Feasibility of an Alcohol Intervention Programme for TB Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) - A Qualitative Study from Chennai, South India

The negative influences of alcohol on TB management with regard to delays in seeking care as well as non compliance for treatment has been well documented. This study is part of a larger study on the prevalence of AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder) among TB patients which revealed that almost a quarter of TB patients who consumed alcohol could be classified as those who had AUD. However there is dearth of any effective alcohol intervention programme for TB patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).This qualitative study using the ecological system model was done to gain insights into the perceived effect of alcohol use on TB treatment and perceived necessity of an intervention programme for TB patients with AUD. We used purposive sampling to select 44 men from 73 TB patients with an AUDIT score >8. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews were conducted with TB patients with AUD, their family members and health providers.TB patients with AUD report excessive alcohol intake as one of the reasons for their vulnerability for TB. Peer pressure has been reported by many as the main reason for alcohol consumption. The influences of alcohol use on TB treatment has been elaborated especially with regard to the fears around the adverse effects of alcohol on TB drugs and the fear of being reprimanded by health providers. The need for alcohol intervention programs was expressed by the TB patients, their families and health providers. Suggestions for the intervention programmes included individual and group sessions, involvement of family members, audiovisual aids and the importance of sensitization by health staff.The findings call for urgent need based interventions which need to be pilot tested with a randomized control trial to bring out a model intervention programme for TB patients with AUD

Meniscal Dimensions and its Clinical Implications- A Foetal Cadaveric Study

Introduction: The menisci are made up of fibrocartilage. The menisci are prone for injuries and treated by meniscal repair, meniscectomy and the meniscal allograft transplantation. The knowledge about the morphometry is necessary for orthopaedician, embryologist and morphologist. Aim: To analyse the morphometric parameters of medial and lateral menisci in the knee joint of foetuses. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, during the year May 2015 to May 2017 in seven males and eight female foetuses with gestational age ranging from 20-37 weeks. After dissection, the morphometric parameters like peripheral and inner length, width and thickness of anterior 1/3rd, middle 1/3rd and posterior 1/3rd of the menisci was measured using digital vernier callipers. ANOVA and paired t-test was used to compare the parameters between gender and sides. Results: The morphometry was studied in 14 male and 16 female knee joints (30 medial and 30 lateral menisci). In the medial menisci width of anterior 1/3rd was significantly narrower than the middle and posterior 1/3rd. In lateral menisci, width of middle 1/3rd was greater than anterior and posterior 1/3rd which was statistically insignificant. There were no statistically significant morphometric differences between gender and sides. Conclusion: The part of the menisci which were narrower was less prone for injuries. The knowledge of the morphometric parameters in particular the width and thickness of the menisci determines the commonest area of injury. This study provides morphometric data of menisci in foetuses as it is scarc

Anti-Helicobacter pylori, cytotoxicity and catalytic activity of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles: Multifaceted application

An unpretentious way to synthesize different sized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using the dried fruit extract of Tribulus terrestris has been investigated. GNPs were formed due to the reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) treated with the T. terrestris fruit extract. Formation of GNPs was periodically characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy. IR spectrum revealed that phytochemicals in the extract played a key role in GNPs synthesis and stability. An anisotropic structure of GNPs with average sizes of 7 nm (GNP7) and 55 nm (GNP55) uses 1 and 2 mM HAuCl4. The biogenic GNP showed a size dependent anti-Helicobacter pylori activity against multidrug resistant H. pylori strains. Furthermore, biogenic GNPs possess an excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of a toxic, p-nitroaniline to p-phenylenediamine as non-toxic by-product. Interestingly, In vitro cell viability of GNP7 and GNP55 on AGS cell lines showed no toxicity at the MIC of H. pylori. The biogenic GNP has excellent biocompatibility, anti-H. pylori and catalytic properties of multifaceted biomedical applications

A Pilot RCT of an Intervention to Reduce HIV Sexual Risk and Increase Self-acceptance Among MSM in Chennai, India

This is a 2-arm pilot randomized controlled trial (N=96) of a behavioral intervention (4 group and 4 individual sessions) integrating risk reduction counseling with counseling to foster self-acceptance in MSM in India compared to Enhanced Standard of Care (ESOC). Both conditions involved HIV and STI testing and counseling at baseline and 6-months, and assessments of condomless sex at baseline, 3-, and 6-months. A significant condition by time interaction suggested a difference in the rate of change in number of anal sex acts without condoms in the intervention versus ESOC (p<.0001). Post-hoc contrasts suggested that the overall difference was due to intervention-response at 3-months. The incidence of bacterial STIs was 17.5% in the intervention condition and a 28.6% in ESOC. Addressing self-acceptance and related psychosocial concerns in the context sexual risk reduction counseling for MSM in India was feasible and acceptable. Testing the intervention for efficacy is justified

ENSURING IT WORKS: A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH TO HIV PREVENTION INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN IN CHENNAI, INDIA

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in India have an HIV seroprevalence 22 times greater than the country’s general population and face unique challenges that may hinder the effectiveness of current HIV prevention efforts. To obtain an understanding of the logistical and sociocultural barriers MSM experience while accessing HIV prevention services, focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with 55 MSM in Chennai, India. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative content analysis. Sixty-five percent of participants identified as kothi (receptive partners), 9% as panthi (insertive partners), 22% as double decker (receptive and insertive), and 4% did not disclose. Themes included: (a) fatigue with current HIV risk reduction messages; (b) increased need for non-judgmental and confidential services; and (c) inclusion of content that acknowledges individual and structural-level determinants of risk such as low self-esteem, depression, and social discrimination. MSM interventions may benefit from approaches that address multilevel psychosocial factors, including skills building and strategies to foster self-acceptance and increased social support

Ensuring It Works: A Community-Based Approach to HIV Prevention Intervention Development for Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chennai, India

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in India have an HIV seroprevalence 22 times greater than the country’s general population and face unique challenges that may hinder the effectiveness of current HIV prevention efforts. To obtain an understanding of the logistical and sociocultural barriers MSM experience while accessing HIV prevention services, focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with 55 MSM in Chennai, India. Qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative content analysis. Sixty-five percent of participants identified as kothi (receptive partners), 9% as panthi (insertive partners), 22% as double decker (receptive and insertive), and 4% did not disclose. Themes included: (a) fatigue with current HIV risk reduction messages; (b) increased need for non-judgmental and confidential services; and (c) inclusion of content that acknowledges individual and structural-level determinants of risk such as low self-esteem, depression, and social discrimination. MSM interventions may benefit from approaches that address multilevel psychosocial factors, including skills building and strategies to foster self-acceptance and increased social support

Sample questions.

<p>Sample questions.</p

Themes and Key findings.

<p>Themes and Key findings.</p

Data Curation

Information on the data sets being used, pre-processing, access, organizatio