The feasibility of a public-private mix program on pulmonary tuberculosis screening in Penang: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The low detection rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia remains a challenge in the effort to end TB by 2030. The collaboration between private and public health care facilities is essential in addressing this issue. As of now, no private-public health care collaborative program in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening exists in Malaysia. AIM: To determine the feasibility of a collaborative program between private general practitioners (GPs) and the public primary health clinics in PTB screening and to assess the yield of smear-positive PTB from this program. METHODS: A prospective cohort study using convenient sampling was conducted involving GPs and public health clinics in the North-East District, Penang, from March 2018 to May 2019. In this study, GPs could direct all suspected PTB patients to perform a sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) direct smear in any of the dedicated public primary health clinics. The satisfaction level of both the GPs and their patients were assessed using a self-administered client satisfaction questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistical Software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Out of a total of 31 patients who underwent the sputum investigation for PTB, one (3.2%) was diagnosed to have smear-positive PTB. Most of the patients (>90%) and GPs (66.7%) agreed to continue with this program in the future. Furthermore, most of the patients (>90%) were satisfied with the program structure. CONCLUSION: It is potentially feasible to involve GPs in combating TB. However, a more structured program addressing the identified issues is needed to make the collaborative program a success.

Innovations in scholarly publishing. Evolving trends in research communication in a digital age: examples from the BMJ.

As technology and communication evolve rapidly in this digital age, scholarly publishing is also undergoing a makeover to match the diverse needs of researchers and clinicians. The BMJ has been at the forefront of innovating the presentation of research to increase its readabillty and usefulness. This article presents some of recent formats used for research communication at the BMJ.

Conflicting cultural perspectives: meanings and experiences of postnatal depression among women in Indian communities.

A woman's cultural and social context affects her experience of postnatal depression. In this literature review, the authors explore questions regarding normal and abnormal postnatal experiences of Indian women with consideration to cross-cultural perspectives. Although postnatal distress or sadness is recognized among many cultures, it is constructed as a transient state in some cultures and as an illness in others. A major challenge for health care providers in Western countries like the United Kingdom and Australia is to develop culturally sensitive approaches to postnatal care for migrant mothers.

Medicinal plant diversity of Sitamata wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan, India.

The present study has been carried out in Sitamata wildlife sanctuary of Chittorgarh and Udaipur district located in south-west region of Rajasthan. A field survey of the study area was carried out during 2002-2004 to document the medicinal utility of herbs occurring in this area. Two hundred fourty-three genera belonging to 76 families have been reported which are used by the tribals of about 50 villages around the sanctuary as means of primary health care to cure various ailments. The study revealed the new ethnobotanical uses of 24 plant species belonging to 20 genera. A list of plant species along with their local name, plant part/s used and mode of administration for effective control in different ailments of ethnomedicinal plants are given.

Folk herbal medicines from tribal area of Rajasthan, India.

A floristic survey of ethnomedicinal plants occurring in the tribal area of Rajasthan was conducted to assess the potentiality of plant resources for modern treatments. The information on medicinal uses of plants is based on the exhaustive interviews with local physicians practising indigenous system of medicine, village headmen, priests and tribal folks. The Aravalli hills of Mewar region of Rajasthan are inhabited by many tribes; Bhil, Garasia, Damor and Kathodia being the main ones. In a floristic survey 61 ethnomedicianl plant species belonging to 38 families were recorded from this region. A categorical list of plant species along with their plant part/s used and the mode of administration reported to be for effective control in different ailments is prepared.

Folk herbal medicines used in birth control and sexual diseases by tribals of southern Rajasthan, India.

An ethnobotanical survey of tribal area of southern Rajasthan was carried out during the year 2001-2002 for ethnosexicological herbal medicines. The information on ethnosexicological herbs is based on the exhaustive interview with local medicine-men and -women, birth attendants and other knowledgeable persons who prescribe their own herbal preparation to check birth control, including abortion at initial stages, preventing conception or by making either member of the couple sterile and to cure various sexual diseases like leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, menorrhagia, to regularize menses and syphilis in both the sexes. During ethnobotanical survey, 53 plants belonging to 33 families have been reported from the study area, which are used to cure sexual diseases, and for family planning. A list of plant species along with their local name, habit, flowering and fruiting period, plant part/s used and the mode of administration to cure the sexual diseases are given.

Severe hyperphosphatemia resulting from high-dose liposomal amphotericin in a child with leukemia.

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for serious electrolyte abnormalities. The authors report their experience in managing a child with ALL who developed severe hyperphosphatemia as a consequence of a large exogenous load of phosphorus from high-dose liposomal amphotericin B. Health care providers need to recognize this potentially life-threatening complication of liposomal amphotericin B, since early detection and intervention can prevent significant morbidity.