ABSTRACT

To investigate the knowledge of breast cancer among medical, paramedical and general population of women participants. A prospective observational questionnaire survey was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern Karnataka for a period of six months with220 participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Out of 220 women, 31.36% were medical, 20.92% paramedical and 47.72% general. Almost, 94.20% of medical participants believed breast cancer as inherited. Notably, general group considered trauma(74.28%) and diet (73.33%) as major risk factors. Majority of medical and paramedical women thought lump in the breast as the initial sign of Breast Cancer. Awareness regarding mammography and biopsy in general population was 64.76% and 52.38% respectively. Moreover, 95.5% of medical women and all of the paramedical women thought that chemical / radiotherapy was the best treatment. Breast cancer knowledge and awareness was less among the general women. There is a need of developing effective interventional programs to educate women about breast cancer.

Keywords: Awareness, Breast Cancer, Knowledge, Risk factors.

ABSTRACT
Medication adherence is a crucial component in the treatment of chronic diseases. In the elderly, clinicians are faced with a unique set of problems associated with adherence that they may not have been adequately trained for. The present study was designed to assess the socio-demographic profile, adherence and drug-related problems among elderly. Methods: An observational study involving 30 patients aged over 60 years using at least five prescription drugs and discharged from hospital. The occurrence of adherence and DRP were  assessed by means of an identification tool specifically developed for use by community pharmacists, including a semi structured patient interview and a checklist of common DRP. Results: Out of 30 study subjects, it was observed that majority of the study subjects had drug related problems. High, moderate and low adherence to medication was found. Conclusion: It is evident that there is a great need on the part of health care providers to not only prescribe medications to the patients but also make a conscious effort to address the issue of non-adherence to the prescribed medications and other non-pharmacological measures.

Keywords: Morisky, Drug compliance, elderly, habits, medications

ABSTRACT

India has taken stringent preventive measures against COVID-19 to control its spread, safeguard citizens and ensure well-being. Public adherence to preventive measures is influenced by their knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19. This study aims to access the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the public towards COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was contacted in 50 participants using an online self-reported questionnaire. The demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants were investigated, and the scores were calculated. The majority of the study participants were knowledgeable about COVID-19, 100% were aware of the clinical symptoms, and 94% knew that there is no clinically approved treatment. It was also evident 40% had low knowledge about wearing masks to prevent infection. Concerning attitudes, participants showed a positive and optimistic attitude toward COVID-19. 40% concur that the virus can be successfully controlled. But 34% are not convinced that the government will control this pandemic. Good knowledge of COVID-19 translates into good and safe practices, which suggests that the practices of residents are very cautious. Almost 88% of respondents refrained from attending social events, 82% avoided crowded places, and 94% avoided shaking hands. We also found that young adults are likely to have better knowledge and practices, than older adult people. The majority of the participants had good knowledge, positive attitude, and sufficient practice. Our finding suggests that targeted health interventions should be directed to this particular vulnerable population, who may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19.

Keywords: Knowledge; Awareness; Practice; Novel coronavirus; COVID 19

ABSTRACT

According to WHO cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in the worldwide. In India too, it has gone through a drastic lifestyle modification from traditional to western one and adapting sedentary lifestyle, consequently prone the people for CVDs. The present study was undertaken to identify the high risk individuals for CVDs in the next 10 years by using the cardiovascular risk assessment tools such as FRS and SCORE and recommendation of lifestyle modification and initiation of pharmacotherapy. A prospective observational study was conducted in patients with all possible risk factors (age, sex, high blood pressure, high HDL, TC, Smoking, and Obesity) for CVD over a period of six month in a tertiary care hospital. A total numbers of patients selected for the study was 90 among, 49 were males and 41 were females. The patients were categorized in to different risk groups. According to FRS tool, 35.5% individuals were at high risk and with SCORE tool, it was 41.1%. Whereas 33.3% individual who were under the high risk for CVDs by both the tools. The individuals’ lies between mild to moderate risk for CVDs were recommended for lifestyle modification to attenuate the triggering risk factors. Whereas high risk individual by both the FRS and SCORE tools were recommended for lifestyle modification along with pharmacotherapy in order to keep the risk factors under control.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Risk factors; Assessment tools; Primary prevention.

ABSTRACT

During pregnancy, most women are at risk for respiratory tract infections (RTIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and ear, nose, and throat infections. Antimicrobials are the most commonly given medications to treat acquired illnesses during this time. This study aimed to assess antibiotic use in pregnant women in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The present study was a cross- sectional prospective observational study and was conducted for three months in a tertiary care health centre in North Karnataka with 57 participants.All case records of pregnant women who use antibiotics admitted to Obstetrics and Gynecology department and pregnant women with more than 18 years of age were included in the study. Out of 57 participants, 40.3% of them were belonging to the age category of 19-23 years of age, followed by 33.3% in 24-28 years. Most prevalent infections which required antimicrobials prescription were UTIs (36.82%), followed by Gastroenteritis (17.54%) and Pyrexia (14.03%). Majority of the antimicrobials prescribed were from Betalactams (40.34%), followed by Nitrofuranes (29.82%). To assist in making prescribing decisions for pregnant women, health care professionals should examine the teratogenic and toxic risk profiles of antibiotics. These could be especially significant if anti-infective countermeasures are needed to safeguard the health, safety, and survival of people who have been exposed to pathogenic bacteriologic agents as a result of bioterrorism.

Keywords: Antimicrobials, pregnancy, teratogenic effect, urinary tract infections