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Background & objectives: Sandflies are implicated as vectors of Chandipura virus (CHPV) (Vesiculovirus: Rhabdoviridae). The virus is prevalent in central India including Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. CHPV causes encephalitis in children below 15 yr of age with case fatality rates ranging from 56 to 78 per cent. The present study was undertaken to determine the sandfly fauna in the CHPV endemic Vidharba region. Methods: A year round survey of sandflies was conducted at 25 sites in three districts of Vidarbha region. Sandflies were collected from their resting sites using handheld aspirators and identified using taxonomical keys. Results: A total of 6568 sandflies were collected during the study. Approximately 99 per cent of the collection belonged to genus Sergentomyia, which was represented by Ser. babu, Ser. bailyi and Ser. punjabensis. Genus Phlebotomus was represented by Ph. argentipes and Ph. papatasi. Ser. babu was the predominant species (70.7%) collected during the study. Ph. argentipes was detected in four villages with 0.89 per cent, whereas Ph. papatasi was detected in only one village with 0.32 per cent of the total collection. CHPV could not be isolated despite processing all the sandflies for virus isolation in cell culture. Interpretation & conclusions: The present study showed influence of higher temperature and relative humidity on sandfly population dynamics. An important observation during the study was the absence or decline in the population of Ph. papatasi and Ph. argentipes in the study area. Surge in Sergentomyia population and their breeding/resting in close vicinity to humans pose a concern as they are known to harbour CHPV and other viruses of public health importance
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Background & objectives: Government of India (GoI) released operational guidelines for maternal near miss-review (MNM-R) in 2014 for use by programme managers of public health system to assist them for conducting MNM-R. The objective of the present study was to review the incidence and factors influencing MNM events in two tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra, India, as per the operational guidelines of the GoI released in 2014 and identify delays based on three-delay model to prevent such events in future. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals of Maharashtra, from July 2018 to November 2020. All women during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum upto 42 days meeting the eligibility criteria of MNM as per the 2014 GoI guidelines were included as cases (n=228), interviewed and discussed during the monthly MNM meetings at these hospitals. Results: The incidence of MNM was 11/1000 live births; the ratio of MNM to maternal deaths was 1.2:1. Leading causes of MNM were haemorrhage (36.4%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (30.3%). Haemorrhage was maximum (70.6%) in abortion and ectopic pregnancies. Majority of the women (80.2%) were anaemic, of whom 32.4 per cent had severe anaemia. Eighty six per cent of women included in the study had MNM events at the time of admission and 81 per cent were referred from lower facilities. Level one and two delays were reported by 52.6 and 32.5 per cent of women, respectively. Level three delay at referral centres and at tertiary hospitals was reported by 69.7 and 48.2 per cent of women, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that MNM-R should be undertaken at all tertiary hospitals in India as per GoI guidelines to identify gaps based on three-delay model. These hospitals should implement interventions as per the identified gaps with emphasis on strengthening the infrastructure, facilities and manpower at the first-referral units.
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Introduction: Community pharmacy (CP) is one of the health care centers that have a key role to play in the current COVID-19 pandemic period. Prescriptions monitoring studies are essential as this helps in understanding the current prescribing pattern adopted by physicians. Furthermore, only few CP-based research studies were noted. This study was conducted with an aim to study prescribing pattern using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators from few community pharmacies in Maharashtra, India, during COVID-19 Pandemic period. Material and Methods: An observational study was conducted and sample comprised of prescriptions collected from different parts of Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune. and Nashik). One thousand and fifty-six prescriptions were collected and data was collected for a period of 6 months (August 2020–January 2021). The variables of interest in this study were: Number of medications in each prescription, number of prescriptions with generic names, number of antibiotics and injectables in each prescription, number of prescribed drugs from essential drug list (EDL), and defined daily dose (DDD). Results: Out of 3058 drugs prescribed, it was found that average number of drugs per prescription was 2.89 (standard deviation ± 1.37). Only 23 (0.75%) were prescribed by generic name. Antibiotics and injectables were 399 (37.78%) and 29 (2.74%), respectively. Drugs that were prescribed from EDL were only 920 (30.08%). The total class of antimicrobial agents prescribed (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical group J01) was 13. After calculating DDD, DDD of Azithromycin was found to the highest (81.6 g). Conclusion: Among five WHO indicators, only the percentage of encounters with an injection was in compliance with the WHO recommended value. Further studies are required for better understanding of this area.
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Background & objectives: In the current health system, cash incentives are given to accredited social health activists for referring women to public health facilities for specific maternal and child health services, however many reproductive health problems are not included in these services. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of involvement of self-help groups (SHGs) in improving reproductive health seeking behaviour and service utilization by tribal women. Methods: An experimental study was conducted in two tribal blocks of Nasik district (Kalvan and Surgana) in Maharashtra, India, over a period of 18 months. Interventions included training of SHG women and providing incentives to them for conducting health education sessions for reproductive age group women in the community and referring those with the requisite problems, to the health facilities. Pre- and post-intervention focus group discussions and in-depth interviews among SHG women were conducted. Training of service providers on diagnosis and treatment of reproductive morbidities was done, and health service utilization was assessed. Results: Sixty five per cent of the referred women with reproductive morbidities availed services at the public health facilities. A review of records of women seeking services for reproductive health problems showed that there was a significant improvement in the intent for seeking services in the study block as compared to the control block (?2–9.06, P<0.002). Interpretation & conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing the potential of SHGs for improving reproductive health seeking behaviour of the tribal women. The results suggest that this model could be scaled up to address the neglected reproductive health needs of women without burdening the existing human resources
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Background: Large scale vaccination drive from COVID-19 vaccines needs readily acceptance of vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among general population. Maharashtra being most affected state in India needs studies regarding evaluation vaccine hesitancy among the population. Aim and Objective: This study was aimed at the assessment of vaccine hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine and possible factors influencing the decision-making process regarding vaccine acceptance among the population in the region of North Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted between February 20, 2021, and March 15, 2021, using pre-validated questionnaire utilizing online google form platform among the residents of north Maharashtra. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Majority of 571 (73.9%) participants in our study agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent corona. Out of 772 responses, 54 participants said “No” to vaccination while 120 participants were uncertain choosing “Maybe” when asked if they will take vaccine. 598 (77.5) participants said “Yes” to vaccination which constituted majority of responses. 129 participants had all four risk factors present among the family members while 184 participants had no family members with risk factors given in questionnaire. More than half (51.2%) of participants were worried about the serious adverse effects of the vaccination. 641 (83%) participants agreed that vaccines provided in other government programs are effective. Conclusion: This study reflects the concerns about vaccine hesitancy present about the COVID-19 vaccines among the masses. For effective vaccination drive at mass scale, it is imperative to provide reliable information to the population and relieve their safety concerns. Evidence-based information disseminated through proper channels is the need of hour for enabling masses to make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination.
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Purpose: To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in schools for the blind in Maharashtra, India. Methods: Children aged <16 years, enrolled in the schools for the blind in Maharashtra state, India were examined between October 2018 and December 2019. The anatomical sites and etiology for blindness were recorded using the World Health Organization’s standard reporting form. Causes of blindness were compared among different regions of the state and also by different age groups. Results: Of the 1,969 students examined from 39 schools for the blind, 188 children (9.5%) had severe visual impairment and 1,666 children (84.6%) were blind. Whole globe anomalies (794, 42.8%) were the most common anatomical site of vision loss in children, followed by corneal (289, 15.6%) and retinal abnormalities (280, 15.2%). Corneal causes were second most common in the poorer districts of Vidarbha (15.3%) and Marathwada (14.6%), whereas retinal causes were second most common in the wealthier regions of western Maharashtra (18.3%) and Khandesh (24.1%). Nearly one?third (593, 32%) of children were blind from potentially avoidable causes. Preventable blindness consisting of corneal causes and retinopathy of prematurity was seen in 281 (15.2%) cases, whereas treatable causes comprising of lens?related causes, glaucomas, refractive errors, amblyopia, and uveitis accounted for another 311 (16.8%). Among the younger children (?10 years), the proportion of corneal blindness was lower (83/623, 13.3% vs. 206/1232, 16.7%) and that of retinal blindness was higher (119/623, 19% vs. 163/1232, 13.2%) than the older children. Conclusion: Whole globe anomalies constitute a major cause of SVI and blindness in Maharashtra. There seems to be an increase in the proportion of retinal blindness, especially retinopathy of prematurity, suggesting a need for increased screening coverage
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Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) represents a major epidemic of non-communicable disease in the present century affecting families, community and nation as a whole. Objectives was to study the epidemiological determinants of RTAs.Methods: A hospital based study of RTA victims was conducted for a period of one year at the District General Hospital and Medical College hospital of Amravati, Maharashtra. A total of 1394 patients were studied. Descriptive statistics like percentage and proportions were calculated. Proportions were compared using Chi square test of significance.Results: 86.7% were males and the maximum affected age group was 21 to 30 years. Majority of accidents were seen in summer season and on Monday of the week. Accidents were highest from 12 noon to 6 pm. Alcohol consumption was seen in 27% of the drivers. Two-wheelers were the commonest vehicle involved in RTAs. A total of 481 (34.5%) victims had fractures at various sites of the body, out of this 52.8% was of lower limbs. Right sided bony injuries were more common.Conclusions: There are multiple factors associated with RTAs which due to the lack of road safety measures in the country are playing their role. It is the need of the hour to address this issue and formulate rules and regulations and evaluate its enforcement.
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The study was carried out in four different agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra. A typology was developed applying multivariate statistical techniques i.e. Cluster analysis (CA) to classify groups of farm households with similar farm characteristics into four homogenous clusters, (i) households possessing small landholding, a larger high yielding dairy stock with small goat flock size (37.5%), (ii) households having small landholding with a small stock of high yielding dairy animal and small goat flock size (39%), (iii) households having large landholding with large high yielding dairy stock and small flock size (13.5%) and (iv) households possessing small landholding with small high yielding dairy stock and large flock size (10%). An assessment in terms of awareness, knowledge and adoption of dairy technologies and goat production practices were carried out across the clusters which was found significantly high within the household of cluster 3 and 4. The overall adoption index was found to be 65.16 per cent across the whole clusters. Multiple regression analysis revealed that total SAU, flock size, occupation, innovative proneness, scientific orientation, awareness of technology and knowledge of technology contribute positively (P<0.01, P<0.05) to the adoption of technology. The coefficient of determination was found (R2 =0.66) across the whole clusters
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Background: Health record are essential for monitoring and evaluation of programmes and routine data collection at facility level. Antenatal care is an important intervention for preventing maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of study is to assess the antenatal care records at sub-centre level. The objective are evaluation of antenatal registration and completeness of antenatal register.Methods: A record based cross sectional study was conducted at a sub-centre in Western Maharashtra. Study period was for 1 month. Data collection was done one year i.e., recent record from November 2017 to October 2018 is selected for study.Results: Out of 141 entries from registers, level of completeness of various data entries in the register were as follows. Mother’s name was 100% (141), mother’s ID was 69.5% (98), expected date of delivery was 97.87% (138), initial weight of mother was 16.31% (23), tetanus toxoid received by mother was 9% (13). Whereas records of address of mother, height of mother and 4 antenatal visits which includes haemoglobin, blood pressure, urine albumin/sugar details were completely lacking. Only 64.5% (91) of antenatal registration were within 12 week of pregnancy.Conclusions: Early registration of pregnancy is less and needs to be increased for proper antenatal care. Incomplete records lead to loss of important health data; hence staff should be made aware of the need to keep records updated. Sub-centre-specific reasons for incomplete records e.g., lack of training, lack of time or motivation needs to be identified for improvement.
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Background: India will soon surpass China as the world’s most populous nation by 2022. Though India was the first to launch family planning in 1952, population stabilization remains a distant dream. No scalpel vasectomy (NSV) is a modified and sophisticated technique of vasectomy which can be performed in low resource settings. However, acceptance of NSV is declining in India including Maharashtra. Hence a study was conducted to evaluate factors affecting acceptance of NSV amongst married men visiting urban and rural health facilities of Maharashtra.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted amongst randomly selected 50 married males of 21 years old and above each in conveniently selected urban and rural health centre under a medical college. After obtaining written informed consent from the participants, data was collected from November to December 2018 with the help of semi structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practices were entered and analyzed in Epi Info 7. Study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.Results: Majority (60%) of men attending the urban health care setup knew about NSV compared to those attending rural set up (34%). More number of participants from rural area (62%) were of opinion that NSV affects sexual performance as compared to urban area (44%). Willingness to recommend NSV to others was 62% and 32% in urban and rural men respectively. None of the participants (0%) underwent NSV.Conclusions: There is a huge gap between knowledge, attitude and practices regarding NSV in the study participants. It shows a need to revise strategies for its promotion.
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This report describes the goal, activities, and outcomes of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust funded retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program in the state of Maharashtra in collaboration with the Public Health Foundation of India, Hyderabad. The project was initiated in July 2016 with the goal of establishing a sustainable ROP program in the special newborn care units (SNCUs) in public health facilities of five districts. Between 2016 and 2018, ophthalmology and neonatology teams from five district hospitals (DHs) were trained by nongovernment partner hospitals in the state. Infrastructure was developed by procuring equipment for ROP screening/treatment, and awareness generation activities were conducted with a range of stakeholders. Eight ophthalmologists were trained to perform ROP screening (from five DHs and one medical college), and five neonatology teams (pediatricians and nurses) from the project hospitals were trained in best neonatal practices to prevent ROP. The Pune district's hospital was developed as an ROP treatment center. Toward the end of the project period, six new facilities had an established ROP program. The state health department is in the process of scaling up the ROP program to a larger geographic region to ensure universal ROP screening coverage in the state of Maharashtra.
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In order to integrate and improve eye care in noncommunicable disease (NCD) clinics, screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) was introduced in primary and secondary-level government health facilities. Initially, the project was carried out at the fixed health facilities at one district hospital (DH), two sub-district hospitals (SDH) and two community health centers (CHCs). This was combined with training of existing health care personnel, information-education-communication (IEC) campaign among patients and service providers along with the provision of essential equipment required for screening. In the revised strategy, NCD nurses were also trained for screening. Of 12,788 DM patients registered in NCD clinics, 63.8% (n = 8159) were screened for DR by trained paramedical ophthalmic assistants and the four trained NCD nurses using non-mydriatic fundus camera and teleophthalmology supported remote grading of retinopathy. DR was detected in 9.45% (n = 771) patients and sight-threatening DR (STDR) was detected in 2.35% (n = 192) in one or both eyes. Of 8,159 people screened, 55% (n = 4481) and 45% (n = 3678) were screened at CHC and mobile screening at primary health centers (PHC), respectively. DR screening in a fixed facility at CHC combined with the mobile screening at PHC level and fixed-day screening strategy provides effective coverage.
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The occurrence of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in Penaeus vannamei samples were collected from Maharashtra and Gujarat farms. In the present study, shrimp samples from various shrimp ponds from two districts of Maharashtra and two districts of Gujarat were collected over a period of one year (February 2016 to April 2017). A total of 4513 shrimp samples were assessed for the presence of EHP by molecular characterization. Out of shrimp samples analysed, 31.2% samples were positive for EHP. The screening of EHP was done by single step and nested PCR targeting spore wall protein gene (SWP) of EHP resulting in product size of 514 bp and 148 bp for EHP respectively
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Background & objectives: Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is an infectious disease discovered in Karnataka State of India in 1957; since then, the State has been known to be enzootic for KFD. In the last few years, its presence was observed in the adjoining five States of the Western Ghats of India. The present study was conducted to understand the kinetics of viral RNA, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody in KFD-infected humans for developing a diagnostic algorithm for KFD. Methods: A prospective follow up study was performed among KFD patients in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra State, India. A total of 1046 suspected patients were tested, and 72 KFD patients were enrolled and followed for 17 months (January 2016 to May 2017). Serum samples of KFD patients were screened for viral RNA, and IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: KFD viral positivity was observed from 1st to 18th post-onset day (POD). Positivity of anti-KFD virus (KFDV) IgM antibodies was detected from 4th till 122nd POD and anti-KFDV IgG antibodies detected from 5th till 474th POD. A prediction probability was determined from statistical analysis using the generalized additive model in R-software to support the laboratory findings regarding viral kinetics. Interpretation & conclusions: This study demonstrated the presence of KFD viral RNA till 18th POD, IgM antibodies till 122nd POD and IgG till the last sample collected. Based on our study an algorithm was recommended for accurate laboratory diagnosis of KFDV infection. A sample collected between 1 and 3 POD can be tested using KFDV real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); between 4 and 24 POD, the combination of real-time RT-PCR and anti-KFDV IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests can be used; between POD 25 and 132, anti-KFDV IgM and IgG ELISA are recommended.
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Background: Low birth weight is one of the most serious challenges in maternal and child health in both developed and developing countries. According to a UNICEF report about 28 per cent of babies born in India are low birth weight. Present hospital based study was undertaken to estimate the proportion of babies with low birth weight.Methods: The present hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Govt. Medical College and Hospital. The data collection was done during 1st March 2012 to 28th February 2013. All deliveries occurring on alternate days were included in the study which comes to, 1154 deliveries.Results: Out of total 1154 live full term new borns; 279 (24.18%) were low birth weight babies. The percentage of low birth weight babies was more in mothers from rural area 243 (27.46%). Highest percentage (45.33%) of low birth weight babies was seen in non agricultural laborer. Higher percentage of low birth weight babies (26.18%) was observed among mothers belonging to joint family. Highest percentage (28.61%) of low birth weight babies was observed in class V socioeconomic status.Conclusions: Baby birth weight has significant association with place of residence, mothers occupation, fathers occupation, socioeconomic status of family (p<0.05).
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Introduction: School children majorly face stress due to the pressure and expectations from their parents besides aca-demics, athletics, etc. It is known that depression, stress increases blood pressure. Such wide variations in blood pres-sure at such a young age can increase the incidence of cerebrovascular accidents, ischemic heart diseases, renal failure and preterm death in the adulthood of such children. This survey will guide the parents and teachers to the various problems student face and how can they help the student cope with it. Method: The blood pressure of each student was taken three times to reduce them to minimise the possibility of errors and the blood pressures of all the students were compared according to their age (13-16 years) and the schooling type (boarders and day scholars). Results:On comparing the prehypertensive stage, the numbers of pre-hypertensives are found to be greater in the age group of 15 years in both day scholars and boarders i.e. 14% and 8% respectively. The on comparing the schooling type the day scholars have a greater number of prehypertensive i.e. 25% than boarders which is 17%. Though pre-hypertensives are higher in the age group of 15 years, but the numbers of hypertensives are more in 14 years of age which is 7% (6% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II) in day scholars and 4% (3% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II) in boarders. In schooling type, a similar trend as that of prehypertension is seen i.e. in day schol-ars 14% students are in hypertension stage I and 3% students are in hypertension stage II making a total of 17% of hypertensive in day scholars. Similarly, in boarders there are 6% in hypertension stage I and 1% in hypertension stage II making 7% hypertensive in boarders, thereby showing a higher percentage of hypertensive in day scholars. Conclu-sion: The study revealed Percentage of students in hypertension stage I and hypertension stage II were found more in day scholars (14% HT STAGE I and 3% HT STAGE II) than boarders (6%HT STAGE I and 1% HT STAGE II) re-spectively. Thus, it can be very well concluded that 17% of day school children and 7% boarders were found to be in hypertensive.
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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) of knee is one of the major causes in musculoskeletal condition leading to func-tional loss in patients. Determining the progression of the disease is a useful tool which will help in planning of exer-cise programme to slow or halt the disease progression. Measuring the joint space width of the tibio-femoral joint is one of the best options for knowing the disease progression and helps in designing exercise programme. Aim:Retro-spective measurement of joint space width in patients with bilateral tibiofemoral osteoarthritis of knee joint. Method-ology: Data was retrieved from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) from 1stof February to 22ndof June 2018. Radiographs that were showing OA knee features by using Kellegren Lawrence (KL) grading system were considered and the joint space between the tibial and femoral compartment were measured. Result: The joint space width showed more reduction in the medial compartment of the joint as compared to the lateral compartment. Conclusion: In rural population of Maharashtra the medial joint space is markedly decreased as compared to the lat-eral compartment of the tibiofemoral joint and as the KL grade increases the joint space width decreased.
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Objectives: This study is conducted to assess the various predisposing factors for cancer cervix and to correlate the clinicaland pathological finding using cervix histopathology.Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide accounting for 9% of all female cancerand 9% death in female due to cervical cancer. We studied 150 cases of cervical carcinoma with different clinical presentationsand correlated them with histopathological findings in tertiary hospital in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.Materials and Methods: A total of 150 cases histopathologically diagnosed as cervical cancer over a period of 1 year wereconsidered for the study. Clinical details of the patient were noted with the help of semi-structured pro forma. The data wereanalyzed and P value calculated.Results: Of 150 patients, 88 had moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 24 poorly differentiated, and 32 welldifferentiated. Adenocarcinoma numbered only six. 98 cases were in the age group of 40–59 years, 39 in the age group of 60–80years, and 13 in 20–39 years. All six cases of adenocarcinoma were seen in 40–59 years. 96 presented with white discharge,68 with bleeding per vagina, and 58 had constitutional symptoms. Most of the patients with adenocarcinoma presented withbleeding per vagina. 98 were in Stage 3B, 40 in Stage 2B, 5 in 4A, and 7 in Stage 1B.Conclusions: Screening of cervical cancer must be done in women with white discharge per vagina.
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Background: The National Health Mission expects bottom-up approach for preparing Project Implementation Plan and also expects special attention toward tribal areas. Some district-level health information is available from national health surveys, but subdistrict-level information is mostly not available. Gadchiroli is the farthest district from the state capital. There are 12 blocks in the district. It is a notified tribal district having 8.61%�.50% tribal population in different blocks and block-wise urbanization varies from 0.00% to 37.10%. Objectives: The objective was to assess community health status at block level in Gadchiroli district and then develop comprehensive health index for ranking the blocks. Methods: The author has used available secondary data sources including Census, Survey of Cause of Death scheme, health management information system, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, and Maharashtra Medical Council. Ten indicators were selected after discussion with public health specialists to evolve comprehensive health index. Blocks having best statistic in each indicator were given 100 marks and other blocks were given proportionate marks. Thus, the highest possible score for any block was 1000. Results: The range of block-wise score was from 424 to 781. The highest scoring block was Gadchiroli and was an outlier. The comprehensive score was having correlation with urbanization, r = 0.63 (95% confidence limits, 0.09�88). After principal component analysis, the extracted three components were responsible for most of the variations. Conclusions: Reasonably reliable and valid block-wise data are available to carry out community health assessment and develop comprehensive health index. The index is useful for comparison among blocks.
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Drug resistance in microorganisms is an emerging phenomenon that poses challenges to public health and treatment. The reservoir of drug resistance genes found in the resistome of environmental isolates in aquatic saline systems has been augmenting continuously. The spread of drug resistance is attributed to the dissemination of drug resistant pathogens occurring in sewage and wastewater released in the marine environments like seas. Halophiles are salt loving organisms that are found naturally in these marine environments, sea water, salterns and lakes. The present study aimed at investigation of the antibiotic resistance profile of halophiles isolated from marine ecosystems of the coastal Maharashtra, India using disk diffusion method. The plausible mechanism of drug resistance in the marine halophiles was investigated by detecting plasmids and antibiotic efflux pumps using EtBr-Cart wheel assay. The haloarchaea, Haloarcula sp. RR14 and Halovivax sp. RT5 showed multidrug resistance and presence of efflux pumps (MICEtBr= 0.5 µg/ml). The resistance of gram positive halophiles was in following order: Salimicrobium salexigens RR5 > Salimicrobium flavidum RR2 > Alkalibacillus almallahensis RR3. Amongst gram negative halophiles, their resistance was in following order: Halomonas smyrnensis RR7 > Halomonas koreensis RR1 > Marinobacter oulmenensis RR6. Plasmids were detected in Haloarcula sp., Halomonassp. and Marinobacter sp. The present study related to antibiotic resistance of halophiles from marine environment is significant as some of the marine halophilic isolates like Halomonas sp. have been reported as potential pathogens in recent times.