Introduction: Tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent infectious disease and significant public health problem in Nepal. The importance of HIV surveillance among tuberculosis (TB) patients is increasingly being recognized as the HIV epidemic continues to fuel the global TB epidemic. In many countries the HIV prevalence in TB patients is a sensitive indicator of the spread of HIV into the general population. The aim of this study is to find out the HIV epidemic among TB patients.Methodology: This was a periodic sentinel survey, i.e. cross-sectional HIV Sero-prevalence survey of all newly registered TB cases above 15 year old to provide point estimate. This survey was carried out in six major diagnostic centres of tuberculosis of Nepal from July 2012 to February 2013. The calculated sample size for the surveillance study was 1000. The findings were processed/analyzed using SPSS (version 16) computer software. Descriptive statistics was used to observe the pattern in each variable.Results: The study revealed that four-fifth (80.9%) TB patients investigated were pulmonary positive and one-fifth (19.1%) extra pulmonary. Prevalence of HIV among tested TB patients was 2.4% and prevalence was comparatively more (2.8%) in Male than Female (1.4%). Sentinel site wise prevalence of HIV was higher (6.7%) in United Mission to Nepal (UMN), Palpa followed by 3.1%, 2.9% and 2.7% in District Public Health Office (DPHO), Kanchanpur, International Nepal Fellowship (INF), Nepalgunj and Regional tuberculosis Centre (RTC), Pokhara respectively. Comparatively prevalence was low (1.3%) in National Tuberculosis Centre (NTC), Thimi and not a single case of HIV among tested TB patients was found in Nepal Anti-TB Association (NATA), Biratnagar. Significant proportion (7.8%) of HIV prevalence was found in the age group of 35-39 years followed by 4.6%, 3.6% and 2.8% among the age group of 40-44 years, 50-54 years and 30-34 years age group respectively.Conclusion: Among all TB/HIV co-infected, significant proportion is found in 35-39 years and lowest in 20-24 age groups. Therefore, it is important to implement targeted interventions in the age group between 30-55 years age group. Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (PITC) in TB clinical setting plays important role to enroll more TB patients for HIV test.SAARC J TUBER LUNG DIS HIV/AIDS, 2015; 12(1), Page: 25-30
Based on the individual costs of screening tests for Hepatitis B (£6.30) and C (£5.13), for the 1115 current TB patients, our trust wide hepatitis screening costs were estimated at £12,744. The approximate cost of a liver transplant operation at Kings College Hospital in 2012 was £125,000, not including the additional after care costs and accounting for possible complications. We feel the cost of hepatitis screening is outweighed by the benefits of identifying patients with positive serology in a timely fashion; permitting closer monitoring of their liver function and initiating an early gastroenterology referral.It is vital we attempt to reduce the morbidity and possible mortality of hepatotoxicity in hepatitis positive TB patients; the financial, emotional and psychological implications for a patient undergoing a liver transplant are enormous. We propose that hepatitis screening is incorporated into current TB guidelines.
Background of the study: Anemia continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries including India. It is the most common cause of malnutrition in the world and is the eighth leading cause of diseases in girls and women in developing counties. About one third of the global population is anemic (WHO 2010) [1]. Knowledge regarding the causes, prevention and management of iron deficiency among reproductive age women plays an important role in reducing the mortality and morbidity rates. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge regarding iron deficiency anemia among reproductive age group women. Methodology: By using descriptive survey design, 50 women who met the criteria were selected by purposive sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to gather the data Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Findings shows that 6% of reproductive age group women had inadequate level of knowledge regarding anemia, 72% had moderate level of knowledge and 22% of them had adequate level of knowledge. Conclusion: Overall findings of this study revealed that knowledge on iron deficiency anemia was inadequate among reproductive age group women. There is a need to improve the health care services, facilities and more importantly knowledge among the women on topics related to anemia and its prevention.
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