A study of contaminated sharp injury and associated morbidity among health care workers

Background: Needles are one of the biomedical waste materials generated during the treatment or procedure in the hospital. Improper handling, capping or disposal technique causes a major health hazard among the health care workers (HCWs). Needle stick injuries (NSIs) can occur accidentally at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose needle. The aim of the present study were to find out the burden of chronic morbid condition due to NSIs to HCWs, to find out various risk factors responsible for causing chronic disease to HCWs and to suggest the prevention and control of needle stick injury among the HCWs.Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted among HCWs. Sample size was estimated by using standard formula and 312 HCWs were taken in study. Equal number of respondent was taken from each group. The information has been collected and data entry has been done using specific software SPSS version 20.0.Results: Most of the HCWs were infected with hepatitis B (24.0%) followed by hepatitis C virus (8.7%) and HIV (1.9%) after the percutaneous injuries with needle of infectious patients during any intervention procedures of the patients.Conclusions: Occupational exposures to percutaneous injuries are substantial source of infections with blood borne pathogens among health-care workers because of the poor practice as well as not opting personal protective equipment’s during intervention process regarding preventive and control measures. These infections are highly preventable and should be eliminated.

Perception of RTIs/STDs among women of reproductive age group in a District of Uttar Pradesh.

A cross sectional study was conducted during May-June 2010 among woman of reproductive age group (15-45 years) in the urban and the rural areas of Bareilly District to asses the level of awareness regarding RTIs/STDs. The two stage cluster sampling technique was adopted. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the study participants during the house to house surveys. Each woman of reproductive age of selected household was interviewed in private about her reproductive history, current knowledge, source of information and modes of transmission of RTIs/STDs. Statistical analysis was done with Epi Info computer software. Standard Normal Variate (SNV) Test for comparison of two groups’ proportion was done; z and p were calculated to know the significance of the proportions of two groups for comparison. Most of the women were aware of RTIs/STDs (80.32%) in urban areas whereas only 27.41% in rural areas were aware of these diseases. The television and radio was the main source of information in both rural (41.17% & 32.94%) and urban areas (TV-90.36%, Radio-48.19%).

Evaluation of primary immunization coverage in an urban area of Bareilly city using cluster sampling technique.

Infectious diseases are major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. One of the most cost effective and easy methods for the child survival is immunization. Objective of present study was to find out the various reasons for partial or non immunization of child and to assess the factors associated with immunization. The present cross sectional study was carried out in urban slums of Bareilly city from April 2010 to Aug. 2010 using 30 by 7 cluster sampling technique. A total of seven children aged 12-23 months were interviewed from each cluster on pre tested, predesigned schedule, thus giving us the sample size of 210.Chi square test was applied for statistical analysis. Two third children (61.9%) were found to be fully immunized. Immunization coverage was high for BCG (92.86%) and lowest for measles (62.38%). Most common reason (50%) for partial and non immunization of children was found to be ignorance on the part of parents. Religion, education of both mother and father was found to be significantly associated with immunization status. The need of the hour is to make routine immunization a “felt need” of the community. Increasing the knowledge and understanding of the caretakers of the young children about the essentiality and benefits of routine immunization would be a strong step forward in achieving the goals.

Lymphatic filariasis.

Lymphatic Filariasis / Elephantiasis is a disfiguring illness causing swelling: a chronic disease in which parasitic worms obstruct the lymphatic system, causing enlargement of parts of the body, e.g. the legs. We recently came across a young lady with an advanced stage of disease. Her agony and horrifying look of right leg propelled us to report her case in order to highlight the prevalence of disease and increase the awareness, so that necessary preventive measures can be taken up at an early stage for better community health.

Effect of long-term dehydration on serum constituents in extreme climatic conditions in camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Eight healthy female adult camels were used to study the effect of long term dehydration on serum constituents in extreme climatic conditions viz. cold and hot. The dehydration phases were of 24 days in cold and 13 days in hot conditions. The changes in sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus were non significant (P > 0.05) while in chloride, glucose, total proteins, urea, bilirubin, cholesterol and creatinine were significant (P < or = 0.05) during dehydration phase. The mean values of all the constituents tended to return to normal as the rehydration phase advanced. Changes in sodium and potassium in dehydrated camels reflected that they were able to maintain the salt balance.

Modified Levinson's test in rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

Modified Levinson's precipitation test was done in 64 cases of TBM, 54 cases of TBM with inconsistent CSF finding, and 32 cases of pyogenic meningitis. The test was positive in 93.7% cases of TBM (sensitivity, 93.7%), 85.5% cases of TBM with doubtful diagnosis and in 9.4% cases of pyogenic meningitis (specificity 90.6%) compared to 79.7%, 72.2% and 18.8% in original Levinson's test, respectively. With CSF examination only 66% cases of TBM could be diagnosed while with modified Levinson's test and CSF analysis 89% cases could be diagnosed (p < 0.001). So modified Levinson's test for diagnosis of TBM is better than Levinson's test (p < 0.05) with an added advantage of time saving.

Surgical manifestations of ascariasis in childhood.

Amongst 50 patients with surgical complications of Ascaris lumbricoides 35 patients (70%) were treated conservatively and 15 patients (30%) required surgical intervention which included squeezing of worms to distal colon, resection and anastomosis of ileum, appendicectomy and peritoneal lavage. Intestinal perforation was observed in 3 cases. Two patients (4%) died because of postoperative complications. Those presenting with subacute intestinal obstruction had no mortality or morbidity. Although a large number of roundworms were seen in the jejunum, the obstruction was generally observed in the distal ileum.