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
For many women and children around the world, staying at home is no longer a safety aspect during the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a surge in the number of cases of inter-personal violence and child abuse during the lockdown. The stigma and socio-cultural norms create hesitance in subjecting the family and its intimate relationships to public scrutiny. Therefore, building awareness around domestic violence is vital.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dependence on using biomass fuels for cooking and heating leads to Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Aim of this study was to observe the housing and kitchen conditions in households of tribal areas, assess the knowledge of women regarding the IAP and perceived health effects due to it.Methods: Cross-sectional community- based study conducted in 100 women above the age of 18 years in a tribal village. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and spot observations were made. Chi-Square was used to calculate the association between type of stove, housing conditions and health effects of IAP. Logistic regression was used to identify determinants of the health effects of IAP.Results: The mean age of women was 29 years; all houses had a separate kitchen; 34% used mud stove with wood. Easy availability and economic reasons were cited for using wood. 47% of women thought IAP present in their homes and the most common source was cooking. Symptoms like asthma, sweating, burns/rash, and headache had a significantly higher association in women using mud stove (P<0.05) than LPG stove. A strong association was found between cooking hours and health effects due to IAP (P< 0.004).Conclusions: IAP due to cooking and unfavorable housing conditions are associated with health problems in women. Knowledge regarding IAP is poor. Reasons for reliance on using mud stove needs to be addressed.