The Burden and Risk Factors of Reproductive Tract Infections among Married Women Aged 15-49 Years in Urban Slum of Agra Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: In developing countries, reproductive tract infection among women commonly goes undiagnosed and their sequel causes various complications. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of RTI/STI through a syndromic case approach and its correlates among women of reproductive age group. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 eligible married women residing in urban slums of Agra by using WHO Syndromic case approch for diagnosis of RTIs/STIs. Results: The overall prevalence of RTI/STD was found to be 32.80% where vaginal discharge (22.60%) and lower abdominal pain (8.20%) were the most common syndromes. On multivariate analysis, religion, caste, type of absorbent used during menses, and history of IUD use were found to be significantly significant. Conclusion: The result of this study highlights the high prevalence and potential risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of RTI. It also emphasizes the need of training and education session of the participants to identify the early symptoms of RTI

PREVALENCE OF CARDIO-VASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) RISK FACTORS AMONG AUTO-RICKSHAW DRIVERS

Research question: What is the prevalence of some cardio-vascular disease (CVD) risk factors among auto-rickshaw drivers (ARDs) working in Nagpur city of India? Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2007 to December 2008 at the auto-rickshaw stand of Nagpur railway station. Out of total 6000 auto-rickshaw drivers (ARDs) of Nagpur city, 296 were studied. Results: Mean age of ARDs was 41.70±9.05 years. Their mean length of occupation was 17 years and average daily working was 11½ hours. 40.20% subjects had habit of tobacco chewing; while 35.14% were smokers and 34.12% were alcohol consumers. Only 16.89% subjects were engaged in regular physical exercise. 27.36% subjects had ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ self reported stress. Mean weight of these auto-rickshaw drivers was 58.59±9.25 kg; while their mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.95±3.48 kg/m2. 14.86% subjects were overweight and another 3.38% had obesity. 37.16% subjects had pre-hypertension; while 104 (35.14%) subjects had hypertension. 4.73% of the ARDs also had a family history of hypertension. Conclusions: As the prevalence of various CVD risk factors is high; there is an urgent need of regular health check-ups and appropriate preventive and promotive interventions among these auto-rickshaw drivers

Comparison of Conventional Incision and Drainage Versus Ultrasound Guided Minimally Invasive Techniques in Management of the Breast Abscess: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The feasibility of ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques in management of breast abscess has been a topic of concern from a long time thus, resulting in many studies. Objectives: To assess the feasibility and to compare ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques with conventional incision and drainage in breast abscess management Materials and Methods: Patients admitted in Surgery Department / OPD with BREAST ABSCESS (total 60 patients) were divided into two random groups of 30 patients each using random number tables. Group 1 was treated by conventional incision and drainage, Group 2 was treated by ultrasound guided minimally invasive techniques. Chi-square test was used. Results: For group 2, the average pain(VAS) score was 4.7 with minimal bleeding during the procedure, no need of dressing, average duration of stay 0.47 days, average days required for complete recovery is 13 days and excellent cosmesis as compared to group 1 where average pain score was 7, mild bleeding occurred in all cases with requiring an average of 10 days of dressing, all healed leaving a scar, average days required for complete recovery is 28 days and thus only satisfactory cosmesis with average 3.1 days of hospital stay