RESUMO
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortatlity worldwide. Malnourishment in COPD patients is very common and is a prognostic factor in its treatment. The present study has been conducted to assess nutritional status in COPD patients and its correlation with severity of disease. Methods: This institutional based analytical cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at tertiary care hospital in Himachal Pradesh (India) from 1 Dec 2017 to 31st May 2018. A total of 52 COPD participants attending the pulmonary Medicine OPD and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Results: All participants reported being smoker since long with the mean years of smoking since 31 years and about 13.6 cigarettes being smoked per day. 22 (42%) of the participants were undernourished as per BMI criteria But when compared with MUAC criteria, a large number 38 (73%) came out to be undernourished. haemoglobin and cholesterol levels were less in patients with severe diseases than mild and moderate category (76.9%). Conclusions: The malnourishment and severity of the disease has direct correlation. More the severity of COPD, more is the malnourishment. Biochemical parameters, although not deranged significantly in any group, but more on the lower side in patients with severe COPD. There is a need for regular nutritional assessment of every COPD patient and recommendation of supplementary food for them.
RESUMO
Background: Tuberculosis has remained a disease of public health importance since ages and is known to inflict large quantum of socioeconomic cost on the society. Since nurses are in direct contact with both hospitalised and ambulatory patients, they are likely to play a vital role in the effective implementation of the RNTCP. The present study attempts to evaluate the awareness of nurses about TB.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care institute, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan for period of 1 year. Data was collected from 180 staff nurses and appropriate statistical tests were applied for evaluation of the same.Results: Knowledge regarding the predisposing factors causing the disease, first line drugs under DOTS treatment, full form of DOTS, patient wise boxes and about the side effects of the treatment were comparatively low among the subjects.Conclusions: Nurses are directly handling and managing patients but the knowledge and awareness of tuberculosis was not satisfactory among them. Therefore efforts must be made to organize regular workshops and periodic seminars to upgrade their knowledge.
RESUMO
Investigations were carried out to assess the generation and disposal of biomedical waste in the various medical establishments in the urban and rural areas of the U.T. Chandigarh. It was found that there were 474 medical establishments in the U.T., Chandigarh including Nursing Homes, Clinics, Dispensaries, Pathological labs., Hospitals, Veterinary Institutions and Animal houses. The total quantity of bio-medical waste generated in Chandigarh is 811.35 kg/day and the rate of generation of bio-medical waste varies from 0.06 kg/day/bed to 0.25 kg/day/bed. Though the major hospitals are equipped with incinerators, proper bio-medical waste management system is yet to be implemented. The medical establishments in the rural area and smaller ones in the urban area dispose off their bio-medical waste along with municipal solid waste and no waste management system exists. It is recommended that an integrated waste management plan using the three incinerators installed at the major hospitals can safely dispose off the total bio-medical waste generated in the city.