Hepatitis B and C; knowledge, attitude and behavior of health care workers at RLMC and affiliated hospitals [AMTH and HLH]

Background and Aims: The working conditions of Health care workers [HCW'S] expose them for a constant threat of contracting and spreading hepatitis B [HBV] and C virus [HCV] not only to their patients but family members as well. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude toward hepatitis B and C infection among the health-care workers and correlate the level of awareness to their behavior towards prevention of the disease

Study Settings: The study was conducted in Rashid Latif medical college and its two affiliated hospitals [Arif memorial teaching hospital and Hameed Latif Hospital]

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study

Methodology: A closed ended questionnaire was designed which consists of questions for evaluating the knowledge and attitude of the participants regarding hepatitis B and C infection. Sampling was done by convenient method. 350 participants took part in the study, which includes physicians, nurses and lab Technicians. Using the SPSS 16, we did statistical analysis

Results: Total 350 health care workers filled the forms. 52.6%[184] of them were nurses with 25.7% [90] physicians, and Lab workers were 21.7%[74]. The mean age of the participants was 25.9 years with a range from 17-59 years. The service length of 73.2% of health care workers was noted to be 1-5 year. [97.7%] participants know about hepatitis B and C. 88.6% identified blood and blood products, needles and sharps and 68.6% marked sexual intercourse routes of transmission. 56% gave opinion that Hepatitis B and C is a noso-comial infection. 70.3% reported that both infections are widely transmitted like HIV/AIDS. Almost all of the participants [83.7%] mentioned that they are in a position to acquire these infections because of their duty with patients 88% of the respondents reported vaccination against Hepatitis B as a tool of prevention. Proper disposal of sharps, a needle and blood product as a preventing measure was also written by 88%of participants. A lot of them believe that transmission of these infections can be prevented by avoiding needle/sharps injury [73.7%] and casual sex [61.1%]. 82.9 mentioned wearing of gloves while in contact with patients and 80.6% said that adequate disposal of sharps are the best ways of prevention. Complete vaccination for the hepatitis B was reported by 47.9%[174] with 36%[126] was partially vaccinated and 14.8%[52] were not vaccinated at all. No specific reason was identified for lack of vaccination. It is noted that more females [87.7%] and physician [88.9%] and Nurses [88.2%] have completed the vaccination schedule than the Lab. Technicians [75%]

Conclusion: There is a need of extensive health education campaign for training of HCWs to control and prevent the spread of these infections

Hepatitis c among young male offenders admitted to the central jail, Lahore

This study was designed to observe intraprison incidence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection among young offenders admitted to the Central Jail, Lahore. The evaluation was made incidence among 728 young inmates [aged 16 - 30 years] at the Central Jail, Lahore, between June 2009 and November 2009. Screening for Anti-HCV antibodies was performed on immunochromatographic devices and all positive and borderline cases were retested with ELISA system. Among 728 participants, 129 demonstrated serologic evidence of HCV infection. Frequency was calculated 17.7%. The study indicates that HCV infection is highly prevalent among young male offenders and highlights the need to deliver awareness, prevention, and medical management to make them a healthy and useful citizen

Impact of pesticides of renal function tests in collaboration with liver function tests among workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan

Objective: to evaluate the impact of pesticides on renal function tests in collaboration with liver function tests among workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan

Material and Methods: one hundred workers, 20-50 years of age, working at different pesticide formulation and packing units for at least one year were included in this study. One hundred healthy age and sex matched industrial workers were taken as controls. Renal function tests i.e. blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and liver function tests i.e. alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma glut amyl transferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, were performed. Screening for hepatitis Band C virus was also done to confirm that all the samples included in current study were negative for Hepatitis Band C virus

Results: in current study, mean blood urea nitrogen value for 100 control subjects was 8.37 mg/di while that of 100 pesticide industrial workers was 12. 70 mg/di. Mean serum creatinine value of 100 controls was 0.65 mg/di and that of patient population were 0.98 mg/di. These results revealed that all the hundred pesticide industrial workers had normal blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels but on the higher side as compared to control subjects. P value was significantly high. The results of liver function tests in serum samples of control subjects were within normal range. Liver function tests of 80 pesticides industrial workers out of 100 were within normal range whereas 20 workers had abnormally raised levels

Conclusion: pesticide exposure among workers of pesticide plants might cause liver toxicity

Contraceptive methods; prevalence and factors associated with practice among married males in soldier bazaar Karachi Pakistan

To estimate the knowledge, prevalence and factors associated with practice of modern contraceptive methods among currently married males of reproductive age group [20-49years] in soldier bazaar Karachi Pakistan. The study was carried out in Karachi in 2010 in area of soldier bazaar. In person interviews were carried out with150 males [Aged 20-49] from different areas of Soldier Bazaar which were taken randomly. Data was collected regarding socio-demographic features, reproductive profile, family size, knowledge, and practices of family planning services and reasons for non-use of contraception. The half of respondents has knowledge about condom [52%], IUCD [44.6%], Oral pills [43.7%], injection [41.3%] and tubal ligation [32.6%]. Knowledge about withdrawal and male sterilization [vasectomy] which are male contraceptive methods is low. Only 19.3% respondents know about all the methods and another 9.3% do not know about any method.32% respondents showed willingness to undergo vasectomy as compared to 68% who are not willing for the procedure.8% of the respondents use some of family planning methods 30% of respondents [and their wives] did not use any contraceptive method because they want more children. Surprisingly 3.5% respondents among non-users did not know about the family planning methods. Educational level has shown direct relationship with knowledge and practice of family planning. Prevalence of male contraceptive methods along with knowledge of other methods is found very low and has direct relation with attitude and practice of family planning, not only among themselves but also on the adoption of contraceptive measures of their wives