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Introduction : Understanding the epidemiological and clinical profile of COVID-19 cases and pattern of disease is very much required for future preparedness. Objective : To assess the epidemiological and clinical profile of cases of COVID 19 Method : Cross sectional descriptive study was carried out at a Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC). All cases reported in the month of January 2022were included in the study. The information about the epidemiological and clinical profile was collected from RHTC records by conducting telephonic interview. Results : Total 83 cases were reported. Among them, 43 (54.4%) cases were in age group 20-39 years. Male: Female ratiowas 1.37:1. Therewas one death and patient had ovarian cancer as co-morbidity. Total 71 patients could be contacted for telephonic interview. Fever was most common symptom andwas presenting symptom on first day followed by cough/cold and sore throat. None had shortness of breath or chest pain. Hospitalization rate was 5.63% and none required oxygen supplementation or intensive care. Recovery period was 3-5 days. Out of total, 90% cases were fully vaccinated and 95.8% had knowledge of CAB. Diabetes and hypertension were most common comorbidities andwere statistically significantlymore in age > 40 years. Conclusions : The COVID-19 cases in the beginning of year 2022 had clinical presentation different than the earlier waves. Periodic situational analysis can guide in policymaking for handling this pandemic in future.
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Introduction: Quality indicators are important parameters to enhance the quality of the clinical laboratory services. Due to the extensive testing processes, errors cannot be completely avoided in a clinical laboratory. To minimize errors, however, adequate training, QC checks, and regular procedure evaluations are beneficial. Objective(s): The objective of the study was to establish and evaluate quality indicators on an ongoing basis as an effort to increase quality. Method(s): This retrospective study, different quality indicators in a molecular laboratory in northern Gujarat were assessed over the course of a year (September 2020-August 2021). Data of total 8176 samples were summarized. Each Quality indicator was examined at the end of the month after being divided into the pre, analytical, and post-analytical stages, respectively. Result(s): As summarization of total 8176 samples, we found a cumulative error rate for all quality indicators of 346 (4.23%). Preanalytical errors were the most common 180 (2.20%), followed by analytical errors 114 (1.39%), and post analytical errors 52 (0.63%). Conclusion(s): There is no question that by continuously striving to develop the outcome of these quality indicators through the adoption of corrective measures over time, the quality of laboratory services and patient care would be improved.Copyright © 2023, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Since the beginning of COVID 19 pandemic, more than 641 million cases and 6.63 million confirmed deaths were reported worldwide. A rapid development of COVID 19 Vaccine was the breakthrough in the prevention and control of COVID 19. India has commenced its vaccination drive from January 16, 2021 and has administered more than 219 crores vaccination to date it its people. On war foot, Reliance Industries Limited also launched its free vaccination coverage program - Mission Vaccine Suraksha for employees, family members, and community by collaborating with local authorities and governments. The organization also provided free vaccination to Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra besides various other national and regional organisations to speed up the vaccination drive. Methodology: A taskforce including stakeholders form the Medical Services, HR, Procurement, Logistics, transportation, digital systems was formed to oversee, implement, monitor, and evaluate a successful vaccine roll-out drive. The drive included Covishield and Covaxin COVID 19 vaccines. As a single point of contact, Reliance Foundation HN Hospital procured, stored, and transported vaccines to all locations. At par with Govt. protocols, Reliance developed its own workplace COVID vaccination centres (CVCs) at its corporate headquarters and 11 other manufacturing sites in Maharashtra and Gujrat. For Cold chain management, Reliance procured Ice Lined Refrigerators (ILRs), refrigerators, vaccine carriers, icepacks, etc. for each CVC. Dedicated medical and paramedical staffs were recruited and trained to carry out vaccination drive with all the COVID 19 protocols in place. Reliance tied up with multiple hospitals to carry out pan-India vaccination drive. The entire operation was digitally enabled by involving mediums such as Reliance's in-house app JioHealthHub (JHH) that included end-to-end vaccination journey, i.e., from slot booking, CoWIN registration, post-vaccination care, uploading of the certificates, etc. Vaccine inventory was monitored by Reliance's digital system named KiviHealth. A vaccination dashboard was created to track real time vaccination update. Result(s): 40 lakh vaccine doses were provided free of cost to support the nationwide vaccination programme. Till date, 31,63,870 beneficiaries were covered under R-Suraksha under which, 15,94,357 people received their 1st dosage, 13,36,613 received the 2nd dose, and 2,32,900 people have received the precautionary dose. Reliance also commenced vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years covering 7369 children for 1st dose, 5802 children for 2nd dose. Reliance has achieved 100% compliance for 2 doses of COVID 19 vaccination for its employees and contract workers across manufacturing units. Precautionary dose was administered to 75% of employees and contract workers to date. 25 mild and 3 moderate Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) cases were recorded during vaccination at workplace CVCs, which were managed and sent home. Conclusion(s): Reliance's Mission Vaccine Suraksha has reached to all corners of the country, including people with disabilities, the elderly, homeless, and those in far-flung locations. Reliance faced hurdles in procuring and storing of the vaccines at the beginning of the operation. However, this was tackled effectively with strategic approach. The initiative is still ongoing ensuring maximum precautionary dosage coverage for everyone.
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The proceedings contain 32 papers. The topics discussed include: assessment of workplace indoor fine particle exposure and pulmonary function parameters among ceramic tile industry workers of West India;respiratory morbidities in school children of critically polluted industrial area of Gujarat - a prospective observational study;morbidities among workers of an organochlorine pesticide industry;identifying interventions to reduce NCDs in workplaces in India: a stakeholder's assessment;examining toxic metals in biological samples and residential PM2.5 to evaluate their risk in adolescent children;ergonomics hazard assessment reduction in large scale petrochemical complex, Vadodara;factors associated with work related quality of life among garment factory employees in South India;factors associated with work related quality of life among garment factory employees in South India;and screening for COVID-19 among workers attending medical examinations under occupational health service of an open cast iron ore mine in Jharkhand: a cross-sectional study.
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Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) can affect multiple system of body including eye. In eye, it can cause mild conjunctivitis, posterior segment involvement, neurosensory involvement and lethal opportunistic infection like mucormycosis. Associated co-morbidities, severity of COVID-19 infection and corticosteroids used in its management can affect ophthalmic involvement. Aim(s): To determine the frequency and various types of ophthalmic manifestation of patients with COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): This prospective observational study was conducted on indoor patients of Shree Krishna Hospital, a rural, tertiary care hospital affiliated with Pramukh Swami Medical College, Karansad, Gujarat, India, from 1st May 2021 to 1st January 2022. Second wave of COVID-19 was from 13th March 2021 to 19th June 2021. Patients' demographic data, details of COVID-19 infection severity score, oxygen requirement, use of corticosteroids, history of various co-morbidities and stages of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) (if present) were noted. Bedside ophthalmic examination was done with torch light, fluorescent strip, cobalt blue light of direct ophthalmoscope and fundus examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy under institutional COVID-19 guidelines. Descriptive Statistics {Mean, (SD), Frequency, (%)} were used for analysis of the collected data. Result(s): Out of 649 COVID-19 patients, 368 were male and 281 were female with mean age of 52.58 (+/-15.38) years. All over prevalence of ophthalmic manifestations was 9.86% (n=64 out of 649 patients). A total of 63 patients (9.71%) did not require any oxygen supplement, 352 patients (54.24%) required nasal prongs, 201 patients (30.97%) required non invasive ventilator support and 33 patients (5.08%) required mechanical ventilation. The 378 patients (58.24%) received cortico-steroids in oral or intravenous form. A total of 325 patients (50.1%) had diabetes,267 patients (41.1%) had hypertension, 29 patients (4.5%) had chronic kidney disease and 15 patients (2.3%) had thyroid disease. A total of 52 patients (8.01%) had conjunctivitis. Mean age of patients with conjunctivitis was 50.04 (+/-15.28) with male preponderance (n=30, 57.7%). Most common systemic presentation was fever (n=29,55.8%). Patients with conjunctivitis had high D-dimer (>500 ng/mL) (n=42;80.8%) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) values (>3 mg/L) (n=39;75%). A total of 144 patients (22.2%) were vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine first dose while ten patients (19.23%) out of 52 patients having conjunctivitis were vaccinated. Out of 649 patients, prevalence of ROCM was 1.85% (n=12) with mean age 58.58 years (+/-9.71 years) and male preponderance (n=8, 66.66%). Nine out of twelve patients had high blood sugar levels (mean level 340 mg/ dL) at the time of admission. Out of twelve, eight patients had received corticosteroids for management of COVID-19 infection. Six patients of ROCM (50%) did not require any oxygen support while two patient (16.7%) required nasal prongs for mean 7.50 days and four patient (33.3%) required non invasive ventilator support for mean 7.33 days (+/-2.5 days). One patient had stage 2C disease, one had stage 3B, five patients had stage 3C while five patients had stage 4C disease. Conclusion(s): Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 range from conjunctivitis to ROCM. Conjunctivitis has mild and self-limited course while ROCM is sight threatening and life-threatening condition, if not treated appropriately.Copyright © 2023 Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.
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The proceedings contain 31 papers. The topics discussed include: occupational health risk assessment (OHRA) tool for estimating occupational health risk;OH IH emerging risk preparedness - shutdown activities;annoyance among staff and noise in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India: a pilot study;epidemiological study on occupational health psychology in doctors, nurses and physiotherapists in Anand, Gujarat;psychological impact and educational challenges of Covid-19 pandemic among teachers in Goa;practices during Covid-19 pandemic - a case study of refinery in oil and gas exploration industry;respiratory and auditory impairment among sponge iron plant workers, Goa, India: a comparison study;suspected trauma at work place causing axillary vein thrombosis: a case report;health status of workers and their families in selected brick kilns in Anekal Taluk, Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka;and occupational health problems and perceived health hazards among dairy farmers residing in Mugalur gram panchayat, Karnataka: a mixed method study.
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Background : Data pertaining to preventable causes of maternal mortality are valuable in each set up to design interventional steps for the significant reduction of the maternal mortality ratio. Objectives : (1) To study the trend on Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR);(2) To find out the factors for the Maternal Mortality. Material and Methods : A retrospective cross-sectional study of maternal death was conducted in the Obstetrics Department of Tertiary Care Hospital of Ahmedabad city. The data of total 9 years from 1st April 2013 to 31st January 2021 were taken in the study. Epidemiological factors and causes affecting maternal mortality were assessed through pretested questionnaire that includes parity, duration between admission and mortality etc. Results: Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) was 180.2 per 1 lac live births during the study period. Young mothersaged 20 to 30 years (78.5%), and rural residence (76.6%), multiparous mothers (66.7%)were at risk for Maternal Mortality. Obstetric haemorrhage (25.8%) was the most common cause whereas COVID-19 pandemic later on were indirect causes contributing to Maternal Mortality. Conclusion: Great Care should be taken for high-risk pregnancy like young age, multiparous women and also of postpartum women. Postpartum haemorrhage was the commonest direct cause of Maternal Mortality. Strengthening of existing obstetric care facilities, facility for easy transport, appropriate referral linkages are keys to reduce Maternal Mortality to further extent.
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Background and Aim: By this time, the world has already witnessed catastrophic effects of the pandemic on economic and healthcare services infrastructure, from India the scientific publications documenting this effect are quite sparse. The current report aims to compile the socio-economic, demographic and healthcare services transactions among the population in the non-governmental organization (NGO) supported areas of Gujarat state. Methods: The data were collected by human research of the NGO from Sanand, Mundra and Ahmedabad sites at three different time intervals - pre-lockdown, during lockdown and post-lockdown. Results: The findings of the study reported a clear increase in availing of healthcare services in all three study sites covered under the programmes of the NGO. It was clearly evident that the impact of lockdown on the livelihood of the population in all three sites was devastating with a significant proportion of individuals losing their jobs. However, the majority of the people were able to rejoin the jobs (though with lower average income) in all three sites. During the lockdown, people heavily relied on stored food sources such as grains and pulses and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits reduced significantly. Lockdown has severely hampered essential maternal and child care services which were remarkably improved in the months of post-lockdown. A considerable number of the family had to mortgage their assets during the lockdown. The mortgage proportion varied widely (3-58%) among all the study sites. Conclusion: It was observed that in the unprecedented time, the national lockdown was a challenging time, where there was a drastic shift in the livelihood profile of the population due to significant loss of jobs. Lockdown has also severely affected the essential healthcare services coverage; however, with efforts from the government and the NGO, it was restored to a near pre-lockdown situation in all three sites.
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Background and Objective: Coronaviruses are important human and animal pathogens. At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was found as the cause of a bunch of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. It rapidly spread in the country of China resulting in an epidemic, followed by a global spread in whole world leading to the pandemic. In February 2020, the World Health Organization coined the term COVID-19, The objectives to carry out this study were 1) To determine incidence of Covid-19 in health care workers after partial or complete vaccination 2) To determine severity of Covid-19 in health care workers after partial or complete vaccination at Designated Covid Hospital and Medical College at North Gujarat, India Methods: A cross sectional retrospective study was carried out at Designated Covid Hospital and Medical College at North Gujarat, India through telephonic and personal interview of health care workers who had received partial or complete vaccination. Key variables of the study were profile of work of health care worker at medical facility, type of vaccine received and how was post vaccination covid-19 infection managed. Result(s): We enrolled total 210 health care workers with mean age of 31.5 years with 69 male and 141 female. Out of 210 health workers, 204(97.14%) were fully vaccinated with two dose of covid-19 vaccines,5(2.38%) were partially vaccinated. Symptomatic infection with Covid-19 occurred in total 12 (5.71%) health care worker >= 14 day after second dose of either vaccine. Only one required hospitalization with oxygen support, rest all are managed with home isolation. Interpretation &Conclusion: One in twenty health care workers got infected with covid-19 after vaccination in present study. Extended research required to get larger data for ascertaining predictors of infection mainly mutation in virus and effect of comorbidity on antibody response after vaccination and severity of disease. Copyright © 2022, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Dr. Akshay Nadkarni-the youngest oncosurgeon cum entrepreneur-was formally inaugurated in March 2021 by his mother late Dr. Purnima Nadkarni, which was the culmination of a vision of Dr. Akshay Nadkarni who wanted to bring advanced comprehensive cancer care to Rural Gujarat. He is a gold medalist surgeon and did his MS, DNB from Manipal and Laparoscopic Cancer Surgery Fellowship from Pune under Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar. The ultimate inspiration for the cancer initiative came after the fellowship in oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, where he was moved by the plight of thousands of suffering cancer patients who thronged there from all parts of the country. Having honed his onco-skills, he joined Nadkarni and 21st Century Group of Hospitals-our family enterprise in 2011. Hard work, factory visits, innumerable cancer check-up camps, lectures, and awareness programs, crisscrossing entire South Gujarat, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and northern Maharashtra, marked the 1st 8 years of his onco-practice which created a huge patient base. Practically all types of cancer surgeries, e.g., head-neck, abdomen, breast, and renal, were performed. The addition of different government schemes increased the patient volume. Chemotherapies were also given as the services of a medical oncologist were made available. Having created this patient base and realizing the need for all facilities under one roof, this advanced cancer center with a radiation unit (Halcyon Varian) was set up in a single vertical building with CT scan, X-ray, USG, invasive procedures, biopsies, frozen section-state-of-the-art modular OT with 4 K Karl Storz Camera, with the complete team of radiation onco-, med onco-, surgical team, and immunotherapist, which was set up in record time (bunker set up in 3 months amidst the COVID pandemic). This was done under the banner of Nadkarni Medical Foundation so that free and subsidized services could be given to the rural population. The Tumor Board meets regularly every 15 days, and all cases are reviewed comprehensively. With such a large body of work and successful patients over 6000 onco-surgery and 10,000 chemotherapy in 8 years and 850 patients of radiation over 2 years, the 21st Century Cancer Care Center is a shining star on the onco-horizon of the country, particularly South Gujarat.
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The COVID-19 lockdown has its own set of problems for the people. However, the lockdown opened many gateways for the people to make themselves happy and active in their liking. This exploratory research study has also attended to identify the constructs related to happiness resulting from lockdown. For this expressive exploration, the research was carried out on 506 respondents from the Gujarat state of India through a structured questionnaire, followed by information processing. The data was processed by applying the Kruskal Wallis test and Mann Whitney U test to derive the conclusion. When the questionnaire was administered, open-ended questions were asked to the respondents. They revealed that even in the tough time of the COVID-19 outbreak, they identified various activities that cater to happiness and chose to keep themselves engaged in motivating themselves to fight against a hard time as a ray of hope!
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Background: Coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to India’s poor and socioeconomically disadvantaged group. Among a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the infection. This study assessed the availability of food and access to healthcare among the vulnerable population of Gujarat– pregnant women and severe acute malnourished children. Specifically, we assessed events of starvation or skipped meal, availability of healthcare services, and self-reported psychological distress during the lock down. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study across 252 talukas and 33 districts of Gujarat was undertaken using a structured questionnaire. A telephonic survey was carried out and positive responses were received from 161 households (HHs) with severe acute malnourished children, 328 pregnant women with severe maternal anemia, and 402 lactating women. Results: We found 79.7% of surveyed HHs received ration where major reliance was on public distribution system (51.7%). Less than half of the beneficiaries (48.6%) received take-home ration under the ICDS program. Despite efforts of the State as well as voluntary agencies, 7.3% of HHs experienced episode of hunger, mostly from Devbhumi Dwarka, and Navsari district. A third of the respondents showed signs of psychological distress associated with lockdown. Conclusion: Food insecurity may lead to malnutrition impairing the immunity of the individuals to cope with the disease. Thus, given the uncertainty around the emergency situation, preparedness measures should not only focus on the availability of healthcare commodities but also to ensure the availability of other essentials, especially to the socioeconomic disadvantaged group. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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Background Gujarat, India, is home to severe acute malnutrition. Wasting in children is associated with a higher risk of death if not treated properly. The present study identified children under five years of age with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). It provided energy-dense nutrition supplement (EDNS) during the rising cases of COVID-19 to treat them as per the guidelines of the government of Gujarat in Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat State, India. Methods A descriptive research design was used in the study. Children were screened by a Nutrition Assistant in the presence of an Anganwadi Worker (AWW), Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/Community Health Officer (CHO) at Anganwadi Centre or the Child's home using weight/length Z score <-3 standard deviations (SDs) or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <11.5 and identified severe acute malnourished children were provided EDNS (WHO composition) for a period of seven days initially for a starting period as per the child's body weight then followed up to eight weeks. Data was entered on the spot in a Google sheet, which nutrition assistants maintained. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) and Microsoft Excel 2019. Results The study revealed that 23% of children were considered in the SAM category, followed by 21% in the Bhanvad block and 24% in the Dwarka block. For the Bhanvad block, 40% of the children were treated normally with a maximum weight gain of 1 to 2 kgs (63%). Similarly, for the Dwarka block, 29% of children were treated normally with a weight gain of 1 to 2 kgs (64%). Conclusions The study identified children with SAM and provided EDNS for eight weeks. To strengthen the program, the engagement of frontline functionaries of government should be increased, which plays an active role in the community and can be a bridge to the community. As in the community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) program, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are responsible for reaching out the ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to the mothers, weighing of children is done jointly by AWWs and ASHAs on a weekly basis, as well as counselling of the mothers on care and feeding practices and hygiene, and therefore every ASHA receives an incentive of Rs. 25 per child per week to monitor the progress of the child, reach out the therapeutic food, and counsel the mother. This system should be linked with Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) on wheels program.
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This study was conducted among the Maldhari community to understand the sustainability of migratory pastoralism during Covid-19. Bhuj and Lakpat Talukas of Kachchh district, Gujarat were selected to study the effect of profile variables on the annual income and net income of the families. The study revealed that family size and taluka were the significant factors influencing total income whereas taluka was the only significant factor influencing net income. Due to reduced sale of milk resulting from Covid-19, most of the milk was converted into khoa and the income generated from its sale was the major source of income for the migratory families. Cow dung fetched a minimal price which served as major source of their livelihood with no input cost. The value addition with better marketing facilities can significantly enhance the income of the pastoralists in the Kachchh district. Copyright © 2022 Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All rights reserved.
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Background: SARS-CoV 2 virus infection present as varying degree of severity with many post viral complications.Although initial research was focused on the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical syndrome and treatment options;sufficient data is needed on sequelae of the patients who got discharged. The present study aimed to identify long term outcomes of COVID 19 recovered patients to safeguard their life in future. Methods: The present longitudinal study included all 443 COVID 19 recovered patients who were admitted during the second wave at our tertiary care hospital from 1stApril to 25th May, 2021 and interviewed telephonically with series of questionnaire. Baseline demographic profile, comorbidities, clinical characteristics and investigatory findings were obtained from the hospital records and analysed for the long term symptoms and outcomes. Results: Over a mean follow up period of 152 days, around 6% of the patients who recovered after acute COVID 19 infection died after the discharge. More than two third of patients were male. Diabetes and hypertension were most common comorbidities among the study population. Most common persistent symptoms was fatigue among the recovered population at follow up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis against the odds of post discharge mortality revealed patients receiving advanced respiratory support (AOR 5.2, 95% CI 1.8-15.1) and ICU stay during the hospitalisation (AOR 6.67, 95% CI 1.18-37.7) were predictors of post discharge mortality. Conclusion: Fatigue was the most common symptoms observed after 5 months of discharge from acute COVID 19 infection. Overall post discharge mortality was 6% and admission in ICU and use of advanced respiratory support were associated mortality among recovered patients.
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Background: With increasing demand of healthcare professionals to manage COVID – 19 pandemic, involvement of healthcare students with sufficient knowledge and skills can support the struggling health system. The present study was undertaken to investigate the knowledge, attitude and behavior on infection prevention and control practices for COVID – 19 among undergraduate medical (MBBS), physiotherapy, nursing and medical laboratory students (MLT). Methods: A prospective cross – sectional study was conducted between 28th January and 13th March 2021 at a tertiary care teaching hospital of Gujarat, India. Knowledge, attitude and behaviour on COVID - 19 was assessed through Google forms using self-designed, prevalidated questionnaire consisting of 35 questions. Descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation and median was calculated for different variables. ANOVA test and Two-tailed T test were used to detect the significance among different groups for a variable. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 465 undergraduate medical and paramedical students participated with an overall knowledge score of 71.38%, attitude score of 77.27% and behaviour score was 81.24%. MLT students had significantly lower scores compared to students of other fields. No significant difference in scores was observed among various age, gender and phase of undergraduate study. Conclusion: There is acceptable but suboptimal level of knowledge and attitude but good level of practices of preventive measures regarding the COVID-19. We recommend incorporation of additional educational training programmes in the curriculum of medical and paramedical field to prepare students for supporting crumbling healthcare systems during pandemics.
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Background The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a flagship program of the Government of India, is addressing the malnutrition, health, and development needs of young children, pregnant and lactating women, and adolescent girls for more than four decades. Although the program has been implemented for the past four decades, it could not bring the expected outcomes in terms of reducing malnutrition. The program's limited success can be attributed, among others, to insufficient skills of the program staff and inadequate convergence with the existing nutrition programs implemented through the health department. For the success of any program, advanced knowledge, improved skills, motivation, and the right attitude of the program staff are essential and can be instilled through the need-based training of the staff. The present study aimed at identifying gaps in existing training for health and ICDS program staff in the district and developing a capacity-building strategy to strengthen the implementation of the nutrition program in the district, including "Project Tushti," which aimed at combating malnutrition in Devbhumi Dwarka district of the Gujarat state. Methods The training needs assessment (TNA) was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. TNA is a method to determine program gaps and training required to fill in programmatic gaps. Appropriate use of TNA can promote designing effective training and nurture program staff productivity, thereby ensuring efficient use of resources for achieving desired program outcomes within the prescribed timeline. Considering the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-led lockdown, convenient sampling was used to reach out to potential study participants. A total of 150 program staff from both health departments (particularly medical officers, taluka health officer, National Adolescent Health Program - Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) medical officer, community health officer from health and wellness center, female health workers, and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)) and ICDS team (chief district program officer, supervisor, Anganwadi workers, and helpers at Anganwadi center) were interviewed telephonically using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were conducted between May 10 and 16, 2020. Results Results reveal that about 49% of the health team and ICDS staff had not received nutrition-specific training in the last year. In terms of coverage, the training coverage was partial, and training content on nutrition was limited. Training contents were divided based on supervisory and implementing cadre feedback. Participants expressed the need for in-depth nutritional refresher training, including topics such as community-based management of acute malnutrition, identification of malnutrition, use of ICDS common application software, and soft skills such as communication skills and supportive supervision. Although 62% of participants preferred the face-to-face medium of training, they agreed with the online mode of training. Conclusion Findings indicate an urgent need for training, particularly in the district's nutrition domain for the staff involved in the implementation, and soft skills for supervisory level staff. Innovative training approaches using the digital platform can be explored for training delivery. The paper discusses innovative capacity-building strategies to address training needs effectively.
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Backgrounds: Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus. Covid-19 virus is spread mainly through saliva droplets or runny nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. COVID-19 has changed the lives of people all over the world in amazing ways. Coronavirus was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was originally named acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Mental health denotes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Positive mental health and positive psychology have an imminent role to play during this unprecedented public health crisis. Although there is enough evidence-based literature on the application of positive mental health techniques at individual level for stress reduction or life fulfilment, its application in a pandemic scenario is minimally explored. Happiness strategies classically outlined in Lyubomirsky's book "The How of Happiness" revolve around (a) living in the present, (b) managing stress (which is outlined later in this article), and (c) investing in social connections. Mindfulness meditation practice daily helps in quieting one's mind and prevents the constant internal mental chatter. This is additionally proven to focus your attention on the present moment and a lot of existing research has proven the efforts of its practice in maintaining and nurturing improved mental health.
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Objective: To qualitatively analyze experiences and reflections of COVID-19 patients about their journey through illness and reflections about anguish and suffering. Materials and methods: Setting: The study was carried out at Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad - a government-designated COVID tertiary care center in central Gujarat during the second wave of COVID. Study design: A investigator-designed interview guide was prepared to capture experiences and reflections of patients suffering from/ those recently recovered from COVID-19 to capture responses to illness and experiences through the journey of illness. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted and audio recorded. Participants' selection: Eight patients who were of mild illness and 8 patients who were of moderate or severe illness (total 16), who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected by random, convenient sampling method. They were interviewed after their recovery from acute illness. The interview was recorded. Data analysis: To organize data, we used thematic analysis, coupled with a validated conceptual model of clinician-surrogate communication. Qualitative analysis of the audio recordings was carried out as per standard protocols. The steps of Collaizi's phenomenological data analysis were followed. Results: 1. Unprecedented illness, unplanned and abrupt hospitalization and inability to have access to the comforting presence of family members were identified as the most significant experiences reported by all patients. It was observed in patients of all severity and in both genders and at all ages. Patients also reported that their family members too were missing them during the illness like no other. 2. In the resulting situation, they looked for the needed emotional support from the treating physicians and healthcare team. 3. A number of themes emerged from the interviews. Inferring from a validated conceptual model, we finalized 2 domains for our coding: inner strength and relationship building. 4. In the domain of inner strength, we coded To have the support of next of kin, The wish to go on living, seen by a doctor, and health care professionals' positivity for him/her. 5. In relationship building, we coded emotional support, trust, and consensus as the key elements. Patients reported that they wanted timely, accurate information about their condition and an interaction with a healthcare professional and their keen too. 6. The presence of family members was reported by all patients as the most crucial factor which could make them strong from within and facilitate overcoming the crisis of his/her own as well as enhance the comfort of their family. Conclusion: 1. Factors contributing to phenomenal suffering that COVID had produced are: (i) unprecedented illness, unplanned and abrupt hospitalization, (ii) inaccessibility of comforting presence of family members. 2. Correspondingly, factors potentially capable of reducing the anguish and suffering were: (i) one's inner strength supplanted by communication with family,(ii) one's wish to go on living, (iii) to be seen and comforted by a doctor on time, and (iv) healthcare professionals' positivity for him/her.
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Background: Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began its journey around the world. Since then, many efforts are being carried out to contain the virus. Knowledge and attitude of people should be directed towards strict preventive practices in order to halt the spread of the virus. Medical students, as frontline healthcare workers, are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The aim of the current cross-sectional study is to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude of 2nd year medical students from medical college in tribal part of Gujarat, India, regarding dead body management of covid-19 patients. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire consisting of 19 questions was developed and given to the students. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of the participants were investigated. Results: A total of 235 medical students completed the questionnaire. Out of the total participants (n=235), 133(56.6%) were male and 102(43.4%) were female. 88.9% of students knew the fact that covid-19 dead body is infective, 94.5% students are aware about specific guidelines for dead body management of covid-19 patients, 40% students have no knowledge about Medico-legal Autopsy of COVID 19 case will be conducted strictly by avoiding any invasive surgical procedures. Conclusion: We found a high level of COVID-19 related knowledge and self-reported preventive behaviors and moderate risk perception among 2nd year medical students, which is easily available on social media, internet and printed media. But they are very poor in specific knowledge which is given in Dead body management guidelines.