ABSTRACT
Background: Hazards to the environment due to improper drug disposal practices is an issue of concern. The prescription drugs, disposed into trash /sewage, consequently enter into surface waters and contaminate even drinking water. In view of the potential hazards posed due to improper storage and disposal of medicines, evaluation of the awareness of the consumers and educating them about proper disposal methods is required. The aim of present study was to evaluate the awareness and practice of drug disposal among the population.Methods: A cross sectional, observational study was conducted at Rural Health Centre (RHTC) of Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre with the patients visiting the RHTC as the study subjects. A predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness and disposal practices of unused and expired medicines by the respondents.Results: On analysis it was observed that 80 (57%) of the respondents procure medicines from health care centre. A total of 97 (69%) respondents possess unused/leftover medicines at home, 54 (39%) of the respondents mentioned the reason to be due to self discontinuation. Among the class of drugs left unused antibiotics constituted 13%, antipyretics 6%, analgesics 6%. 49% of the respondents dispose unused medicines in domestic trash, 24% flush down toilet/sink. A majority of 121 (86%) opined that awareness must be made created.Conclusions: In present study it was observed that many of the respondents possessed leftover medicines and were unaware of the hazards of improper disposal of medicines. Thus, there is a need for proper educational and regulatory interventions.
ABSTRACT
Background: Globally an estimated 422 million adults are living with Diabetes as per WHO data 2014, and 85 to 90% cases are type 2 diabetes. Maximum number of people with diabetes mellitus are in the age group of 40 to 59 yrs. Among them 50% are undiagnosed. Sedentary lifestyle, diet, dietary fiber, mal-nutrition, some chemical agents, stress, alcohol, viral infections, etc., are some environmental risk factors.Methods: A cross sectional, community based study. Details of the study subjects were recorded using structured predesigned and pretested questionnaire. All the data collected was entered and analyzed with MS Excel software 2007 and Epi info 3.5.3. All tests were considered significant at p <0.05 level.Results: In our study, majority of population participated in the screening camp are between 30 to 35 years of age, Female (53.2%) participants were more. We found that 38 (24.1%) persons were found to be in pre-diabetic stage, 57 (37.3%) are having high risk of getting diabetes.Conclusions: There is significant relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyle (p<0.05) to the risk of diabetes as per Indian diabetes risk score.
ABSTRACT
Background: Organ donation rate in India is only 0.26 per million. This is mainly due to lack of knowledge about the need of organ donation. Health care professionals play a vital role in imparting positive knowledge regarding organ donation.Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted among 1st year MBBS students (n=135). Data was collected and pre and post analysis was done using a pre-validated self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered in Ms Excel and analysed using SPSS 17 software.Results: Media was found to be most common source of information regarding organ donation. 91.1% support organ donation. 78.5% have not heard about donor card. Only 34.6% have heard about jeevandan scheme. 77.8% participants has knowledge that brain death is irreversible and 65.9% students believe that there is age limit for organ donation. 87.4% has adequate knowledge that single donor can donate to multiple recipients and 95.6% students believe that organs should not be donated from persons who has cancers or HIV.Conclusions: From the data analysed it is evident that there was a significant increase in knowledge following Awareness session on organ donation. Many have a positive attitude towards organ donation