Bhagyashri R Hungund

Knowledge about and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among first year medical students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health problem in India. It affects mainly young people in sexually active age groups. A number of knowledge, attitude, and practice studies conducted in different parts of India reveal widespread ignorance and misconceptions about the disease among young people. Medical students are the budding doctors of tomorrow and have just entered the noble profession. Thus, there is a need to assess the existing knowledge and attitude towards this HIV/AIDS among them. Objective: The objective was to assess the extent of knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS among first year medical students of a government medical college in North Karnataka. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among all (97) first year medical students of a government medical college in North Karnataka. After taking informed consent, the information regarding knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS was collected from them using a predesigned, pretested structured questionnaire. Results: Of the 97 students who participated, 52 were males and 45 were females. All the students were aware of HIV/AIDS in terms of definition and causation. There was no statistically significant difference among males and females about their knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Though the general level of knowledge of students about HIV/AIDS was not poor, they had a number of misconceptions about it.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node in erythema nodosum leprosum: A case report with review of literature

The acute manifestations and subsequent complications call for early recognition and management of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Its diagnosis is conventionally based on skin biopsy and slit skin smears. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been found to be a simple and useful tool in the diagnosis of this entity. Lymphadenopathy is a known manifestation of leprosy and its reactions. The present case is reported to underscore the importance of FNAC of lymph node in diagnosis of ENL. A 39-year-old male, known case of lepromatous leprosy on treatment, presented with fever, joint pains, raised lesions all over the body and enlarged bilateral inguinal lymph nodes. FNA of the lymph node revealed characteristic features of ENL. FNA of lymph nodes is simple, non-invasive, useful tool in early diagnosis of ENL.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia in children

Acquired Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) is a rare occurrence in children.This is a case of an eight year old girl child who developed acquired PRCA secondary to long term intake of sodium Valproate. This case is reported to review the causes of PRCA in children and to reconsider the use of drugs of longer duration in children and adults.