Objective:To evaluate the rate of seropositivity to hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among children with β-thalassemia major receiving multiple transfusions in Ahmedabad, India, compared with healthy controls.Materials and Methods:The study was performed during January 2007 to January 2009 on multi-transfused children suffering with β-thalassemia major registered in the Prathama Blood Centre, Ahmedabad; Jeevandeep hospital, Ahmedabad; and Red Cross Blood Centre, Ahmedabad, and investigated for the prevalence and development of transfusion-transmitted infections. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibodies (Ab), and HIV Ab were checked using a fourth-generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Positive tests were confirmed by western blots. Healthy blood donors were used for the control group.Results:Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV Ab, and HIV Ab were positive in one of 96 (1.04%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.17–1.3), 24 of 96 (25%; 95% CI = 11.4–14.2), and one of 96 (1.04%; 95% CI = 0.12–1.3), respectively. The rate of anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher in multi-transfused children suffering with β-thalassemia major. In thalassemia patients, the rate of positive anti-HCV Ab was significantly higher than that for positive HBsAg (P<0.001) and HIV Ab (P<0.001).Conclusion:It is concluded that HCV is the current major problem in multi-transfused children with thalassemia major and more careful pretransfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in blood centers.

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The results strongly suggest that patients are willing and able to use nontraditional sources, such as the Automated Medical Information System, to learn about their illnesses.

The research goal in our study of medical information systems tools is to improve the performance of patient decision making by integrating medical professional information with computer augmented information available on the world wide web environment. Our research focuses on software development based on a software reuse reference model in developing medical educational system in headache domain from reusable object design to customize for software products in the same area. Developing software from reusable object design models appears likely to realize significant savings in time and effort and makes it feasible to create an entire product line. In part, this goal may be reached by cost-effective software development with validated reusable PCESs object design models, UML and with the help of a valid WBMIS derived from these models.

The research goal in our study of instructional medical information systems tools is to improve the performance of patient decision making by integrating medical professional information with computer augmented information. In part, this goal may be reached by cost-effective software development with validated reusable PCESs object design models, object oriented approach for product line (family of products) and with the help of a valid PHCES derived from these models.