Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

This review article addressed the emphasis on pain in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) through a literature overview. There was a high prevalence of pain in PLWHA, associated with psychiatric comorbidities and post-traumatic stress disorder, thus adversely impacting quality of life. Treatments including anti-retroviral therapy, analgesic therapy when provided along a multidimensional approach, together with alternative therapies would combat pain in PLWHA. The evidence presented in this study included assessment studies that reported about pain in PLWHA and treatments for pain in PLWHA. Despite the under-reporting of HIV/AIDS in palliative care literature, researchers and clinicians need to realize the under-estimation and under-treatment of pain in PLWHA along a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial model to improve their health-related quality of life.

Keywords: Palliative Immunology;  Immuno-anesthesiology; Immuno-analgesia; HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Nutritional Immunology; Dietary Immunology; Clinical Nutrition; HIV/AIDS 

 Not Provided.

Keywords: Maternal; Neonatal; Tetanus; Elimination. 

Poliomyelitis is an acute enteroviral disease which can result in Acute Flaccid Paralysis in infants and children. Two highly efficacious and safe vaccines are available for prevention of Polio. The 41st World Health Assembly adopted universal resolution to eradicate polio by 2000. This led to the launch of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Through Routine Immunization and Supplementary immunization Activity (SIA), number of polio cases reduced by 99%, between 1988 to 2013. Four WHO Regions have been certified as polio free. Development of Vaccine-derived Poliovirus from use of attenuated Oral Polio Vaccine halted the progress of polio eradication. The other challenge is importation of Wild Poliovirus due to International travel. The “Emergency Committee” of WHO under International Health Regulation (2005) considered this spread of Polio as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and formulated certain guidelines for the respective countries. The end phase of Polio eradication needs focused and vigorous effort from all sectors.

Keywords: Poliomyelitis; VDPV; International Travel.

Keywords: Dengue; NVBDCP; Sentinel Surveillance. 

Keywords: Drug Resistant Tuberculosis; Challenges; Control. 

Keywords: Childhood; Pulmonary; Tuberculosis. 

 Introduction: Leptospirosis is an emerging global health problem. However, very little is known regarding its true incidence. Estimates indicate that more than 500,000 cases of Leptospirosis occur each year globally with 0.1 to 1 per 100 000 people living in temperate climates. The incidence can even rise to 100 or more per 100000 during outbreaks. Leptospirosis is endemic in many states in India which include Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andamans, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi & Puducherry. The disease is also endemic in Mangalore and its surrounding areas. The present study has been under taken to study the   epidemiological and clinical profile of   Leptospirosis cases admitted during last six years i.e. from 2009 to 2014, in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore. Materials and Methods:  A record-based study was undertaken to determine the demographic and clinical profile of all Leptospirosis cases admitted from 01 January 2009 to 31 December 2014 to a teaching hospital in Mangalore. The clinical data including demographic parameters of all patients were retrieved from MRD and subsequently analyzed. Results: A total of 108 patients were admitted in the hospital from 01 Jan 2009 to 31 Dec 2014.Highest admissions, i.e. 28.70 % were noted in the month of September, while the lowest admissions were seen in the month of November, December and March. The majority of the patients were males, 82(75.92 %) while females constituted a small number 24.07%. A large number of patients suffered from deranged hepatic functions (34.25%), Acute Renal Failure (12.03%) ARDS (10.18%), Hemorrhages (5.55%) and Acute Myocarditis (3.07%). There were 16(14.81%) deaths mainly due to complications. Conclusion: Leptospirosis is more common during the monsoon. Common complications include renal failure and hepatic dysfunction. Death is due to multi-organ failure. 

 Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in most tropical countries, including India. Objective: To study the knowledge regarding malaria and the preventive measures practiced by the rural population attending a hospital. Setting: The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, Maharashtra State. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study concerning knowledge, attitude, and practice of malaria prevention over a period of  6 month.  Study population: The population in this study was residents of Wardha District, Maharashtra State, India, who were living there for at least one year. Four hundred adults were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude and practices about malaria. Results: Four hundred respondents were successfully interviewed. Most (89%) of the respondents knew the causes of occurrence of malaria. Majority (60.75%) respondents knew about human to human spread occurs in malaria and  53.75% respondents knew that it’s mainly transmitted by mosquito bites. Regarding symptoms of malaria, fever was the most consistent response (78.5%) followed by chills and shivering (49.5%). The knowledge of common breeding place for mosquitoes recognized was stagnant water by 56.75% respondents). Respondents attitude towards malaria seriousness, prevention and need for hospitalization and treatment for malaria was positive. Mostly 94.25% respondents strongly agreed that malaria is a serious illness. For prevention, 41.25% respondents were used mosquito mats/coils/liquid vaporizer, 31.5% used to clean the house and 19% used mosquito spray. Most of the respondent (57.75%)  came to know about malaria through television. Conclusion: Knowledge about malaria is inadequate in persons residing in rural areas and proper health education is required for successful control of malaria.