Aims:To assess the functional status of patients with Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) registered in the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) center.Materials and Methods:Design: Descriptive study. Study setting: ART center in Calicut Medical College, Kerala, India. Subjects: Cohorts of AIDS patients attending the ART center during the year 2007. Data collection: Done prospectively from the secondary data available from the center. Outcome measures: The demographic, morbidity, functional status and laboratory parameters were collected. Data processing was done using Excel datasheet and analysis were done using Epi info 2003.Results:One hundred and ninety-five patients received care during this period; 69% were males. The mean age was 38±9 years; 80% of them were married and in 50% of their spouses also tested positive for HIV. The mean CD4 count was 127 cells/microliter. The majority (90%) were categorized as WHO Stage 3 or 4 of HIV. Only 52% of them were able to perform their usual work in or outside their house; the rest were not able to lead an economically productive life. Thirty-six per cent were only able to perform activities of daily living; 12% were bedridden. The functional status of the patients positively correlated with WHO disease stage (P = < 0-0001), and CD4 count and hemoglobin levels negatively correlated with staging (P = <0.001). 62% are having any of the opportunistic infections.Conclusion:Fifty per cent of the AIDS patients are disabled and need support and care. As AIDS is a growing problem, community-based palliative care for AIDS patients should be strengthened in India.
Transition of a cancer patient from curative to palliative stage is one of the most difficult and challenging phases of cancer care both from patient and physician point of view. Most of the time the treating surgeons are expected to facilitate this transition but due to a number of reasons surgeons often fail to fulfill this crucial responsibility. This article highlights the various issues involved in the transition phase from a surgeons perspective.
Context: Police of icers play an important role in the society by ensuring security and are an occupational group at high risk for sustaining injuries, which is associated with an increased risk of adverse physical and mental health. Studies suggest that they die at an earlier age than expected for the general population for all causes of death. Risks for occupational injury and illness among policemen have not been tracked adequately; the relationships between chronic disease and mortality have not been adequately evaluated and health and hazard surveillance system have not been yet developed in India. Objectives: The main objective was to document the pattern of injuries and associated factors among police of icers and to study its effect on their health. Materials and Methods: The study was cross sectional and covered 900 policemen (n = 900). Details of injury and related history were elicited using a semi structured questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements were carried out using standard techniques. Multivariate analysis was done to identify associated risks and to assess the impact of injury on the physical and mental health of policemen. Results: Injury was reported by 20% of the policemen. The main cause of injury was encounters (52.7%) followed by accidents (35.5%). Commonest type of injury was laceration (43.2%) followed by fractures (36.7%). The injury group had higher prevalence of smoking, frequency of alcohol consumption, less satisfaction levels, and also reported more joint pain and body aches. Though the perceived stress and metabolic syndrome were high it was not statistically signi icant. Conclusions: Our study indicates high susceptibility of police of icers to injury. Availability of equipments for personal protection of police should be improved and its compliance ensured for the safety of the police and the community.
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