Biomedical subjects

A Pandey

Publications and source records attributed to A Pandey.

138 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Seropositivity of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic animals.

Serum samples from 107 goats, 40 sheep, 50 cows were tested for Toxoplasma gondii antibody by indirect haemagglutination test (IHA) in dilutions of 1:10, 1:54, 1:162 and 1:486. Toxoplasma gondii-antibodies were found in 21 (19.6%), 10 (25%), 26 (52%), goat, sheep and cow sera respectively. No serum sample showed a titre higher than 1:162. All animals were kept in good hygienic condition. These results indicate that Toxoplasma gondii antibodies are widespread in animal populations which supports that toxoplasmosis is a widely spread zoonotic infection in this country.

Animal Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sukira--Sudhira.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

History, 20th Century↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns of tobacco use amongst school teachers.

Indulgence in tobacco is a known health risk. The example of school teachers in this regard is likely to have far reaching influence on their pupils and the community. A cross sectional study among 257 teachers from 30 schools revealed that as high as 51.0% teachers consumed tobacco in one form or the other. Smoking was the most popular form of tobacco use (72%). Marked gender differences were noted with 73.9%. Male teachers hooked to tobacco habit in comparison to 13.9% of female teachers. Educational qualification had paradoxical effect on tobacco habit as fewer (20.0%) graduate teachers used tobacco in comparison to non graduate teachers (55.7%). However proportion of Post graduate teachers consuming tobacco was still higher (64.2%). Initiation to tobacco habit in majority began at age 21 years and beyond. Common reasons given for tobacco consumption were curiosity (37.9%), to be social (22.0%), enjoyment (21.2%), to relieve stress (8.17%) and improving performance (5.8%). 21.9% smokers consumed more than 20 cigarettes a day. More than four fifth teachers consciously avoided tobacco use in school premises. Nearly half (45.3%) of tobacco users reported reduction in tobacco use in preceding two years. By and large teachers (92.4%) were aware of harmful consequences of tobacco on health. But only in 29.6% it was a cause for concern. 71.2% respondents intended to give up tobacco habit. 33.7% smokers were aware of hazards of passive smoking to others.

Areca↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Health care options in childhood ARI before hospital care.

A cross sectional study was conducted, to examine the pattern of health care options, exercised before seeking care at the district hospital in the event of ARI in under fives. One hundred fifteen under fives selected through systematic sampling technique, from two district hospitals were the subjects of study. Respondents were the care providers, who accompanied children to the Hospitals. Time delay in initiating care and reaching the district hospital was also recorded. Reasons for preferring a particular source as first choice were enquired. District Hospitals stood out as the most preferred source, as 52 (45.2%) of the children used it as the first step. Other sources of health care were Health Center (10.4%), Home Care (25.2%) General Practitioners (10.4%) and Drug Stores (8.7%). On an average a child took 1.8 steps before coming to the district hospital. Children experienced 13 unique treatment patterns. Children initially offered home care followed longer sequence and more variable pattern. Convenience (62.6%) and cost (37.4%) were the main factors in choosing a source of treatment. Children who received home care were brought to district hospital earlier than others.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dietary cholesterol induced changes in serum lipoproteins in healthy females.

We studied the effect of high cholesterol fat breakfast containing approximately 527 mg cholesterol and 33 gm fat given for seven days in 10 healthy females of young age (18 to 21 years) and in healthy older females of age group (48 to 60 years). Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein did not alter significantly after feeding and after withdrawal of high cholesterol fat breakfast. Serum high density lipoprotein increased significantly in young females after feeding and further increased after withdrawal for seven days, while in older females no appreciable change occurred. Serum triglyceride showed a significant decline in young persons after feeding but gradually increased after withdrawal while in older females no significant change occurred.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A survey on risk factors associated with cervical cancer.

Carcinoma of the cervix is one of the leading malignancies in the developing countries including India. In view of this health care program might have to be redefined. Most of the data are available from the developed countries, which rely mainly on cytology screening on regular basis. This however may not be feasible in developing countries because of various constraints. Thus alternative approaches are needed based on risk reduction modalities. This article while dealing with the control approaches based on secondary prevention, reviews several risk factors associated with cervical cancer. The various articles were approached through Medline search including cross-references. The important life styles associated with cervical cancer and which are amenable to primary prevention strategies through health education, behavioral interventions, legislative approaches and modifying the health care seeking behavior were identified through the review process. These factors mainly pertain to early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, menstrual hygiene and unprotected sex. Role of male partners has also been delineated in the process of cervical carcinogenesis. These factors are essentially conducive to the transmission of an etiological agent; the high-risk types human papillomaviruses, the more proximal cause in the web of causation. Barrier method of contraception and prophylactic vaccine in future could help to check the transmission of the virus. Role of smoking and oral contraceptives has also been discussed. Till the facilities for mass scale screening are developed in developing countries the primary prevention approaches could certainly help to check the incidence of the disease.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changing epidemiological pattern of leprosy in rural Chhattisgarh.

The study presents findings of a retrospective cohort analysis of 2972 new cases registered between 1 January 1987 and 31 December 2001 in the rural field practice area of RLTRI, Raipur. An analysis was carried out with the objective of describing the epidemiological pattern of leprosy in the preceding 15 years. The patients in the study were also followed up prospectively till December 2003 to record any development of relapse or reactions. Data collected were grouped into three time-blocks and analysed at five-yearly intervals. Epidemiological indicators in different periods were also compared. 2972 new cases were included in the analysis; of these, 15.6% were registered in time-block 1, 20.9% in time-block 2 and 63.5 % in time-block 3. The P/D ratio, which was 8.5 in 1986 declined to 6.6 in 1991, 1.3 in 1996 and 0.4 in 2001 after which it rose marginally to 0.8 in December 2002. The proportion of MB cases showed a rise of 15.3% in 1991, 25.1% in 1996 and 28.7% in 2001. The mean age at registration showed a significant decline during different time periods from 35.2 +/- 16.9 in time-block I to 28.9 +/- 15.9 in time-block 3. The proportion of grade II deformity was 3.2% in time-block 1; it rose to 6.3% in time-block 2 and 5.9% in time-block 3. The proportion of cases completing treatment was 28.2% and 17.6% for MB and PB groups respectively in time-block 1, rose to 69.9% and 77.0% in the 2nd, and 74.9% and 81.6% in the 3rd. The proportion of relapse also came down markedly in time-blocks 2 and 3. The median duration of treatment was 28.0 months in time-block 1, came down to 9.0 months in time-block 2 and 7.0 months in time-block 3 following the introduction of MDT. The proportion of child cases and reaction rates showed a rise in time-blocks 2 and 3.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Integration of leprosy control into general health care system: observations from a state with low endemicity.

The study was undertaken as part of operational research to assess the level of integration of leprosy services into general health care system in 24 low or moderately endemic states/union territories by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Himachal Pradesh was one of the nine randomly selected states for the study. Out of the 12 districts in the State, 2 were selected randomly for the study. In each of the selected districts, 8 health facilities (that included a district hospital, an urban hospital/urban health centre, an Employees' State Insurance Hospital, a community health centre and a primary health centre) and 9 sub-centres were surveyed. Selection was done randomly at each stage. Data were collected on training in leprosy of general health care staff, availability of drugs for MDT in the system and maintenance of leprosy records by the staff of the system. The study showed mixed results. About half (53.2%) of the existing medical officers, 83.9% of health supervisors and 96.8% of multi-purpose workers were trained in leprosy. But only 31.3% of medical officers were able to diagnose leprosy and most of them were relying on vertical staff and skin specialists for confirmation. MDT services were provided by 20% of rural and 66.7% of urban health facilities that were acting as treatment centres. None of the health facilities had 3 months' stock of all types of blister packs, as per the guidelines of the Government of India. None of the sub-centres was involved in MDT delivery. However, reporting as per SIS formats was universal. The study emphasized the need for training and better management of MDT drug stock.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inter-state variations in integration of leprosy services into general health system in low/ moderately endemic states of India.

The objective of the study was to analyse inter-state variations in integration of leprosy services into the general health system, covering broad categories of structure integration, training of health functionaries, availability of MDT services and record maintenance, in 24 low/moderately endemic states. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 9 states, 86 health facilities (including district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres) and 108 sub-centres. Information from each level was collected on a pre-tested form by officers of three leprosy institutions of the Government of India. The results showed wide inter-state variations on each aspect. Redeployment of vertical staff was complete (100%) in Tamil Nadu and Tripura. Assam reported a higher level of training (97%) of medical officers in leprosy. Training of health supervisors and multipurpose workers was better than that of medical officers in most of the states. Tripura reported negligible training of all the health functionaries because of specific local problems. In Assam, Maharashtra and Sikkim, all the urban and rural health facilities were providing MDT. Three months' stock of all types of MDT blister packs was available only in one health facility in Andhra Pradesh and in Goa. Assam and Haryana had lower availability of MDT stocks. In Assam and Maharashtra, medical officers in all health facilities were diagnosing and treating leprosy cases, as compared with Himachal Pradesh where the value was 30%. Involvement of sub-centres in MDT delivery was more at 92% and 100% in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra respectively in comparison to none in Himachal Pradesh and Tripura. Use of the Simplified Information System (SIS) 2002 guidelines and formats was universal. However, lower involvement of GHS staff in recording and reporting was noted in Assam (0%), Andhra Pradesh (10% and 30%). The study emphasized the need for further tailor-made follow-up studies to suit local problems.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of some acylamide derivatives as potential hypoglycemic agents.

A series of new acylamide derivatives with piperidine, pyrrolidinyl and alanyl have been tested for their hypoglycemic activities. 2-(Pyrrolidynyl)-N-(3-chlorophenyl) acetamide and 2-(Piperazinyl)-N-(4-methoxy phenyl) acetamide were found most active hypoglycemic compounds. Probably the amides have mode of action similar to sulphonylureas.

Acetanilides↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Undernutrition, vitamin A deficiency and ARI morbidity in underfives.

In a longitudinal study of 200 randomly selected underfives were followed fortnightly for a period of one calendar year (January to December 91) to ascertain the influence of undernutrition and vitamin A deficiency on the ARI incidence. The study revealed that on an average a child suffered from 5.9 episodes of ARI in one year period. Children who were undernourished or showed signs of vitamin A deficiency had significantly greater risk of AIR attacks.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Child mortality in Goa: a cross-sectional analysis.

This paper is a study of the determinants of child mortality in the relatively developed Indian state of Goa. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 1992-93) conducted in the state of Goa have been used to examine the child mortality experiences of 1,331 women who were within a marriage lasting 15 years. An aggregated index of child mortality, which summarizes the mortality experiences of a woman with exposure adjustment, is the study variable. Maternal education and longer birth spacing were found to lower child mortality risks significantly.

Birth Intervals↗