ABSTRACT
Background: Measles is a highly contagious virus, spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. Like measles, rubella can be prevented with a safe, effective and inexpensive vaccine. This can be delivered as a rubella vaccine alone, or combined with measles vaccine (MR) or with measles and mumps vaccines (MMR). The objectives of the study were to analyze the barriers for acceptance of MR vaccination in the field area of New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) Miran Sahib, one of the NTPHC of CHC R. S. Pura, field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu.Methods: A qualitative study which consisting of interviews of parents of children both vaccinated as well as unvaccinated as well as teachers and principals of children of various government and private schools, Female Multipurpose Health Worker (FMPHW)s, accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers and Anganwadi workers where the campaign was conducted was also interviewed.Results: The major barrier to acceptance of MR vaccination was wrong message conducted through some social media that it results in deaths of some children in various places, and also the messages spread in some religions like in Muslim community that the Vaccine leads to infertility. But the sensitization meetings with the parents, school staff by the health team prior to vaccination played a major role and results in the vaccine coverage of 95%.Conclusions: Before eliminating MR, there are many barriers which are needed to be addressed
ABSTRACT
Background: Good hygiene practices are very much needed during menstrual period. Adolescent girls especially in rural areas often lack information about good menstrual hygienic practices. Cultural beliefs about menstruation like food taboos, not going to the religious places also have a negative impact on the adolescent girls in the rural areas. This study was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of adolescent girls regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene.Methods: This cross- sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls from 8th to 12th class, from 5 schools of zone Budhi; which is a field practice area of department of community medicine, GMC Kathua; by simple random sampling technique. Out of total 323 girls, 300 girls willing to participate in the study (convenience sampling) were included. A semi- structured self- administered questionnaire was used.Results: A total of 300 adolescent girls were enrolled in the study. Majority of adolescent girls had fair to good knowledge and practice scores regarding menstruation, menstrual hygiene and its management but poor attitude scores due to some cultural taboos like restrictions in kitchen, religious places etc.Conclusions: Proper IEC activities need to be performed at school level and Anganwadi level to create awareness among adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene management so that they are able to make appropriate choices so that it enable them to lead a healthy life and prevent the girls from reproductive tract infections.