Résumé
Introduction: Acts of self-injury and self-poisoning that have not resulted in death are described by various terms such as attempted suicide, parasuicide, and deliberate self-harm. Due to the wider utility in various studies, the term attempted suicide is used in this study also. While suicide attempt is defined as intentional self-inflicted poisoning, injury or self-harm which may or may not have a fatal intent or outcome the term attempted suicide is used here for patients who have completely recovered from their attempt and referred for psychiatry opinion. Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate the socio-demographic factors, methods of the attempt, psychiatric morbidity, and other causes of attempted suicide. Materials and methods: Victims of attempted suicide who were treated and referred from general medicine inpatient care for a regular psychiatric opinion were selected for this study. In the planned period of 3 months span 102 consecutively referred individuals were assessed. Through unstructured, comprehensive clinical interview individuals were evaluated and psychiatric diagnoses were made by using ICD-10-criteria. Datas were entered in a self-structured proforma, results were analyzed. Results: Women (63%), less than 30 years of age (74%), married persons (66%), studied up to secondary and higher secondary education (62%), rural population (80%), semi-skilled workers including housewives (60%), outnumbered others. 21% had a family history of suicide. 13% have attempted in the past. 56% have attempted through organophosphorus and natural plant poisoning. 39% had psychiatric morbidity. Depressive, alcohol, personality disorders were common. 57% of suicidal attempts have resulted from Dysfunctional family living in the form of Interpersonal conflicts and quarrels. Conclusion: Although identifying and treating the psychiatric condition is an immediate need, addressing the Healthy family functioning through school level educational and community level programmes would have long term impact on preventing suicidal attempts.
Résumé
Introduction: Neurological signs, are traditionally classified into “Hard” and “Soft” signs. Soft signs are defined as minor, nonlocalizable, objective abnormalities that are thought to reflect damage in connections between subcortical and cortical areas or between cortical areas. In contrast, hard neurological signs can be linked to specific areas of neuroanatomical damage. Aim: Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of Neurological soft signs in patients with the first-episode psychotic disorder in comparison with control group. Materials and methods: 30 patients with a diagnosis of first episode psychotic disorder and same age and sex matched 30 healthy individuals as the control group was selected for the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Neurological soft signs (NSS) were assessed by the original version of Neurological evaluation scale (NES). Results were entered in a self-structured proforma. Psychiatric diagnoses were made by using ICD-10 criteria. Results were statistically analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex and years of education between two groups. On the presence of 2 signs, patient group had 96.7% of prevalence but control group had 56.7% of prevalence which was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study is in conformation with other studies in reporting significantly higher NSS in first-episode psychotic patients than in controls, and adds substance to the claim that NSS could be a biological marker for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Résumé
Objective: To study the deficiencies associated with the use of inhaler devices among children with asthma. Design: Observational descriptive study Method: Study population comprised consecutive children seen at all medical clinics of Lady Ridgeway Hospital using inhaler devices for asthma. Study was carried out from February 2008 until 150 patients were enrolled. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Technique of using inhaler was checked. Knowledge about maintenance of the device was assessed. Results: Of the 150 patients 63% were in the 5-13 year age group. Fifty six percent were using the inhaler for 1-4 years. Seventy one percent in the below 2 year age group used the Holding chamber (Babyhaler). Forty percent in the 2-4 year age group used a volume spacer and a face mask. Eighty four percent in the 5-13 year age group used a dry powder inhaler or volume spacer without the face mask. Steroids alone were used by 84% of children while 16% used combination drugs. Compliance was good in 85%. Technique was satisfactory in 67% cases. Conclusion: There are major deficiencies in the usage of inhaler devices among patients with asthma.
Résumé
In a boarding school of Maharashtra State of India 314 students (Bhil & Pawar) were examined clinically and blood was examined. Anemia was present in 16.2% male & 38.3% female. B (Beta). Thalasemia trait was present in 1.6% male & 2.4% female. Sickle cell trait was present in 21.3% male and 14.4% female and sickle cell disease in 0.6% student. G6PD deficiency was seen in 5.1% male & 4.8% female students.