Marital rape has been socially and culturally normalized within marriage. It becomes a subtle form of violence against women with severe mental illness who cannot negotiate on sexual matters with their partner. This study aims to critically analyze empirical studies to see how women with severe mental illness can be at risk of being sexually abused by their intimate partner, its impact on their life, what protects them from abuse, historical framework, the role of mental health professionals, need of research on marital rape of men and a way forward. Mental health professionals need to consider all these factors and provide community-coordinated care and support.

Introduction: Koro is a culture-bound syndrome, common in India, characterized by the belief that one’s genitals are shrinking followed by the fear of impending death. Significant social stressors can precipitate this syndrome in vulnerable populations. One such factor is migration which is associated with increased vulnerability to neurosis and poor coping. It has been a less studied factor in the genesis of Koro and the same has been an interesting association in this study. Methods: There was an outbreak of Koro (13 cases: 8 males and 5 females) among a population (n = 52) from east and middle India who had migrated to the south for manual work. These cases presented in clusters to our psychiatry outpatient department within a span of 2 weeks. We did an observational study to explore the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of these patients. Their perceptions and attributions to the illness were also reported. Results: Most patients were married men with lower socioeconomic status and no formal education. More females were however affected than earlier reported data. Most patients knew about the illness and believed that it was contagious. Death anxiety, loss of libido, and insomnia were common associated complaints. Males feared impotence, whereas females feared of “loss of child-bearing” abilities. The major attributing factors to the illness were migration, the stigma of working near a “mental hospital,” and sharing shelter with the affected. Pharmacotherapy and single-session cognitive behavioral therapy were used for treatment. Conclusions: Our study revealed unique clinical correlates and belief-systems of patients affected with Koro. It is time we stop seeing it just as “culture-bound syndrome” and begin seeing it also as a social disorder caused by distortion of body-related beliefs. Migration being a significant environmental stressor can often precipitate such culture-bound syndromes. Further mixed-method studies are warranted.

Background: Patient and public involvement (PPI) is an active partnership between the public and researchers in the research process. In dementia research, PPI ensures that the perspectives of the person with “lived experience” of dementia are considered. To date, in many lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where dementia research is still developing, PPI is not well-known nor regularly undertaken. Thus, here, we describe PPI activities undertaken in seven research sites across South Asia as exemplars of introducing PPI into dementia research for the first time.Objective: Through a range of PPI exemplar activities, our objectives were to: (1) inform the feasibility of a dementia-related study; and (2) develop capacity and capability for PPI for dementia research in South Asia.Methods: Our approach had two parts. Part 1 involved co-developing new PPI groups at seven clinical research sites in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to undertake different PPI activities. Mapping onto different “rings” of the Wellcome Trust's “Public Engagement Onion” model. The PPI activities included planning for public engagement events, consultation on the study protocol and conduct, the adaptation of a study screening checklist, development and delivery of dementia training for professionals, and a dementia training programme for public contributors. Part 2 involved an online survey with local researchers to gain insight on their experience of applying PPI in dementia research.Results: Overall, capacity and capability to include PPI in dementia research was significantly enhanced across the sites. Researchers reported that engaging in PPI activities had enhanced their understanding of dementia research and increased the meaningfulness of the work. Moreover, each site reported their own PPI activity-related outcomes, including: (1) changes in attitudes and behavior to dementia and research involvement; (2) best methods to inform participants about the dementia study; (3) increased opportunities to share knowledge and study outcomes; and (4) adaptations to the study protocol through co-production.Conclusions: Introducing PPI for dementia research in LMIC settings, using a range of activity types is important for meaningful and impactful dementia research. To our knowledge, this is the first example of PPI for dementia research in South Asia.

Background: Older adults are likely to experience psychological and social problems due to decline in physical strength, increased health issues, inadequate financial resources, and family dynamics. In this context, they need psychosocial care services to handle such challenges. Particularly, inmates of old-age homes are more vulnerable to experience such challenges as they are away from the family care. In this background, knowing their views on psychosocial care needs while living in old-age homes is significant to improve old-age home-based care. The aim of this study is to explore the psychosocial care needs expressed by the inmates of old-age homes. Materials and Methods: Inmates of old-age homes were selected using purposive sampling. A total of twenty residents out of four old-age homes of Bengaluru Metropolitan City were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The qualitative content analysis has been carried out to identify core psychosocial care needs out of the text data. Results: Three themes, namely “health-care needs,” “concerns regarding the behavior of the staff,” and “mental health needs,” are emerged. Conclusion: The current study findings provide insiders' views and highlight the importance of psychosocial care services to address their needs at every old-age home.

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