ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE TOWARD DISPOSAL OF EXPIRED DRUGS AMONG MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS IN CHENNAI - A CROSS-SECTIONAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY

  Objective: Proper disposal of expired drugs can avoid drug abuse, drug diversion, environmental contamination, and accidental poisoning by children and animals. Our study was aimed to assess the knowledge and practice toward disposal of expired drugs among medical professionals.Methods: After obtaining verbal consent, a self-administered pretested questionnaire was given to tutors, junior resident, senior resident, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors of Tagore Medical and Dental College and Hospital. The questionnaire has two parts; part one includes demographic details of the study participants, and part two comprises questions, regarding their awareness, knowledge, and practice toward disposal of expired drugs. Data were described as a percentage and analyzed using Sigma Graphpad prism version-5 and Microsoft Excel 2007.Results: A total of 156 medical professionals participated in the study. Among them, 85 were males and 71 were females, whereas 123 (78.8%) were medical and 33 (21.2%) were dental faculties. It was observed that 74.3% of respondents check the expiry date of the drug always and 62.2% said the drug loses its therapeutic effect after the expiry date. Analyzing the method to dispose the expired drugs, 77.6% throw in their household dustbins, 2.6% flush in toilets, 19.2% return to the pharmacist, and 4.5% bury. One-fourth of the medical professionals not aware about environmental hazards due to improper disposal and also believe they do not cause any harm. 64% of preferred pharmacist would be the appropriate person to inform about proper disposal of drugs.Conclusion: This study shows lacunae in the knowledge and practice about proper disposal of expired drugs and recommends discussion regarding improper disposal and its consequences in various health programs

Evaluation of awareness about obesity among general public visiting the tertiary care hospital

Background: Obesity is one of the fastest growing threats of health and well-being for both developed and developing countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness about obesity among general public.Methods: After obtaining institutional ethics committee approval and written informed consent from the participants, anthropometric measures like height, weight, hip and waist circumference for computing body mass index and waist hip ratio were taken. Using portable bioelectric impedance analyzer body fat percentage was measured. A validated questionnaire including socio demographic details and questions evaluating the awareness about obesity were given to the participants.Results: Totally 100 participants were evaluated, of which majority being female. Mean height of the male and female participants was 164 and 152cm respectively. Similarly, mean weight was found to be 72 and 65 kg. Based on the body mass index only 19% participants were within normal range, remaining 81% were overweight and obese. Percent body fat and waist hip ratio was found to be increased in both sexes. Majority of the participants were aware that obesity is associated with health problems but most of them were unaware how it is measured and the dietary foods to be taken to reduce obesity. However 64% participants think that obesity can reduce the life expectancy of the individual.Conclusions: Majority of the participants were obese and overweight while awareness about preventive measures was still lacking. Hence health care personnel need to take greater effort to educate and inform people about the implications

Comparative Study of Iron Supplements in South Indian Antenatal Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. It is a major public health problem particularly among pregnant women with adverse effects on the mother and the new born. Iron supplementation is universally recommended to correct or prevent iron deficiency. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy and tolerability of three oral iron preparations in anemic pregnant women of more than 14 weeks of gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized Control trial, done at Tagore Medical College and Hospital, Chennai. 60 antenatal women were selected; they were divided into three groups, 20 in each group. They were treated with Carbonyl iron, ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate. Hemoglobin estimation was done at 0 day, 30th and 60th day. Adverse effects were monitored. RESULTS: Data analysis showed an increase in haemoglobin levels in all three groups after the 30th day (p<0.05). Carbonyl iron showed highly significant increase (p<0.05) in the haemoglobin level as compared to the other two drugs at the end of the 60th day. CONCLUSION: Carbonyl iron is superior in efficacy when compared to ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate and is better tolerated. So carbonyl iron is safe in pregnancy and can be given as a supplement to treat iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy