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Background: Planning the waste management of all waste generated in healthcare facilities is a crucial task to reduce the hazards and risks to individuals and the community. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding bio-medical waste management among paramedical staff and Group IV workers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 210 paramedical staff working at hospitals affiliated with Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore were assessed regarding their knowledge and practices regarding BMW. Institutional Ethics Committee permission was obtained before the commencement of the study. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS for Windows version 25.0, Armonk, New York, 25.0. Results: Among the total participants, there were 127 nurses, 6 lab technicians and 77 Group IV workers. 98.1% of healthcare providers were aware that their hospital has a waste management plan. 87.6% of healthcare providers follow hospital policies every time while disposing of waste. 92% of healthcare providers are aware of diseases transmitted by biomedical waste. The majority of the participants preferred using all five protective measures - gloves, goggles, masks, boots, and gowns while dealing with biomedical waste. Conclusion: The majority of the paramedical staff in our study were aware of the BMW management practices.

Background and Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of the TrueLab™ Real Time mini-PCR system in providing rapid and accurate diagnostic results for tuberculosis (TB) detection in India. The goal is to improve case detection and accelerate treatment in settings with limited resources. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted by the Department of Microbiology on 120 patients, age ranging from >=15 years with at least two clinical symptoms of pulmonary TB. Molbio and Universal Cartridge Based Sample Prep were the 2 methods used for processing sputum samples. The diagnosis was based on the MTB Real Time PCR test, which has a detection limit of 100 CFU/mL. Patients under 15 years, samples lacking clinical background, saliva specimens or extra-pulmonary TB cases were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 44.17% samples were positive for TB with maximum positivity in the age group 31-45 years. Positivity rate was found to be higher in females. In 4.17% of cases there was rifampicin resistance, which was significantly high in previously treated cases. Comparison of Truenat with Ziehl-Neelsen and fluorescent method revealed that it was more sensitive and less time consuming. Conclusion: Truenat MTB/RIF is a sensitive detection system for TB with rapid results, which serves as an important tool in the early management of tuberculosis patients and drug-resistant-TB cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between insulin resistance (IR) and serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in those women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methodology: This study was a prospective observational study conducted on women attending a gynecology clinic, in whom PCOS was diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria and those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, from January 2020 to July 2021. Detailed history, complete physical examination, and signs of hyperandrogenism were noted. A hormone profile and ultrasonography for ovarian morphology were done. Correlation between AMH and IR was done in four phenotypes of PCOS. The results were analyzed with the help of appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean IR was 2.35 ± 0.87 in phenotype A, 2.20 ± 0.74 in phenotype B, 1.83 ± 0.91 in phenotype C and 1.69 ± 0.75 in phenotype D. The mean values of both AMH and IR showed a decreasing pattern from phenotype A to phenotype D. The results were statistically significant (p-value = 0.004). Conclusion: This study concludes that a positive correlation exists between IR and AMH in different phenotypes of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Universal health coverage targets that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. The PMJAY- Ayushman Bharat was launched on 23rd September 2018, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlining commitment, which is to “leave no one behind.” This study was done to know about the impact and utilization of this scheme at the level of rural community. Material & Methods: Cross sectional study was done in rural area of Ayodhya. Computer generated random numbers were used to select households among people enlisted under Ayushman Bharat beneficiary list, 375 respondents were selected. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was used. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: A total of 183 (48.8%) families had received the golden card and 74 (40.44%) families with golden card have utilized the card. Most common claims were in the range of Rs 10000-50000. Most common reason which emerged as barrier of card utilization was discrepancy in name on Aadhar & Golden card. Catastrophic health expenditure was incurred upon a total of 11(2.9%) families who had to self-pay for the health expenditure. Conclusion: AB PMJAY has targeted to address financial health security in a very elaborative manner but still the barriers exist due to which the utilization is less. Our study can provide a scoping base to make it more user friendly and useful by addressing the barriers of utilization and enhancing the spectrum of packages such as outpatient care expenditures so as to achieve the goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]