RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of seropositivity to hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among children with ß-thalassemia major receiving multiple transfusions in Ahmedabad, India, compared with healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed during January 2007 to January 2009 on multi-transfused children suffering with ß-thalassemia major registered in the Prathama Blood Centre, Ahmedabad; Jeevandeep hospital, Ahmedabad; and Red Cross Blood Centre, Ahmedabad, and investigated for the prevalence and development of transfusion-transmitted infections. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibodies (Ab), and HIV Ab were checked using a fourth-generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Positive tests were confirmed by western blots. Healthy blood donors were used for the control group. RESULTS: Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV Ab, and HIV Ab were positive in one of 96 (1.04%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.17-1.3), 24 of 96 (25%; 95% CI = 11.4-14.2), and one of 96 (1.04%; 95% CI = 0.12-1.3), respectively. The rate of anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher in multi-transfused children suffering with ß-thalassemia major. In thalassemia patients, the rate of positive anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher than that for positive HBsAg (P<0.001) and HIV Ab (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that HCV is the current major problem in multi-transfused children with thalassemia major and more careful pretransfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in blood centers.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient acceptance of an automated medical information system specific to headache. BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that automated tools may help health care delivery systems to be efficient and effective, but patient satisfaction remains a major concern. METHODS: We adapted our software reuse reference model and Unified Modeling Language to apply the domain model to the headache population. Patients with headache were tested both to validate the system and to evaluate patient satisfaction and headache management with an automated system. RESULTS: The mean age of all study participants was 44 years. Over 95% of the participants were satisfied or strongly satisfied with the Automated Medical Information System. CONCLUSIONS: The results strongly suggest that patients are willing and able to use nontraditional sources, such as the Automated Medical Information System, to learn about their illnesses.