Swapna M

Abstract

Introduction: Malassezia are normal resident flora in humans and are opportunistic in nature. Superficial infections caused by Malassezia include pityriasis versicolor, pityriasis capitis (dandruff), seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis. Though the manifestations due to Malassezia are trivial, chronicity and recurrence of lesions are associated with social embarrassment and decreased self-esteem. Aims and Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to detect the prevalence of Malassezia among superficial skin and scalp lesions. It also aims to compare Wood’s lamp examination, KOH mount examination and culture for the diagnosis of Malassezia and study the percentage of various species of Malassezia responsible for superficial infections of skin and scalp. Materials and Methods: One hundred samples collected from patients attending the Dermatology outpatient room with superficial infections of skin and scalp. Patients attending Dermatology outpatient room with complaints of hypopigmented / hyperpigmented / erythematous, scaly skin patches and patients attending Dermatology OP with complaints of itchy / non itchy scaly flakes of scalp (dandruff) were included in the study. Results: Among the 100 samples, 77% were Wood’s lamp positive, 64% were KOH positive and 59% yielded growth of Malassezia in culture. Overall prevalence of Malassezia in our study was 59%. In our study, M. globosa was the commonest species (57.62%) followed by M. furfur and M. sympodialis. Conclusion: Prevalence of Malassezia was 59% in our study. Wood’s lamp examination and KOH mount showed more positivity than culture. M. globosa was the most common species in the study. Wood’s lamp and KOH mount can be used for diagnosis of Malassezia in resource poor settings. But culture and speciation should be performed wherever possible to avoid treatment failure and recurrences. Keywords: Culture, Malassezia, Potassium hydroxide mount, Skin scrapings, Wood’s lamp.

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Abstract

Introduction: Health care workers (HCWs) are constantly associated with generation, segregation and disposal of biomedical wastes (BMW). Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of BMW management among HCWs are the three determinants used to evaluate the effective functioning of BMW management system of the Institution. Aims: This study aims to detect the degree of knowledge, attitude and practice of BMW management among HCWs in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This study included 150 HCWs from five groups (postgraduates, interns, nurses, technicians and sanitary staffs), each group comprising of 30 individuals. They were instructed to tick their response in the questionnaire containing 30 questions (10 questions about each parameter) and were graded as good, average and poor based on individual score. Results: Order of decreasing knowledge and practice seen among the five groups was postgraduates followed by laboratory technicians, interns, nurses and sanitary staffs. Decreasing order of attitude was postgraduates, interns and laboratory technicians with same score, followed by nurses and sanitary staffs. In our study, 81.33%, 86.7% and 69.33% of participants had above average KAP values respectively. Conclusion: Postgraduates and interns had better understanding of BMW management than other groups. Laboratory technicians were better than nurses and sanitary staffs. Sanitary workers were highly ignorant regarding BMW management. So a continuing medical education program on BMW management should be conducted on yearly basis to train and update newly appointed as well as existing HCWs. Keywords: Attitude, Biomedical waste, Knowledge, Practice, Questionnaire.

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