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Introduction: The present study was conducted to explore the awareness and perception of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among pregnant women. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 01, 2021, to September 28, 2021, among 301 pregnant women aged 18–35 years at antenatal care outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital of Western Maharashtra. Results: On assessing the knowledge and awareness score, the mean score (± standard deviation) was 7.83 ± 1.2 out of 16. A total of 176 (58.5%) had good scores(?8). There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and awareness scores and the level of education, type of residence, and age or with weeks of gestation. Although the overall awareness of study participants was satisfactory, 177 (58.8%) felt that COVID-19 vaccines should be avoided during the first trimester. Interestingly, 45 (15.3%) felt that vaccines should not be given during menstruation. There were misconceptions about perceived contraindication, with 81(26.9%), 50(16.6%) and 43(14.4%) responding that diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are contradicts respectively. Interestingly, a total of 52 (17.3%) responded as likely when enquired whether the present vaccine can cause infertility. Similarly, about 62% of study participants felt that the vaccine might alter the DNA. Conclusion: The present study revealed good overall knowledge and awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant with certain misconceptions. The findings suggest that immediate health education programs, risk communication, and correct information should be disseminated by respective health authorities.
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Purpose: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS?OCT) by a swept source can visualize the ciliary body. The study was performed for analyzing the feasibility of a new swept?source OCT (Anterion) device for measuring iris ciliary sulcus, ciliary body thickness, and iris thickness. Methods: It is a pilot study among 30 normal young participants and hospital employees with their consent. The ciliary body, iris thickness, and ciliary sulcus were measured and compared to the results in the literature. We obtained 28 good?quality results. The main outcome measures were iris thickness (near and away from the pupillary margin), ciliary body thickness, and iridociliary sulcus measurement. Results: The iris thickness 2.5 mm from the pupillary margin was 0.70 ± 0.10 mm in the right eye and 0.68 ± 0.11 in the left eye. Closer to the root, the iris thickness varied from 0.55 ± 0.16 mm (right eye) and 0.57 ± 0.12 (left eye). Ciliary body thickness: Right eye 0.59 ± 0.14mm (28 good images), left eye 0.58 ± 0.13mm; ciliary sulcus (inner angle): right eye 82.65 ± 26.6°, left eye 83.66 ± 30.1°. Conclusion: Anterion OCT is feasible in our setting for various measurements and can provide valuable inputs to ophthalmologists for the treatment of ocular diseases.
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Background: Managing a brain tumor during pregnancy is a highly confusing and challenging situation, complicated by several technical, medical, ethical, and sociocultural concerns. The interests of the mother and child are often pitted against each other, for which legal opinion may occasionally be needed. Case Report?We present the report of a young lady with intracranial well-differentiated chondrosarcoma who was determined to be pregnant in the immediate postoperative period. We discuss the management of challenges and dilemmas in devising optimum therapy, and the modifications and care required at each step to help safeguard maternal and fetal health. Risks with therapeutic radiation and measures to assess and pre-empt fetal doses that may assist decision-making are also discussed. Conclusion?Radiation therapy during pregnancy is challenging and requires multidisciplinary involvement and psychosocial support for the patient and family.
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Background and Aims: Biologics are a relatively new class of highly effective drugs in the management of psoriasis. They act on specific immune processes, achieve rapid and sustained clearance and do not cause target organ damage unlike conventional systemic therapy. It appears that their use in our country is not as widespread as in developed nations despite these benefits ; their prohibitive cost may be a major factor for the limited usage. This survey aimed to find out the extent of use and factors hindering usage of biologics for the management of psoriasis by Indian dermatologists. Methods: It was a cross?sectional questionnaire based study. The questionnaire was designed after a focussed group discussion, followed by validation. The survey was sent in the form of a link to Indian dermatologists. The responses were recorded in excel-sheet and the data was analyzed by SPSS ver 25. Results: Of the 310 participants who took part, 287 completed the survey. Two hundred (70%) were users of biologics, while 87 (30%) had never used them. Cost was the major factor which prevented biologic use. Majority of the respondents used biologics in less than 2 cases per month. Secukinumab was the most common biologic used followed by etanercept. The factors which determined choice of biologics were convenience, cost, previous experience, co-morbid conditions and recommendations by an expert. Limitations: A small sample size was the limitation of the study. Dermatologists who do not use biologics may be under?represented in the study. Conclusions: Biologics are not used optimally by Indian dermatologists for management of psoriasis. The cost, fear of adverse effects, lack of awareness and inadequate felt need are major factors which prevent their regular use
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Objectives: The present study was planned to delineate the blood pressure (BP) response of the lowlanders during initial 6 days of acclimatisation to high altitude. Materials and Methods: 398 normotensive sojourners at sea level ascended to HA (3,500 m). Blood pressure response of these subjects were analysed for 6 consecutive days at HA. Based on the BP response of these subjects on the 6th day at HA they were divided into two groups: HBP-high BP group and NBP- normal BP group. Results: It showed that on 6th day at HA, 51 out of 398 subjects presented with BP?140/90 mmHg (HBP) while others remained normotensive (NBP). Comparative systolic BP of HBP and NBP groups during successive days at HA were as follows: HA day 1 (146.8 ± 13.7 mmHg vs 146.3 ± 8.8 mmHg, p>0.05), HA day 4 (144.5 ± 8.7 mmHg vs 135.0 ± 7.0 mmHg, p<0.05) and HA day 6 (148.1 ± 7.9 mmHg vs 131.7 ± 5.3 mmHg, p<0.05). Whereas, diastolic BP of HBP and NBP groups were: HA day 1 (94.0 ± 8.1 mmHg vs 93.2 ± 6.6 mmHg, p>0.05), HA day 4 (88.9 ± 6.0 mmHg vs 85.3 ± 5.1 mmHg, p<0.05) and HA day 6 (93.8 ± 6.3 mmHg vs 83.7 ± 3.8 mmHg, p<0.05). Conclusion: It was found that NBP had initially raised BP which returned to normal levels after acclimatisation period of 6 days, but in HBP, it started rising after 4th day. It can be concluded that those individuals whose BP on 6th day at HA does not return to normal after acclimatisation period needs regular follow up as these individuals can have a delayed acclimatisation normalising BP later on or can become hypertensive subsequently
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Kasurdi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kasurdi HDSS) was established at Rural Health Training Center Kasurdi on February 16, 2018. Kasurdi HDSS has been established to increase the research potential of medical colleges and develop real?time data for research purposes to study the changes in population demography, health, and health?care utilization. Kasurdi HDSS currently follows 2755 individuals living in 549 households. The system collects the data from the population through annual rounds conducted by postgraduate residents of the department of community medicine. The data are collected in the digital format with the help of android-based tablets. HDSS has collected demographic data, reproductive data, data on diseases such as tuberculosis and noncommunicable diseases, and socioeconomic data. The HDSS is in the process to upgrade its data management system to a more integrated platform, coordinated and guided by national/international standards, and data sharing policy.
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Background: The health of women and children are eternally linked and when the health of women and child improves, life improves by every measure. Deaths associated with child birth were so common that societies developed cultural coping strategies or traditional practices. The objective of the study is to assess natal and neonatal care practices in rural areas of Lucknow district.Methods: The present study was carried out in the rural areas of Lucknow district. Study unit was recently delivered women (RDW), who gave birth to live newborn in last 1 year in rural areas of Lucknow for a period of 12 months. It was community based cross sectional study. A total of 368 RDW were interviewed. Multi stage random sampling technique was used to select RDW.Results: Majority cited all the reasons for preferring institutional delivery (58.2%) followed by those citing it cheaper or better services (17.4%) each and incentive (7.4%) respectively. Weight of baby was 2.5 to 3.5 kg in maximum cases (88%) followed by <2.5 kg (10.3%) respectively. Majority did not have any complication at birth (87%). Exclusive breast feeding was reported by majority (81%).Conclusions: Community needs to be appraised regarding performance and important positive achievement of MCH services in relation to health status of mother and neonate in their respective areas through community participation and will make the community more respective towards availing of accredited social health activist (ASHA) services. Proper provisioning of auxiliary nurse midwiferys, ASHAs and lady health workers would facilitate improvements in rural areas.
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Background: Patient satisfaction surveys are one of the most important feedback systems for any hospital to understand patient concern and take necessary corrective measures. The study was done in primary health centers in border areas of Jammu division to know the satisfaction among the patient and describe their socio-demographic profile.Methods: Study was cross-sectional questionnaire based study conducted among the inpatient of the primary health center, Paragwal from 01 July 2018 to 30 November 2018. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and entered in an excel sheet and analysed using SPSS 20.Results: A total of 110 respondents participated in the group. The mean age of the study subjects was 43.4±9.7 years and majority (86%) of the respondents was married, higher proportions of males (71%) and majority subjects (77%) were illiterate. According to Kuppuswamy scale, 66% of the study subjects belong to low socio-economic status (SES). There was no statistical significant association of socio-economic status, age, literacy. Female gender was associated with satisfaction regarding explanation of illness.Conclusions: In the present study, we found that majority of the participant were satisfied. However, the areas like congestion and time management needs improvement.
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Introduction: In India, report says that we failed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in developing regions are approximately 15 times higher than developed countries. Hence safe delivery and essential newborn care, besides neonatal care in domestic setting and timely referral for cases unmanageable are important areas to be addressed. This study was aimed to assess the current pattern of utilization of maternal and neonatal care services in rural areas of Lucknow. Material and Method: This community based cross sectional study was conducted in between August 2014 to July 2015. Study site was rural area of Lucknow. The study unit was a recently delivered woman, defined as a woman who gave live birth in last one year. A multi stage random sampling technique was used. We uses SPSS version 17 for our statistical analysis. Results: We interviewed 368 RDWs and found that 10.6 % of RDWs did not visit even once to health care facility and almost 62% of registered RDWs were registered early. About 70% RDWs completed at least three ANC visits, 67.7% received complete course of tetanus toxoid and 79.1% received at least one hundred of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets. Approximately 90% deliveries were conducted by qualified physicians in government institution. There was a clear reduction in facilitating services by health care workers before and after delivery. We found that age less than 30 years, higher socioeconomic strata, educational level higher than matriculation of RDWs were likely to complete their ANC cares and these associations were statistically significant. Conclusion: We are still far away from health for all. To achieve SDG, a multi prong approach is need of hour.