Nosocomial infections and their control strategies

Nosocomial infections are also known as hospital-acquired/associated infections. National Healthcare Safety Network along with Centers for Disease Control for surveillance has classified nosocomial infection sites into 13 types with 50 infection sites, which are specific on the basis of biological and clinical criteria. The agents that are usually involved in hospitalacquired infections include Streptococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Legionella and Enterobacteriaceae family members, namely, Proteus mirablis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens. Nosocomial pathogens can be transmitted through person to person, environment or contaminated water and food, infected individuals, contaminated healthcare personnel's skin or contact via shared items and surfaces. Mainly, multi-drug-resistant nosocomial organisms include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia, whereas Clostridium difficile shows natural resistance. Excessive and improper use of broadspectrum antibiotics, especially in healthcare settings, is elevating nosocomial infections, which not only becomes a big health care problem but also causes great economic and production loss in the community. Nosocomial infections can be controlled by measuring and comparing the infection rates within healthcare settings and sticking to the best healthcare practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the methodology for surveillance of nosocomial infections along with investigation of major outbreaks. By means of this surveillance, hospitals can devise a strategy comprising of infection control practices.

Viral hepatitis in Pakistan:challenges and priorities

Hepatitis B and C are big health issues worldwide as more than 400 million people arc suffering from chronic hepatitis B and C which result in more than 1.4 million deaths each year.According to a study done by Pakistan Medical Research Council in 2007-08,7.6%Pakistani population suffered with hepatitis B and C.with around 4.8%with hepatitis C only.Government of Pakistan has taken different initiatives like vaccination,patient safety,blood screening,education and awareness about disease but still there is high prevalence of hepatitis in Pakistan.According to some studies injecting drug users have the highest prevalence of hepatilis B and C in the country.The follow-up studies and documentation of hepatitis patients was not very good which need to be improved.There is no recent large scale study on risk factors and prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Pakistan so it should be done on an urgent basis.If government set up regional laboratories for prevalence study and also a central institute for hepatitis research and treatment,the disease could be prevented in better and proper way.The treatment of hepatitis is very costly and a developing country like Pakistan cannot afford such high costs.Therefore more focus should be on preventive measures.

Are developing countries prepared to face Ebola-like outbreaks?

Ebola virus disease has caused havoc in West Africa,with 11,162deaths and more than 27,181 cases(as of May 31,2015)being reported since the virus emerged in early2014 in Guinea.The maximum number of cases has been reported in Sierra Leone(12,827),while most of the reported deaths have occurred in Liberia(4,806),according to the Center for Disease Control and

HIV awareness in Pakistan:A survey-based study

Objective:To know the awareness level of Pakistani population about AIDS.Methods:An online survey was conducted in Pakistan with the help of a questionnaire formulated by experts to record the awareness level of common people about HIV infection.The responses were collected and screened by the team of National Academy of Young Scientists,Pakistan.Results:Among the 580 participants of the survey,majorities were male,in the age group of 20-30 years and were living in urban areas.More than 80%of responders did not ever screen themselves for HIV and close to 40%were not aware that where to go for screening.Although,majority of the respondents knew about the nature of disease,they were not fully aware about different tests,treatment,duration of infection and vaccination.According to participants,television and internet were major source of information about AIDS and this disease can be prevented in Pakistan through public awareness.Conclusions:Since majority of the respondents were not fully aware about the disease and its mode of transmission,there should be print and electronic media campaigns as well as workshops and seminars to educate the common public.In addition,a national level prevalence study will be very helpful to know the exact prevalence of HIV in Pakistan and its major routes of transmission.