A good part of the total growth faltering in India has already taken place at birth. Much of the growth faltering in early life can be attributed to faltering in HAZ scores or stunting. Understanding the causal role of stunting and its prevention as well as improving birth weight appears to be the key for better efficacy of public health programs in preventing under-5 malnutrition in India.

Our findings demonstrate that antenatal depression in rural women of Western Maharashtra is associated with gender disadvantage factors, especially related to preference for a male child. The agenda to improve maternal mental health should be ultimately linked to address the broader social development goals and gender empowerment.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruption of normal life across the globe, severely affecting the already vulnerable populations such as the pregnant women. Maternal mental health and well-being is a public health priority and the evidence about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health status of pregnant women is gradually emerging. The findings of the recently published studies suggest that increased risk perception about contracting COVID-19, reduced social support, increase in domestic violence, disruption of antenatal care, and economic consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies can lead to adverse mental health outcomes in antenatal period. There is a significant increase in antenatal depression and anxiety since the onset of COVID-19 and social determinants of health (e.g., younger age, lower education, lower income) are associated with these poor outcomes. In this paper, we propose an integrated approach to improve the mental health and well-being of pregnant women. Physical activity and/or mind-body interventions like yoga can be practiced as self-care interventions by pregnant women. Despite social distancing being the current norm, efforts should be made to strengthen social support. Evidence-based interventions for perinatal depression should be integrated within the health system and stepped, collaborative care using non-specialist health workers as key human resource be utilized to improve access to mental health services. Use of digital platforms and smartphone enabled delivery of services has huge potential to further improve the access to care. Most importantly, the COVID-19 related policy guidelines should categorically include maternal mental health and well-being as a priority area.

Background: The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that more than 125 million workers are victims of occupational accidents and diseases in a single year. The important morbid conditions detected in the workers include the diseases of the respiratory system and eye, accidents, injuries, cuts and wounds, skin infections, animal bites, etc. Health Care Workers (HCWs) are attributed to the group at highest risk of occupationally acquired blood borne diseases as the result of contact with blood and body fluids. The present study was conducted to assess the morbidity pattern and occupational hazards in the sweepers working at the tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in the various wards of Lokmanya Tilak municipal medical college & general hospital, Mumbai during the period of January 2008 to May 2009. Total 267 sweepers were interviewed. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to get information regarding the morbidity pattern and occupational hazards in the sweepers. Results: Out of 267, history of acute illness was elicited from 64 (23.97%) employees. 52 (19.47%) sweepers had history of chronic illness. Among the sweepers, 160 (59.9%) had some sort of morbidity present. The morbid conditions found in the sweepers were musculoskeletal disorders 55 (20.6%), hypertension 46 (17.2%), gastrointestinal problem 26 (9.7%), eye disorders 23 (8.6%) and respiratory system diseases 21 (7.9%). The present study showed that, 226 (84.6%) sweepers used some form of personal protective devices regularly and 41 (15.4%) didn't use regularly. 113 (42.3%) sweepers had needle prick or sharp injury. 74 (65.5%) sweepers had single needle prick or sharp injury & 39 (34.5%) sweepers had repeated needle prick or sharp injury. Conclusions: Periodic examination should be done annually & immediate corrective measures should be taken to protect the health of employees at risk. Stress management principles must be implemented in the sweepers to enhance physical and mental health. There is need for safety training programme for all health workers including sweepers in the hospitals.

Background:Sex ratio, an important social indicator measuring extent of prevailing equity between males and females in society, is defined as number of females per 1000 males. Changes in sex ratio reflect underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. As per 2011 census sex ratio in India is 914/1000 males, which continues to be significantly adverse towards women.Objectives:This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act among the pregnant women at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out in the antenatal ward of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai during the period of January to April 2008. A total of 143 women were included and a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to get information regarding socio-demographic details of the pregnant women. They were asked regarding the knowledge and attitude towards the PNDT Act. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0.Results:In the present study, out of 143 women, 105 (73.5%) knew about sex determination. Even out of those who had heard, the correct knowledge regarding PNDT act was very less. Sonography as a technique for sex determination done at private hospital was known to the majority of women.Conclusion:Education of women about gender equality and recommendations under PNDT act in order to improve declining sex ratio in our country must be done. Wide publicization in the media of the Act must be scaled up.

ImportanceAdolescents and young people have been historically understudied populations, and previous studies indicate that during epidemics, these populations, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), are at high risk of developing mental disturbances.ObjectiveTo identify the existing evidence regarding the association of mental health with outbreaks of the influenza A (H1N1), Zika, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2 virus in exposed youth and adolescents in LMICs.Evidence ReviewAcross 6 databases (Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science), the mental health outcomes of adolescents and youth (aged 10-24 years) associated with 4 major pandemic outbreaks from January 2009 to January 2021 in LMICs were reviewed. A group of 3 authors at each stage carried out the screening, selection, and quality assessment using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The social determinants of adolescent well-being framework was used as a guide to organizing the review.FindingsA total of 57 studies fulfilled the search criteria, 55 related to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and 2 covered the H1N1 influenza epidemics. There were no studies associated with Zika or Ebola outbreaks that met screening criteria. The studies reported high rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents, including posttraumatic stress disorder, general stress, and health-related anxiety. Potential risk factors associated with poor mental health outcomes included female sex; home residence in areas with strict lockdown limitations on social and physical movement; reduced physical activity; poor parental, family, or social support; previous exposure to COVID-19 infection; or being part of an already vulnerable group (eg, previous psychiatric conditions, childhood trauma, or HIV infection).Conclusions and RelevanceResults of this systematic scoping review suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and H1N1 epidemic were associated with adverse mental health among adolescents and youth from LMICs. Vulnerable youth and adolescents may be at higher risk of developing mental health–related complications, requiring more responsive interventions and further research. Geographically localized disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Zika, and H1N1 influenza are highly understudied and warrant future investigation.

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