RESUMO
Background: Tuberculosis is among the most important causes of death from a single infectious agent and a major public health problem causing an enormous burden of disease and economic impact especially in the developing countries. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form of tuberculosis causing >85% of all tuberculosis cases. The smear conversion rate is an operational indicator for the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in DMC, RRMCH, in the first two quarters of the year 2013 i.e., from January 1st to June 31st of the year 2013. All 130 adult category I (new) sputum smear positive cases that attended DMC, and registered under RNTCP constituted the sample for the study. Data was collected by interview method by using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.Results: Majority of the study subjects was >50 years, Hindus, illiterates, belonged to nuclear family from rural area belonged to upper lower socio-economic class. The overall sputum smear conversion rate is 92.4%. Lower sputum smear conversion rate was observed in the following risk factors like the male gender, smoking, diabetes, initial high pre-treatment smear grading and poor drug compliance.Conclusions: The overall sputum conversion rate at the end of two months of intensive phase under (DOTS) chemotherapy in 118 sputum smear positive (cat I) new pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Designated Microscopy and Treatment Centre (DMC) Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital was 92.4%.
RESUMO
Background: Adolescence in girls signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood; one fifth of world population is between 10 and 19 years old. Menstruation is a phenomenon unique to the females. Menstruation is a monthly occurrence that requires access to appropriate materials and facilities, without which, females suffer from poor menstrual hygiene which restricts their movement and self-confidence. Increased knowledge about menstruation right from childhood may escalate safe practices and may help in mitigating the suffering of millions of women.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 adolescent girls in a rural field practice area of S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences. Data on socio-economic variables and menstrual characteristics were collected using pre-tested questionnaires for a period of two months from September to October 2018.Results: Total of 200 girls was interviewed. 87.6% of the girls were aware about menstruation prior to the attainment of menarche. Mothers were the first informants in about 56.5% girls. Overall 51.5% adolescent girls were using sanitary napkins as menstrual absorbent, while 45.6% were using used cloths. 97.6% girls practiced different restrictions during menstruation. Some of the sociodemographic factors like religion, type of family and mother’s education, SES were significantly associated with menstrual hygienic practices.Conclusions: There is a need to educate the girls about menstruation, its importance and hygiene maintenance; to enable them to lead a healthy reproductive life in future.