ABSTRACT
Background: Voluntary blood donation is promoted in order to make the blood banking safe and successful. Research in the area of blood donation has found that, iron stores are influenced by regular blood donation if dietary intake of iron is inadequate. Awareness and knowledge among blood donors regarding iron and B12 deficiency and its prevention is very much required. Objective: To assess the knowledge and awareness about iron deficiency and megaloblastic anaemia among blood donors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the 500 voluntary blood donors during the span of 1 year at one of the blood bank of tertiary care hospital using prestructured questionnaire on the various aspect of iron and B12 deficiency/folate deficiency anemia. The data was analysed with the help of Microsoft excel and SPSS. Results: Out of 500 blood donors, 15.6% donors were regular blood donor. It was observed 60% blood donors were having knowledge of anemia in general. Iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency were known to 42% and 31.6% donors, respectively. Only 20% donors could able to answer the acceptable level of hemoglobin require for donating the blood. About 42% donors were aware about importance of iron, folate and vitamin B12 in maintaining normal hemoglobin level. Majority (82.7%) of regular blood donors were willing to get information regarding iron, folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. Conclusion: Significant lack of awareness regarding iron and vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in regular voluntary blood donors. The present study recommends the provision of health education on iron and vitamin B12 deficiency as well as Iron, folate and vitamin B12 rich foods to regular blood donor to prevent anaemia among them.
ABSTRACT
Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) often go unnoticed and sexually active young women are particularly susceptible to sexually transmitted Infections (STIs). STIs are among the top five disease categories and about one third of STIs globally occur among people younger than 25 years of age. Present study was carried out to know the socio demographic profile of women suffering from RTI/STI. Sensitivity and specificity of syndromic approach was also found. Aims & Objective: (1) To know the socio-demographic profile of female patients attending the gynecology OPD with complaints of RTIs. (2) To find out the sensitivity and specificity of various diagnostic tests used for diagnosing RTIs. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among 150 female patients who have attended the Gynecology OPD with complains suggesting Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) during March-September 2005. After taking Medical and Obstetric History, vaginal and cervical specimens were collected during pelvic examination for laboratory investigation to confirm the diagnosis of genital tract infection. 5 ml blood was drawn in sterile vacutainer for serology. Various laboratory tests were carried out to confirm the diagnosis of RTI. Results: Out of 150 females patients of reproductive tract infection, 68 (45.3%) were less than 25 yrs. Mean age of the study population was 27.37 ± 5.52 yrs. Majority (133, 88.7%) of the females were housewives. The most common symptom reported was vaginal discharge (147, 98%), followed by lower abdominal pain (114, 76%) Findings of present study revealed that sensitivity of Homogenous white discharge (compared with gram stain) to detect the Bacterial vaginosis was 69.4%. Similarly correlation of Green Yellow frothy (GYF) discharge with culture examination for detection of trichomoniasis revealed, sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 99%, which means that all the cases labelled as “not having GYF discharge” also tested negative for trichomoniasis by culture. Sensitivity of curdy white discharge in detecting candidiasis was 69.1% and specificity was 99.1%. Conclusion: Young married women are more prone to Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI). Abnormal vaginal discharge is the most common presenting feature among the sufferers of RTI/STI. Syndromic approach is highly specific in diagnosing RTI.
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted in 300 female sex workers (FSWs) from Surat city in 2005-2006. Vaginal swabs, endocervical swabs and serum samples were collected from each of these FSWs. Vaginal samples were screened for bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidiasis and Trichomonas vaginalis . Endocervical swabs were screened for gonococcal infection. Serological tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and syphilis were performed. From a total of 300 FSWs, BV was detected in 40 (13.33%), trichomoniasis in six (2%), candidiasis in 31 (10.33%), HIV seropositivity in 35 (11.66%), HBsAg reactivity in 10 (3.33%) and rapid plasma regain (RPR) reactivity in 20 (6.66%) cases. RPR-positive serum samples were confirmed by the treponema pallidum hemaglutination test. Gonococcal infection was not found in any of the FSWs. Of the total of 35 HIV-positive patients, 20 patients had associated coinfection. Of the 35 HIV-seropositive FSWs, BV was detected in six (17.14%), candidiasis in six (17.14%), syphilis in five (14.28%) and HBsAg in two (5.71%). One (2.85%) HIV-positive FSW was positive for both candidiasis and syphilis.