Congenital Malaria in newborns delivered to Malaria-Infected mothers in hilly region of northern India: Is it really deadly?

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinish Singh ◽  
Balram Ji Omar ◽  
Swathi Chacham ◽  
Jaya Chaturvedi ◽  
Sriparna Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Causative Factor ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Hilly Region ◽  
Congenital Malaria

Background: Malaria is endemic in many states of India. Though there are reports of maternal and congenital malaria from endemic areas, however there remains paucity of data from hilly terrains. The present study evaluated the prevalence, clinical and microbiological spectrum of maternal and congenital malaria at a tertiary health care facility in Northern India over a period of 18 months. Methods: In this observational study, mothers along with their new borns were evaluated for malaria by maternal, placental and cord blood smear examination and rapid point-of-care diagnostic serological tests. Positive cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Mother-newborn duos were followed up till discharge from hospital. Results : A total of 843 mothers delivered during the study period and were screened along with their newborns and placentae. A total of Ten (1.18%) mothers had evidence of malarial parasitemia (Plasmodium vivax, n=7 and Pl. falciparum, n=3), however none of the placental and cord blood samples were positive for malaria. Overall, 127 (15.1%) neonates required admission in neonatal intensive care unit for various morbidities. Incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) was high (n=210; 24.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated maternal malaria to be an independent contributor for SGA [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval), 10.7 (2.06 - 49.72)]. However, only 2% variance of SGA could be explained by maternal malaria alone. Conclusions: We report an encouragingly lower incidence of maternal malaria in mothers attending for delivery and a ‘Zero’ incidence for placental and congenital malaria during the study period as compared to national data (upto 7.4% in non-immune mothers), although maternal malaria could be a causative factor for SGA.

scholarly journals Awareness and Myths Related to COVID-19 among Medical Students at a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Northern India.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (41) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
NILIMA Takhelchangbam ◽  
◽  
Naresh Pal Singh ◽  
Anamika Singh ◽  
Deepanshi Saxena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Northern India

Evaluation of true point of care molecular assay using fingerstick capillary whole blood for diagnosis of hepatitis C infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reshu Agarwal ◽  
Ekta Gupta ◽  
Guresh Kumar ◽  
Keshaw Kumar Singh ◽  
Manoj Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection

At present, the available point of care (POC) molecular assays for hepatitis C are not considered as true POC due to sample collection and processing requiring minimal laboratory infrastructure. A new POC Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick (Xpert FS) precludes such requirements where specimen collected by simple fingerstick can be loaded directly into the test cartridge with results available within 60 min. The present study compared the performance of this assay for HCV RNA quantitation using both capillary whole blood (CWB) and venous whole blood (VWB) with plasma HCV RNA performed on Abbott Real Time HCV PCR. CWB via fingerstick and VWB via venipuncture collected from serologically confirmed HCV-infected participants were loaded into Xpert HCV VL WB for viral load estimation. Simultaneously Abbott Real Time HCV PCR assay was also performed using plasma (reference method). Among the enrolled participants (n=157), the mean age was 46.22±14.79 years and 63 % were male. HCV RNA was detected in 100 cases (63.7 %), median 5.69 (IQR: 5.00–6.32)log10IU ml−1 on the reference method. Xpert FS showed 100 % sensitivity and specificity using both CWB and VWB. The median viral loads detected in CWB and VWB were 5.52 (IQR: 4.59–6.15) and 5.48 (IQR: 4.61–6.07)log10IU ml−1, respectively. Xpert FS offers potential as true POC enabling accurate diagnosis in a single patient visit to the health-care facility, hence may reduce the number of dropouts with a confirmed diagnosis. However, further real-time studies with larger sample size are warranted.

scholarly journals Evaluating effects of allo-vedic preparation Raj Nirwan Bati on symptomatic cases of COVID-19 at a tertiary level health care facility in rural setting of northern India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3289
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar ◽  
Ramakant Yadav ◽  
Ramakant Rawat ◽  
Naresh P. Singh ◽  
Indra K. Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Elevated Lactate

Background: The present pandemic of COVID-19 has created a huge pressure on the current health system of the world as the burden is increasing exponentially day by day. Study evaluated the effect of the novel allo-vedic formulation named Raj Nirwan Bati (RNB) on the clinical symptoms, microbiological, bio-chemical, haematological and radiological profile of patients of COVID-19.Methods: Prospective single arm, non- randomized clinical trial was conducted which enrolled 40 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed patients of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Each patient was given one dosage of RNB twice a day for 10 days. Patients were evaluated on the clinical symptoms, microbiological, bio-chemical, haematological and radiological profile of patients of COVID-19. Cochran’s Q tests was used to assess statistical significance.Results: The study revealed that 31 (77.5%) of the COVID-19 cases were having mild, 6 (15%) moderate and 3 (7.5%) having severe form of illness. The association between absence of clinical symptom (fever, cough, breathlessness, sore throat, fatigue and myalgia) and the day of evaluation (first, fifth and tenth day) after start of RNB intervention was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001) respectively. Thirty (75.0%) of the cases on RNB intervention became negative for SARS-CoV-2 after day 5 on naso-pharyngeal and oro-pharyngeal RT-PCR testing (p<0.001). Statistically significant association was observed only for changes in proportion of cases with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values and C-reactive protein (CRP) positive from day 1 to day 10 of RNB intervention (p<0.001).Conclusions: RNB may be considered a drug to fight against COVID-19.

The Great Awakening - Digitalization in Dental Healthcare during the pandemic COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 380-384
Author(s):  
Priyanka Paul Madhu ◽  
Yojana Patil ◽  
Aishwarya Rajesh Shinde ◽  
Sangeeta Kumar ◽  
Pratik Phansopkar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Record System ◽  
The World

disease in 2019, also called COVID-19, which has been widely spread worldwide had given rise to a pandemic situation. The public health emergency of international concern declared the agent as the (SARS-CoV-2) the severe acute respiratory syndrome and the World Health Organization had activated significant surveillance to prevent the spread of this infection across the world. Taking into the account about the rigorousness of COVID-19, and in the spark of the enormous dedication of several dental associations, it is essential to be enlightened with the recommendations to supervise dental patients and prevent any of education to the dental graduates due to institutional closure. One of the approaching expertise that combines technology, communications and health care facilities are to refine patient care, it’s at the cutting edge of the present technological switch in medicine and applied sciences. Dentistry has been improved by cloud technology which has refined and implemented various methods to upgrade electronic health record system, educational projects, social network and patient communication. Technology has immensely saved the world. Economically and has created an institutional task force to uplift the health care service during the COVID 19 pandemic crisis. Hence, the pandemic has struck an awakening of the practice of informatics in a health care facility which should be implemented and updated at the highest priority.

scholarly journals Current practices of waste management in teaching hospitals and presence of incinerators in densely populated areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma Khalid ◽  
Najibul Haq ◽  
Zia-ul-Ain Sabiha ◽  
Abdul Latif ◽  
Muhammad Amjad Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Waste Incineration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Hospital Waste ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Hospital waste management (HWM) practices are the core need to run a proper health care facility. This study encompasses the HWM practices in teaching hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan and examine the enforcement of Pak HWM (2005) rules and risks through transmission of pathogens via blood fluids, air pollution during waste incineration and injuries occurring in conjunction with open burning and dumping. Methods A questionnaire based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations was used to survey the selected private and public teaching hospital (n = 16). Site visits and personnel observations were also included in the data. It was spatio-statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, Krushkal-wallis and Fisher’s exact tests. Results The findings revealed that the lack of HWM practices in all surveyed hospitals (p > 0.05), besides statistical difference (p < 0.017) in waste generation/day. No proper segregation of waste from generation point to final disposal was practiced. However, the performance of private teaching hospitals (50%) was found better in terms of HWM personnel and practices. In surveyed hospitals, only nine hospitals (56.3%) were found with the incinerator facility while rest of the hospitals (43.7%) practiced open dumping. Moreover, operational parameters of the incinerators were not found satisfactory and located in densely populated areas and emitting hazardous gases. Conclusion Proper HWM practices are not being followed in the light of WHO guidelines. Hospital waste impose serious menace to healthcare workers and to nearby population. WHO issued documents for improving HWM practices but triggered no change in Pakistan. To improve the situation, insights in this context is need for enforcement of rules.

A Web-Based Interactive Map to Promote Health-Care Facility Flood Preparedness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Elena Grossman ◽  
Michelle Hathaway ◽  
Amber Khan ◽  
Apostolis Sambanis ◽  
Samuel Dorevitch
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Interactive Map

Abstract Objectives: Little is known about how flood risk of health-care facilities (HCFs) is evaluated by emergency preparedness professionals and HCFs administrators. This study assessed knowledge of emergency preparedness and HCF management professionals regarding locations of floodplains in relation to HCFs. A Web-based interactive map of floodplains and HCF was developed and users of the map were asked to evaluate it. Methods: An online survey was completed by administrators of HCFs and public health emergency preparedness professionals in Illinois, before and after an interactive online map of floodplains and HCFs was provided. Results: Forty Illinois HCFs located in floodplains were identified, including 12 long-term care facilities. Preparedness professionals have limited knowledge of whether local HCFs were in floodplains, and few reported availability of geographic information system (GIS) resources at baseline. Respondents intended to use the interactive map for planning and stakeholder communications. Conclusions: Given that HCFs are located in floodplains, this first assessment of using interactive maps of floodplains and HCFs may promote a shift to reliable data sources of floodplain locations in relation to HCFs. Similar approaches may be useful in other settings.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Seroprevalence among Healthcare Workers of a Large COVID-19 Hospital in Rome Reveals Strengths and Limits of Two Different Serological Tests

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2650
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Vetrugno ◽  
Daniele Ignazio La Milia ◽  
Floriana D’Ambrosio ◽  
Marcello Di Pumpo ◽  
Roberta Pastorino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Test ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Healthcare workers are at the forefront against COVID-19, worldwide. Since Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli (FPG) IRCCS was enlisted as a COVID-19 hospital, the healthcare workers deployed to COVID-19 wards were separated from those with limited/no exposure, whereas the administrative staff were designated to work from home. Between 4 June and 3 July 2020, an investigation was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies among the employees of the FPG using point-of-care (POC) and venous blood tests. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were determined with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on nasal/oropharyngeal swabs as the diagnostic gold standard. The participants enrolled amounted to 4777. Seroprevalence was 3.66% using the POC test and 1.19% using the venous blood test, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). The POC test sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 63.64% (95% confidence interval (CI): 62.20% to 65.04%) and 96.64% (95% CI: 96.05% to 97.13%), while those of the venous blood test were, respectively, 78.79% (95% CI: 77.58% to 79.94%) and 99.36% (95% CI: 99.07% to 99.55%). Among the low-risk populations, the POC test’s predictive values were 58.33% (positive) and 98.23% (negative), whereas those of the venous blood test were 92.86% (positive) and 98.53% (negative). According to our study, these serological tests cannot be a valid alternative to diagnose COVID-19 infection in progress.

scholarly journals Can public sector community health workers deliver a nurturing care intervention in South Africa? The Amagugu Asakhula feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Klingberg ◽  
Esther M. F. van Sluijs ◽  
Stephanie T. Jong ◽  
Catherine E. Draper
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Care Facility ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Primary Health Care Facility ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Primary Health

Abstract Background Nurturing care interventions have the potential to promote health and development in early childhood. Amagugu Asakhula was designed to promote developmentally important dietary and movement behaviours among children of preschool age (3–5 years) in South Africa. An initial formative study in Cape Town found the intervention to be feasible and acceptable when delivered by community health workers (CHWs) linked to a community-based organisation. This study evaluated the delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention by CHWs linked to a public sector primary health care facility in Soweto, as this mode of delivery could have more potential for sustainability and scalability. Methods A qualitative design was utilised to assess feasibility, acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, implementation, fidelity and context. CHWs (n = 14) delivered the intervention to caregivers (n = 23) of preschool-age children in Soweto over 6 weeks. Following the completion of the intervention, focus group discussions were held with CHWs and caregivers. Further data were obtained through observations, study records and key informant interviews (n = 5). Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis guided by a process evaluation framework. Results The delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention through CHWs linked to a primary health care facility in Soweto was not found to be feasible due to contextual challenges such as late payment of salaries influencing CHW performance and willingness to deliver the intervention. CHWs expressed dissatisfaction with their general working conditions and were thus reluctant to take on new tasks. Despite barriers to successful delivery, the intervention was well received by both CHWs and caregivers and was considered a good fit with the CHWs’ scope of work. Conclusions Based on these findings, delivery of the Amagugu Asakhula intervention is not recommended through public sector CHWs in South Africa. This feasibility study informs the optimisation of implementation and supports further testing of the intervention’s effectiveness when delivered by CHWs linked to community-based organisations. The present study further demonstrates how implementation challenges can be identified through qualitative feasibility studies and subsequently addressed prior to large-scale trials, avoiding the wasting of research and resources.

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