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BACKGROUND: Refractive errors (REs) are the major cause of blindness and impaired vision with considerable morbidity. Finding the prevalence with early detection of REs with appropriate corrective measures can bring down eye morbidity in children. AIM: The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of REs among children attending Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Karnataka State of South India. METHODOLOGY: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 420 study subjects. Examination of the eyes for REs was carried out using a refractometer. The REs were noted in myopia < -0.5 dioptres (D), hypermetropia > + 0.5 D, and astigmatism > 0.5 cylinder D. The data were statistically subjected to a statistics test. Categorical measurement was presented as frequency (percentage). The association between the parameters was done using the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of 420 examined, REs were present among 147 (35%) study subjects, and myopia 67 (16%) was the highest prevalent in comparison to hypermetropia 42 (10%) and astigmatism 38 (9%). The male subjects had 77 (34.4%) REs, and the female subjects had 70 (35.7%) REs. In both genders, myopia was the highest prevalent, followed by hypermetropia and astigmatism. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of REs among children is alarming, and it should be corrected at an early age to prevent further complications in adulthood. Ophthalmologists should generate regional data about the prevalence of REs, create awareness about the prevention of REs among the risk population, and utilize government-sponsored blind eradication programs for comprehensive eye care in the larger interest of the affected population and risk population.
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Introduction Refractive errors (REs) are on the rise among medical students due to the high academic pressure of long hours of reading and their association with close technology. Uncorrected REs cause impaired vision and blindness with considerable morbidity. Documenting the prevalence of REs among medical students helps with early detection and appropriate remedial measures to prevent eye morbidity. Aim The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of REs among medical students at Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, a medical institution in Raichur City, Karnataka, India. Methodology This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 425 medical students. An examination of the eye for REs was carried out using a streak retinoscope. The REs were noted in myopia <-0.5 diopters (D), hypermetropia >+0.5 D, and astigmatism >0.5 cylinder D. The data was statistically subjected. Categorical measurements have been presented as frequency (percentage). The chi-square test was applied to the association between the parameters. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among the 425 observed participants, 160 (37.6%) subjects had REs. Among the REs in the total population, myopia 78 (18.4%) was the most prevalent, followed by hypermetropia and astigmatism, both with 41 (9.6%) and 41 (9.6%) prevalence, respectively. Gender-wise and age-wise, myopia was highly prevalent in both genders and in all age groups except the 20 years age group. Conclusion The prevalence of REs in our study among medical students is a matter of concern, although it is less compared to other previous studies in different geographical areas of India. Regular checkups, early detection, and immediate treatment are very important to prevent further ocular complications.
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BACKGROUND: Knowledge of dental age is very essential for a dental practitioner in planning treatment and it is a supplementary source of information for Pediatrician, Orthopedician and Endocrinologist. There are few studies in the literature about the comparison of dental with chronological age in protein energy malnutrition children (PEM). Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare dental age and chronological age in PEM children. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare dental age and chronological age in PEM children. METHODS: A total of 100 PEM children within the age range of 6-12 years were selected. Chronological age was recorded using date of birth. Dental age was assessed by Demirjian's method using orthopantomogram. Comparison of two ages was done using the unpaired Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Dental age was retarded compared to chronological age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The correlations between two ages were positive in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Dental age was delayed in our sample of 100 PEM children. Dental age can be considered as variable for diagnosing growth retardation in PEM children. Further studies are required to support our findings.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health challenge. Unjustified calls for the isolation of patients with HIV infection might further constrain the potential for expansion of clinical services to deal with a greater number of such patients. This infectious illness can evoke irrational emotions and fears in health care providers. Keeping this in view, a study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among dental and medical students. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross-sectional survey of the entire dental and medical undergraduate students from two colleges was carried out using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as percentage was used to present the data. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percentage medical and dental undergraduate graduate students knew about HIV transmission in the hospital. Journals and internet were the leading source of information among both medical and dental undergraduates. The majority of respondents discussed HIV-related issues with their classmates. Surprisingly, 38% medical and 52% dental undergraduates think that HIV patient should be quarantined (isolation) to prevent the spread of infection. 68% medical and 60% dental undergraduates are willing to rendering dental/medical care to HIV-infected patients. Relatively large proportion (98%) of participants was willing to participate for HIV prevention program. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of medical and dental students is adequate, but the attitude needs improvement. Dental and medical students constitute a useful public health education resource. Comprehensive training, continuing education, and motivation will improve their knowledge and attitude, which enable them to provide better care to HIV patients.
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BACKGROUND: Ocular disturbances such as blurring of vision, mydriasis, palpebral ptosis, diplopia, ptosis, enophthalmos, miosis, and blindness (temporary or permanent) are rare complications due to intra-oral local anesthesia. Currently, the guidelines to dentists on preventing and caring for such ocular problems are lacking. Hence, we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia as a means to assess the need for such guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective survey targeting dentists was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Totally 500 standardized self-administered questionnaires were sent out by E-mail to practicing dentists or academicians. In total, 390 replies were received, and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: About 39% of graduates and 14% postgraduate dentists knew about ocular complications. Journals were the leading source of information among both graduates and postgraduate dentists. 8.3% graduates and 17.6% postgraduate dentists encountered ocular complications. Interestingly most of the graduates and postgraduates responded that ocular complications are underreported in the literature. 90.5% graduates and 84.3% postgraduates are in the opinion that more research should be carried on ocular complications. 98.3% postgraduates and 97.3% graduates favored the prevention of ocular complications. CONCLUSION: The dentist's knowledge about ocular complications due to intra-oral anesthesia in our study group is not adequate and needs improvement. Although the awareness and practice of taking preventive measures are satisfactory, there is a need for specific guidelines to dentists in identifying and clinically managing ocular complications of intra-oral anesthesia.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The knowledge of bone age and dental age is of great importance for pediatrician and pediatric dentist. It is essential for pediatric dentist to formulate treatment plan and it is a source of complementary information for pediatrician. There are few studies in literature, which showed the relationship between dental age, bone age and chronological age in HIV-positive children. Therefore, objective of this study was to determine and compare dental age, bone age and chronological age in HIV-positive children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 HIV-positive children between the age group of 18-14 years were selected. Chronological age was determined by recording date of birth. Dental age assessment was performed using orthopantamogram following the method described by Demirjian. Bone age estimation was carried out using hand-wrist radiograph following Bjork, Grave, and Brown's method. RESULTS: Chronological age was advanced compared with dental age and bone age in both sexes. The correlation between chronological age, dental age and bone age were all positive in both sexes. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The data supports the concept that dental age and bone age delay is a significant feature in HIV-positive children. It is important to consider dental age and bone age as variables for diagnosing growth retardation in HIV-positive children. To support our findings, further a well-designed, controlled as well as longitudinal study with a larger sample size is required.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The knowledge of bone age and dental age is of great importance for pediatrician and pediatric dentist. It is essential for a pediatric dentist to formulate treatment plan and it is a source of complementary information for pediatrician. There are few studies, which showed the relationship between dental age, bone age and chronological age in underweight children. Therefore, objective of this study was to determine and compare dental age, bone age and chronological age in underweight children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 underweight children between the age group of 18-14 years were selected. Chronological age was assessed by recording date of birth. Dental age assessment was done using orthopantamogram following the method described by Demirjian. Bone age assessment was carried out using hand wrist radiograph following Bjork, Grave and Brown's method. RESULTS: Dental age and Bone age was delayed compared to chronological age in both sexes. The correlation between chronological age, dental age and bone age were all positive in males. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The data supports the concept that dental age and bone age delay is a significant feature in underweight children. It is important to consider dental age and bone age as variables for diagnosing underweight children. To support our findings further a well-designed, controlled as well as longitudinal studies with a larger sample size is required.