Assessment of knowledge regarding 'essential obstetrics care' among rural pregnant women in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: The first step towards achieving the goals of Reproductive and Child Health programme is to create awareness and educate the pregnant women about salient features of essential & emergency obstetric care and neonatal care provided. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge on essential obstetrics care among pregnant women in a rural area. Methods: This cross sectional study was done in a rural area of Kancheepuram District in Tamil Nadu State, using a sample size of 100 pregnant women, arrived based on the prevalence of knowledge on antenatal care available from literature. The participants were selected by simple random sampling and data collected regarding the knowledge on ‘essential obstetrics care’, using a structured interview schedule based on the Mother Child Protection card. Results: About 45% of the participants had adequate knowledge regarding antenatal care, 46% had adequate knowledge on danger signs and symptoms of pregnancy, but only 13% of them had adequate knowledge regarding obstetric care. Knowledge regarding obstetrics care was found to have significant association with the educational status of pregnant mothers. Conclusions: The knowledge gap found in this study points to the need for re-evaluation of the effectiveness of health education measures given through the health care delivery system and the need for improved / revamped content and quality of health education materials to create better awareness among the pregnant women.

Assessment of knowledge regarding new-born care among mothers in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Background: Educating mothers to create awareness about essential obstetric and neonatal care are the key steps in achieving the goals of reproductive and child health programme. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding essential new born care among the mothers. Methods: This community based cross sectional study was done in Kancheepuram district, using a sample size of 100 mothers arrived based on the expected number of pregnancies in the area. The participants were selected by simple random sampling and data collected regarding the knowledge on new-born care among the mothers, using a structured interview schedule. Results: The study result showed that mean age of mothers was 25 years and mean weight of babies was about 3 kg. Regarding the education status, 67% studied up to 10th standard and 18% studied up to plus two levels. Majority of them got information on new born care from health workers (44%) and family members (36%). The level of adequate knowledge regarding new-born care was present only in 15%, feeding practices in 39%, various components of immunization in 8%, growth and development in 42% and about new-born illness in 33% of the mothers. The knowledge regarding new born care was found to have a significant association with the educational status of the mothers. Conclusions: This study outcome shows the need for a better revamped awareness and education program coupled with effective health care delivery system to improve the level of knowledge among mothers on new born care, in achieving better health indicators as far as RCH services are concerned.

A study of effect of Nigella sativa oil in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

Background: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicity is a common cause of drug induced hepatotoxicity in children and adults. Specific treatment of paracetamol induced hepatitis is available in the form of N acetylcysteine only. Nigella sativa (NS) is used for the treatment of various ailments. Many studies have shown that NS plant has hepatoprotective potential. Hence, this study study was carried out to explore the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of NS oil against hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by paracetamol and it was assessed using biochemical parameters such as serum (Sr.) alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Sr. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Sr. bilurubin, Sr. alkaline phosphatase, and Sr. total protein. In addition, histopathological score was also assessed. The therapeutic and prophylactic effect of NS oil administration on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity was investigated by using above mentioned biochemical and histopathological parameters. Results: Paracetamol administration leads to rise in serum liver enzymes ad fall in Sr. total protein levels. NS oil has heptoprotective effect. NS oil significantly reversed changes in serum levels of AST, ALT, alkaline phophatase, bilurubin, and total protein produced by paracetamol. Furthermore, histopathological changes produced by paracetamol were reversed. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NS oil has hepatoprotective effect. NS oil administration can prevent or reverse the hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole induced toxic epidermal necrolysis: a case report.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare but serious dermatological disorder commonly caused as an idiosyncratic reaction to drugs and the most common drugs implicated are antibiotics, anticonvulsants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we report a case of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole induced TEN in a 26 years old female.

Comparison of postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety of parecoxib and ketorolac in patients of inguinal hernia.

Background: The present study was conducted to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety profile of intravenous parecoxib with intravenous ketorolac in patients operated for inguinal hernia. Methods: It was six months, prospective, randomized parallel group, open label study in patients operated for inguinal hernia. Each patient was randomly assigned the analgesic drug treatment and was grouped as control group (ketorolac treated) and study group (parecoxib treated). Results: The present study has shown that parecoxib has similar analgesic efficacy as that of ketorolac, with parecoxib having significant longer duration of analgesic action. Parecoxib sodium was well tolerated in all patients and most of patients rated parecoxib as well as ketorolac as either good or excellent. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that parecoxib compares favorably with ketorolac and parecoxib can be recommended as a useful component of postoperative pain control in hernia surgery.

Drug utilization pattern in outpatient department of Government Medical College and C.P.R. Hospital, Kolhapur.

Background: Drug utilization studies are used to analyze different aspects of the use of drugs and to implement methods of improving therapeutic quality. This study was conducted to study drug prescription pattern in outpatient department of Government Medical College and C.P.R. Hospital, Kolhapur which is one of the important medical college in western Maharashtra. Methods: One thousand prescriptions were screened & analyzed as per the study parameters from OPD of Government Medical College & C.P.R. Hospital, Kolhapur. Study parameters like demographic profile of the patient like age, sex and diagnosis were recorded. Also groups of drugs commonly prescribed, number of drugs per patient, drug profile and drawbacks of prescription if any were recorded and analyzed. Results: Most common group of drugs prescribed by physicians was Analgesics (32.83%), followed by Antimicrobials (22.82%), Multivitamins (16.42%) and Antacids (9.14%). The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was four; the average number of analgesic was one. The incidence of polypharmacy was common occurrence and some prescriptions had small drawbacks like absence of diagnosis, absence of doctor’s signature, etc. Conclusions: We conclude that most of the prescriptions which were analyzed at R.C.S.M. Government Medical College and C.P.R. Hospital, Kolhapur, were according to the standard norms of WHO prescriptions and also most of the drugs prescribed were from the list of essential drug list. But still there is scope for improvement in prescription pattern.

Aspirin induced fixed drug eruptions: a case report.

Fixed drug eruptions are common cutaneous adverse drug reactions, commonly caused by anticonvulsants, antibiotics and analgesics. Here, we report a case of a 27-year-old male of fixed drug eruptions due to Aspirin which was used in treatment of headache.

Effect of honey on hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs in albino rats.

Background: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a potentially serious adverse effect of antituberculosis treatment (ATT) regimens containing isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Many in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that honey possess antioxidant property and hepotoprotective property but there is no systematic work available to test the effect of honey on antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Hence present study was carried out to explore the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of honey with its antioxidant activity against hepatotoxicity induced by antitubercular drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide) in albino rats. Methods: Hepatotoxicity in rats treated with antitubercular drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Pyrazinamide) was studied by assessing parameters such as Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Serum total protein, Serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Serum Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). The effect of Honey as co-administration and administration after establishment of hepatotoxicity on above parameter was investigated. These biochemical observations were supplemented by Histopathological examination of liver. Results: Honey significantly reversed changes in serum levels of AST, ALT, MDA, SOD, total protein and also histopathological changes produced by Antitubercular drugs. It was found that honey significantly prevented as well as reversed Antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity and antioxidant activity. Conclusions: The results of present study show that honey has significant prophylactic and therapeutic value against antitubercular drugs induced hepatotoxicity.

Co-trimoxazole induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome in pediatric age group.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a serious dermatological disorder commonly caused as idiosyncratic reaction to drugs, the most common ones being antibiotics, anticonvulsants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we report a case of co-trimoxazole induced SJS in a 2 years old male child.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of pioglitazone in hyperlipidemic rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disorder characterized by abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism along with specific long-term complications which are associated with hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. Hence, it is important to find hypoglycemic drug that improves lipid profile and reduces oxidative stress in diabetic patient. This study, therefore, was performed to investigate hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of Pioglitazone (PIO) in hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in normal rats by including 0.75 gm% cholesterol and 1.5 gm% bile salt in normal diet and these rats were used for the experiments. PIO hydrochloride was administered as 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels to the hyperlipidemic rats. Hypolipidemic activity was estimated by plasma lipid profile parameters while antioxidant potential was estimated by ascorbic acid, catalase activity, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s test. Results: Treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride resulted in a significant decrease in serum TG and VLDL only in 30 mg/kg PIO treated group and significant increase in serum HDL in both groups, but no significant decrease in cholesterol and LDL in both PIO treated groups. PIO increased activities of catalase enzyme and concentration of malondialdehyde significantly in only 30 mg/kg PIO treated group. But there were no significant changes in the superoxide dismutase activity and ascorbic acid concentration in both PIO treated groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that treatment with 10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg dose levels of PIO hydrochloride improves the plasma lipid profile and also reduces oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic animals.

Fixed drug eruptions to ciprofloxacin - a case report.

Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) are common adverse drug reactions and they recur at the same site with each exposure to a particular drug. Drugs inducing FDE are usually those taken intermittently. Most common drugs causing fixed drug eruptions are antibiotics and analgesics. Here, we report a case of FDE to ciprofloxacin which was used in treatment of upper respiratory tract infection.

Lipid lowering and antioxidant potential of Asparagus racemosus in hyperlipidemic rats.

Background: Atherosclerosis is associated with hyperlipidemia which is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Therefore, treatment of hyperlipidemia is one of the major approaches to decrease the atherogenic process. Many studies revealed that Asparagus racemosus (AR) possesses hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential, but results were not consistent. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to investigate lipid lowering and antioxidant potential of AR root powder in hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in normal rats by including 0.75 gm% cholesterol and 1.5 gm% bile salt in normal diet and these rats were used for the experiments. Dried root powder of Asparagus racemosus was administered as feed supplement at 5 gm% and 10 gm% dose levels to the hyperlipidemic rats. Plasma lipid profile, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, catalase and superoxide dismutase were estimated using standard methods. Statistical analysis was done by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Feed supplementation with 5 gm% and 10 gm% Asparagus racemosus resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol, LDL and significant increase in HDL. But there were no significant decrease in triglycerides and VLDL. The feed supplementation increased activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid content increased significantly in both the experimental groups (5 and 10 gm% supplemented groups). But there was no significant change in the concentration of malondialdehyde in these groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that addition of Asparagus racemosus root powder at 5 gm% and 10 gm% level as feed supplement reduces the plasma lipid levels and also acts as an antioxidant.

Cadmium induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Onset of hypertension and nephropathy after 1,2, and 4 weeks of exposure to cadmium chloride (1 mg/kg, ip) was studied in rats by measuring changes in blood pressure and renal function (urinary output, electrolytes, serum creatinine, inulin clearance and Na+K+ ATPase). Significant decrease in body weight and rise in blood pressure were observed as early as one week of exposure while microalbuminuria was detected in 50% of the animals after 2 weeks. Na+K+ ATPase, a renal tubular enzyme, was depressed after 1 week with maximum lowering occurring after 4 weeks. There were no detectable changes in fluid intake, urine output, electrolytes, inulin clearance and serum creatinine even after 4 weeks. It is concluded that hypertension and tubular lesion set in earlier than glomerulopathy as indicated by microalbuminuria and the latter could be the consequence of rise in blood pressure.