Productivity of key informants for identifying blind children: evidence from a pilot study in Malawi.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the productivity of village-based 'key informants' (KIs) in identifying blind children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ngabu subdistrict (population 101,000) of Chikwawa district was divided into KI catchment areas. KIs, selected by local village leaders, were trained to register children reported to be blind or with severe visual impairment. These children were clinically assessed at designated centres. RESULTS: In total, 44 KIs were selected and trained to cover 196 villages in Ngabu. They identified and referred 151 children, 37 of whom were blind (presenting vision <3/60 best eye). Overall, village leaders tended to choose female KIs (80%) compared to male KIs (20%); however, male KIs tended to be more productive, identifying 4.22 children each (compared to 3.23 for female KIs). Male KIs were 2.7 times more likely to identify blind children compared to female KIs. Only 25% of all identified blind children of school going age were in school. CONCLUSIONS: KIs may be effective in identifying blind children in the community; however, additional work is needed to determine who will be the most effective KI in a community and whether gender roles will limit interpretation of findings from KIs activities

Sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India.

Nature conservation practices are very ancient tradition in India. Useful biodiversity species have much reverence in culture of our country. Sacred groves are seen through out Gujarat, having varied forms, cultural practices and belief systems. The vegetation in the groves is highly varied viz. mangroves, fresh water swamps, or other tropical forest types. Sacred&nbsp; groves represent long&nbsp;&nbsp; tradition of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge by the tribal communities of Banaskantha District, Gujarat, India. The study deals with the role of sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Banaskantha District, Gujarat, India. Among the 11 sacred groves surveyed, over 25 different plant species are reported. In the sacred groves surveyed, only a few are well protected while most are partially threatened due to anthropogenic pressure.&nbsp; Considering all the dimensions of sacred groves, it is clear that these groves are considered as one of the most species-rich areas for plants, birds and mammals

EFFECT OF HPMC/CARBOPOL ON THE RELEASE OF CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE FROM MATRIX TABLETS

Chlorpheniramine maleate is widely used in treatment for allergic disorder and cold. The controlled release matrix tablets of chlorpheniramine maleate were prepared using HPMC K15M, HPMC K100M and carbopol and studied their effect on drug release. Prepared tablets were evaluated for various physical parameters. In vitro drug release study shows that slow release in HPMC K100M than other two polymers. If concentration of polymer increases than the drug release is decreases due to formation of polymeric matrix. Zero order, first order, Higuchi’s and Korsmeyer’s equations applied to know the mechanism of drug release from prepared tablets. The similarity and dissimilarity factor found to be 77.88 and 4.14, respectively for drug release in stability study which shows there was no significant difference in drug release.Key words: Chlorpheniramine maleate, matrix tablet, HPMC K15M, HPMC K100M, carbopol and swelling inde