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Biomedical subjects

P V Varughese

Publications and source records attributed to P V Varughese.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Antenatal period: an educational opportunity.

In this study the impact of an educational programme during antenatal period was evaluated. Pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic formed the study material. The first 100 mothers who were not given health education served as controls. The subsequent 201 cases constituted the study group and were given health education on certain aspects of maternal and child care. The control and study groups were well matched for age, parity, education, income and number of antenatal visits. The results indicated that the mothers in study group gained statistically significant knowledge regarding the purpose of antenatal care, hematinics and tetanus toxoid vaccination. The awareness regarding breast feeding and its advantages also increased significantly in the study group. The knowledge about individual vaccine especially measles and DPT was poor which increased significantly after the educational intervention in the study group. It is recommended that the antenatal period should be optimally utilized to impart health education on the various aspects of maternal and child health.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1994

Neonatal conjunctivitis: a profile.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is one of the commonest infections encountered in the newborn. A prospective study was conducted on all babies born over a period of one year. No prophylactic ocular medication was instilled routinely in newborns. Babies developing purulent eye discharge were diagnosed to have conjunctivitis. Eye Swab from the neonates and maternal vaginal/cervical swabs were sent for culture. Chloromycetin eye drops were used for treatment and in case of no response, changed as per sensitivity report or to gentamicin eye drops. Oral erthromycin was given for dacryocystitis or when there was no response to topical therapy. The incidence of conjunctivitis was 7.2%. Two seasonal peaks, namely, February and then May and June, were noted. In 91.6% of the babies, conjunctivitis developed within the first week. A prolonged rupture of membranes was associated with a significantly higher incidence of conjunctivitis (p < 0.01). The most common organism grown from conjunctival swab was Staph aureus (35.2%) followed by Enterococcus (4.3%), Klebsiella (3.5%) and E. coli (2.8%). From vaginal/cervical swabs, E. coli was the most common organism isolated. No concurrence of organisms was noted between eye swabs and vaginal/cervical swabs. A uniformly good response to chloromycetin eye drops was noted with only 3.5% requiring a change of therapy. It is concluded that neonatal conjunctivitis is commonly acquired postnatally and responds well to topical chloromycetin therapy. Oral erythromycin may be used in resistant cases which will cover the chlamydial infection also.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Meningococcal disease in Canada: surveillance summary to 1987.

Meningococcal disease continues to occur in most parts of Canada at endemic levels, with minor fluctuations. The incidence in general has changed very little over the past three decades. It is primarily a childhood infection, occurring most commonly among infants less than 1 year of age. In 1987 the risk of infection among infants in that age group was 4 times and among those aged 1 to 4 years 2.5 times that of the general population. The most susceptible appear to be infants about 3 months of age. The annual CFRs had exceeded 50% before the antibiotic era, but with early diagnosis, modern therapy and supportive measures they have been less than 10%. A revised form for reporting cases, currently being considered by provincial epidemiologists across Canada, could help to provide more clinical and epidemiologic information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Impact of vaccination on selected diseases in Canada.

Vaccination has dramatically reduced the morbidity and mortality rates of a number of diseases. The crucial element of vaccination programs is commitment to widespread coverage and to containment of outbreaks. Vaccines have led to virtual elimination of poliomyelitis and promise to eliminate measles. The incidence of congenital rubella syndrome will probably only be diminished if vaccination is extended to all 1-year-olds and susceptible prepubertal girls. The employment of diphtheria toxoid is one of the great success stories in public health. The incidence of pertussis has declined because of the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine given to infants, although elimination of the disease will probably have to await development of a more potent pertussis antigen. A remarkable reduction in the incidence of tetanus and tuberculosis has also been achieved.

Canada↗
PubMed1982

Experience with measles in Canada and the United States.

The United States is attempting to eliminate indigenous measles by October 1982. Progress in this effort appears to be related largely to the fact that all children must now be vaccinated before starting school and that unvaccinated children are not allowed to attend school during epidemics. Canada has not yet made a similar concerted effort to eliminate measles. The epidemiologic features of the disease in Canada and the United states have generally been similar, but some differences have emerged in recent years: Canadian rates are currently about 10 times higher, and the highest incidence in Canada is still in children 5 to 9 years of age, whereas in the United States the highest incidence is now in children aged 10 to 14 years, the result of intensive vaccination programs for preschool and early school-aged children.

Adolescent↗