No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Background: Government of India (GOI) is providing comprehensive integrated health care to the urban and rural people under the umbrella of National Health Mission. ASHA as an activist, a village level community health worker acts as an interface between the community and the public health care delivery system, and plays a central role in achieving population policy goals. The aim of study was to assess the knowledge component of ASHAs in the delivery of contraceptive information and services in coastal Andhra Pradesh.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh at sub-centres among 170 ASHA workers. The study area was selected by multi stage sampling technique. Data was collected using pre tested, semi-structured interview schedule. Qualitative data was expressed in percentages, and quantitative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation.Results: The mean age of ASHAs was 28.4 years (SD±3.82). Majority (75.88%) of ASHAs had completed secondary level education, 72.94% had knowledge regarding contraception for newly married couple, and 68.23% were aware of the effective time period for intake of emergency contraceptive pills. 45.88% of ASHAs were unaware of safe period.Conclusions: Majority of ASHAs had knowledge in certain areas of contraceptive information and services, whereas some are lacking knowledge regarding safe period, emergency contraceptive pills (EC pills), progesterone only pills, missed pills and period of condom use after vasectomy. Hence, it is essential to ensure that they receive quality training on contraceptive information and services from qualified personnel at regular intervals.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feeling of guilt or low self-esteem, loss of energy, altered sleep patterns and difficulty in concentration.Objective: This study was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of Agomelatine with Escitalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder. design and Setting: This is a prospective study conducted at Outpatient Department of Psychiatry, GSL Medical College & General hospital, Rajahmundry, India. Materials and Methods:Patients with newly diagnosed major depressive disorder (DSM-IV-TR) with minimum score of 20 in Hamilton depression rating scale were randomly assigned Agomelatine (25-50 mg/day) or Escitalopram (10-20 mg/day) for a period of 8 weeks. The main efficacy outcome considered was the mean change of HAM-D17 score from baseline to end of therapy.Secondary outcome measures were Clinical Global Impressionsimprovement (CGI) and severity (CGI-S) rating scales.Statistical Analysis: Student t-test was used for comparing the groups and chi-square test was used for assessing the qualitative variables. For all statistical analysis p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. results:The drugs under study effectively reduced depressive symptoms at all the time points. The percentage of responders at 8weeks (last post baseline value) was 65.38% with Agomelatine and 57.40% with Escitalopram. The difference between the drugs was statistically not significant in all evaluations (p>0.05). The mean CGI-S and CGI-I scores were decreased in both the groups (p<0.05) and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at any assessment during the study period. Both the treatment groups showed favourable safety profile. conclusion:The study results supported that Agomelatine is therapeutically similar to Escitalopram in terms of antidepressant effect.