Menstrual hygiene behaviour among the tribal married women aged 15 to 49 years: A cross-sectional study in a community development block of Paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal.

Background: Menstrual hygiene management is integrally associated with reproductive health of women. Menstrual health and hygiene needs, particularly of tribal women still remain unmet for many reasons. Inappropriate menstrual behaviour leads to adverse health consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to ascertain the menstrual hygiene behaviour of tribal married women aged 15 to 49 years and its correlates. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2019 to April 2020 in the Barabani block of Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal. A calculated sample of 530 women was selected randomly from 10 tribal villages of the study area; they were interviewed through a pre-designed schedule for socio-demographic and menstrual hygiene behaviour characteristics. Menstrual hygiene management score was derived based on five essential components- hygienic absorbents, hygienic disposal of absorbents, frequency of changing of absorbents, cleaning of external genitalia and source of water for cleaning; menstrual hygiene behaviour was categorised as favourable and unfavourable. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed using SPSS v. 20. Results: All 530 women were Hindu and belonged to Santhal ethnicity; 53.4% were illiterate. Sanitary pads were used by 43.8% of women; 63% practised indiscriminate throwing for disposal of absorbents; 86% practised appropriate changing of absorbents. Overall, 63% had favourable menstrual hygiene management behaviour, and the literacy status of women was found to be a significant predictor. Conclusion: Unfavourable menstrual practices are still widely prevalent among tribal women, mainly attributable to lack of knowledge. Awareness generation should be focused on improving those practices, which would also result in the improvement of general health conditions.

Potent pincer-zinc catalyzed homogeneous α-alkylation and Friedländer quinoline synthesis reaction of secondary alcohols/ketones with primary alcohols.

Herein, we describe an air- and moisture-stable, homogeneous zinc catalyst stabilised using an electron deficient N^N^N pincer-type ligand. This ternary, penta-coordinated neutral molecular catalyst [Zn(N^N^N)Cl2] selectively produces α-alkylated ketone derivatives (14 examples) through a one-pot acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) reaction between secondary and primary alcohols using the borrowing hydrogen (BH) approach in good to excellent isolated yields (up to 93%). It is worth noting that this catalyst also provides an eco-friendly route for the synthesis of quinoline derivatives (30 examples) using 2-aminobenzyl alcohols as alkylating agents via successive dehydrogenative coupling and N-annulation reactions. This cost effective, easy to synthesize and environmentally benign catalyst shows excellent stability in catalytic cycles under open-air conditions, as evident from its high turnover number (∼104), and is activated by using a catalytic amount of base under milder conditions.

Stereochemically Active Lone Pair Leads to Birefringence in the Vacancy Ordered Cs3Sb2Cl9 Perovskite Single Crystals.

Stereochemically active lone pair (SCALP) cations are attractive units for realizing optical anisotropy. Antimony(III) chloride perovskites with the SCALP have remained largely unknown to date. We synthesized a new vacancy ordered Cs3Sb2Cl9 perovskite single crystals with SbCl6 octahedral linkage containing the SCALP. Remarkably, all-inorganic halide perovskite Cs3Sb2Cl9 single crystals exhibit an exceptional birefringence of 0.12 ± 0.01 at 550 nm. The SCALP brings a large local structural distortion of the SbCl6 octahedra promoting birefringence optical responses in Cs3Sb2Cl9 single crystals. Theoretical calculations reveal that the considerable hybridization of Sb 5s and 5p with Cl 3p states largely contribute to the SCALP. Furthermore, the change in the Sb-Cl-Sb bond angle creates distortion in the SbCl6 octahedral arrangement in the apical and equatorial directions within the crystal structure incorporating the required anisotropy for the birefringence. This work explores pristine inorganic halide perovskite single crystals as a potential birefringent material with prospects in integrated optical devices.

Correction: Iridium-mediated C-S bond activation and transformation: organoiridium(III) thioether, thiolato, sulfinato and thiyl radical compounds. Synthesis, mechanistic, spectral, electrochemical and theoretical aspects.

Correction for 'Iridium-mediated C-S bond activation and transformation: organoiridium(III) thioether, thiolato, sulfinato and thiyl radical compounds. Synthesis, mechanistic, spectral, electrochemical and theoretical aspects' by Ujjwal Das et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 8625-8639, DOI: 10.1039/C5DT00448A.

Contraceptive behavior and unmet need among the tribal married women aged 15-49 years: A cross-sectional study in a community development block of paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive behavior and unmet need for family planning, particularly among the tribal women of reproductive age in India, still remains a public health concern. This needs to be explored in different geographical regions. OBJECTIVES: : This study aimed to ascertain the contraceptive behavior of tribal married women of 15-49 years and to assess the unmet need for family planning and its determinants. METHODS: : A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted during May 2019 to April 2020 in Barabani Block of Paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal. A calculated sample of 530 study participants was selected from the study area by the simple random sampling. Required data on contraceptive behavior characteristics, unmet need, and correlates were collected by interviewing them with a predesigned schedule. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were done. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software v. 20. RESULTS: : All study participants were Hindu and belonged to Santhal ethnicity; 53.4% were illiterate; 51.7% had early marriage, and 52.4% had adolescent pregnancy. Only 41.1% women were found currently using any contraceptives, another 14.5% ever used and 44.4% never used any methods. Apprehension of side effects and spouse disapproval were reported as two common reasons for never using contraceptives. The age of the women appeared as a significant predictor of current contraceptive use. Overall, unmet need for family planning was 19.4% and age of the women, socioeconomic status, and type of the family were found as significant predictors. CONCLUSION: Issues contributing to unsatisfactory contraceptive behavior and high unmet need for family planning need to be addressed appropriately.

(Ar-tpy)RuII(ACN)3: A Water-Soluble Catalyst for Aldehyde Amidation, Olefin Oxo-Scissoring, and Alkyne Oxygenation.

The synthetic chemists always look for developing new catalysts, sustainable catalysis, and their applications in various organic transformations. Herein, we report a new class of water-soluble complexes, (Ar-tpy)RuII(ACN)3, utilizing designed terpyridines possessing electron-donating and -withdrawing aromatic residues for tuning the catalytic activity of the Ru(II) complex. These complexes displayed excellent catalytic activity for several oxidative organic transformations including late-stage C-H functionalization of aldehydes with NH2OR to valuable primary amides in nonconventional aqueous media with excellent yield. Its diverse catalytic power was established for direct oxo-scissoring of a wide range of alkenes to furnish aldehydes and/or ketones in high yield using a low catalyst loading in the water. Its smart catalytic activity under mild conditions was validated for dioxygenation of alkynes to highly demanding labile synthons, 1,2-diketones, and/or acids. This general and sustainable catalysis was successfully employed on sugar-based substrates to obtain the chiral amides, aldehydes, and labile 1,2-diketones. The catalyst is recovered and reused with a moderate turnover. The proposed mechanistic pathway is supported by isolation of the intermediates and their characterization. This multifaceted sustainable catalysis is a unique tool, especially for late-stage functionalization, to furnish the targeted compounds through frequently used amidation and oxygenation processes in the academia and industry.

Ambient-Stable Bis-Azoaromatic-Centered Diradical [(L•)M(L•)] Complexes of Rh(III): Synthesis, Structure, Redox, and Spin-Spin Interaction.

Bis-azoaromatic electron traps, viz. 2-(2-pyridylazo)azoarene 1, have been synthesized by colligating electron-deficient pyridine and azoarene moieties, and they act as apposite proradical templates for the formation of stable open-shell diradical complexes [(1•-)RhIII(1•-)]+ ([2]+), starting from the low-valent electron reservoir [RhI]. The less stable monoradical [RhIII(1•-)Cl2(PPh3)3] (3) has also been isolated as a minor product. These π-radical complexes are multiredox systems, and the electron transfer processes occur exclusively within the pincer-type NNN ligand backbone 1. Molecular and electronic structures of the diradicals and monoradicals have been ascertained with the aid of X-ray diffraction, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and spectral (electronic, IR, NMR, and EPR) studies. In the diradicals [2]+, the orthogonal disposition of two ligand π orbitals linked via a closed-shell metal center (t26) impedes significant coupling between the radicals. Indeed, the observed magnetic moment of [2a]+ lies near ∼2.3 µB over the temperature range 50-300 K. A very weak antiferromagnetic (AF) intramolecular spin-spin interaction between two ligand π arrays in [(1•-)RhIII(1•-)]+ have been found experimentally (J ≈ -5 cm-1), and this is further substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the (U)B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level.

RhCl(PPh3)3-mediated C-H oxyfunctionalization of pyrrolido-functionalized bisazoaromatic pincers: a combined experimental and theoretical scrutiny of redox-active and spectroscopic properties.

A potentially symmetrical NNN pyrrolido-functionalized pincer ligand, HL = 2,5-bis(phenylazo)-1H-pyrrole, reacts with [Rh(I)Cl(PPh3)3] in toluene in the presence of air, affording an emerald crystalline solid of the composition [Rh(III)(L(O))Cl(PPh3)2]. A spontaneous C-H oxyfunctionalization of the aromatic ring with atmospheric oxygen leads to phenoxido functionalized organic transformation at room temperature. X-ray diffraction and MASS spectral analyses authenticate the unsymmetrical NNO coordination of the title ligand with a dangling phenylazo moiety. Cyclic voltammetry of redox innocent Rh(iii) complexes exhibits a reversible oxidative response at E1/2≈ 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl along with a quasi-reversible reductive response near -1.0 V. The electronic structures of the electro-active species are scrutinized by DFT calculations at the B3LYP-level of theory and both the responses are found to be ligand-centered (LC) in nature. Furthermore, an EPR study of the one-electron oxidized radical cation [Rh(III)(L(O))Cl(PPh3)2]˙(+) validates that the oxidation process is confined exclusively on the ligand framework (spin density: ρPhenoxido≈-0.50 and ρPyrrolido≈-0.40). Moreover, an appreciable involvement of the pyrrolido function apart from the phenoxido group of the redox-active ligand (L(O)) is apparent in the oxidation process from the nature of HOMO and thus, this type of ligand system provides two oxidizable domains within the single ligand backbone. A comparison of the relative oxidizability power between the two potential oxidizable centers viz. pyrrolido and phenoxido rings reveals that the former is somewhat less efficient for oxidation. In contrast, reductive response is mainly associated with both the coordinated and free azo chromophores. Time-dependent DFT and natural transition orbital (NTO) analyses on the complexes elucidate the origin of UV-vis absorptions.

Iridium(III) Mediated Reductive Transformation of Closed-Shell Azo-Oxime to Open-Shell Azo-Imine Radical Anion: Molecular and Electronic Structure, Electron Transfer, and Optoelectronic Properties.

The hydrogen bonded bis azo-oximato [IrCl2(L(NOH))(L(NO))] 2 and its deprotonated form (Et3NH)[IrCl2(L(NO))2] (Et3NH)(+)3(-) have been isolated in the crystalline state by a facile synthetic method. The azo-oxime frameworks in 3(-) have been conveniently transformed to the azo-imine by reduction with NaBH4 or ascorbic acid. Notably, the coordinated azo-imines accept an extra electron thereby furnishing the azo-imine radical anion complex 4. The underlying reductive transformation can be best described by proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process. Both the coordinated ligands (azo-oxime) in 3(-) are typically closed-shell monoanion (L(NO-)), but their reduced form (azo-imine) can behave as open-shell monoanion (L(NH•-)) owing to the presence of highly stabilized virtual orbitals. Remarkable enhancement of the π-acidity in azo-imine relative to the precursor azo-oxime has also been reflected from the electrochemical study. The irido complexes display rich optoelectronic properties, and the origin of the transitions has been scrutinized by the TD-DFT method. The molecular geometries of the complexes 2 and 3(-) reveal that the syn orientation of the azo-oximes frameworks is favored because of strong noncovalent H-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. In the course of the reduction of 3(-), the sterically encumbered disposition of the azo-oximes is converted to the relaxed anti form in the transformed azo-imines. Diffraction study reveals the electronic structure of 4 as [Ir(III)Cl2{(L(NH))2(•-)}]. The superior stabilization of the unpaired spin on the ligand array rather than metal has also been substantiated from EPR and DFT studies. Theoretical analysis reveals that the odd electron delocalizes primarily over both the azo-imine moieties ([IrCl2(L(NH•-))(L(NH))] ↔ ([IrCl2(L(NH))(L(NH•-))]) with no apparent contribution from metal, and this type of ligand-centered mixed valency (LCMV) can be best expressed as Robin-Day class III (fully delocalized) in nature.

Iridium-mediated C-S bond activation and transformation: organoiridium(III) thioether, thiolato, sulfinato and thiyl radical compounds. Synthesis, mechanistic, spectral, electrochemical and theoretical aspects.

An attractive methodology, single-electron transfer (SET) reductive cleavage of the C-S bond mediated by a metal in the presence of the external stimuli PPh3, has been applied to the kinetically inert IrCl3 in order to synthesize the thiolato complex [Ir(III)(L(S))Cl(PPh3)2] 3 from precursor thioether complexes [Ir(III)(L(SR))Cl2(PPh3)] (R = alkyl) 2. The aforesaid cleavage process in association with (arene)C-H activation furnishes a new class of organosulfur compounds of iridium(III). The thiolato chelate 3 displays a reversible oxidative wave at 0.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl signifying its remarkable nucleophilic character. The high electron density on the thiolato-S vis-à-vis superior nucleophilicity can be envisaged through the formation of a number of S-centered derivatives. This observation has been corroborated with the nature of HOMO in 3, which assumes 49% of S(3p). Notably, the facile oxidative nature of 3 makes it an apposite precursor for metal-stabilized thiyl radical species. Indeed, iridium(III)-stabilized 3˙(+) can be generated by chemical/electrochemical means. The axial EPR spectra with g ∼ 2.0 along with theoretical analysis of SOMO (S(3p) 24% + Ph(π) 43% + d(yz) 15%) and spin density (ρ(S) = +0.543, ρ(Ph) = +0.315, ρ(Ir) = +0.151) of one-electron oxidized 3˙(+) validate the iridium-stabilized thiyl radical description. This observation suggests that the CNS coordination mode in thiophenolato complex 3 is redox-active. Complex 3 is very prone to S-centered oxidation under normal aerobic conditions to yield metallosulfoxide [Ir(III)(L(SO2))Cl(PPh3)2] 4. The enhanced nucleophilicity of thiolato-S can also be manifested via the smooth S-C bond making process with alkyl halides (R'X, R' = Me and allyl; X = Br, I) and subsequent formation of thioether complexes of type [Ir(III)(L(SR'))ClX(PPh3)] 5. The organosulfur compounds of iridium(III) exhibit rich spectral properties including luminescence and the origin of these transitions is scrutinized with DFT and TD-DFT methods.

Molecular and electronic structure of nonradical homoleptic pyridyl-azo-oxime complexes of cobalt(III) and the azo-oxime anion radical congener: an experimental and theoretical investigation.

The reaction between a potential flexidentate pyridyl-azo-oxime HL1 and Co(ClO4)2 yields novel homoleptic complexes of types [Co(III)(L(-I))3], 2 and [Co(III)(L(-I))2]ClO4, 3⁺ClO4 in N6 and N4O2 coordination environments respectively. The FMOs of these complexes vary appreciably and are strongly modified by the coordination environment. This has striking influences on the spectral and redox properties of the metallo conjugates of ligand HL. The synthesized bis 2 and tris chelates 3⁺ possess well-defined optoelectronic and redox properties and these are scrutinized by the density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) analyses. The visible excitations are primarily mixed singlet-manifold (1)ILCT and (1)LLCT transitions, with different amounts of ligand π-π* character while in the UV region, the excitations are essentially π-π* ILCT/LLCT transitions for the 3⁺ and ILCT/LLCT transitions along with the LMCT component for 2. The luminescent cobalt(III) species are rarely cited albeit these are found to be moderately blue emissive with slight quenching of the emission quantum yield (Φ) as compared to that of a free ligand. Computation reveals that the cobalt d orbital is involved in the triplet emissive excited states and this phenomenon is plausibly responsible for the quenching of the emission quantum yield in the complexes. Both types of complexes are electro-active in solution and the first reductive response, associated with the redox orbital comprising delocalized π orbital of a ligand, is shifted in the more positive potential (0.6 V) in 3⁺ relative to 2 and this observation is corroborated with the appreciable stabilization (~0.5 eV) of LUMO of 3⁺ (coordination mode A) as compared to that in 2 (coordination mode B). This provides us an opportunity to explore the cobalt-bound azo-oxime anion radical compound by reduction of the diamagnetic precursor 3⁺. The best description of the one-electron paramagnetic 3 can be ascertained as [Co(III){(L(-I))2}˙(-)] from the EPR and DFT studies where the unpaired spin is delocalized essentially over π* orbital comprising both the coordinated ligands (97%) with little participation of cobalt d(yz) (3%).

Nursing personnel planning for rural hospitals in Burdwan District, West Bengal, India, using workload indicators of staffing needs.

Lack of appropriate human resources planning is an important factor in the inefficient use of the public health facilities. Workforce projections can be improved by using objective methods of staffing needs based on the workload and actual work undertaken by workers, a guideline developed by Peter J. Shipp in collaboration with WHO-Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN). A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the nursing stuff requirement for the rural hospitals and provide a quantitative description of imbalances, if there is any, in the allocation at the district level during 2011. The average WISN turns out to be 0.35 for entire district, which means only 35% of the required nurses is available or 65% understaffed. So, there is an urgent need for more allocations and deployment of staff so that workload can be tackled and evenly distributed among all nursing personnel.

Morbidity pattern of low-birth-weight infants in an urban slum of Kolkata, India.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (birth weight<2500 g) is one of the major determinants of neonatal morbidity as well as mortality and these are known to be significantly higher in these infants. OBJECTIVE: To study the morbidity pattern of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants in an urban slum in Kolkata, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A follow-up community-based study was undertaken in 2004-2005 in an urban slum of Chetla (Kolkata, West Bengal, India), among 126 singleton live-born babies, who were followed up for 9 months at 15±5 days interval by home visits. RESULTS: Incidence of LBW was 28.6%. Morbidity episodes and hospitalization rate were more in LBW than in normal-birth-weight infants. Overall, gastrointestinal infection and acute respiratory infection were predominant in both LBW and normal-birth-weight babies. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Although morbidity episodes as well as hospitalization rate were lower compared with other studied slums of India, there is still room for further improvement of health status of these babies. Adequate care, exclusive breast-feeding, and proper nutrition of the LBW infants must be ensured to have healthy lifestyle free from morbidity.

A study on cardiovascular risk factors among care-providers of an apex hospital of Kolkata.

Cardiovascular diseases, mostly a lifestyle related disease is going to be an epidemic in near future. Eighty per cent deaths due to cardiovascular diseases occur in low and middle-income group of people. A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken among 208 care-providers of different departments of the Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata to assess the prevalence of general, physical activity related and dietary risk factors. The study subjects were classified into medical (doctors), auxiliary (nurses, technical staffs) and supportive (peons, sweepers) categories according to their job responsibilities. With the help of risk factor scoring system developed by the investigators the prevalence of different category of risk factors were compared among different categories of care-providers in association with some related biological characteristics. The general risk factors found significantly increased (p < 0.001) with increase in age. The physical activity related risk scores were more in females than males. But the difference was not statistically significant. The supportive staffs had significantly higher general risk factors than doctors and auxiliary staffs. Regarding physical activity related risk factors it was significantly lower in supportive staffs than the other two categories. The picture was different in case of dietary risk factors that were found to be significantly lowest among auxiliary staffs.

Awareness regarding communicable diseases among the patients attending general out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital of Kolkata, India.

OBJECTIVE: Communicable diseases continue to be a major problem in India, a large number of which can be prevented by health education, targeting specially the deficiencies and for which a baseline assessment is essential. METHODS: This observational study included OPD patients who were selected by random sampling and interviewed. The age range varied from 20 - 50 years. RESULTS: 52.5% resided in rural areas. 80% were literates. Majority had per capita income below Rs 1000 per month. Awareness regarding symptoms, modes of transmission, prevention and management of the studied diseases were not satisfactory. Majority used apparently safe water. Mosquito-net use was more among literates. Media was the main source of information in urban areas, health functionaries in rural areas while relatives, friends and neighbours influenced the residents of both the areas and the finding was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: An awareness development programme involving a combination of different health education methods is suggested.

A study on health status of women engaged in a home-based "Papad-making" industry in a slum area of Kolkata.

BACKGROUND: The 'papad-making' industries of India have provided ample opportunity of employment for the women workers of low socio-economic class although their problems are not much explored. In this study an attempt had been made for the same. AIMS: 1. To find out the health status of the women. 2. To find out the factors, in the working conditions, influencing their health status. 3. To assess their felt needs. SETTINGS: A slum area of Kolkata. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive type of observational study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The slum was chosen by random sampling method. Following this, complete enumeration method was adopted. Data were collected by interview and clinical examination of the women engaged in this occupation with a predesigned and pretested schedule. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Proportions and Chi-square test. RESULTS: 77.5% were in the reproductive age group and none were below 14 years. Most of them belonged to poor socioeconomic status. Sixty per cent were in this occupation for more than 10 years and they spent 5 hours for this work daily over and above their household job. Musculoskeletal problem was their commonest health problem. Pallor, angular stomatitis, pedal edema, chronic energy deficiency were found on examination. Personal hygienic measures taken were far from satisfactory. A focus group discussion revealed their health and family problems, dissatisfaction about their working conditions and wage. Other needs identified were home visits for their health care, free medicines and health education. CONCLUSION: Need exists for a participatory occupational health programme for this working population.