Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Antenatal Care Among Pregnant Women and its Association With Sociodemographic Factors: A Hospital-Based Study.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) for an antenatal check-up during pregnancy is a key indicator of a healthcare facility in a community. Antenatal care (ANC) is a useful practice for lowering infant and maternal mortality. Therefore, the present study was planned to estimate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ANC among pregnant women and determine its association with sociodemographic factors. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 pregnant women through convenience sampling from March 2020 to February 2021. A semistructured questionnaire included sociodemographic and obstetrical history, and scored questionnaire on KAP was used. The analysis included parametric, nonparametric, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. The finding of the study revealed that pregnant women had average knowledge (96%), positive attitudes (98.75%), and good practices (58.5%) toward ANC. The level of overall knowledge had a positive correlation with the practices toward ANC (r = 0.18, P < 0.001). The sociodemographic association showed that age, type of family, education, and occupation had a significant association with awareness and practices about ANC. Furthermore, the practice of ANC in our study area was low despite good knowledge and attitude toward ANC. Further, exploratory studies are required and need to be planned to improve practices in prenatal care and ultimately improve their health.

Effect of Arjun Chal on cardiovascular risk factors - a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases have a multifaceted, it causes modern epidemic; Recognizing in the risk factor stage, is crucial, given the risk of progression to cardiovascular disease. Ibn Sina, described CVDs as a resultant of gradual derangement of Quwwat ghadhiya (Nutritive faculty); in which management with ghidha' (diet), tadabir (regimens), dawa' (drug) has been received. To evaluate the effect of Arjun Chal (Terminalia arjuna) in CVD risk factors. And to evaluate the drug safety. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Total 120 patients were screened at OPD of NIUM hospital, Bangalore during 2018-19, only 48 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and signed written informed consent and their detailed medical history was recorded. Arjun Chal powder (5 gm BD) for eight weeks administered in test group (n=24), Amlodipine (5 mg) and Atorvastatin (10 mg) once a day for same duration administered in control group (n=24). Efficacy of the drug assessed by the Lipid profile, BP and BMI; lipid profile were performed at baseline and at 8 weeks, while BP and BMI performed at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60th day intervals. Study was completed by 40 patients. The results of both the therapies were then compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Totally, both groups reduces assessment parameters i.e. statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Test group showed greater reduction in terms of all assessment parmeters. But, the difference between both the groups was statistically non-significant p>0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Both test and control drugs were effective, but Arjun Chal had a slight edge over amlodipne and atorvastatin, and was found to be safe and well tolerated. It has a cardio protective potential and hence effective to delay/prevent CVD in patient with cardiovascular risk factor.Keywords: Unani System of Medicine; T. arjuna; Arjun Chal; Efficacy; Safety; Cardiovascular risk factor.

Efficacy of local application of an Unani formulation in acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Buthur-i-Labaniyya (Acne vulgaris) is affecting up to 80% of adolescents and many adults at different stages of life. It is one of the commonest skin disorders which appears on cheeks and nose as white eruptions that seems like solidified milk drops. These eruptions are treated by drugs having properties of tajfif wa tahlil (desiccant and resolving), as mentioned by Ibne Sina. Daood Antaki in his book Tazkira Oolulalbab recommends the local application of a paste of Shoniz (nigella sativa), Naushadar (ammonium chloride) and Bura Armani mixed with Sirka (vinegar) for effective treatment of Acne vulgaris. METHODS: The study was observational self comparison before and after treatment, conducted in the OPD of the hospital which is part of the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore. The duration of study was one year. 40 Female patients with combination of comedones, papules, pustules and nodules were recruited for this purpose. The test drug, Shoniz, Bura Armani, Naushadar powder, mixed with sirka were applied locally for one month with taqlil-i-ghidha tadabir (low calorie index diet). All subjects were assessed on the basis of changes in subjective and objective parameters. RESULTS: The response of test drugs was statistically highly significant (P < 0.01) by using ANOVA repeated measure test, there was also relief in subjective parameters. Subjects reported a reduction of 82.6%, 80.9%, 66.6% in tenderness, itching and irritation respectively. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that the test drug formulation is safe and effective in treating Acne vulgaris if used along with low calorie index diet. No side effects of drugs were reported, therefore the trial formulation can be recommended to manage Acne vulgaris of mild to severe degree as a therapy.

An analytical study of concordance between Mizaj and diseases in adult patients of NIUM Hospital, Bangalore.

Mizaj (Temperament) is one of the basic concepts ofUnani system of medicine upon which diagnosis and line of treatment of a disease are based. Every human being has been furnished a specific Mizaj through which an individual performs his functions properly. If it is disturbed, body becomes more susceptible to develop such diseases having same temperament as that of an individual. Objective of the study was to evaluate the relation of diseases in respect of Mizaj of the patients and to provide some knowledge for prevention of other diseases that may be related to identified Mizaj. Four hundred (400) patients fulfilling the criteria were enrolled in the study followed by their Mizaj were assessed by two pre structured proformas based on objective and subjective parameters given by Eminent Unani physicians. Following assessment of Mizaj of the patients, concordance between their Mizaj; Sue Mizaj Mufrad Sada (simple and single unbalanced temperament), Sue Mizaj Murakkab Sada (simple and compound imbalanced temperament) and Sue Mizaj Maaddi (imbalanced temperament due to humour) and disease was established, and it was observed that only patients of Sue Mizaj Barid (cold imbalanced temperament) and Sue Mizaj Balghami (imbalanced temperament due to phlegm) had significant concordance as compared to the rest. In the present study, non concordance between Mizaj and disease distribution may be attributed to those factors which tend to alter the Mizaj and have potential to produce diseases, like Mizaje Khilqi (congenital temperament), age, Masakin (residence), weather, diets, occupation and habit.