Of 460 interns from five Pakistani teaching hospitals surveyed, only 22% correctly identified the estimated number of new TB cases in Pakistan. The majority (96%) knew that droplet infection was the usual mode of transmission. Only 38% considered sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli as the best test for diagnosis of pulmonary TB and 43.5% for follow-up during TB treatment. The recommended four-drug anti-TB regimen was prescribed by 56.5% in the initiation phase and the recommended two-drug combination in the continuation phase by 52%. Most interns (82%) were unable to identify a single component of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy. Our study reflects poor awareness of and low compliance to the World Health Organization/National Tuberculosis Programme guidelines among interns. For effective control of TB, immediate action to improve undergraduate and continuing medical education is essential, with special emphasis on national guidelines.

Background: Self-medication practice is widespread in many countries and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern. It assumes a special significance among medical students as they are exposed to knowledge about diseases and drugs. To assess practice and perception of self-medication among undergraduate medical students.Methods: It is a descriptive study in which study population was comprised of 2nd year undergraduate medical students of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India. Total 134 students were included in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from each volunteer prior to the study. Students were given a questionnaire that included both open and close ended questions about self-medication practice. Data was analysed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: It was found that 72 (54%) students practiced self-medication. The principal morbidity for seeking self-medication was cold and cough as reported by 70 (53%) students. Antibiotics were most commonly self-medicated as reported by 55 (36%) students. Only 34 (25%) students opined that self-medication is part of self-care.Conclusions: Self-medication is widely practiced among under­ graduate medical students. In this situation, we should educate the students about advantages and disadvantages of self-medication.

Background: Aloe vera (Family Liliaceae) has been used for the treatment of diabetes, skin disorders and as anti-inflammatory agent. Objectives: behavioral testing of antiparkinsonian effect of Aloe vera in MPTP induced animal model.Methods: Rotarod test and Catalepsy bar test were used for behavioral assessment. Assessment of oxidative stress was done in the striatal region of the brain by reduced glutathione (GSH) measurement.Results: A. vera (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase the retention time in rota rod test and significantly decrease the latency period in catalepsy bar test as compared to MPTP groups. A. vera was found to have significant anti-oxidative effect in the striatal region of the brain by GSH measurement.Conclusions: Thus, it can be proposed that A. vera has a potential anti-parkinson effect in mice.