ABSTRACT
Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide. Prompt treatment and decision-making is essential for good outcomes. The two major therapeutic approaches for acute ischemic stroke are thrombolytics and neuroprotectants. Piracetam, a nootropic drug aims to increase cerebral blood flow, enhance oxygen extraction, restore membrane fluidity and modulate neurotransmission. Likewise, citicoline has been shown to positively influence cerebral plasticity and neurorepair processes. The present article aims to offer insights on the current management of acute stroke and to position piracetam and its combination with citicoline in the management of acute stroke and post-stroke sequelae based on an expert panel discussion.
ABSTRACT
Background: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that weakensthe immune system, making the body susceptible to gracious diseases that often lead to death. The prevailing mode of HIVtransmission is through heterosexual contact, followed in magnitude by perinatal transmission, where the mother passes thevirus to the child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.Aims and Objective: This study was conducted to determine the extent of knowledge, attitude, and awareness about variousaspects of HIV/AIDS among the 1st year MBBS students studying at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna.Materials and Methods: An observational cross- sectional study was carried out among 1st year MBBS students in the agegroup of 17-24 years of regular batch in the year 2018 studying at IGIMS, Patna. All 100 1st year MBBS students were enrolledin the study. The information was collected from them using a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire. All data werecompiled and tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2013 software, and descriptive statistics were analyzed using EPI info data analysisV7.2.0.1 in the form of percentages and proportions. P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The comparison ofthe responses among male and female students was performed using Chi-square test.Result: A total of 100 students were included in this study. Among these, 68 (68%) were boys and 32 (32%) were girls. Amongall of the study participants, majority of 97% of students have heard about HIV/AIDS. About 90% of students agreed that awoman can get HIV if she has anal sex with a man. Majority of 92% of respondents agreed that antiretroviral drugs cure HIV/AIDS. Some participants, 22%, agreed that a person can get HIV by sitting in a hot tub or a swimming pool with a personwho has HIV. About majority of 92% of students agreed that patients with HIV/AIDS need to be nursed separately from otherpatients and a pregnant woman with HIV can give the virus to her unborn baby. Media (94%) was the present leading sourceof information of participants regarding the present knowledge about HIV/AIDS.Conclusion: There is a necessity to consider the basic knowledge of the students about HIV/AIDS and accessible the misinterpretationregarding the disease by the medical educators. The knowledge about HIV/AIDS is crucial for all health-care professionals.
ABSTRACT
Background: The world health organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breast feeding (EBF) for the first six months of life while it is advised to provide adequate and safe complementary foods with breast feeding for up to two years and beyond.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in the immunisation clinic of IGIMS for a period of 6 months from January 2017 to June 2017.A total of 400 mothers were enrolled in the study. Children of Age group 0-12 months were included in the study. Sample size was collected by using convenient sampling from January to June 2017. All mothers who attended our immunization clinic for vaccination of their child and had children less than 12 months of age and who gave verbal consent were included in the study. Mothers were asked to stay after vaccination of their infants to look for any untoward effects of vaccination. Mothers were interviewed by using a semi structured questionnaire after getting a verbal consent from them, All data entry and analyses were carried out using Microsoft Excel and statistical software by descriptive statistics and presented as frequency and percentages.Results: The prevalence of exclusive breast feeding for up to 6 months of age was still low. Male child is having a higher percentage of immunization coverage of about 60%, where as the female child is having about 40%. 36% of the babies were started breastfeeding within one hour and colostrum was given to 40% of them, only 35% of them were on exclusive breast feeding.Conclusions: Use of expressed breast milk was low. The prevalence of EBF for up to 6 months of age was still low as per WHO recommendations. The mother's perception of “insufficient breast milk” was also the main reason for introducing other foods. We should make a strategy by making a guideline for promoting and educating about exclusive breastfeeding within the existing health care system such as the antenatal, after delivery and vaccination clinics.