Prevalence of cough more than two weeks among OPD attendees, and smear microscopy outcome among them

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health emergency, which challenges the health indicators of India. Delayed diagnosis of TB may result in more extensive disease, more complications, and lead to a higher mortality. It also leads to an increased period of infectivity in the community. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) of the country has modified the definition of a pulmonary TB suspect so as to include an additional proportion of people with cough of 2 weeks duration, which will help in reducing the delay in starting treatment. This study was carried out with the objective of estimating the prevalence of cough more than 2 weeks among OPD attendees, and smear microscopy outcome among them and to assess the treatment seeking behavior of patients with cough ≥ 2 weeks. The present cross-sectional study was carried out at Out-Patient Department of GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, Distt. Patiala , Punjab. All adult chest symptomatics with cough of two weeks or more than two weeks duration attending in OPD were screened for pulmonary tuberculosis by examining the two sputum smears in designated microscopy center as per RNTCP guidelines. A total of 16030 adult patients attended outpatients department (OPD) in the months of May and June 2013. Out of these, 561(3.5%) patients reported cough. Among patients who reported cough, 70(12.5%) patients reported cough ≥ 2 weeks duration.Of those who coughed for two weeks or more, 10 (14.2%) had smear positive PTB .Of the patients who had cough ≥ 2 weeks duration, only 21.4% of patients reported to a health facility for treatment within 1 st week of symptoms and majority (50%) of them preferred going to private practitioners.It may be concluded that reservoir of tuberculosis infection can only be reduced by early detection and prompt and complete treatment of sputum positive cases

Biomedical waste management practices in a tertiary-care hospital in Punjab

Background: Biomedical waste (BMW) has recently emerged as an issue of major concern not only to hospitals and nursing homes, but also to the environmental and law enforcing agencies, media, and the general public. BMW forms approximately 1%–2% of the total municipal solid waste stream. Objectives: The aims of the study were the following: to get background information about the disposal of hospital waste; to determine the awareness regarding waste management practices; to document the waste management practices; and to suggest the possible remedial measures, if required. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical college hospital in Patiala district. A survey of the personnel handling and monitoring the BMW was carried out using a scientifically prescribed questionnaire. Results: More than 90% of the nurses and laboratory technicians were well aware of the proper disposal of the sharps and infected waste, but only 50% of the sweepers could satisfactorily answer about the same. Among nurses, approximately 90% were aware that improper management of BMW causes environmental pollution and injuries, whereas 60% of nurses and laboratory technicians could enlist the diseases transmitted by improper handling of BMW. Approximately 40–60% of ward boys and sweepers were aware of the effects of poor handling of BMW on environment and the injuries caused by it, but none of them could tell the diseases transmitted by the improper recycling of hospital waste or by improper handling of BMW. Conclusion: The human element is found to be far more important than the technology. Almost any system of treatment and disposal of BMW that is operated by well-trained and well-motivated staff can provide greater protection to staff, patients, and the community than an expensive and sophisticated system that is managed by staff who do not understand the risk and the importance of their contribution

A Study to Identify Gaps in Knowledge and Practices regarding Dengue in a Rural Population of Punjab

Background: Dengue fever is an emergent disease in India and is responsible for causing significant morbidity and mortality in most tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world.Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding dengue adopted by the rural population attending the hospital.Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study concerning knowledge, attitudes and practices of dengue fever prevention among attendants of patients admitted in a tertiary care teaching hospital situated in rural Punjab.Study Population: 400 adult attendants of patients admitted in Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital were interviewed using a pretested, pre-designed questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitudes and practices about dengue fever.Results: 85.8% of the respondents knew that the vector for dengue is a mosquito. As regards common symptoms of dengue, fever was the most consistent response (90.8%) followed by headache (15.8%). It was observed that 94.1% respondents agreed that dengue is a serious illness. 90.0% respondents do nothing to eliminate standing water around the house to reduce mosquitoes. 47.5% respondents came to know about dengue fever through neighbors and 36.5% through TV/ radio.Conclusion: Dengue fever continues to be a public health problem in this area and there is a need for creating greater awareness among the people by information, education and communication (IEC) activities and social responsibility