Cultural competency is a wide notion with a variety of academic bases and differing perspectives on how it should be implemented. While it is widely acknowledged that cultural competency should be an element of general practise, there is a paucity of literature in this area. It has been commonly claimed that cultural competency is a fundamental prerequisite for working well with persons from different cultural backgrounds. Medical students must learn how to connect successfully with patients from all walks of life, regardless of culture, gender, or financial background. Hence, National Medical Council (NMC) has included cultural competence as a course subject in the curriculum of medical education. The opportunities and concept of Competency Based Medical Education, the inclusion of cultural competency in medical course by NMC, various models and practice skill of cultural competence in medical education are discussed in this paper. This study will be useful to researchers who are looking at cultural competency as a research variable that influences study result.

BackgroundAnxiety and stress in COVID-19 lead to continual pro-inflammatory cytokine activity resulting in excessive inflammation. Levels of different bio indices of COVID-19 may predict clinical outcomes and the severity of COVID-19 disease and may correlate with anxiety and stress levels. ObjectivesTo measure the level of anxiety in COVID-19 patients using the coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS) as an assessment of psychological stress. To measure the levels of blood biomarkers and biochemical and hematological markers of inflammation in COVID-19. To record and measure the indices of short-term HRV in COVID-19 patients to assess their physiological and psychological stress levels. To determine the relationship between anxiety scores, levels of laboratory indices (blood biomarkers), and HRV parameters across mild, moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Material and methodA total of 300 COVID-19 patients aged between 18 and 55 years were included. A questionnaire-based CAS was used to assess anxiety levels. Short-term HRV was recorded to measure stress. Blood biomarkers: Biochemical and hemato-cytological markers of inflammation were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 20.0. ResultsAnxiety and stress increased with the severity of COVID-19. A positive correlation was detected between anxiety and serum ferritin, IL-6, MCV, and MCH levels, and a negative correlation between the corona anxiety score and RBC count. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 showed elevated levels of WBC count, neutrophil%, platelet count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, serum ferritin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased lymphocyte and monocyte percentages. The increase in the severity of COVID-19 decreased lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts. ConclusionThe Corona Anxiety Scale and heart rate variability can be used as complementary tools to index COVID-19related anxiety and stress. An association exists between immune dysregulation and heart rate variability, which can be used to predict the inflammatory response and prognosis of COVID-19.

Objective: The study was conducted to know the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on menstrual cycle patterns, pre- and post-menstrual symptoms in women aged 18-45 years. Design & Setting: Multicentric observational study conducted in six institutes of national importance in different states of India over one year. Population: A total of 5709 female participants fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Methods: Data about impact of vaccines (COVISHIELD and COVAXIN) and prior COVID-19 infection on menstrual cycle and its associated symptoms were obtained using an online and offline survey. Main Outcome: COVID-19 vaccination with COVISHILED/COVAXIN resulted in menstrual cycle disturbances. Results: Of 5709 participants, 78.2% received COVISHIELD, 21.8% COVAXIN. Of all, 333(5.8%) developed post-vaccination menstrual disturbances with 32.7% frequent cycles, 63.7% prolonged cycles, and 3.6% inter-menstrual bleed. 301 participants, noticed changes in the amount of bleeding, with 50.2% excessive, 48.8% scanty, and 0.99% amenorrhea followed by heavy bleeding. Furthermore, the irregularities of menstrual cycle (p=0.011) and length (0.001) were significantly higher in the COVAXIN group (7.2%) as compared to COVISHIELD (5.3%). A total of 721 participants complained of newly developed/worsening pre- and post-menstrual symptoms. These symptoms were significantly higher in COVISHIELD group (p=0.031) with generalized weakness and body pains as main complaints (p=0.001). No significant difference was observed in COVID-19 infection incidence with these vaccines. When comparing menstrual abnormalities among those with COVID-19 infection, no significant associations were observed (p >0.05). Conclusions: COVISHILED and COVAXIN resulted in menstrual cycle disturbances and pre-and post-menstrual symptoms. The menstrual irregularities were significantly higher with COVAXIN vaccine.

The widespread bacteria causing sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide is Chlamydia trachomatis. The prevalence of chlamydial diseases that are spread via sexual contact is relatively high throughout the world. Urethritis and cervicitis are often caused by C. trachomatis, and its aftereffects include ectopic pregnancy, reactive arthritis, epididymitis, tubal factor infertility, proctitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In addition, chlamydial infections may cause severe ocular or reproductive illness, resulting in infertility or blindness, depending on the bacterial strain. There have been many ways to calculate transmission probability, but each has drawbacks. It is linked to a broad spectrum of short- and long-term health repercussions and sequelae. In low- and middle-income nations like India, where the majority of the burden goes unreported and where there is a lack of systematic data to assess the situation, improved urogenital C. trachomatis infection management is especially crucial. This study's goal was to highlight the current state of the significant epidemiological factors related to chlamydial infections.

Aim: The study was conducted to know the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on menstrual cycle patterns and pre- and post-menstrual symptoms in women aged 18-45 years Background: COVID-19 vaccination was introduced to combat the dreadful impacts of human coronavirus infection. The two indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in India are COVISHILED and COVAXIN. Objectives: To investigate the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the menstrual cycle, pre- and post-menstrual symptoms and to establish the correlation with the type of vaccine received. Methods: Multi-centric observational study conducted in six institutes of national importance in different states of India over one year. A total of 5709 female participants fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Data about the impact of vaccines (COVISHIELD and COVAXIN) and prior COVID-19 infection on the menstrual cycle and its associated symptoms were obtained using all participants' online and offline interviews. Results: Of 5709 participants, 78.2% received COVISHIELD and 21.8% COVAXIN. Of the total 5709 participants, 333(5.8%) developed post-vaccination menstrual disturbances, with 32.7% having frequent cycles, 63.7% prolonged cycles, and 3.6% inter-menstrual bleeding. A total of 301 participants noticed changes in the amount of bleeding, with 50.2% excessive, 48.8% scanty, and 0.99% amenorrhea followed by heavy bleeding. Furthermore, the irregularities of the menstrual cycle (p=0.011) and length (0.001) were significantly higher in the COVAXIN group (7.2%) as compared to the COVISHIELD (5.3%) group. A total of 721 participants complained of newly developed/worsening pre- and post-menstrual symptoms. These symptoms were significantly higher in the COVISHIELD group (p=0.031), with generalized weakness and body pains as the main complaints (p=0.001). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of COVID-19 infection with these vaccines. No significant associations were observed when comparing menstrual abnormalities among those with COVID-19 infection (p>0.05). Conclusions: COVISHILED and COVAXIN vaccines were associated with menstrual cycle disturbances and pre-and post-menstrual symptoms in a small proportion of participants, with 94.7% having no change in the amount of bleeding during menstruation post-vaccination. The menstrual irregularities observed were significantly higher with the COVAXIN vaccine. Others: Further, long-term studies are required to confirm that the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the menstrual cycle may be short-lasting, with no severe effects on women’s menstrual health.