Assessment of nutritional status in children from eastern Sudan

Malnutrition is a very important risk factor leading illness and death in children worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and relevant haematological and biochemical parameters in school children. Cross sectional study, was conducted in 120 [70 boys and 50 girls] school going children of 6-7 years of age, for the assessment of their nutritional status. The haemogloblin concentration [Hb%] was measured by equation method, packed cell volume [PCV] was estimated by scale of microhameatocrit reader, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC] was calculated. Serum total protein, albumin, iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin were measured by colorimetric methods. Weight [kg] and height [cm] were measured and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version13.0. The mean values for hematological, biochemical and anthropometrical measurements were much below the normal ranges. The anthropometric percentile measured in the children showed malnutrition cases in 32 [26.7%] and malnutrition and underweight in 73 [60.8%] while the body mass index showed underweight in males in 23 [19.2%] and in females 11 [9.2%]. Malnutrition is common in our study population and was seen in 48.3 of children. It was accompanied by anaemia in 60.8 % of children

Biochemical parameters in relation to tuberculosis in Sudanese patients

Malnutrition and wasting are associated with TB and HIV infection. Malnutrition and tuberculosis are both problems of considerable magnitude in most of the underdeveloped regions of the world. Nutritional status is significantly lower in patients with active tuberculosis compared with healthy controls. Both, protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies increase the risk of tuberculosis. To investigate the concentration of serum albumin, total protein, glutamate oxalo acetate transaminase [GOT], glutamate pyruvate transaminase [GPT] and zinc in Sudanese tuberculosis patients [TB], attending the Tropical Diseases Teaching Hospital, Khartoum State. The study was performed on 60 tuberculosis patients, compared with 40 healthy individual age and sex matched used as control group .The study period was from April to August 2011. Serum albumin, total protein, GOT and GPT levels were determined by using clinical chemistry analyzer while zinc level was analyzed by atomic absorption spectro-photometers. Among TB patients the mean [+/-]SD of plasma albumin, total protein, GOT, GPT and zinc respectively were 3.29[+/-]0.91, 7.55[+/-]1.59, 21.24[+/-]8.33, 9.12[+/-]6.34 and 0.47[+/-]0.17. The mean [+/-]SD of plasma albumin, total protein, GOT, GPT and zinc for control group respectively were 4.19[+/-]0.93, 8.0[+/-]0.98, 26.0[+/-]9.08, 13.3[+/-]8.15, and 0.55[+/-]0.14. Statistically significant association was observed in all parameters between the patients and control group [P<0.05]. This study concluded that TB patients had significant decreased levels of all parameters; however albumin and GPT were more significant as compared to others

Proposed model for healthcare waste management

The objective of this manuscript is to propose a Healthcare Waste Management [HWM] model for the safe disposal of healthcare waste which should be comprehensive, environment friendly and in an integrated form. This descriptive analytical study was done and based upon the factors associated with the poor handling of healthcare waste at Shalamar Hospital Lahore from November, 2008 to December, 2010 in healthcare facilities [HCFs] situated in Punjab, Pakistan, a model has been proposed. Five stages for the management of the waste [a] Planning the outline, [b] Implementation of action plan, [c] Classifying job descriptions, [d] disposal method and [e] Skill Development have been evolved. This model can be applied in any healthcare facility situated in Pakistan

Outcome of 7-S, TQM technique for healthcare waste management

To assess the present waste management system of healthcare facilities [HCFs] attached with Shalamar Hospital, Lahore by applying the 7-S technique of Total Quality Management [TQM] and to find out the outcome after imparting training. Interventional quasi-experimental study. The Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, November, 2009 to November, 2010. Mckinsey's 7-S, technique of TQM was applied to assess the 220 HCFs from Lahore, Gujranwala and Sheikhupura districts for segregation, collection, transportation and disposal [SCTD] of hospital waste. Direct interview method was applied. Trainings were provided in each institution. After one year action period, the status of four areas of concern was compared before and after training. The parameters studied were segregation, collection, transportation and disposal systems in the 220 HCFs. Each of these were further elaborated by strategy, structure, system, staff, skill, style and stakeholder/shared value factors. Standard error of difference of proportion was applied to assess significance using 95% confidence level. There was marked improvement in all these areas ranging from 20% to 77% following a training program of 3 months. In case of disposal of the waste strategy, structure and system an increase of 60%, 65% and 75% was observed after training. The 7-S technique played a vital role in assessing the hospital waste management system. Training for the healthcare workers played a significant role in healthcare facilities

Early clinical symptoms associated with occupational lead toxicity

An epidemiological study of occupation hazard of exposure to lead was made in 184 workers in a Printing press, Benghazi, Libya. The subjects were divided into three group I [32] working close to source of fumes and/or dust, group II [108] working a little distance a way but breathing in the same hall atmoshere, group III [44] clerks in the neighbouring administrative building. They were compared with group IV [145] workers of a Pepsi-Cola factory, Their history and clinical symptomatology relating to gastrointestinal, muscoloskeletal and neurological systems were obtained. Blood lead [Pb B] levels were estimated from randomly selected workers of each group using atomic absorpion spectrophotometry. They mean Pb.B. levels of the exposed groups I and II were 26.16 and 25.60 micro g/dl respectively. Group III and IV showed 15.69 and 21.85 micro g/dl respectively, which are lower than the accepted toxic levels. There was preponderance of gastrointestinal symptoms in group I workers in comparison with other groups. The relative frequencies of muscoloskeletal and neurological symptoms are discussed. There appears to be no correlation between the blood lead level measured and the degree of morbidity observed in the cases studied. Taking early clinical symptoms as a guide of lead toxicity, possible preventive measures to minimize this hazard are suggested