Severity of periodontal disease - a study

Current study was done to assess the severity of gingivitis and periodontitis in adult patients who were examined at the Department ofPeriodontology, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. It was conducted from September 2013 to November 2013. Six hundred patients were examined. All willing adult patients were included in the study and those who refused to give consent, edentulous patients, pregnant females, and patients with a recent history of cardiovascular disease or any other systemic disease were excluded. A printed self designed questionnaire containing demographic data and information regarding oral hygiene habits was completed by a single operator. CPITN probe was used to carry out periodontal screening. Mouth was divided into six sextants and each tooth was examined at six different sites and highest score was recorded. Codes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 were used as scoring criteria denoting good oral hygeine, bleeding on probing, presence of dental calculus, pocket depths measuring 3.5-5.5mm and pocket depths of more than 6mm respectively. Among the 600 subjects examined, mean age of respondents was 32.6 years. There were 324 [54%] males and 276 [46%] females in the study. Pocket depth of 3.5-5.5mm was observed in 264 [44%] patients and 54 [9%] patients had a pocket depth of 6 mm or more. Among the subjects 312 [52%] were illiterate. Those who belonged to urban areas were 342 [57%] where as 258 [43%] were from rural areas

Health – Seeking Behaviour of Rural Dwellers for the Treatment of Presumptive Malaria in North-Western Nigeria / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Malaria is endemic throughout Nigeria. Majority of Nigerians, 70%, live in rural areas where subsistence farming is the main occupation. Most of them live below poverty line, earning less than USD1.25 a day. Their health-seeking behaviour for treatment of malaria is infl uenced by their low socioeconomic status since cost of treating malaria varies according to type of drug prescribed and source of treatment. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the health-seeking behaviour of rural dwellers for treatment of presumptive malaria in Gimba village, a rural community of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It was conducted during Community Diagnosis posting of trained fi nal year medical students of Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, in July 2012. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from all households in the community. Data analysis was done using STATA (Version 11. Stata Corporation 2009). Most of the respondents were farmers (69.7%). The category of household members that were most affected by malaria (presumptive) were under fi ves (47.4%) followed by housewives (26.5%). Majority of the households (73%) treated their last episodes of presumptive malaria at private drug vendor shops. There was a statistically signifi cant association between cost of treatment and place of seeking treatment (p < 0.001).The result indicated that most rural dwellers patronise unprofessional drug vendors for cheaper treatment of presumptive malaria. This jeopardizes malaria control efforts. For successful malaria control, it is recommended that the treatment of malaria should be free or subsidized and policies that favour Rural Economic Development should be implemented

Efficacy and safety of tap water iontophoresis for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tap water iontophoresis [TWI] for the treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis in our local setting. Thirteen patients of idiopathic palmoplantar hyperhidrosis were enrolled in the study from the Department of Dermatology, Lahore Medical and Dental College/Ghurki Hospital and Skin Clinic, Gulberg, Lahore from May 2009 to August 2012. Two patients dropped out, and the study was completed by eleven patients. The patients were treated with TWI three times a week for six weeks and followed up at twelve weeks. Each session lasted for 20 minutes, with the polarity being reversed after 10 minutes. The results were assessed by the hyperhidrosis disease severity index, improvement of sweating on a scale of one to four and the starch-iodine test. Any adverse events were noted. All the patients responded well to the treatment with minimal discomfort. Tap water iontophoresis is a safe, effective, inexpensive and affordable treatment modality for palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. It improves quality of life significantly during treatment.

Factors Associated with Non-utilization of Freely Acquired Insecticide-treated Nets (ITNs) in a Rural Agrarian Community of North-Western Nigeria / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Nigeria ranks among countries with the highest burden of malaria. In an effort to achieve the aim of the Roll Back Malaria Programme of scaling up ITN use, the Nigerian Government distributed free ITNs to many households in the country. However, several factors were associated with non-utilisation of the ITNs. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess such factors in Gimba village, a rural community of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It was conducted during Community Diagnosis practical fi eld posting of trained fi nal year medical students of Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria, in July 2012. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from all households in the community. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done using STATA (Version 11. Stata Corporation, 2009). Most of the households own at least, one freely acquired ITN (82%). However, in 40.8% of such households, no member slept under an ITN the night before the survey. Farmers were more unlikely to use an ITN compared to non-farmers (RR = 1.89; 95% C.I = 0.78 –2.91). Instead of ITN, some farmers use “otapiapia” a cheap, unpatented, locally made pesticide for controlling mosquitoes. Also, respondents with low scores on malaria risk perception were more unlikely to use an ITN compared to those with high scores (RR = 1.08; 95% C.I = 0.94 – 1.23).The result indicated that several factors were associated with non-utilization of freely acquired ITNs. It is recommended that ITN distribution should be accompanied by Health Education on Malaria

Effects of cowdung and poultry manure on growth performance of Indian major carps [Catla catla, Labeo rohita] and exotic carp [Cyprinus carpio] in Thatta district [Sindh], Pakistan

In the manuring trials conducted in earthen ponds of 120 m[2] for one year, the juveniles of Indian major carps [Catla catla and Labeo rohita] and exotic carp [Cyprinus carpio] responded positively during warmer months i.e. March to August. The mean weight increase and mean specific growth rate [SGR] were better in the ponds fertilized with cowdung. Total growth rate per day calculated for Catla catla was 32.96 g, for Labeo rohita 95.02 g and for Cyprinus carpio 14.37 g under the influence of cowdung. Moreover individual growth rates/day were also high i.e. 2.06, 2.50 and 1.43 g, respectively. Percent contribution in fish production was 21.15%, 66.74% and 10.09%, respectively. Total growth rate of the three was significantly higher in cowdung [142.36 g] as compared to that in poultry manure i.e. 106.64 g. Both the fertilizers significantly differed in terms of monthly and treatment variations [P<0.05] except for treatment variation for Cyprinus carpio. Water treatment, light penetration, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and nitrates were highly significant [P<0.05] both for treatment and monthly variation except pH and dissolved oxygen

Effect of disinfecting solutions on the dimensional stability of alginate impression material

The aim of this study was to measure the linear shrinkage of alginate impression material in various disinfecting solutions. The two different alginates used were Blue Print Cremix [Dentsply, USA] and Hydrogum [Ivoclar vivadent, Liechtenstein] which are commercially available, whereas the two disinfectants used to measure the shrinkage of the alginates immersion materials were Perform I.D. [Schulke and Mayr, Germany] and sodium hypochlorite [Laboratories Rivadis, France]. Distilled water was used as control and air was used to simulate clinical situation. At the end of one hour Blueprint Cremix showed more shrinkage than Hydrogum in distilled water, 1% Na Hypochlorite and Perform I.D. Whereas, in air Hydrogum showed more shrinkage than BluePrint Cremix. Immersion of the two alginates in disinfecting solutions has similar effect of net shrinkage, how-ever the effect is more pronounced for BluePrint Cremix. Effect of disinfecting solutions on the dimensional stability of alginate impression material

Abdominal tuberculosis an experience at Ayub teaching hospital Abbottabad

Abdominal tuberculosis is one of the common diseases in our country. This study was performed at Surgical A Unit Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from August 2006 to December 2007 to asses the clinical presentation of abdominal tuberculosis and its management. All patients presenting to outpatient department with clinical feature suggestive of abdominal tuberculosis were included in the study. They were investigated. On the basis of clinical presentation, patients were divided in two groups. Patients with acute abdomen [peritonitis, intestinal obstruction] were prepared for laparotomy and operated upon. Required surgical procedure performed and tissue diagnosis was obtained. Patients with sub-acute obstruction, chronic pain abdomen and mass abdomen with out peritonism were managed conservatively. These patients were started on anti TB drugs on the basis of clinical and laboratory assessment. Empiric therapeutic trial was conducted for at least for 3 months with standard four drugs regimen. They were sent home on 9 month course of Anti TB drugs and were advised to come for follow up twice a month. On reassessment good clinical response was considered abdominal tuberculosis and anti TB continued with monthly follow up. In case of no response patients were operated. Required surgical intervention performed and tissue was taken to establish diagnosis. Detailed history, family history, examination findings, results of investigations, operative findings of the histologically proven cases of abdominal tuberculosis were recorded on a separate proforma and analyzed. Amongst 76 patients majority were females 52 [68.4%]. Most of the patients were young with mean age of 34 years. Abdominal pain was the most common presentation 73 [96%] followed by fever and anorexia. Tender lower abdomen as found in 53 [70%] patients and mass abdomen was found in 35 [46%]. Family history of TB was present in 20 [26%]. Fifty three [70%] patients underwent laparotomy. Bands and adhesion was the most frequent finding on laparotomy. Abdominal TB is more common in female and abdominal pain fever and nausea are the most common presentations

survey of hepatitis B infection awareness and prevalence of vaccinated dental students in teaching institutions of Karachi

The Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is an extremely infectious blood borne pathogen. There are estimated 350 million chronic carriers worldwide. 1 In comparison to other viruses, HBV differs mainly in its higher infectivity and preventability. Several published reports have raised concerns over the risk of medical students related to occupational blood exposures during the clinical medical training. 27, 29 It is important to emphasize that the training period in dentistry is associated with a greater frequency of exposure to blood borne pathogens than in medicine. 30 Such hazardous exposures are not infrequent among local health care workers. Further the training of undergraduates is also not well structured to prepare and prevent them from occupational exposures of infections. We conducted a survey to determine the awareness of hepatitis B virus infection and prevalence of vaccinated dental students in the teaching institutions of Karachi. A questionnaire survey was conducted about awareness, prevention, transmission of hepatitis B infection and vaccination against hepatitis B, from students of all five dental institutes in Karachi. Total of 590 students replied, with 243 [42%] students from pre-clinical and 347 [58%] from the clinical years. Frequency of vaccinated dental students was 86.16% in clinical whereas 74.89 among pre clinical students [p-value 0.01]. Knowledge of transmission and awareness was high amongst the clinical students as compared with pre-clinical [p-value 0.01]. Preclinical students were more aware about the prevention of HBV infection than clinical students [p-value 0.01]. A considerable proportion of students is not vaccinated against hepatitis B. In our sample clinical dental students had inadequate knowledge regarding prevention of HBV infection. Strategies need to be developed by the concerned authorities for prevention HBV infection in dental professional during their training and education

Assessment of nursing training programs

A descriptive study was conducted and carried out for the period of June 1st 2004 through December 20th 2004. Is using the assessment as an approach for identification of the nursing training program's needs. Non-probability [purposive] sample of [50] trainers and [150] trainees which were drawn out of the early stated training centers in Baghdad city. For the purpose of data collection, an assessment tool was designed that contained [126] items, content demographic characteristics and assessment of nursing training programs from trainers and trainees' point of view. A pilot study was conducted for the determination of the reliability and the content validity of the assessment tool. The data were collected through the use of the assessment tool and the application of the structured interview technique. The data were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistical data analysis approach [frequency and percentage] and inferential statistical data analysis approach [mean of scores, chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficient procedure]. Study revealed that there was a significant relationship and association of the training programs' needs with respect to the trainers and trainees points of view, and the majority of the trainers were young adult males and college of nursing graduated, the majority of the trainees were young adult male also and high institutes graduated. The investigator recommended by, periodic follow-up, monitoring and evaluation for training programs, establishment of training resources center for training supplies, training oriented library can be established in each center of training, all training resources should be sufficiently available with wide-range resources particularly the financial ones, establishment of curriculum construction committees and periodically distributed training publications that increase nurses awareness towards training

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of urinary bladder: [LELCA]

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the bladder [LELCA] is an uncommon neoplasm of the urinary bladder and up till now only 49 cases have been reported in the English literature. It is imperative to distinguish between lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and malignant lymphoma as primary bladder lymphoma is extremely rare. We report a case of a 55 year old lady who presented with the complaint of burning micturition and gross hematuria for the past 5 months. There were no other known co-morbids. Pelvic ultrasound was normal. Cystoscopy showed a 4x4 cm sessile mass in the bladder. Histopathological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma like carcinoma of the urinary bladder