Introduction of web based e-learning in pharmacology: an innovative way

Background: In current scenario, poor attendances in classes and poor performances of students are a stimulus to think beyond the conventional teaching approach. Being current digital generation, students may show their affection to e-learning. Aim of this study was to introduce the e-learning in Pharmacology with objectives to evaluate its acceptability by students and faculties and learning gain of studentsMethods: Four inter-related e- modules for a topic “drugs used in treatment of bronchial asthma” were prepared and provided to the students. Pre-test was conducted before giving E-modules. Students were instructed to complete the e-modules in seven days and post-test was conducted on last day. Feedbacks from students and faculties were collected. Learning gain of students was evaluated along with their acceptability for e-modules.Results: Total of 147 students participated in the study but, 130 students completed pre-test and post-test, both. The absolute learning gain (% post-test score - % pre-test score) was found 23.3±19.2%. The class average normalized learning gain was found 0.32 (32%) that was significant, as per Hake’s criteria for the effectiveness of educational interventions. Slow speed of internet, background noise in modules, and size of e-modules were some technical problem faced by students. The most of students perceived the modules positively and demanded the e-modules for other topics. The faculties also perceived it positively and suggested to use e-modules additionally to classroom lectures.Conclusions: E-learning modules were taken positively by students and faculties and resulted in significant learning gain.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex linn. fruits

This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits in selected experimental animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity of  Pedalium murex Linn., with doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by Lambda-carrageenan induced paw oedema in Wistar albinorats; analgesic activity with doses of 280 mg/kg and 560 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in Swiss albino mice; and antipyretic activity with doses of 110 mg/kg and 220 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated in New Zealand white rabbits by injecting gram –ve lipopolysaccharide obtained from E. coli. Results were analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison test.  Pedalium murex Linn. showed significant anti-inflammatory activity from 15 min to 180 min as compared to vehicle treated animals. It was comparable to diclofenac sodium at 180 min. The extract did not prolong the reaction time on hot plate method but significantly reduced the number of writhing after acetic acid administration. Also the extract did not show any antipyretic activity on lipopolysaccharide induced pyrexia. It is therefore concluded that the ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits has an anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic effects.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Pedalium murex Linn., Carrageena

Pattern of adverse drug reactions into psychiatric patients

Background: To analyse adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported in patients prescribed psychiatric medications at tertiary care hospital.Methods: ADRs reported in psychiatric patients between January 2011 to June 2017 were analyzed for demographic details, causal drugs, system organ classification, causality assessment (WHO-UMC criteria and Naranjo’s scale), preventability (Modified Schumock and Thorton’s criteria) and severity (Hartwing scale).Results: A total 4368 ADRs were reported during study period, out of which 658 (15.06%) were in psychiatric patients. The mean age of patients was 38±13.34 years and men (57.3%) were most commonly affected than women (42.7%). The most common causal drug groups were antidepressants (29.48%) followed by antipsychotics (23.12%) which include drug fluoxetine (33.9%) and olanzapine (34.3%) respectively. The most common system involved were central nervous system (32.8%) followed by gastrointestinal system (22.8%). Most of ADRs (42.7%) were observed after one month of therapy and showed possible (77%) causal relation with drug therapy. Majority of ADRs (77.4%) were not preventable and mild in nature (83.3%).Conclusions: ADRs are commonly seen in psychiatric patients. Hence, their monitoring and assessment in these patients who require multidrug and long-term therapy may help improve patient management

Analysis of spontaneously reported adverse drug reactions to pharmacovigilance cell of a tertiary care hospital

Background: The objective of the study was to study the clinical patterns, causality and severity of adverse drug reactions in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: Total 131 ADR forms were collected from January 2012 to December 2012 and evaluated. Patient’s characteristics, ADR and drug characteristics, causality, severity and preventability of collected ADR were analyzed.Results: Total 131 ADR forms were evaluated. Male patient experiencing ADR were more (73, 55.7%) than female (58, 44.2%). Adult patients (12-60 years) experienced 110 (84%) ADR followed by pediatric patients (60 years) 10 (7.63%). Antimicrobial were the most common group of drugs responsible for ADR followed by NSAIDs and antipsychotic group.Conclusions: Present study shows lack of awareness among health care professionals for reporting of an ADR. Training and collaboration of health care professionals are needed for improvement in ADR reporting. Appropriate feedback from ADR reporting will help in selection of drug and promotes safer use of drugs

Knowledge and attitude towards emergency contraception among undergraduate medical students

Background: Studying the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards emergency contraception, as they are the future medical professionals and they will serve as the main channel for providing proper knowledge and making positive impression of it in general population. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students towards emergency contraception.Methods: Medical students were given pre-validated questionnaire and divided in two groups. Group A students did not learn about emergency contraception, whereas group B students learnt about it. Interview of both groups were conducted separately. For group A, 1 hour seminar was conducted and after 7 days, same questionnaire was provided again for data collection.Results: 154 students were included in group A whereas 162 students in group B. Average knowledge and attitude was significantly increased after seminar in group A [knowledge 41±16.88% vs. 59.32±14.46%; P<0.05; attitude 36.24±10.93 vs. 41.5±10.87; P<0.05]. Average knowledge of group B students was 64.73±12.15% whereas average attitude score was 42.9±9.79. Amongst all, 86.4%, 87% and 89.3% students were not able to describe about emergency contraception, different methods and advantages of intra-uterine device as emergency contraception, respectively. There are 82.1% students showed positive interest in learning more about emergency contraception and 70.1% agreed to recommend its use in future. Students having good knowledge showed more positive attitude towards emergency contraception [r= 0.41, P<0.05].Conclusions: Students have poor knowledge of special issues arises with emergency contraception. Proper attention should be given to these aspects during their teaching. Students have shown their positive interest to learn more about emergency contraception. Objective based seminar will be more helpful in improving knowledge and attitude

Prescribing pattern in patients of asthma visiting outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional, observational study

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate the prescribing pattern in patients of asthma visiting outpatient departments.Methods: Collected prescriptions were analyzed for demographic variables, proportions of various comorbid conditions, average number of drugs per prescription, average number of anti-asthmatic drugs per prescription, proportion of prescription with antibiotics, fixed dose combinations, and generic/brand names, proportion of formulations utilized, proportion of concomitant medications and possible drug interactions, average cost per prescription, average cost of antiasthmatic drugs per prescription, proportion of irrational prescription and adverse drug reactions.Results: Total 139 prescriptions were evaluated. Deriphyllin was the most commonly prescribed anti-asthmatic drug followed by beta agonist- steroid combination. Majority drugs were prescribed by inhalational route. Deriphyllin, and dexamethasone were prescribed by oral route and salbutamol was by both oral and inhalational route of administration. Antibiotics were prescribed to 24 patients. Possible drug interaction with deriphyllin was found in 15 prescriptions. Average cost per prescription was Rs. 193.4 (95%CI: 171.6-215.3).Conclusions: Prescribing pattern of asthma in our hospital shows more use of anti-asthmatic drugs. Standard treatment guideline should be followed. Role of methylxanthine in long term management of asthma should be justified

Drug utilization pattern of antimicrobial agents in an outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care hospital: a prospective, cross-sectional study

Background: Study based on antimicrobial drug utilization pattern and focus on factors related to prescribing, administering and its associated events. The aim of this study is to assess the prescribing patterns of antimicrobials, to assess the appropriateness of prescribed antimicrobials in an ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections.Methods: A prospective observational drug utilization study was carried out in otorhinolaryngology department for a period of 4 months. Patients who attended the ENT outpatient department (OPD) with ENT infections were included in the study and patients who were not willing to participate in the study were excluded and the data were analyzed.Results: Out of 155 patients, the average number of drugs per patient was 1.2. The percentage of drugs prescribed with the generic name was 26.32%. During this study, it was found that the most commonly prescribed groups of antimicrobials were penicillins (34.87%) followed by fluroqinolones (26.32%) and nitroimidazole (25%). During the study, it was observed that 46.71% patients visited for treating ear infections, 12.5% for nasal infections and 40.79% for throat infections. The routes of administration were oral (74.23%) and topical (20.10%).Conclusions: Our study shows some rational prescription patterns like less utilization of antimicrobials in ENT infections and were according to standard treatment guideline. The results of this study will be useful in future for making standard treatment guidelines. It also promotes the rational prescription and rational use of drugs

EVALUATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANALGESIC, AND ANTIPYRETIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PEDALIUM MUREX LINN. FRUITS

This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits, in selected experimental animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity of Pedalium murex Linn. with doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by λ-carrageenan induced paw oedema in wistar albino rats; analgesic activity with doses of 280 mg/kg and 560 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in swiss albino mice; and antipyretic activity with doses of 110 mg/kg and 220 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated in Newzealand white rabbits by injecting gram –ve lipopolysaccharide obtained from E. coli. Results were analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison test. Pedalium murex Linn. showed significant anti-inflammatory activity from 15 min to 180 min as compared to vehicle treated animals. It was comparable to diclofenac sodium at 180 min. It did not prolong the reaction time on hot plate method but significantly reduced the number of writhing after acetic acid administration. It didn’t show any antipyretic activity on lipopolysaccharide induced pyrexia. Ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits have an anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic effects

Undernutrition among rural school-age children: a major public health challenge for an aspirational district in Karnataka, India

BackgroundFor school-age children, a healthy transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood depends on proper nutrition. Globally, most nutritional surveys focus on preschool and adolescents, neglecting school-age children. Recent studies have shown the prevalence of thinness among adolescents to be 26.5% in Karnataka. Similarly, among children aged &lt; 5 years in the Raichur district, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and being underweight was 39.8, 23.2, and 40.7%, respectively. The present study aimed to bridge the data gap between &lt; 5 years of children and adolescents through a nutritional survey of school-going children in Raichur, one of the aspirational districts of India.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to March 2020 among rural school-age children (n = 2700) in 30 villages of the Raichur district of Karnataka, India. The school children were selected through a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The WHO Anthro-plus software was used for calculating the age and sex-specific Z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), and BMI-for-age (BAZ).ResultsOf the 2,700 school-age children surveyed, the mean weight and height were 22.2 kg (+5.8) and 124.9 cm (+11.6), respectively. The prevalence of children having weight-for-age Z-scores &lt; −2 SD (Underweight) was 45.3% (95% CI: 42.7%−47.8%). The magnitude of stunting and severe stunting was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.0%−21.0%) and 7.6% (95% CI: 6.6%−8.6%), respectively. The proportion of children with BMI for age Z-scores &lt; −2SD (thinness) was 43% (95% CI: 41.1%−44.9%), with sub-district Sindhanur having a dual burden of malnutrition.ConclusionDespite many flagship programs, the prevalence of undernutrition in school-age children remains a considerable public health problem in the aspirational district of Raichur, India. Furthermore, exploratory studies are recommended to identify the factors associated with undernutrition among school-age children and strategize evidence-based intervention