Impact of educational intervention on the tuberculosis knowledge among the medical students, Chennai

Background: Knowledge of tuberculosis has recognized as important tool to prevent the occupational risk of contracting tuberculosis among the medical students. Though tuberculosis health education has been recognized in the medical college’s curriculum, the studies suggest the lack of knowledge of this killer disease among the medical students. This study was conducted with objective to assess level of knowledge of tuberculosis among the medical students and impact of education intervention on their knowledge.Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Chennai from January to March 2019 with a sample size of 119. The participants were assessed using a pre-tested, semi- structured questionnaire. An educational intervention was given through audio visual aid and post-test was conducted after one month. The median scores were calculated and Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied.Results: Among the study participants, the mean age was 20.32±0.7 years. There was a significant improvement in the adequate knowledge of etiology, risk factors, clinical features and treatment following health education intervention. The post-test median score was statistically significant in all the domains of knowledge.Conclusions: The study showed poor existing knowledge of tuberculosis among the medical students which improved with an educational intervention which implies a need to revamp the undergraduate curriculum to improve the knowledge and practices among medical students.

Multi-organ visualization in a DMSA renal scan of a nine-year-old male with reflux nephropathy

We present a case of a 9-year-old mole whose follow-up DMSA renal scan showed increased background activity with radio tracer uptake in the liver, cardiac pool, and blood vessels. The possible causes of this unusual finding were discussed. With the patient's medical history, his recent laboratory work-ups and after excluding all other possible causes, we come to a conclusion that the multi-organ visualization in our patient's DMSA renal scan was a result of his medical condition of chronic kidney disease secondary to reflux nephropathy.

G6PD deficiency in Vataliya Prajapati community settled in Surat.

BACKGROUND: A Study on Vataliya Prajapati was published earlier but heterozygous females were not identified. AIMS: To compare incidence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in random and unrelated subjects, present and previous study and as per their original habitat. Incidence of heterozygous deficiency and clinical implication of deficiency was also determined. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Camps were organized in Katargaon and Amroli regions. Blood specimens, with relevant demographic information, were collected from those who attended the camp. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A total of 1644 random blood samples were collected from 404 families participating in the camps. Nitroblue tetrazolium dye test was used for G6PD deficiency screening and quantitative assay for measurement of G6PD enzyme activity. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi2 test was used to evaluate significance and mean values were compared by the Student's ''t'' test. RESULTS: Incidence of G6PD deficiency was found as 22% among all the random samples tested. However, the G6PD deficiency among unrelated members was 27.9% in males and 12.4% (P< 0.001,df 1). The 13.9% of the females with heterozygous G6PD deficient status, together with the homozygous deficient phenotype makes the incidence comparable with males. Incidence of deficiency was comparable with previous study, in Katargam and Amroli and in Amerli and Bhavganar districts. Deficient subjects had mild anemia and hemolytic crisis rarely occurred. CONCLUSION: Vataliya Prajapatis have high incidence of G6PD deficiency without severe chronic hemolytic anemia. However before prescribing medicines physician should know the G6PD status of a Vataliya Prajapati patient.