Ethnic differentials of the impact of Family Planning Program on contraceptive use in Nepal

There is wide variation of family planning services use among ethnic groups in Nepal. Despite three decades of implementation the need for family planning services is substantially unmet (25%), and there have been no systematic studies evaluating the impact of the family planning program. This study pooled data from nationally representative surveys conducted in 1996, 2001, and 2006. Multilevel logistic regression analysis of 23,381 married women of reproductive age nested within 764 clusters indicated that Muslims, Janjatis, and Dalits were significantly less likely to use contraceptives than Brahmins and Chhetries (OR=0.27, 0.88 and 0.82 respectively). The odds of using contraceptives by the Newar were higher than the odds for Brahmins and Chhetries, although it was not significant. Exposure of women to family planning messages through health facilities, family planning workers, radio, and television increased the odds of using modern contraceptives. However, the impact of family planning information on contraceptive use varied according to ethnicity. We also found that modern contraceptive use varied significantly across the clusters, and the cluster-level indicators, such as mean age at marriage, mean household asset score, percentage of women with secondary education, and percentage of women working away from home, were important in explaining this.ethnic differentials, family planning, family planning programs, Nepal

Assessment of bacteria and SPM in the indoor air of households of urban area of Jammu (J&K), India

The present study was conducted to assess status of bacteria (Gram +ve and Gram –ve) in the indoor air of Households located in Jammu city. The study area was divided into eight Sites. At each site two Households were selected randomly and in each Household sampling of SPM (?g/m3) and bacteria (CFU/m3) was done twice at three sub sites. Total bacterial count and SPM was found to be maximum (9308.24 CFU/m3and1006.12 ?g/m3 respectively) in Households near Water Body and total bacterial count and SPM was minimum (5251.00 CFU/m3and 659.09?g/m3respectively) in Households near Hospital. A significant positive correlation (r) was found between SPM and no. of Gram +ve (+0.18 to +0.78) as well as between SPM and no. of Gram –ve (+0.21 to +0.76) bacteria in the study area

Enhanced antibacterial activity of streptomycin against some human pathogens using green synthesized silver nanoparticles

The development of eco-friendly technologies in nanoparticle synthesis is of utmost importance in order to expand their biological horizons. In the present study, bioreduction of AgNO3 into AgNPs using various leaf extracts of Ficus virens is explained. The resulting AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed by color change from transparent to brown with maximum absorption at 420 nm due to surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the biosynthesized AgNPs were crystalline in nature, and TEM analysis showed spherical shape of the nanoparticles with size ranging from 4.98 to 29 nm. FTIR study indicates that mainly -C = O, -OH and N-H groups in leaf extracts are involved in the reduction of Ag+ ions to Ag atoms, and proteins are responsible for stabilizing the silver nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs showed significant antibacterial activity against Gram positive and gram negative human bacterial pathogens. The results showed that AgNPs also synergistically enhance (2.02-57.98%) the antibacterial activity of streptomycin, a common antibiotic. With this approach, AgNPs can be used as a new generation of antimicrobial agents for successful development of drug delivery

Knowledge and attitudinal survey of drug promotional literature among second year undergraduate students: a questionnaire based study

Background: Promotion of drugs has been increased enormously with the advancement of technology and use of internet and media etc. Pharmaceutical manufacturers spend vast amount of money on promotion usually through medical representatives by providing printed advertisements. But, it has been seen that these printed advertisements are not up to the mark usually, they either overemphasize the efficacy or hide the safety profile for the sake of company’s profit. All these promotional activities influence the prescribing pattern of doctors. So, the present study has been conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of second year undergraduate students about promotional literature and to train them accordingly for improving the prescribing behaviour.Methods: A questionnaire based study containing 9 questions was conducted in 110 second year undergraduate students after taking informed consent. Statistical analysis was done by using descriptive statistics by graph pad prism version 6.01.Results: Among respondents 60 (61.2%) were males and rest 38 (38.8%) were females. 50 (51%) of the respondents have chosen Indian pharmacopoeia as a trusted source of information followed by others. Most common factor affecting the prescribing attitude was reported as updates from clinical trials 49 (50%) followed by prescriber’s knowledge. Most important intervention taken to stop misleading drug promotional activities has been reported as formulation of strict regulation by the health care authorities against any misleading promotion.Conclusions: Promotional activities by manufacturers influence the attitude and prescribing pattern of doctors. So, it is important to teach the students about their rational use by critically analysing it

Understanding of effects of potassium on cardiac tissue by medical students: a critical appraisal

Potassium (K+) is one of the most important ion present in the human body and involved in numerous physiological activities. It mainly affects heart and skeletal muscle but the effects are not confined to theses organs only. The article precisely focuses on the explaining the physiological as well as pathological aspects of potassium on cardiac tissue. This article tends to explain: The cause of difference in extra cellular and Intra cellular concentration of potassium when potassium channels are open in resting conditions, why are Purkinje fibers and ectopic tissue are more sensitive to effect of potassium, mechanisms responsible for increased action potential duration by hypokalemia and decreased action potential duration by hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia generates ectopic activities and hyperkalemia inhibits them, therapeutic effects of potassium administration without causing hyperkalemia. These issues will be discussed and try to be explained with the help of Ohm’s law , Nernst equation and Nernst potential to sort out the complicated actions of potassium on cardiac tissue in a simplified manner. The primary aim of article is to improve understanding of potassium physiology by medical graduates, secondarily, convey message regarding improvement in teaching methodology in Pharmacology for the benefit of new generations

Modeling and optimization of process parameters for friction stir welding of dissimilar aerospace alloys AA2014 and AA7075

Aluminum alloys possess a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance making them suitable for various structural parts and components used in the aerospace industry. However, the principal barrier restricting their use is their weldability. This experimental study addresses the issues in joining of dissimilar aerospace aluminum alloys. In this work, friction stir welding (FSW) of dissimilar high strength alloys AA2014 and AA7075 has been carried out and the effect of welding parameters has been studied to obtain defect-free high strength welds. Detailed statistical analysis was performed and suitable regression models were developed for prediction and optimization. Multi-objective optimization has been carried out by employing the desirability function to determine the optimal condition for defect-free welds with adequate mechanical properties. Microstructure and fracture surface of the optimum weld was also studied and compared with the lowest and highest heat input welded joints

Drug utilization pattern of psychotropic medicines in tertiary care centre of Bastar Region, Chhattisgarh, India

Background: With the changing lifestyle, the incidence of psychiatric illness is increasing day by day. And the mental illnesses not only affect the social and personal life but also adds additional economic burden affecting quality of life of the person. So, proper diagnosis and management of psychiatric illnesses is utmost important. So, keeping this in mind, the present study has been conducted to evaluate drug utilization pattern of psychotropic medicines in tertiary care centre of Bastar region.Methods: After obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, present study was conducted in 237 patients for a period of 3 months from February 2019 to April 2019. The data of patients attending psychiatry OPD was collected in a structured case record form. The data were analysed using graph pad prism version 6.0.Results: Out of total 237 patients, males 136(57.38%) outnumbered females 101 (42.62%). The major psychiatric illness reported was schizophrenia (45.99%) followed by bipolar affective disorder (16%) and generalized anxiety disorder (14.35%). Average number of psychotropic drugs per prescription was 1.74±1.02. The percentage of drugs prescribed from state Essential drug List (EDL) was 93.05%.Conclusions: Overall, the principles of rational prescribing was tried to be maintained, as polypharmacy has been avoided and most of the drugs were prescribed from the state EDL. The use of generic drugs should be increased to make prescriptions more rational and to cut down the cost of the therapy which may be helpful in increasing the quality of life of the patients

Simulation and Analysis of Hand Gesture Recognition for Indian Sign Language using CNN

Sign Language Recognition is a device or program to help deaf and mute people. However, communication has always been difficult for a person with verbal and physical disabilities. Sign language recognition communication between the average person and the disabled using this device easily communicates with people who cannot communicate with the average person, this program reduces the communication gap between people. In total, the world has a population of about 15 -20% of the deaf and mute population which is a clear indication of the need for a Sign Language Awareness Program. Different methods are used to identify sign language but they are not effective due to the economic and commercial situation so we use this cheap and affordable method for people. Therefore, sign language recognition systems based on image processing and sensory networks are preferred over gadget programs as they are more accurate and easier to implement. This paper aims to create an easy-to-use and accurate sign language recognition system trained in the neural network thus producing text and speech input

Correlation between WOMAC score and hyalrunoic acid levels in knee osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis, a whole organ disease is diagnosed on clinical and radiological features, but plain radiographs show changes only in moderate to advanced stage of disease. Biochemical marker such as Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is used as a diagnostic tool in early stages. Hyaluronic acid level estimation has limited use in developing world due to cost and availability.Methods: A case-control study was done to correlate role of WOMAC score and serum Hyaluronic acid levels in knee osteoarthritis. All subjects were asked to fill the WOMAC questionnaire and were subjected to knee radiography. Blood samples of all subjects were tested for serum levels of Hyaluronic acid by Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The assessment of severity was done by K-L grading of the radiographs.Results: The mean age in case group was 51.28 ± 7.93 years and in control group was 46.08 ± 4.81 years (P 60 is independently associated with the outcome.Conclusion: WOMAC scores are significantly associated with knee osteoarthritis and can play a crucial role in identification, gradation and management of patients with knee osteoarthritis and can be used singly along with clinical features in situations where treatment cost and assessment of serum HA levels is of concern.