Record based study of snake bite cases admitted at Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College & Hospital, Yavatmal (Maharashtra).

The present hospital record based cross-sectional study was undertaken with the objectives of finding out the epidemiological profile of snake bite cases admitted in Shri V. N. Govt. Medical College and hospital during the period of 1998-2002. The data was collected from the filled case papers of snake bite cases, through medical record section under the department of PSM and analyzed manually. The outcome of snake bite treatment was noted and defined. Proportional case rate of snake bite cases varied from 6.8 per 1000 admissions in 1998 to 6.0 per 1000 in 2002. Snake bite cases were seen among Males (69.4%), 97.4% of cases were agricultural workers and labourers. The cases seen during the period of June to Aug (35.5%) followed by Septeber to November (33.5%). About 78.7% of the victims either got relived or cured with a experienced mortality 4.3%.

Development and validation of risk scoring system for prediction of cancer cervix.

A Hospital based group matched case-control study was conducted to devise a risk scoring system for the prediction of cancer cervix at the Gynecology Clinic, Government Medical College Hospital, Nagpur, India. The study consisted of 230 cases of cancer cervix (histopathologically confirmed) and equal number of controls, group matched for age. The risk factors considered were Illiteracy, long duration of married life (>25 years), Early Menarche (<13 years), marital status (widow, separated, divorcee), multiparity (> 3), h/o abortion, h/o tobacco use, h/o passive smoking, poor genital hygiene, (grade III & IV) and low socioeconomic status. Statistical Analysis included unconditional multiple logistic regression analysis Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The overall predictive accuracy was calculated by Wilcoxon statistic as an equivalent of area under ROC curve. Five risk factors, illiteracy, poor genital hygiene, long duration of married life, multiparity and early menarche were identified to be significantly associated with cancer cervix. These factors were given statistical weights of 13, 10, 7, 5 and 5 respectively. A total score of 21 was found to be the best cut off for prediction and the overall predictive accuracy of the risk scoring system was calculated to be 0.74(0.67 - 0.81). In case of consistent further validation using other data sets this additive risk scoring system can be used for reducing the cost of universal screening by subjecting only high-risk subjects to laboratory screening procedure (Pap smear) in population setting.

Risk factors for cancer cervix: a case control study.

The present hospital based, group matched case control study was carried out at Gynaecology clinic, Govt. Medical College Hospital, Nagpur, to study risk factors for cancer cervix and investigate their independent and interactive role in the outcome of cervical cancer. The study included 230 cases of cancer cervix and equal number of controls, group matched for age. Univariate analysis included 17 hypothesised risk factors for cancer cervix and identified significance of 10 risk factors. However multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis recognised and confirmed the significance of illiteracy, poor genital hygiene, long duration of married life, multiparity and early menarche in the ultimate outcome of cancer cervix. Estimates of Attributable Risk Proportions (ARP) and Population Attributable Risk Proportion (PARP) endorsed the etiological and preventable role of these risk factors, respectively. Considering the public health impact of elimination of these risk factors on the cancer cervix problem in this population, development of a preventive strategy based on these risk factors would be an appropriate step towards curtailment of this "Biggest Scourge of womankind".

Parity as a risk factor for cancer cervix.

The present hospital based, group matched case control study was carried out at Gynecology Clinic, Govt. Medical College hospital, Nagpur, to investigate role of parity in the outcome of cancer cervix. The study included 230 cases of cancer cervix and equal number of controls, matched for age. The study identified significance of multiparity, as a risk factor for cancer cervix. Estimates of attributable risk proportion (ARP) and population attributable risk proportion (PARP) endorsed etiological and preventable role of multiparity in the outcome of cervical cancer, respectively.

A study of some etiological factors and morbid conditions in mentally handicapped children.

In the present study most of the subjects belonged to mild and moderate degree of mental handicap i.e. 30.8% and 44.9% respectively while severe degree of mental handicap was present in 22.7% subject. The factors responsible for mental handicap include prenatal factors (34.6%), perinatal factors (15.1%) and post natal factors (37.9%). In 12.4% cases etiology was not known. The associated behaviour problems were observed in 33% of the study subjects while other morbid conditions were present in 47% of the study subjects.

Sequential pattern of non-medical drug use in the drug career of opiate dependents in Nagpur, India.

A study was carried out in a group of opiate addicts who reported to various centers in Nagpur city, India, to know the sequential pattern of nonmedical drug use in the drug career of opiate dependents in Nagpur. The mean age of the study group was 28.2 years, the majority were males, educated up to 10th standard, employed in various occupations like petty business, vehicle driving, etc, with an average monthly income of Rs. 316. The average number of drugs ever used per person was 3.7 +/- 1.2, those recently used was 2.6 +/- 0.9 and currently used was 2.2 +/- 0.6. The study group experienced 13 drug types in their addict careers. Beedi¿cigarette was the first drug abused by the majority. Drug careers starting with beedi¿cigarette, progressing to alcohol and then to canabis and finally to heroin were observed in a majority of subjects. There appeared to be a shift from multidrug use to the singular combination of heroin and beedi¿cigarette currently. Use of all other drugs declined in favor of heroin as the career progressed. The study indicates that preventive programs should be directed at reducing the use of initial drugs like beedi¿cigarette and alcohol and also reducing the social acceptability of these drugs as measure for preventing progression to hard drugs like heroin.