Amandeep Kaur

Abstract

Introduction: Universal precautions (UPs) are safety norms for the health care workers (HCW) against the infections that are being carried by the patients they handle. All HCW must follow these in order to keep them uninfected from various infectious diseases. Taking this into concern whether the presently employed nursing staff is aware of the universal precautions or not, the present study was conducted with the aim to assess their knowledge regarding this. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital. 100 participants were drawn from the total population using randomization method. A structured questionnaire was designed. It included three parts; socio-demographic data, questions to assess the level of knowledge and compliance of nurses towards UPs. For data analysis, descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages was used. Conclusion: There was adequate knowledge and compliance among nurses towards UPs. Specific training programs may have to target health care workers to establish acceptance of appropriate practices that will enable them to adopt and adhere to UPs. Results: All the participants were females with mean age of 30.5307.07 years and work experience of 7.336.34 years. Only 1 of them has average knowledge score i.e. < 80> knowledge i.e. 80-87%. 41 have very good knowledge score i.e > 90%. The compliance rate for universal precautions varies from 59-100 %. For certain variables, 14 out of 20 variables for compliance scored more than 90% adherence. The study revealed that knowledge of UPs among nurses was adequate and their compliance was also fair enough. Keywords: UPs, HCW, Nurses, Infectious diseases, Knowledge, Compliance.

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Vitamin D deficiency is very common worldwide. Vitamin D has steroid like properties being produced in skin and regulates the expression of various genes. Its main biochemical role is in the regulation of bone metabolism by regulation of calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. Vitamin D has non-skeletal functions also like immunomodulation and anti-inflammation which could be the reason behind the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases. Several studies have proved the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of various diseases like autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome as well as cancer. Considering this potential role, this study was done with the aim of assessing Vitamin D levels and correlation of these levels of vitamin D with thyroid profile in patients of hypothyroidism. Keywords: Vitamin D, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid profile, Autoimmune thyroid disease, Vit D deficiency.

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Introduction: Biochemistry is taught using teacher centred method i.e lectures where students are passive learners. In first year of M.B.B.S, students don’t feel the importance of biochemistry in clinical practice. As a result, they are not motivated to study this subject. To overcome this, student centred strategies like early clinical exposure via case based learning (CBL) is needed to relate basic sciences subject with clinical scenario and apply concepts of theory to clinical conditions. Aim and Objectives: 1. To sensitize faculty and students about CBL; 2. To introduce CBL as teaching learning tool in department of biochemistry; 3. To assess perception of faculty and students regarding CBL; 4. To make the students aware of relevance of biochemistry in clinical settings. Materials and Methods: In this study, a new teaching learning intervention was devised in Biochemistry department of SGRDIMSAR, Amritsar which comprised of ECE program consisting of CBL. Total 133 students of first year M.B.B.S were involved in this study after their consent. All the participants (n=133) were divided into 2 groups; Group A (n= 67) and Group B (n=66). Further each group was divided into 5 sub groups i.e Group A into sub groups A1 (n=14), A2 (n=14), A3 (n=13), A4 (n=13), A5 (n=13) and Group B into B1 (n=14), B2 (n=13), B3 (n=13), B4 (n=13), B5 (n=13). There were 5 facilitators, one for each sub group. All were taught by case based learning method. The outcomes and effectiveness of this intervention was assessed by a MCQs pre-test/ post-test model of cognitive knowledge acquisition used to identify knowledge gain and effectiveness of the educational intervention. Students and faculty attitude towards early clinical exposure via CBL was assessed by 5 point Likert-scale questionnaire survey. Results: After CBL method, students had improved scores in evaluation test and the difference was statistically highly significant. Majority of students and faculty opined that CBL was useful, arouse interest, helpful in better understanding of clinical biochemistry topic, and link clinical knowledge with basic biochemistry. Conclusion: ECE is a useful method for a basic science like biochemistry if it is taken up with the traditional teaching method. The present study concluded that CBL improves academic performance of students and motivates the students for self- directed learning by increasing their interest in subject and promotes meaningful learning, student reasoning and communication skills. Majority of faculty and students were satisfied with the introduction of this teaching learning tool. 100% faculty and 98% students felt that biochemistry was relevant in clinical setting. So, CBL should be used as a regular method at appropriate places in curriculum of biochemistry. Keywords: Early clinical exposure, CBL, Biochemistry, M.B.B.S students.

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Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels globally. Depression as a comorbidity in patients with Diabetes Mellitus has been reported by many studies. The coexistence of diabetes and depression is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare cost. The reports of studies are conflicting and the exact mechanisms linking depression and diabetes are unclear. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence as well as the correlation of depression with socio demographic profile, duration of disease state, presence of complications and effect of therapeutic intervention in patients with Diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted with an aim of assessing depression as a comorbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus. Depression was assessed using the patient health questionairre-9 (PHQ-9). Results: Depression as defined by PHQ score ?5 was present in 45% of the individuals. Severe depression (PHQ score ?15) was present in 8% subjects, moderate depression (PHQ score ?10) in 14% subjects, and mild depression was present in 23% of subjects. Coexisting depression in patients with diabetes was associated with decreased adherence to treatment, poor metabolic control, higher complication rates, decreased quality of life and increased disability. Depression was significantly more prevalent in rural subjects (59%) as compared to urban ones (26%). Conclusion: Coordinated strategies for clinical care are necessary to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the burden of illness. Currently, recognition of depression among individuals with diabetes is suboptimal, therefore global approaches to establish coordinated, multifaceted interventions to improve early recognition of depression and early initiation of treatment for depression are required to reduce the worldwide burden of depression among individuals with diabetes. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Depression, PHQ- Patient health questionnaire

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