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Background: Snake bite and its consequences may be largely prevented with adequate knowledge. Better knowledge can lead to positive attitude and subsequently good practices. Hence, it is of utmost need that people should have adequate knowledge regarding snake bite and its management. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the knowledge regarding prevention and management of snake bite among adults in a rural area of West Bengal and to find out any association between sociodemographic profile and knowledge on prevention as well as management of snake bite among the study participants. Materials and Methods: A community-based and observational descriptive study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Medial College, Kolkata, West Bengal for of 2 months. The study participants who were willing to participate in the study and gave written informed consent were included in the study. A pre-designed, pre-tested, and semi-structured data collection form was used. It was developed based on similar type of previous studies and was modified according to the local culture. The data collection form comprised sociodemographic profile of the study participants, their knowledge regarding snake bite, and its prevention and availability of first aid management. Results: A total of 134 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 45.81 ± 8.00 years. It was observed that majority of the study subjects believed in the knowledge that all types of snakes are poisonous (93.2%) and leads to death (90.3%). First aid measures such as application of tourniquet that was seen in only 4.4% of the cases. However, more than half of the study subjects (71.6%) believed in sucking the venom out of the wound. It was noted that higher education status, improved social class had better knowledge score of snake bite prevention and management as compared to their counterparts and this association was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Knowledge of the study subjects on snake bite and its prevention is good, but still a large number of participants have inadequate knowledge on snake bite and its prevention. Community-based awareness program on prevention and management of snake bite, use of personal protective measures, and training of peripheral health workers ware specifically recommended.
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Background: The WHO defines the use of medications without prior medical consultation regarding indication, dosage and duration of treatment as self-medication. The practice is a global problem. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to describe the care seeking behavior of rural self-medicators living in Amdanga Block of West Bengal and to assess the belief in medicines by the self-medicators. Material & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire on 665 self-medicators out of 1740 adults who were interviewed in 80 villages of Amdanga Block, West Bengal. A three-stage sampling method was used to reach the study population. A three month recall on self-medication practice was considered operationalizing the “pull” and “push” factors of self-medicators using a Pshycho-social framework. The variables were Socio-demographic factors, Care Seeking Behaviors, Health System related factors, Belief in Medicines according to the framework. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 38.2%. 63% of the study subjects were female and 56.3% had a literacy status of middle school and above. 54.4% relied on their old prescription for self-medication. 68.7% had an initial choice to consult a doctor but later self-medicated of whom 53.2% changed their choice due to monetary and transport issues while 38.5% thought of self-medication considering their disease was mild in nature. Conclusion: Awareness and health education can link rural subjects with primary care facility and right decisions on care can be provided.
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Background: The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was launched in 2013 to screen and manage birth defects, deficiencies, diseases, and developmental delays including disabilities in Indian children, with the help of designated mobile health teams and grassroot workers across the country. Objectives: Performance of the RBSK program in three selected blocks of a health district of a large Indian state (West Bengal) was assessed. Methods: The performance assessment was based on input, process, and output performances, using checklists based on RBSK operational guidelines. Results: While some essential evaluation tools were available in required numbers at the block level, many were unavailable. There were deficiencies in the number of health staff appointed. Although most screening camps were conducted as per microplan, some were not. Anthropometric measurements were not done in some camps; Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were not used adequately. Issues with fund management were also noted. The intervention rate at higher centers (District Early Intervention Centre) was low with regard to the children referred for management. Involvement of grassroot workers such as ASHA was also found to be lacking. Conclusion: Frequent orientation training of medical officers and staff is needed along with the efforts to strengthen the referral system and the patient tracking system. Sensitizing the children and their guardians regarding the importance of the relevant health issues is also needed with the help of the proper implementation of IEC services.
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The present paper reports occurrence of 15 species of mites under 10 families and 12 genera collected from edible and wild mushrooms from three districts of West Bengal during, September 2021 to April 2022. Among the mites, there were 9 predatory and 3 each of damage causing and of uncertain association. All the species have been listed giving collection data and remarks pertaining to their importance as damage causing, predatory, or of uncertain association. The mites like Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Fuscuropoda marginata and Leiodinychus krameri were abundantly encountered and were regarded as pest species. Similarly, the mites like Parasitus consanguineous and Asca biswasi were observed to be predator in nature
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Pythons ( Reptilia : Squamata : Pythonidae ) are an ancient group of snakes that have slithered across the swamps, grasslands and rainforests of the world from the Miocene till the present day. The name python was first proposed by Francois Marie Daudin in 1803. In West Bengal, an Indian State on the eastern part of the country, is the host of three major python species – Indian rock python (Python molurus) in the savanna regions; Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the temperate wetlands and the mangroves and the longest extant snake, the Reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) in the mangrove regions of Sundarbans. Once abundant, these giant reptilians are now on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and illegal hunting and other anthropogenic encroachments in their natural habitats
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Introduction : This study was designed to find out the group mean prevalence of NCD risk factors in different administrative divisions of West Bengal (WB) and to explore the probable reasons of these differences in different indigenous habitat wise groups of districts of West Bengal. Methods : This descriptive study was conducted on available secondary data from National Family Health Survey- 5 (NFHS-5) regarding NCD risk factors. For this study, WB’s districts were divided into five administrative divisions namely Presidency, Medinipur, Burdwan, Malda and Jalpaiguri. Again WB State divided into three groups namely Jangalmahal (forest region), Pahar (Himalayan Hilly region) and “Rest of West Bengal” (ROW) on the basis of habitat of major indigenous people. Data are analyzed by Microsoft excel software in percentage and group mean. Results : Presidency (M: 20.6% versus F: 21.9%) with Medinipur (M: 20.3% versus F: 19%) divisions and Jangalmahal group of districts (M: 22.1% versus F: 16.5%) have higher group me n prevalence of high blood sugar in West Bengal. High group mean prevalence of high blood pressure was observed in Pahar (M: 26.6% versus F: 25.2%) group of districts and Jalpaiguri (M: 24.7% versus F:24%) division. The group mean prevalence of alcohol intake is very high in Jalpaiguri division (M: 25.2% versus F: 3%). The group mean prevalence of obesity (women aged 15-49 years) is increased from the last NFHS -4 survey. Conclusion : The group mean prevalence of alcohol intake and high blood pressure are very high in Pahar. The tobacco use related habit is comparatively high in Jangalmahal and Pahar group of districts. The group mean prevalence of high blood sugar is comparatively high in Jangalmahal and Presidency division areas.
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Biologically prepared silver nanoparticles are in trend tobe used as antibacterial agents throughout the globe. Silvernanoparticles prepared from different biological sources havebeen tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,and other clinical bacteria in West-Bengal also. The size, shapeand activity of the biogenic silver nanoparticles will varydepending upon the biological sources and its concentrationused for nanoparticle preparation. UV-Vis spectrophometry,Dynamic light scattering, FESEM, HRTEM are the techniqueswhich can be used for characterizing silver nanoparticles ofdifferent size and shape. From the history of last decade ofresearch upon silver nanoparticles’ green synthesis and itsantibacterial, antifungal, antilarval as well as anticancer agents,researchers used plant parts, fungus and bacteria as biologicalsources for the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles.Which showed promising activity against different bacterialstrains, either procured from ATCC (American type culturecommittee) or from any clinical sources. When it comes toanalyse the activity of the prepared silver nanoparticles againstmultidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial strains, there arelesser evidences from West-Bengal. This review will work asa reservoir for biologically prepared silver nanoparticles inWest-Bengal in the last decade and will also help researchersto characterize biogenic silver nanoparticles
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Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) refer to chronic diseases of long duration and generally with slow progression. NCDs are affecting Indian population, both in urban and rural areas. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), one of the major NCDs is the leading cause of death worldwide. The rising prevalence of behavioral and anthropometric risk factors for these lifestyle diseases is postulated to be the cause for the alarming increase of NCDs including CVD. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is also increasing in tribal population. Objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases among the tribal population aged 18 years and above.Methods: A community based, observational, descriptive study was conducted at Kharagpur-II block of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal from August 2013 to July 2014 among 540 tribal population aged 18 years and above selected by cluster random sampling method.Results: About 64% individuals were addicted to tobacco product. Prevalence of current smoking and tobacco chewing was 9.1% and 60.2% respectively. Prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 48.9%. About 91% individuals took extra salt with meal. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 7.8% and 3.5% only according to WHO recommended classification for Asian population. However, higher level of physical activity was found among the study population.Conclusions: The study revealed high prevalence of extra salt intake, tobacco and alcohol consumption among the study population which may endanger their life by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Background: Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) is a safe, highly effective postpartum contraceptive, yet to be popularized at the community level in a diversified developing country like India where still the unmet need for spacing remains high. This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding PPIUCD among users and the predictors of its retention.Methods: A case-control study had been conducted using multi-stage sampling technique in Nadia district of West Bengal. Face to face interviews of the cases and the controls had been done with the help of a predesigned pretested semi-structured schedule. Data were entered in MS Excel and analysed in SPSS 20.0 version.Results: Majority of the acceptors (55.2%) had poor knowledge regarding PPIUCD. Most of the participants (62.2%) retained their PPIUCD at least for 6 months. Acceptors who belonged to Hindu religion, higher socio-economic class (I and II), nuclear family, educated up to or above secondary level, ever counselled on PPIUCD, satisfied using that in day to day life, undergone follow-up visits and had correct knowledge regarding different aspects of PPIUCD had higher odds of retention of PPIUCD.Conclusions: Regular awareness campaigns, counselling at household level, advocacy are the utmost needs of the hour to motivate the eligible couple for its acceptance and retention.
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Background: The unmet need for contraception remains high in the postpartum period. Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD), despite being an effective and well-suited contraceptive method for this period, many women discontinue its use due to various reasons just after a few days or weeks. The study aimed to identify the factors associated with the removal of the same.Methods: A community-based case-control study had been conducted in Nadia district of West Bengal. A multi-stage sampling technique had been applied to identify and interview the cases and controls with the help of a predesigned pretested semi-structured schedule.Results: The overall removal and expulsion rates were found to be quite high (21.5% and 16.3% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that acceptors belonging to joint family, educated only up to middle level, if place of delivery and insertion of PPIUCD was BPHC, the same had been inserted by nursing staff, experienced pain after insertion, not given consent before insertion, not counselled ever on PPIUCD, not decided to accept PPIUCD before delivery, not satisfied with its use and undergone no follow up visit after its insertion, were having higher odds of removal of the same.Conclusions: Rigorous counselling during the antenatal period should be focused to achieve a declining trend regarding PPIUCD removal.
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Background: ASHA acts as a ‘bridge’ between the rural people and health service outlets and plays a central role in achieving national health and population policy goal. ASHAs form the backbone of the NRHM. They need to provide preventive, promotive and curative health facilities in the rural community. Maternal and child health is an important public health issue which indicates level of socio-economic development in each and every country. ASHA workers are the main front-line workers in primary health care delivery system who are expected to work in this domain to bring out betterment in RCH indicators.Method: It was a mixed method study. Quantitative portion was descriptive, cross-sectional and qualitative part was focus group discussion (FGD). The study had been conducted in one block (Deganga block) of North 24 parganas district of West Bengal which was previous to selected purposively for the study. All ASHAs of Deganga block and one beneficiary mother (mother who had a baby of less than 1 year) for each ASHA from her area of work had been included as study population. ASHA- Beneficiary dyad had been interviewed with a predesigned pretested questionnaire after taking informed consent.Result: More than half of the study population (64.7% and 50.5 %) had overall good knowledge and practice score related to maternal-child health and family planning respectively, though they had poor knowledge in updated dosage schedule of iron folic acid tablets, proper attachment techniques for successful breast feeding, missed doses of OCP, ECP, IUCD and safe period. They performed less efficiently in areas like counselling about harmful effects of addiction during pregnancy, birth preparedness and complication readiness, colostrum feeding, weaning, ECP and MTP. Mainly inadequate remuneration and lack of job satisfaction were the factors hindering their performance.Conclusion: Frequent refresher courses, regular monitoring and supportive supervisions by respective higher authority, administrative steps for combating their dissatisfaction are of utmost importance to improve their performance.
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Background: Scrub typhus caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a mite-borne zoonotic acute febrile illness. Geographically, it is confined to the Asia-Pacific region and important re-emerging infection in India. Clinical diagnosis of scrub typhus from other acute febrile illness is very difficult due to nonspecific symptoms and the relative absence of eschar in the Indian population. Case fatality rate varies from 30-70% depending on the clinical suspicion, delay in diagnosis and treatment. Antibody-based serological tests are the mainstay of diagnosis. IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against O. tsutsugamushi is helpful for the diagnosis of scrub typhus within the first week of illness.Methods: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the disease in Northern districts of West Bengal, India using IgM ELISA.Results: Out of 577 serum samples tested 10.05% were positive for IgM antibodies. Majority of cases were below 40 years of age with higher prevalence in female patients. The disease showed a seasonal trend with a peak during the monsoon and later months. The case fatality rate among ELISA positive cases was 32.76%.Conclusions: Significant seropositivity against scrub typhus among cases of acute febrile illness with relatively higher mortality indicates that scrub typhus should be included in the differential diagnosis and confirmed by IgM ELISA.
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A descriptive observational study was conducted in five high prevalent districts of West Bengal with an objective to estimate incidence of new cases of leprosy among children. A total 441,954 children were examined from October 2013 to September, 2014 by conducting a house-hold as well as school surveys in five endemic districts of West Bengal namely Kolkata, Burdwan, Paschim Midnapur, Bankura & Purulia. A total 248 suspected child leprosy cases were identified. The male/female sex ratio of suspects was 1:1. Clinically confirmed leprosy child cases ware 17/248.The overall incidence of leprosy suspects and clinically confirmed leprosy cases was 56.11 and 3.85 per 100,000 children screened, respectively. District-wise difference in incidence of leprosy suspects was found to vary from 23.53 per 100,000 in Purulia to 91.01 per 100,000 in Paschim Midnapur district. Of the 248 suspected cases in the child population, 17 cases were confirmed as leprosy by the CHC and PHC medical officers of NLEP and the State Health Services. All these cases were put on treatment. The incidence of new child cases during this 1 year period was observed to be 3.85/100,000 of examined child population. All these cases resided in Burdwan, Kolkata as well as Paschim Midnapur districts. No cases were confirmed in the suspected cases in Bankura and Purulia districts. One child in Kolkata district also had Grade 2 disability. The incidence of suspected leprosy cases among adult contacts of suspected leprosy children in the study is 33.01/100,000 population (23 suspected to have leprosy in a population of 69655). Among these, 8 cases were confirmed as leprosy cases, by the NLEP and State health services staff. It appears that transmission of leprosy is still high in some geographical areas/pockets and active search in addition to IEC on signs, symptoms and treatment of leprosy is required for the general population as well as other health care workers for effective & early treatment as well as to block transmission of leprosy in the community. While for leprosy programme confirmed cases are relevant, need to strengthen the capacity of health services to differentiate and treat other conditions which created suspicion of leprosy will be equally important.
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Acupuncture-moxibustion was introduced to India in mid-20th century and has been legislated in two provinces in India where the registration of acupuncture practitioners is implemented at present. In India, the central government recognizes that acupuncture-moxibustion is an approach of treatment and is permitted by the licensed doctor. Because of the weakness of the basic development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India, the go-vernment put great effort to support and protect their national traditional medicine. Acupuncture-moxibustion development is mainly in the folk and in the progression for the provincial and governmental legislation. In the paper, by taking West Bengal as example, the legislation, clinical application, education and scientific research of acupuncture-moxibustion are analyzed so that an approach is explored for the further development of acupuncture-moxibustion in India.
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Background & objectives: Failure to adhere to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can lead to a range of unfavourable consequences impacting upon people living with HIV (PLH) and society. It is, therefore, paramount that ART adherence is measured in a reliable manner and factors associated with adherence are identified. Lack of such data from West Bengal necessitated undertaking the current study. Methods: Participants were included during August-October, 2011 from three Drop-In-Centres (DICs) from the three districts of West Bengal, India. ART-adherence was calculated by using formula based on pill-count and records collected from ART-card in possession of each of the 128 consenting adult PLH. Information on self-reported adherence, socio-demography, and adherence influencing issues was also collected through interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Of the 128 PLH, 99 (77%) and 93 (73%) PLH had ≥90 per cent and ≥95 per cent adherence, respectively to ART. Conversely, subjective reporting captured much higher proportion of PLH as ‘well adherent’; a finding having implications for ongoing ART programme. Factors, independently associated with poor adherence (<90%), were ‘7th to 12th month period of ART intake’ (adjusted OR=9.5; 90% CI 1.9 - 47.3; p=0.02) and ‘non-disclosure of HIV status to family members’ (adjusted OR=4; 90% CI 1.3 - 13; p=0.05. Results at 95 per cent adherence cut-off were similar. Interpretation & conclusions: Enabling environment, which would encourage people to disclose their HIV status and in turn seek adherence partners from families and beyond and ongoing adherence-counselling appear to be important issues in the programme. Relevance of these study findings in wider context is conceivable.
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Background & objectives: Japanese encephalitis (JE), caused by a mosquito-borne virus JE virus (JEV), is a serious health problem in West Bengal, India. In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of two JEV isolates from West Bengal. The amino acid and nucleotide sequence homology was compared with other Indian strains. Methods: two JEV isolates (IND-WB-JE1 and IND-WB-JE2) obtained in 2008 and 2010, respectively, from two districts of the state of West Bengal, respectively were analyzed for genetic variations by sequencing the 10934 bp whole genome of the virus. Of these two districts, one was covered under JE vaccination programme in 2007. Results: Phylogenetic analysis showed that both the isolates belonged to the genotype III. A total of 16 mutations were identified in the two isolates studied with respect to Vellore P20778 strain. One unique mutation A3215S was only found in IND-WB-JE2 isolate, but not in the isolate IND-WB-JE1. These two isolates showed maximum homology with P20778 strain of India. Interpretation & conclusions: This study reports on complete gene based phylogenetic analysis of JEV isolates from the State of West Bengal. it was evident from the results that JEV was still under circulation in both vaccine covered and not covered districts of West Bengal.
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Globally, 1 billion people live in slums. There are few reports of high prevalence of noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors among the urban poor. The prevalence of NCD risk factors in the slums in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India was estimated. Cross-sectional survey in 24 slums selected using cluster sampling method was conducted. Questionnaire for behavioral risk factors was used and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done. The study population included 1052 participants aged 25-64 years, 528 (50%) were males. Among males, 206 (39%) were current smokers and 154 (29%) were current alcohol users. Central obesity was prevalent among 32.8% males and 56.1% females and 115 (10.9%) had body mass index ≥27.5 kg/m2. Hypertension was prevalent among 35% males and 33% females. We observed high prevalence of NCD risk factors among urban slum dwellers that need to be addressed with health promotion programs and strengthening of primary health care system.
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In this study observations have been made on traditional knowledge related with ethnomedicinal uses of plants by the tribal people of different forest areas of Birbhum and Burdwan districts, West Bengal, India. A total of 29 medicinal plants have been recorded from the study areas which are used by the tribal people in formulation of 19 types of herbal preparation for curing 15 types of diseases and ailments. Many of these preparations are new as they have not been recorded earlier in standard literature. The investigated plant taxa have alphabetically been enumerated providing their botanical names along with families, local or tribal names, parts used, name of the diseases, mode of administration, locality of collection, etc. Bioassay of these ethnomedicinal claims has to be carried out for their scientific validation in future.
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Background: During September 2012, an increased number of fever cases was reported from Ramnagar-II block, Purba Medinipur district. This study investigated the outbreak, with the following objectives: to describe the distribution of fever cases, to determine the risk factors and to recommend preventive measures. Materials and Methods: The clinical features, date of onset and outcome of all cases of fever were listed. Blood specimens were collected from affected patients and sent for serological examination. An epidemic curve was plotted and environmental and entomological surveys were carried out. Results: There was a total of 100 cases, of which 56% (56/100) were men. Among the four villages studied, the highest number of cases was from Gopalpur 37% (37/100), followed by Badalpur 26% (26/100); 19% (19/100) of cases had a history of migration from dengue-endemic areas. The majority of cases were in age group 15–45 years – 52% (52/100), followed by the age group >45 years – 28% (28/100). All the cases had history of fever (100%), followed by myalgia – 82%, headache – 78%, and retro-orbital pain – 73%. The outbreak started on 7 September 2012, peaked on 18 September, then gradually declined and no further cases were noted after 28 September 2012. Seventy-nine per cent (79/100) of cases were NS1 test positive (non-structural antigen-1) and 72% (13/18) cases were positive on a dengue monoclonal antibody (IgM) capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAC-ELISA) test. All recovered except one (case-fatality ratio: 1%). The values for Household Index, Container Index and Breteau Index of the four villages were: Badalpur, 3%, 10% and 5%; Gopalpur, 13%, 23% and 18%; Ramchandrapur, 9%, 11%, and 13%; and Tajpur, 2%, 2% and 2%. Conclusion: The outbreak was probably due to dengue fever. The study led to a recommendation to destroy water containers and use mosquito nets. The outbreak was controlled.
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Context: Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is crucial in averting maternal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To fi nd out awareness and practices regarding BPCR among pregnant and recently delivered women in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, community-based, mixed methods study. Two-stage, 40 cluster sampling technique was used to select three pregnant and six recently delivered women separately. Information on socio-demographic variables as well as awareness and practices regarding BPCR were collected through semi-structured interview. In-depth interviews with one respondent per cluster were also conducted. For statistical analysis Z test was used. Results: Around 50% of the respondents planned for fi rst antenatal checkup (ANC) within 12 weeks, four or more ANCs and institutional delivery. Proportion of women aware of at least one key danger sign each of pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and newborn ranged from 12.1% to 37.2%, whereas 58.3% knew at least one key component of essential newborn care. Around two-thirds and one-third of women, respectively, especially those from backward and below poverty line (BPL) families knew about cash incentive and referral transport schemes. Proportions of women with fi rst ANC within 12 weeks, four or more ANCs, institutional delivery, saving money, identifying transport, and blood donor were 50.4%, 33.6%, 46.2%, 40.8%, 27.3%, and 9.6%, respectively. Hindu religion, backward castes, BPL status, and education 5 years infl uenced the practices except for two regarding ANC. Overall BPCR index of the study population was 34.5. Conclusion: Preparedness in health system, ensuring competence, and motivation of workers are needed for promoting BPCR among the study population.