Background: Government of India (GOI) is providing comprehensive integrated health care to the urban and rural people under the umbrella of National Health Mission. ASHA as an activist, a village level community health worker acts as an interface between the community and the public health care delivery system, and plays a central role in achieving population policy goals. The aim of study was to assess the knowledge component of ASHAs in the delivery of contraceptive information and services in coastal Andhra Pradesh.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh at sub-centres among 170 ASHA workers. The study area was selected by multi stage sampling technique. Data was collected using pre tested, semi-structured interview schedule. Qualitative data was expressed in percentages, and quantitative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation.Results: The mean age of ASHAs was 28.4 years (SD±3.82). Majority (75.88%) of ASHAs had completed secondary level education, 72.94% had knowledge regarding contraception for newly married couple, and 68.23% were aware of the effective time period for intake of emergency contraceptive pills. 45.88% of ASHAs were unaware of safe period.Conclusions: Majority of ASHAs had knowledge in certain areas of contraceptive information and services, whereas some are lacking knowledge regarding safe period, emergency contraceptive pills (EC pills), progesterone only pills, missed pills and period of condom use after vasectomy. Hence, it is essential to ensure that they receive quality training on contraceptive information and services from qualified personnel at regular intervals.
Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feeling of guilt or low self-esteem, loss of energy, altered sleep patterns and difficulty in concentration.Objective: This study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of Agomelatine with Escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder. design and Setting: This is a prospective study conducted at Outpatient Department of Psychiatry, GSL Medical College & General hospital, Rajahmundry, India. Materials and Methods:Patients with newly diagnosed major depressive disorder (DSM-IV-TR) with minimum score of 20 in Hamilton depression rating scale were randomly assigned Agomelatine (25-50 mg/day) or Escitalopram (10-20 mg/day) for a period of 8 weeks. The main efficacy outcome considered was the mean change of HAM-D17 score from baseline to end of therapy.Secondary outcome measures were Clinical Global Impressionsimprovement (CGI) and severity (CGI-S) rating scales.Statistical Analysis: Student t-test was used for comparing the groups and chi-square test was used for assessing the qualitative variables. For all statistical analysis p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. results:The drugs under study effectively reduced depressive symptoms at all the time points. The percentage of responders at 8weeks (last post baseline value) was 65.38% with Agomelatine and 57.40% with Escitalopram. The difference between the drugs was statistically not significant in all evaluations (p>0.05). The mean CGI-S and CGI-I scores were decreased in both the groups (p<0.05) and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at any assessment during the study period. Both the treatment groups showed favourable safety profile. conclusion:The study results supported that Agomelatine is therapeutically similar to Escitalopram in terms of antidepressant effect.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess and compare the efficacy and tolerability of flupirtine versus tramadol in patients with chronic moderate low back pain (LBP). Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the outpatient department of orthopaedics at tertiary care hospital, Rajamahendravarm. After meeting the inclusion criteria, a total of 60 patients were randomly allocated to tablet flupirtine 100 mg in Group A and tablet tramadol 50 mg in Group B. The efficacy of the study drugs was assessed at baseline and the end of treatment by numerical rating scale11, visual analog scale-100 mm, physician’s, and patient’s global assessment. Statistical analysis was done using paired and unpaired t-test and data were presented as mean±standard deviation. Adverse drug reactions were monitored during the treatment. Results: The study results showed that 90% of the patients in Group A and 78% of the patients in Group B had shown a good response to their respective drugs. 30% of flupirtine group patients reported adverse drug reactions which were mild. Conclusion: Both the drugs are effective in the treatment of moderate chronic LBP, but the advantage of flupirtine was, the incidence of adverse drug reactions was less when compared to tramadol group.
Background: HIV infected orphan children are the most vulnerable and neglected group in the society. They are more susceptible to constant illness, malnutrition and social discrimination. Aim: To assess the health and nutritional status of HIV infected children living in the orphanages of Rajamahendravaram.Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study, conducted among the HIV infected children aged 1 to 15 years, living at two orphanages in Rajamahendravaram. Study subjects were selected by consecutive sampling method. A semi-structured schedule was used for the collection of data. Health status was assessed by a schedule for morbidity profile; Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements, clinical examination and by a schedule for dietary intake. Z scores were calculated using the anthropometric measurements of the study participants; WHO reference growth charts were used to assess the nutritional status. Results were presented as percentages, proportions, mean and standard deviation.Results: Total 150 HIV infected children were enrolled in the study. The mean age of children was 9.28±2.88 years. 26% of children were born with birth weight <2.5 kg. Out of 150 children, 46.65% were underweight, 50% were stunted, and 22.6% were thin. The mean energy intake of HIV infected children indicates deficiency in comparison to reference standards of WHO.Conclusions: Unhealthy condition and undernutrition is highly prevalent in HIV infected children living in orphanages. Hence, their needs are to be addressed and all efforts need to be directed at alleviating undernutrition and ill health.
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