No abstract

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children and responsible for 20-30% of bacterial pharyngitis.Objective: Determining prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and clinical predictors of GAS among children with pharyngitis.Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 355 children with pharyngitis attended in Health Centers of Jimma town from May 8 to December 31, 2013. Demographic and clinical data were collected by questionnaire. Throat swabs were collected and processed with the standard microbiological techniques to isolate GAS. The disc diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done by SPSS version 20.Results: Females accounted for 57.7% of 355 children with pharyngitis. Sixty-six percent of the children were 5-9 years old giving mean ± SD age of 8.5 ± 2.7 years. The prevalence of GAS was 11.3%. All isolates of GAS were susceptible to penicillin and erythromycin. However, 52.5% were resistant to tetracycline. Absence of cough, tonsillar swelling or exudate and temperature >38°C were found to be independent predictors for GAS infection among children with pharyngitis (P < 0.05).Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of GAS was relatively low. However, the seasonality of GAS infection might underestimate the prevalence, so that large-scale prospective study in the entire season and in various settings is required. In addition, the clinical variables that are predictor of GAS pharyngitis can be considered for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis with further evaluation of its reproducibility in different settings.

BackgroundAsthma is one of the commonest respiratory diseases in Jimma area as well as a significant disease burden worldwide costing billions of dollars. Anti-asthmatic drugs that are available in the market are expensive and have adverse effects. Thus, it is wise to look for an adjunct therapy to alleviate these problems. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to see the effect of yoga on patterns of clinical features, peak expiratory flow rates and use of drugs in asthmatic patients.MethodsA preliminary controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 24 volunteer asthmatic patients who were getting support at the missionary of charity. They were grouped in yoga and control groups. An Indian yoga expert through a translator conducted the training on yogic practice, yogic posture, breath slowing technique and discussion at the end. Then, the yoga groups were supervised for four weeks taking yoga exercise daily for 50 minutes. Peak expiratory flow rate was taken using the mini Wright peak flow meter and vital signs were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed using web based Graph pad quick calcs statistical software.ResultsThe male to female ratio was 1:1 in both cases and control groups, 8(66.7%) were Christian and 9 (75.0%) were farmers. The yoga group showed 66.7% reduction in the use of salbutamole puff and 58.3% salbutamole tablets. There was a 10% increment in the PEFR in the yoga group while only 2% in the control group. There was statistically significant reduction in day and night asthma attacks in the yoga group.ConclusionYoga exercise among asthmatic patients resulted in a decreased number of day and night attacks and use of drugs. It also shows significant improvement in the peak expiratory flow rate. Further large scale study is recommended.

No abstract

No abstract