Prevalence of endemic acute viral conjunctivitis and its preventive and curative homeopathic management among the population of south Gujarat: A community based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Endemic acute viral conjunctivitis in South Gujarat and its preventive and curative homeopathic treatment. People tend to get acute conjunctivitis during damp and humid rainy weather. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study has been used to assess the prevalence of endemic viral conjunctivitis among people in South Gujarat. The convenient sampling method was used to recruit 1341 participants based on eligibility criteria. Study was done in July to August 2023. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection with the help of Efron Grading Scale, which describes the severity of the symptoms. Conjunctivitis was diagnosed by symptoms like itching, burning, redness, swelling, lachrymation, mucinous discharge, irritation, photophobia and blurred vision. Results: 27.37% of positive cases were observed out of the total number of participants. This study showed that more prevalence is present in young age group than in old age group; females (68%) were more affected than males (32%). Here it showed that in maximum number of cases, itching as a symptom was more prevalent compared to other symptoms (78.2%) and Blurred vision was less prevalent (10.35%). In homeopathy, the treatment plan for the patient with Efficacy of Pulsatilla nigricans was in maximum number of cases (40%), and Euphrasia was indicated in (20%), Rhus toxicodendron was one of effective medicine in (13.34%), Arsenicum album and Apis mellifica were having indication in (6.67%), Efficacy of Calcarea carbolicum, Sulphur, Ferrum phosphoricum and Gelsemium in less number of cases (3.33%). Conclusions: Prevalence of endemic acute viral conjunctivitis is present in South Gujarat. The prevalence of acute viral conjunctivitis remains a burden for the Population in damp and humid, rainy weather. Physicians' prescriptions in our study were mainly curative. Clinical management with a homeopathy for viral conjunctivitis to provide relieve in symptoms and shorten the duration of infection.