Sexually transmitted infections in long distance truck drivers.

A study was undertaken in 670 long distance truck drivers to investigate prevalence of sexually transmitted infections--STI (HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis-B infection and gonorrhoea) in Nagpur City, Central India. Standard laboratory procedures were followed for carrying out investigations i.e. ELISA for HIV infection, VDRL for syphilis, RPHA for hepatitis-B infection and gram staining for gonorrhoea. A total of 293 (43.7%) subjects had one or more sign/symptoms suggestive of STIs. The prevalence of HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis-B infection and gonorrhoea was observed to be 15.2%, 21.9%, 5.1% and 6.7% respectively. In conclusion, this study recognized that long distance truck drivers were at high risk for getting STIs including HIV infection.

Maternal age as a risk factor for stillbirth.

To Detect the risk of still birth in different maternal age, five year (1st January 1993 to 31st December 1997) record of Government Medical College, Nagpur were analysed. The rate of stillbirth was 2.5% (1138 stillbirth out of 46,443 deliveries) which was significantly associated with increasing maternal age (x2 = 182.3, df = 4, p < 0.001). Teenage pregnancy and elderly pregnancy were in significant risk as compared to 20-29 years age group for stillbirth (OR = 1.6, 95% C1 1.1-2.5; OR 2.6, 95% CI = 1.9-3.5 respectively).

National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme: need for change in current age strategy.

Child survival and Safe Motherhood Programme emphasises on giving vitamin A prophylaxis upto three years of age only, contrary to earlier practice of its administration upto six years of age, based on the assumption of reduction of serious manifestations of vitamin A deficiency three years of age onwards. A cross-sectional study enrolling 1094 children was done to investigate vitamin A deficiency in under six children in urban slums of Nagpur city in Central India in post CSSM scenario. Clinical as well as subclinical (detected by abnormal conjunctival impression cytology) assessment of vitamin A status was performed according to standard procedures, as per WHO recommendations. The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 8.7%. Only milder manifestations of xerophthalmia were observed. Significantly higher prevalence of xerophthalmia was observed in more than three years of age. Although nonsignificant, higher prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was observed in above three years of age group. In view of current age strategy for vitamin A supplementation (< or = 3 years) and observed higher prevalence of clinical and subclinical vitamin A deficiency above three years of age in this study (also endorsed by earlier studies) a call for review of current age strategy for vitamin A supplementation is warranted.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in hairdressers.

The present cross sectional study with comparison group was undertaken to assess the lung function of hairdressers by Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) using Wright peak flow meter. Total 385 hairdressers and 770 controls were included in the study. PEFR was observed to be reduced in hairdressers compared with controls. The difference was significant (P < 0.01) above 45 years of age. Also with increasing duration of exposure observed PEFR was reduced than expected. Above 20 years of length of service, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Smokers in hairdressing occupation had reduced PEFR than in control group, though this difference was not significant. Thus, we conclude that hairdresser's environment adversly affects their lung function and smoking may potentiate the adverse effect.

Knowledge and practices about HIV transmission among barbers of Nagpur City.

The present study was carried out in south zone of Nagpur city to assess knowledge and practices regarding HIV transmission of 375 barbers selected randomly from three different categories of saloons. A significantly large proportion of the roadside barbers were ignorant about modes of transmission of HIV, particularly through the blades. The practices observed by barbers ae found to be favourable for transmission of HIV, more so in roadside barbers. Hence it can be concluded that practices observed by barbers may favour transmission of HIV and there is a scope for educational intervention.

Teenage pregnancy outcome: a record based study.

Present record based study was undertaken in Medical record section of Government medical college, Nagpur, to assess teenage as a risk factor for pregnancy complications, outcome, and operative or assisted delivery. Five year (January 1993 to December 1997) data was scanned, which gave sample of 1830 teenage pregnancies; while equal number of subsequent partly matched controls (> 20.29 years) were taken. Results showed proportion of low birth weight baby to be significantly greater in teenagers (p < 0.001). Operative interference was significantly greater in adult pregnancies (p < 0.001). Though stillbirth and preterm delivery was more in cases, difference was not statistically significant. Similarly toxaemia of pregnancy, premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, accidental haemorrhage though more in adult pregnancies was statistically not significant. There were no differences in cogenital anamoly and twins between cases and controls. But breech deliveries were significantly (p < 0.001) more in adults.

Subclinical vitamin A deficiency in undersix children in Nagpur, India.

The present cross sectional study was carried out to estimate prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency among undersix children by using conjunctival impression cytology in urban slums of Nagpur city in central India. The study population included 308 non-xerophthalmic undersix children selected randomly. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed by standard procedure. Out of 308 children 110 (35.7%) had subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Increasing prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was non-significantly associated with advancing age. Higher prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency was observed in severely malnourished children. The prevalence of subclinical vitamin A deficiency observed in this study (35.7%) is much more than the criteria laid down by WHO, which warrants community wide intervention. This problem assumes more significance because they are apparently healthy and if timely vitamin A supplementation is not given, any intercurrent infection is likely to worsen the vitamin A status and result in known consequences of xerophthalmia.