Teaching Institutions Research Articles

Home-based yoga intervention in hypertensive patients: changes in anthropometric and blood pressure parameters Running title: Home based yoga in hypertension

Introduction: The present study aimed to determine whether practicing yoga at home leads to significant improvements in hypertension and obesity compared to non-yoga practitioners. To compare these changes in yoga and control hypertensive patients at baseline and after invention of three months yoga program. Materials and methods: The present study was a non-randomised controlled trial, conducted for a period of two years, from December 2021 to December 2023 at a tertiary care teaching institute in Indore. Total 300 participants were divided into four groups (two intervention and two control groups) that were followed up for three months to assess the changes in their antropometric and blood pressure parameters after yoga intervention in the intervention group. Results: The intervention group reported a statically significant improvement in systolic blood pressure (P <0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (P <0.05). The quality of life was assessed based on the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and it was observed that the overall quality of life was perceived to be better in the intervention group which was statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusions: Yoga’s ability to lower blood pressure through stress reduction, autonomic regulation, and improved cardiovascular function makes it a promising non-pharmacological option for hypertension management

The teachers' perceptions about the use of the English books in teaching and learning process

This article was developed with the objective of identifying the perceptions of teachers about the use of English books in the teaching and learning process in educational institutions in Latacunga, where the data obtained through the use of an interview were in a public and private context using statistical-descriptive analysis, which allowed concluding that teachers consider the English book as an essential resource in the classroom, but need to be complemented with additional didactic resources. Another additional point is that the contents are not complete, so an improvement in the planning of contents is necessary. Finally, it is important to provide training on the use of textbooks, both for teachers in training and in-service teachers. Finally, in the fiscal context, the use of textbooks provided by the Ministry of Education is mostly used, as opposed to the private context in which textbooks from the market are mostly used, indicating that in both contexts textbooks have great influence in the development of the teaching and learning process, but in spite of this, they value different areas of the textbooks.

Predictive value of platelet parameters for early-onset pre-eclampsia: A prospective cohort study in a teaching institution in Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT Background: Early-onset pre-eclampsia is associated with severe maternal and perinatal complications. Identifying novel biomarkers for early prediction is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of platelet parameters, namely mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet count (PC), for early-onset pre-eclampsia. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, India. Pregnant women (n = 712) between 14 and 18 weeks of gestation were enrolled and followed up until delivery. MPV, PDW, and PC were measured at enrollment. The primary outcome was the development of early-onset pre-eclampsia (<34 weeks). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of platelet parameters. Results: The prevalence of early-onset pre-eclampsia was 5.3%. Women who developed early-onset pre-eclampsia had significantly higher MPV and PDW and lower PC at 14–18 weeks compared to those who remained normotensive. The combination of MPV > 10.2 fL, PDW > 16.5 fL, and PC < 180 × 103/µL had the highest predictive value (AUC: 0.951, sensitivity: 71.1%, specificity: 99.1%). Individual platelet parameters also demonstrated good predictive ability. Conclusion: Platelet parameters, particularly MPV, PDW, and PC, measured at 14–18 weeks of gestation, have good predictive value for early-onset pre-eclampsia. Incorporating these parameters into routine antenatal screening could improve the early identification of at-risk women. Further research is needed to validate these findings and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of implementation.

Integration and Innovation of Organic Chemistry Teaching and Synthetic Biology in Higher Education Institutions

Integration and Innovation of Organic Chemistry Teaching and Synthetic Biology in Higher Education Institutions

Clinico-spirometrical correlation of newly detected COPD patients with known tobacco smoking exposure or biomass smoke exposure presenting to a teaching institution in Vadodara, Gujarat

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea, coughing, sputum production) associated with abnormalities of the airways (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveoli (emphysema) that result in persistent, frequently progressive airflow obstruction are the hallmarks of COPD, a diverse lung illness. The current investigation aimed to establish a clinical profile of patients with recently diagnosed COPD who present to a healthcare facility in Vadodara. Materials and Methods: The Department of Respiratory Medicine conducted an observational cross-section study on individuals with recently discovered COPD. The study comprised records of 50 participants, from September 2022 to January 2024. Along with the spirometry results, pertinent clinical data were gathered. Results: The study’s patient population presented with an average age of 61.52 years. The fact that every patient in the research was over 40 years old suggests that COPD is becoming more common in people over 40. There was a male majority among the 50 patients, with 40 (80%) male and 10 (20%) female. Most common age group was smokers accounted for 80% of the total cases, suggesting that their incidence of COPD is greater. Average FEV1 at presentation was 41 L/min for 50 patients. Among 50 patients, 6% falls under mild, 28% under moderate, 42% under severe, and 24% under very severe according to GOLD grading and severity of airflow obstruction. Conclusion: Despite the fact that tobacco smoke is thought to be the main cause of COPD. Indoor and outdoor air pollution are major issues in many nations, including India. One of the main risk factors for COPD is smoke from activities such as burning wood or biomass fuels in addition to work exposure. The ageing of the global population and ongoing exposure to COPD risk factors are expected to contribute to a rise in the prevalence and burden of COPD in the ensuing decades. The fact that most newly diagnosed patients in this research were older and more symptomatic and that most identified individuals had moderate to severe COPD, indicates the importance of spirometry programs in primary care for the early detection of COPD. Our findings suggest that a new campaign requiring patients to undergo spirometry and routine follow-up may be able to identify a sizable proportion of patients with undiagnosed COPD and perhaps improve their quality of life.

Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in teaching and learning in higher education institutions in Kenya, specifically focusing on Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS), Adaptive Learning Platforms, Virtual Learning Assistants (VLAs), Automated Grading Systems and Learning Analytics Systems (LAS), their accessibility use and its effectiveness in teaching and learning. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches, to gather comprehensive data from faculty members, students, and administrators across 15 selected public and private universities and technical colleges in Kenya. The findings indicated that the accessibility of AI tools in institutions of higher learning in Kenya is significantly limited. A large majority of respondents expressed that AI tools are not readily available, highlighting disparities in access across different departments and projects within institutions. In terms of usage, the integration of AI tools into teaching and learning practices is still in its early stages in most institutions and where they are available they are not always well-integrated with existing curricula, leading to limited and uneven adoption across different disciplines. Despite these challenges, those who have begun using AI tools have reported benefits such as personalized learning, more efficient assessment processes, and enhanced feedback mechanisms, indicating that AI has the potential to transform educational practices if more effectively utilized. Findings further established a significant correlation between AI tools and effective teaching and learning in institutions of higher learning in Kenya (r = .781; p = .000). The study noted that while AI can significantly improve the educational experience, its current impact is constrained by several factors. Faculty members' unfamiliarity with AI, the lack of comprehensive training, and the inadequate integration of AI tools into the curriculum are major barriers to their effective use. However, where AI has been successfully implemented, it has contributed to better learning outcomes, higher student engagement, and more personalized feedback. The study recommended that institutions must invest in infrastructure, ongoing professional development, and curriculum integration, ensuring that AI tools are both accessible and effectively used to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

La Institución Libre de Enseñanza y sus autores leoneses

The article explains the pedagogical purposes of the Free Teaching Institution, its intentions to renew the pedagogy ot its time, especially in primary and secondary education. It also refers to its furious detractors, who finally put an end to all its innovations. In the second part, the fundamental ideas of the most important Leonese authros of the Institution are explained, alluding to the heterodosy of their thought and their common desire to cultivate the idea of tolerance, as well as their particualr concept of religion.

Clinicopathological feature and patterns of care of breast cancer patients in a peripheral tertiary care teaching institute: A retrospective analysis

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer worldwide and it is the most frequent cause of death due to cancer in women in India. Management of breast cancer requires multidisciplinary treatment. There are very limited data on clinicopathological features and patterns of care for breast cancer in resource-constrained area. Objectives: The objective of the study was to describe the clinicopathological feature of breast cancer and patterns of care provided to breast cancer patients in a peripheral tertiary care teaching institute catering to a rural population. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study including 252 histologically proven breast cancer patients was done from January 2022 to December 2022. Clinical characteristics, diagnostic, treatment details, and patterns of care of individual patients were reviewed and compiled in a case record form and the data were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and fifty-two patients were included in the study. 90.9% of patient has infiltrating duct carcinoma. The median age of presentation is 46 years. 50.8% were postmenopausal. The left breast was involved in 56.7%. 47.6% had locally advanced disease and 9.5% had metastatic disease at presentation. 2.4% of patients had a positive family history, and only 45.6% of patients had known immunohistochemistry (IHC) status out of which 46.9% were estrogen receptor positive, 40% were progesterone receptor positive, 13% were Her 2 neu positive, and 46.9% were triple-negative breast cancer. 88.9% of patients underwent Modified Radical Mastectomy. Conclusions: Although breast cancer remains a major clinical problem in India, there are wide disparities in patterns of care among urban fully equipped state-of-the-art centers and peripheral centers catering majorly to a rural population. Our audit shows the majority of patients presenting with advanced disease, not having an IHC report and undergoing mastectomy which reflects both lack of screening, awareness as well as resource constraints that can challenge the delivery of optimal care.

Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy Versus Radiation Therapy for cT3N0M0 Glottic SCC: Outcomes in Candidates for Total Laryngectomy Responding Well to Induction Chemotherapy.

To evaluate whether supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) may be a viable alternative to radiation therapy (RT) for patients with glottic cT3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who are surgical candidates for total laryngectomy (TL) and respond well to platinum-based induction chemotherapy. Retrospective case series review of 18 consecutive patients with cT3N0M0 glottic SCC, initially considered surgical candidates only for TL who showed a good response to platinum-based induction chemotherapy, managed at a French university teaching institution with either SCPL (n = 9) or RT (n = 9). The main endpoints were 10-year local control and laryngeal preservation. The secondary endpoints were 10-year survival, causes of death analysis, and univariate analysis of local control and survival. The 10-year actuarial local control, laryngeal preservation, survival rates were 77.8%, 88.9%, and 66.7% after SCPL, respectively, and 72.9%, 87.5%, and 33.3%, after RT without significant statistical differences. In univariate analysis none of the clinical variables under analysis were related to local control and survival. Our data suggest that SCPL may warrant further consideration as a treatment option for glottic cT3N0M0 SCC patients who respond well to platinum-based induction chemotherapy. However, additional prospective research is warranted given the retrospective, nonrandomized nature of the presented case series.

Examining the effects of psychological resilience and wellbeing on perceived stress and depressive symptoms among undergraduate nursing interns: testing a moderated mediation model.

Perceived stress is recognized as a significant risk factor for depressive symptoms, while psychological resilience and wellbeing are considered crucial protective factors. However, the intricate relationships among these variables in undergraduate nursing interns remain largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms, as well as the moderating influence of wellbeing on this mediation. From March 1 to 31, 2024, a cluster sampling survey was conducted to examine senior nursing undergraduates from a medical college in Anhui Province who were engaged in clinical practice at various hospitals. The surveyed hospitals were all Grade III, and Class A teaching institutions situated in Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and other provinces. According to the Lewinsohn behavioral theory of depression, the study measured perceived stress, depressive symptoms, wellbeing, and psychological resilience using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), and the Chinese version of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). The PROCESS v4.0 macro was utilized to evaluate the mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating role of wellbeing. A total of 299 valid samples were included. Perceived stress, depressive symptoms, psychological resilience, and wellbeing were significantly correlated. Psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms [indirect effect = 0.111, 95% Boot CI (0.065, 0.162)]. Wellbeing also moderated the relationship between psychological resilience and depressive symptoms [B = 0.007, 95% Boot CI (0.003, 0.011)]. The mental health of undergraduate nursing interns warrants attention. To reduce perceived stress and depressive symptoms, interventions should focus on enhancing psychological resilience and wellbeing among these interns.

Clinical simulation practice and associated factors among nurse and midwife educators working at teaching institutions in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

Clinical simulation practice and associated factors among nurse and midwife educators working at teaching institutions in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: a mixed methods study

Challenges in practice and training structure of residents in obstetric anaesthesia: a perspective from teaching hospitals in Sindh province of Pakistan

Objective: To document information on the available obstetric anaesthesia services and structure of resident training in a Pakistani setting. Method: The survey was conducted from June to September 2018 across the Sindh province of Pakitan after approval from the ethics reiew committee of the Pakistan Society of Anaesthesiology, and covered all teaching hospitals in both public and private sectors recognised for residents’ training for fellowship in Anaesthesiology by the College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan. A standardised questionnaire was filled by either the department chairperson or a senior designated faculty member in each institution regarding obstetric anaesthesia services and structure of resident training. Data was analyse using SPSS 22. Results: The results reflect the obstetric anaesthesia practice in 12 teaching institutions of Sindh province, seven government-run, and five private. Only 2 (17%) hospitals had dedicated preoperative assessment clinics for obstetric patients. Epidural service for pain free labour was available in 8(67 %) of the hospitals. Eleven (91.6%) hospitals had dedicated operating rooms and nine (75%) had separate recovery facilities. Onsite laboratory and blood banks were available in only 3(42%) of government and 3(60%) of private institutions. In 9( 75%) hospitals staffing of these units were by Senior Medical Officers. Regarding training of residents, a shortage of trainers was observed in two government and one private hospital leading to unsupervised work by the trainees. There was wide variation in training in spite of a standardised curriculum provided by the national training body. Conclusion: Gaps were identified in the practice of obstetric anaesthesia and structure of residents’ training. It is important to improve both service and training to improve patient safety. Key Words: Pregnancy, Blood, Anesthesia, Obstetrical, Surgeons, Obstetric

Teachers as Professionals: How Contextual Knowledge Justifies Teacher Autonomy

Background: Despite claims made by teachers, teacher educators, and researchers, the dominant U.S. legal and political practice holds that teachers are not full professionals. Denying teachers’ full professional status limits teachers’ professional autonomy and leaves their work heavily controlled by external authorities. Are these external limits on teachers’ work justified? Definitions of what a full profession is vary, but nearly all require the professional to possess complex and specialized knowledge, which justifies the self-regulation of the field by its practitioners. Unlike the knowledge possessed by doctors and lawyers, the knowledge teachers possess is often thought to be insufficiently specialized and complex to meet this standard—they are claimed at best to be “semi-professionals.” Purpose: This essay aims to show that leading arguments used to reject teachers’ claim to professional status rely on a misleadingly decontextualized picture of pedagogical knowledge traceable to Lee Shulman. Against this picture, I follow Gloria Ladson-Billings’s critique of Shulman from the perspective of culturally relevant pedagogy to advance what I refer to as the integrated account of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge. The integrated account of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge reveals that although teachers possess a unique and highly complex knowledge base, that knowledge base is always in large part hyper-context-specific. Once the hyper-context-specificity of teachers’ knowledge is appreciated, we discover that teachers’ claim to professional status is justified, contrary to prevailing legal and political practice. Research Design: This essay uses empirically engaged philosophical methods to analyze the existing arguments against teachers’ claim to full professional status. By making the presuppositions and limitations of these arguments explicit, the analysis supports a revision in theory, policy, and practice toward the integrated account of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and teaching’s professional status. Recommendations: The integrated account of teachers’ pedagogical knowledge recommends the development of professional institutions for teaching. Because pedagogical knowledge differs in its hyper-context-specificity from the more codifiable knowledge bases of other professions, the professional institutions and practices appropriate to teaching differ as well. To guide policy, research, and practice, I trace four commitments implied by the integrated account of pedagogical knowledge: (1) representation from learner communities in professional pathways; (2) professional organizations and standards rooted in hyper-context-specific knowledge; (3) culturally sustaining, teacher-driven law and policy creation processes; and (4) educational research that centers teachers’ professional wisdom.

The English Language Taught in Chadian Institutions of Science and Technology

The present study investigates the teaching of the English language in some Chadian educational institutions of science and technology, with the aim of bringing out the specificities in the teaching and learning processes in the concerned institutions. The study is thus informed by Morley’s (2000) perspective on Halliday’s (1985) Systemic Functional Linguistics, and makes use of a quali-quantitative method. Informants randomly sampled from a population constituted of teachers, students and government officials were subjected to questionnaires as main research tool. The findings reveal that common teaching and learning practices in the institutions under inquiry rather fall under general English instead of ESP. Thus, need is to revisit syllabuses and teaching methods so as to meet the communicative needs of the learners.

Patterns of care for vulvar cancer and insights from revised FIGO staging: a retrospective study

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and patterns of care among women diagnosed with vulvar malignancy at a tertiary care teaching institute. Additionally, the study aimed to analyse the implications of revised FIGO staging system on stage shift and patient outcomes.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted, wherein hospital records of biopsy-proven cases of vulvar cancers managed over a period of 10 years were comprehensively reviewed. The assignment of FIGO staging was performed utilizing both 2009 and 2021 FIGO staging systems for comparative analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 17. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method, with differences assessed using the log-rank test. Additionally, multivariable analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsA total of 82 cases meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Management patterns varied widely, with the majority undergoing surgery (73.2%), followed by definitive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy (10.9%), neoadjuvant radiotherapy and subsequent surgery (4.9%), and palliative care (10.9%). Post-operative radiotherapy was administered in 31.7% of cases. The disease-specific recurrence rate was found to be 32.9%, and the mortality rate was 30.5%. The median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was 17 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 1–36 months), while the Overall Survival (OS) was 27 months (IQR: 9–52 months). Upon application of the 2021 staging system, a stage shift was observed in 18% of cases of advanced vulvar cancer. The 3-year DFS and OS were reduced for stage IIIA and stage IVA, while showing improvement for stage IIIB.ConclusionsThe revised FIGO 2021 staging system offers enhanced simplicity in its application within clinical practice and demonstrates improved correlation with prognosis. Approximately 18% cases experienced restaging under the updated system.Trial registration numberNot applicable.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on routine surgical turnover in otolaryngology: a retrospective analysis of service dynamics utilizing finalized, cumulative data from a tertiary-care teaching institute in India.

To ascertain the effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on routine (non-COVID) Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) turnover in a tertiary-care teaching institute, utilizing the cumulated, finalized dataset one year after the pandemic ceased to be a "public health emergency of international concern". In this retrospective analysis, annual routine turnover in the ORL-HNS categories (otology, rhinology/skull-base, head-neck/airway, emergency, miscellaneous) for the COVID-period (2020-21) were individually compared with pre-COVID (2017-19) data. Subsequently, categorical turnovers, along with the major surgeries in each category, were compared trimester-wise in the COVID-period. Data were interpreted statistically and explained graphically superimposing on the COVID timeline. Overall surgical turnover in 2020-2021 decreased by 64.11% and 34.59%, respectively, from the pre-COVID period. The decline was [62.3%, 78.05%, 59.96%, 65.14%] and [34.2%, 29.27%, 30.64%, 45.6%] in otology, rhinology/skull-base, head-neck/airway, and emergency surgeries, in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Significant decline, however, was only in rhinology/skull-base (p = 0.00012) for 2020, which again increased in 2021 (p < 0.00001). Tympanomastoid surgeries, endoscopic sinus/septal surgeries, direct laryngoscopic procedures and tracheostomy topped the respective categories. Despite the deadlier second wave in 2021, there was a statistically significant change in trimester-wise turnovers across categories from 2020 to 2021. Overall turnover in 2020 was lesser, the second and third (lockdown/unlock) trimesters being mostly affected. In the most comprehensive post-COVID service dynamics analysis, routine ORL-HNS turnover was apparently not found to be significantly affected by the pandemic except in rhinology/skull-base. However, trimester-wise comparison within the COVID-years revealed statistically significant changes in categorical turnovers from 2020 to 2021.

Evaluating Communication Practices between Dentists and Dental Technicians

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of current communication practices and the understanding of technicians regarding written prescriptions. Methodology: This Questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, from Aug 2023 to May 2024, to assess communication quality between dentists and dental technicians. The sample consisted of 50 dental technicians currently employed in ten different private and public dental laboratories in Lahore, Punjab. The selection of participants was carried out using non-probability convenient sampling. Undergraduate students pursuing dental technology were excluded from the study to maintain a focus on experienced professionals who actively participate in dental restoration processes. Data were collected using a modified standardized questionnaire, including items on demographics and communication quality. Data was collected, reviewed for completeness, and analyzed using SPSS v24. Results: Most dental technicians (n=38, 68%) possess a BSc degree in dental technology with work experience ranging from 1 to 45 years. Communication preferences varied notably across workplace settings. About 46% (n=23) of the technician favored direct communication. There was a significant difference in communication modes between these settings (p=0.001), with a preference for personal visits, particularly among technicians from teaching institutes (n=23, 88.5%). The majority (n=42, 84%) reported positive receptivity from dentists, and 62% (n=31) indicated that communication was encouraged, particularly in teaching institutes. Issues regarding blank prescription cards were mixed, with 36% (n=18) never receiving them and 50% (n=25) consulting clinicians in such cases. Only 36% (n=18) of technicians felt they received sufficient information. Conclusion: Most technicians prefer direct communication from dentists, particularly in teaching institutes, compared to those in commercial labs who favor phone calls. A major concern was the lack of sufficient information and blank patient prescriptions from dentists. Addressing these gaps through standardized protocols, modern digital tools, and enhanced training can improve patient outcomes.

Clinicopathological Profile of Severe Anemia Under 12 Years in Tertiary Care Teaching Institute From Western India

Clinicopathological Profile of Severe Anemia Under 12 Years in Tertiary Care Teaching Institute From Western India

Paediatric Pain Assessment and Perioperative Pain Management: A Survey of Practice in Teaching Hospitals in the Two Provinces of Pakistan.

To map the practice of paediatric perioperative pain assessment and management among consultant anaesthetists working in teaching institutions in the two provinces of Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, Teaching institutions of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, from January to October 2022. A questionnaire was designed to determine the participants' practices about perioperative pain assessment and management. It consisted of 26 questions that included participants' demographic data and questions about their paediatric practice. A total of 152 responses were received (response rate 76%). Most participants (n = 84, 55.3%) had a two-year diploma in anaesthesiology, while 38.2% had a four-year diploma. Additionally, 66.4% worked at public sector hospitals and 28.3% at private hospitals. Only 66% of respondents used paediatric pain scales for pain assessment in the recovery rooms. Most participants, 72.2%, had no Paediatric Pain Management Guidelines available at their institution. Only 5% had access to 5 analgaesic medications, while 32% had access to only 2 medications for intraoperative pain management. The practice of anaesthesiologists in these two provinces of Pakistan is highly varied since there is a lack of national guidelines. Paediatric anaesthesia, Acute pain, Pain management, Pain measurement, Paediatric pain assessment, Anaesthesia and analgaesia, Survey and questionnaires.

Need for travel health clinic: A cross-sectional study among international travellers availing yellow fever vaccination in a teaching institution.

Traveller's health is one of the factors determining the success of his or her visit to the destination. The health aspects before, during and after travel are often neglected which may lead to untoward incidences during or after travel. Also, with the increase in national and international travel many emerging and re-emerging diseases are on the rise. This study was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge and practices of the travellers and to find out the need for travel health clinics. A cross-sectional study among adults attending the Outpatient Department of International Travellers vaccination was conducted for 3 months. Data was collected regarding the awareness, knowledge and practices of 216 travellers by using a pre-validated interview schedule. Systematic random sampling was used to select these travellers. Analysis was performed after entering the data in Microsoft Excel and SPSS software wherein frequency percentages were calculated and the association was found between the awareness and felt need for a travel health clinic. The purpose of most of the travellers was job-related, the majority being males. As the study was conducted in a yellow fever vaccination centre majority knew only this as a travel-related preventable disease condition. The awareness regarding travel-related diseases was found to be less and which led to a felt need by the travellers for pre-travel counselling with a doctor. Travel medicine is an emerging area for health care providers and there is a felt need for a travel health clinic with the increase in the domestic as well as international travel.