Medical termination of pregnancy and subsequent adoption of contraception

Background: The reasons for seeking MTP ranged from proximate causes such as desire to limit family size or space pregnancies, seeking abortion for medical reasons or availing it on medical advice to distal determinants such as poverty, violence and belief system. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study the factors influencing MTPs & the subsequent adoption of contraceptive methods following MTP.Methods: The study subjects included women who underwent MTP at the hospital during the study period. The details regarding their socio demographic profile, previous obstetric history, reason for seeking abortion and acceptance of post abortal contraception were taken.Results: 103 women who sought MTP during the study period were included in the study. Among the MTP seekers 22 (21.4%) women had history of one or more abortions in the recent past. Most of the study subjects i.e., 41 (39.8%) sought MTP for socio-economic reasons. The other conditions were eugenic reasons among 40 (38.9%) and medical reasons 10 (9.1%), only 12 (11.6%) women sought MTP for contraceptive failure. Adoption of contraception following MTP was seen only among 52 (50.5%).Conclusions: Eligible couples have to be educated regarding the availability of different methods of contraceptives and their proper use to avoid pregnancy as long as they want. Similarly, all MTP seekers should be provided information and counseling for post-abortal contraceptive use and enable these women and their spouse to make an informed and voluntary choice and thus avoid the need of a repeat abortion.

Awareness about pictorial warnings on tobacco products and its impact on tobacco consumers in coastal Karnataka

Background: Tobacco use is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including cancer. India revised the pictorial warnings on all tobacco products in 2018, but its impact on tobacco consumers after the revision is less studied. Aim and Objective: To assess the awareness of the revised pictorial warnings on tobacco products and the impact of it on tobacco consumers in a coastal town. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 31st March 2021 among 185 adult tobacco consumers in a coastal town in Karnataka after obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0 by descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Majority (95.7%) were males and 96.2% had seen the pictorial warning on the tobacco products. The commonly consumed tobacco products were panmasala (44.9%), gutka (38.9%), cigarette (31.4%) and bidi (15.1%). The mean age of initiation of consuming tobacco products was 24.8 years and mean duration of the habit was 17 years. Conclusions: A majority (96.2%) have seen the pictorial warnings on the tobacco products and significant predictors for reducing tobacco consumption were those who inferred the pictorial warnings as tobacco is injurious to health and cancerous

Master Companion: Concise Text in Community Medicine

This concise and updated book is an excellent gap filler for undergraduates learning community medicine, that are perplexed regarding what ought to be precisely remembered in the vast field of community medicine. Indeed the need increases during their examinations, be it internal or university exams. Focussing this dilemma faced by undergraduates, this book helps them largely by having a ready to read, understand and remember the basic concepts with lucid illustration in community medicine

A Spectroscopic Study of Azido-amminecobalt(III) Complexes

384-38

Example-Based Terrain Authoring with Complex Features

Synthesis of terrains with complex features has been a challenging problem in computer graphics since most of the existing methods are based on the height field representation. Complex features in terrains adds to the overall realism of the terrain. Hence, there is a need to synthesize terrains in real-time with complex features that adhere to user input. The methodology described in this thesis describes a novel way to synthesize terrains with complex features based on user drawn sketches. Layered stack data structure is used to ensure that the resulting terrain has complex features. Since, Neural Networks are used to generate the terrains, the process is real-time

A study to assess the effectiveness and perception of students regarding Case Based Learning over traditional teaching method in Community Medicine

Background: Case based learning (CBL) among medical undergraduates, has more interactive sessions and students been involved in thinking, analyzing and interpretation. However, it is not clear if it is reflected in their assessment results. Aim & Objective: To assess the effectiveness and perception of Case Based Learning over the traditional TL method used in Community Medicine among second year medical undergraduates. Settings and Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted among second year medical undergraduates studying in a government medical college in coastal Karnataka. Methods and Material: 143 Students were randomly allocated into two groups- Group A underwent traditional teaching and Group B underwent Case Based learning. The effectiveness of TL methods was assessed using Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Group B’s perception regarding CBL was also obtained. Statistical analysis: Inter-group and intra-group mean scores of the pre-test, post-test and retention tests of MCQs of the students were compared using independent t-test and paired t-test respectively. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed in post-test and retention test scores between the groups. Students perceived CBL aroused interest and encouraged self-directed learning. Conclusion: CBL was effective over the traditional teaching learning method

Виготовлення та інтерпретація композиту цинку-церію: структурні та теплові дослідження

Композити оксиду цинку та оксиду цинку-церію (ZC) були синтезовані варіюючи співвідношення цинку (Zn) та церію (Ce) для отримання різних сполук Zn1 – xCexO2 за допомогою гідротермального методу. Склад зразків змінювався з x = 0,0; 0,05; 0,1; 0,3 та 0,5 для отримання сполук, названих відповідно ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-4 і ZC-5. Для розуміння впливу церію на оксид цинку всі зразки характеризувалися FT-IR, SEM-EDX та TGA-DSC. Ефективне додавання церію до цинку підтверджено FT-IR та EDX. Всі зразки були отримані з різними розмірами частинок. Спочатку зразок ZC-1 мав частинки у формі стрижнів, а з додаванням церію частинки повільно набували квазісферичну форму зі зменшеними розмірами від 150 нм до 60 нм. У результаті термічних досліджень, оксид цинку, легований церієм, виявив кращу стабільність, ніж нелегований оксид цинку. Детальний аналіз властивостей показує, що ці композити можуть бути потенційними кандидатами для біологічних застосувань, а також вони можуть бути перспективними для каталізу та деградації барвника.The zinc oxide and zinc-cerium (ZC) oxide composites have been synthesized by varying zinc (Zn) and cerium (Ce) ratios to obtain different Zn1 – xCexO2 compounds using the hydrothermal method. The composition of the samples was varied with x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 to obtain compounds named as ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3, ZC-4 and ZC-5, respectively. To understand the effect of cerium on zinc oxide, all samples were characterized by FT-IR, SEM-EDX and TGA-DSC. The effective doping of cerium with zinc is confirmed by FTIR and EDX. All samples were obtained with different particle sizes. Initially, ZC-1 had rod-shaped particles and by doping cerium the particles slowly turned to quasi-spherical shape with reduced size from 150 nm to 60 nm. From thermal studies, the cerium doped zinc oxide showed higher stability than the undoped zinc oxide. The detailed analysis of the properties indicates that these composites can be potential candidates for the biological applications and also they can be promising for catalysis and dye degradation

A study to assess the magnitude of exposure to secondhand smoke among antenatal mothers in an urban slum of central Karnataka

Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in reproductive-age women can cause adverse reproductive health outcomes similar to active tobacco smoking such as pregnancy complications, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, stillbirths, and infant death. Nearly 56% of the reproductive-age women in the World Health Organization South-East Asian region are exposed to SHS. However, no data is available on exposure to SHS among pregnant mothers, especially in urban slums. Objectives: The objective was to assess the magnitude of exposure to SHS among antenatal mothers in an urban slum and their knowledge regarding hazards of exposure to SHS on them and fetus. Material and Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, 418 antenatal mothers who visited the antenatal clinic in an urban slum were included. Data regarding exposure to SHS were collected. Their knowledge on hazards of exposure to SHS on both mother and fetus was also collected. Results: Majority were in the age group of 21–25 years (55.5%), studied up to high school (40.7%), and were homemakers (72.1%). Among the 418 antenatal mothers, 277 (66.27%) were exposed to secondhand smoke; 199 (47.61%) at public places, 53 (12.68%) at their homes, and 25 (5.98%) at their workplaces. Only half of the study participants were aware that SHS is injurious to health of the individual, and only 24.4% of the study participants were aware that SHS is also injurious to fetal health. Conclusion: Exposure to SHS among the study participants was high (66.27%), and the awareness regarding the harmful effects of SHS on the health of the mother and fetus among the participants was poor

Coverage evaluation of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis in Bidar district, Karnataka, India

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is one of the oldest and most debilitating of all the neglected tropical diseases. To interrupt transmission of this disease and to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public-health problem by 2020, WHO recommends annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of diethylcarbamazine to all the eligible population in the endemic areas. This study was conducted with the objectives to assess the coverage and compliance of MDA among beneficiaries & to find awareness regarding filariasis and MDA among beneficiaries & drug distributors. Methods: Data regarding lymphatic Filariasis and MDA was collected from 1002 beneficiaries from 204 households in three rural and one urban cluster in Bidar district. Along with the beneficiaries, data were also collected from 27 available drug distributors in the study area. Statistical analysis was done using proportions and Chi-square test. Results: Coverage of MDA was 83.5% & the compliance was 75.9%. The effective coverage rate was only 63.4%. The knowledge regarding filariasis & the MDA programme was 82% & 59% respectively among the beneficiaries. All the drug distributors had knowledge about both the filariasis and MDA. Conclusion: The effective coverage rate of MDA was inadequate. There is a need for motivating the drug distributors for complete coverage of the eligible population. Similarly, intensive IEC activities have to be done for the target population regarding the importance of MDA and the elimination of lymphatic filariasis

Knowledge and Skill of Anganwadi Workers in Growth Monitoring in an Urban Slum of Central Part of Karnataka

Background: In India, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) maintain the growth record of all the under-five years’ children in their area under ICDS. This task requires technical skill of proper weighing, plotting weight on growth charts, interpreting growth curve and using the growth card as a tool for educating mothers. In urban slums, their knowledge and skills are rarely assessed. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and skill of AWWs regarding growth monitoring of under-five years’ children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in an urban slum in central part of Karnataka. After obtaining ethical clearance, data was collected from 20 AWWs and 100 under-five children using a structured questionnaire (modified and adapted from ICDS manual). Data was analyzed using MS-Excel 2010.Results: All AWWs correctly interpreted growth chart but 60.0% didn’t know the expected weight for age or number of times a child should be weighed. 70% had inadequate skills to determine correct age of child and 30% erred while measuring the weight of child. Conclusions: Majority of AWW had adequate knowledge regarding growth monitoring but lacked skills in crucial steps like age determination and weighing the child. Training programme must ensure that the AWW learn and practices these skills