Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research (MIMER) is a medical college located in Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India. The institute is recognised by the Medical Council of India and is under Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. It was founded in 1994 with a hospital named Dr. Bhausaheb Sardesai Rural Talegaon Hospital. The Talegaon General Hospital was visited by Mahatma Gandhi in 1945. It is also listed under International Medical Education Directory..
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Background: Sexual health is influenced by aging, with common issues and stigma widening the treatment gap, thereby reducing the quality of life among older adults. This survey highlights societal and geriatric perspectives on sexual health, aiming to draw the attention of primary care physicians to social attitudes and enhance healthcare outcomes for the elderly. Methodology: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the peripheral regions of Western Maharashtra, India. A total of 88 participants, aged between 60 and 90 years and without any neurological or psychiatric illnesses, were subjected to personal interviews utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. Their responses were subsequently documented. Results: Seventy-eight percent of participants believe that, apart from reproduction and procreation, sexual activity holds greater importance in life. Only 35% of the participants reported being sexually active. Nearly half (55%) expressed concern that their spouse would respond negatively when discussing sexual activity. Furthermore, 69% of participants admitted to feeling embarrassed or reluctant to discuss or seek assistance for sexual problems. Additionally, 63% of participants suggested that medical professionals should initiate conversations regarding sexual health due to concerns about being judged. Conclusion: The process of aging does not necessarily necessitate a period of sexual abstinence. Healthcare professionals are urged to dispel misconceptions and stigmas, thereby fostering open discussions on sexual health concerns with elderly patients.
Background: Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes requires a multipronged approach for its management, and the patient has an important role to play. They are required to follow many self-care practices to achieve optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. The self-care practices include regular physical activity, appropriate dietary practices, daily foot care practice, compliance with treatment regimen, and tackling complications such as hypoglycemic episodes. Objectives: (1) To assess awareness about self-care practices in known diabetic patients. (2) To evaluate the knowledge about complications among known diabetic patients. Methodology: Community-based, cross-sectional study among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the field practice area of Medical College in Maharashtra. 200 participants were interviewed about their knowledge about self-care needed for diabetes, complications, etc., using a pretested questionnaire. Results: Among the total 200 participants, only 84 (42%) were aware about self-care in diabetes, whereas 116 (58%) were unaware about self-care. In our study, educated participants were aware of self-care than the less educated participants, and it was statistically significant. It was found that 24.5% participants avoided sugar, 12.5% participants started eating vegetables after diagnosis of diabetes, whereas 63% participants have not made any changes in their diet. It was observed that 86 (43%) participants were aware about the diabetic complications, whereas 114 (57%) participants were unaware about complications that can occur due to diabetes. Conclusion: The level of self-care activities among diabetic patients was quite low in spite of many years of diabetic status in the study. There is a need for ongoing self-management education programs for patients as well as their caregivers for better management and sugar control.
