Abstract:
Typhoid fever is a significant cause of mortality mostly in the developing countries. It
requires rapid and accurate diagnosis followed by proper treatment for the improved
outcome. That is why an effective, proper and specific diagnostic process is required that will
facilitate, specify and help to determine the treatment of the disease. The main objective of
this study was to compare the different diagnostic processes and to find out their
effectiveness. This study was performed at the general wards of the ICH (Institute of Child
Health) and SSF (Shishu Shastho Foundation). A total of 112 typhoid and 112 non typhoid
patients were taken under this study and a structured questionnaire was used for data
collection. From the study, it was found that among the patients 59% were male and 41 %
were female, indicating that male patients were more prone to the disease than female
patients. Majority of the patients belonged to the age group <3 years (40%), followed by 3-<6
years (30%), 6-<9 years (22%) and 9-12 years (8%). Among 112 typhoid patients, 94 have
performed Widal test, of which 52% were positive in where 48% were found negative. Again
64 patients have done Blood culture test, where 67% were found positive and other 33%
patients were negative. An interesting finding that 51 % patients were positive both in Widal
test and Blood culture test where 49% were negative in both the cases. However these
negative cases were considered as typhoid fever based on their symptoms. In comparison
with the non typhoid patients, there was significant difference in ESR (0.00) where the mean
value of typhoid patients (42.0955±20.4507) was higher than non typhoid patients
(28.4054±21.56317). Another significant difference was observed in Platelet count, typhoid
patients had higher Mean value of (262.8703±135.7310) than the non typhoid patients
(346.3874±132.2486). This study also showed that significant difference in neutrophil count
where typhoid patients had higher mean value (58.2162±15.7002) than non typhoid patients.
But insignificant difference was found in RBC count (0.348). The result of the study showed
that the Widal test and Blood culture test are the most significant parameters for the diagnosis
of the typhoid fever. So the diagnostic tests should be confirmed to ensure proper diagnosis
of typhoid fever which will ultimately lead to specific and precise treatment.
Description:
This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.