Level of knowledge regarding hepatitis-B immunization amongst health personnel in Delhi, India

Hepatitis B infection is endemic throughout the world. Government of India started Hepatitis B immunization project for children less than one year of age in 15 cities and 32 selected districts in the country in the year 2002. This study was carried out to ascertain the level of knowledge regarding Hepatitis B immunization amongst primary care provider working in urban government dispensaries. Out of 12 municipal zones in Delhi [India], one was selected randomly i.e. South Municipal zone and all the 32 government dispensaries operational in this zone were covered. The study subjects were medical officer and health worker female. A single investigator carried out the survey during the period Oct-Dec' 05 using interview schedule bearing 15-item question based on WHO & GOI guidelines & broadly divided into three sub-groups and analysis carried through software statistical package [SPSS ver. 7]. Out of 172, a total of 141 [82%] primary care provider i.e. 73 medical officers and 68 health worker female were contacted. The overall mean score amongst medical officer for Hepatitis B infection, Hepatitis B immunization & Cold chain component for Hepatitis B vaccine was found to be 89.33 [SD 1.21], 87.25 [SD 1.56] and 40.80 [SD 3.07]. Similarly for health worker female, mean score was found to be 59.75 [SD 2.08], 97.37 [SD 0.85] & 70.0 [SD 2.77] respectively. A clear difference was found between theoretical and practical knowledge aspect on the subject area with cold chain being identified as a weak link. It needs to be emphasized that Hepatitis B is "freeze-sensitive" vaccine and should be strictly preserved between 2-8 degrees C temperatures as freezing has a detrimental effect on its potency.     

General practitioners' knowledge, confidence and attitudes in the diagnosis and management of dementia

OBJECTIVE: To measure general practitioners' knowledge of, confidence with and attitudes to the diagnosis and management of dementia in primary care. SETTING: 20 general practices of varying size and prior research experience in Central Scotland, and 16 similarly varied practices in north London. Participants: 127 general practitioners who had volunteered to join a randomised controlled trial of educational interventions about dementia diagnosis and management. METHODS: Self-completion questionnaires covering knowledge, confidence and attitudes were retrieved from practitioners prior to the educational interventions. RESULTS: General practitioners' knowledge of dementia diagnosis and management is good, but poor awareness of its epidemiology leads to an over-estimate of caseload. Knowledge of local diagnostic and support services is less good, and one third of general practitioners expressed limited confidence in their diagnostic skills, whilst two-thirds lacked confidence in management of behaviour and other problems in dementia. The main difficulties identified by general practitioners were talking with patients about the diagnosis, responding to behaviour problems and coordinating support services. General practitioners perceived lack of time and lack of social services support as the major obstacles to good quality care more often than they identified their own unfamiliarity with current management or with local resources. Attitudes to the disclosure of the diagnosis, and to the potential for improving the quality of life of patients and carers varied, but a third of general practitioners believed that dementia care is within a specialist's domain, not that of general practice. More experienced and male general practitioners were more pessimistic about dementia care, as were general practitioners with lower knowledge about dementia. Those reporting greater difficulty with dementia diagnosis and management and those with lower knowledge scores were also less likely to express attitudes endorsing open communication with patient and carer. CONCLUSION: Educational support for general practitioners should concentrate on epidemiological knowledge, disclosure of the diagnosis and management of behaviour problems in dementia. The availability and profile of support services, particularly social care, need to be enhanced, if earlier diagnosis is to be pursued as a policy objective in primary care.     

General practitioners' knowledge of and attitudes to inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease requiring long‐term management. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for initial symptoms and flares. Thus we assessed GPs' attitudes to and knowledge of IBD. Methods: A state‐wide postal survey of GPs was performed collecting demographic details, practice and attitudes in IBD‐specific management and knowledge. Results: Of 1800 GPs surveyed in South Australia, 409 responded; 58% were male, 80% Australian trained and 73% practised in metropolitan areas. Most GPs (92%) reported seeing zero to five IBD patients per month. Overall, 37% of the GPs reported being generally ‘uncomfortable’ with IBD management. Specifically, they were only somewhat comfortable in providing/using maintenance therapy, steroid therapy or unspecified therapy for an acute flare. They were uncomfortable with the use of immunomodulators and biologicals (71 and 91% respectively). No GP reported never referring, referring sometimes (12%), often (34%) or always (55%). Most (87%) GPs rated their communication with private specialists positively; while only 32% were satisfied with support from public hospitals. Of concern, most (70%) monitored patients on immunosuppression on a case‐by‐case basis rather than by protocol. In multivariable analyses, GPs' IBD‐specific knowledge did not influence comfort with overall management, nor did knowledge influence GP comfort with any particular therapy. Conclusion: Individual GPs care for few IBD patients and have variable attitudes in their practice. Whether improvement can realistically be achieved given individual GP's paucity of patients is questionable. These data support the provision of better support and specific action plans for IBD patients.     

General practitioners' knowledge and management of viral hepatitis in the migrant population

Background: Escalating morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections represent a major health burden in Australia, particularly among migrants from endemic areas who may present late. Methods and Aims: We evaluated the knowledge and educational needs of general practitioners (GPs) in the St George Division, Sydney which serves a large migrant population. The aims of the study were to identify gaps in knowledge about viral hepatitis that may affect management and referral patterns. GPs completed a survey comprised of 15 questions. They were also invited to comment on barriers to managing viral hepatitis in migrant patients. Results: A 44% response rate was achieved from 280 eligible GPs. Forty‐two per cent of GPs lacked confidence in interpreting HCV serology and 20% for HBV serology. Twenty‐two per cent of GPs did not recognise HCC as a complication of HBV and 18% for HCV. Twenty per cent of GPs were unaware of treatment for HBV. Forty‐seven per cent of GPs were uncertain whether pregnant women could receive HCV treatment. Twenty‐three per cent and 21% of respondents believed that all HCV‐ or HBV‐infected mothers, respectively, should not breast‐feed. Eighty‐nine per cent of GPs identified language difficulties as the main barrier to treatment among the migrant population. Conclusions: There were gaps in the knowledge of GPs particularly concerning natural history, diagnosis, treatment availability and management of pregnant or lactating women with viral hepatitis. Specific educational initiatives targeting these deficits are required as well as increased availability of language resources for managing patients from a non‐English‐speaking background.     

Pulmonary coccidiomycosis in New Delhi, India

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic disease of the western hemisphere. In cases occurring in non-endemic areas, eliciting a history of exposure as well as a high index of suspicion is imperative for timely and accurate diagnosis. In this case, a 65-year-old male presented to our hospital with fever, dry cough and malaise, and on X-ray chest, was found to have a lower lobe consolidation left lung with nodular lesions in both lungs and necrotic mediastinal lymphadenopathy. He lived in Arizona, USA, for 6?months before admission. Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis was confirmed by the isolation of Coccidioides spp. in pure culture from both broncho-alveolar lavage and lung biopsy specimens. The identity of the isolate was confirmed as C. posadasii by gene sequencing. The patient improved after being treated with fluconazole.     

Migration and immunization: determinants of childhood immunization uptake among socioeconomically disadvantaged migrants in Delhi, India

Objective To determine the coverage of childhood immunization appropriate for age among socioeconomically disadvantaged rural–urban migrants living in Delhi and to identify the determinants of full immunization uptake among these migrant children. Methods This is a cross‐sectional survey of 746 rural–urban migrant mothers with a child aged up to 2 years, who were interviewed with a pretested questionnaire. Data pertaining to the reception of various vaccines, migration history and some other social, demographic and income details were collected. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the determinants of full immunization status. Results Immunization coverage rates were lower among migrants than the general population of Delhi and even lower among recent migrants. The likelihood of a child receiving full immunization rose with age of the mother, her educational attainment and the frequency of her use of health care. The head of household having a secured salaried job also significantly increased the likelihood of full immunization, as did post‐natal visits by a health worker. Conclusion Migrant status favours low immunization uptake particularly in the vulnerability context of alienation and livelihood insecurity. Services must be delivered with a focus on recent migrants; investments are needed in education, socio‐economic development and secure livelihoods to improve and sustain equitable health care services.     

The 1996 outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Delhi, India.

A major outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) affected more than 10,000 people in Delhi and neighboring areas in 1996. The outbreak started in September, peaked in October to November and lasted till early December. The clinical and laboratory data of 515 adult patients admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi were reviewed. Fever (100%), myalgias and malaise (96%), abdominal pain (10.2%) and vomiting (8.7%) were the prominent presenting features. Hemorrhagic manifestations were seen in all patients- a positive tourniquet test (21.2%), scattered petechial rash (23.07%), confluent rash (2.7%), epistaxis (38.4%), gum bleeds (28.06%) and hematemesis (22.86%) being the major bleeding manifestations. Hepatomegaly was observed in 96% of the patients. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration and leukopenia. Serological confirmation with a microcapture ELISA technic was done in 143/515 patients. The mortality rate was 6.6% and, multiple bleeding manifestations, severe thrombocytopenia, hypoproteinemia and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) were associated with a higher mortality.     

HIV/AIDS stigma and knowledge among predominantly middle-class high school students in New Delhi, India

This study examined stigmatizing attitudes toward HIV/AIDS among predominantly middle-class adolescents in New Delhi high schools. This study was specifically designed to: 1) assess stigmatizing attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and sexuality; HIV/AIDS knowledge, and awareness of HIV-related health resources; and 2) examine whether HIV-related stigma and knowledge are related to one another and to gender, parents' education, and exposure to HIV/AIDS education. In four high schools in New Delhi, 186 students completed a questionnaire assessing stigmatization of HIV/AIDS, stigmatization of sexuality, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS education and resources, and demographic characteristics. Adolescents varied in how much they stigmatized persons with HIV/AIDS. They generally lacked accurate knowledge about the disease and of related health resources. However, those with greater exposure to HIV/AIDS education demonstrated significantly greater HIV/AIDS knowledge. Female adolescents demonstrated significantly less knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared with male adolescents, while the males reported significantly greater exposure to HIV/AIDS education compared with the females. These results suggest a need for greater HIV/AIDS education and awareness of health resources, especially among female adolescents. Education must directly address stigmatizing attitudes about HIV/AIDS, gaps in HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness of HIV-related health resources.     

Volvulus of the sigmoid colon in Delhi,India

Summary The cases of 44 patients who had 49 episodes of volvulus of the sigmoid colon have been reviewed. Volvulus of the sigmoid accounted for 3.2 per cent of causes of intestinal obstruction. The mortality rate was 36.7 per cent and was directly proportional to the duration of symptoms. Merits and demerits of various methods of management are discussed. Primary resection with end-to-end anastomosis is recommended as the procedure of choice, especially when the colon is viable. The mortality rate rises steeply in the presence of gangrene of the sigmoid colon, irrespective of the surgical procedure used.     

Unusual manifestations in dengue outbreak 2009, Delhi, India

Epidemics of Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are common in Southeast Asia. DF is defined & classified according to WHO criteria. Variable clinical manifestations of DF & DHF have been described in earlier studies. But some patients present with unusual clinical features and clinical profile not classifiable according to the present WHO criteria. Some of these complications if not recognized early and treated properly can even prove fatal. So this study was done to describe various clinical features in Dengue fever with special emphasis on unusual manifestations. This study was conducted at University College of Medical Sciences and associated Guru Teg Bahadur hospital; a tertiary care hospital, located in East Delhi in India. It was a retrospective study of 76 patients of probable DF; including 4 cases of DHF (according to WHO classification); 60 males & 16 females above 12 years of age admitted in medical wards of Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in an outbreak of DF which occurred during September-December 2009. The data obtained was analyzed to see clinical and laboratory profile of DF/DHF with special emphasis on unusual manifestations. The mean age of the patients was 28 +/- 9.6 years. Fever was present in all the cases with an average duration of fever being 5.47 +/- 2.2 days with body ache, (84.2%), vomiting (61.8%), abdominal pain (51.3%) and headache (19.7%) being the other presenting complaints. Hemorrhagic manifestations in the form of gum bleeding and epistaxis (35.5%), positive tourniquet test (27.6%); skin rashes (15.8%), melena (15.8%) and hematemesis (5.26%) were also present. In our study a fair no of patients presented with unusual symptoms like pain in abdomen 39 (51.3%), nausea 32 (42.1%), & vomiting 47 (61.8%), which is higher than that reported previous outbreak. Of the 39 patients who presented with abdominal pain; ultrasonography of abdomen was done in 25 patients. Fifteen (38%) of these were found to have acalculous cholecystitis. Amongst the known manifestations of DF, abdominal pain has been well described, but acalculous cholecystitis as a cause of abdominal pain is scantly reported. Another unusual manifestation was the presentation of patients (7.89%) in circulatory failure without the evidence of plasma leakage and not fulfilling all the criterion proposed by WHO for DHF/DSS. All of the above patients had very low platelet counts & tourniquet test was positive in all these six patients. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed in 34.2% and 7.89% of cases, respectively. Renal dysfunction was observed in 13.1% of cases. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia (with a platelet count of < 100,000/microl) in all cases. Leucopenia (WBC < 4,000/mm2) and Hemoconcentration (Hct > 20% of expected for age and sex) were found in 38% and 5.26% of the cases, respectively. Results of our study indicate that apart from usual manifestations, sometimes unusual but clinically extremely important manifestations can occur which if not detected early can prove fatal. So a vigilant and timely approach is warranted.     

TB control,poverty, and vulnerability in Delhi,India

The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), based on the World Health Organization's DOTS strategy,* was introduced in India in the mid-1990s. This paper reports the findings from operational research studies in two pilot sites in New Delhi from 1996 to 1998. A variety of operational research methods were used, including semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observations and collection of data from the tuberculosis registers. The cure rates for the clinics were 71 and 75% with a default rate of 6 and 11%, respectively. An important finding was that health workers screened patients to determine their ability to conform to the direct observation of treatment element of the RNTCP. If the health worker was confident that the patient would comply and/or be easy to trace in the community in the event of 'default', they were provided with short-course treatment under the RNTCP. Other patients, largely those who were in absolute poverty, socially marginalized, itinerant labourers, poorly integrated in the city, were put on standard tuberculosis (TB) treatment as for the previous National TB Programme. The programme was evidently excluding the most vulnerable from the best available care. These findings demonstrate the potential dangers of target-driven programmes where there is an absence of support to both frontline health workers and patients. The paper also highlights the importance of operations research in helping to identify problems within TB programmes.     

The 2003 outbreak of Dengue fever in Delhi, India

Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are widespread in Southeast Asia. An outbreak of DF/DHF in Delhi in 2003 started during September, reached its peak in October-November, and lasted until early December. This study describes the clinical and laboratory data of the 185 cases of DF/DHF admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. The mean age of the patients was 26 +/- 10 years. Fever was present in all the cases with an average duration of fever being 4.5 +/- 1.2 days with headache (61.6%), backache, (57.8%), vomiting (50.8%) and abdominal pain (21%) being the other presenting complaints. Hemorrhagic manifestations in the form of a positive tourniquet test (21%), gum bleeding and epistaxis (40%), hematemesis (22%), skin rashes (20%) and melena (14%) were also observed. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed in 10% and 5% of cases, respectively. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia (with a platelet count of < 100,000/microl) in about 61.39% of cases, Leukopenia (WBC <3,000/mm2) and hemoconcentration (Hct >20% of expected for age and sex) were found in 68% and 52% of the cases, respectively. The mortality rate was 2.7%. Despite widespread measures taken to control outbreaks of DF, it caused major outbreaks. More stringent measures in the form of vector control, improved sanitation and health education are needed to decrease morbidity, mortality and health care costs caused by a preventable disease.     

A study of cardiovascular risk factors in Delhi, India

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of mortality and disability of adults in urban and rural India, and occurs at younger age than in western populations. In this paper an attempt has been made to determine the risk factors for non- fatal AMI among Indian men and women and to study the difference in proportion of risk factors by taking non- AMI group along with healthy group as controls. Mantel Haenzel test showed that while comparing AMI with non-AMI group, diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05), family history of MI (p < 0.0001) and smoking (p < 0.0001) are significantly associated with AMI after adjusting the effects of hypertension. The same test was carried out in comparing AMI with healthy group which showed that diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05), family history of MI (p < 0.0001) and smoking (p < 0.0001) are significantly associated with AMI after adjusting the effects of hypertension. Similarly, while comparing CVD group with healthy group, family history of MI (p < 0.0001) and smoking (p < 0.0001) are significantly associated with CVD after adjusting the effects of hypertension. Stepwise logistic regression showed that while comparing AMI cases with non- AMI controls, arrhythmias (odds ratio (OR) = 5.196, p < 0.0001), angina (OR = 3.599, p < 0.0001), CHF (OR = 3.121, p < 0.0001), hypertension (OR = 2.717, p < 0.0001), smoking (OR = 1.993, p < 0.0001) and family history of MI (OR = 1.819, p < 0.01) were important risk factors for a first myocardial infarction. Moreover, while comparing AMI cases with healthy controls, family history of AMI (OR = 15.925, p < 0.0001), smoking (OR = 2.806, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 2.718, p < 0.0001), gender (OR = 2.410, p < 0.01) and age (OR = 2.410, p < 0.05) were important predictors of AMI; and while comparing CVD cases (AMI and non-AMI) with healthy group, family history of MI (OR = 10.377, p < 0.01), hypertension (OR = 8.237, p < 0.01) and smoking (OR = 4.454, p < 0.01), were important predictors of cardiovascular disease.     

Intestinal parasites in children with diarrhea in Delhi,India

The parasitic causes of diarrhea in children in Delhi were determined by the direct smear technique; stool specimens of 127 children were examined for intestinal parasites. In 59 cases (46.5%) intestinal helminths and protozoa were demonstrated. Ascaris lumbricoides was observed in 1 (0.8%) case, while Trichuris trichiura was the finding in 3 (2.4%). Protozoal parasites included Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica in 14 (11%) cases each, Balantidium coli in 3 (2.4%) cases and Cryptosporidium spp in 24 (18.9%) patients. Mixed infection was not seen in any of the cases. Intestinal parasites may increase susceptibility to infection with other intestinal pathogens and therefore with the help of a simple technique, like direct fecal smear examination. rapid diagnosis can be made and specific therapy instituted.     

Dengue virus infection during post-epidemic period in Delhi, India

Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are major public health problems in India. During the period following an epidemic, a study was carried out using virological and serological tests for confirmation of suspected cases of dengue virus infection in fever cases presenting to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Serum samples of suspected DF/DHF cases were processed from January to December 1997. In 37 samples from patients with fever of less than 5-day duration, received on ice, virus isolation was attempted in C6/36 clone of Aedes albopictus cell line, followed by indirect fluorescent antibody staining with monoclonal antibodies to dengue viruses 1 to 4. One hundred and forty-three serum samples from patients with more than 5 days fever were tested for dengue specific IgM antibody by either MAC-ELISA or a rapid immunochromatographic assay. Dengue virus type 1 was demonstrated by culture in 8 (21.6%) of 37 serum samples and IgM antibody could be detected in 42 (29.4%) of the 143 serum samples by the serological methods. The peak of dengue virus infection was seen from September to November 1997.     

Management of childhood asthma.

The guidelines for the management of childhood asthma have evolved from recommendations by experts to being evidence-based as a result of better understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, awareness of the heterogeneity and early onset of childhood asthma and a new approach to the pharmacological management. While there are reasonably good evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of asthma in children aged over 5 years, there is a paucity of data for preschool children for the most appropriate management. Most guidelines include recommendations on diagnosis of asthma in children and pharmacological treatment according to the severity of the asthma. Environmental control is an important cornerstone of care, and allergen avoidance should be recommended for children with asthma who are known to be sensitised to the allergen. Environmental tobacco smoke remains an important trigger for worsening asthma in all children, and their parents must be encouraged to give up the habit. Educating children with asthma and their care givers on the disease and proper treatment is another vital element in the management of asthma. There remains a major problem with ensuring the implementation of guidelines in most countries. A care gap thus exists between best practice and common practice. The impact on asthma morbidity of developing and implementing guidelines requires appropriate study.