A clinico epidemiological study on acute viral infection of brain among children admitted in North Bengal Medical College, West Bengal.

A clinico epidemiological prospective study was carried out on acute viral infection of brain among children admitted in a rural based medical college from September '99 to Oct '01. Out of 80 cases, 8 cases (10%) of aseptic meningitis, 35 cases (43.75%) of encephalitis and 37 cases (6.25%) of meningo-encephalitis were found. Overall case fatality was 47.5% and found higher (77%) among normally nourished children in comparison to malnourished children (47.5%). Virological investigation did not isolate any known Flavivirus, Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) and Measles virus; nor any serological evidence against these viruses.

Iodine deficiency disorders among school children of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are major public health problems in India, including West Bengal. Existing programme to control IDD needs to be continuously monitored through recommended methods and indicators. Thus we undertook the study to assess the prevalence of goiter, status of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level and to estimate iodine content of salts at the household level in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study in 2004; among 2250 school children, aged 8-10 years. The '30 cluster' sampling methodology and indicators for assessment of IDD, as recommended by the joint WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD consultation, were used for the study. Goitre was assessed by standard palpation technique, UIE was analyzed by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit. Of the 2250 children, 419 (18.6%) had goitre (95% CI = 17.0 - 20.2%). Total goitre rate (TGR) was not significantly different in respect of gender, age and religion. Visible goitre rate was 2.5%. Median urinary iodine excretion level was 16 mcg/dL (normal: > or = 10 mcg/dl.) and 16.5% children had value less than 5 mcg/dL. Only 67.4% of the salt samples tested had adequate iodine content of > or = 15 ppm, with significant difference between Hindus and Muslims (chi2 = 12.68, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01). TGR of 18.6% indicate the district is still endemic for IDD, but median urinary iodine within normal range reflects no current iodine deficiency. The district is in the transition phase from iodine-deficient to iodine-sufficient. Measures are to be sustained for successful transition towards elimination.

Some clinico-epidemiological aspect of bronchiolitis among infants and young children--a hospital based study.

A hospital based prospective study was carried out from 1st October 1998 to 30th September 1999 on children with clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis in OPD and indoor patients of the Department of Paediatric Medicine, Medical College Kolkata. The objective of the study was to find out the proportional case rate and clinico epidemiological features of the disease. The effectiveness of nebulized salbutamol among bronchiolitis children was also looked into. The proportional case rate was found to be 4.65%. Low birth weight (LBW)/premature babies (51.11%) malnutrition (40%), nonimmunization (55.55%) & non breastfeeding practices (48.88%) were significant risk factors for severe bronchiolitis. Response to nebulized salbutamol was remarkably higher (70%) in 6m to 12m age group.

An evaluation of bed management in a rural hospital adjacent to Indo-Nepal border in West Bengal.

Bed management is one of the important activities for efficient hospital management. The present study on evaluation of bed management in a rural hospital revealed that the total bed capacity could not be utilised. The turnover rate, turnover interval, bed occupancy rate and average length of stay were closely corroborating.

Rural people and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)--some findings in North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling, West Bengal.

A hospital based interdepartmental collaborative study was carried out from 1st July to 30th September, 2000 on 269 rural people residing in six districts of the northern part of West Bengal and attending the Pathology Department in North Bengal Medical College for Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) after being referred from different clinical departments. The objectives of the study were to study some aspects of the outcomes of FNAC among rural people and to suggest for its wider application in rural community through Community Health Centre/Rural Hospital/Block Primary Health Centre. The results shows that Hindus (80.3%) are attending more in number than Muslims (14.13%), Christians (4.83%) and Buddhist (0.74%); 53.54% of the population are in 11-40 years age group. In benign conditions 76.95% are coming from up to 100 kms. of N.B.M.C; people in lower per capita income group of up to Rs.400/- per month are attending twice in number than those in the income groups of Rs.401/- and more per month. In malignancy however people do not think of distance or expenses due to seriousness of the diseases. In 14.5% cases FNAC remains inconclusive whereas in 85.5% cases it provides definite diagnoses.

Perception and practice regarding pulse polio immunisation in an urban community of Calcutta.

A survey was conducted at an Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme project in North Calcutta among 656 mothers having children less than 3 years of age to assess their perception and practice regarding pulse polio immunisation (PPI). It was revealed that 91.8% of under 3-year children received PPI on 9-12-1995 and 94.4% on 20-1-1996. Major reasons for not accepting the services on those two days included 'mothers unaware' (22%), 'child too small' (30.5%), etc. Major source of first information was television (TV)/radio (57.2%) followed by anganwadi workers (AWWs) (33.8%). However, majority of the mothers were finally motivated for PPI by AWWs (58.8%) followed by the role of TV/radio (34.1%). Although 70.7% mothers knew the name of the vaccine correctly, only 3.5% mothers could tell the exact purpose of its administration. Most mothers (73%) opined that 2 drops of oral polio vaccine (OPV) was administered to their children and only 14.6% hoped that such programmes will be conducted by the Government in future. The average waiting time of mothers at immunisation centres was found to be 7.2 minutes.