Natl Med J India
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. Tobacco consumption in any form is a major contributor to non-communicable diseases, and it is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Secondhand smoke is also harmful. To halt the smoking epidemic and protect people from second-hand smoke, the Government of India enacted the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in 2003. ⋯ . Overall compliance of the Act was low with less than half the places having satisfactory compliance with Section 4. There is a need to raise awareness about the negative effects of smoking on health and environment and ensure strict adherence to the provisions of COTPA 2003.
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. Dysfunction of the right ventricle (RV) in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a poor prognostic factor. We planned to observe the clinicopathological changes in the RV of patients with RHD. ⋯ . Patients with RV dysfunction were older in age and their RVSP was raised at operation, suggesting that earlier intervention may help in preserving RV function.
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. Although the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and corrective surgery for male infertility are reported in the literature, these are based on studies specifically designed to assess the outcomes of individual interventions and do not reflect the real-life (intent-to-treat) outcomes of managing infertility. There are sparse data on the actual utilization of treatment and pregnancy outcomes in these patients. We aimed to evaluate the demographics, aetiology, treatment utilization and outcomes of treatment of male infertility in a tertiary care centre. ⋯ . ART was the most common intervention recommended, but less than one-fourth of couples received the recommended treatment. Surgery is indicated in a small number of patients, but is delivered to a larger proportion than those advised ART with both modalities having similar pregnancy outcomes.
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. Infusion of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) can correct iron deficiency anaemia in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. However, large-scale public health use of FCM is constrained by two issues. First, there is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety profile of FCM in the Indian context. Second, logistic challenges in administering FCM at a subdistrict healthcare setting have not been assessed. We aimed to measure the mean increase in haemoglobin (Hb) level 2 weeks after infusion of FCM to pregnant females with moderate-to-severe anaemia attending a subdistrict hospital in India. ⋯ Infusion of FCM rapidly corrected anaemia, sustained its effect till delivery and replenished body iron reserves. FCM is safe and effective in treating anaemia in pregnant females in the second and third trimester at the subdistrict healthcare setting in India.
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Clinicians often need a quick and rough idea of the sample size to assess the feasibility of their clinical research question, but developing countries often lack access to online calculators or its language. I describe a formula that clinicians, residents or any health researcher can remember and use to calculate sample size with mental arithmetic or with the use of a simple pocket calculator. This article covers controlled clinical trials. ⋯ The formula needs to be modified for unequal-sized groups. This simple formula may be helpful to clinicians, residents and clinical researchers to calculate sample size for their research questions. The feasibility of many research questions can be easily checked with the calculated sample size.