High levels of noise in hospitals may interfere with patient care services, the doctor-patient relationship and medical education activities. The aim of this study was to assess the noise level at different places in a tertiary care hospital and suggest measures to reduce the noise. Sound levels of fourteen places inside the hospital were recorded using a Digital Sound Level Meter . A total of 20 readings were taken at three minute intervals between successive recordings during the morning (9 to 10 a.m.) and evening hours (6 to 7 p.m.) and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The mean equivalent sound pressure levels (Leq) during the morning and evening hours were 70.38 and 64.46 dB(A) respectively. During the morning hours, the maximum Leq was observed in the mortuary (76.70 dBA) whereas the minimum Leq was in the intensive care unit (I.C.U) (58.34 dBA). The maximum and minimum Leq during evening hours were recorded at O.G (Obstetrics and Gynecology) ward (71.86 dBA) and mortuary (57.08 dBA) respectively. The morning hours showed higher levels of noise in most of the places probably due to overcrowding and higher vehicular movement. This study highlights the need for noise monitoring and control measures inside hospital areas.

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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a problem within healthcare organizations and in the community. The aims of this study were to identify the prevalence of S. aureus in the anterior nares of surgical unit staff, to analyse their antibiogram with special reference to methicillin resistance, and to compare the isolates among surgical unit staff and in relation to the wards where they worked. Sterile swabs were used to collect the samples from the anterior nares of 100 healthcare workers working in 5 surgical wards who satisfied rigid inclusion and exclusion criteria. Standard procedures were followed for isolation, identification, and antibiotic sensitivity testing. S. aureus carrier status was observed in 13 individuals, of whom 2 (15.4%) were resistant to methicillin. All the isolates of S. aureus were multidrug-resistant but sensitive to vancomycin and bacitracin. One of the 13 was resistant to linezolid. Sixty-three of the staff were carriers of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The presence of methicillin resistance may cause problems in hospital infection control programs and may indicate emerging issues. This study suggests the need for periodic screening of hospital personnel in order to monitor trends and take steps to treat carriers.

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Background: Lipodystrophy (LD) is potentially stigmatizing and contributes to poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Objectives: To find out the prevalence and pattern of LD among Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), and to assess the psychological distress related to LD. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was designed after institutional ethical clearance and informed consent from 50 AIDS patients on HAART. Data collected were physical examination and response to a standardized questionnaire (Assessment of Body Changes and Distress questionnaire). They were analyzed using SPSS 14.0. Results: All subjects were on lamivudine, stavudine, and nevirapine (82%) or efavirenz (18%). The prevalence of LD was 28% (M = 5; F = 9) and significantly more among women (P = 0.019). The pattern of LD perceived by patients and assessed on physical examination were abdominal obesity in 50 and 38%, breast hypertrophy in 28 and 14%, wasting of buttocks in 22 and 26%, lipoatrophy of arms in 24 and 28%, and wasting of facial muscles in 20 and 32%, respectively. The overall perceived changes were 68%, while assessed were 62%. The body changes caused significant psychological distress to the patients (P = 0.001), although compliance was good. Conclusion: The study calls for early detection of LD and treatment or provision of alternative medicines and counseling of these patients, to reduce the physical and psychological burden.