Closure of skin in surgical wounds with skin stapler and conventional sutures: a comparative study

Background: Application of suture is the technique of choice for apposition of skin edges in surgical wounds. The same procedure performed with application of staplers is faster and produce better cosmetic outcomes. A comparative study between conventional suture and stapler closure of skin in abdominal surgical wounds was undertaken to study the merits and demerits of the techniques. The aim was to study the time required for closure of surgical wounds, aesthetic outcome, post-operative complications and patient’s compliance.Methods: This was a single centre, prospective, observational study, conducted upon 100 patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. 50 patients were selected for skin closure of surgical wounds with stapler and the other 50 patients for closure with conventional nylon sutures. Data were collected for time required for closure of skin, aesthetic outcome, post-operative complications and patient’s compliance for both the groups for comparison. Data were analysed using student t test for comparison and chi square test of significance. Results: There was significant better results in stapler group in terms of cosmetic outcome (96% vs 88%, p<0.001), time taken during closure (60 vs 219 seconds, p<0.001) and patient’s compliance VAS of 1.44 vs 4.58 p<0.001).Conclusions: Closure of skin with stapler is a faster method. Patient’s compliance with stapler closure is better. It produces cosmetically acceptable scar and less discomfort or pain during its removal.

Mortalitas dan bobot badan tiga strain ayam broiler pada kepadatan kandang yang berbeda

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of strain, density and their interaction on mortality and body weight of broiler chicken raised in the closed houses. The data was obtained from 60 broiler farms in the Central Java province. Three strains were Cobb, CP 707, and Loghman. The density level was classified into three groups: £10, >10 to <15, and ³ 15 birds/m2. Parameters observed were mortality and body weight in the first week to the fifth week (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) and (BB1, BB2, BB3, BB4 dan BB5), respectively. Test of significance effect for strain and density was performed using Mixed procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS) University Edition V.6p.2. software. The results showed that density was significant (P<0,01) on the first week (M1), their interaction was (P<0,01) on M1 and (P<0,05) on the fourth week (M4), but not significant on body weight. The conclusion from this study there was an interaction between genetic and environment on mortality one week after chick in and nearly harvesting.

Prognosis of COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19, a disease caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent data showed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most prevalent comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, data indicate that hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are important risk factors for progression and unfavourable outcome in COVID-19 patients. Poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with severe progression of disease. Hence, large studies with comprehensive analysis of all risk factors and longer follow-up are necessary. Methods and analysis: A single-centre retrospective cross-sectional study of 300 patients that were SARS-CoV-2 positive from May to October 2020 was done. Data was entered into Microsoft excel data sheet and was analysed using SPSS 22 version software. Chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test (for 2x2 tables only) was used as test of significance for qualitative data. Independent t test was used as test of significance to identify the mean difference between two quantitative variables. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used as test of significance to identify the mean difference between more than two quantitative variables. P value (Probability that the result is true) of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant after assuming all the rules of statistical tests. Data collected was analyzed in a group of patients who were sub divided into 2 groups diabetics and Non diabetics. The parameters studied included laboratory markers: D dimer, CRP, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Ferritin levels. To assess the glycemic control HbA1C levels were assessed. The outcome parameters considered were Oxygen requirement, assessing the requirement of intensive care and duration of stay in the hospital Conclusion: The patients with higher HbA1c values were found to have higher CRP and D-dimer values and required ICU shift and prolonged hospital stay. Hence, good control of diabetes will reduce the worsening of disease. In a country like India, where most of the population do not have health insurance cover proper control of diabetes, can reduce the burden on family. Hence, large studies with comprehensive analysis of all risk factors and longer follow-up are necessary.

The Role of Co-curricular Activities in Leadership Skills' Development among University Students

Education aims at the balanced personality growth of individuals and offers both curricular and co-curricular activities to realize this goal. Talking about the importance of co-curricular activities in mind, the study investigated the function of co-curricular activities in leadership skills' growth among university students. The research aimed to figure out co-curricular activities among university students, examine the connection between co-curricular activities and students' leadership skills' growth, and establish techniques for co-curricular activities at the university levels. The sample of the research was all 4523 undergraduate students from 06 faculties of the University of Swat. The researchers randomly selected 60 participants for the analysis, created a questionnaire, and validated it by piloting data collection. The data were obtained with self-administered questionnaires and evaluated with frequencies, percentages, and Chi-square test of significance. The study established the strategies of giving equal importance to co-curricular activities, motivation of students for involvement in co-curricular activities, proper scheduling for co-curricular activities, allocation of sufficient financial resources, provision of playgrounds, gymnasiums for arranging indoor, outdoor games and literary activities, and reinforcement of students' contribution in co-curricular activities with a distribution of prizes.

Assessment of health system preparedness to deal with the second wave of COVID-19 in a remote tribal district Surguja, Chhattisgarh, India-April 2021

Background: Present study was conducted to assess the preparedness of the Surguja district to curtail COVID-19.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study from May 2020 to March 2021 through records of 2 primary health centres areas selected by convenient sampling (farthest and nearest to district headquarters). Data on existing facilities and logistics was from district headquarters. Preparedness was assessed through checklist. Observations were presented as rates, ratios and proportions. Standard error of difference between two proportions was used as test of significance and p value≤0.05 was considered significant.Results: For Surguja district population of 925938 (65% rural), overall attack rate was 1.15%, case fatality rate was 0.96% (102/10636); there was 1 DCH, 9 DCHC, 6 CHCs, 25 PHCs, 3 upgraded PHCs, 197 subcentres, 12 CCC, 01 RT-PCR laboratory and 228 COVID vaccination centres. There were 1151 isolation beds; 300 with oxygen support (26%); ICU beds 134 (11.60%) with 34 ventilators. Cumulative 258229 tests; antigen 67.90%, test positivity rate 4.10% (urban 8.2%, rural 1.7%). This urban-rural difference in test positivity rate was statistically significant (p<0.001). Health care workers, 94.81% (12722/13418) had received one dose of vaccine with 53.36% (6789/13418) both doses. Above 45 years eligible population; 66.68% (154254/231331) received one dose of vaccine.Conclusions: Surveillance and management of COVID-19 were as per GOI guidelines issued. However, to enhance response we recommended strict implementation of appropriate behaviour in community, establishment of containment zones/facilities for high risk population in urban area blocks and increasing laboratories with RT-PCR testing in appropriate proportions.

THE PREVALENCE OF MYOPIA AMONG SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN (6-14 YEARS)

Background: Refractive errors are one of the most common causes of visual impairment worldwide. Uncorrected, under corrected and undetected refractive errors among school-going children are the most significant problem in developing countries like India. Schools are the best place for early detection of ocular morbidity. Myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism are the three main types of refractive errors, of which myopia is the most common type in school-going children. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried among school-going. 500 students were selected conveniently. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS) software. Descriptive statistics were used and a Chi-square test of significance was applied. Results: The prevalence of myopia was found to be 12.2%. There is a significant association between the Age & sex and the presence of myopia. Conclusions: Myopia is the most common refractive errors among school-going children that can be treated with early intervention to prevent irreversible complications Keywords: Prevalence, Refractive error, Myopia, Risk factors

Assessment of knowledge and prevalence of drugs and substance abuse among the students of a selected tertiary health institution in Kano, Nigeria

Background: Drugs and substance abuse is one of the commonest emerging public health problems among both adults and adolescents in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and prevalence of drugs and substance abuse among the students of a selected tertiary health institution in Kano, Nigeria.Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used during selection of the participants and the study was conducted for a period of 4 months (July to November, 2019). A total of 151 students from school of health technology Kano, Nigeria were recruited and the data was collected using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by the use of statistical software (SPSS version 20.0) and the results were presented in the form of figures and tables with frequencies and percentage. In addition, a statistical test of significance (x2 test) was applied to determine the significant associations between variables, p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age of study participants was 27.2±6.3 years and majority of them (64.2%) were between 20-25 years. More than nine-tenths (94.0%) of the respondents were Hausa/Fulani, and 32.5% of the respondents were SCHEW students. Little above half (53.6%) of the respondents were earning less than 11000 naira per month and 62.3% of the respondents sourced the information regarding drugs and substance abuse from their friends. All the respondents have seen cigarettes before and 57.6% have seen inhalants (such as glue, petrol etc). Regarding the reason for substance/drug abuse; about 68.9% stated that it’s an addiction and based to the factors enhancing drugs and substance abuse; 72.7% mentioned that it was due to peer pressure, and 72.2% mentioned unemployment. Based on societal factors that promotes drugs and substance abuse; more than three-fifths (64.9%) mentioned that it was reluctant attitude of people and 20.5% mentioned it was some cultural factors.Conclusions: The prevalence of drug and substance abuse was 18.5%. Nevertheless more than three-fifths of them had good level of knowledge regarding drug and substance abuse. The ethnicity of the respondents was found significantly associated with level of knowledge regarding drug and substance abuse. There is need for more focused attention by parents, teachers, government and general public on the problem of drug and substance use.

Heteroresistance Screening of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Specimens from Hospitalized Inpatients in Cairo, Egypt

Background: Heteroresistance described infections with bacterial strains which causes infections with different levels of resistance to an antibiotic and differs with age and gender. Objectives: This work determined the variations in the heteroresistance pattern for the age, gender and site of infection and the statistical analysis was done using (SPSS version 20.0) for test of significance. Methodology: Out of two hundred and fifty clinical specimens isolated from different sites from Inpatients admitted to Kasr Al-Aini hospital and Al-Demerdash hospital from different genders with different ages in the period from February 2016 to December 2017, Egypt, one hundred and forty five specimens revealed P.aeruginosa after passing several conventional microbiological methods, the antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the screening of nht4heteroresistant specimens were performed. Results: The obtained results showed that the hetesroresistance was very high in the urine specimens and very high in males more than females. Conclusion: From the statistical analysis we recommend the use of imipenem, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the treatment of heteroresistant P.aeruginosa, since they were the highly significant, effective antibiotics.