ABSTRACT
Background: ALERT-INDIA had launched a strategic programme, leprosy elimination action programme (LEAP) involving all stakeholders, in support of integration of leprosy into general health system. Present study was performed with objectives to understand the effect of focused IEC in transfer of basic knowledge about leprosy, to assess the impact on the level of knowledge about leprosy in the community and to measure the sustainability of knowledge about leprosy over a period of time.Methods: Community level IEC campaigns under SSD and house to house leprosy IPC were carried out by trained staff of NGOs who partnered with LEAP and by trained community volunteers (CVs) from the villages respectively. The questionnaire assessment for IEC effectiveness through SSD strategy implemented is studied. The questionnaire was administered with the interval of 1 month, 3 months and 9 months after SSD to assess the knowledge retention, perspective and sustainability of leprosy awareness.Results: The lowest in SSD area was the knowledge about early signs followed by perception about deformity, spread, and cause. In non-SSD area lowest correct responses was in regard with early sign of infectious leprosy followed by spread, infectivity, cause, perception about deformity, patch as early sign and perception about social acceptance.Conclusions: Focused IEC as a part of selective special drive (SSD) with involvement of CVs properly inducted can increase the level of knowledge and help sustain the leprosy awareness.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute to excessive health care costs through increased patient morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is an urgent need to create awareness among physicians towards ADR monitoring. The present study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of fifth semester undergraduate students and prescribers (interns, junior residents and senior residents) towards the recording and reporting of ADRs. METHODS: The fifth semester MB,BS undergraduate students (n=107) and prescribers (n=l 17) working in different disciplines of Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated hospitals were given a questionnaire to answer. The responses of the undergraduate students were compared with those of prescribers. RESULTS: Knowledge about definition, classification, objectives and methods of ADR monitoring was found to be comparable in both groups. Spontaneous and intensive methods of ADR monitoring were known to the majority of participants of both groups. Attitude and practices of the prescribers were significantly (p<0.01 ) better with regard to the status of ADR monitoring in the institute. A significantly higher (p<0.001) proportion of prescribers (82%) as compared to the undergraduate students (64.5%), felt that ADRs should be reported both when it causes inconvenience to the patient as well as death. ADRs were encountered by both undergraduates (46%) and prescribers (66%) during their clinical project exercises and patient care, respectively. Commonly encountered ADRs were allergic reactions, symptoms of upper gastrointestinal irritation, extrapyramidal symptoms and hepatitis. The common offending groups of drugs causing these ADRs were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidopaminergics and chemotherapeutic agents. A majority of ADRs were suspected and subsided on their own by either stopping the drug or reducing its dose. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge, attitude and practices of both undergraduates and prescribers were comparable but need further improvement. This suggests the need for suitable changes in the undergraduate teaching curriculum. Further, the prescribers also need periodic reinforcement regardingADR monitoring.