ABSTRACT
Background: Kolkata is a populous and congested city prone to viral hepatitis of all types in general. Since hepatitis B is themost serious and also the most life-threatening among all types of hepatitis virus infections; a study was done for 1 year to findout the hepatitis B prevalence in a North Kolkata based medical college.Materials and Methods: Blood was taken from all patients in the medicine outpatient department and indoor wards who werereferred to get a blood test for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as also from pre-operative and ante-natalpatients who needed routine testing for screening of HBsAg. They were tested 3 times with HBsAg card test method and aperson testing positive for HBsAg on all the three tests were taken as positive.Results and Discussion: Out of 8520 persons tested, 97 were found to be positive for HBsAg. Of them, 51 had a history ofneedle injury, 27 had multiple blood transfusions, 13 had tattoo markings or acupuncture, 4 had a family history of hepatitis B,and only one had concomitant HIV. 89.7% of the patients tested were married and 10.3% were unmarried.Conclusion: Although Kolkata is an area prone to hepatitis virus infections in general, only 1.13% of the population in our studywas positive for hepatitis B proving that Kolkata is a low epidemic area for hepatitis B. The culture here of using only new syringes,taking vaccinations and other education might be responsible for this low epidemic of this disastrous disease, in this region.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever is currently the most important arthropod borne viral disease. Since occurrence of dengue infections has been an epidemic in many parts of India and complications like DHF and DSS are increasing, while at the same time the diagnosis is challenging, particularly the laboratory diagnosis is confusing, this study was conducted to evaluate the different laboratory test methods and to compare their respective efficacy, timing, advantages and disadvantages.Methods: This study was done in the Department of Microbiology in collaboration with the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics in two tertiary care medical colleges and hospitals in eastern India. Blood samples from 319 patients with clinical features suggestive of Dengue fever were included in this study. Laboratory investigations were done which included immunological assays that were performed using commercially available kits - SD dengue duo NS1Ag + Ab combo rapid test, NS1 Ag capture ELISA, IgM capture ELISA, IgG capture ELISA test for dengue and other routine tests -full blood cell count, coagulation tests, routine biochemical and lipid profile were also done. Ethical considerations were taken care of and statistical evaluations were done.Results: An increased detection of IgM antibody (46.15%) was seen in the early febrile period (1-5 days) as compared to the mid-febrile period (6-10 days), and late febrile period (6-10 days) when it is 6.89%. IgG antibody is much less in early febrile period (4.16%). Compared to mid-febrile period (24.13%), and late febrile period (62.5%). IgM antibodies were detected in 44.5% of the samples, IgG antibodies were detected in 43.5% of the samples, Rapid test was positive in 36.9% and NS1AG ELISA was detected in 43.5% of the samples in the study.Conclusions: It can be inferred from our study that for detection of dengue in the early febrile period (1-5 days), estimation of dengue-specific serum IgM is the most sensitive antibody detection method.
ABSTRACT
Background: Menstruation is a normal phenomenon and is almost universal in all females of reproductive age. Adolescence has been recognized as a special period which signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood with the start of menstruation but there are substantial lacunae in knowledge about menstruation, problems they face and practices they adopt in this period. Objectives: 1.To know the knowledge about menstruation in adolescents, 2.To assess problems of menstruation, 3.To address the special needs regarding maintenance of hygiene during menstruation, 4.To notice impact of socioeconomic status upon them. Material and Method: A descriptive observational (cross sectional) study was carried to assess the knowledge, problems and practices by adolescent girls attending schools in a rural area of Kishanganj district (Bihar). A proforma consisted of predesigned , pretested, structured questionnaire to be filled up by the students and a check-list of height, wt, BP, HC, WC, to be filled up by the researchers , were used. Results: Among 200 adolescents, 70% knew that menstruation is a normal phenomenon; 79% were suffering from menstrual problems and regarding type of absorbats; 70% were using only sanitary napkins, while 30% were using both sanitary napkins and cloth as absorbants. Conclusion: This study shows a lack of understandings of the importance of maintenance of hygiene during menstruation and a lot of gap is present between problems during menstruation in adolescents due to lack of knowledge and proper guidance.