Abstract: This paper assesses the economic burden due to morbidity among Farmers and non-Farmers with Type2 Diabetes in Dambadeniya area through evaluating the cost factors mostly allied with equipments, laboratory tests, consultation, oral drugs as medicine and opportunity cost of the patient and companions. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire based face-to-face interviews with 80 selected diabetes patients at the base Hospital in Dambadeniya from May to August 2011. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze data. Total direct cost and indirect cost factors were calculated using specific formulas and cost factors were compared between groups using t- test statistics. Correlation of total cost factor s with age, presence of other illnesses duration of the disease and income were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient method. The study group comprised of 30 farmers and 50 non formers the costs of monthly cost of glucose meters, monthly most of oral drugs and monthly cost of OPD consultation are common and similar for both farmers and non-farmers. However, MAPE was the highest cost factor borne by farmers (72%) and non-farmers (74%). T-test values reveals that total direct cost shows significant difference between farmers and non-farmers (p< 0.006) Total cost factor of patients significantly different among two groups farmers spend more than non-farmers p<0.05). Results of correlation analysis reveal that total direct cost significantly correlates with age, and income in farmers and diabetic duration in non-farmers. In this study group diabetes was more common among non-farmers than farmers.

Abstract: The study is motivated by recognition that health of an individual is key to the development process. The Kenya Vision 2030 emphasises the need to adopt health care financing method that promotes good health. The main objective of this article is to estimate the effect of out-of-pocket (private) health expenditure on mortality level (health status) in Kenya. In the estimation of the impact of out-of-pocket health expenditure on mortality level, it emerges that the problem of endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity has to be addressed.
The main source of data for the article is the household health expenditure and utilisation survey conducted jointly in 2008 by the Kenyan health ministries and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. A causal link between out-of-pocket health expenditure and mortality controlling for other covariates such as land, education, age, gender and residence is studied taking into account the endogeneity of expenditure and heterogeneity of mortality. The estimation results indicate that the private (out-of-pocket) health expenditure is negatively and statistically correlated with mortality level. Therefore a percentage increase in the out-of-pocket health expenditure (a proxy for health inputs) is associated with a decrease in mortality level of 0.179 per cent. Hence private health expenditures mainly through out-of-pocket health expenditures have a major implication on health status of individuals particularly on their mortality probabilities.
An important policy implication of the article is that government should make every effort to increase public health expenditure to reduce user charges for healthcare, which are a barrier to health service utilisation. Currently, user charges at health facilities in Kenya are quite high and unaffordable by the poor. There is a need for a public policy to address this issue. The article provides insights into how such a policy is designed; illustrating the effect it would have on health at the household level.

Abstract: A four-months-old female English Mastiff dog was presented at Department of Surgery & Radiology, C.V. Sc. & A.H., Anand with a history of golf-ball sized growth over right elbow and observable lameness. The clinical approach included history, clinical examination, radiography, surgical management along with supportive medication. Growth over right elbow was removed surgically. Skin sutures were removed 10th day post-operative with observable healing. Furthermore, the dog was observed for five consecutive days. Dog recovered uneventfully 15th day post-treatment.

Abstract: This was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out at Mathari Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. The objective was to describe the social-demographic characteristics and physical illness among inpatients with schizophrenia. A total of two hundred and twenty four patients (137 male and 87 female) were included in the study. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were assessed using the Adult Personal Data Inventory. Physical complaints were noted and previous medical history was obtained from the case notes. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square tests. Most of the patients were young (mean age = 34.62, s.d. = 11.5), came from low socio-economic background and previously worked as unskilled labourers or were unemployed. Thirty-four (15.2%) of the patients had a medical diagnosis. Of these 18 (53%) had an infective condition. Respiratory infection especially pulmonary tuberculosis was commonly encountered. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection was also common. The females had a higher percentage of physical morbidity 19.5% compared to the males 12.4%. History of suicide attempt was recorded in 33 (14.7%) of the patients.  the patients with schizophrenia seen at Mathari hospital are young and socio-economically disadvantaged. A significant proportion (15.2%) of the patients has medical conditions that are treatable. These factors should be taken into account when planning treatment and rehabilitation services for the patients.

Abstract: Increasing interest has been observed among Feng shui believers around areas of Anand, Gujarat to keep Hua Luo Han Cichlid, a hybrid fish. Present report describes some information about the fish and a case report of management of anorexia. The cichlid was kept in an in-house aquarium and reported to be off-feed for 6 days with observable behavioral changes. Fish was treated accordingly which resulted in uneventful clinical recovery. Since there is a lacuna in available information on diseases and disorders of this species, an effort has been made by using available resources. 

Abstract: A Desert cat (Felis libyca) kitten was brought to Department of Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Anand with history of inability to get up and bear weight on hind limbs. It was diagnosed with posterior paralysis and femoral fracture. A record of the radiographic imaging interpretation in this species is discussed for clinical standpoint of view. Since there is a lacuna in literature about various diseases and disorders in this species, an attempt has been made to study from the available resources during case management. 

Abstract: Job satisfaction among nurses promotes effective and safe patient care. The aim of this study was to determine the level of job satisfaction and analyze the demographic associations among nurses at a private territory care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Following a cross sectional study, 154 female nurses were recruited via stratified simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by using the self-administered modified structured tool that was originally used by Mueller and McCloskey (1990). The mean job satisfaction level among nurses was 3.53 ± 0.688. Around 54% nurses were satisfied, with about 4.5% nurses being very satisfied, with their job and 49.4% were found to be moderately satisfied with their job. Furthermore, 40.9% were found to be neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their job. Nurses who were younger in age and less clinical experienced were more satisfied as compared to the mature and experienced nurses. Nurses who were unmarried, had Matric qualification, had both Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery, reported a moderate level of job satisfaction. Participants working in the critical care areas were more satisfied as compared to those working in other areas. Those having a salary of 11,000-20,999/month PKR were more comfortable with their job than those who had a higher salary, more than 20,999/month PKR. The current study revealed a moderate level of job satisfaction and it confirmed that there is no significant relationship between the demographic and the level of job satisfaction among nurses. The study disclosed that attractive salary, fringe benefits, promotion plan, conducive working environment, supportive staff, and opportunity for career growth are the key to enhance the job satisfaction among nurses. Ultimately, this also assists in retaining the experienced and qualified nursing staff for quality patient care.

Abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya is one of the countries that face an alarming population growth especially among teenagers. To stem the growth in population, contraceptive use and awareness needs to be increased. Teenagers are highly exposed to problems like insufficient contraceptive supply. The main objective of this study is to investigate the factors that determine contraceptive use among teenagers between the age of 13-18 years.

Methodology: Data was collected through stratified sampling with the aid of questionnaires; with a number of 520 teenagers nested from five secondary schools within Yala and Luanda towns of Western Kenya. Descriptive statistics were used to highlight the level of contraceptive awareness.
Results: 62 percent of the teenagers who use contraceptives are aware about contraceptive use as opposed to 57 percent of the teenagers who are aware about contraceptive use and  do not use them. The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed that age at first sexual intercourse, accessibility, partners’ involvement, source of contraceptives and presently sexually active were significant determinants of contraceptive use.
Conclusion: This study indicates that teenagers should be impacted with sufficient and correct information about contraceptives and their uses. Contraceptives should also be made readily available and abordable.

Abstract: Substance abuse refers to the overindulgence in and dependence of a drug or other chemical leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual’s physical and mental health or the welfare of the others. The study was to establish the prevalence of substance abuse among psychiatry patients and the common co-morbid psychiatric disorders at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving in-patients (30) and out -patients (45) who consented to participating in the study using the WHO model core questionnaire to collect information on use of various drugs among psychiatry patients. Most of the respondents who reported abusing any form of substance had begun before the age of 19 years.
The most commonly abused substance was alcohol   at 56% with more males (thirty one-41.7%) than females (Eleven-14.7%).Others included cigarette 19(25.3%) and cannabis (locally known as bhang) among others. Substance abuse was significantly associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia (20%) and bipolar mood disorders (13.3%).
The prevalence of substance use was high in the study population compared to studies done in similar setting. However, the male gender was associated with a higher prevalence of substance abuse for all the substances reported in the study.