Observational cross-sectional study to evaluate the effects of self-medication with topical agents used by patients for superficial fungal skin infection at tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

Background: Superficial fungal infections of the hair, skin, and nails are a major cause of morbidity in the world and their incidence continues to increase. While self-medication is also one of the major health concerns for health authorities worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of topical agents used by patients for self-medication, to enlisting the topical agents used by patients for self-medication, to ensure by whose suggestion’s patients engaged in self-medication.Methods: It was an observational cross-sectional study which was conducted at the outpatient department (OPD) of dermatology in tertiary care hospital. A detailed history of the participant was recorded regarding topical agents used for self-medication and their effects were documented in a predesigned case record form.Results: The population consisted of 128 males and 87 females. All these 215 participants had used 61 topical agents of different brand names and the majority of were irritant, corticosteroids and antifungal much high in use. Among 215 participants, 111 had temporary relief from the infection and reoccurred after stopping its use. 98 showed aggravation in their infection among which 90 showed effects like irritation, burning and itching at the application site, while 8 participants showed dryness or flaking of skin.Conclusions: Self-medication is widely practiced among patients with a superficial fungal skin infection in Mumbai. A pharmacist was the major source for obtaining these topical agents. We can conclude, there is a need to counsel and discourage patients from self-medication and regulations for dispensing the prescribed drugs should be made stringent

Inorganic Photovoltaics - Planar and Nanostructured Devices

Since its invention in the 1950s, semiconductor solar cell technology has evolved in great leaps and bounds. Solar power is now being considered as a serious leading contender for replacing fossil fuel based power generation. This article reviews the evolution and current state, and potential areas of near future research focus, of leading inorganic materials based solar cells, including bulk crystalline, amorphous thin-films, and nanomaterials based solar cells. Bulk crystalline silicon solar cells continue to dominate the solar power market, and continued efforts at device fabrication improvements, and device topology advancements are discussed. III-V compound semiconductor materials on c-Si for solar power generation are also reviewed. Developments in thin-film based solar cells are reviewed, with a focus on amorphous silicon, copper zinc tin sulfide, cadmium telluride, as well as nanostructured Cadmium telluride. Recent developments in the use of nano-materials for solar power generation, including silicon and gallium arsenide nanowires, are also reviewed