ABSTRACT
Introduction: People living with chronic viral hepatitis in India often lack awareness on risk factors and prevention. Moreover, due to fear of stigma and discrimination, they often delay appropriate and timely treatment, resulting in chronic treatment and impoverishment. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, awareness, and prevention regarding risk factors among viral hepatitis-infected patients attending a super-specialty hospital in Delhi. Material and Methods: Data were collected from 389 patients using systematically random sampling using a pretested, structured interview schedule from patients attending Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. Results: Findings revealed that 90.7% of the respondents believed that hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus (HBV/HCV) can be transmitted through sexual contact with a person who is infected, 94.3% said that it can be transmitted by transfusion of infected blood, 90% reported that it can be spread from infected mother to child during child birth, 93.8% responded that it can be transmitted if a person uses a razor, pierced ear ring, needle, or syringe used by an infected person, 83% believed that HBV/HCV can cause cancer in 90% of the respondents in long run, and more than 35% believed that HBV/HCV is curable. Results also show that 7.2% of the respondents have been vaccinated for HBV infection in the past, 20.8% of the respondents have screened their families for hepatitis B infections, and 77.9% of the respondents have received antiviral medications. Conclusion: HBV/HCV-infected patients had less knowledge about various facts regarding disease and continue to experience emotional disturbances, stigma, and discrimination.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of different salinity levels on gonadal tissue and serum biochemical parameters of Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline groundwater to standardize the optimal salinity level for better maturation and seed production.Methodology: A 90 days experiment was conducted in non-drainable rectangular earthen ponds (n= 8) to study the effects of different salinity (0, 5, 10 and 15 ppt) levels on distribution of lipid class profile in Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline groundwater. Gonads and serum were collected on 15 days interval and lipid classes, cholesterol, phospholipid and triacylglycerol were analyzed by using extracted total lipid. Results: The concentration of different forms of lipids were significantly influenced by salinity and their concentration increased with development of maturity stages but lowest level was recorded at ovulation or spermiation stages. It was observed that significantly (p < 0.05) highest level of all lipids was found at 0 and 5 ppt compared to 10 and 15 ppt salinity. Interpretation: The present study revealed that various lipid class fatty acids varied according to salinity and maturity stages of C. carpio in inland saline groundwater. Further, it also indicated that C. carpio has a tendency to adapt, survive, tolerate and reproduce in inland saline environment salinity ranging from 0-15 ppt and was found optimal at 5 ppt based on the reproductive ability