ABSTRACT
Background: Common problems related to self medication are wastage of resources and increasing antimicrobial resistance. They generally entail serious health hazards such as adverse reaction and prolonged suffering. Aim: The study aimed to analyze the pattern, factors influencing and potential adverse effects of self-medication among the undergraduate medical students Material and methods: The present cross sectional study was carried out by the Department of Pharmacology, MSDS Medical College, Fatehgarh among the undergraduate students currently studying in a rural medical school from western Uttar Pradesh. A 25 item self administered questionnaire was administered to the students in the classrooms just after completion of classes. Time allocated for the completion of the questionnaire was 30 minutes. After compilation of collected data, analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 21 (IBM, Chicago, USA). Results: Data of 256 study subjects was analyzed. Overall prevalence of self medication among study subjects was found to be 71.5% (87.6% among males and 50.5% among females). 82.5% had trust in allopathic medicine system. 81.5% students learnt self medication from doctors prescriptions provided during their prior illness. Regarding categories of drugs commonly self-prescribed, they commonly used antipyretics (81.4%), anti-tussives (72.1%) and analgesics (68.9%). ‘Illness too trivial for consultation’ was the most common (71%) reason for self-medication cited by them. Almost 69% of them were aware of possible adverse effects. 7.7% of them even experienced the side effects of self-medication. Conclusion: The study highlighted growing trend of self-medication among medical students. Policies prohibiting the supply of medicines without a valid prescription should be enforced strictly. A robust monitoring system among the physicians and pharmacists is need of an hour.
ABSTRACT
Background: The need for research into bed sores in orthopedic patients is evident from the increased number of beds they occupy and the considerable morbidity from pressure sores in orthopedic wards. Objective: To analyze and ascertain the prevalence and clinical evaluation of Pressure Ulcers from orthopedics wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and methods: The present prospective study was conducted by the Department of Orthopedics of a tertiary care teaching hospital from July 2009 to August 2014 among 228 patients seeking care for trauma to proximal femur, hip joint, pelvis and undergone elective surgery or surgery for removal of old implants. Braden scale was used for predicting pressure ulcers in the study subjects. All patients showing the potentiality of developing clinical signs of bed sores were selected and put on the study list. Patients aged ≥ 80 years, sick patients due to terminal illnesses and the worst pressure sores were excluded from the study. Results: Out of total 228 study subjects, 61 subjects developed pressure ulcers giving a prevalence of 26.75%. According to Braden Scale, 16.39% of patients were at high risk for developing the pressure ulcers. 68.85% of ulcer patients were treated for trauma mostly for fracture hips, pelvis or proximal femur or spine. Majority of patients (60.66%) developed pressure ulcers after the second week of admission. The lengths of stay of patients with bed sores exceed the stay of non sores patients on orthopedic wards by several times. Sacrum was the most commonly affected part of body. Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight the multi-factorial etiology of pressure ulcers and they are preventable. Its prevention would require multidimensional approach including the collaboration of all the nursing and surgical staff. Frequent patient turning, close monitoring and frequent skin checks would delay the onset of pressure ulcers.
ABSTRACT
Background: Better management of patients cannot be ensured and the antibiotic policy cannot be designed till one knows the profile of prevalent strains along with their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Objective: To assess the strategic patterns of the organisms and its resistance patterns that were isolated from the patients admitted in various ICUs in a tertiary care hospital. Material and methods: The present study was undertaken based on reports of bacterial isolates of various clinical specimens from different ICUs of a tertiary care teaching hospital, that were submitted to the Microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity during the period of October 2012 to September 2014. All the organisms were identified morphologically and biochemically by standard laboratory procedure and antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by disc diffusion methods. Results: Out of the total samples (2920) received; organisms were isolated from 66.57%. One organism was isolated in 71.19% samples whereas 2 or more organisms were obtained in 28.8% were obtained in 28.8% samples. The most frequently isolated bacteria were P. aeruginosa (38.17%). Among P. aeruginosa, tobramycin had the highest susceptibility rate (94.2%) followed by meropenem (93.93%), carbenecillin (79.11%), and levofloxacin (73.45%). Most of the frequently isolated organisms like K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter anitratus, Enterobacter were highly resistant to ampicillin, cephalexin, cefepime, ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: Appropriate antibiotic utilization in ICU is crucial not only to ensure an optimal outcome, but also to prevent the emergence of multi drug resistance. Antibiotic policies and effective surveillance are needed for better management of ICU infections with resistant organisms, Alteration and rotation in antibiotic prescribing patterns would decline the antibiotic resistance.
ABSTRACT
Women account for 39.3% of HIV/AIDS infection in India. There are many biological and socio-cultural factors which make her highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS can help her in protecting herself from the disease. This study was conducted to the level of awareness of young females with respect to knowledge of the HIV/AIDS, its modes of transmission, methods to prevent it, availability of testing and treatment and attitudes in relation to HIV/AIDS. A cross sectional study was done in a peri-urban setting in Patiala, Punjab among 1044 females in the age group 15-24 yrs using a self designed semistructured questionnaire. 93.9%had heard about AIDS. Television was the most common source of information (79.7%). Knowledge about the different modes of transmission was high (68-78%), but knowledge about preventive methods especially condom use was low (34-54%). Increase in educational status was seen to significantly increase the knowledge of the modes of transmission and preventive methods (p<.001). Knowledge of symptoms of HIV was low. (2-15%). Only 28.5% knew about the availability of HIV testing facility. 33.8% knew about treatment available for HIV. The study subjects were having favorable attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS. There is a need to focus the education programs and the mass media towards preventive methods rather than just the knowledge of the modes of transmission. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on making people aware about the existence of HIV testing facility and availability of treatment.