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BackgroundCognitive impairment is recognized as an important feature of psychosis in its early stages and is a determinant of prognosis and management of these disorders.Aim of the studyTo test the cognitive functions in first psychotic episode in patients with disorders of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and depression with psychotic disorder and to compare them to controls.Subjects and methodsThe study included 254 patients diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical criteria of Mental disorders, 4th edition (91 schizophrenics, 21 with schizoaffective disorder, 107 with bipolar disorder and 31 with psychotic depression) and experiencing their first psychotic episode. Seventy healthy volunteers matched as regards age and sex with patients were used as controls. All are subjected to cognitive evaluation by Trail Making Test, part B, Wisconsin card sorting test 128, Benton Visual Retention Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test.ResultsAll patients showed significant cognitive deterioration in all tests compared to control group. On comparing patients to each other, there was no significant difference between schizophrenics and patients with bipolar disorder, but both showed marked deterioration in comparison to depressive group.ConclusionCognitive impairments are present in early stages of psychosis and need careful assessment and management.

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BackgroundThe objective was to study risky behaviors for HIV infection by drug dependents and assess their needs for prevention.MethodologyThis study was conducted on 188 drug addicts using a pre tested and pre designed qustionnaire sheet.ResultsThe majority of studied addicts were ageing 20–40 years (81.4%), males (88.8%), of urban residence(69.7%) and of single marital status (69.7%). Illiteracy represented 10.6% and 22.3% were unemployed. Practicing drug injection was found among 44.7% out of them 42.9% shared needles. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS was found among the majority of studied addicts but deeper knowledge about modes of transmission was defective. Only 11.2% were ever screened for HIV compared with 43.6% for viral hepatitis. Risk perception for HIV infection was found among 28.6% of injecting drug users and 22% of addicts with unsafe sexual relations. Nearly two thirds had extramarital sex with multiple partners while 66.9% reported never use condoms. Hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted infections were significanlty higher among dependents with unsafe sexual behaviros and drug injection.ConclusionRisky behaviors for HIV infection are common among studied addicts. Their risk perception and knowledge about HIV/AIDS was, however, found defective. There is urgent need for outreach programs to increase their awarness about harm reduction meaures.