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Background Hemorrhoids are an extremely common surgical condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Treatment options for hemorrhoids vary depending on the severity of symptoms and the type of hemorrhoids. The common non-surgical procedures for grade one and two hemorrhoids include rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy. The present study aims to compare the efficiency of rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy for the treatment of symptomatic grade one and two internal hemorrhoids in a tertiary care hospital. Methodology We conducted a one-year longitudinal survey among 200 patients with internal hemorrhoids in a tertiary care center in Madurai. We gathered data on demographic profiles, symptoms, postoperative complications, intraoperative pain, and treatment outcomes. Data analysis was done using the Pearson chi-square test to assess the difference between rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy treatment groups. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 200 patients were studied, of whom 100 belonged to the rubber band ligation treatment group and 100 belonged to the sclerotherapy treatment group. The preoperative symptoms were similarly distributed between both treatment groups. Intraoperative and immediate postoperative pain was higher in the rubber band ligation group than in the sclerotherapy group. Post-procedure complications were more commonly seen in the rubber band ligation group than in the sclerotherapy group at various weeks of the procedures. Conclusions Postoperative complications such as bleeding, prolapse, and infection/discharge were significantly different between the two treatment groups. The treatment outcome was significantly different between the two treatment groups after three, six, and nine weeks postoperatively. Overall, the sclerotherapy group was associated with fewer postoperative complications, more excellent patient response, and a more complete response to treatment than the rubber band ligation group.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community among the public varies greatly depending on cultural and social factors. The present study estimated homosexuality acceptance and the factors influencing its recognition among the general population in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed among people residing in urban and rural field practice areas of a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore. Using a multistage random sampling method, people over 18 years of age were selected. A total of 670 individuals participated, and data was obtained. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and homosexuality acceptance were collected using the Homosexuality Attitude Scale. RESULTS: Overall, homosexuality acceptance was 61% among the community. Homosexuality acceptance was significantly associated with age (p<0.001), residence (p=0.014), marital status (p<0.001), religion (p<0.001), education (p=0.001), and occupation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall acceptance was better among young participants as compared to the elders. Thus, our study highlights the need for a shift in perspective among the older generation, which may significantly improve their overall acceptance of homosexuality.
RESUMO
Background: Child sex ratio signifies the proportion of girls compared with boys in 0 to 6 years of age group. It is an important indicator for any population and most significantly about the status of the girl child in the society. The study tried to approach in a qualitative manner to study the rationale behind the declining of child sex ratio. Materials and Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using five focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews among various age groups, pregnant women, and other stake holders. The participants were approached with a semi-structured open-ended interview guide regarding the rationale of declined child sex ratio and measures to normalize it. After a thematic analysis, main themes and subthemes were selected after consensual agreement. Results: The study showed that male child preference is the main theme identified in the rationale part with subthemes of female vulnerability, socioeconomic status, literacy, cultural, and caste and religion as subthemes. The theme of female child preference also came up with as second child, care taking, affectionate, and cultural factors as subthemes. In the area of suggestions/interventions, education, counseling, government policies and media along with suggestions regarding sex determination and female feticide were identified. Conclusion: The decline in child sex ratio should be taken as an active social issue thus focusing more into female upliftment and enlightening into the issues of patriarchal nature, with reduction of cultural/religious beliefs.
RESUMO
Background Sanitation, cleanliness, and access to clean water are essential for maintaining human health and well-being. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices are linked to diseases that lead to poor health outcomes, such as pneumonia and diarrhea, trachoma, infestations of soil-transmitted helminths, respiratory tract infections, and pulmonary tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate household WASH practices in the rural and urban field practice areas of the Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Hospital, Perambalur, India, and identify the factors that influence them. Methodology We conducted a five-month cross-sectional survey with 278 households in the rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care center in Perambalur district. We gathered data using the core questions developed by the World Health Organization-United Nations Children's Fund (WHO-UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), which is affiliated with UN-Water. Data analysts used a Pearson chi-square test to assess the relationship between WASH practices and several independent covariates, and we regarded P < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results Among the 278 households, 118 respondents were from rural areas and 160 (57.7%) from urban areas. For drinking water, 31.4% of rural households used tube wells or boreholes, while 56.8% of those used public taps. In metropolitan areas, 25.6% of people used bottled water and 54.4% used water from tanker trucks. In terms of sanitation, 25.2% of households lacked a toilet and 72.7% used the flush/pour flush technique. Water, sanitation, and hygiene practices have been found to be associated with a population's socioeconomic status and place of residence. The Pearson chi-square test revealed that the rural population has 99.1% more improved drinking water sources than the urban population, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion In rural areas, nearly 92% of households used improved sources of drinking water compared to only 55% of households in urban areas. On the other hand, just 47.5% of households in the rural area had improved sanitation compared to 95% of households in the urban area. Therefore, the Indian government should take steps to enhance urban drinking water quality and rural sanitation infrastructure.