International Research and Academic scholar society

IRASS Journal of Applied Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Issue-5(May), Volume-3 2026

1. Microbial Spectrum and Antimicrobial Resistance in Burn Wound Infectio...
1

Hoque MM*, Uddin MN & Kausar S...
MBBS, MCPS, DCP, FCPS (Microbiology), Adviser Specialist in Pathology, AFIP, Dhaka Cantonment
1-6
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20130181

Background: Burn wound infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly following mass casualty events where healthcare systems are rapidly overwhelmed. On 21 July 2025, an aviation disaster in Dhaka, Bangladesh resulted in a sudden influx of patients with severe burn injuries, creating significant challenges for infection control and antimicrobial management. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the microbiological profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns of burn wound infections among victims of a mass casualty aviation disaster in Bangladesh. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, from 22 July to 22 August 2025. A total of 40 burn wound samples from hospitalized patients with clinically suspected infections were analyzed. Microbial isolation and identification were performed using standard culture techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and the VITEK® 2 automated system, with interpretation according to CLSI M100 guidelines (2024). Results: A total of 46 microbial isolates were recovered. Gram-negative bacteria predominated (78.3%), followed by Gram-positive bacteria (17.4%) and fungi (4.3%). Pseudomonas spp. were the most common pathogens (47.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (17.4%), Klebsiella spp. (13.0%), and Acinetobacter spp. (8.7%). High resistance to fluoroquinolones and carbapenems was observed among Gram-negative isolates. Pseudomonas spp. showed preserved susceptibility to piperacillin–tazobactam (81.8%) and colistin (100%). Fifty percent of S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant, while all remained susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. Conclusion: Burn wound infections following this mass casualty aviation disaster were predominantly caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas spp. The findings underscore the need for early microbiological surveillance, rational antimicrobial use, and strengthened infection prevention strategies to improve outcomes in disaster-related burn care.

2. Assessment of Breast Cancer Knowledge and Screening Services amongst W...
1

Musa Yakubu*, Ojowu Margaret Y...
Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Centre Gusau Zamfara State Gusau, Nigeria
7-13
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20181917

Breast cancer is a global public health burden, with persistently low awareness and limited practice of preventive examinations. Mortality has risen sharply, making it the fifth leading cause of death and the most common cancer among women worldwide. While early detection through self-examination, clinical evaluation, and mammography improves prognosis, most patients in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, present at late stages due to poor awareness, lack of organized screening programs, and inadequate diagnostic and treatment facilities. A cross-sectional descriptive study amongst 303 women of reproductive age group was used to assess the awareness, knowledge and screening practices of breast cancer among living in military cantonments in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The results show a progressive level of low awareness of breast self-examination, clinical selfexamination and mammography, underscoring the urgent need for intensified awareness campaigns and empowerment initiatives to encourage women to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing.

3. Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Senior High School Students in...
0

Aquel Rene Lopez*, Joshua Mens...
Department of Medical laboratory Science, Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, Akuapem Mampong
14-22
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20291109

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interrelated metabolic abnormalities, including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and overall mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS among adolescents aged 13–19 years in the Akwapem North Municipality, Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 184 students from Presbyterian Senior High School, Mampong Akwapem. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference), blood pressure measurements, and biochemical assessments of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. The data were analyzed using STATA version 18. Results: The prevalence of MetS among participants was 6.52% (95% CI: 3.73% – 11.17%). The most common metabolic abnormalities were low HDL cholesterol (46.74%) and elevated triglycerides (7.61%). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure (1.63%) and high fasting glucose (5.98%) were comparatively lower. A statistically significant association was found between BMI category and MetS (p<0.001), with overweight and obese participants showing a higher prevalence. Waist circumference also demonstrated a significant association with MetS (p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS among adolescents in the Akwapem North Municipality is concerning, highlighting the need for early detection and intervention. The findings suggest that excess body weight and abdominal obesity are significant determinants of MetS in this population. Public health strategies, including routine screening, health education, and lifestyle interventions, are essential for addressing the rising prevalence of MetS and preventing longterm health complications.

4. EVOLUTION OF MENSTRUATION IN INDIA: A STUDY
0

Jammala Janaki*, Dr. D. Ramesh
Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Andhra University
23-26
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20328445

Menstruation in India is marked by the historical and Socio-cultural transitions that have shaped the current practices. In early India, menstruation was deeply connected with spiritual, cultural, and natural cycles, often revered and celebrated in many communities. Ancient Indian societies saw menstruation not as a taboo, they saw it as a sacred biological process linked to fertility, creation, and the divine feminine. Menstrual blood was sometimes offered to goddesses, and menstruating women were treated with respect, symbolizing the powerful life-giving capacity of femininity. However, alongside reverence, menstrual taboos also emerged early on, often linked to myths and cultural beliefs. For instance, some mythologies of Hindu culture, including narratives from the Rig Veda, explain menstruation as a form of divine punishment or repentance, which laid the groundwork for associating menstruation with impurity and social restrictions. In many communities, menstruating women were isolated for practical reasons related to privacy and health. Overall, menstruation in early India was marked by a complex blend of sacred celebration, mythological interpretation, early medical understanding and protective social practices, reflecting a nuanced view of this fundamental biological process as integral to life, nature, and culture. Menstruation during the colonial period in India was shaped by a complex interplay between indigenous cultural attitudes and the imposition of British colonial norms, resulting in intensified taboos, myths, and gradual shifts in practices around menstrual health and celebration. During colonial times, these myths led to prohibitions against women entering kitchens, prayer rooms, or participating in rituals. After the colonial period menstruation practices in India underwent significant changes, influenced by social reforms, continued taboos, and increased medical awareness. Menstruation in the contemporary period in India remains a complex health, social, and cultural issue, marked by gradual improvements in awareness and hygiene, but also enduring taboos and access disparities.





Submit Manuscript