Knowledge of rural women regarding activities of accredited social health activist in three different villages of District Amritsar: A cross-sectional study

Background: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is the grass root level worker and hence plays a prime role in making primary healthcare accessible to rural areas. She creates awareness on health and persuading the community toward local health planning and hence plays major role in increasing utilization of health services. The knowledge of the people about the availability of ASHA in their area and about the activities performed by her also play important role in utilization of services given by ASHA. Hence, keeping this in view the present study was conducted. Aim and Objectives: (1) The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the rural women about the availability of ASHA in their area and (2) to assess the knowledge of the rural women about the activities performed by ASHA. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in rural field practice area of Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab. The study was a cross-sectional type and the adult decision maker female of the family was interviewed using a pre-designed and semi-structured pro forma after approval from Institutional Ethics committee. A total of 1521 females were interviewed. Results: The present study revealed that majority (52.3%) of the respondents were in the age group of 24–45 years, 41.7% illiterate and 54.6% in the upper lower class. It was found that 45.8% respondents were visited by ASHA and out of these, majority of the respondents (78.2%) were visited for Maternal and child health services followed by health awareness (20.7%) and minor illnesses (9.9%). Conclusion: The visits by ASHA were irregular and majority of the respondents were visited by ASHA for maternal and child health services in all the three villages and hence knowledge regarding these activities was seen to be more among the respondents. However, overall less knowledge was seen among the villagers about other activities being performed by ASHA worker.

Role of Stress in Newly Detected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension are chronic diseases whose prevalence is increasing globally. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes and hypertension, and lifestyle and clinical risk factor do not fully account for the link between the conditions. Objective: This study provides an overview of the evidences concerning the role of stressful life events as contributors of increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the population. Material and Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study comprising of 80 random cases of newly detected type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Strength of association with the outcome endurance of diabetes mellitus and hypertension with stress levels grouped as slight risk, moderate risk and at risk was evaluated and reported as RR (relative risk) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) x

Ebola virus disease: Emerging outbreak.

Ebola Virus Disease or Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever is one of the highly fatal viral disease caused by ebola virus in humans. Mortality rate as high as 90% is reported. Virus is transmitted to humans through bats and other animals infected from bats. Although Ebola Virus Disease is reported since 1976 but currently West Africa is facing the largest outbreak of disease with danger of spread to other parts of the world. More than 5000 cases with mortality of more than 2600 cases has been reported till the end of 3rd quarter of year 2014. There is no specific treatment and vaccination available till date. Mainstay for managing patient is supportive care with early fluid resuscitation and symptomatic treatment. Our main target is to prevent human transmission by educating and supporting the community.

Cardiodepressant activity of newer dihydropyrimidine derivative in comparison to Nifedipine on perfused Rabbits heart.

Background: Substituted dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dihydropyridines are considered as analogue of dihydropyrimidines. Objectives: In present study newly synthesized test compound 5- Acyl-6-methyl-4(2’,3’-methylenedioxy) phenyl - 2 - S - ethyl - 1, 4- dihydropyrimidine, a dihydropyrimidine derivative was investigated with an aim to get valuable substitute for the well known dihydropyridine, Nifedipine. Material & Methods: The Calcium Channel blocking actiuity of test compound was studied on Rabbit’s Heart and its effects were compared with Nifedipine used as control. Results: Test compound has dose-dependent negative chronotropic and negative inotropic effect on Rabbit’s heart but these effects appeared at doses higher than those of Nifedipine. Test compound had no significant change in coronary flow however Nifedipine show significant increase in coronary flow at lower doses. Conclusion: Test compound appears to be less potent myocardial depressant compared to Nifedipine. Test compound produced calcium channel blocking activity which was dose related and in order to ascertain the status of this compound as a drug, further studies are needed not only in other animals and tissue models but also in various pathophysiological models.

Myxoid leiomyoma of tunica vaginalis testis.

Myxoid leiomyoma is an extremely rare tumor, presenting as a scrotal mass. We report a case of 60 years male, who presented with a painless scrotal mass and operated as secondary hydrocoele. This lesion should be differentiated from other myxoid tumors and tumors with myxoid degeneration.

Investigation of an epidemic of Reye's syndrome in northern region of India.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent, epidemiological and clinical features of an epidemic of non-inflammatory encephalopathy in northern region of India. DESIGN: Surveillance of referred cases having unconsciousness after a short bout of fever during October and November 1997. Case control study in 7 most affected villages. METHODS: Active case finding was done to assess the extent and severity of the epidemic by interviewing health professionals and by reviewing mortality records in 10 districts of Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh. A house to house survey was conducted in seven most affected villages. A case was defined as any child of less than 15 years of age, who had prodromal fever followed by vomiting and unconsciousness with subsequent recovery or death. Two age and sex matched controls who had fever without unconsciousness were taken for each case, one from nearby house and another staying furthest from the affected house. These groups were compared for various epidemiologic factors, clinical features and treatment pattern. Residual medicines used by affected patients were tested for presence of salicylate. Local village practitioners were interviewed for their knowledge and attitude towards use of aspirin in a febrile child. RESULTS: Information regarding 129 affected children (M: F=1 : 1) could be obtained. Age ranged between 1 to 12 years (mean 5.8 years). Most were from rural or semi-suburban areas. Attack rate was 5.4/1000 and case fatality rate was 72%. Multiple sibs were affected in 9.3%. History of fever was reported by 83%, vomiting preceding unconsciousness by 83% and abnormal behavior by 65%. Abnormal posturing was reported in 55%. Seventeen (61%) of 28 samples had IgM antibodies in serum/CSF against measles. Twelve (36%) of 33 serum samples tested positive for Varicella zoster virus. None gave history of aspirin intake and 10 samples of residual drugs did not contain salicylate. However, 6 out of 19 blood samples taken from affected patients contained salicylate. Environmental factors were in favor of Japanese encephalitis (JE) but brain biopsy and serology disproved it. Based on earlier report of JE from this area, the cases in present epidemic were being reported as JE before this study was undertaken. Intensive fogging with malathion was being undertaken as antimosquito measure, specially around the affected houses. Local village practitioners (n = 37) were unaware of contraindications of aspirin in a febrile child. CONCLUSION: Measles and varicella zoster emerged as the probable etiologies for the viral prodrome precipitating these cases of Reye's syndrome. Aspirin might have a contributory role. Malathion is another putative cofactor.

Gluteal fistula--an unusual manifestation of carcinoma colon.

A case of carcinoma cecum presented as a gluteal enterocutaneous fistula. Tumor excision provided effective palliation for nearly three years.

Urethro-venous intravasation during retrograde urethrography (report of 5 cases).

Five instances of urethro-venous intravasation during retrograde urethrography are reported. Four cases were of urethral strictures and one case was of urethral hemangioma. All patients had post procedural bleeding while one patient got allergic reactions, another showed chills and rigors. Anatomy of the drainage veins is described. Factors responsible for this complication and its clinical implications are discussed. It is suggested that urethro-venous intravasation should be considered a diagnostic sign of urethral inflammation.