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Background: Identification of mental health disorders during childhood is crucial for healthy 'adult roles' in the society, so this study aimed to estimate the magnitude of 'any mental health disorder' and to find out its correlates among children attending the pediatric out-patient department (OPD) of a medical college in West Bengal and to estimate parental stress among their parents. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in the pediatric OPD of Burdwan Medical College, West Bengal, during July-December, 2021. The calculated size of 288 children aged between 4 and 12 years and attending with either of their parents was selected through systematic random sampling. One of their parents (preferably mother) was interviewed using a schedule, containing a pre-validated pediatric symptom checklist and parental stress scale. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data were analyzed using SPSS-v23. Results: The median age of the children was 7 years (5-8 y.). The majority of them were male (57.6%), lived in urban areas (59.0%), and lived in joint families (57.6%). One-fifth (20.5%) of the children were found to have any mental health disorder (AMHD). Living in an urban area (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.7), belonging to a nuclear family (aOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7-8.1), and belonging to a family with social problems (aOR = 7.8, 95% CI: 2.3-27.2) were significant correlates of AMHD. Parental stress [median: 60 (55-63)] was found significantly higher (P < 0.001) among parents of children with AMHD as compared to the parents of others. Conclusion: The magnitude of AMHD was high in this study, indicating toward the necessity of implementing opportunistic screening and appropriate public health action.
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Traditionally, three ports are used in laparoscopic appendicectomy. However to reduce surgical incision and cost, it is feasible to remove the appendix using fewer ports. In this study, we compared the efficacy of stepwise and standard approach in laparoscopic appendicectomies in children. Between August 2008 and September 2010, 378 children with appendicitis were allotted to either the stepwise or standard laparoscopy group depending on the operating surgeon's preference. In the former group, an operating telescope was inserted first. The number of ports used was based on the pathology (stepwise approach). In the latter group, three ports were inserted in all patients (standard approach). The two groups were similar. In the stepwise group, we performed 95 single port (utilising a scope with an instrument channel), 37 two ports and 13 three ports appendicectomies. In the stepwise group, operating time was shorter (not yet statistically significant) and it reduced the port numbers by more than 50 %. The stepwise approach provides an evidence-based management of appendicitis with comparable outcomes. This procedure further reduces incision trauma, operating times and the cost of operation. However, the reduction of post-operative analgesic requirement needs further study.
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CONTEXT: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is one of the most common bacterial infections in general practice. Antimicrobial resistance in urinary pathogens, particularly the most common being Escherichia coli, is directly associated with prescribing in primary care. Diagnosis of UTI requires laboratory examination of urine sample in addition to clinical evaluation, which may lead to higher cost of treatment, but the proper treatment of the case that will lead to complete recovery with no recurrence episodes far outweigh the cost issue of microbiological investigation. Even though UTIs are a very common diagnosis, management of this condition is not consistent in general practice. This study was conducted in an effort to see the extent of presence of multi drug resistant organisms in local set up . AIMS: To describe the common urine isolates observed in the small cities of India and also to test for drug resistance among them with simple manageable tests in small-scale laboratories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of Gram negative bacilli and Gram positive cocci isolated from the clinical urine samples collected from various hospitals and private practitioners in Shimoga City, Karnataka and Jamshedpur City, Jharkhand. The study period was between November 2011 to January 2012. RESULTS: A total of 788 urine samples were included in the study. It was seen that 55.8% of the total isolated organisms were multidrug resistant (MDR) in Shimoga city, Karnataka and 38.8% of the total isolated organisms were MDR in Jamshedpur city, Jharkhand. CONCLUSIONS: Only with the combined efforts of the local laboratories and clinicians, the looming threat of the pandrug resistant organisms in small cities can be avoided. However, more such studies are required from both clinicians and laboratory health care professionals in order to arrive at a common consensus, and uniformity can be brought about in the community regarding prescription practices.