Amanita Nephrotoxic Syndrome: Presumptive First Case Report on the Indian Subcontinent.

Mushroom poisoning is a rare cause of acute kidney injury. Here, we present a case with presumed Amanita nephrotoxic syndrome, a first of its kind from the Indian subcontinent.

Compliance to occupational safety measures among the paramedical workers in a tertiary hospital in Karnataka, South India.

BACKGROUND: The guidelines for minimizing occupational health risk from exposure to highly infectious diseases is already established but little information exists on the compliance of these measures among paramedical workers in India. OBJECTIVE: To study the awareness of occupational safety measures such as universal precautions, biomedical waste handling, disposal and its compliance in their daily practice. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in a tertiary private hospital in Karnataka, Bangalore, India. Data was collected using a pretested and predesigned proforma from 120 respondents: 85 nurses and 35 laboratory technicians. RESULTS: 27 (32%) nurses and 20 (57%) laboratory technicians could relate universal precautions to infection prevention. Only 6 (7%) nurses and 2 (6%) technicians had knowledge about proper hospital waste segregation. 45 (52.9%) nurses and 15 (42.8%) technicians had knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis. 3 (4%) nurses and 9 (26%) technicians were formally trained in following universal precautions. Adequate hand washing was practiced among 17 (20%) nurses and none of the technicians. Faulty practice such as recapping of needle was prevalent among 57 (67%) nurses and 29 (83%) technicians. 32 (38%) nurses and 10 (29%) technicians received hepatitis B vaccine. CONCLUSION: As knowledge and practice regarding different aspects of universal precautions was not satisfactory, training was warranted urgently in the study population. Also, suggestions were made to develop and implement institutional policies on the universal precautions and ensuring supply of personal protection equipment.

Impact assessment of IEC campaign during anti-malaria month, June 1998 through KABP study.

To assess the IEC Campaign during anti malaria month (June, 98), a base line KABP study through pre-assessment and post-assessment was conducted in the State of Gujarat (four districts namely Ahmedabad, Dang, Panchmahal and Baroda). The study was carried out based on questionnaire (open and closed) developed by NAMP in the randomly selected population. A rapid assessment of the current level of KABP among a sample of population before and after the observance of anti-malaria month. The results of the KABP study revealed that there is definite impact (between 2.18 to 30%) and change in the KABP of the local people, where intensive and continuous I.E.C. activities are being undertaken. In order to achieve the desired change in knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice of the respondents, it requires continuous I.E.C. campaign throughout the year. The attitude, behaviour and practice in the hard core areas need special efforts, where maximum efforts are required to bring a change in. It should be taken more intensively in the problematic and hardcore areas on priority basis.

Preventing dengue/dengue haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in the National Capital Territory of Delhi--the role of entomological surveillance.

Outbreaks of Dengue/Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever have been occurring in the National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhi from time to time. A massive outbreak of Dengue/DHF causing considerable mortality occurred in 1996 in the NCT, Delhi. Since this outbreak regular entomological surveillance has been instituted, for timely preventive action against Dengue/DHF. The Central Cross Checking Organisation (CCO) of the National Malaria Eradication Programme cross-checks Aedes surveillance activities in Delhi. In this paper we present our experiences in entomological surveillance in relation Dengue, to share them with other workers in this field.

'Anti-malaria month'--a step forward in multisectoral collaboration and community involvement in malaria control.

For a long time malaria control in India has largely been a government responsibility with little involvement of the community at large, and other sectors of the economy in the control efforts. There is now increasing realisation that involvement of the community and a multi-sectoral approach should be essential components of the malaria control strategy. The National Malaria Eradication Programme is accordingly laying greater emphasis on coordination with other sectors of the economy, and changing community perceptions and health-related behaviour. A massive programme of community mobilisation with this objective in view has been taken up since 1997. A major component of this community mobilisation programme is the observance of an 'Anti-Malaria Month', during which, country wide awareness campaigns are undertaken at all levels of implementation, to promote inter-sectoral collaboration and community action for malaria control. The present paper summarises the rationale and messages of the 'Anti-Malaria month'.