ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) as a treatment modality for chronic rhinosinusitis refractory to maximal medical therapy in the elderly population. ESS has gained importance over the past 2-3 decades. A prospective review of outcome was done in fifty seven patients over age of 60 years who underwent ESS. They were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months with a rigid nasal endoscopy scoring system, and the Sino Nasal Outcome Test-20 questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Student's t test to compare mean scores. All complications were noted. All of the patients in the study reported postoperative symptomatic improvement. And it was concluded that ESS in the geriatric population is a safe and effective treatment modality for rhinosinusitis which is refractory to medical therapy.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is a matter of grave concern that a girl child continues to be insecure and vulnerable in the state of Punjab. To ingrain gender equality in social system, it is very important to make community an important stakeholder to deal with the situation. This study focuses on the awareness and perceptions of anganwadi workers regarding girl child discrimination and female feticide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2206 anganwadi workers between the age group of 20-70 years of different blocks of Ludhiana district, Punjab, were enrolled. They had come for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) Training Workshop, organized at Urban Health Centre, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data were analyzed in terms of proportions. RESULTS: Study subjects showed high level of awareness about female feticide (98.8%). A majority of the subjects (93.3%) agreed to the fact that practice of discrimination is being followed between boys and girls. They were also of the opinion that this practice is harmful and it should be stopped (98.9%). Various contributing factors enumerated by them included sons are intelligent, carry on family lineage, and they take care of their parents in old age. Regarding perception of anganwadi workers for curbing this social evil, 70.7% of subjects were of the view that by giving equal opportunities, equal status to girls, and empowering girls, this practice can be stopped, while 42.4% of the subjects were of the view that increasing awareness among the rural women, parents, and family is the solution to stop this practice. CONCLUSION: The anganwadi workers had optimum level of awareness about female feticide and almost all of them strongly felt that this harmful practice should be stopped altogether.
