ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization and the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in India have advocated public-private mix as essential for tuberculosis (TB) control. We conducted a cross-sectional sample survey of private providers (with various qualifications) in Ujjain District, India, to study willingness and motivation to collaborate. Most providers were aware of the RNTCP and had referred patients there. All were willing to collaborate, although the areas for collaboration varied between urban and rural providers. General altruism and an opportunity to collaborate with the government were the main motivations. None of the providers had ever been contacted by the RNTCP. Enthusiasm in the private sector has not been effectively exploited by the RNTCP.
Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/organization & administration , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Public-Private Sector Partnerships , Tuberculosis/prevention & control , Adult , Humans , India , Middle Aged , Rural Health Services/organization & administration , Urban Health Services/organization & administrationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide maximum polio vaccination coverage to under-five (<5) year children of a squatter settlement through Ziauddin Medical University (ZMU) medical students. SETTING: ZMU has established a Primary Health Care Program in a squatter settlement, which is predominantly inhabited by migrants from North Western Province of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The total population is approximately 20,000 and the proportion of <5 year children is nearly 19%. METHODOLOGY: ZMU started Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) campaigns from 1996; up to 1999. The OPV campaigns were confined to the National Immunization Days (NIDs). A different strategy of "door-to-door" OPV services by medical students was undertaken in 1997. In December 1999 the polio vaccination coverage of <5-year children was evaluated through duster sampling. This paper describes the steps for improving OPV coverage in Sikanderabad. RESULTS: The estimated number of <5 year children in the area is 4,600. In a duster sample survey after the 1999 NID campaign out of 620 under 5 year children living in 429 households, 529 (85%) received OPV, with a 95% CI for OPV coverage of 82 to 88%. The coverage before the campaigns initiated by ZMU was 52%. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the polio coverage of <5-year children has risen with the change in strategy. Door-to-door coverage strategy with the help of medical students proved effective in providing vaccination. No case of suspected poliomyelitis has been reported from the area since October 1999.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion/methods , Immunization Programs/organization & administration , Poliomyelitis/prevention & control , Students, Medical , Transients and Migrants , Vaccination/methods , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , PakistanABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of smoking and awareness of tobacco related diseases among medical students. METHODOLOGY: A survey of all medical students of Ziauddin Medical University in the year 2000. The data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 264 (92%) out of 288 students responded to the survey. Smoking was more prevalent among males (26%) as compared to female students (1.7%). The knowledge about tobacco related diseases regarding lung cancer and stroke was significantly higher among females, while knowledge about small for date babies was significantly higher in males. CONCLUSION: Smoking prevalence was higher among male students of Ziauddin Medical University, a trend similar to other medical colleges. Further studies regarding risk factors of smoking will help us to better understand the complex etiology of smoking related disorders.
