RESUMO
Background: The problem of irrational use of medicines is prevalent in rural India. For safe and proper use of medicines there is a need to understand the proper way of taking medicines. Teaching proper use of medicines is the most neglected domain of the school health curriculum. So this study targeted school going children in rural area of India as the earlier the intervention, the more firmly longer lasting health related behavior can be successfully inculcated. The objectives of the study were (1) To study base level knowledge about use of medicines and (2) To implement and see the effect of an intervention to increase medicine knowledge in the form of information, education and communication (IEC) in rural school children. Methods: This was an interventional, questionnaire based (quantitative) study in which an intervention in the form of lectures which was given to school children. Rural school going children in age group of13-15 years were selected from 3 different schools of rural areas of Nagpur district, India. 500 school children were included after obtaining permission from school authorities and informed consent from their parents. Pretesting done by administering a questionnaire containing 20 questions to assess children's base level knowledge about medicine use. The same questionnaire was repeated on 16th and 45th day of intervention i.e. daily lectures of 25-30 minutes for 15 days on proper use of medicines, to judge the improvement. Results: It was observed that the interventions brought about a positive change in the knowledge of the students as well as increased awareness about proper use of medicines. Conclusions: This study showed that properly timed and meticulously implemented intervention can bring about a positive change in the attitude and knowledge of school children.
RESUMO
Background: Neuropathic pain conditions are prevalent in general population and difficult to treat. Most currently available therapies do not provide adequate benefit in all treated patients. Though Paracetamol is available for more than 100 years and have huge safety data, it is still not included in any treatment guidelines for neuropathic pain, as very few studies have evaluated its effects in neuropathic pain conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate antihyperalgesic activity of paracetamol and to compare it with antihyperalgesic effect of amitriptyline and gabapentin in rat model of thermal hyperalgesia. Methods: Male albino wistar rats weighing 200-250 g of body weight and 4-6 months old were used. After anaesthetizing rats with 2% halothane, mild thermal injury was induced using hot plate analgesiometer. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes after thermal injury. Paw withdrawal latencies were measured at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after drug administration. Statistical analysis done using GraphPad Prism version 5.01 and one way ANOVA followed by post hoc Dunnett's test or Tukey's test were used. Results: Paracetamol showed both dose as well as time dependent antihyperalgesic activity. Gabapentin demonstrated significantly more antihyperalgesic activity compared to amitriptyline (p< 0.05) and paracetamol (p< 0.01). Conclusions: Paracetamol showed antihyperalgesic activity however, it was less as compared to drugs like gabapentin and amitriptyline. Considering the excellent safety profile of paracetamol, it might be useful adjuvant drug for treatment of neuropathic pain conditions.
RESUMO
Background: Sleep disturbances and decline in the physical functionality are common conditions associated with aging. Pharmacological treatment of sleep disturbances can be associated with various adverse effects. Short term trials of Yoga on sleep have shown benefi cial effects. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of long-term Yoga exercises on sleep quality and quality of life (QOL) in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected from elderly people aged 60 years or more living in Nagpur city. We employed two types of survey questionnaires: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and QOL Leiden-Padua (LEIPAD) Questionnaire. A total of 65 elderly men and women who signed an informed consent and completed questionnaires were included in the study. Sleep quality score PSQI and QOL (LEIPAD Questionnaire) score of the study group were evaluated and compared with the control group using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Total PSQI score in Yoga group was lower than that of the control group. Also various QOL scores of the Yoga groups were higher than the control group. Conclusion: Addition of regular Yoga exercises in the daily routine of elderly people can help to achieve good sleep quality as well as improve the QOL.