ABSTRACT
Background: HBV infection is the global issue in developing world
Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding hepatitis B virus infection among barbers of rural areas of Rahim Yar Khan
Methodology: Study Design: Cross sectional study. Study Setting: Rural area of Khanpur, District Rahimyar Khan. Study Duration: 1st July to 31st December 2017. Sample size: 100 barbers. Sampling technique: Non probability / purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria: 100 barbers working in rural area of Khanpur, District Rahimyar Khan with work experience more than 3 months were included. Data collection and analysis: A structured closed ended questionnaire was filled by non probability convenience sampling technique and 3 ml Blood sample was collected from each barber and tested for HBsAg. Frequencies and percentages were computed using IBM SPSS 20
Results: The prevalence of HBV infection among barbers was 4%. Overall knowledge about HBV infection and its transmission was poor in 70% of barbers. 18% barbers know liver as the organ affected by HBV and 67% knew about its transmission by razors, 90% barbers used antiseptic solution after each client and only 13% had undergone screening tests for HBV infection
Conclusion: The knowledge of the barbers regarding HBV in this study was poor. By launching health education and motivational programs, barber's knowledge and attitude towards safe practice can be improved. Registration and regular monitoring of barbers will help to improve compliance to attend these programs and to achieve healthy practices by barbers
ABSTRACT
Objective: To see the various hematological changes in the bone marrow of patients with chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage III, IV and V. Study Design: Cross sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in the department of haematology [Pathology], Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and duration was one year, from Mar 2015 to Feb 2016
Material and Methods: Patients of both sexes and all age groups with CKD stage III, IV and V were included in this study. Patients' histories were recorded. Complete blood counts, bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy were done and evaluated microscopically. Mean blood counts of the patients in three groups of CKD were compared. Frequencies of various bone marrow [BM] findings in patients of CKD were calculated
Results: Out of 57 patients, 41 [71.9%] were males while 16 [28%] were females. Mean age was 60 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean hemoglobin, mean white cell count and mean platelets count of the patients in three groups of CKD. Reactive changes due to underlying CKD and inflammation were the most frequent findings in the BM of the patients
Conclusion: Anaemia of mild to moderate severity and reactive changes in the BM are the most frequent haematological findings encountered in patients suffering from advanced stage CKD. Since CKD is predominantly a disease of the elderly so it is not rare to find the co-morbidities including plasmacytosis, malignancies and their effects on the BM in patients of CKD