Addressing Challenges During Community based Screening of Women for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Research Experience from Maharashtra, India before and During COVID Pandemic.

Introduction: A multicentric community-based screening to determine prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome was undertaken in India. This article aims to describe the challenges faced at one site and strategies adopted to mitigate them. Material and Methods: Eligible women were enrolled at household-level and investigated for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome diagnosis as per Rotterdam criteria. Challenges faced were documented and alternate strategies were adopted. Results: Challenges ranged from identifying women as per the polling booth list, enrolling them, and getting them investigated. COVID-19 pandemic added to the challenges. Involving health system workforce, gaining community support, flexible timings, and alternate strategies for investigation including COVID-19 appropriate safety measures helped mitigate some of the challenges. Conclusion: Unforeseen challenges may crop up in community-based studies, like the ones faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning, strategizing, using technology to keep communications on, and finding out of the box and amicable solutions for bottlenecks may help mitigate challenges.

Incidence & management practices of snakebite: A retrospective study at Sub-District Hospital, Dahanu, Maharashtra, India.

This study was undertaken to know the incidence and management practices of snakebite envenomation at the First Referral Unit - Sub-District Hospital, Dahanu, Maharashtra, India. Retrospective analysis of snakebite case records (n=145) was carried out for one-year period (January to December 2014). The annual incidence of snakebite was 36 per 100,000 population with case fatality rate of 4.5 per cent. Venomous snakebites were 76 per cent and non-venomous snakebites were 24 per cent. Overall, snakebites were more common in males (52.4%) than females (47.6%). Majority of the snakebites (66%) were in the age group of 18-45 yr. Seasonal variation was observed with highest snakebites in monsoon (58%). Lower extremities were the most common site of bites (63%). Neurotoxic and vasculotoxic envenomation were reported in 19 and 27 per cent snakebite cases, respectively. Anti-snake venom (ASV) was administered at an average dose of 7.5±0.63 vials (range 2-40, median 6). There was no uniform protocol followed for ASV administration as per the National Snakebite Management Protocol of Government of India (2009).