Search

Emerging reports of SARS‐CoV‐2 breakthrough infections entail methodical genomic surveillance for determining the efficacy of vaccines. This study elaborates genomic analysis of isolates from breakthrough infections following vaccination with AZD1222/Covishield and BBV152/Covaxin. Variants of concern B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.7 responsible for cases surge in April–May 2021 in Delhi, were the predominant lineages among breakthrough infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmatized psychosocial perception poses a serious challenge and source of discrimination which impedes epilepsy patients from attaining a satisfactory quality of life. The present study was aimed to obtain information on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of epilepsy patients in Delhi and compare with the published data from India. We included 120 people with epilepsy (PWE) attending the Neurology outpatient services of the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi. Demographic details and responses to a questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices were recorded. Although majority of the patients belonged to low socioeconomic strata, the literacy rate was reasonably high (70%). A large majority (94%) of PWE had heard about epilepsy and 91% knew that epilepsy can be treated with modern drugs. Positive attitude was observed with respect to allowing a child with epilepsy to study (80%), not objecting children to play with a child with epilepsy (95%), marriage (89%) and having children (92%). Negative attitude was refl ected in the belief that epilepsy is due to supernatural powers (16%) and sins committed by patient or ancestors (21%). Analysis of Indian data revealed regional differences in KAP which could be attributed to local factors, such as literacy, awareness about epilepsy, and practice of different systems of medicine. Some of the differences can also be attributed to category of study population whether it included patients or non epilepsy individuals, since the former are likely to have less negative attitudes than the public. There is a need to create awareness about epilepsy on a nation-wide basis to dispel the misconceptions and stigma through effective and robust programs with the aim to lessen the disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]