Evaluation of the surface changes in enamel and dentin due to possibility of thermal overheating induced by Erbium:YAG laser radiation.

This study investigates the thermal danger of Erbium (Er):YAG laser ablation. Classical preparation techniques have many disadvantages caused by unfavorable changes of temperature, pressure, and by mechanical vibrations. The effect of mechanical vibrations and pressure is eliminated by use of laser ablation technique. The purpose of this study was to analyze the side effects resulting from thermal changes of enamel and dentin in extracted human teeth subjected to pulsed Er:YAG laser radiation using both wet and dry ablation methods. The micrographs of the sections were checked and measured afterwards. The effect of the investigated laser irradiation on the origin of cracks was analyzed in the scanning electron microscope. The hard structures of the teeth were observed under transmitted and polarized light. The occurrence of cracks can be directly correlated to overheating during dry enamel ablation, because heat is generated by absorption of the laser beam by enamel and dentin. The addition of water mist during irradiation not only enables rapid ablation of enamel and dentin, but offers thermal protection to the pulp. The heat changes to the pulp caused by an energy level of 200 mJ from the tested laser system may be reduced by adding a fine water spray during the lasing procedure.

Contraceptive social marketing in Nepal: consumer and retailer knowledge, needs and experience.

In 1986, a survey was conducted to assess knowledge, health concerns and experience with marketing (retailers) and use (consumers) of Gulaf and Nilocon pills and Kamal vaginal tablets distributed by the Nepal Contraceptive Retail Sales Company (CRS). A sample of 763 consumers of Gulaf, Nilocon and Indian pills and Kamal vaginal tablets, and 361 retailers from a stratified sample of urban medical shops were interviewed. The CRS marketing programme is reaching people who have previously never used family planning; most of the users were practising contraception to limit, not space, births; a high proportion of pill users over 35 smoked; only about a third of CRS pill users had prescriptions or consulted a physician prior to use; CRS training of retailers was found to have increased their knowledge. Recommendations are made for improving communication, education and marketing of CRS contraceptives to ensure their safe and effective use and increase the acceptability of this mode of service delivery.

PIP: A 1986 evaluation of the Nepal Contraceptive Retail Sales (CRS) program indicated that, while there is a need for improvements in IEC and marketing of subsidized contraceptives, the program is reaching unprecedented numbers of 1st-time family planning acceptors. The sample included 763 users of Gulaf, Nilocon, and Indian oral contraceptives (OCs) and Kamal vaginal tablets and 361 retailers from urban medical shops. 91% of the acceptors had learned of CRS products through radio advertisements. Only half made the contraceptive purchase themselves. Convenience--proximity to home or work and less waiting time--was the major reason given for buying contraceptives from private medical shops rather than government sources (where contraceptive supplies are free). 75% of Gulaf consumers and 50% of Nilocon and Kamal consumers were 1st-time contraceptives users, indicating that the CRS is reaching a new audience. Gulaf users were of lower socioeconomic status than acceptors of the other CRS products. Both consumers and retailers have a good basic understanding of the contraindications, method of use, and side effects of OCs and the vaginal foaming tablet. On the other hand, there were important gaps in knowledge. For example, retailers were not clear that Kamal can be used by lactating women and unsure of how to counsel consumers who had missed 3 consecutive pills. In addition, 6% of Gulaf and 8% of Nilocon consumers were smokers over 35 years of age--a category of women for whom OC use is contraindicated. Married, higher educated retailers had the highest levels of correct knowledge about CRS products. It appeared that husbands who purchased contraceptives for their wives either were not given adequate information about proper use or failed to transmit this information. Retailers expressed interest in expanding their stock to include Depo-Provera, pregnancy detection kits, and delivery kits.

Towards a systematic sharing of population information.

PIP: Population information can be defined as that which disseminates knowledge regarding population and related concepts. It is geared towards users as population information would facilitate decisions in policy and related issues. Population information includes primary and secondary information on population as well as areas such as family planning, health and nutrition, family welfare, demography, and other related social and biological sciences. The task of the channeler in bridging the gap between producers and users of population information is to ensure that all population information relevant to those concerned with population and its problems is disseminated in a manner appropriate to the respective situations for the respective users. The 3 basic functions of a channeler are to process the materials received from producers to be disseminated to users, to identify and analyze the information needed by users to be suggested to producers, and to feed back to producers information materials disseminated to users. Utilization of information which is disseminated from a clearinghouse can be evaluated, but to evaluate procedures, practices have to be defined carefully. Simple techniques which are reliable and valid should be utilized depending on country-specific situations.^ieng