ABSTRACT
Background: Family planning influences mothers and infant’s health, population growth and regional and national development. Studying the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraceptive methods of a region aids in overcoming the barriers in the utilization of the services providing them.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was done among 350 married women of an urban population by systematic random sampling using a structured questionnaire.Results: From a total of 350 women enrolled, majority were of the Hindu religion (84.9%) and from the lower socio-economic status (68%). The prevalence of use of contraceptive methods was 75.4% and it was predominantly female sterilization. It was significantly higher (p<0.001) in women aged above 32 years, married for more than 10 years, having more than two children and last child birth of more than seven years. Only 142 (40.6%) of the participants had adequate knowledge of contraceptive methods. However, 299 (85.4%) had a positive attitude to contraception and 296 (84.6%) had good practice of family planning (FP) methods.Conclusions: The knowledge and use of contraceptive methods especially temporary methods needs to be improved in our community. The utilization of media can be improved in addressing this shortfall. Health care providers being the bulk source of information on contraceptive methods must be pro-active in every interaction with women and men of reproductive age group by providing information on the various methods.
ABSTRACT
Mainstay treatments for atopic dermatitis include cutaneous hydration, antihistamines and topical glucocorticoids. To avoid side effects associated with long term and higher potency topical corticosteroids, further topical immunosuppressive agents should be tried. Topical tacrolimus has been extensively studied and shows promise in treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. To determine the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis. In this randomized, case-control study, out of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis [age ranging 2 to 45 years], 30 [case] were treated with tacrolimus [0.03%] ointment twice daily and 30 [control] were treated with vaseline twice daily for up to 3 weeks. Evaluation included per cent body durface area [%BSA] affected, individual signs of atopic dermatitis, the Severity Score of Atopic dermatitis [SCORAD], and the patient's assessment of pruritus. The outcome variables like erythema, edema/papulation, oozing/crusting, excoriation, pruritus, body surface area involved and SCORAD in the case group improved significantly compared to those in the control group [p< 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.005, <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively]. After 3 weeks of tacrolimus, all variables except lichenification score responded significantly. Significantly higher number complained of burning sensation in cases [20%] as compared to none in the control group. Topical 0.03% tacrolimus is more effective than the vehicle alone
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Tacrolimus , Tacrolimus/administration & dosage , Administration, Cutaneous , Case-Control Studies , Treatment Outcome , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
The effect of a plant growth regulator [retardant] -Cycocel [C.C.C.] and nitrogen on three varieties of wheat were studied under Jos-Plateau ecological condition. Pre-seeding treatments of the wheat seeds with Cycocel at three different concentrations [0, 250 and 500 ppm] and two levels of nitrogen [90 and 120 kg/ha] were carried out. There were significant reduction in plant [stem] height and internodal lengths at both levels of Cycocel treatments [250 and 500 ppm] and the two levels of N-fertilizer, on one hand. On the other hand, there were marked increase in stem girth at both levels of Cycocel treatments and the two levels of applied nitrogen. It is concluded that wheat varieties that are highly susceptible to lodging at optimum or fairly high N-fertilizer application can be corrected with Cycocel treatment resulting in wheat plants with sturdy and compact appearance