Morbidity profile of migrant workers attending health camps in Bangalore urban during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Global pandemic of COVID-19 resulted in a nationwide lockdown which affected the migrants in terms of healthcare service accessibility. This led to an increase in the prevalence of various morbidity. The objective of this study was to assess the morbidity profile of camp attendees in Bangalore urban conducted during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: During the pandemic lockdown, health camps were conducted in selected urban underprivileged areas of Bangalore city targeting the migrant workers and these records were reviewed and relevant data were analyzed. Variables included age, gender, residential address, occupation, and morbidity. Results: Among the 484 participants who had attended the medical camp, the youngest patient was 1 year old and the oldest was 75 years with a median age of 27 years (IQR: 20 – 35). The majority of the camp attendees were males (78%) and migrants (77%). Common morbidities noted were hypertension (5%) followed by musculoskeletal pain (4%). The other illnesses were anemia (3%), gastritis (2.5%), pre-diabetes (1.7%) and combined diabetes and hypertension (1.5%). There was no significant relationship between migrant status and the presence of any morbidity. Conclusion: Hypertension and musculoskeletal pain are the most common morbidity among camp attendees.

COVID-19 pandemic and perceived stress in Information Technology professionals

“…Many studies have also documented the same results. 4,9,10 Our study showed a significant positive association between various stressors with perceived stress. In our study, 80% of subjects reported a negative impact of social media on their mental health status.…”

“…All employees of Information Technology companies were informed to start 'work from home' meaning working remotely at their homes without any prior information, training, and mental acceptance. 4,5 Stress refers to a perceived or actual threat to physical and or psychological homeostasis of the human body causing activation of the hypothalamus -Pituitary -Adrenal axis. 6 Studies have shown that epidemics like SARS have created stress among the general population and patients.…”

“…The increasing number of cases & high mortality led to anxiety and depression globally. 4 There are various methods to estimate levels of stress. Perceived Stress Scale, is a prevalidated questionnaire that measures the degree to which situations in one's life are perceived as stressful in the last one month.…”

“…They also faced difficulties coping with their work timing, looking after kids and their online classes. 4 Female information technology employees had faced added difficulties in dealing with household chores without domestic help, while others faced difficulty in accessing the internet. Adding more to these challenges, the employees had difficulties in attending online meetings and concentrating on work due to small houses thus lacking privacy and fear of losing their job.…”

“…Adding more to these challenges, the employees had difficulties in attending online meetings and concentrating on work due to small houses thus lacking privacy and fear of losing their job. 4 Few studies have been conducted to find out the Perceived stress level in Information Technology professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 8,9,10 So the present study was planned to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress in Information Technology professionals.…”