Knowledge about Transmission Dynamics of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Background : Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect women who also bear much more severe morbidity, get severe consequences if not treated and even transmit disease to offsprings during pregnancy. Improving awareness and knowledge of STIs is a key for prevention but majority females don’t have this information making them more susceptible to STIs and reinfections. Objectives : To determine the awareness and level of knowledge about transmission dynamics of STI among the female patients attending Gynecology out-patient department and to assess the various factors related with it. Methodology : Cross-sectional study was conducted among female patients presenting to Gynecology OPD of a tertiary hospital in Delhi with signs and symptoms suggestive of STIs. Exit interview of 100 patients was done by using a pretested structured questionnaire. Knowledge level was graded into Poor knowledge (0-8) and Good knowledge (9-16) on a 16-point score card. Chi square was applied. Results : Only 62 (62%) patients had heard about STIs. The fact that STIs can be prevented by abstinence, being faithful and condoms was known to 25 (25%), 35 (35%) and 28 (28%) patients respectively. Only 21 (21%) patients had good knowledge, significantly more among literates and working females. Reinfection was reported by 9 (9%) patients and it was significantly more in migrants. Conclusion Knowledge of respondents about STIs is very low, particularly among illiterates and housewives. There is a potential to control STIs by making females aware of the uses of condom. Reinfection was significantly more in migrants, so there is a need to focus IEC services to migrants.

Profile and sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from various cultures in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi.

The objective of present study was to determine the profile and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from various cultures in a tertiary hospital in Delhi. Culture and sensitivity of all blood, urine, pus, and throat sample reports obtained from May 2006 to April 2007 were analyzed from the central microbiology laboratory register. Among 6918 sample reports analyzed, about half (46%) of them were positive. The most commonly bacteria isolated in 35% of positive blood and pus samples was vancomycin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Most common organism isolated in 54% of positive urine samples was imepenem-sensitive Escherichia coli.

Dental fluorosis and its association with the use of fluoridated toothpaste among middle school students of Delhi.

Introduction: Fluorosis can manifest as dental fluorosis (seen mostly in secondary dentition), skeletal fluorosis, and systemic fluorosis. Groundwater with high fluoride concentrations, diet rich in fish and tea, indoor air-pollution, and use of fluoride toothpastes may contribute considerably to total exposure. Objective: To assess the prevalence of dental fluorosis and associated factors particularly fluoridated toothpastes, among middle school children of a resettlement colony in Delhi. Materials and Methods: This survey was conducted among the middle school students (VI th -VIII th ) studying in three government schools of Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. Students were examined for dental fluorosis by experts. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding age, source of drinking water, toothpaste used, etc. Height, weight, and hemoglobin were recorded. Two repeat visits were made. Out of 432 students enrolled in these schools, 413 students were examined. Statistics: Descriptive and chi-square statistics were used. Results: Dental fluorosis was prevalent in 121 (29.3%) study subjects. It was significantly more in children of age 13 years or above, in those who used fluoridated toothpaste for dental cleaning (P=0.033) and in anemic children (P<0.001). However, there was no significant association of disease with gender (P=0.02), source of drinking water (P=0.417), and with BMI (P=0.826). Conclusion: As dental fluorosis is very common (in about one-fourth) among the middle school children, in this resettlement colony of Delhi, various control measures e.g. discouraging the fluoridated toothpastes, educating parents about fluorosis, de-fluoridation of water in the high risk areas, etc may help to tackle this situation.

A study of job satisfaction and work environment perception among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi.

Background : Many doctors are dissatisfied with their jobs, which is due to long working hours and overwork. This can affect patient care and reduce quality of care. Objectives : To study job satisfaction among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi and the various factors related with it. Materials and Methods: Data collection was done among 250 doctors on tenure-based job, selected by stratified random sampling, in a teaching hospital in Delhi, by using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Analysis : Proportions and Chi-square tests. Results : The mean number of work-hours among doctors was 9.7 +/- 2.7 hours per day, and the mean number of night shifts was 5.6 per month. About half (49.6%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with the average number of work-hours per day. Dissatisfaction was significantly more in those who had an average of> 8 work-hours per day and who had >/=8 night shifts per month. About half (45.6%) of the doctors considered their salary as 'bad,' and this was significantly more among unmarried doctors, interns and those who had >/=8 night shifts per month. More than half (55.2%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with their choice of profession, i.e., being a doctor, as compared to other professions. Conclusions : A significant proportion of doctors were found to be dissatisfied with the average number of their work-hours and salary. Factors like the average number of work-hours per day and the number of night shifts per month were found to have a significant relation with dissatisfaction. Further studies are needed to explore how best the work-hours of doctors could be adjusted to improve their job satisfaction.