ABSTRACT
Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) / Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) primarily affect sexually active population in the reproductive age group and are acquired through unprotected sexual act and bad hygiene. Apart from being serious diseases, STIs enhance transmission of HIV infection. Syndromic case management approach is very important strategy to manage (STIs) / (RTIs). Objective: To study the pattern of Reproductive Tract Infections including Sexually Transmitted Infections among the patients attending Changual block primary health centre of Kharagpur II block, Paschim Medinipur district. Methods: STI/RTI records of 164 patients attending the STI clinic of Changual BPHC, Kharagpur-II block from 1st April, 2012 to 31st March, 2013 were analysed. Results: About three fourth of the individuals were aged <30 years and only 5.5% individuals belonged to ≥40 years age. 97% study subjects were females. Most of the individuals were married (72.6%). More than half of the individuals were referred by general outdoor of Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC) or by doctor of PHCs under that BPHC. One fourth cases were self-reported. Half of the individuals presented with chief complaint of only white discharge per vagina. Most of individuals were suffering from vaginitis/VD syndrome (61.6%). More than 90% individuals were prescribed kit 1 and kit 2. About 5% individuals admitted (all females) that they had multiple partners. Only 13.4% individuals were referred to ICTC centre. Conclusions: There IEC activities should be carried out to increase awareness regarding avoidance of high risk behavior and availing services provided at health centre.
ABSTRACT
Inappropriate, irrational and cost-ineffective practices of pharmaceuticals are worldwide phenomena. A retrospective study was conducted among the Ophthalmic-in-patients to investigate the nature of utilization of drugs in respect of rationality correlating the clinical and forensic pharmacology. Prescriptions in the Bed Head Tickets were the study samples which were analyzed according to the WHO/INRUD Indicators. Incurred cost per day per prescription was calculated. Commonly prescribed drugs were also studied. Result revealed that proportion of drugs from Essential Medicines List (EML) was 51.62%, while 54.05% was prescribed by generic names. Most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics (100%), analgesic-anti-inflammatory agents (100%) and mydriatic-cycloplegic agents (91.98%). Average number of drugs per prescription was 4.03±1.5 and average cost per day per prescription was 99.22 INR (Indian Rupees). Injectables were prescribed in 97.36% cases, and 10.81% of total drugs (37) prescribed. Prescribing practices were not always in accordance with the WHO criteria for rational use of drugs. It is suggested that there is a felt need to provide more inputs to the Ophthalmologists to promote rational use of drugs.