TB related stigma and gender disparity among unaffected population in central Kerala, a survey.

BACKGROUND: TB continues to ravage high burden countries despite aggressive TB control measures. Poverty and adverse socioeconomic and cultural factors play a significant role in stigmatization, causing delayed health care seeking, non-compliance to treatment and spread of disease in the community. Women are more vulnerable to stigmatization, posing the risk of gender inequality in health care. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the degree of stigmatization and gender disparity in TB related stigma in the community. METHODS: Study was conducted among TB unaffected persons, using consecutive sampling from bystanders of patients attending the hospital for diseases other than TB. Closed structured questionnaire was used for measuring socio-demographic, knowledge and stigma variables. Stigma scoring was done using TB vignette. RESULTS: Majority subjects (119 males and 102 females) were from rural area and low socioeconomic status; more than 60% of males and females having college education. Half the subjects answered more than half the TB knowledge questions correctly. Knowledge score was significantly lower among females compared with males (p < 0.002) despite high literacy. Overall stigma scoring was low (mean score = 15.9; total 75). Stigma was higher among females compared with males (p < 0.002); more profound among females receiving female vignettes (Chi-square = 14.1, p < 0.0001). The association was significant even after adjusting for co-variables (OR = 3.323, P = 0.005). Low knowledge showed minimal (statistically insignificant) association with stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived stigma though low, was more among females and much higher with female vignette, indicating significant gender disparity in stigma towards TB.

Comparative evaluation of oral melatonin and oral clonidine for the attenuation of haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation-A prospective randomised double blind study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation cause significant derangement of the haemodynamic parameters proving detrimental for some patients. Clonidine, an α-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, and melatonin, the pineal hormone, have been used for the attenuation of these haemodynamic responses. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral melatonin and clonidine in attenuating the haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective randomised double-blind study, 60 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II patients aged 20-60 years of either gender scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly divided into Group M and Group C and orally received 6 mg of melatonin and 0.2 mg of clonidine, respectively, 120 min before the induction of anaesthesia. The haemodynamic parameters-heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and rate -pressure product(RPP) were recorded before and 120 min after the administration of the study drug, before induction, immediately after intubation and at 1, 3, 5 and 10 min following intubation. Sedation was assessed using the Ramsay Sedation Scale. The qualitative and quantitative variables were analysed using Chi square test and unpaired student t test, respectively. For intragroup comparison of quantitative data, paired t test was applied. A P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: A significant difference was noted between the groups regarding HR and RPP 0, 1, 3 and 5 min after intubation. The Ramsay sedation score ranged between 2 and 3 at all time intervals. CONCLUSION: Although both the drugs are effective, oral melatonin proved superior to oral clonidine in attenuating the haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation without any side effects.

Comparison of ropivacaine (0.2%) with or without clonidine 1 µg/kg for epidural labor analgesia: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim is to determine the effect of addition of clonidine to ropivacaine for epidural labor analgesia with regard to onset of analgesia, duration of analgesia, neonatal outcome, and quality of analgesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 term parturients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I and II with uncomplicated pregnancy, vertex presentation, posted for on-demand epidural labor analgesia after informed consent were divided in two groups. Group R (n = 30) patients received 10 ml solution comprising 0.2% ropivacaine. Group RC (n = 30) patients received a total of 10 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine and clonidine 1 µg/kg. Characteristics of the block, onset and duration of analgesia, and total analgesic requirements were noted. Pain and overall satisfaction scores were assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale. Mode of delivery and neonatal APGAR scores were recorded. RESULTS: Maternal demographic characteristics were comparable between the groups. Addition of clonidine to ropivacaine shortened the onset and prolonged the duration of analgesia with decrease in ropivacaine requirement in Group RC. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding visual analog score and quality of analgesia, which was better in Group RC. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding motor block, hemodynamic parameters, and neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: We conclude that clonidine in low doses is a useful adjuvant to local anesthetics for epidural labor analgesia and a good alternative to opioids.

Post Extubation Bronchospasm in an Undiagnosed Case of Ascariasis: Anaesthetic Challenges.

One of the most prevalent parasitic infestation is ascariasis which poses a great challenge to both the person being infested with and the treating medical team. We present here a case of round worm (Ascaris lumbricoides) infestation. A 40-year-old male, weighing 60 kg, diagnosed as perforation peritonitis, was scheduled for emergency exploratory laparotomy. The round worm was crawling out from duodenal perforation vent during laparotomy confirming the infestation. Patient later developed bronchospasm in post-extubation period and was managed accordingly. Surprisingly the patient expelled an adult worm in the next morning. This report highlights the importance of anticipating complications (i.e., airway obstruction, bronchospasm, etc.,) in an undiagnosed case of round worm infestation, especially if routine investigations were within normal limits.

Attenuation of pressor response following intubation: Efficacy of nitro-glycerine lingual spray.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The role of nitro-glycerine (NTG) lingual spray for attenuation of the hemodynamic response associated with intubation is not much investigated. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of NTG lingual pump or pen spray in attenuation of intubation induced hemodynamic responses and to elucidate the optimum dose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 90 adult patients of ASA I, II, 18-60 year posted for elective general surgery under general anesthesia with intubation were randomly allocated to three groups as Group C (control) - receiving no NTG spray, Group N1 - receiving 1 NTG spray and Group N2 - receiving 2 NTG spray one minute before intubation. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate were recorded at baseline, just before intubation (i.e., 60 s just after induction and NTG spray), immediately after intubation, at 1, 2, 5 and 10 min after intubation. RESULTS: Incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in Group C (60%, n = 18) as compared to Group N1 and N2 (10%, n = 3 each), P < 0.01. Mean value of SBP, DBP and MAP showed a significant rise as compared to baseline, following intubation in control group (15.31% in SBP, 12.12% in DBP, 17.77% in MAP) that persisted till 5 min, while no significant rise was observed in Group N1 and N2. There was a trend toward fall in blood pressure in Group N2 (4.95% fall in SBP, 4.72% fall in MAP) 1-min following spray, which was clinically insignificant. Mean value of SBP, DBP and MAP was significantly higher in Group C than in Group N1, which was in turn greater than Group N2 (Group C > N1> N2), P < 0.05. However, incidence of tachycardia was comparable in three groups (70% in group C, 63.33% in Group N1 and 67.77% in Group N2, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the NTG lingual spray in dose of 0.4 mg (1 spray) or 0.8 mg (2 sprays) was effective in attenuation of intubation induced hemodynamic response, in terms of preventing significant rise in SBP, DBP and MAP compared to control group.

Antimicrobial prescription patterns for common acute infections in some rural & urban health facilities of India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Irrational use of antimicrobials is a key factor behind rapidly spreading antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms. This study was undertaken to determine the rate and pattern of antimicrobial prescribing in patients with uncomplicated acute respiratory infections, fever and diarrhoea attending a few rural and urban health settings. METHODS: The study was done in primary and secondary health care facilities of public/government and private settings at four sites in India. Patients with fever, cough, diarrhoea or ear, nose or throat infections of < 7 days were included. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants, seriously ill patients and patients with bloody diarrhoea or purulent nasal or ear discharge were excluded. RESULTS: Overall antimicrobial prescription rate was 69.4 per cent (95% CI 67.1, 71.7). Wide variation was observed (Thiruvananthapuram 47.6%, Lucknow 81.8%, Chennai 73.1% and Vellore 76.5%). Physicians practicing in rural and public/government settings prescribed antimicrobials more frequently than those in urban and private settings (83.8, 81.9, 68.3 and 68.2% respectively). Antimicrobials were more frequently prescribed for patients presenting with fever. Highest rate was noticed for children aged between 6 and 18 yr. Patients of the high-income group received antimicrobials more frequently (72.7%). In both public/ government and private settings, for patients who purchased medicines, the rate was higher (82.4 and 68.9% respectively), vs. those receiving free medicines (70.2 and 46.2% respectively). Two third of all antimicrobials prescribed were penicillins and co-trimoxazole, and > 40 per cent of prescriptions from private sector were quinolones and cephalosporins. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that prescription of antimicrobials for acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea was extremely common and warrants interventional strategies.