Journal of Comprehensive Health

Attitude towards uptake of COVID 19 vaccine among Pregnant Women of Rural and Urban area of North India

Aparnavi P, Shweta Goswami, Pooja Goyal, Mitasha Singh, Ankit Yadav — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of the study was to find the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in an urban and rural area of Faridabad. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2021 in a rural and an urban area of Faridabad, chosen by convenient sampling technique. All the antenatal women registered with the accredited social health activists (ASHAs) of the area on the first day of the start of study were included in the study with an exception of those who were not eligible for vaccination as per the Government of India guidelines as of conditions until September 2021. A pre-designed, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for capturing data. The study recruited 87 pregnant women of which 29 (33.3%) were from urban area and 58 (66.6%) were from rural area. Only 6 (6.9%) of the pregnant women got at least one shot of COVID 19 vaccine. Vaccine uptake in pregnant women was lower than in general population.

NIKSHAY: Challenges during COVID pandemic and way forward

Rekha Palani, Vidya DC, Arunadevi K — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

NIKSHAY provides the data regarding the total number of registered cases, treatment provided and their adherence tracking in both public and private sectors. The astounding impact of COVID is the decline in notification of tuberculosis cases. The situation was worsened by the changes in health seeking behaviour of the patients, diversion of resources all over the country. Bidirectional screening for TB-COVID, doorstep delivery of services, enhanced active and passive case-finding efforts were implemented to improve this massive deterioration.

Review of ‘Compendious Hospital Management’

Tushar Kanti Saha — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

It is said that a good doctor is an excellent manager. This is especially true in this ever-changing world where knowledge is becoming increasingly multidisciplinary. Therefore, it is essential for doctors to have a solid working knowledge about healthcare management. However, for the uninitiated, the vast subject of healthcare management can seem alien and daunting. The book, ‘Compendious Hospital Management’, edited by the ever-illustrious Dr. Nilanjana Ghosh is an excellent attempt at addressing this problem. In its 21 chapters, the book touches upon almost all aspects of hospital management, both theoretical as well as practical. The main strength of the book is its informative text, written in a crisp, tight, yet easy-to-read manner by experts of the subject. This makes it very easy to get into for novice readers. There are also multiple real-life examples given in the book which allows for the application of the knowledge in each of the chapters. While primarily geared towards medical students and doctors, this book can therefore be easily recommended to anyone who is interested in dipping their toes into the field of hospital and healthcare management. Each chapter is also peppered with illustrations that beautifully compliment the information presented in the text. Furthermore, the book contains important chapters that deal with the recent developments in the field, especially in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While not an exhaustive guide on all thing’s hospital management, ‘Compendious Hospital Management’ is nevertheless a good book for medical and non-medical professionals to get started with the subject.

Merits and demerits of various biomarkers of chronic lung diseases with special reference to club cell protein 16 (CC-16) and early detection of chronic silicosis

Sumedha Mitra, Bidisa Sarkar, Kamalesh Sarkar — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Silicosis is a widely prevalent occupational lung disease with high morbidity and premature mortality. It is caused by continuous or intermittent exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust while working in relevant work places. Conventionally silicosis is detected by the chest radiography and/or high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scan supported by evidence of impaired lung function test through spirometry. Secondary prevention of silicosis may be a possible strategy for reduction of silicosis associated morbidity and mortality provided there is a suitable biomarker available to predict it at its early stages among the silica dust exposed workers. This article has attempted to review the merits and demerits of various possible biomarkers such as silicon, respirable crystalline silica, TNF alpha, IL-6, IL-8, CC-16 etc. Of them, CC-16 has the distinct advantages over other markers. CC-16 is mostly secreted from the club cells of terminal bronchioles of lung and is easily diffusible in to the peripheral circulation. It is inversely correlated with the extent of silicotic lung damage. Recently Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR-NIOH) through their research work has conclusively evidenced that CC-16 may be used as a proxy marker and screening tool for early detection of chronic silicosis by periodic screening among silica dust exposed workers. Further work towards CC-16 marker may be useful for control of chronic silicosis. This will also facilitate elimination of tuberculosis.

Perception among undergraduate medical students about online teaching in a government medical college of West Bengal

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Background-COVID 19 pandemic had disrupted the traditional method of face-to-face learning and paved the way for online learning. Students’ and teachers’ perspective are important for further improve the quality of online learning. Objective -To study the perception of online teaching by the undergraduate medical students. Materials and method-The study was conducted on 216 undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Kolkata over a period of 2 months. All the students who completed the predesigned and pretested questionnaire administered through google forms were included in the study. The analysis was done in SPSS version 22. Results-The mean age of the study participants was 20.8 years. Majority of the participants used mobile phones for attending classes and WhatsApp for coordinating online classes and uploading live classes. Most of the participants perceived online class for lecture classes and face-to-face class for practical classes. There is statistical association between mode of interaction with faculty and sex (P=0.000).The main advantages of online learning were attending from comfort zone, more time for self-study, flexible timing, not hectic and boring, easy storage and accessibility, downloadable sessions and study materials can be studied for multiple times. Conclusion-There is a need to train the teachers and the students about online platforms for improving the quality of teaching learning methods. Qualitative research may be done to fine out the core problems of the students to handle this new method of education.

Birth Dose Vaccination in Private Hospitals and Nursing homes– A Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model implemented in the Urban Areas of West Tripura District

Ishita Guha, Debashis Das — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Timeliness of birth dose vaccination is a prerequisite to ensure early protection of the child from vaccine preventable diseases. So, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model was introduced w.e.f 25th June 2019 which ensures free of cost birth dose vaccines for all new born delivered at private nursing homes and hospital supplied from government designated cold chain point maintaining strict cold chain system. Aim: To ensure timely birth dose vaccination for every newborn in all Private Nursing Homes and Hospital of urban areas of West Tripura district. Result: The birth dose vaccination achievement has drastically improved after implementation of the model. 95% babies received Hepatitis B and OPV 0 dose, 42.4 % received BCG birth dose vaccines in the year 2021-2022.Implications: This Model has become an integral part under Routine Immunization Program with existing manpower, no additional financial involvement and government private partnership towards health care of children.

Assessment of Breakthrough infection among people diagnosed with COVID-19 Infection at Tertiary Care Hospital in Rishikesh: A cross-sectional study

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The second wave of Covid-19 in India declined in July 2021.A contagious variant known as Omicron variant replaced the delta variant as the dominant variant which was seen in different parts of the country in the third wave. At the same time the incidence of COVID-19 Breakthrough infections was also began to emerge and many cases were detected in due course of time. Objective: The present study was done to estimate the prevalence of breakthrough infection of Covid-19 (SARSCoV-2) infection in those who are fully vaccinated with either AZD1222 (ChAdOx1-S) or BBV152 vaccine and its clinical outcome among the Vaccinated beneficiary. The secondary objective is to assess the Sociodemographic and Clinical profile of people who are tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. Methodology: A descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted. All People who came to the screening OPD for COVID 19 screening at AIIMS Rishikesh during 1st January 2022 till 30th March, 2022 were included and those being tested negative or didn’t give consent were excluded. Systematic random sampling was used while selecting participants. Results: The proportion of breakthrough infection is (82.9 %) among those who are tested positive for the COVID 19 infection. Among HCWs it is 100 % and among Non-Health care worker it is 92.7 %. The symptoms in the Breakthrough infection in vaccinated people are usually milder and may result in very fewer hospitalizations. Vaccination have an obvious advantage in averting severe disease, hospitalization and deaths. Conclusion: This study also indicates that even after vaccination, people needs to follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior and Non-pharmaceutical interventions. The high breakthrough infection reflects that in addition to vaccination which is a critical component of the prevention measure we need to adopt multiple strategies like following the COVID-19 appropriate behavior and Non-pharmaceutical interventions. Also there should be a continuous monitoring of post vaccination breakthrough infection which should be done by all countries.

An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Biomedical Waste Management among Health Care Workers in Primary Health Care Facilities in a District of West Bengal

Supriya Dey, Ritu Ghosh, Sayanatan Mondal, Sharmila Mallik — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Biomedical waste become hazardous if it is not segregated, treated and disposed properly and poses a serious health problem to health care workers as well as to the community. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about biomedical waste management among the health care workers posted in primary health care facilities in a district of West Bengal. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in subcentres, bedded and non bedded primary health centres (PHC) selected by multi stage random sampling. Thus six PHCs and 14 subcenres were chosen. Study population included doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, health supervisors, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and housekeeping staff. Study techniques included interview of the study participants and practice of was observed by an observation check list. Results: Knowledge and attitude of the study participants were satisfactory about biomedical waste management, but practice was seen to be very poor. Nurses were seen to be more knowledgeable than other categories of staff. Training and vaccination status were poor. The median knowledge, attitude and practice score had no significant association with age or years of experience of the study participants. Conclusion: Repeated training and sensitization workshops should be organized for increasing knowledge and attitude of the health care workers and repeated monitoring is required to improve practice. All the HCWs should be vaccinated properly with Hepatitis B vaccination and tetanus toxoid.

Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis (1934 – 2022)

Bandana Sen, Asis Manna — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Dr Dilip Mahalanabis, a famous clinician scientist, passed away in the city of Kolkata on 16th October 2022. He was born in Kishoreganj of the British province of Bengal, India (now in Bangladesh) on 12th November, 1934. His life partner was Prof. Jayanti Mahalanabis who deceased on 9th July, 2021.

In 1958 he received his degree in medicine and surgery (MBBS) from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, India. Afterwards, he perused his training in Pediatric Medicine at Medical College, Calcutta, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA from 1959 to 1965. In 1961 he obtained postgraduate diploma in child health (DCH) from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, London, UK. In 1962, he obtained MRCP from the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, UK. Subsequently he was elected as a Fellow of that College (FRCP).

In 1966, on his return to India, he joined Johns Hopkins University International Center for Medical Research and Training (ICMRT) in Calcutta as a research investigator and started his work on early development of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) and its application in children with cholera at Infectious Disease and Beleghata General Hospital, Calcutta (ID & BG hospital) and also in the field situations. Concurrently he held a teaching position as visiting pediatrician at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), Park Circus, Calcutta. In 1973, he joined Kothari Center of Gastroenterology, Calcutta as a Consultant Pediatrician. During that period he conducted research on the composition, safety, and efficacy of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) in infants and children which included studies in animal models. His studies on the role of intestinal parasites on malabsorption of vitamin A were carried out during this period (1973-1983).

Public Health Emergencies in the New Millennium: A Rising International Concern

Bratati Banerjee — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Pandemics have been reported throughout human history, but recently there appears to be an alarming rise in the frequency and diversity of health threats that is of grave international concern. In addition to natural pandemics of infectious diseases, there is a host of other problems like antimicrobial resistance, bio-warfare, climate change, and even flaring up of non-communicable diseases to name a few, that are having devastating effects on public health as well as on global and national economy.

It is time we introspect into our role in their causation and also find ways to alleviate such an alarming problem. World Health Organization has designed the World Health Day Theme for the year 2022 as “Our Planet, Our Health”. The earlier we realize and internalize this concept, the better it is for us.