Identifying the Potential Determinants of Tobacco Counseling Implementation among Oral Health Professionals of India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the potential determinants of tobacco counseling implementation among oral health professionals in India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among the 298 dentists of Aligarh and Gwalior. The questionnaire used in the study had sections on dentists' sociodemographic data and a 35-item questionnaire to assess the potential determinants of tobacco cessation counseling. Descriptive statistics were carried out, and a Chi-square test was utilized to determine the association. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Domains "knowledge", "Professional Responsibility and Identity", and "Remembrance, awareness, and judgment" showed a statistically significant correlation with most tobacco cessation counseling behaviors. In addition, undergraduate education received in Tobacco Cessation counseling, and Continuing education received in Tobacco Cessation counseling had significantly impacted the practice of tobacco cessation counseling (p=0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: This study suggests that "Knowledge", "Professional Responsibility and Identity" and "Remembrance, awareness, and judgment" are the potential determinants that could be used to design effective strategies to enhance tobacco counseling among dentists in India.

Oral Health Consequences of Use of Smokeless Tobacco in North India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects of commonly used smokeless tobacco forms on oral health at habitual placement sites of smokeless tobacco compared to non-placement sites among the North Indian population. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 individuals using smokeless tobacco recruited from the outpatient wing of the Dental College. Subjects completed a questionnaire and received an oral examination. Periodontal pocket depth, gingival index, plaque index, gingival recession, and oral mucosal changes were assessed. Kendal's Tau test, paired t-test, and chi-square test were carried out to compare different variables among placement and non-placement sites. Results: Most of the subjects were male, reporting an average of 11.26 years of SLT use. Clinical inflammation of gingiva was significantly greater (p=0.01) at placement-sites (1.64 ± 0.53) of SLT in comparison to non-placement-sites (1.40 ± 0.41). The difference in the GR and PPD at placement and non-placement-sites was also statistically significant with p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively. Clinically, the majority of subjects had mucosal changes at the placement sites, and a statistically significant association (p=0.034) was observed between the duration of the use of smokeless tobacco and the mucosal changes. Conclusion: Smokeless tobacco use predisposes to increased risk of periodontal diseases and oral mucosal changes at the placement sites in an individual due to the local irritant effect.

Management and therapeutic implications of combined protein C and S deficiency in pregnancy: a case report

The pregnancy is an immunocompromised state. Thus, autoimmune diseases may affect pregnancy and get worsen during pregnancy. Here authors discuss a rare autoimmune thrombophilia disorder, protein C and S deficiency which may cause recurrent pregnancy losses by affecting haemostatic mechanisms in the body. This patient with recurrent pregnancy loss when evaluated extensively was found to have combined inherited protein C and S deficiency. It was successfully managed with thromboprophylaxis therapy, which resulted in the delivery of healthy baby. Long term anticoagulant prophylaxis should be considered weighing the risk of bleeding to thrombotic recurrence in such cases. In conclusion, combined protein C and S deficiency and that too presenting as recurrent pregnancy loss is very rare. Thrombophilia screening should be considered in cases of recurrent pregnancy losses. Adequate and appropriate thromboprophylaxis is an important part of the management of pregnant women with inherited thrombophilia.

Three delay model: to find out the reason for maternal deaths

Background: Each year in India, roughly 28 million women experience pregnancy and 26 million have a live birth. Of these, an estimated 67,000 maternal deaths and one million new-born deaths occur each year. A woman dies as a result of complication arising during pregnancy and childbirth every 90 seconds in the world, and every 7 minutes in India. The three delay model can be used to find the causes of delays in relation to maternal deaths.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in a tertiary care centre. All cases of maternal mortality between July 2010 to June 2016 were included in the study. Then data analysis was done.Results: Out of the total 382 maternal deaths, Majority of maternal deaths 43% were due to type 1 delay. 150 patients had delay in seeking help, 9 patients refused treatment and 5 patients refused admission to health care centre. 13% maternal deaths were due to type 3 delay which include delay in receiving adequate treatment, Delay in diagnosis and intervention, Lack of facilities etc.Conclusions: Type-1 delay was major contributors of maternal deaths in the study region. Therefore, to prevent the preventable maternal deaths effective action should be taken.

Audit on maternal mortality in a tertiary care centre in India of 6 years, a retrospective analysis

Background: This study is carried out on 382 cases of maternal deaths from July 2010 to June 2016 at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of tertiary centre to evaluate causes and risk factor associated with maternal deaths.Methods: Retrospective analysis of all maternal deaths occurred in department of obstetrics and gynaecology of tertiary care hospital from July 2010 to June 2016.Results: The MMR in the study period was 915/100000 live births. Maximum no. of maternal death 42.7% were in age group of 21-25 years, majority of them residing in urban area. 117 patients referred from sub-district/district hospital. 76.4% patients were registered. 60% maternal deaths were seen in postnatal period. In present study majority of maternal deaths 60% were due to indirect cause while 40% patients died due to direct cause. Major causes of maternal deaths were hypertensive disorder 12%, obstetric haemorrhage 11% tuberculosis 11%, hepatitis E 8% and pregnancy related infections 5.6%.Conclusions: High maternal mortality can be due to the fact that the study was conducted in tertiary care referral centre. Referral of moribund cases from rural, sub-district, district and peripheral hospital to our institute have inflated this mortality ratio. All of these being preventable causes of death can be avoided by improving standard of obstetric care, increasing number of health professionals, upgradation of healthcare facilities at first referral units and by making better health policies.