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Introduction: Rabies has significant health and economic consequences for both humans and animals. Annually, India witnesses 17.4 million dog bites, yet only 3 million individuals receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). There is a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine in India as quoted in many news reports. In India, lack of documentation of previous vaccination against animal bites is there, hence resulting in the re-administration of the anti-rabies vaccine, leading to a significant biological loss (anti-rabies vaccine). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted. Data was collected, and analyzed from June 2021 to June 2023 a period of 2 years. Results: Majority of the patients reported within the first 24 hours after being bitten while approximately one-third reported after 24 hours. Majority were Category 3 bites and unprovoked. Males, lower-middle class, and bites on lower extremities were common among 4291 patients attending the clinic. Out of 217 re-exposure cases, 185 did not have any documentation regarding their previous treatment of animal bites. Conclusion: Among 4291 patients attending the clinic, majority were Category 3 bites on the lower extremities. 85.25% of re-exposure cases had to be administered a full course of treatment due to a lack of documentation leading to rabies as a biological wastage. This avoidable wastage can be a resource for treating more patients.
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BACKGROUND: Women in the postnatal period are a special group with a high risk to health. Providing good quality postnatal care can help reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. The objective of the study was to assess the utilization of the postnatal services provided to mothers and to find the factors affecting the utilization of these services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study where 154 mothers from Patiala were interviewed regarding postnatal services using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 92.9% of mothers (95%CI=88.76-97.04) availed postnatal care with a multi-purpose health worker-female (MPHW-F) and an accredited social health activist (ASHA (U)) as the main providers. Only 47.4% of mothers (95%CI=39.35-55.45) had visited a doctor for a postnatal check-up. Mother's education, type of family, place, and type of delivery were significantly associated with the number of visits to the doctor during the postnatal period. Thirty-nine (25.3%) mothers (95%CI=18.3-32.3) reported a health problem in the period, out of which only 32 mothers had taken treatment for their health problems. Mothers who were visited by MPHW-F in the postnatal period had fewer morbidities as compared to those who were not visited by MPHW-F (χ2=7.697; df=2; p value=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Working women with cesarean section delivery in the private sector reported more utilization of postnatal services. These women had higher education levels and belonged to joint families. More visits by MPHW-F were associated with fewer health problems. A multi-pronged approach, targeting individuals, families, and communities, may be necessary to improve postnatal care service utilization rates.
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Trichosporon species are basidiomycetous yeast-like organisms found ubiquitous in nature. They are increasingly been recognized as opportunistic pathogens capable of causing life-threatening invasive diseases (trichosporonosis), especially in immuno-suppressed patients and rarely in immuno-competent patients too. Earlier multiple members of the genus Trichosporon were clubbed together as T. beigelli but after the advent of molecular techniques, more than 50 different subspecies and around 16 different strains causing human diseases are reported. It is known to cause a wide range of diseases, from superficial to probable and proven invasive diseases to summer hypersensitivity. The ability of Trichosporon strains to form biofilms on implanted devices, glucuronoxylomannan in their cell walls, and production of proteases and lipases lead to the virulence of this genus. This ubiquitous fungus exhibits intrinsic resistance to echinocandins, variable minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for amphotericin B, and moderate susceptibility to fluconazole and Itraconazole, which are the commonly used anti-fungal agents for any invasive fungal infections which lead to the re-emergence of this notorious yet neglected pathogen and hence the reports of breakthrough infections among patients receiving these antifungals. This review is to understand the epidemiological, clinical details, and antifungal susceptibility pattern of various Trichosporon infections and it highlights the importance of early detection and treatment for this emerging yeast and also will add to the ongoing surveillance for the anti-fungal susceptibility pattern for this fungus.
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BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding plays an important role in the holistic development of a child. Current knowledge and attitude of future parents will significantly influence breastfeeding practices. Therefore, ascertaining current knowledge and attitude of both soon-to-be parents will help to formulate breastfeeding promotion strategies. RESEARCH AIM: To ascertain the knowledge and attitude of adolescents towards breastfeeding and its correlates with socioeconomic and demographic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional institutional based study in which participants were recruited from Punjab, state of India. A total of 392 adolescents from January to June 2017 were evaluated on the basis of a pretested, reliable, and valid instrument. The instrument consisted of questions on knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding. RESULTS: One-hundred two (26%) participants had good knowledge and 290 (74%) had poor knowledge regarding breastfeeding. A bothersome fact is that only 25% of the participants knew about the age till which a child should be breastfed. There was a statistically significant (OR = 2.93; 95% CI: [1.45--5.93]) association between high knowledge and positive attitude. CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge amongst adolescents showed variation ranges from 15.82% to 93.11% on various aspects of breastfeeding. Despite this glaring variation, 75% of the participants had a positive attitude towards breastfeeding. Thus, there is a need for implementing modified and improved breastfeeding promotion strategies in India.