Journal of infection and public health
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J Infect Public Health · Mar 2012
Comparative StudyAlcoholic povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine-based antiseptic for the prevention of central venous catheter-related infections: in-use comparison.
To make a field comparison of the effectiveness, ease of use, and cost of a chlorhexidine antiseptic solution (CBA) and an alcohol-based povidone-iodine solution (PVP-IA) for the prevention of central venous catheter (CVC)-related infections in an intensive care unit, with the aim of identifying the superior antisepsis agent. ⋯ Our field study revealed no major clinical advantage of CBA use in CVC infection and no cost advantage in addition to limited ease of use.
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J Infect Public Health · Aug 2011
Diabetes mellitus and HIV as co-morbidities in tuberculosis patients of rural south India.
Incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is greatest among patients with impaired immunity. India is experiencing a double epidemic of HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM), both of which are strongly associated with immuno-suppression. This study aimed to discover the prevalence of HIV and DM in both the pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB patients of rural south India, retrospectively. ⋯ Though more importance is being given to HIV-TB coinfection, we cannot overlook DM, which showed a significantly higher prevalence in pulmonary TB patients compared to HIV. The rising prevalence of DM in high TB burden countries may adversely affect TB control.
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J Infect Public Health · Jun 2011
Importance of structured training programs and good role models in hand hygiene in developing countries.
The aim of this study is to identify the beliefs and perceptions associated with hand hygiene performance in two different institutions with limited resources and recently established infection control programme later than developed institutions. The study was conducted in two different hospitals (University Hospital-U-hospital and Community Hospital-C-hospital) in the same city by a self administered questionnaire. Most questions were drawn from questionnaires used previously in other studies from "industrialized" countries based on "The Theory of Planned Behavior". ⋯ In a country with limited resources, intention to comply was associated with training and strong normative and control beliefs. Also, in two different kinds of institution with the similar hand hygiene promotion campaign in the same city, the believes of nurses were different. In developing countries, more resources have to be allocated for training of HCWs and easy access for hand hygiene products.
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J Infect Public Health · Jan 2010
Evaluation of a school-based program for diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in immigrant children.
To evaluate a 10-year school-based latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening program, targeting immigrant children in Montreal, Canada, and to identify predictive factors for refusal and, poor adherence to treatment. ⋯ Sociocultural and behavioural factors are involved in acceptance of LTBI treatment in, immigrant children. Adherence to treatment is challenging and requires comperhension of sociocultural beliefs and accessibility to TB clinic.
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Although uncommon, spontaneous and postoperative pyogenic spondylodiscitis entail major morbidity and may be associated with serious long-term sequelae. A review of the literature was done to advance our understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of these infections. The principles of conservative treatment are to establish an accurate microbiological diagnosis, treat with appropriate antibiotics, immobilize the spine, and closely monitor for spinal instability and neurological deterioration. ⋯ Appropriate management requires aggressive medical treatment and, at times, surgical interventions. If recognized early and treated appropriately, a full recovery can often be expected. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the clinical presentation of such infections to improve patient outcome.