Prevalence and pattern of substance abuse among school childern in nothern India: A rapid assesment study.

Background: Substance abuse among children has become an issue of concern throughout the world. Increasing substance abuse and its impact on physical and psychosocial health is a worldwide public health concern affecting the early youth and subsequently the whole life of the individuals. Particularly disturbing fact is that the age of initiation of abuse is progressively falling. To plan effective interventions, it is essential to have information on the extent and type of substance abuse among school children and their attitude towards its control. Aims & Objective: To find out the prevalence and pattern of substance abuse among school children and the associated risk factors. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among students (13-19 years) studying in classes 7th-12th in rural and urban areas of district Ambala, using the Self-Administered WHO Model Core Questionnaire. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A total of 1500 students studying in various government and private schools were taken for the study purpose. Results: Overall prevalence of substance abuse was 60.0% for ever users and 34.93% for regular users. Substance abuse was more among male urban students belonging to nuclear families (p<0.001). Among ever users, alcohol (44.49%) was the most common substance abused while tobacco (14.42%) was mostly consumed by regular users. Substance abuse was more in age group of 17-19 years. Overall 42% were using more than one drug combination. Conclusion: Prevalence of substance use among school children in Northern India is high and causes significant physical and psychosocial problems in this population. A large proportion of those using drugs reported serious adverse effects, raising the necessity of targeted interventions to reduce the risk of subsequent substance dependence and other deleterious consequences.

Women and AIDS Awareness and Attitudes in a peri-urban setting in Punjab.

Women account for 39.3% of HIV/AIDS infection in India. There are many biological and socio-cultural factors which make her highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS can help her in protecting herself from the disease. This study was conducted to the level of awareness of young females with respect to knowledge of the HIV/AIDS, its modes of transmission, methods to prevent it, availability of testing and treatment and attitudes in relation to HIV/AIDS. A cross sectional study was done in a peri-urban setting in Patiala, Punjab among 1044 females in the age group 15-24 yrs using a self designed semistructured questionnaire. 93.9%had heard about AIDS. Television was the most common source of information (79.7%). Knowledge about the different modes of transmission was high (68-78%), but knowledge about preventive methods especially condom use was low (34-54%). Increase in educational status was seen to significantly increase the knowledge of the modes of transmission and preventive methods (p<.001). Knowledge of symptoms of HIV was low. (2-15%). Only 28.5% knew about the availability of HIV testing facility. 33.8% knew about treatment available for HIV. The study subjects were having favorable attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS. There is a need to focus the education programs and the mass media towards preventive methods rather than just the knowledge of the modes of transmission. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on making people aware about the existence of HIV testing facility and availability of treatment.

Pulse polio immunization in district Panipat: a process evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate all steps of pulse polio immunization on special sub national immunization day. METHODS: On a sub-national immunization day (SNID), 120 booths were randomly selected from 662 booths by probability proportionate to size (PPS) sampling technique. RESULTS: It was observed that attendance in the district level meeting was thin (30%). 34% workers were doing this work for the first time without any training. 40% of the vaccinators were neither working according to micro plan nor were same as mentioned in the micro plan. Supervision too was found deficient. CONCLUSION: In a sustained and long drawn programme like IPPI, sustaining the interest and motivation of health personnel is paramount. This paper emphasises the importance of continued re-orientation training to keep them motivated and updated.

Surveillance of cold chain system during intensified pulse polio programme--2006 in Chandigarh.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maintenance of cold chain system in the Intensive Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) campaign in the Union Territory, Chandigarh. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in 18 designated vaccine sub-depots, where OPV vials were stored prior to IPPI and 25 IPPI booths out of the designated 406 IPPI booths in U.T, Chandigarh. The booths were selected by stratified random sampling technique. 25 Vaccine vials, one from each booth were selected and sent for potency testing at Central Research Institute (CRI)-Kasauli. RESULTS: All the randomly selected vaccine samples were reported portent, as per the reports provided by CRI-Kasauli. Cold chain maintenance and temperature charting was found satisfactory. CONCLUSION: There are some avoidable errors which leaves room for improvement, which can be in the form of provision of adequate number of exhaust fan, voltage stabilizers, etc. Uninterrupted power supply should be ensured. Lastly, more emphasis is to be given on maintenance of cold chain system in reorientation training program of all health functionaries.