ABSTRACT
Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) / Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) primarily affect sexually active population in the reproductive age group and are acquired through unprotected sexual act and bad hygiene. Apart from being serious diseases, STIs enhance transmission of HIV infection. Syndromic case management approach is very important strategy to manage (STIs) / (RTIs). Objective: To study the pattern of Reproductive Tract Infections including Sexually Transmitted Infections among the patients attending Changual block primary health centre of Kharagpur II block, Paschim Medinipur district. Methods: STI/RTI records of 164 patients attending the STI clinic of Changual BPHC, Kharagpur-II block from 1st April, 2012 to 31st March, 2013 were analysed. Results: About three fourth of the individuals were aged <30 years and only 5.5% individuals belonged to ≥40 years age. 97% study subjects were females. Most of the individuals were married (72.6%). More than half of the individuals were referred by general outdoor of Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC) or by doctor of PHCs under that BPHC. One fourth cases were self-reported. Half of the individuals presented with chief complaint of only white discharge per vagina. Most of individuals were suffering from vaginitis/VD syndrome (61.6%). More than 90% individuals were prescribed kit 1 and kit 2. About 5% individuals admitted (all females) that they had multiple partners. Only 13.4% individuals were referred to ICTC centre. Conclusions: There IEC activities should be carried out to increase awareness regarding avoidance of high risk behavior and availing services provided at health centre.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension remains silent, being generally asymptomatic during its clinical course. As it is hidden beneath an outwardly asymptomatic appearance, the disease does immense harm to the body in the form of 'Target Organ' damage; hence, the WHO has named it the 'Silent Killer'. In our country, prevalence of hypertension has been estimated to be between 20% to 40% in urban adults which is likely to expand to 200 million by 2025, with equal numbers among men and women. Job related psychosocial stress and sedentary life styles may directly and indirectly contribute to development of hypertension among the IT professionals. Aims & Objective: To find out the association of the risk factors among per chance detected hypertensive of IT professionals of an IT company. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was undertaken after getting informed verbal consent from 91 professionals of a IT company a predesigned self-employed questionnaire regarding demographic and lifestyle information were taken. Blood pressure was measured by using the standardized sphygmomanometer. All the participants were requested to take rest for ten minutes. Blood pressure was measured in the sitting posture with two separate readings were taken at an interval of minimum five minutes. The average of the two readings was taken and JNC VII classification was followed. Results: Among 91 IT professionals 14 were recorded to be detected per chance hypertensive. Of the known risk factors age (OR= 1.322; p=.001), Basal metabolic index (BMI) (OR=1.589; p=.000), smoking habit (OR=9.931; p= .004) were significantly associated with hypertension. Pack years of smoking and duration of alcohol consumption were also to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: As among the significant risk factors four are modifiable more emphasis to be given on life-style modification and periodically blood pressure check-up should be initiated to detect hypertension early.
ABSTRACT
Inappropriate, irrational and cost-ineffective practices of pharmaceuticals are worldwide phenomena. A retrospective study was conducted among the Ophthalmic-in-patients to investigate the nature of utilization of drugs in respect of rationality correlating the clinical and forensic pharmacology. Prescriptions in the Bed Head Tickets were the study samples which were analyzed according to the WHO/INRUD Indicators. Incurred cost per day per prescription was calculated. Commonly prescribed drugs were also studied. Result revealed that proportion of drugs from Essential Medicines List (EML) was 51.62%, while 54.05% was prescribed by generic names. Most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics (100%), analgesic-anti-inflammatory agents (100%) and mydriatic-cycloplegic agents (91.98%). Average number of drugs per prescription was 4.03±1.5 and average cost per day per prescription was 99.22 INR (Indian Rupees). Injectables were prescribed in 97.36% cases, and 10.81% of total drugs (37) prescribed. Prescribing practices were not always in accordance with the WHO criteria for rational use of drugs. It is suggested that there is a felt need to provide more inputs to the Ophthalmologists to promote rational use of drugs.