ABSTRACT
Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a major burden to child health in developing countries like India. Preschool children have 4–8 episodes of the upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) per year on average, while school-aged children experience 2–6 episodes per year. They are the most prevalent reason for visits to the outpatient section of a hospital and general practice. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prescribing patterns in patients aged 1–18 years with URTIs. Materials and Methods: A prospective study conducted in the department of pharmacology at a tertiary health care center. Two hundred and fifty patients with URTI visiting pediatric and ENT department of tertiary health care center during December 2014–June 2015 were studied. Data included detailed history, physical examination, investigations, antimicrobial treatment given, and other treatment given were noted. This data was gathered from the records of Pediatric and ENT department. Statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The most common clinical presentation was fever and cough. The common diagnosis noted in the study were non-specific URTI, tonsillitis, and sinusitis. Antipyretics (99.6%) and antibiotics (52%) were the frequently prescribed drugs among the patients. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cephalosporins were the common antibitoics prescribed. Beta-hemolytic streptococci were the common microbe isolated among the patients tested to know the etiology. Conclusion: Antipyretics (99.6%) and antibiotics (52%) were the frequently prescribed drugs among the patients. Antibiotics were prescribed in most of the non-specific URTI and pharyngitis which is a matter of concern.
ABSTRACT
Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) drug is a medicine that is available without a prescription, and hence also referred to as “nonprescription drug.” The sale of OTC medicines from pharmacies can help individual’s self-manage symptoms. However, some OTC medicines may be abused, with addiction and harms being increasingly recognized and found to be more common in undergraduate medical students. Aim and Objective: Objective of this study to analyze the use of OTC drugs among 2nd year medical students. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, and questionnaire based study was conducted among 2nd year medical students of Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences Belagavi. Details and purpose of the study were explained to students and informed consent was taken. Questionnaires consist of 25 questions related to use of OTC drugs, their knowledge and attitude toward OTC drugs. Questionnaires are then collected back from students on the spot after 15 min. All the data pooled and results are analyzed in descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 88 respondents were analyzed, 87.5% participants knew the definition of OTC and 69.5% use medication without prescription. All the students practiced self-medication however only 37.5% students agree with practice. Fever, cold, and headache are the most common condition for using OTC drugs. Analgesic, antipyretics, and antihistamines are the highest among OTC stocked at home. About 61.3% students have knowledge of Adverse Drug Reactions associated with OTC drugs. Conclusion: Use of OTC drugs is common form of health care having potential benefits and health hazards. Awareness should be created among students to restrict the use of self-medication and pharmacists toward sale of drugs without prescription.
ABSTRACT
Background: Acute hemorrhagic stroke, a subtype of acute stroke is one of the leading cause of death and major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The incidence of acute hemorrhagic stroke is increasing with gradual increase in obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and various cardiac problems. This study had been conducted with an objective to study the risk factors and clinical presentation of acute hemorrhagic stroke patients in north-Indian population. Methods: This study was carried out among 100 acute hemorrhagic stroke patients (clinically and radiologically confirmed) irrespective of age and sex admitted to Emergency Department of KGMU, Lucknow after getting clearance from Institutional Ethical Committee(IEC). These patients had been subjected to plane CT (computed tomography) scan brain on admission by the CT scan model 16 slice Brivo 385 for radiological confirmation and to localize the lesion in brain. Data were collected in prescribed protocol. Results: Majority of the patients were in the (50-60) age group with male predominance. Hypertension (62%) was the most common risk factor for acute hemorrhagic stroke followed by Non-veg diet (46%). The commonest clinical feature at presentation was hemiplegia (76%). Majority (47%) of the patients presented with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of (9-12). Cerebral cortex (41%) was the most common site of brain lesion in acute hemorrhagic stroke patients. Conclusion: This study focuses on the clinical profile and risk factors of acute hemorrhagic stroke, by targeting which the burden of this disabling disease can be prevented.