Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV: knowledge among general public of peripheral areas of Multan

To assess the level of knowledge regarding hepatitis B hepatitis C and HIV among general public of peripheral areas of Multan. Cross-sectional study. Peripheral areas of Multan, village Budhla Sunnat, kusba Ayazabad Marrhal and PMRC Research Centre Nishtar Medical College Multan. From 01.05.2007 to 30.04.2008. Medical camps were established in peripheral areas of Multan, village Budhla Sunnat and kusba Ayazabad Marrhal. It was a cross-sectional study which was carried out using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Subjects of both sexes and adult age attending these medical camps were included in the study. Informed consent was taken and confidentiality of the personal information was ensured. Specially designed Proforma was filled in by the Research Officers and data entered in SPSS-11 and analyzed. Three hundred and eight subjects were interviewed. The age of subjects varied from 15-70 years. The mean age was 37.06 years +/- 15.59 years. Two hundred and twenty three [72.4%] were familiar with hepatitis B, 196 [63.6%] with hepatitis C and 146 [47.4%] with HIV and 133 [43.2%] were familiar with all three viruses while 81 [26.5%] were unfamiliar with these viruses. Most of the subjects 93 [30.2%] knew about the transmission through injection by un-sterilized syringes, 90 [29.2%] were knowing that infected blood is important source of spread while 87 [28.2%] of the subjects were knowing that these are spread through infected razors, 84 [27.2%] were knowing unsafe sex as a mode of transmission. Sharing objects can be the source of spread was known to very less number of people, 9 [2.9%] were aware that these can spread through sharing infected tooth brushes, 7 [2.3%] with sharing infected [Miswaks] and only 3 [1%] were aware that these can spread through infected combs. Electronic media was the major source of knowledge 82 [26.6%], interpersonal communication 69 [22.4%] and newspapers in only 1 [0.3%]. knowledge about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV is low in our study population. The results of the study have shown that many people still think that HIV is the only virus which is transmitted through sexual contacts and hepatitis 8 and C through contaminated blood. The knowledge about the modes of transmission is lower in the rural and un-educated community. General public has very little knowledge that infected combs, infected toothbrushes and infected [Miswaks] can also lead to transmission of hepatitis B and C. Electronic media particularly television and radio and newspapers are the main source of knowledge and awareness for the urban population while in rural population it is not the case. Effective health awareness campaigns are needed to be started among rural population

Stroke; electocardiographic changes

[1] To finding the frequency of various electrocardiographic abnormalities in sufferers of acute stroke [2] Comparing the ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in this perspective. Observational. Emergency department of Nishtar Hospital, Multan from April 2003 to August 2005. Two hundred patients of acute stroke who presented within 48 hours of the onset of neurological symptoms, were included in the study, irrespective of the comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. Majority of the patients had ischemic stroke. ECG changes due to variation in heart rate, rhythm ischemia, QTc prolongation and left ventricular hypertrophy were frequent findings in sufferes of acute stroke. Except atrial fibrillation and left ventricular hypertrophy these changes were more or less similar in two types of stroke. A variety of electrocardiographic abnormalities can be found in sufferers of acute stroke. Except atrial fibrillation and left ventricular hypertrophy, there frequency is more or less similar whatever the type of stroke may be

Electrocardiographic predictors of mortality in acute stroke

The study was done to see if ECG changes in acute stroke could be used as predictor of in-hospital mortality. Cross-Sectional study done at the Department of Emergency and Medicine Nishtar Hospital Multan, from April 2003 to August 2005. Two hundred patients with acute stroke who presented within 48-hours of the onset of neurological symptoms, were enrolled in the study, irrespective of the co morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. A non-contrast computerized tomographic scan [CT Scan] of the brain and a 12-lead ECG were recorded at the time of admission to define the stroke type and to determine the ECG variables. Follow-up of the patients was done during their stay in the Medical ward to calculate in hospital mortality. The ECG variables were categorized as, disturbances of heart rate and rhythm, ischemic changes and heart rate corrected QT interval [QTc interval].They were correlated with the death during the hospital stay, by analyzing the data using SPSS-10 version for statistical analysis. Majority of the patients had ischemic stroke, but mortality was higher with hemorrhagic stroke. ECG changes due to variations in heart rate and rhythm were frequent but less helpful than ischemic changes and QTc alterations, in predicting in hospital deaths due to stroke. Hospital mortality in stroke patients is mostly of cardiac origin. ECG changes resulting from QTc prolongation, ischemic changes, and rhythm disturbances were most helpful in predicting the prognosis

clinicoepidemiological study of snakebite in Multan

Objective: To know the epidemiological characteristics of snakebite in and around Multan and to highlight various patterns of toxicity in sufferers of snake`s envenomation

Design: Descriptive, observational study

Place and duration of study: This study was conducted at Medical Unit-IV, Nishtar Hospital, Multan during the year 2002-2003

Patients and Methods: One hundred victims of snakebite from seven various districts around Multan, who were brought to Nishtar Hospital, Multan, irrespective of age, sex and previous medical therapy were included in this study. All victims of snakebite were examined and investigated to know the various patterns of toxicity

Results: Most of the victims [78%] were found to be sufferers of toxic bite, affected mostly on lower limbs [62%] and during night time [52%] of summer season. Hemotoxic snakes were the most common type of snakes [52%] causing envenomations. 90% patients recovered completely and a death rate of 6% and disability rate of 4% was observed

Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality from snakebite can be reduced by proper health education of the farmers, regarding importance of footwear and potential hazards of snakebite