Background: The present study was planned to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among nursing staff and to evaluate the effect of educational intervention.Methods: The questionnaire related with knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) were given to nursing staff before and after the educational intervention in a tertiary care hospital. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: The training given in different sessions has improved KAP among nursing staff. Ninety six percent of them responded correctly regarding who can report ADR as compared to pre training session (69%). Regarding pharmacovigilance as purpose of safe use of medicines was responded by 71% after training as compared to 54% before training. In questions related to PvPI, 94% of nursing staff responded correctly about the scale to be used for causality assessment in comparison to 79% before training. Majority of them were of opinion that only unknown and serious ADR should be reported whereas after training they answered that all the ADR should be reported. A significant improvement has been noticed in questions related to attitude and practice.Conclusions: The educational intervention to improve KAP among nursing staff has resulted in significant improvement.

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Background: Self-medication can be defined as obtaining and consuming one (or more) drug(s) without the advice of a physician. Using over the counter medicine is a common practice in developing countries including India. Studies have shown relatively high rates of self-medication among elderly and suggested awareness programmes among this group. Objectives of current study are to determine the prevalence of self-medication among geriatric population and to educate them about self-medication by an interactive session.Methods This was a cross sectional, questionnaire based study to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication in geriatric population in senior citizen club of Adajan and Ghoddod area of Surat city. Questionnaires were designed and modified from previous studies. Written informed consent was taken from those willing to participate in the study. After filling of pre-questionnaire, an interactive session was arranged and post-questionnaire were given to all participants. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Number of participants in present study was 100. Self-medication was most common in age group of 65 to 75 years (48%) followed by less than 65 years (33%). 85% participants reported having taken non-prescription drugs. Drugs commonly used for self-medication were analgesics (85) and antacids (80). Side effects due to self-medication were reported by 22 participants. Main reasons for self-medication cited were to save expenses (65) and to save time (62). Post study awareness increased to 98%.Conclusions: Prevalence of self-medication is high in elderly. Interactive session can increase awareness regarding self-medication.

Background: Cataract is opacity of lens which is treated surgically. Topical corticosteroids are routinely used in the treatment of post-operative inflammation following cataract surgery. This study aims to compare the intraocular pressure changes caused by various topical steroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone and difluprednate) in post cataract patients. To compare compliance and to detect any significant adverse effects.Methods: Patients admitted in ophthalmology department for cataract surgery operated by phacoemulsification were taken as subjects. Total number of patients enrolled in the study were 354. Subjects were separated into 3 groups depending on topical steroids which were prescribed after surgery: group 1 - difluprednate, group 2 -dexamethasone and group 3 - prednisolone. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients were measured by ophthalmology department preoperatively and postoperatively after 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th week of surgery. These data were collected and analysed. Adverse effects, Compliance of patients and number of bottles of drug used after surgery were also noted.Results: On comparing IOP, there was significant variation (p<0.027) between 3 drugs after one week of drug administration. When group 1 was compared with group 2 or group 3 there was no significant difference Average cost of difluprednate is about 3 times higher than the cost of dexamethasone or prednisolone.Conclusions: All the three topical steroids cause a rise in intraocular pressure in post cataract patients. But in group 1 (difluprednate) there was a rise in IOP up to three weeks after surgery but after 3rd week IOP remained stable. Adverse effects were seen more in group 2 and group 3.

Background: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Treatment of cataract is surgical. Topical corticosteroids are routinely used in the treatment of post-operative inflammation following cataract surgery. This study aims to compare the intraocular pressure changes caused by topical steroids (dexamethasone and difluprednate) and to detect adverse effects.Methods: All patients operated by phacoemulsification in ophthalmology Department of SMIMER Surat were taken as subjects. Depending on topical steroids prescribed after surgery, subjects were separated into 2 groups, group 1 - difluprednate and group 2 - dexamethasone. Changes in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of patients were collected from the data available pre-operative, 1st ,2nd ,3rd ,4th week after surgery and were analyzed. Other parameters whose data were collected are-adverse effects and compliance of patients.Results: In group 1 preoperative mean IOP was 15.5. At the end of 1st week, the mean IOP was significantly increased to 15.8. There was equal rise in IOP during 3rd week and 4th week which means that after 3rd week IOP remains stable. In group 2 preoperative mean IOP was 15.4. At the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th there was significant increase in IOP as compared to preoperative mean IOP. Adverse effects were reported more in group 2.Conclusions: In group 1 there was a rise in IOP up to three weeks but after 3rd week IOP remained stable. In group 2 rise in IOP was seen throughout 4 weeks of treatment. Adverse effects seen more in group 2. Compliance of patients was better in group 1.