Résumé
Introduction: This study aimed to develop a model utilizing the data from the top 10 countries (as of August 22, 2020) with the maximum number of infected cases. These countries are the United States of America, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Spain. The model is developed using the newly infected cases, new deaths, cumulative infected cases, and cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 starting from the day on which the first infected cases of COVID-19 in each of these countries is diagnosed to the date August 19, 2020. Materials and Methods: This study includes data such as the newly infected cases, new deaths, cumulative infected cases, and cumulative deaths due to COVID-19 starting from the day on which the first infected case of COVID-19 in each of these countries is diagnosed to the date August 19, 2020, in the top 10 most affected countries. The data were obtained from World Health Organization (WHO) website. To fit the data into a regression model, IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 was used. The linear, logarithmic, quadratic, and cubic curves were fitted to the newly infected COVID-19 cases and daily deaths due to COVID-19. In choosing the best-fitted model, the coefficient of determination (R-square) was used. Results: Cubic regression model is the best fit model for new infected COVID-19 cases as well as COVID-19 deaths. It has the highest R-square value as compared to the linear, logarithmic and quadratic. Conclusion: To control the spread of infection, there is a need for aggressive control strategies from the administrative departments of all countries.
Résumé
Background: Community based active case finding for tuberculosis (TB) is an essential step in the fight forward for eliminating TB. One of the steps in targeting TB intervention is early diagnosis and treatment of patients by reducing the reservoir of infection in the community. Active case finding (ACF) targeting the entire population by house to house survey was done in Nicobar district of these islands.Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with the trained mobile teams from 17.07.2017 to 31.07.2017 in the Nicobar District. The algorithm of the case detection included screening patients by symptoms, then by sputum microscopy for confirmation. X-ray was done in patients who were symptomatic but sputum negative. If both smear and chest X-ray results were negative but still symptomatic, then cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) was done.Results: A total population of 18526 was mapped of which 14784 (79.8) could be screened. A total of 209 people were identified by the mobile teams with symptoms who were examined by sputum microscopy. Among them 7 cases were identified to be sputum smear positive, 2 X-ray positive and 2 were diagnosed by CBNAAT.Conclusions: This study shows that the active case finding method is feasible and acceptable by the community. The results obtained are encouraging for the implementation of ACF through mobile team activity in all these islands in order to meet the target of WHO’s End TB Strategy.
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Background: Poisoning is a global health problem and one of the major causes of hospitalization through emergency department. In several studies, preponderance of males in younger age group and pesticide consumption has been reported. Method: The present study was undertaken at MGM Hospital and Research Centre, Central Business District (CBD) Belapur, Navi Mumbai, India to study the epidemiological profile of acute poisoning cases; following a chance observation of female preponderance among poisoning cases attending the hospital. Acute poisoning cases, who visited the hospital during the period of five years from 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2012, were included in the study. The data were pooled into pre-designed variable structure for the analysis. Results A total of 234 poisoning cases have been reported, majority of which, reside in neighboring areas of Belapur and Kharghar inhabited by middle to high income population group. Out of them, 172 (69.51%) patients were in the age group of 16 to 35 years and mean age was 26 years. The female to male ratio was 1.75:1 and contrary to other comparative studies, this reverse gender trend was found statistically significant (p < 0.001). A total of 137 (58.55%) poisoning cases were married. However, the proportion of married women?92/149 (61.74%), was statistically significant, placing young married women at higher risk of poisoning (p < 0.0001). In 32 (13.68%) cases, poisoning was accidental, while in remaining 202 (86.32%) deliberate self-harm (DSH) was the reason. Among the poisons consumed, psychotropic drugs (24.79%), insecticides (11.54%) and disinfectants (11.11%) constituted the bulk. Conclusion: This is the first study, in Maharashtra and one among few in the country, which has reported high preponderance of young married women among poisoning cases. Adverse male to female ratio (1000:893) in Thane district where Navi Mumbai is located, coupled with findings of high incidence of acute poisoning in females, is a clear indication of social distress among women in this part of the country.
Résumé
Background: Due to the diverse background of medical students in India and the different levels of knowledge and usage of computer, a prior assessment is necessary for improving use of computers in training tomorrow’s health professionals. Objectives: To assess computer literacy and computer use among medical students of a private medical institution. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012, students of MBBS course participated. A prestructured questionnaire in paper format collecting detail information about background, resources and a computer use scoring system based on frequency of use of computer applications was administered. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were used along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze the data with the help of Epi Info and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Results: A total of 524 students were surveyed of which 375 (71.5%) were local, from Mumbai, while 149 (28.5%) were from different states of India. Total 425 (81%) students gave history of having computer as a subject during schooling. Out of 149 nonlocal students, 42 (28.2%) were not exposed to computer during schooling. All 524 students had some or other time used either desktop or laptop; however, 39 (7.5%) of were not confident of using basic computer applications. One hundred and eighty-seven (35.7%) students regularly visited cyber café while 135 (25.8%) students were found visiting e-library of the college. There was significant difference in computer usage score in the students who had computer as a subject during schooling (p < 0.001). There was no significant gender or age difference in computer usage. Also, there was no significant difference in usage among students from Mumbai and rest of country. Conclusion: In view of improving the skills of future health professionals, the use of computers should be an integral part of medical curriculum in India. The database handling, an important skill for tomorrow’s health professionals, needs special attention. The medical colleges in India should have e-libraries with easy access to students.