CONTEXT: Information is the first step in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. Ignorance about the disease and how the virus is transmitted can generate fear and prejudice towards those who are infected. AIM: To assess the awareness, attitudes, and beliefs of the general public toward HIV/AIDS in Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 2 months in 2004 on 800 individuals living in Hyderabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted with a questionnaire titled 'General Population Behavioral Surveillance Survey.' The survey used a 5-part, 65-item questionnaire eliciting information about the knowledge of HIV (10 items), modes of transmission (20 items), ways of prevention (10 items), society's attitude toward HIV (15 items), and finally evaluation of Government's measures (10 items). RESULTS: Approximately 80.63% (645/800) of the study population were sketchily aware of HIV/AIDS, but had incorrect perceptions about the mode of transmission or prevention. Despite the vigorous outreach programmes, which the government and other organizations had carried out in the city, many people had several misconceptions about HIV or about people living with HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: As it was observed that awareness was more among the literates, the Government and Health educators should provide tailor-made education programmes for those at the lower education levels.

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Sigmoid volvulus complicating pregnancy is an extremely rare complication with fewer than 76 cases reported in literature. We report a case of sigmoid volvulus complicating pregnancy. The sigmoid colon was resected and Hartman's colostomy was performed. The patient had a successful recovery. Aggressive resuscitation followed by early surgical intervention should be undertaken to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

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Background: Treatment-seeking is limited in women substance abusers. Studying the sociodemographic and clinical profile of treatment-seeking substance-dependent women can help us to understand the problem better and respond appropriately in terms of primary and secondary prevention strategies. Aim: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profile of women attending a de-addiction centre in North India. Design and Methodology: Retrospective structured chart review of 35 women substance abusers. Results: The results indicated that a typical subject was urban (86%), married (63%), nuclear family (60%), based housewife (57%), educated up to school completion (54%), and having poor social support (57%). The common substances were opioids (60%), followed by alcohol (17%), and tobacco and benzodiazepines (11.5% each). The mean age at onset of substance use was 30.5 years, the mean duration of use was 9 years and mean duration to develop dependence was 5.5 years. The common reasons for initiating use were medical (63%) and curiosity (34%). Comorbidity profile was: physical illness (34%), psychiatric illness (23%) and dependence on another substance (14%). Only 20% had a family history of substance dependence. The social impairment ranged from 77% for social to 40% for financial and none for legal aspects. A typical subject had followed up 4.2 times in 8.4 months, while 54% were abstaining, 40% were continuing their substance dependence at the last follow up. Conclusions: The results suggest that the development of substance dependence in women is a combination of genetic, personal, and social vulnerability factors, including the drug culture of the social milieu and the poor social support. Comorbidity and impairment are common features.

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BACKGROUND: Unsafe abortion is a major cause of mortality among women in India accounting for 12% of all maternal deaths. In developing countries, annually, up to 200,000 women die of complications after illegal abortion. Medical abortion is potentially a simple and a safe method for use in developing countries. We conducted a prospective controlled trial to compare the efficacy of low-lose mifepristone and methotrexate for medical abortion. OBJECTIVE: To find out the efficacy of low-dose mifepristone and methotrexate for inducing abortion. METHOD: In this prospective clinical study, 100 women opted for a medical method of abortion. Out of these, 50 patients were given 50 mg/m2 of methotrexate intramuscularly followed by 800 micro gm of intravaginal misoprostol, and 50 patients were given 200 mg of mifepristone orally followed by 800 micro gm of intravaginal misoprostol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete abortion was the principal outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were side effects and acceptability data. RESULTS: The rate of expulsion by first week after initiation of treatment was 58% in methotrexate and 98% in mifepristone group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Low-dose mifepristone and intravaginal misoprostol is safe, effective, and well tolerated as compared to methotrexate and misoprostol.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is being increasingly diagnosed in India, which exists in two forms, the 'limited Wegener's granulomatosis' (LWG) having upper respiratory tract (URT) and lower respiratory tract (LRT) involvement and the 'classical Wegener's granulomatosis' (CWG), with the triad of URT, LRT involvement along with kidney involvement. Cytoplasmic ANCA (C-ANCA) or anti-Proteinase3 (anti-PR3), which is highly diagnostic for WG, rarely perinuclear ANCA (P-ANCA) may exist. AIMS To detect anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and correlate it with serological, hematological parameters, and the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). SETTINGS AND DESIGN Twenty-three clinically and histopathologically proven WG (16 CWG, 7 LWG) were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS C-ANCA and P-ANCA patterns were identified by immunofluorescence and specificities were confirmed by 'α granule' enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti-PR3, anti-MPO (myeloperoxidase) and anti-Lactoferrin (anti-LF) by ELISA. RESULTS LRT involvement was seen in 91.3%, URT in 78.3%, and renal manifestations in 69.6% cases. The BVAS in CWG was significantly higher than BVAS in the LWG. Decreased hemoglobin, increased WBC counts, ESR, CRP and Creatinine were seen in CWG as compared to LWG. The C-ANCA was present in 65.2% patients and P-ANCA in 13% cases. Anti-PR3 was seen in 69.6% patients and anti-LF in 17.4% cases. Severity of disease and ANCA was higher in CWG than in LWG. CONCLUSIONS Vasculitis syndromes are known to overlap and many go undetected; therefore ANCA testing, along with the clinical and histopathological observations may be helpful in early detection and management of WG cases.

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