly from those of Perambalur district farmers, owing to a higher intake of nutritious foods in Kanyakumari district farmers.&#x0D; Conclusion: The factors like monthly income and education most influence the household dietary pattern and nutrition status of Kanyakumari district rather than the Perambalur district.

A Geographical Analysis of Resource Utilization and Its Impact on Landuse Pattern in Perambalur District Using Geo-Spatial Technology

The objectives of this paper are to simulate the location of the land use change due to the open mining activities from the cement industries. In this study first we estimate the existing land use distribution with the help of remote sensing data. Remote sensing technology reduces cost and time to a great extent with better accuracy to that of conventional surveying. To analysis the land cover above the sand stone with lime stone and clay as shown in the geology map and overlay this region on the land use map and crop the region and estimation given land use area going for the open mining in the study area. The existing land use, its spatial distribution and changes are essential pre-requisite for planning and land management strategies hold key for development of any region. The study of land use is necessary for proper utilization of land resources of a region.

A cross-sectional study to assess diabetic risk using Indian diabetic risk score among the urban population of Perambalur, South India

Background: Various studies from the urban population shows people are more susceptible to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Since the cause of diabetes is multifactorial it is necessary to screen the population to identify high-risk individuals. The objective of the study was to estimate the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) using the Indian diabetes risk score (IDRS) and its determinants in the urban field practicing area of the medical college in Perambalur district.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban field practicing area of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital in Perambalur district. 400 participants of age more than 20 years enrolled in this study. IDRS risk score and data on other risk factors were obtained for every individual. Data entry was done in Excel and statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 16.Results: In our study, the proportion of male and female were almost equal. One-third of the participants 124 (31%) had a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Similarly, half of them 188 (47%) were at moderate risk and 88 (22%) had a low risk for diabetes. Statistically, a significant association was seen between high risk for T2DM and increased age, positive family history, Low socioeconomic status, living as a nuclear family, habits of smoking/Alcohol, and sedentary lifestyle.Conclusions: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus among the urban population is rising trends. For effective screening of the general population, IDRS can be used.

Knowledge and perception of massive open online courses among medical students of Perambalur district, Tamilnadu, India

Background: Coronavirus outbreak has forced a prolonged closure of educational institutes all over world including India which have affected the regular classroom studies and skill acquisition by students. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and perception regarding mass open online courses (MOOC) among medical students.Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study using google form survey tool was conducted among undergraduate medical students. Questions were asked on demographic information, use and accessibility of information technologies, awareness and utilization of MOOC and barriers and motivations for course enrollment and completion.Results: Overall 224(54.9%) of medical students had ever heard about MOOC. Out of them, only 31.6% students had actually enrolled for any online course. Further, course completetion rate was only 11.6%. Age and year of study was significantly associated with enrolment to MOOC. Important motivation for enrolment were learning new thing, learning medicine and for better career prospects while common barriers were low internet speed and lack of time. Among those who completed the course, most of them had a satisfactory or very satisfactory level of satisfaction with regard to overall experience, quality of presented material, technology used, and video lectures.Conclusions: There is poor awareness and utilization of MOOC among medical students which can hamper their learning particularly in absence on regular classroom teaching. There is need of blended curriculum harnessing the advantages of MOOC platform which will aid students continue learning in difficult times.