Background: The caduceus is the popular symbol of medicine. However, premier health organizations and regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Medical Council of India use a different symbol-the rod of Asclepius in their logo. There is an increasing awareness and recognition that the caduceus is a false symbol and has no historical substantiation as an emblem of medicine. Many academic and health institutions in the western hemisphere have changed their logo as a consequence. There are other symbols of medicine which are similarly misunderstood. Objectives:The purpose of the study is to assess the knowledge of common medical symbols among doctors and medical students. Materials and Methods:Three hundred doctors and medical students were assessed on their knowledge about the Rx symbol, the Red Cross emblem and the true representative emblem of medicine. Logos and emblems of elite medical colleges and medical associations were also studied.Results: Only 6% of doctors were aware that the Rod of Asclepius is the true symbol of healing. Knowledge of the significance of the Rx symbol and the origin of the Red Cross emblem was 55% and 39 %. Conclusion:There is very little awareness about the rod of Asclepius and most institutions have adopted a logo based on the caduceus. Awareness of the true origins and the symbolism of the emblems is lacking in the medical fraternity.

Background: There is an increase in fast food consumption (FFC) among teenagers globally including India, but with a limited data on FFC, its influence on body weight, body mass index (BMI) in Indian high school students (HSS), which were analysed in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey.Methods: After training the participants on various aspects of FFC, responses for the questionnaire were analysed the influence of various factors on FFC were evaluated.Results: Of 230 participants, 70% were females. The mean±SD age was 14.1±0.74 years. Seventy-three percent were regular consumers of FF. Only 5.22% were overweight. Regular meals were skipped by 74.3%. Influence of reviews by family, friends (76.5%) in deciding the dining place was high. Branded FFs (pizzas 58.7%, burgers 60.4%) were preferred but locally prepared, less expensive, easily available food (samosas 91.7%, puffs and pastries 90%, aerated soft drinks 86.1%) were consumed. FFC with friends (72.2%), family (71%) either at home (89.1%), near school premises (70%), school cafeterias (43.9%). Parents (100%) were aware of FFC by their children. Despite high awareness regarding the harmful effects of FF (79.1%), 73.6% continued FFC. Good physical activity was reported in 70.87%; active involvement in sports (60.4%) is associated with less FFC and skipping regular meals (27.0%) but statistically insignificant (p>0.05). None had any systemic disorder attributable to FFC.Conclusions: Regular FFC, skipping regular meals is high among teenagers. Parents were aware of their children’s’ dietary habits. Acceptance, affirmation from family, peers, promotes FFC.

INTRODUCTION: Complementary modalities have been established globally but lack of sufficient data on their utilization patterns hinders the mainstreaming with the existing health care delivery system. The concerning issues are especially of self-medication and usage of complementary medicines with or without the usage of allopathic drugs. AIM: The study aims to find out the prevalence of complementary medicine utilization and prevalence of self-medication amongst the people in the field practice areas of the medical college. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019. The International questionnaire for the use of Complementary and alternative systems of Medicine was used to interview the 451 study participants. The results were expressed in percentages and proportions. Chi-square test was used to find out the association of sociodemographic variables with the use of complementary medicine and self-medication practices. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of utilizing the complementary medicine services were found to be 17.7%. About 14.6% and 2.9% of the study participants visited ayurvedic and homeopathic practitioners, respectively for the past 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of the rural population was utilizing the services of the complementary system of medical practitioners. Other sociodemographic variables were not found to be associated with the utilization of complementary medicine services. The prevalence of self-medication practices was found to be 25.9%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of complementary medicine utilization was lower than the prevalence of self-medication practices. Rural area study participants accessed more services of a complementary system of medical practitioners.

Background: Quality of life among elderly needs assessment as they are the growing population nowadays and also are more vulnerable to many morbid conditions. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess different domains of quality of life and its relationship with socio-demographic factors. Methods: A Community based study was done among 153 persons aged 60 years and above from 13.06.2018 to 20.06.2018 in the rural field practice areas of Department of Community Medicine, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore Karnataka. The World Health Organisation, Quality of life-BREF Questionnaire was used and analysis done using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The mean Quality of life score was maximum in social health domain (72.90 ±1.63) followed by environmental health domain (63.10 ±3.71) and physical health domain (61.60 ± 2.96). The lowest was in psychological health domain (57.90 ± 2.61). Better scores of physical health domain, Psychological health domain and social health domain was seen among the elderly who had easy contacts with other people in the community. Environmental health domain score was better among the elderly people belonging to the Christian religion. Conclusion: In our present study, social relationship domain had higher mean Quality of life score when compared to other domains; where as psychological domain was affected badly among the elderly population. Further counselling and research can be done to explore the factors affecting the psychological domain.

Background: Conscientious objection (CO) in medicine, is less focused area in India.Methods: In this questionnaire-based survey, responses on voluntary abortion in general and pertaining to rape victims from the students undergoing M.B.B.S./undergraduate training program from two medical colleges was obtained. We assessed the prevalence, the influence of various factors and preference for referrals in CO towards abortion among the undergraduate medical students through a questionnaire-based survey.Results: Of 900 students approached, 765 (85.0%) (females 68%) completed and returned the questionnaire, of whom 63.5% had an urban background, 48.0% were Christians and 52.0% were non-Christians (Muslim-5.4%; Hindu-46.5%). Only 9.7% had CO (p=0.000). There was a greater acceptance to abortion irrespective of gender and residence, except for gestational age beyond 20 weeks. Non-Christians were likely to have no objections towards abortion (p<005). Christians did not have CO for congenital abnormalities in pregnancy <20 weeks (60%), raped minor, (<20 weeks, 74%; beyond 20 weeks, 61%). Among students who had CO, irrespective of religion, majority had no issues with referring the woman to another doctor. The only exception to this norm was among non-Christian students, who in case of raped minor <20 weeks, were more likely (60%) to not refer.Conclusions: CO is less prevalent among Indian medical students and is towards voluntary termination of pregnancy, pregnancy beyond 20 weeks. Medical students were considerate towards rape victims. Religion plays a significant influential role in shaping the beliefs.