Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care最新文献

Context: Chikungunya's resurgence highlights reporting and awareness challenges.

Aims: To analyze trends in 170 laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya cases in Urban Surat's Central Sentinel Surveillance (2016-2020), supplemented by a subset (n = 30) examining perceptions, attitudes, and risk reduction practices based on notification level.

Results: Notification rates peaked in 2017 (1.14 cases/100,000). A high House Index (>1) was observed in 59% (2018) and 58% (2019) of cases. Seasonal peaks occurred in November (31%) and December (24.7%), with no private sector notifications. Highest case rates were in South (9.2) and Southeast (8.1) zones. Over half of the cases in Central (69.2%), Southeast (67.2%), and South (52.8%) zones had a House Index >1 (P = 0.001), indicating significant indoor mosquito breeding. Median age was 37 years (30-43), with females comprising 65.3% of cases. Awareness of mosquitoes as vectors (40%) and their day-biting behavior (26.7%) was low, despite familiarity with Abate larvicide (60%). Prevention methods included mosquito coils (76%) and fumigation (73%), with less emphasis on water change (40%) and container maintenance (23%). Only 13% perceived Chikungunya as preventable, with low readiness for community engagement (13%). Misconceptions included considering chemical fogging sufficient (63%) and neglecting water-logging as a health concern (40%). Few implemented risk reduction measures (23% removing stagnant water, 20% weekly water change).

Conclusion: Fluctuating notifications and unnoticed surges in 2019-2020 underscore the need for continuous, standardized surveillance. Higher case rates in southern and central regions were linked to high indoor breeding. The lack of private sector reporting and underreporting indicate a need for integrated surveillance. Awareness and adoption of Aedes-specific risk reduction practices remain low, with persistent misconceptions and poor attitudes.

Background: The education levels of females have been found to aid in the early detection of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in mitigating the long-term consequences of PCOS. Nursing students are poised to become the next generation of healthcare professionals, equipped with valuable knowledge that can be utilized to increase awareness among their peers and patients, particularly about this critical subject matter.

Objective: We conducted this study to assess the current level of knowledge and perception regarding PCOS among nursing students and to evaluate the impact of structured training interventions on their baseline knowledge and perception level.

Methods: It was a single-group pre-post interventional study done on the nursing students of Govt. Nursing College. A pre-tested questionnaire was used as a study tool. Intervention in the form of a structured training program was imparted to the participants.

Results: The pre-test group exhibited a lower mean knowledge score (M = 22.5758, SD = 11.02290) than the post-test group (M = 31.3889, SD = 14.50417). A significant difference was observed in the mean knowledge scores (t = -8.107070, P = 0.00001). The pre-test group exhibited a lower mean perception score (M = 35.3535, SD = 3.79637) than the post-test group (M = 36.6616, SD = 3.79576). There was a significant difference in the mean perception score (t = -5.883333, P = 0.00001).

Conclusions: This study has shown the positive impact of relevant training on the knowledge and perception of nursing students about PCOS.

Background: Ocular allergy (OA) is one of the most common disorders worldwide, affecting millions of individuals of all ages. Public education about the disease is critical for lowering the prevalence of OAs. The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness level of OA among undergraduate students at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered online questionnaire. A total of six multiple choice questions were used to assess awareness of OA with a maximum possible score of 6. In addition, nine checkboxes and multiple-choice questions were used to evaluate knowledge of ocular allergy with a maximum possible score of 21.

Results: The study included 591 participants. The average awareness score was 3.1 ± 1.47 points. The average knowledge score was 9.41 ± 4.04 points. The average knowledge and awareness score was lower in males than in females. A higher age (>27 years) was associated with better knowledge of OA (B = 3.62, P = 0.008). The Internet was the most common source of information mentioned by the respondents (26.3%).

Conclusion: Our study showed that Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University undergraduate students had moderate knowledge and awareness of OA. Thus, additional effort is required to enhance the knowledge and awareness of OA.

Introduction: Health registries are instrumental in tracking trends in the number of people with diseases, monitoring treatment options, and assessing health outcomes. This research examines the challenges of establishing and maintaining a venous thromboembolism (VTE) registry in the Indian context.

Methods: A mixed-method approach with purposive sampling was conducted to capture the challenges faced by individuals playing key roles in the establishment and operation of the national registry on VTE. This study focused on 10 questions related to technological infrastructure, resource optimization, data collection and management, coordination and collaboration, regulatory compliance, and political influences and were documented using a semi-structured questionnaire and telephonic interviews.

Results: Technological, recruitment, and follow-up challenges were prominently highlighted with issues related to data entry, system glitches, changes to the data entry forms, and potential participant reluctance.

Conclusion: Findings from this study highlight the multifaceted challenges experienced during the establishment of a national registry on VTE. By integrating insights from our findings into suggestions, this discussion reflects the specific challenges faced by the research project and offers evidence-based strategies for mitigating these challenges.

Purpose: Undernutrition in children is a critical worldwide concern that hampers both their physical and cognitive growth. The nutritional status of school-going children and adolescents remains insufficiently addressed with no comprehensive data. This is the first study from the Himalayan foothills that aims to assess the clinical and laboratory aspects of anemia with micronutrient status in undernourished children above the age of five along with association of clinical features with anemia severity.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving children aged 5-18 years with undernutrition in a tertiary hospital in North India over eighteen months. We observed the prevalence of anemia, its morphological type, micronutrient status, clinical features, and demographic parameters of these children. The association of various clinical features and anthropometric parameters with the severity of anemia was determined.

Results: Of the 200 children who were enrolled in the study, 77% were found anemic, with the proportion of mild, moderate, and severe anemia being 18.2%, 46.8%, and 35%, respectively. Iron (67%) was the most common micronutrient deficient in these children with a significant number suffering from vitamin B12 (53.9%) deficiency. Folic acid deficiency was relatively low (10.4%). Body mass index (P = 0.009), fatigability (P = 0.001), pallor (P ≤ 0.001), poor academic performance (P = 0.023), and knuckle hyperpigmentation (P = 0.018) were significantly associated with the severity of anemia.

Conclusion: Despite the significant tread in various aspects of human development, undernutrition and anemia remain a formidable challenge, especially in developing countries. A high proportion of anemia in undernutrition indicates the gravity of the issue, yet not received the deserved attention.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neuropsychiatric disorder, is common in children and can persist into adulthood. With or without hyperactivity, it involves chronic impulsivity and inattention. Despite being a widespread illness, there is little research on ADHD knowledge and awareness among health college interns in Riyadh, KSA. Therefore, this study examined health college interns' knowledge and awareness in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered validated survey was used to gather demographics as well as knowledge and awareness scores in King Saud University, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Imam Mohammed ibn Saud, and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman, and one private Almaarefa University.

Results: This study included 322 health college interns aged 18-24; 55% were males. The Saudi Professional Practice Licensure Exams (SPPLE) were passed by 65.5% of participants from King Saud University and KSAU-HS, Riyadh's leading medical and pharmaceutical universities. They are evenly split throughout the four GPA categories. The interns knowledgeable and aware of ADHD (scored ≥ 13 on a 20-scale score) constituted 68% of the interns. Interns who passed Saudi Professional Practice Licensure Exams graduated from pharmacy and medicine schools, and had ≥4.5 or more GPAs were more knowledgeable than other interns.

Conclusion: As per our research, most health college interns in Riyadh were aware of ADHD; however, medical and pharmacy interns were more knowledgeable than others. This suggests that other health colleges should revamp their ADHD and neurological illness topics curricula.

Introduction: Klebsiella pneumoniae commonly causes healthcare-associated infections and shows multidrug resistance. K. pneumoniae can produce biofilm. Carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae is due to the production of carbapenemases mainly. This study was done to evaluate the formation of biofilm and carbapenemase resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates.

Material and methods: A total of 110 K. pneumoniae isolated from various clinical samples were taken, the antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the Kirby disk diffusion method, and biofilm detection was done by the tissue culture plate method. All the carbapenem-resistant isolates were confirmed by multiplex real-time PCR (mPCR). Those found positive for any of the carbapenemase genes were tested by the modified Hodge test (MHT), modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM), and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-modified carbapenem inactivation method (eCIM).

Results: Out of 110 isolates, 66% (72/110) were carbapenem-resistant (suggestive of carbapenemase producers) by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion but 58% (42/72) of Klebsiella isolates were confirmed for carbapenemase production by mPCR. Maximum number of carbapenemase gene were New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) 52% (N = 22), 29% (N = 12) coproducers (NDM+OXA-48), and lowest in oxacillinase (OXA-48), 19% (N = 8). The overall sensitivity of MHT and mCIM+eCIM was 62% and 93%, and specificity was 88% and 97%, respectively. Our study showed that moderate biofilm producers were 51% (N = 56) K. pneumoniae isolates, strong biofilm producers 27% (N = 30), and 22% (N = 30) were weak/non-biofilm producers. We also found the correlation between biofilm formation and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-KP) genes was statistically significant with a P value of 0.01*<0.05.

Conclusion: Most isolates of K. pneumoniae demonstrated a wide range of antibiotic resistance and were biofilm producers. Our results indicated that the combination of mCIM with eCIM showed high sensitivity and specificity to detect CR-KP compared with MHT.

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain alarmingly high in low-resource settings, with infections acquired during childbirth contributing significantly to this burden. Effective infection control measures at delivery points are crucial for mitigating these risks. This observational study aimed to assess the quality of infection control practices in delivery points in a tribal district of Maharashtra, India.

Methods: A community-based study was conducted at delivery points across eight talukas in Palghar district. A total of 15 delivery points were selected using convenient sampling, representing three levels of facilities (L1, L2 and L3) which are healthcare facilities divided on the basis of the provision of services by Maternal and Newborn Health Toolkit. Data was collected using the validated LaQshya programme's checklist through direct observation from June 1^st to June 18^th, 2021. Compliance with infection control protocols was scored based on predefined criteria.

Results: The majority of L1 delivery points showed non-compliance in criteria such as surface microbiological surveillance and monitoring of infection control practices, 20-40% of Delivery points also showed non-compliance in the availability of personal protective equipment and waste management practices.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve infection control practices in delivery points, particularly in lower-level facilities. Strengthening adherence to established protocols, enhancing staff training, ensuring availability of essential supplies and implementing robust monitoring systems are imperative for reducing the burden of maternal and neonatal infections and improving healthcare outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Context/background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the health care services worldwide, with the target of END TB 2025; it was important to make sure that the TB notification and linkage services were not hampered. The current study aims to document the overall impact of COVID-19 on TB notification and treatment services.

Aims/objectives: To document the impact of COVID-19 on notification and comparison of their outcome between pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 era.

Methodology: Programmatic data of 9893 notified TB cases reported from Surat rural between 2019 and 2021 were collected from Nikshay portal through DTO Surat. Detailed comparison of pre- and COVID-19 era was performed using stratified analysis.

Results: There was a significant (P = 0.02) 29% decline in cases reported in 2020 as compared to the cases reported in the previous year. The impact of COVID-19 was also seen on mortality of the reported cases (18% increase). The overall proportion of treatment failure was increased (28%), whereas difference of 20% was seen in cases where treatment regimen was required to be changed.

Conclusions: Despite the overall impact of COVID-19 on TB services (2020), the health department has proactively countered and bounce back in 2021 with an overall increase in notification and treatment services.