Accessibility and availability of maternal and reproductive health care services: ensuring health equity among rural women in Southern India.

INTRODUCTION: The health of women is of particular concern because they often have greater health needs than men and many women still lack access to quality healthcare services, preventing their ability to attain the best possible level of health. Hence, this study aimed to assess the accessibility and availability of health services among rural women. METHODS: A household survey was conducted by using a multi-stage sample with 407 married women aged 18-45 years, having at least one child and living in Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu were recruited for this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data about the demographic status, and accessibility and availability of health services. RESULTS: Of the 407 respondents, 70% were aged between 26 and 40 years, 73% were working as farmers and labourers and 77% were living in nuclear families. 71% of them had enjoyed hospital facilities near their residence and 83% of the hospitals were run by the government. In village health nurse service (VHN), 34% of the respondents had received all services from VHN and 86% did not face any kind of gender inequality and almost all of them were satisfied with the service provided by the VHN. Almost all the respondents (98%) were satisfied with the availability of health services and 92% of them benefited from the government scheme related to childbirth. CONCLUSION: This study showed that overall, the women were satisfied with the availability of healthcare services and reproductive health services. Moreover, almost all of them benefited from the government scheme related to childbirth.

Adverse reactions after Covid-19 vaccination in persons affected by leprosy: A scoping review.

Background: Leprosy reactions are the main pathway leading to severe nerve damage and disability. These reactions can occur at any time. The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic led to a catastrophic loss of human life and has had a devastating impact on persons affected by leprosy. Objective: To achieve deep insight into the subject of adverse reactions acquired after Covid vaccinations in persons affected by leprosy through a literature review. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted in the studies published between July 2021 and June 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Results: Using the search strategy, a total of 130 articles were found, of which five were relevant to the study. The adverse reactions were acquired mostly in males [9 (81.8%)]; the majority of them belong to borderline tuberculoid [4 (36.4%)], and most of them were released from treatment (multi-drug therapy) [7 (63.6%)]. Conclusion: Surveillance and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are essential; even minor AEFI should be reported and documented in a line list.

Estudio de convivientes de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico / No disponible

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del estudio es cribar convivientes de personas diagnosticadas de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico en un centro de referencia. MÉTODOS: El estudio hospitalario incorporo a 334 personas recién diagnosticadas de lepra con un elevado índice bacteriológico. El hospital de referencia es el de Champa, Chhattisgarh, India. Se anotaron todos los convivientes de estos casos registrados de lepra y se les ofreció ser examinados. RESULTADOS: De 334 casos con un índice bacteriológico elevado (IB), 252 (75%) eran varones y 82 (25%) mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 75 años. Sesenta y dos (18%) presentaron discapacidad Grado 2 y un 32% presentaron un índice bacteriológico mayor de 5 en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron un total de 1,397 convivientes para cribaje y 678 (49%) fueron examinados clínicamente para detectar lepra. Ciento dieciséis convivientes presentaron signos de lepra y, de entre ellos, 57 (44%) se identificaron como nuevos casos, 11 (10%) como casos conocidos en tratamiento y 48 (41%) habían sido tratados anteriormente por la enfermedad. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio revela que el cribaje de convivientes de pacientes con elevados IB es un método efectivo para la detección de posibles nuevos casos y enfatiza la necesidad continua de cribaje y seguimiento. La educación sanitaria y la motivación de los convivientes incrementara su presentación voluntaria para ser cribados y así detectar nuevos casos

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to screen household contacts of persons diagnosed with leprosy having a high bacterial index, at a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: This hospital based study involved 334 persons who were newly diagnosed as leprosy with a high bacterial index, attending a tertiary referral hospital, Champa, Chhattisgarh, India. We enumerated all the household contacts of registered cases and invited them to be screened for leprosy. RESULTS: Of 334 high BI cases, 252 (75%) were male and 82 (25%) were female, with ages ranging from 12 to 75 years. Sixty two (18%) had Grade 2 disability and 32% had a bacterial index of above 5+ at the time of diagnosis. A total of 1,397 household members were enrolled for screening and 678 (49%) were examined for leprosy. One hundred and sixteen household members were found to have signs of leprosy, and among these, 57 (49%) were identified as new cases, 11 (10%) were known cases on treatment and 48 (41%) had been previously treated for leprosy. CONCLUSION: This study showed that screening of household contacts of high BI cases is an effective method of leprosy case detection and emphasizes the continuing need to screen and follow up. Continued health education and motivation of household contacts will enhance voluntary reporting for periodical screening

Progressive muscle relaxation technique on anxiety and depression among persons affected by leprosy.

Anxiety and depression have been found to be increasing among people with leprosy and it may lead to decreased social participation. The progressive muscle relaxation technique (PMRT) is widely used today in choice of treatment for reducing the anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of PMRT in reducing anxiety and depression among the hospitalized leprosy affected person in a tertiary care centre. This study is a case series of 50 leprosy affected people aged between 18-60 years who were admitted for leprosy complications in tertiary leprosy referral hospital. The Anxiety-Depression scale was developed and validated by the investigators and administered before intervention of PMRT and after 2 weeks. The follow-up assessment was done at 6 weeks after the initial intervention. The finding shows that a statistically significant difference was observed on anxiety domain before and after application of PMRT. The anxiety means score showed steady decline from 6.76 at pretest to 3.0 (t=25.068, P≤0.001) at post test and 1.12 (t=22.679, P≤0.001) at follow-up. In depression domain, a statistically significant difference was seen in before and after application of PMRT. The depression means score showed steady decline from 6.92 at pre test to 3.28 (t=16.082, P≤0.001) at post test and to 1.16 (t=18.918, P≤0.001) at follow-up. This study proved that the PMRT as a valid treatment option for hospitalized person with leprosy in minimizing the anxiety and depression related symptoms and to benefit the psychosocial wellbeing of leprosy affected patients.