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Malaria, sometimes called the “king of diseases” is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted by nine Anopheline species out of which six are primary vectors. This hospital based descriptive study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen detection tests for diagnosis of malaria by immunochromatography (ICT) as compared to microscopic examination for detection of malarial parasites by Leishman, Field’s and Giemsa stains.METHODSThis study was undertaken in the Department of Microbiology and samples were collected from December 2017 to November 2018. Patients with fever without any history of treatment with antimalarials were included in this study. A total of 200 blood samples were collected and subjected to microscopy and ICT by three different commercially available kits. Stains used for staining thick and thin smears were acquired from HiMedia (Mumbai).RESULTSOut of the 200 patients, 128 (64.0%) were male and 72 (36.0%) were females. Maximum number of cases were from the Department of Medicine 57.0% followed by the Department of Paediatrics 32.5%. Majority of the cases were seen in the post monsoon season 31.5% followed by summer and monsoon season 29.0% and 55/200 respectively. Least number of cases were seen in winter 12.0%. ICT was positive in 26% of cases and 24% were positive on microscopy. Plasmodium vivax infection was seen in 60%, Plasmodium falciparum was seen in 33 % and 7% had mixed infection. Positivity of Giemsa, Leishman and Field’s stain was found to be 24%, 22.5% and 15.6% respectively. Positivity of Parahit total, Paramax 3 and Is It Medsource was found to be 26%, 24% and 14.5% respectively.CONCLUSIONSMalaria is still a major public health concern. In this study, Plasmodium vivax was more common. Sensitivity of ICT was found to be better than microscopy. This study gives a basic insight about malaria and the problems associated with its diagnosis in a rural setup.
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Background & Objective: Self-medication is defined as medication taken on the patient own initiative or on the advice of pharmacist or any other lay person. Unavailability of qualified medical personnel in rural areas pushes the rural households for self-medication practices. The present study was conducted to elicit the self-medication pattern among rural households and its indicators across various socio-demographic parameters. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 household. The study was carried during November 2013 to January 2014. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used for the study. The door to door approached was used. Out of 1500 household, 270 were sampled in this study. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis was done by using Microsoft excel 2007.Result: Medicine was available in 46.7%. Among these medicine Antibiotics was most commonly available (84.1%), followed by Antipyretics (74.6%), Analgesic (64.3%), anti-histaminic (58.7%), Multivitamin (24.6%).Fever was the most common indication (83.3%) for self-medication, followed by Body ache/Headache (51.6%). Diarrhea (53.2%), Cough (61.9%) Weakness (23.8%). In 11.1% household medicine was found expired. 77.8% of household check expiry before use medicines. Unavailability of qualified doctor (36.5%) was most common reason for self-medication. Responded were getting these medicine from medical shops either by telling symptoms (38.1%) or by using empty blister/bottle (30.2%).Conclusion: Self-medication is increasing at alarming pace. There is need to ensure community education, safety and efficacy of self-medication.
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Extensive use of antibiotics have resulted in development of resistance among most commonly used drugs in community acquired urinary tract infection (UTI). This study was conducted to identify the resistance pattern in community acquired UTI .We collected urine for routine examination and culture from suprapubic urine in all the cases to avoid any contamination. E. Coli was the most common organism identified. Among oral antibiotics, there was high degree of resistance to penicillin group and cephalosporin groups. Among parentral antibiotics, all the cephalosporins were variably resistant except cephaperazonesalbactum.