Health monitoring of farm labourers engaged in MIPC 50 WP field sprays.

Investigations were undertaken to monitor the health status of farm labourers engaged in field sprays of MIPC 50 WP (Hexamicin, Mipcin), a carbamate insecticide on cotton crop, as per the protocol approved by the Central Insecticide Board The insecticide sprays (0.1%) were undertaken for six hr on three consecutive days on 1.2 hectares of cotton crop per day, using Aspee napsak sprayers. The spray personnel (mixers, loaders and sprayers) with protective clothing did not reveal any alteration in clinical, hematological and blood bio-chemical profile during exposure and post exposure periods. The spray personnel without protective clothing showed only a marginal reduction in their blood cholinesterase activity during the exposure period.

Studies on the effect of isoprocarb (MIPC 50 WP) on livestock.

Different species of livestock was exposed to isoprocarb (MIPC 50 WP) sprays to monitor their health status. Exposure of livestock (calves, sheep, dogs and RIR birds) to 0.1 percent isoprocarb sprays on cotton crop for 6 hours a day for three consecutive days, showed no adverse effects on evident from clinical hematological and biochemical observations.

The pattern of 'drop-out' of smear-positive cases at an urban leprosy centre.

One hundred nineteen smear-positive leprosy cases registered at an urban leprosy centre in Bombay in 1991 were followed for three years to study the 'drop-out' pattern in them and judge the utility of some corrective measures for the same. The measures included having maps showing exact location of the patient's residence, paying home visits on registration days and subsequent persuasion and counselling both at the clinic and at the residence of patients. The results were compared with 'drop-out' in smear-positive cases registered at the same centre in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. By introduction of the special measures, the 'drop-out' rate was significantly reduced from 52% (for other years) to 36% (1991). The expenses incurred for the successful recovery of 'drop-out prone' patients and ensuring regularity in drug intake was Rs. 659/- per patient. This study of 'drop-out' patient shows that there are three categories of the so-called drop-outs: (i) the false 'drop-outs' (51%): these patients get transfer as per their convenience to other leprosy centres or medical services (private practitioners or consultants) within the city (ii) drop-outs due to migration: the migration is forced on them due to some genuine reason, and (iii) persistent offenders: this is a group of adamant, non co-operative, or, distressed patients. For the first two category of patients it is advisable to introduce a good referral system. For the recalcitrant defaulters, supervised short-term drug therapy will probably be the best option.