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Background: Worm infestation is a major public health problem. It has been estimated that more than 25% of the world’s population are infected with worms, with the major incidence occurring in developing countries. Worm infestation can be prevented by practices such as safe disposal of excreta, washing hands after defection, wearing slippers and food hygiene, washing vegetables and fruits properly before using. These can be implemented through effective education of mothers because the mother is only the person who provides the proper education to their children. Objectives: 1. To assesses the existing knowledge regarding helminthic infestations among the mothers of under- five children. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding helminthic infestation among the mothers of under- five children. 3. To determine the association between pre-test knowledge scores regarding helminthic infestations among the mothers of under five children with selected sample characteristics. Methodology: The research design used for this study was pre experimental, one group pre-test post-test design. The study was conducted at St. Philomena’s hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The sample size selected for this study consists of 30 mothers of under- five children. Non- probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples. The tool used in this study was socio-demographic profile and structured knowledge questionnaire. Result: In the pre-test, none had adequate knowledge, whereas 11 (36.6%) samples had moderate knowledge and 19(63.4%) of them had inadequate knowledge. In the post-test, 9(30%) samples had adequate knowledge, whereas 21 (70%) samples had moderate knowledge and none of them had inadequate knowledge. The mean post- test knowledge (24) score was higher than the mean pre-test (12.5). The scores predicted the significant difference (11.5) at p

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Background Chronic anticholinergic medication (ACM) prescribing with antipsychotics when no longer clinically indicated can lead to serious side effects and adversely impact patient quality of life. Objectives Through modifications of previously described deprescribing strategies undertaken in an academic, schizophrenia clinic, this quality improvement (QI) project aimed to bolster ACM deprescription where clinically appropriate among patients with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders at a community mental health center. Methods A multidisciplinary team involving clinical pharmacists and psychiatrists created web streaming video medical education accredited modules, supplemented by small groups sessions and case consultations, and provided these to psychiatrists and nurse practitioners at a community mental health center over a one-year period. Electronic medical record reports were also generated, highlighting patients who were receiving one of two ACM used in the clinic: benztropine and/or trihexyphenidyl; these were periodically distributed to support appropriate deprescription. Patient education infographic material focused on ACM were also created and deployed. Results One hundred and twenty-six patients were identified as receiving benztropine or trihexyphenidyl in March 2019. One hundred and six (84%) were on one or both of these medications for at least six months. The mean (±SD) age of the study sample was 53.4 (±12.6) years; a third of the sample was over 60 years. Thirty-seven patients, or 29.4%, had their ACM discontinued or the dosage reduced. Deprescription was not associated with age, sex, race, or diagnosis. Deprescription was not associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy, first versus second generation, or oral versus long acting preparation. Conclusions These results suggest that deprescription of ACM in a community mental health center can occur with prescriber education and support. However, results from previous stages of this QI project, where much higher rates of deprescription were demonstrated, indicate the important benefit of more direct clinical pharmacist support and involvement in the process.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination drug pulse therapy in maintaining lipid levels in patients intolerant of a daily dose of statins. Twenty‐three patients, previously receiving aggressive statin therapy, were treated twice weekly with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin in different dosages along with ezetimibe as well as daily doses of bile acid sequestrant for a mean period of 4.5 months. The recommended National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III goals had already been achieved in 78% of patients (n=18) before starting combination pulse therapy. This combination therapy significantly increased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol values by 5.82% (t=2.138, P=.044), while the increases in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B levels compared with baseline were not statistically significant. Overall, 3 of 23 patients (13%) discontinued the combination therapy because of muscle‐related symptoms over a mean course of 4.5 months of treatment.