ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer cervix is the leading cause of cancer deaths in females in developing countries and one in five women suffering from cervical cancer lives in India. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the awareness about cervical cancer and Pap smear among nurses working in a tertiary care institute. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: Cross‑sectional survey in a tertiary care institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nurses working at our institute excluding those who have worked or working in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department were provided with a pre‑designed questionnaire testing their knowledge about cervical cancer. RESULTS: Approximately, 86% were aware about cancer cervix and 69% were aware of a pre‑cancerous stage. 42.3% were not aware of any risk factor and 27.6% were not aware of any symptom of cancer cervix. 86.2% were aware about Pap smear, but only 58.6% were aware that facilities of Pap smear were available at our hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of Pap smear as screening test was inadequate in nursing staff. Awareness programs about cervical cancer and screening are needed to increase awareness for this preventable condition. RECOMMENDATION: There is a need to arrange reorientation programs to sensitize nurses and establish cytology clinics to offer facilities for easily accessible and affordable screening.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The complications associated with the use of systemic corticosteroid therapy have prompted a search for alternative agents. However, these agents are themselves associated with increased risk of myelosuppression or malignancy. METHODS: The present study included twenty patients with recalcitrant pemphigus or steroid induced side effects who were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. RESULTS: Out of 18 patients who completed the study, 14 showed good to excellent response. Thirteen were able to decrease their daily dose of steroid to 5-10 mg prednisolone while one could stop steroids altogether. Most patients did not experience serious side effects. DISCUSSION: Thus intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide is a promising form of therapy in pemphigus either recalcitrant or intolerant to steroid therapy. The decreased total cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide with intravenous therapy as compared to oral therapy may reduce the incidence of secondary malignancy.
ABSTRACT
Oral treatment of compound IIIA exhibited dose related inhibitory action in acute tests of carrageenan, histamine and dextran-induced oedema in rats. Marked inhibitory action of the compound was found when it was administered intraperitoneally in animals. It displayed prominent anti-arthritic activity in chronic tests of adjuvant and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in rats. It prevented the arthritis associated rise in total leucocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It also lowered the levels of exudate volume and migration of leucocytes in carrageenan induced pleurisy in rats. It did not exhibit any analgesic, antipyretic or ulcerogenic effect. No mortality was recorded up to 2 g/kg in mice on oral or intraperitoneal treatment over a period of 72 hr.