A study on visual outcomes after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants at the rural health training center, Paithan, Maharashtra.

A study was conducted to assess the visual outcomes of patients after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants with reference to visual acuity (VA) and visual function (VF) and to assess patient satisfaction with surgical outcome. The retrospective study was carried out using operation theatre records at the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Paithan, during 2007. Out of 819 cataract surgery patients operated in 2007 a total of 50 were selected randomly. Door-to-door visits were paid by investigator and multipurpose worker to previously operated patients for VA examination and to fill predesigned questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 17.0 Version; 50% patients had VA in fair vision range of <6/18-6/60 and 52% showed the VF in the range of 76-100. Of the 32 satisfied patients, majority were in the age group 70-79 years. The patients with good visual outcomes achieved after surgery would act as pamphlets for the community.

Assessment of maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight neonates at a tertiary hospital, Nanded, Maharashtra.

BACKGROUND: To assess the maternal risk factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) neonates at a tertiary hospital, Nanded, Maharashtra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Nanded city of Maharashtra between January 2014 and July 2014 among 160 cases (LBW-birth weight ≤2499 g) and 160 controls (normal birth weight-birth weight >2499. Data collection was done by using predesigned questionnaire and also related health documents were checked and collected the expected information during the interview after obtaining informed consent from mothers. The data were analyzed by Epi Info 7 Version. RESULTS: The present study found the significant association among gestational age, sex of baby, type of delivery, maternal age, religion, education of mother and husband, occupation of mother and husband, type of family, maternal height, weight gain, hemoglobin level, planned/unplanned delivery, bad obstetric history, interval between pregnancies, previous history of LBW, underlying disease, tobacco chewing, timing of first antenatal care (ANC) visit, total number of ANC visit, and iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets consumption with LBW. No significant association was found among maternal age, residence, caste, consanguinity of marriage, socioeconomic status, gravida, birth order, multiple pregnancy, and smoking with LBW in our study. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that hemoglobin level, weight gain during pregnancy, gestational age, planned/unplanned delivery, bad obstetric history, and IFA tablets consumption during pregnancy were independent risk factors for LBW.

A comparative clinical study to assess safety and reactogenicity of a DTwP-HepB+Hib vaccine.

Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections are major public health problems in developing countries, including India. Hence, combination vaccines containing DTwP, recombinant hepatitis B and Hib conjugate vaccines have been developed. Here, we report a Phase IV study which assessed safety and reactogenicity of a new DTwP-HepB+Hib vaccine. Three doses of DTwP-HepB+Hib vaccine (Pentavac, Serum Institute of India Ltd) or Tritanrix-HB+Hib (GlaxoSmithKline Beecham) were administered to infants at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age in 2:1 ratio. The subjects were followed till one month after the third dose for safety assessment. Adverse events were captured in structured diaries and physical examinations were performed on each visit. The study was conducted in 1510 infants. Both vaccines caused injection site local and systemic reactions and the incidence was similar in both the groups. The incidence of local solicited reactions was: tenderness 35.9 %-33.6 %; redness 18.1 %-17.2 %; swelling 23.7 %-22.4 %; induration 12.8 % -13.7 %. The percentage of systemic solicited reactions were: diarrhea 2.2 %-2.2 %; drowsiness 3.3 %-3.4 %; fever 14.0 %-11.2 %; irritability 28.1 %-25.4 %; loss of appetite 6.6 %-5.6 %; persistent crying 17.7 %-15.7 %; vomiting 3.5 %-3.0 %. No serious adverse event was caused by the vaccines. The new DTwP-HepB+Hib combination vaccine showed similar safety profile to that of an imported vaccine in Indian infants.