Knowledge, attitude and practice among mothers of under five children regarding immunization in a clinic of a private medical college and hospital, Bhubaneswar

Background: Immunization stands as a vital bulwark against vaccine-preventable diseases, especially for children under the age of 5. Cross-sectional study into the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of mothers concerning childhood immunization and the interplay of sociodemographic factors on immunization practices required. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in an immunization clinic at a private medical college and hospital in Bhubaneswar for a total period of 4 weeks). A population purposive sampling technique was used for this study enlisting 70 mothers with children under 5 years old. Results: The majority of mothers had attained secondary-level education, and significant proportion being homemakers (75.7%). An overwhelming percentage (97.5%) of mothers exhibited a positive attitude towards vaccination, considering it beneficial and safe for their children. However, some exhibited gaps in knowledge concerning the significance of vaccinating from the day of birth and vaccine-related contraindications (24.29%). Crucially, 97.5% of the children had received all mandatory childhood vaccines, and all mothers adhered to the vaccination schedule outlined in the NIS. Socio-demographic factors, such as maternal age and literacy status, are determinants of knowledge about immunization. Younger mothers and those with higher educational attainment were more likely to possess a better understanding of childhood immunization. Conclusions: This study underscores the pivotal role of maternal KAP in ensuring successful immunization for children under 5. The findings advocate for targeted awareness campaigns and interventions aimed at enhancing maternal knowledge, particularly among younger and less educated mothers.

Assessment of Knowledge and Practice to Control Nosocomial Infection, Among the Staff Nurses, Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar

Background: A nosocomial infection is that which is acquired in a hospital or other health care agency upto 48 hours after hospital admission, upto 3 days after discharge, upto 30 days after an operation or was admitted to hospital for other reasons other than the infection. Nurses have the major role to prevent the hospital acquired infection. Appropriate knowledge and practice in preventing nosocomial infection is important in their in their day to day patient care. Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice to control nosocomial infection & also to find out the association between knowledge and practice to control nosocomial infection with the selected demographic variables. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in different wards of Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, BBSR. The sample size was 122 and the universal sampling technique was used. After obtaining written informed consent from the study participants, data was collected using two standardized tool. Knowledge was assessed by a scoring key and practice was assessed by likert scale. The association of knowledge and practice with demographic variables was analysed using chi square test. Results: 89.4% of staff nurses were females, 39.3% were in the age group of 31-40 years. and majority (51.6%) were GNM. There was no significant association (p<0.05) found, neither with knowledge nor with practice, with different demographic variables.

Role of computed tomography in preoperative evaluation of esophageal carcinoma.

The utility of computed tomography in pretherapy assessment of esophageal carcinoma is reviewed. Computed tomographic findings in 78 patients with histologically proved esophageal carcinoma were corelated with findings at surgery and histopathology. Computed tomography (CT) was found to be fairly accurate in assessing tumor extent, invasion of adjacent mediastinal structures and distant metastases but was of no help in detecting periesophageal lymph node involvement. The tracheobronchial tree invasion was detected with an overall accuracy of 96% whereas the same for invasion of aorta, percardium and gastroesophageal junction was 86%, 88% and 78% respectively. The sensitivity for the detection of periesophageal and perigastric lymphadenopathy was low (9% and 0% respectively) but was acceptably high in celiac lymphadenopathy (70%). CT is an excellent non invasive modality in pretherapy assessment of esophageal carcinoma and can guide the surgeon in determining the appropriate therapy.