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Background: Prevention and management of obesity is largely depends on motivation and education of people about obesity, in turn this can be greatly facilitated by adequate baseline data on the knowledge, attitude and practise (KAP) of people. The aim of this study was to assess the KAP on obesity among obese people of an urban slum of Mumbai. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected sample from Shivaji Nagar urban slum area of Mumbai. Structured questionnaire were used to test their knowledge, attitude and practises regarding obesity. Results: 350 adults of age more than 18 years were analysed. 56% were male and 81.1% were of Muslim community. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was found to be 8.6% and 32.3% respectively as per body mass index (BMI). 42.0% subject’s thought that they are slim, 43.4% thought that they are fit and only 14.6% subjects considered hat they have weight more than normal. Only 46.9% said that they are frequently teased about their weight or physical appearance and only 28.6% said that teasing affected them mentally. 70.9% subjects know that there are health consequences of being obese and only 7.7% have made any effort to reduce weight. 88.3% subjects think diet control and 79.3% think exercise and 11.7% consider medication as a treatment modality for obesity. Conclusions: There appears to be lack of knowledge about obesity and its effects on health, as well as the methods for reducing weight. An IEC program can be developed in this context.

Background: Obesity is perhaps the most prevalent form of malnutrition. As a chronic disease, prevalent in both developed and developing countries, and affecting both children and adults. In India due urbanization and modernization people are moving into urban centres and along with increasing wealth, concerns about an obesity epidemic in India are growing. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults in an urban slum. Methods: The cross sectional study includes 350 adult populations from the Shivaji Nagar (Govandi) urban slum of the Mumbai city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from August 2014 to July 2015. Results: Our study showed that most of subjects are in the age group of 38-57. Sex distribution was relatively equal with 44% males and 56% females. Majority of the population were Muslims. Majority of the subjects (50.6%) belong to class III, (26.9%). 32.3% subjects were obese and 8.6% were overweight according to BMI (basal metabolic index) while merely 6.6% were overweight according to WHR (waist to hip ratio). Thus BMI was found to be a better indicator than WHR for measuring obesity. Conclusions: From the present study it was seen that age group of the subjects, socio economic class, and level of education had a significant relationship with BMI, whereas sex of the subjects had non-significant relationship with BMI.

Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs. Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs.

Background: Biomedical wastes generated from hospital settings are a potent source of various infections and diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis and other bacterial diseases causing serious threat to health. Health care workers which include class IV workers are at greater risk of various morbidities due to their job profile, including transport and disposal of biomedical waste. The study aims to find out the work related injuries among class IV workers involved in handling and disposal of biomedical wastes. The objective of the study was to assess the epidemiological factors and describe the work related injuries among class IV workers in a tertiary teaching hospital of Nagpur. Methods: A cross-sectional study amongst 100 class IV workers was conducted using a structured questionnaire mentioning the socio-demographic profile and injury details at the work place. Results: Of the 100 subjects, majority (37%) fall into the age group of 40-49 years. There were 77 females and 23 males. 58% were educated till high school and there were 4 illiterates among the workers. On enquiring about the details of injury in past 6 months, 45 workers were injured during their working hour of which maximum was by needle. There were 3 workers who in spite of being injured, didn’t report to higher authority. Conclusions: Injuries at work place are fairly common and this holds truth for the class IV workers handling and disposing biomedical wastes. Proper disposal of sharps and other biomedical wastes correctly can minimize the risk of hazard.