3 research outputs found
A questionnaire-based study to assess the knowledge, attitude and behaviour about leprosy among paramedical staff in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai
Background: The paramedical staff has an important part in the management of leprosy patients. They have a role in counselling, wound management, performing investigations etc. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of paramedical workers in a tertiary care hospital in Chennai.Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised of 100 paramedical workers of which 41 were males and 59 were females. Following classes of workers were included: nursing staff, auxiliary nursing midwives, ASHA workers, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and allied medical workers. Of these, the nursing staff comprised of the highest proportion (44%). The paramedical workers were given a questionnaire consisting of their demographic profile and further 32 questions to assess knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards leprosy. The data hence obtained over a period of 1 month was later systematically analysed.Results: The knowledge of paramedical workers was considered sufficient in the nursing staff, ANM and ASHA workers. It was consistently found that those workers who had some experience in the field of leprosy (39%) showed good level of knowledge, while others had a scope for improvement. The paramedical workers’ attitudes and behaviour were deemed to be overall appropriate, while there is a clear need to improve outreach initiatives in order to properly train them.Conclusions: The training of paramedical workers in leprosy should be prioritised. They are the initial point of contact for patients. There should be a greater emphasis on raising awareness and providing accurate information about the disease
Trichoscopic Patterns of Scalp Dermatoses: An Observational Cross-sectional Study
Introduction: Trichoscopy is a well-acclaimed diagnostic tool
for numerous dermatoses. Scalp disorders contribute to a
significant percentage of daily visits to the outpatient dermatology
department, and a multitude of trichoscopic signs have been
documented in the literature. The consistency and repeatability
of these signs add weight to their diagnostic value.
Aim: To determine the various trichoscopic patterns observed in
classical cases of scalp dermatoses and to differentiate between
different scalp disorders.
Materials and Methods: The present observational crosssectional study included 100 newly diagnosed cases of scalp
dermatoses attending the Dermatology Outpatient Department
at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
The study was conducted over a period of six months (180
days) from December 2021 to May 2022. After obtaining a
thorough history and conducting clinical examinations, patients
underwent trichoscopy. Photographs were taken, and the data
obtained were systematically tabulated. The scalp disorders
studied included Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), Alopecia
Areata (AA), Telogen Effluvium, Tinea Capitis, Trichotillomania
(TTM), Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, Scalp Psoriasis, Discoid Lupus
Erythematosus (DLE), Lichen Plano-Pilaris (LPP), and scalp
verruca. All data were entered into Microsoft excel and analysed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software.
Results: Trichoscopic findings from the 100 cases were
categorised and tabulated according to pattern and condition
for better understanding and comparison. Trichoscopic patterns
observed were categorised as dots, vessels, shaft patterns,
and changes in the inter and perifollicular areas. Out of the 100
patients, 67 presented primarily with alopecia, of which 56 patients
(83.5%) had non scarring alopecia and 11 patients (16.4%) had
scarring alopecia. The highest number of cases was observed
in alopecia areata (n=20), where exclamation mark hairs were
seen in all individuals, followed by coudability sign, yellow dots,
and black dots. Among the androgenetic alopecia cases (n=18),
anisotrichosis, pearly white dots, yellow dots, and an increased
vellus-to-terminal hair ratio were observed in 100% of cases.
Conclusion: While certain signs/findings are specific, most
trichoscopic patterns overlap in various skin conditions. Therefore,
dermatologists should be aware of the patterns observed in
trichoscopy and the need to stay updated with the latest findings