Does the morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic serve the filarial lymphedema (FLE) patients’ preeminent expectation?

@#Advocacy and training on “Home care” for filarial lymphoedma (FLE) patients are provided through morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic commonly known as filariasis clinic and clinical improvement is assessed by follow-up visits. While the physicians aim at reducing the recurrent ADL (coined as ADLA in 1997) episodes, the patients expect reduction in LE volume. The objective of the present study was to know whether the MMDP clinic serves the primary expectation of the FLE patients. LE patients who attended the clinic for at least four follow-up consultations and had LE volume measurements at three points of time during the one year period of observation were considered for analysis. Clinical assessment was done for LE grading and LE volume was measured by water displacement volumetry. Sixty-three patients who fulfilled the follow up criteria were included. It was observed that the median LE volume was 914ml (IQR 269 – 1935) at first visit of the observation period which reduced to 645ml (IQR 2151666) and 752ml (IQR 215 – 1720) at first and second follow-up visits respectively. Over all, in short span of one year, 21 of the 63 patients (33.3%) who visited MMDP clinic at least four times in a year were benefitted through the MMDP advocacy and the National filariasis control programme need to emphasise on the importance of follow up visits to FLE patients.

Effectiveness of Play Activity on Fine Motor Skills among Mentally Retarded Children

Introduction: Motor development process is vital for the development of children and lasts their entire lifetime. Mentallyretarded children have some incompetency with their motor developmental process as with other developmental processes.Motor development improves with physical development and growth.Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of play activity on fine motor skills (FMS) among mentally retarded children.Materials and Methods: True experimental pre-test–post-test control group design was used. The study was conducted in theInstitute for Mentally Retarded children. 30 in each (experimental and control) group selected by simple random sampling. MadrasDevelopmental Programming System – behavioral scale used to assess the FMS. Play activity was given to the experimentalgroup, 30 min for 15 days. Post-test was conducted after 5 weeks.Results: Significant improvement noted in fine motor skills in experimental group. Association between FMS and type ofdelivery was significant at P < 0.042.Conclusion: Play activity was effective in improving the FMS among mentally retarded children.

Early Release And Split Thickness Skin Grafting Of Upper Eyelid Burns To Prevent Eyelid Ectropion

Upper Eye lid burns are more common among the eye injuries. Adequate acute management of eyelid burns is necessary to prevent ectropion .Ectropion of the upper eyelid is usually associated with constant danger of kerato conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration, scarring or perforation with loss of vision. The present study reviews 20 patients admitted for upper eyelid burns in the Department of Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Govt Kilpauk Medical College & Hospital Chennai between January 2013 November 2014. our study analysis the results of early release of eyelid burns and collagen application on the day admission and Early grafting with SSG.20 Cases of upper eyelid burns were selected for release and grafting.17 cases were flame burns, 2 cases were acid burns and one case was scalds injury. Incision and collagen application on the day of admission and early split thickness skin grafting plays an important role in preventing the post burn cicatrical ectropion.

Lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) for monitoring leprosy elimination in an endemic district in Tamilnadu.

This paper examines whether the health administration can use lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) for identifying high prevalence areas for leprosy for initiating necessary corrective measures. The null hypothesis was that leprosy prevalence in the district was at or above ten per 10,000 and the alternative hypothesis was that it was at or below five per 10,000. A total of 25,500 individuals were to be examined with 17 as an acceptable maximum number of cases (critical value). Two-stage cluster sample design was adopted. The sample size need not be escalated as the estimated design effect was 1. During the first phase, the survey covered a population of 4,837 individuals out of whom 4,329 (89.5%) were examined. Thirty-five cases were detected and this number far exceeded the critical value. It was concluded that leprosy prevalence in the district should be regarded as having prevalence of more than ten per 10,000 and further examination of the population in the sample was discontinued. LQAS may be used as a tool by which one can identify high prevalence districts and target them for necessary strengthening of the programme. It may also be considered for certifying elimination achievement for a given area.