No abstract

Background: Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved against coronavirus disease and its distribution to different countries. The study is mainly done to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice among clinically exposed medical students and interns toward COVID-19 vaccine.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to August 2022 in a tertiary care hospital. Using questionnaires, the knowledge, attitude, and practice among medical students and interns were assessed, and they were then analysed and categorised accordingly. Then the students were given awareness regarding COVID-19 vaccine.Results: The questionnaires were distributed among students and interns, and responses were collected. A total number of participants (n=300), out of which the majority of responders were second-year students 89 (29.6%). Overall, 39.75% had high-grade knowledge, 43.5% had a positive attitude and 37.5% had good practice regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The results show that 81.2% of interns had high-grade knowledge, 76.6% possess a positive attitude and 71.9% of good practice and preventive measures towards COVID-19 vaccine.Conclusions: Our study concludes that there were certain gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice among second and third-year medical students when compared with final-year medical students and interns.

Background: Breast cancer is responsible for 13% of deaths among women globally. The present study aimed to assess adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in breast cancer patients receiving treatment in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study was conducted in the oncology department at sree mookambika institute of medical sciences, Kulasekharam, covering six months from May 2022 to November 2022. The study includes patients of any age diagnosed with breast cancer, treated with chemotherapy, and who developed at least one ADR during or after treatment. Patients who developed ADRs due to fresh blood or blood product infusion and had a history of drug abuse or accidental poisoning were excluded from the study. Results: Three hundred fifty-eight breast cancer patients were evaluated, of which 142 developed ADRs. The study revealed that breast cancer was most prevalent among women aged 41-50. Seven (4.92%) had a history of tobacco smoking, 129 (90.85%) patients were married, and only 13 (9.15%) were unmarried. The most commonly prescribed chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer patients was docetaxel (19.01%), Cyclophosphamide (15.49%) and nab. paclitaxel (12.67%). The study found that the most frequent ADR observed among the patients was febrile neutropenia (18.30%), followed by nausea and vomiting 14.79%). Causality assessment reported that 61.27% (87) of the ADRs were probable, and 29.58% (42) were possible. Conclusions:  Spontaneous adverse drug reporting and structured management are essential for monitoring the safe use of drugs. The findings suggest the need for effective pharmacovigilance programs and improved patient care in administering chemotherapeutic agents.