Oral Consent Research Articles

Household food security in an urban slum: Determinants and trends.

Introduction:As we are moving from millennium development goals to sustainable development goals, food insecurity is imposing a formidable challenge to the policymakers, especially in developing countries such as India. A survey conducted in the urban slum areas of Vellore district, 6 years back, had reported food insecurity as high as 75%. The current study was a resurvey to assess the food security status in the aforementioned area.Materials and Methods:A community-based survey was conducted in which data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 150 households, selected through multistaged cluster sampling, who had given oral consent to be a part of the survey. The prevalence of food security calculated from this study was compared with the results from a previous survey to look for any significant improvement.Results:Nearly 42.7% of the households were food secure, while 26.7% were food insecure without hunger and 30.6% were food insecure with some degree of hunger. Low socioeconomic status (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29–8.16; P < 0.012) and presence of debt (OR: 3.84, 95% CI: 1.90–7.73; P < 0.001) were the major risk factors for food insecurity. A comparison with the findings from the previous study has shown a statistically significant improvement in food security from 25.4% to 42.7% (Chi-square: 27.072, df: 2, P < 0.0001).Conclusion:Although food security levels have shown marked improvement over the years, much needs to be done for India to be free from the shackles of hunger.

Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme Regarding Cardiac Rehabilitation in terms of Knowledge, attitude and Practice among Patients with Myocardial Infarction at KMC Hospital, Trichy.

The study was done to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction in KMC hospital at Trichy. The research deign used for the study was pre experimental deign. The research approach used for the study was evaluative approach which was conducted in KMC Hospital in Trichy. The conceptual frame work based on the Wiedenbach’s helping art of clinical nursing theory (1969). A sample of patients with myocardial infarction who met the inclusion criteria. The samples were selected for the study using purposive sampling technique. The instruments used for data collection were structured interview schedule, five point Likert attitude scale and observational check list. The investigator gave brief introduction and obtained oral consent from each participant prior to the study. After third day of admission the pretest was conducted by using the structured interview schedule, five point likert scale and observational check list for 30 minutes and the same day structured teaching programme given regarding cardiac rehabilitation for 45-50 minutes using laptop with compact disc. Posttest was conducted by using the same tool. Effectiveness of structured teaching programme was assessed by paired ‘t’ test. Karl Pearson test was used to find out the correlation between knowledge and practice among type patients with myocardial infarction. Chi–square test was used to find out the association the demographic variables with knowledge and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. There was an improvement in knowledge, attitude and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. Validity was done with suggestion of experts. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: • Majority of patients 25 (41%) belong to the age of 50-60 years. • Majority of patients 32 (53%) were males. • Majority of patients 45 (75%) were married. • Majority of patients 21 (35%) studied up to primary education. • Majority of patients 20(33%) were self employed. • Majority of patients 36 (60%) were belongs to Hindu religion. • Majority of patients 37 (61%) had income less than Rs. 2000. • Majority of patients 38 (63%) were from rural area. • Prior to implementation of structured teaching programme 26(43%) had inadequate knowledge, 28(47%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 6(10%) had adequate knowledge where as after implementation of structured teaching programme 31(52%) had adequate knowledge, 29(52%) patients had moderately adequate knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. • Prior to implementation of structured teaching programme 33(55%) unfavorable attitude, 24(40%) patients had moderately favorable attitude and 3(5%) patients had favorable attitude where as after implementation of structured teaching programme 45(75%) had moderately favourable attitude knowledge, 15(25%) patients had favorable attitude and non of them had unfavorable attitude regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. • Prior to implementation of structured teaching programme 24(40%) had inadequate practice 31(52%) had moderately adequate practice and 5(8%) had adequate practice where as after implementation of structured teaching programme 32(53%) had moderately adequate practice, 28(47%) patients had adequate practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. • High degree of positive correlation was found between posttest knowledge and posttest practice scores. • There is significance association was found the posttest knowledge and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction with their selected demographic variables. Finding showed that the structured teaching programme was effective in increasing the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. Thus structured teaching programme played an important role in improving the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION : Based on the findings of the study the following conclusion was drawn. The existing knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction was inadequate and moderately adequate. The existing attitude regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction was unfavourable and moderately favourable attitude. The existing practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction was inadequate practice and moderately adequate practice. The structured teaching programme significantly increased the knowledge (‘t’ value is 12.074), attitude (‘t’ value is 10.836) and practice (‘t’ value is 11.45) regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction. The study findings revealed that there was a significant improvement in the knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction followed by structure teaching programme. Based on the statistical findings it is evident that provision of such kind of structure teaching programme will motivate the myocardial infarction patients and help them to acquire knowledge, develop positive attitude and correct practice regarding cardiac rehabilitation among patients with myocardial infarction.

Practice of external ocular photography among ophthalmologists in Nigeria, sub-saharan Africa

Background: External ocular photography (EOP) has become an essential tool in the day-to-day practice of ophthalmology as it entails the imaging of the external eye, ocular adnexa, face, and the anterior segment of the eye. The aim of this study was to assess the practice of EOP among ophthalmologists in Nigeria with a view to providing baseline information that will be useful in the advancement of ophthalmic practice. Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey among practicing ophthalmologists in Nigeria. Information regarding reasons for external photography, type of camera, ownership of camera and barriers to external photography were obtained. The data obtained were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 software for Windows (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 183 out of 355 ophthalmologists completed the survey (51.5% response rate), with a mean age of 43.9 ± 8.1 years. Of the respondents, 84.7% use EOP in their practice with 53.6% making use of smartphones. Indications for the use of EOP were documentation (71.0%), teaching purposes (54.2%), patient’s communication (47.1%), and surgical/treatment planning (45.8%). Among the users of EOP, 87.1% obtained consent and only 5% use written informed consent. There is an association between obtaining consent and younger years in practice (P = 0.005). Conclusion: The use of EOP is high among ophthalmologists in Nigeria and with its increasing popularity comes the need for ethical and medicolegal considerations, especially in oculoplastic practices. Most importantly, whenever the effective concealment of patient’s identity and privacy cannot be guaranteed during clinical photography, the use of oral consent may be inadequate.

Studying results of life quality changes among children of the first three years of life with visual analyzer congenital pathology

Aim: the study of changes of life quality components in children of the first three years of life with the congenital pathology of the visual analyzer as an instrument of formation of their social adaptation in future.Materials and methods: forms of the sociological study by the adapted version of the standardized Children’s Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ) Felius et al. (2004) – 498 forms, among them 398 – from the main group and 100 – from the control one were the initial material. The scientific base of the study was ambulatory-polyclinic departments of health protection institutions of the city Kyiv that give medical care to children of the first three years of life, especially with the congenital pathology of the visual analyzer. To achieve the aim, it was necessary to use the complex of research methods, based on the system approach, namely: medical-statistical and sociological methods (form questionnaire with the interim report about the aim and tasks of the study for respondents, previous oral voluntary consent for the participation in the anonymous questionnaire).Results: It was elucidated, that most respondents from the main group, as opposite to patients from the control one, had disorders of life quality components by the scale “general vision” and “influence on a family”. Parents of children from the control group estimated the general vision of their children totally in 89,75 ± 1,33 points against 60,25 ± 1,96 by the total estimation of parents of children from the main group (difference was 32,87 %, at р&lt;0,001). In general, the total number of points in the main group was 64,89 ± 1,01 in the main group against 84,67 ± 0,92, by total estimations of the life quality of children of the early age by parents with the difference in 23,4 % (р&lt;0,001).The results of the realized study prove changes of the children’s life quality at vision disorders in the early age that substantiates the expedience of intensifying arrangements on timely revelation and treatment of vision function disorders in children, according to existent medical-technological documents.Conclusions: the studies proved that children with the congenital pathology of the vision analyzer suffer from the loss of life quality components from the early age that motivates the interaction between a family doctor, child ophthalmologist within their competences in giving medical help at vision analyzer function disorders from the first days of child’s life, for realizing the effective supervision of a family, preventing the development of the medical-social maladjustment of both a child itself and its family

Patterns and determinants of health care spending in denizens of urban slums from peri-industrial area of Hyderabad

Background: Dream of universal health coverage cannot be possible with huge burden of out of pocket expenditures, common in our community. Here attempt was made to find out the pattern of expenditure towards health in the people residing around the field practice area of concerned medical college. Methods: Community based cross sectional survey with predesigned and pretested questionnaire, with stratified random sampling, total of 257 study participants were included in study, which was initiated after ethical clearance and with informed oral consent. Results: With majority in lower socio economic class, 33.85% of population was found to be beneficiaries of one of the other Health insurance, provided through social security measures. On an average, families were spending Rs. 770.08 (±956.24) for monthly health related expenses. This high variation in was observed due to difference in the constitutional structure of families. Outpatient expenses had least burden on families (154.26 (±99.90)) followed by in patient expenses, which included day care for various minor elements. More than 60% reported catastrophic Health expenses, resulting in variety of financial issues in family. Conclusions: Huge burden of OOPE exists in the study area and at the same time, health care expenditure resulting in catastrophic expenses is high. The need of society to provide healthcare at subsidised rates including medicines is emphasised, which to be considered while implementing any policy decision.

Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in pregnancy at three health centers in Burkina Faso

Pregnant women are more susceptible to vaginal colonization and infection by yeast. The role of Candida colonization in the occurrence of preterm birth is well established. The knowledge of local epidemiology and identification of risk factors for preterm birth is important for the prevention and management strategies. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Candidasp. in vaginal swabs of pregnant women. Pregnant women attending routine antenatal visits in three primary health centres in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) were enrolled into a cross-sectional study carried out from February to April 2015. Vaginal swabs samples were taken from participants after obtaining oral consent. The swabs were inoculated into Sabouraud's glucose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol and incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48hours under aerobic conditions in order to perform fungal culture. The identification of the Candida species was done by culture on HiCrome Candida Differential Agar at 35°C for 48h for production of species-specific colors. A total of 229pregnant women were included. The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was 22.71%, (95% CI [17.45-28.69]). Candidaalbicans accounted for 40.39% and non-Candidaalbicans species for 59.61% of the isolates, with mainly C.glabrata (32.69%), C.tropicalis (15.38%) and C.krusei (11.54%). This study revealed a high prevalence of non-C.albicans species. The syndromic management guidelines for VVC in Burkina Faso will be revised to include a specific protocol for pregnant women.

The Role of Professional Ethics in Individual and Organizational Outcomes

The Role of Professional Ethics in Individual and Organizational Outcomes

Knowledge, Practice And Use Of Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa Leaves Among Naturopathy And Ayurvedic Practitioners Of Vadodara City and Desk Review On Various Commercial Formulations available In Health And Disease Specially Diabetes

&lt;p&gt;The &lt;em&gt;Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa&lt;/em&gt; (Bael), is indigenous to India and its leaves, bark, roots and fruit have been used for over 5000 years in the Indian traditional system of medicine like the Ayurveda, Naturopathy and in various folk medicine to treat various diseases including diabetes. This study was conducted to assess Knowledge, Practice and Use (KPU)of &lt;em&gt;Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa&lt;/em&gt; leaves among 20 Ayurvedic (AP) and Naturopathic practitioners (NP) in Vadodara city as well as desk reviews on various commercial formulations of &lt;em&gt;Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa&lt;/em&gt; (Bael) used in health and disease specially diabetes using internet&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Desk reviews were done using Pub Med and other web sources along with personal visits to various libraries across Gujarat state. For KPU, Purposive selection of AP (n=10) and NP (n=10) was done using snow ball sampling technique from Vadodara city in the form of key informant interviews based on their oral consent to share data among.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Desk reviews revealed that &lt;em&gt;Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa &lt;/em&gt;leaves were being recognized as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes in both Ayurveda and Naturopathy. Many Ayurvedic formulations were available commercially as poly herbal formulations (PHF) rather than single drug in the market of various reputed brands which contained &lt;em&gt;Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa &lt;/em&gt;leaves in the form of various powder, tablets, capsules, etc. Naturopathy did not contain any commercial brands of &lt;em&gt;Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa &lt;/em&gt; leaves as it believes in fresh doses of the plant.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;KPU results revealed that AP used bael leaves for the treatment of diabetes and the dosage for the treatment ranged from 5-10g/day in various forms such as powder, decoction and dry extract in the form of capsules (1 capsule contains 0.5mg of extract which is equivalent to 5mg of leaf powder). NP&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;also used&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;bael&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;leaves for the treatment of diabetes and the dosage ranged from 40-50 fresh leaves in the form of juice mixed with water to make a volume of around 100ml.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bael&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;leaves were reported to be used by these practitioners as anti-diabetic agent. This information extracted warrants further clinical trials to prove the efficacy of the anti-diabetic properties of these leaves.&lt;/p&gt;

Organizational Commitment and Its Dimensions in Nurses working in Arak’s Hospitals

Organizational Commitment and Its Dimensions in Nurses working in Arak’s Hospitals

Evaluating quality of care in rheumatoid arthritis: the patient perspective

As rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a potentially disabling disease, affecting up to 1% of the population, structural monitoring of standardised outcomes to identify best healthcare practices is vital to quality...

Sense of coherence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Introduction. Sense of coherence (SOC-29) clarifies the relationship with health. High SOC in patients with rheumatoid arthritis puts faith in the meaning of life. Makes you want to be healthy and be able to function. Aim. Aim of this study was to evaluate the sense of coherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2014, consisting of 120 patients with clinically diagnosed RA, who were covered by a stationary health care in a rheumatology department in one of hospitals in Olsztyn. Respondents knowingly gave oral consent to participate in the study. During the study, were used a questionnaire (SOC-29). The tool contains 29 questions relating to various aspects of life. Results. The mean of coherence in the study group was 137 points. Among the constituent components of SOC, patients received the highest score in the category of a sense of manageability, 48.97 points, followed by a sense of rationality 45.73 points, and a sense of meaningfulness of 42.3 points. Conclusions. The overall rate of SOC in the group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis reached the level of 137 points and is located in the middle of normative earned by Antonovsky. The highest rate of SOC patients were characterized by an under 30 years of age, also had the highest sense of manageability and reasonableness. However, a higher level of sense of rationality characterized patients between 31 and 40 years.

Central obesity and risks of cardiovascular events and mortality in prevalent hemodialysis patients.

To date, no attempt has been made to assess the best anthropometric method for defining abdominal adiposity in hemodialysis (HD) patients or to determine whether the quantity of intra-abdominal fat relates to morbidity and mortality in that population. We aimed to describe the prevalence of central obesity in HD patients and to investigate the relationship between central obesity assessed by anthropometric variables, and composite outcomes, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among HD patients and whether this parameter correlates with intra-abdominal fat assessed by computed tomography scan (CT scan). The procedures followed were in accord with the ethical standards of the committee on human experimentation of our institution. Informed oral consent was obtained from all patients. This was a cross-sectional study of 120 prevalent HD patients. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index, conicity index (Ci), waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were recorded. Visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat were assessed by CT scan. Comorbidity was scored for both the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and Davies comorbidity index. Twenty-eight patients (23.3%) were centrally obese based on anthropometry. By linear regression analysis, Ci, WHR, and VAI were predictors of CT assessed central obesity; p 0.042, 0.001, and 0.010, respectively. On assessment of the relationship between the abdominal obesity and the comorbidity indices, there was a positive significant correlation between Ci and CCI (p 0.025) and Davies score (p 0.002) which are predictors of mortality. During the mean follow-up period (3.2years), 56 patients reached the composite outcome; eight patients died and 48 experienced CV events. Central obesity measured by anthropometry was a predictor of composite outcomes, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality in HD patients by regression analysis and cox regression model. Only WC and WHtR did not predict mortality. Ci, WHR, and VAI are cheap alternatives for accurate assessment of morbidity and mortality risk in centrally obese prevalent HD patients.

INFORMED CONSENT STATUS IN OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES WITH RETROSPECTIVE DESIGN: A POOR SHOW

ABSTRACTObjective: Informed consent is very important to protect the rights of patients and is obtained as a vital component of any clinical study. Requirementof patient consent in retrospective research continues to stir controversy even today. Some of directions of regulatory authorities even waive off theconsent for retrospective studies, whereas few recommend that at least clearance from the Ethical Review Board may be taken or information topatient may be given or oral consent must be given by patient for usage of the data in any retrospective study. The aim of this study was to analyze thecurrent status of informed consent procedures in observational studies with retrospective design.Methods: This review was intended to find out the current status of procedures involved in informed consent in India and abroad. A total of 100retrospective studies were searched for this objective from the internet and other literature sources.Results: Data show that in 65% of studies neither informed consent/oral consent nor ethical clearance was taken. Only 1% of studies have beenconducted with informed consent as well as ethical clearance. Only 14% of studies were conducted with informed consent and 21% with ethicalapproval.Conclusion: The study reflects very poor status of informed consent in retrospective studies and noncompliance of ICH guidelines for clinical researchin relation to informed consent.Keywords: Clinical research, Informed consent, Retrospective studies.

Between Tort Law, Contract Law, and Child Law: How to Compensate the Left-Behind Parent in International Child Abduction Cases

III. The Contract Action Model (The Contract Model) A. Presenting the Model Where there is an agreement between the parties concerning the custody of the child and visitation arrangements, there may well be a breach of that agreement, which gives rise to an action for breach of contract and to the award of remedies, including compensation for financial and non-financial damages and the cancellation of the contract. The issues involved in awarding compensation to the left-behind parent for breach of contract are largely the same as those involved in awarding compensation in tort. An example for this model is the case of Dr. Z.M. v. R.M.P., which was discussed above in relation to the tort model. (142) In this case, the parties agreed in their divorce settlement, which was approved by the court, that the mother would have the sole custody of the child and the father would have visitation rights, but neither of them was allowed to take the child outside the jurisdiction without the written consent of the other party or of the court. The mother deceitfully took the child to Australia with no intention to return. Thus, the contract is in fact the divorce settlement, which settles matters such as custody and visitation. Often such a contract is approved by the court, which means that it also has the force of a judicial decision. This will also be the case in relation to a separation agreement or other custody agreement made in cases where the parents were not married from the outset. It seems that even an oral consent as to visitation and the conditions for leaving the country will be considered as a contract in these cases. Abduction can clearly be a breach of such contracts, even if the left-behind parent is not the custodian, where the contract clearly forbids a unilateral decision to take the child outside the jurisdiction and also where the removal prevents the realization of visitation rights. (143) B. Advantages The main advantage of the contract action compared to the tort action may be that the left-behind parent need not prove breach of duty of care or statutory duty, but only the existence of a contract and the breach of it. In addition to the right to claim compensation, the left-behind parent can ask the court to change the terms of the contract in light of the breach and the change in circumstances. This is true whether or not the contract was approved by a court. A contract action clearly promotes the major objective of contract law, which is to ensure that agreements are respected and, where they have been violated, to put the parties in the position that they would have been in if the contract had been performed, so far as possible. In the current context, this means compensating the left-behind parent for all the losses and expenses he has incurred as a result of the breach of the contract. Furthermore, a contract action is compatible with most of the goals of tort law and some of the goals of the AC in the same way as a tort action, as discussed above. (144) C. Disadvantages A contract action, like a tort action, is separate and independent from the proceedings for return of the child under the AC with the attendant disadvantages, outlined above. (145) Here too, the limited relevance of the abductor's lack of moral blameworthiness discussed above in relation to the tort model is equally relevant. In fact, there may be less scope for taking into account the left-behind parent's contributory fault because it is not clear that such a defense exists in contract law. (146) In addition, the left-behind parent can claim that if the abductor had complaints against him, he could have gone to court to seek appropriate remedies, such as changing the contract or even voiding it entirely. The rest of the procedural problems, such as res judicata, the splitting of damages, and the uncertainty in relation to heads of damage and quantification of compensation exist in this model too. …

Factors that hinder or enable maternal health strategies to reduce delays in rural and pastoralist areas in Ethiopia.

To document factors that hinder or enable strategies to reduce the first and second delays of the Three Delays in rural and pastoralist areas in Ethiopia. A key informant study was conducted with 44 Health Extension Workers in Afar Region, Kafa Zone (Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples' Region), and Adwa Woreda (Tigray Region). Health Extension Workers were trained to interview women and ask for stories about their recent experiences of birth. We interviewed the Health Extension Workers about their experiences referring women for Skilled Birth Attendance and Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes related to reducing the first delay, such as the tradition of home birth, decision-making, distance and unavailability of transport, did not differ between the three locations. Themes related to reducing the second delay differed substantially. Health Extension Workers in Adwa Woreda were more likely to call ambulances due to support from the Health Development Army and a functioning referral system. In Kafa Zone, some Health Extension Workers were discouraged from calling ambulances as they were used for other purposes. In Afar Region, few Health Extension Workers were called to assist women as most women give birth at home with Traditional Birth Attendants unless they need to travel to health facilities for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care. Initiatives to reduce delays can improve access to maternal health services, especially when Health Extension Workers are supported by the Health Development Army and a functioning referral system, but district (woreda) health offices should ensure that ambulances are used as intended.

A Comparative Study to assess the level of Stress between working and non working women in Sir Ivan Stedeford Hospital at Ambattur

The working women and non working women can get negative power or powerlessness due to negative personality trait of spouse, lack of cooperation excess work load, can't able to meet a normal activity due to tight work schedule for working women. By keeping those data's in view this study was made. A total of 20 samples (10 working and 10 non working women) were selected for study through purposive sampling techniques. Three point stress questionnaire scale was administered to obtain data after getting oral consent from the subject. For the period of two weeks this non experimental descriptive comparative study was conducted. The result showed there is moderate level of stress perceived by both the groups, no difference exist between working and non working women in level of stress. The demographic variables of non working women and level of stress has no significant association. But for working women the type of family have significant association. Unpaired ‘t’ test was used to make comparison. The study concluded that there is no significant difference is exist in Prevalence of stress and level of stress in both working and non working women, both are experiencing moderate level of stress.

Study of knowledge and skills of anganwadi workers regarding breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding practices

Background: Field workers from the community are the key persons for spreading the knowledge about breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding practices among people. Antenatal counseling on breastfeeding and postnatal lactation support are likely to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Objective: The present study was designed with the aim to examine the knowledge and skills of the anganwadi workers (AWWs), with respect to a few key elements of the services provided by them, in an urban city Patiala. Materials and Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out among the AWWs of urban Patiala in October-November 2012. 197 AWWs voluntarily participated. After taking oral consent, AWWs were interviewed with a pretested, semistructured, self-administered questionnaire developed in a local language. The answers were compared with the desired responses. The collected data were compiled in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with the help of SPSS version 20. Results: In the present study, more than 80% of all the AWWs had correct knowledge regarding initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feed, colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding. However, there were still some serious gaps such as in frequency of breastfeeding, continuation of breastfeeding after starting a complementary feed and during illness, and the concept of bottle feeding. Conclusion: The existing antenatal advice by AWWs on Breastfeeding and optimal infant and young child feeding is inadequate and needs to be strengthened.

Distribution of ABO and Rh(D) Blood Group System among Dangi Community of Udaipur, Rajasthan

Blood is the most important body fluid, which is responsible for circulation of important nutrients, enzymes, and hormones all across the body. Frequency distribution of blood groups is important as it is used in modern medicine, genetic research, anthropology, and tracing ancestral relations of humans. The present study deals with the distribution of ABO and Rh(D) blood group system among Dangi community of Udaipur, Rajasthan which is least explored community particularly on genetic trait studies. A total of 130 unrelated individuals (male=85, female=45) age ranges from 8 to 19 years (mean age=14.47) were screened for ABO and Rh(D) blood group system. Bloods were collected by finger prick method using sterile lancet with prior informed oral consent from the subjects. The phenotypic frequency of blood group ‘B’ (38.46%) was the most common followed by group ‘O’ (33.85%), ‘A’ (22.31%) and ‘AB’ (5.38%) following the trend of B>O>A>AB. The phenotypic frequency of Rh(D) (93.85%) is higher than Rh(d) (6.15%) of the studied community. Interestingly, the present study revealed high prevalence of Rh(d) (6.15%) among the Dangi, however males shows greater prevalence of Rh negative with 8.24% as compared to females (2.22%).

A Study to assess the Knowledge Regarding Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Family Members in Selected Rural area, Sri Ganaganagar District, Rajasthan

Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem globally, and India has the largest number of TB patients throughout the world. Correct knowledge regarding tuberculosis in the community are essential for the effective functioning of control programs. Objective: To assess the knowledge, regarding tuberculosis among the rural family members in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan, as tuberculosis is more prevalent in rural areas. Materials and Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in 6A Chotti Village, a rural area in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan, in April-May 2016. All family members aged between 18 years to 60 years who were permanent residents of the study area were included in the study.50 samples were taken for the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used as a study tool. Data collection was done by house-to-house survey. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics; informed oral consent was obtained from all the participants. Result: This study is revealed that the majority of most of the family members having knowledge average knowledge 26 (52%) regarding pulmonary Tuberculosis. Only 4 (8%) having good knowledge regarding TB and 22(44%) belongs to poor category. Conclusion: Intervention measures in the form of IEC activities should be carried out in rural areas to increase the awareness regarding tuberculosis.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Prostate Cancer among Male Staff of the University of Nigeria

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer in males in Africa, both in terms of incidence and mortality, accounting for 40,000 (13%) male cancers and 28,000 (11.3%) male cancer-associated deaths. In the developed world, the probability of being diagnosed with cancer is more than twice as high as in developing countries. In developing countries, most cancer victims are diagnosed at late stage, with incurable tumors, pointing to the need for education schemes and better detection programs. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of prostate cancer among male staff of the University of Nigeria. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 655 male staff who agreed to participate and were recruited on giving oral consent. A self-administered questionnaire, written in English was used. The mean percentage knowledge score was 71.2%. Some 57.8% of respondents had a high knowledge level of prostate cancer. The mean percentage attitude score was 69.9%. More than half (60.8%, n = 397) of respondents had a positive attitude towards prostate cancer screening and treatment. The mean percentage perception score was 60.0%. More than half (53.9%, n = 351) of respondents had a negative perception of prostate cancer screening and treatments. The staff of the University of Nigeria have appreciable knowledge and a positive attitude with regard to prostate cancer. A significant proportion of staff however, exhibited poor knowledge and negative attitudes and perceptions of prostate cancer screening and treatment.