Patient experiences and health system responsiveness among internal migrants: A nationwide study in 13 Indian cities.

OBJECTIVE: To report various components of health system responsiveness among poor internal migrants who availed the government health facilities in 13 Indian cities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cluster random sampling was used to select 50,806 migrant households, of which 14,263 households avail the government health facility in last six months. In addition, 5072 women, who sought antenatal care and 3946 women who had delivery in government health facility during last six months were also included. Data on different domains of health system responsiveness were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, developed based on the World Health Survey of WHO. RESULTS: Of the eight domains of responsiveness, namely, autonomy, communication, confidentiality, dignity, choice, quality of basic facilities, prompt attention and access to family and community, seven domains, except the 'choice', are assessed, and they are moderate. Only about 30% of participants said that doctor discussed on treatment options (autonomy). And 50-60% of participants said positively for questions of clarity of communication. About 59% of participants acknowledged the confidentiality. Not more than 40% of participants said they were treated with dignity, and privacy is respected (dignity). The responses to quality basic amenities, prompt attention and access to family and community domains are fairly satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: This study has implications as many urban poor, including migrants do not utilize the services of public healthcare facilities. Hence, a responsive health system is required. There should be a policy in place to train and orient healthcare workers on some of the domains of health system responsiveness.

Isophthaloyl-Based Selective Fluorescence Receptor for Zn (II) Ion in Semi-Aqueous Medium.

A novel Isophthaloyl-based symmetrical (12E,21E)-N1',N3'-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene) isophthalohydrazide, receptor (1) was synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic technique. The reorganization ability of receptor (1) was evaluated in semi-aqueous medium and shows significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity for Zn (II) ion over various metal ions in CH3CN:H2O (1:1, v/v). The 1:2 binding stoichiometry between receptor (1) and Zn (II) ion was established using Job's plot and the proposed complex structure was calculated by applying Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. The binding constant (Ka) of receptor (1) with Zn (II) ion was established with the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, Scatchard and Connor's plot and the values are 1.00 × 104 M-1, 1.05× 104 M-1 and 1.05× 104 M-1 respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of receptor (1) and Zn (II) ion was 0.292 µM and 0.974 µM respectively. The binding mode was due to photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and the coordination of Zn (II) ion with C = N hydroxyl group of receptor (1). Electrochemical analysis of metal free receptor (1) and with Zn (II) ion also confirmed the formation of complex.