International Healthcare Research Journal (IHRJ)
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“The Rainbow”: Mission Indradhanush
Full text link“The Rainbow”: Mission Indradhanush Letter to Editor by Aman Kumar and Uma Srisht
Unfair Jeopardy of Third and Fourth Hand Smoking
Full text linkSmoking-related illnesses and fatalities continue to be a significant public health issue because it is still the world’s biggest cause. The harmful effects of active smoking and second hand smoke on health are now well documented. Third-hand smoke (THS) and fourth-hand smoke exposure, on the other hand, are relatively new terms that have only recently been defined in the context of environmental and public health. Third-hand smoke is composed of pollutants that accumulate indoors when tobacco is smoked. Third-hand smoke is constituted of chemicals that adhere to surfaces. THS contains tobacco smoke components that can linger on interior surfaces and in dust for months before being gaseously released back into the atmosphere. Humans who have been exposed to third parties are more likely to develop cancer, have DNA damage, and heal wounds more slowly. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of stillbirth, premature birth, and sudden infant death syndrome (crib death). Smoking is a learned behaviour. Like third hand smoke fourth hand smoke also pose a potential health threat to children and young adults. When people see their role models, on-screen celebrities, friends, and co-workers smoking, the behaviour becomes normalised and acceptable. It is too early to predict the combined health effects of third and fourth hand smoke. Probably the most important intervention would be to raise public awareness of the problem, which adds yet another reason to remain active in the anti-smoking campaign
Complete Issue: Volume 4, Issue 10 (January 2021)
No full textComplete Issue: Volume 4, Issue 10 (January 2021
Distribution of Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cases and Malignant Transformation Rate among Bhutanese Patients Treated at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Bhutan
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious, scarring disease of the mouth often involving the palate, oro-pharynx, pharynx, esophagus, tongue and the buccal mucosa which leads to ulceration, blanching and ultimately limited mouth opening. The aim of the study is to describe the age, gender and district-wise distribution of oral submucous fibrosis cases and to assess the malignant transformation rate among the patients with oral submucous fibrosis who were treated at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan.MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a descriptive retrospective study. The patients were clinically diagnosed by examining their mouth and by measuring their mouth opening (Inter-incisal height). Patients who had less than 3 fingers mouth opening and diagnosed as Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) during these three-year period from 2018 to 2020 were considered for the study.RESULTS: There were 278 cases in total. Thimphu district had the maximum number of cases followed by Wangduephodrang and Samtse. Gasa and Haa districts had the minimum cases. More males were affected than females. The malignant transformation rate among these patients was 4.3%.CONCLUSION: Thimphu district had the highest proportion of OSMF cases and was almost equally distributed among genders. Over 90% of the patients reported improvement without surgery while the malignancy transformation rate was 4.3%. The study recommends conducting screening in districts with high burden of OSMF cases for early diagnosis and treatment
Complete Issue: Volume 4, Issue 12 (March 2021)
No full textComplete Issue: Volume 4, Issue 12 (March 2021
The Screening and Treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Full text linkVitamin B12 deficiency is now more prevalent than ever. It is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia, neuropsychiatric disorders, and other clinical manifestations. Screening is required in patients with single or multiple risk factors. Measurement of serum methylmalonic acid can be used to confirm deficiency in asymptomatic high-risk patients with low-normal levels of vitamin B12. Oral administration of high-dose vitamin B12 as well as intramuscular administration are effective as corrective therapy. This review briefs about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Vitamin B12, risk factors associated with its deficiency, screening methods and treatment options
Operationalizing Command Centre for COVID-19 Care Services in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Full text linkCOVID-19 was declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO in March 2020. Hospitals were overburdened, health workers were drained and resources were depleting due to which people were desperately looking for hospital beds, medical oxygen and other necessities. For this purpose, a command centre was set up by the hospital administration department. The command centre targets for the enhancement of patient outcomes by coordination of care and centralized quality control. The main objectives of the command centre include internal communication between the departments concerned with COVID-19 care, appropriate resource allocation in the hospital for COVID-19 care and data compilation and dissemination of the real time data from COVID-19 war room to government organizations. The COVID-19 war room functions daily in a dedicated manner which helps in strategic planning and managing all the functions efficiently. The command centre though works dedicatedly, certain challenges are faced while carrying out the functions
Complete Issue: Volume 5, Issue 6 (September 2021)
No full textComplete Issue: Volume 5, Issue 6 (September 2021
Paying Obeisance to the Humble “Coconut”: A Short Commentary
Full text linkShort commentary on the occasion of World Coconut Day, celebrated on 2nd September every yea