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Introduction: Pregnancy is a natural process. Physiological changes which occur during pregnancy increase the risk of developing oral diseases and potentially result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. So, it is important to maintain oral hygiene, especially during the antenatal period. Objective: To assess the oral hygiene practices among antenatal mothers. Methodology: A descriptive study was carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD, PGIMER Chandigarh, where 200 antenatal mothers visiting Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD, PGIMER from October to December 2020 were enrolled using purposive sampling technique. Ethical clearance was obtained from Ethics Committee, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and written consent was taken from participants. Data were collected by interviewing participants as per interview schedule comprising (a) personal profile of antenatal mothers, (b) obstetric profile, and (c) oral hygiene practices and perception. Oral hygiene status was observed by assessment sheet (a) checklist comprising dental markers and (b) plaque index tool for assessing oral hygiene of antenatal mothers. Results: The findings of the study revealed that majority of mothers (86%) had correct perception that poor oral hygiene negatively affects the child and 58% believed that brushing does not cause loosening of teeth. When practices were assessed, it was found that 74.5% mothers brushed once only, 99.5% did not floss and 98.5% did not use mouthwash. Although the perception held by mothers was correct, they did not have good oral hygiene practices. When oral hygiene was assessed, it was found that 84.5% mothers had poor oral hygiene because of various dental problems like gum bleeding, caries, gingivitis, etc., whereas only 3% mothers had good oral hygiene. Conclusion: The study concluded that a majority of antenatal mothers had correct perception about oral hygiene, but they did not put it into practice. Many of them had poor oral hygiene. Hence, there is an urgent need for comprehensive educational program to promote good oral health and impart education about correct oral hygiene practices, as oral hygiene is a neglected aspect in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infertility is defined as a failure to conceive within one or more years of regular unprotected coitus. It is a medical condition that can cause considerable social, emotional and psychological distress. Objective-To assess the psychosocial problems in the couples with primary infertility attending the infertility clinic, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Material and methods- A descriptive study was conducted at infertility clinic of PGIMER, Chandigarh. 96 couples were enrolled through convenient sampling technique. Data collection was done by interviewing participants using interview schedule consisting of (a) sociodemographic profile, (b) Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and (c) Depression, Anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). Results- Most of the couples (90%) were happily married. More than half (58%) of husbands did not experience depression at all, but (40%) of women experienced moderate depression. Two third (68%) of husbands had normal anxiety range but 40% of women experienced extremely severe anxiety. More than half (60%) of couples did not experience any stress. Conclusion- Most of couples were happily married but women experienced more anxiety and depression as compared to men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the efficacy of pre-incision intravenous single doses of cefazolin versus cefazolin plus azithromycin as an antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean delivery (CD). Methods: This was a single-center, double blind, randomized controlled trial conducted in the PGIMER, Chandigarh. 200 women undergoing elective/emergency cesarean section were randomized. Group A received single dose of cefazolin plus placebo while Group B received single dose of cefazolin plus azithromycin. Primary outcome evaluated was occurrence of surgical site infections (SSI); secondary outcomes included incidence of febrile morbidity, UTI, endometritis, neonatal outcome, total cost of antibiotics, and duration of hospital stay in both the study arms. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were used for analysis of the data. Result: There was an overall significant reduction in the incidence of SSI (15% vs 3%; P = 0.03), endometritis (8% vs 2%; P = 0.048), and post-operative febrile morbidity (17% vs 3%; P = 0.001) with the addition of azithromycin to cefazolin. Duration of hospital stay was almost two days lesser for the cefazolin plus azithromycin group. Subgroup analysis of patients with SSI showed the age, duration of ruptured membranes, and type of anesthesia as important predictors of infection rate. Study observed statistically significant reduction in requirement of additional post operative antibiotics, phototherapy for neonates, hospital stay and cost of therapy in cefazolin plus azithromycin group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Tertiary care hospitals in developing countries such as India can opt for the cefazolin plus azithromycin as antimicrobial prophylaxis during CD to maximize the efficacy as well as for decreasing the cost burden of postoperative infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]