ABSTRACT
Introduction :Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) saw an overhaul in the biomedical waste management (BMWM) practices. Waste handlers were at the brunt of these changes. If the challenges pertaining to BMWM at the ground level are better understood, more effective measures to overcome them can be formulated. 1. To identify myths and concerns regarding BMWM in the context of COVID-Objectives: 19 pandemic. 2. To explore the challenges faced in BMWM amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.To explore opportunities and future perspectives of BMWM. In-depth interviews were conducted among 17Method: purposively selected Class IV health care workers during August to November 2021 in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai. Data was reported using thematic analysis. Three major themes - challengesResults: and concerns faced by BMW handlers, enablers/ motivators, opportunities and future practices were generated from the transcripts. Various challenges faced by waste handlers were- difficulties in segregation and transport of BMW, exhaustion from PPE usage and fear of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 from work, stigma faced from public, and handling COVID-19 deaths. Support from family and colleagues, incentives and a positive change in public perception enabled them to work. Forming redressal committees, addressing job security concerns and timely provision of good quality equipment can improve hospital waste management measures in the future. It is of utmost importance to address challenges faced byConclusion: waste handlers in BMWM. Onus should also be on periodic training in BMWM
ABSTRACT
Background: An outbreak investigation for food poisoning in a school of rural Maharashtra was carried out. This school had central kitchen for children staying at hostel. During monsoon season occurrence of acute gastroenteritis diseases is common and hence it important to investigate each and every suspected outbreak presenting with similar symptoms to that of acute gastroenteritis.Methods: It was a retrospective and prospective study design. All 140 children who ate food from central kitchen were interviewed and followed up. Median incubation period was obtained from the 12 children who fitted into case definition which was given by integrated diseases control program of Maharashtra. Environmental and food sampling along with laboratory investigations was done for diagnosis.Results: Total 12 children had symptoms of food poisoning. The median incubation period was around 8 hours. Gastrointestinal symptoms were the commonest reported by all the 12 children. It was found out that all the symptomatic children had eaten laddu brought from outside and stored in unhygienic conditions.Conclusions: Eating of laddu which were stored in unhygienic conditions had resulted into growth of Clostridia streptofaecalis in it causing food poisoning to children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a well-established risk factor for major cardiovascular diseases, thus a great challenge in modern public health. It is common, asymptomatic, readily detectable, having preventable risk factors and often lead to lethal complications if left untreated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 133 people in the field practice area of the T. N. Medical College, Mumbai during the period of August to October 2005. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect necessary information such as socio-demographic profile and level of awareness regards to risk factors, and complications of hypertension as the tool of data collection. Results were analysed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version -17.0. Results: In the present study, out of total 133 respondents, 60.9% were females and 39.1% were males. Awareness of modifiable risk factors for hypertension is significantly more in males than in females. As age increases awareness of non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension also increases. Socio-economic status of respondents shows significant association with awareness of complications of hypertension. Conclusions: In this study, the level of awareness regarding hypertension among study population was poor indicating a need to target the hypertension screening and awareness campaigns. Hypertension awareness can also be improved by increasing public knowledge and health education targeting general public.
ABSTRACT
A community-based, longitudinal interventional study was conducted in a slum in north-east (NE) Mumbai, using a pretested, semi-structured proforma and a pre- and follow-up interview schedule to assess the male health clinic (MHC) strategy as an approach for the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in males. The focus groups that emerged for behavior change communication (BCC) activities were clients in second and third decades of life, unmarried and married but not staying with wife, clients with no permanent place of occupation, clients with habit of alcohol, and illiterate clients. Postintervention, there was an overall increase in STI knowledge score, alcohol habit score, and high-risk sexual activity score. Less than 50% of the clients received advice on substance abuse and information on consequences of STI/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The study concluded that MHC strategy is an effective approach for control of STIs in males and recommended strengthening of the weaker components of the strategy with focus on the important client groups.