Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences

A study of Extended Spectrum ß-Lactamases in Gram-negative Bacterial Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai

Anuradha Sharma, Leena Mandurke Gajbar, Priyanshu Kumar Shrivastava — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Injudicious use of antimicrobials for any infection causes microbes to undergo changes through selective pressure and ultimately leads to the development of antimicrobial resistance. The production of ß-Lactamase is one of the most important mechanisms adopted by bacteria to evade action by penicillins and cephalosporins. Materials and Methods: This prospective in vitro study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai over a 6-month period with the aim of identifying extended spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) in Gram-negative bacteria in clinical isolates, by double disk diffusion test and E test. Results: Five thousand five hundred and forty-eight g-negative bacilli were isolated of which 2354 (42.42%) were ESBL producers. Maximum numbers of ESBL production were seen in isolates from the blood sample (53.91%) followed by pus (47%) and urine samples (42.27%). Conclusion: ESBL-producing organisms are increasing in the community; therefore, restricted and judicious use of the third generation cephalosporins is to be followed to prevent and control such types of resistance.

An Ethereal Study of Drakshavaleha and Punarnavadi Mandura in Managing Pandu Roga with Special Reference to Iron Deficiency Anemia

Pashmina Joshi, Sushant Sud, Dilip Prajapati, Hitesh Ghetiya, Aparna Nandakumar — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Anemia is a public health problem affecting both developing and developed countries with major consequences for human health as well as social and economic development. We can find the references for numerous medications indicated for the treatment of Pandu in various treatises of Ayurveda. The formulations Punarnavadi Mandura and Drakshavaleha when administered in combination are supposed to act as iron and nutrition supplement, which will improve the overall health of the patients especially females of reproductive age group. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the probable mode of action of Drakshavaleha and P. Mandura in Pandu Roga w.s.r to iron deficiency anemia. Materials and Methods: The information in this article is centered on various articles published in indexed and non-indexed journals of Ayurveda and Contemporary medical sciences, Ayurveda Samhitas, and their respective commentaries and textbooks of concerned subjects of both Ayurveda and Modern Medicine. Results: The ingredients of Drakshavaleha and P. Mandura mainly possess activities such as immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, and bio-availability enhancers which can act collectively against the symptomatology of P. roga. Ingredients such as ManduraBhasma, Gomutra, Punarnava, Haridra, and Guda are proven to enhance the process of erythropoiesis. Conclusion: Based on the review, it can be considered that P. Mandura, a poly herb-mineral formulation and Drakshavaleha, a Naimittika Rasayana which can act as nutritional supplement, can counteract most of the pathological manifestations related to Pandu.

Zinc-Oxide Eugenol Paste, Antimicrobial Gel, and Ayurvedic Medicament in the Management of Alveolar Osteitis: A Prospective and Comparative Study

Ifra Iftikhar, Priyanshu Kumar Shrivastava, Deborah Sybil — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the three treatment strategies of zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE), metronidazole gel, and Aloe vera gel in the management of dry socket with respect to pain relief and mucosal healing. Methods: This was a comparative study in which 90 patients were recruited and randomly divided into three groups of 30. ZOE dressings were applied in Group A, Metronidazole gel in Group B, and Aloe vera gel was applied in Group C patients on the day of reporting. Patients were followed up for seven consecutive days. Day-wise pain and mucosal healing were assessed in each patient using the visual analog scale and mucosal healing index, respectively. Results: The mean age for the 90 patients recruited in the study was 44.02 (9.9). Male: Female ratio was 37:53. Higher values of pain were reported in Group A from day 1 to 6 (P < 0.01). However, the difference was not significant among the three groups (P > 0.05) on the 7th day. Significant differences were seen among groups (P < 0.01) for mucosal healing on days 2–6 with higher mean values in Group A. On day 1 and day 7, a non-significant difference was seen for the values across all three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Metronidazole and Aloe vera gels were found effective in early pain relief while producing a similar amount of mucosal healing. These gels offer the potential to be used as alternative home remedies, thus reducing the number of dental appointments required in the case of ZOE dressings. However, further randomized and clinical studies are required to evaluate the three strategies for their potential adverse effects.

A Case of Full Mouth Rehabilitation of a 5-year-old Child with Severe Early Childhood Caries

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

An important health problem worldwide that adversely impacts infants and children’s oral health is early childhood caries. Early loss of primary teeth due to trauma or caries can result in decreased masticatory function, reduced esthetics, incorrect pronunciation of sounds, and the development of aberrant oral habits. Every child has a fundamental right to live happily and healthily; therefore, it should be addressed and managed to prevent further complications. This case report gives insight into the dental rehabilitation of the patient with mutilated primary dentition.

Right-Sided Pleural Effusion Secondary to Acute Pancreatitis: A Rare Entity

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Pleural effusion as a consequence of acute pancreatitis is transient, usually left-sided, and straw colored and accounts for 1% of all cases.[1] Rarely, it can be right-sided, causing difficulty in establishing the diagnosis, especially if new symptoms are disproportionate to the pre-existing symptoms. We present a case of a young chronic alcoholic male patient with gross right-sided pleural effusion and moderate ascites.

Is There a Link between the 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in Europe and 2022 Excess All-Cause Mortality?

Jarle Aarstad, Olav Andreas Kvitastein — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: We primarily study a possible link between 2021 COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Europe and monthly 2022 excess all-cause mortality, that is, mortality higher than before the pandemic. Methods and Results: Analyses of 31 countries weighted by population size show that all-cause mortality during the first 9 months of 2022 increased more the higher the 2021 vaccination uptake; a one percentage point increase in 2021 vaccination uptake was associated with a monthly mortality increase in 2022 by 0.105% (95% CI, 0.075–0.134). When controlling for alternative explanations, the association remained robust, and we discuss the result emphasizing causality as well as potential ecological fallacy. Furthermore, the study shows that 2021 all-cause mortality was lower the higher the vaccination uptake, but this association became non-significant when controlling for alternative explanations. Conclusion: Despite a possible preventive effect in 2021, we cannot rule out that COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Europe has led to increasing 2022 all-cause mortality between January and September.

Determinants of Tobacco Use among Immigrant Workers Around a University in South India – A Qualitative Approach

Roy Arora Swati, Kallol Roy — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: According to the global adult tobacco survey – prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in India is highest in the world and 60% of tobacco users in India currently use SLT products. The prevalence of SLT use among women in Karnataka is 14.7%, among immigrant women daily wage workers is 87.2%. There is paucity of information about tobacco consumption among females, especially which calls for an urgent need to address the issue. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine underlying factors which initiated SLT use and their knowledge levels about its ill effects among immigrant daily wage workers in a University setting of South India. Settings and Design: This was a qualitative study conducted at office sites (n = 6) within University Premises of Manipal, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: The focus group and interview guides were semi-structure in nature and developed in the context of a guide to a conversation/discussion. It covered all research questions that could be answered by this qualitative approach. Statistical Analysis: Thematic analysis was used to report and interpret the findings. Results and Conclusion: A total of six focus group discussion’s (n = 55 participants) and 20 in-depth interview’s (n = 20 participants) were conducted. Themes emerged – “Factors for uptake of SLT use,” “Poor knowledge on adverse effects of SLT use,” “Easy Availability and Accessibility,” and “Thoughts and Suggestions on quitting.” Reappraising social determinants in access to tobacco prevention and cessation support services to migrant construction workers may be a promising strategy to reduce health harms of SLT use.

A Study on Health-care Utilization and Health-care Seeking Behavior of People Approaching Two Institutions (Ayurveda and Allopathic PHCs) in Vengara Panchayat of Malappuram District, Kerala

Asif Asfan Parangodath, Ajitha Katta — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: To make health for all a reality, we need individuals and communities with access to high-quality health services to take care of their health and of their families. There is a need to undertake a more systematic analysis to examine AYUSH and Allopathic care utilization across regional, socioeconomic, and demographic groups. In a country like India, which is home to many traditional medicine systems, it is also essential to understand how Ayush coexists with allopathic system. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design using a self-made questionnaire to find healthcare utilization and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Results: Factors determining health-care utilization such as prior experience in care (AOR 3.47; 95% CI 0.52–23.37), affordability (AOR 11.48; 95% CI 2.31–57.08), availability of essential medicines and their quality (AOR 35.28; 95% CI 5.32–234.20), and acceptability of treatment (AOR 4.51; 95% CI 0.91–22.41) were shown to be a positive predictor for choosing Allopathic PHC. At the same time, healthcare services such as screening and basic management of mental health ailments (AOR 0.20; 95% CI 0.02–2.26) and care in pregnancy and childbirth (AOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.12–2.32) were shown to be negative predictors for allopathic. Conclusion: The study findings highlighted the need for systematic information on the usage of healthcare services and people’s healthcare-seeking behaviours. It would help policymakers and stakeholders set up specific strategies to ensure the effective utilization and distribution of existing resources and enforce the country’s sufficient delivery of healthcare services.