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Introduction: Improvement of maternal health care services will not only put a positive impact on maternal health, but also on the health of the new born. Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of eligible beneficiaries who received the benefits provided by the scheme, to identify the barriers faced by the beneficiaries and health providers related to the scheme and to find possible solutions to overcome the barriers found as suggested by them in a block of West Bengal. Method: A cross-sectional study with sequential explanatory mixed-method approach was conducted in a block of West Bengal from January-December 2021. Quantitative data was collected from the digital portal of PMMVY. All beneficiaries who had their Last Menstrual Period (LMP) on and after 1st March 2020 up to 31st December 2020 were included. To identify the barriers faced and suggest possible solutions, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with the beneficiaries, ANMs and ASHAs and Key-Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the Block Medical Officer and Data Entry Operator. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data while qualitative data were analyzed in the form of themes, codes and verbatim. Results: Total eligible beneficiaries for the three installments were 1066, 917 and 708 respectively. About 95.5% beneficiaries received the first installment, 93.0% received the second and 98.3% had received the third installment. The broad themes [codes] generated from the FGDs were challenges during antenatal care [ANC refused, home visit preferred, home ANC difficult, lockdown], challenges related to the PMMVY scheme [documents unavailable, incomplete forms, payment issues], possible solutions [prepare pre-requisites beforehand, provide cash]. Widely two main themes emerged from the KIIs: Form related issues and Payment issues. Conclusion: Coverage of PMMVY scheme in the block was satisfactory. However, speeding the payment process and stricter monitoring of the scheme is required
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Introduction: Self-medication can lead to problems such as adverse effects and antibiotic resistance. This study was conducted to estimate the proportion of self-medication practice, to elicit the reasons for practicing self-medication, to find the factors associated with self-medication practice and to assess the health seeking behaviour among a rural community of West Bengal. Method: A study with mixed-methods approach was conducted among 212 households from four selected villages in a block of West Bengal. Focussed Group Discussions were held with respondents who were practising self-medication. Data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 and Atlas ti 7.0. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to find the factors associated with self-medication practice. Results: The proportion of self-medication practice was found to be 41%. Allopathy was most commonly preferred system of Medicine (78.8%). Statistically significant factors associated with self-medication practice were education upto Middle school (aOR 3.59) and Secondary level (aOR 10.71), Class III socio-economic status (aOR 5.03) and presence of acute illness (aOR 28.92). Conclusion: Proportion of self-medication practice among rural population was high. This needs to be addressed and health education should be provided to them.
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Introduction: Varying prevalence of Work Related Neck Painhas been reported in different occupational groups. Employeesof Bank industries are subjected to various physical demands,prolonged sitting and standing postures which may lead toneck pain.Material and Methods: An observational cross sectionalstudy was conducted among 270 Bank employees of selectedNationalised banks from June-July 2018 using a pre designedpre tested structured questionnaire. Statistical analysisplan: For Descriptive statistics: mean± SD, for categoricalvariables: frequency(n) & proportion(%),to test association:chi square test.Results: About 47.41% suffered from WRNP. Significantassociation were found between WRNP and higher age,education below graduation, duration of employment, badposture, environment, mental stress, job pressure) andergonomics of work station, height of monitor screen, distancefrom mouse to edge of table etc.Conclusion: Sensitization of all bank employees about WRNPand its effects, training programme for good working postureand improvement of working environment may be addressed.
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Background: : In Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) program in India, single dose Nevirapine was used for prevention of intrapartum transmission of HIV, but the protective efficacy of this regimen in Indian population is not beyond question. Objective: To analyze the protective efficacy of single dose Nevirapine prophylaxis in preventing mother to child transmission of HIV and comparing the effect of Nevirapine prophylaxis in different types of infant feeding practices and modes of delivery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out through analysis of secondary data during October 2010 to September 2011 from 16 Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTCs) having DNAPCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) collection facility in West Bengal among 224 babies born of HIV infected mothers, 168 unexposed (covered with intrapartum Nevirapine) and 56 exposed (not covered with intrapartum Nevirapine) to risk of transmission. HIV reactivity in babies was confirmed by DNA PCR of Dry Blood spot from 6 weeks age onwards. Data was entered and analyzed using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version (SPSS 16.0). Results: About 10.12% of those received Nevirapine were found HIV reactive compared to 26.79% of those who did not. Overall Relative Risk of non coverage of Nevirapine for vertical transmission of HIV was 2.65 (95% CI : 1.42 – 4.95). Overall Attributable Risk was 62.22%. Conclusion: Since in 62.2% cases vertical transmission of HIV was prevented, additional regimen may be thought of for rest 37.8% cases.
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Background: During September 2012, an increased number of fever cases was reported from Ramnagar-II block, Purba Medinipur district. This study investigated the outbreak, with the following objectives: to describe the distribution of fever cases, to determine the risk factors and to recommend preventive measures. Materials and Methods: The clinical features, date of onset and outcome of all cases of fever were listed. Blood specimens were collected from affected patients and sent for serological examination. An epidemic curve was plotted and environmental and entomological surveys were carried out. Results: There was a total of 100 cases, of which 56% (56/100) were men. Among the four villages studied, the highest number of cases was from Gopalpur 37% (37/100), followed by Badalpur 26% (26/100); 19% (19/100) of cases had a history of migration from dengue-endemic areas. The majority of cases were in age group 15–45 years – 52% (52/100), followed by the age group >45 years – 28% (28/100). All the cases had history of fever (100%), followed by myalgia – 82%, headache – 78%, and retro-orbital pain – 73%. The outbreak started on 7 September 2012, peaked on 18 September, then gradually declined and no further cases were noted after 28 September 2012. Seventy-nine per cent (79/100) of cases were NS1 test positive (non-structural antigen-1) and 72% (13/18) cases were positive on a dengue monoclonal antibody (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) test. All recovered except one (case-fatality ratio: 1%). The values for Household Index, Container Index and Breteau Index of the four villages were: Badalpur, 3%, 10% and 5%; Gopalpur, 13%, 23% and 18%; Ramchandrapur, 9%, 11%, and 13%; and Tajpur, 2%, 2% and 2%. Conclusion: The outbreak was probably due to dengue fever. The study led to a recommendation to destroy water containers and use mosquito nets. The outbreak was controlled.
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Aim: Eye morbidities with or without symptoms delineate a significant morbidity among adolescent schoolgirls in India. The study was undertaken to assess the extent of visual impairment and ocular morbidity to identify influencing factors and the impact on scholastic performance. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 3002 urban girl students of Surat in Gujarat, India. Overall prevalence of refractive error was found to be 15.22%; myopia affected 91.47%, hyperopia 4.60%, and astigmatism 0.04%. The prevalence of myopia and astigmatism was more in higher age groups, while hyperopia was more in lower age groups; even students with good vision reported ophthalmic symptoms. Of all spectacle users, in 29.73% cases the eyesight was not found to be with the best possible corrections. Refractive error was observed to be higher among the general caste (50.98%) and among Muslims (54.05%). Still, among those with problems of eyesight, 75.93% students had good academic performance. Associated ocular morbidity was noted in 20.35% participants along with the refractive error. Conclusion: This study highlighted the load of eye morbidities of adolescent Indian urban girls.