Vol 8, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018

The present study examined 1181 global publications in Nipah virus, as covered in multidisciplinary and bibliographic Scopus database during 1999-2018, with a view to understand their growth rate, global share, citation impact, international collaborative papers share, distribution of publications by broad subjects, productivity and citation profile of top organizations and authors, preferred media of communication and bibliographic characteristics of high cited papers. The global publications in Nipah virus registered an annual average growth rate of 16.23% and its citation impact averaged to 28.05 citations per paper. Among the 62 countries participating in global Nipah virus research, the top 10 more productive countries account together for more than 100% of its global research output and citation share. The individual global publication share of top 10 most productive countries varied widely 4.23% to 45.98% during 1999-2018, with USA accounting for the highest publication share (45.98%), followed by Australia (16.77%), Malaysia (11.09% share), and other 7 countries (from 4.23% to 7.96%) during 1999-2018. Four of top 10 countries scored relative citation index above the world average of 1.28: Malaysia (1.67), Australia (1.47), Bangladesh (1.41) and USA (1.37) during 1999-2018. The international collaborative papers share of top 10 most productive countries in Nipah virus research varied widely from 24.56% (India) to 88.46% (Bangladesh). Medicine, among various broad subjects, contributed the largest publications share of 59.97% to global Nipah virus research, followed by immunology and microbiology (42.51%), biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology (21.25%), agricultural and biological sciences (11.85%), and other 3 sub-fields contribution varying from 4.57% to 6.10% during 1999-2018. Among various organizations and authors contributing to global Nipah virus research, the 15 most productive global organizations and authors together contributed 65.11% and 48.69% global publication share and 99.15% and 89.29% global citation share respectively during 1999-2018. Amongst 1077 journal papers (in 410 journals) in global Nipah virus research, the top 20 most productive journals contributed 40.39% share of total journal publication output during 1999-2018. Seventy nine (79) publications were found to be high cited, as they registered citations from 101-793 during 1999-2018 and they together received 114880 citations, which averaged to 188.359 citations per paper. Key words: Nipah virus, Virology, Infectious diseases, Global publications, Scientometrics, Bibliometrics.

While the use of mobile phone (MPs) has become commonplace in banking, railways, airlines and insurance etc., the health sector has been somewhat slow in adopting MP technologies into routine operations. Such use can benefit patients and providers alike by enhancing the access to health care.1 Mobile Health (m-H) is a recent term for “medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phone, patient monitoring devices and another wireless device”. For example, for chronic diseases, monitoring of blood pressure/blood sugar/ weight/electrocardiography (ECG) etc has already been tried.

Background: Measles is the public health problem in India, causing mortality and morbidity in children. Measles vaccination is included in the Immunization program but low coverage is still a major problem. There is a lack of data on measles incidence and coverage in vulnerable population for measles. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to find out the incidence and vaccination coverage based on parents recall in identified 30 slums of Ahmedabad by using cluster sampling method. 3000 children, less than five years of age were included by selecting 100 children from each cluster. Pre-designed and pre-tested standardized questionnaire of UNICEF was used to assess symptoms of measles and history of the Immunization. Result: The measles incidence was found 20.8% based on symptoms and 3.03% based on confirmed diagnosis by doctors as per parents recall in the past six months. The overall vaccination coverage was found at 64.62%. The most common presenting symptom was found fever with rash in children with measles. Conclusion: No gender difference was found in vaccine coverage, measles incidence and status of treatment received. Vaccine efficacy found to be 42% which is very low and high incidence of measles was reported which shows the need for an effective targeted program for the urban slums. Key words: Immunization, Measles, Symptoms, Vaccine efficacy, Cluster, Ahmedabad.

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a known and well documented cause of cervical cancer. Primary prevention of HPV infection using vaccine is possible and some approved vaccines are already in use. Objective: The aim of this research was to ascertain the knowledge of HPV infection and HPV vaccines, among female students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Method: A cross sectional study of three hundred and sixty seven (367) female students selected randomly across 6 faculties of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka using semi structured questionnaires. Information was obtained on their demographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV infection, mode of transmission, associated diseases and knowledge of HPV vaccine. Data was coded and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results were presented as frequency tables. Association between variable was tested using the Chi square test and significant level was set at p<0.05. Results: One hundred and ten respondents (30.0%) had knowledge of HPV infection, significantly more among students of biosciences. Of these, 64.5% (71/110) identified it as a sexually transmitted infection and associated it with cervical cancer. Only 15.8% (58/367) had knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus vaccine. Respondents from the faculty of Biosciences had significantly superior knowledge and the most common sources of information were the internet and school lectures. Conclusion: This study has shown a poor knowledge of HPV and its vaccine among these undergraduates and so underscoring the need for scaling up awareness campaigns in our society. We recommend the introduction of important public health issues like cervical cancer in the general study syllabus for undergraduates. Key words: Knowledge, Human Papillomavirus, Vaccine, Undergraduates, Nigeria.

Context: Oral Ferrous Sulfate (OFS) is associated with 25 to 40% incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). Can there be a suitable alternative treatment for IDA? Aim: To compare the efficacy of oral lactoferrin fortified bovine colostrum (OLFBC), and in combination with Oral Ferrous Sulfate (OFS) in the treatment of IDA. Settings and Design: Prospective randomized open-label. Material and Methods: Sixty eight anemic women were recruited in three parallel arms. The control arm was given OFS 333 mg (containing 100 mg elemental iron) once-daily, the study arm received OLFBC 2 g once-daily, while the combination arm received both for 30 days. Statistical Analysis Used: Baseline and post-therapy Haemoglobin (Hb) and iron parameters were assessed and analyzed using student’s paired t-test, ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: A significant improvement in Hb and iron parameters was noted from baseline to post-therapy in the arms that received OLFBC and this treatment was associated with fewer ADRs. The ADRs were comparatively lesser in the arms that received OLFBC than the OFS arm. Conclusion: OLFBC is a safe and efficacious treatment modality for IDA compared to OFS. Key words: Iron deficiency anemia, Lactoferrin fortified bovine colostrum, Ferrous sulphate, Serum ferritin, TIBC, Haemoglobin. Key messages: OLFBC is a better alternative than OFS in the treatment of IDA.

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are commonest hereditary disorders in India. Hemoglobin E (HbE), in double heterozygous states with beta thalassemia trait may cause thalassemia, a fatal yet preventable disease. Its proven association with Rajbanshis, major ethnic group of this terrain has been well documented. Universally accepted preventive interventional strategies like screening tests for case and carrier detection remains the mainstay. Objectives: To determine prevalence of hemoglobinopathies among school going adolescents and find out their association with any defined ethnicity in the study area. Anemia was estimated. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to August 2016 in collaboration with Thalassemia Control Unit (TCU), North Bengal Medical College. It was intended to include all students of class IX and X in the government run co-education secondary schools based on their current enrolment status, pertaining to study criteria. 1792 eligible subjects were studied. After ethical clearance and briefing, data was collected from screening camps organized in schools on prefixed dates, using appropriate tools and techniques and analyzed. Results: Prevalence of hemoglobinopathies was 44.5%, major variants being HbE (22.6%), beta thalassemia trait (9.8%) and E-beta thalassemia (7.3%). Significant association was found between HbE hemoglobinopathies and Rajbanshis (p=.00). 45.2% study subjects were anemic. Conclusion: Hemoglobinopathies were substantially high in study area with HbE as commonest variant. Rajbanshis, a majority among study subjects were significantly associated with HbE hemoglobinopathies. Prevalence of anemia was alarmingly high. Planning preventive interventional strategies would ensure appropriate health behaviour of cases and carriers. Key words: Screening, Hemoglobinopathies, Rajbanshis, Preventive strategies.

Introduction: Despite various health programs and policies in the country, maternal health care service utilization by eligible women remains sub-optimal esp. in disadvantaged subsets of population. Aim and Objectives: The present study was conducted with an aim to assess the utilization of maternal health care services (ANC and PNC) and the factors influencing maternal health care utilization in urban slums of Lucknow. Materials and Methods: Study design- Cross Sectional. Study Area- Urban slums of Lucknow. Study Unit-Women who had delivered in the past one year. Study Period-July, 2014 to March, 2015. Sampling Technique - Simple random sampling. Sample Size-968 participants. Study Technique- Personal Interviews using a pre-tested, pre-structured questionnaire. Results: The study observed that utilization of maternal health care services was sub-optimal, few indicators being abysmally low like PNC visits (5%). Socio-demographic factors like education of women, religion and parity was found to be significantly associated with Maternal health care utilization. Discussion: Current study re-emphasized that utilization of maternal health care services is affected by multiple socio-demographic factors like maternal education, religion and parity of women. Education increases awareness about health, availability and accessibility of services and help develop the confidence while religious faith also decides the utilization of services. Conclusion: The better utilization of the maternal health services can be achieved by overall socio-economic development including focus on women empowerment and education, focus on religious norms and faiths in the health policies. Recommendations: Policies and programs focusing on education of community especially women and girls and incorporation of opinions of religious bodies could be an appropriate strategy. Key words: Maternal Healthcare, Ante-natal Care, Post-natal Care, Utilization.

Introduction: Cancer is a complex disease caused due to multiple genetic changes leading to uncontrolled proliferation of cells with metastatic ability. Various external and internal factors along with changes in lifestyle have an implication on cancer. The major objective was to study the socio-economic, functional and somatic status of cancer patients and the risk factors associated with the disease. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three cancer hospitals of Mysuru, India between the months of September 2014 to November 2015 to recruit 152 (90 M, 62 F) histopathologically confirmed cancer patients. Pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit data on socio-demography, disease history, anthropometry and risk factors associated with cancer. The ECOG tool was used to assess the functional status. Results: Among the subjects, men predominantly had head and neck and gastrointestinal cancers which could be due to higher substance abuse whereas, most of the women were overweight or obese with a mean BMI of 24.31±5.10 and had gender specific cancers such as breast, cervix, endometrium and ovary. The disease was diagnosed earlier in females than in males due to higher visibility of symptomatology. Men had severe muscle depletion as reflected by low MUAC values (25.73 cm ±3.70). The functional status was affected irrespective of the type of cancer or the gender. Conclusion: The study indicates that factors such as low socio-economic status, poor nutritional status, food intake and health habits prevalent among the cancer patients are associated with the stage and type of the disease at diagnosis. Key words: Alcohol, Cancer, India, Mysuru, Risk factors, Tobacco.

Introduction: Oral cavity comprises a diverse group of bacterial flora, some of these bacteria are known to cause oral diseases in humans. Toothpaste removes stain and drives away bad breath. Their formulations and active ingredients play an important role in preventing periodontal diseases and other oral infections. Methods: Present study aims to determine total bacterial count before and after brushing from saliva samples of 72 individuals of age group 20-22 years. Instructions were given to all participants regarding brushing techniques, brushing time, amount of toothpaste, sampling procedure and sampling time. They were advised to brush with the supplied toothpaste for 2 mins, twice daily, in the morning and in the evening during the test period. Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of six different kinds of toothpaste against the bacterial isolates was performed by agar well diffusion method. Results: The total microbial reduction ranges from 42.83 - 57.40 %, where Dabur Red being the highest. Predominant isolates were identified as Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Corynebacterium sp., Micrococcus sp. and Klebsiella sp. Results of well diffusion test showed the anti-microbial efficacy of pepsodent over other brand of toothpastes. Herbal toothpaste like Dabur red, Babool and Himalaya are however effective, demonstrating significant zone of inhibition against Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. Conclusion: The active antimicrobial ingredients and formulations of synthetic toothpaste demonstrate their effectiveness in dental care, probably due to the presence of triclosan, fluoride, and other ingredients. However, the herbal toothpastes significantly reduce oral microbial load after brushing. Their natural origin as plant-derived antimicrobials provides opportunities in dental research and maintaining good oral health. Key words: Bacteria, Saliva, Well diffusion test, Triclosan, Herbal toothpaste.