Profile of sexually transmitted infections among attendees of special clinics (Suraksha) at an apex regional sexually transmitted disease centre in North India ­ a five-year study

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) present significant global and national health challenges, particularly in India. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of STIs among attendees at the Suraksha Clinic in the Apex Regional STD Centre, Safdarjung Hospital. Methods:Retrospective data from January 2018 to December 2022 were statistically analyzed using Excel and SPSS. The study included the examination for diagnosis of various STIs, such as syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), gonorrhoea, chlamydiasis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, chancroid, and genital herpes. Gender distribution and syndromic diagnoses, including vaginal/cervical discharge and genital ulcers, were also considered. Referrals to Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres for HIV testing were analyzed. Results: The outcomes reveal a substantial burden of STIs, with 3.06% showing reactivity to syphilis, 1.74% testing positive for HIV, 3.36% for gonorrhoea, 11.78% for chlamydiasis, 1.05% for trichomoniasis, 26.24% for candidiasis, 9.97% for bacterial vaginosis, 7.80% for chancroid, 11.64% for herpes genitalis, and 4.01% for other non-STIs. Attendees' interactions included 34.36% of referrals to Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres for HIV testing. The gender distribution showed 58.92% male and 40.94% female attendees. Conclusion: Syndromic diagnoses, including vaginal/cervical discharge (21.22%) and genital warts (8.00%), highlight prevalent conditions, necessitating routine screening, early detection, and targeted interventions for effective disease control and prevention. These findings underscore the significance of integrated screening, patient education, and proactive strategies to safeguard public health in the face of rising STI rates.

Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) apresentam desafios de saúde globais e nacionais significativos, particularmente na Índia. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência e as características das IST entre os pacientes atendidos na Clínica Suraksha do Centro Regional de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) Apex, Hospital Safdarjung. Métodos: Dados retrospectivos de janeiro de 2018 a dezembro de 2022 foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando Excel e Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). O estudo inclui o exame para diagnóstico de diversas IST, como sífilis, HIV, gonorreia, clamídia, tricomoníase, candidíase, vaginose bacteriana, cancroide e herpes genital. A distribuição por gênero e os diagnósticos sindrômicos, incluindo corrimento vaginal/cervical e úlceras genitais, também foram considerados. Foram analisados encaminhamentos para Centros Integrados de Aconselhamento e Testagem para testagem de HIV. Resultados: Os resultados revelam uma carga substancial de IST, com 3,06% apresentando reatividade à sífilis, 1,74% testando positivo para HIV, 3,36% para gonorreia, 11,78% para clamídia, 1,05% para tricomoníase, 26,24% para candidíase, 9,97% para vaginose bacteriana, 7,80% para cancroide, 11,64% para herpes genital e 4,01% para outras infecções não IST. As interações dos participantes incluíram 34,36% de encaminhamentos para Centros Integrados de Aconselhamento e Testagem para testes de HIV. A distribuição por gênero mostrou 58,92% de participantes do sexo masculino e 40,94% do sexo feminino. Conclusão: Os diagnósticos sindrômicos, incluindo corrimento vaginal/cervical (21,22%) e verrugas genitais (8,00%), destacam condições prevalentes, necessitando de exames de rotina, detecção precoce e intervenções direcionadas para controle e prevenção eficazes de doenças. Estas conclusões sublinham a importância do rastreio integrado, da educação dos pacientes e de estratégias proativas para salvaguardar a saúde pública diante do aumento das taxas de IST.

Breast-feeding and weaning patterns in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

An interview survey of 200 mothers attending the emergency service of Al-Fateh Paediatric Hospital, Benghazi, showed that prelacteal feed was given to 18.5% of babies and breast-feeding was ever initiated in 90.5%. After three months exclusive breast-feeding was continued in less than 30%, mixed feeding in 44%-71% and supplementary feeding [with and without breast-feeding] in 65%-97%. Locally consumed food like fruit juice, vegetables, cooked rice and cereals and boiled eggs in mashed form were used as supplementary foods. No association was revealed between the type of feeding and childhood episodes of any illness, including diarrhoea or acute respiratory infection. Measures for prolonged breast-feeding, substitute artificial feeding [when indicated] and supplementary feeding are suggested

family health survey for diarrheal disease and EPI coverage at Al-Abear, Benghazi, Libya

An interview health survey of 500 families was carried out at El-Abear town of Benghazi Municipality during 3rd week of September, 1989 to reveal actual situation of diarrheal disease and Epi coverage. The incidence of diarrhea morbidity was calculated to be 668.4 per 1000 under-5 children per year and under- 5 mortality was 18.45 per 1000 live births. Among 72.75 of families, diarrhea was still being treated with drugs and antibiotics with [in 42.5% families] or without ORS and health staff was the main source of information about management of a diarrhea case. More than half of the children having diarrheal episodes were artificially or mixed fed, 54.9% continued usual feeding during diarrhea and 90% returned to prediarrheal feeding practices soon after the episode. Regarding EPI coverage 93.9% families had protected 75% or more of their under-5 children by immunization and about one-fifth reported side effected of vaccination within 3 days. The main reason for incomplete vaccination was child sickness. The study has revealed the urgent need of reorientation and retraining of health staff about recent advances for the management of diarrhea, for spreading ORT to prevent rehydration, for redefining absolute contraindications of vaccination and for better implementation of EPI

Reproductive experience of Libyan women in Benghazi

The Al-Jamahiriya Hospital, Benghazi is the only Maternity Hospital for the city with 430,000 inhabitants, and 90% of annual deliveries take place there. During 1980, 16,210 women delivered at the hospital of which 90.58% were normal. The largest proportion of women [29.93%] were between 25 to 29 years of age or of para 1 to 3. The number of livebirths, infant mortality child losses and pregnancy wastage in the past per women respectively was 4.14, 0.23 and 0.31. The rate of childloss or pregnancy wastage increased with age and parity. During 1980 more than 90% of the babies born at the hospital were healty and of these with a morbid condition more than 80% had birth asphyxia, birth trauma, prematurity, congenital anomaly, or Rhesus incompatibility. Among women experiencing illness or risk factors during pregnancy, the proportion of unhealthy babies was highest if born to those with ante-partum haemorrhage [33.33%] and lowest if born to mothers with Rhesus negative blood group [11.68%]. The role of health care organizations for further reduction of pregnancy wastage, perinatal deaths and infant losses is emphasized