Ethics-related guidelines for authors and article retractions: How do Indian biomedical journals measure up?

Background: There has been an increase in research output from India, which in turn has led to an increase in the number of Indian journals facilitating biomedical research. The instructions to authors in the websites of these journals should clearly display ethics-related guidelines for the ethical publication process. The present study did an objective assessment of “instructions to authors” on the websites of Indian biomedical journals in PubMed and IndMED and retractions in these journals from January 2012 to October 2017.Methods: A 14-point checklist based on previous studies and review of literature was used. A total of 110 journals were included in the study and their websites assessed.Results: A dedicated section on ethics was found in 56 (50.9%) journal websites, 42 (38.2%) did not mention any specific bioethics guidelines, animal ethics was mentioned in 65 (59%) of the journals, and an ethics committee approval was required by 65 (59%) of the journals. Sixty-four (58.2%) journals mentioned mandatory informed consent and 19 (17.3%) required assent. There were 22 (20%) journals that required neither Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) registration nor Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines for reporting of clinical trials. There were 38 (34.5%) journals that actively looked for plagiarism. Most common reason for retraction was duplicate publication (23, 38.4%) followed by plagiarism (17,28.3%).Conclusion: The lacunae found in this survey indicate a need for strengthening of author instructions. The number of retractions in the last five years suggests that there are valid reasons to strengthen ethics in the publication process in India

An occupational health survey of sewage treatment plant workers of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka

Background: Sanitation workers are at a risk of exposure to various health hazards which are preventable. The present study aimed at assessing the health status of sewage treatment plant (STP) workers, their respiratory morbidity and onsite assessment of their occupational safety.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a single STP during June-July months of 2017. A total of 32 employees were enrolled in the study. Data collection was done using a questionnaire, clinical examination and onsite assessment for occupational safety. The questionnaire included demographic details, clinical symptoms and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Clinical examination with special focus on respiratory system and portable spirometry was conducted followed by health education on workplace safety. Descriptive statistics were reported as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and frequency and proportion for categorical variable.Results: None of the workers underwent pre-placement health check-up and routine health check-ups at regular interval. PPE were available in adequate number. Spirometry revealed 12 workers having forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) within normal limits and seven workers with mild restriction. Early small airway obstruction was found in six workers. Regarding the on-site safety, an absence of barricades at two places near anaerobic sludge reactor and clarifier tank was of concern.Conclusions: The workers in STP are at risk of respiratory occupational hazards and should undergo pre-placement and routine health check-up for prevention of occupational hazards. Physical safety in terms of barricades at appropriate sites also needs attention.

Keeping up the morale of the foot soldiers of Indian public health: an appraisal of the economic aspects of ASHAs in Uttarakhand, India.

Background: Accredited social health activist (ASHA) is a voluntary community health worker and an important human resource for public health system of India. Their motivation to become a community health worker and continued efforts is a mix of monetary and non-monetary factors. Their motivation to work comes partly from desire to work for the community and prestige, but is furthered by the monetary compensation. Objectives: To study the economic status of ASHAs in Uttarakhand, and their contribution to household income and the role the monetary incentives play in their work. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Haridwar and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. Eighty one ASHAs were interviewed using pre-piloted semi-structured questionnaire. Their economic status was assessed using Modified BG Prasad Classification. Results: Majority of the ASHAs belonged to class 4 according to modified B G Prasad Classification. Mean monthly earning as ASHA was 1335 rupees (SD: 748) and the mean contribution to the total household income was 28%. Financial incentive was an important motivating factor with associated concerns about delay in payments. About 75% felt that the amount was inadequate considering the time and effort involved. Conclusions: There is need to review the financial and non-financial incentives with due consideration to inflation and consumer price index.