Conducted in a Mumbai slum population, this study examines the vocabulary men use to describe sexual health problems, cultural views about categorization, and the views of local health practitioners. Structured qualitative methods including free-listing, pile sorting and ratings were used. In addition to sexually transmitted infections, men are equally or more concerned about the quality and quantity of semen and`impotence', which includes erectile de®ciencies and premature ejaculation. A number of problems that may be indicative of the presence of STIs are thought to be transmitted through both sexual contact and other means subsumed under the category garmi. Men, as well as untrained non-allopathic sexual health practitioners, perceived the indiscreet wastage of semen through excessive masturbation, wet dreams or excessive sexual desire to be a major cause of these problems. A comprehensive reproductive health programme should address these male sexual health problems in order to motivate men to play more active and positive roles in reproductive health and family planning.

The deadly disease swine flu is, without a speck of doubt, causing a massive havoc among the common people of India and has created fear across the various strata of the society. The objective was to find out the awareness, perception, and myths of school going children of class 9 th to 12 th toward swine flu. The present cross-sectional study was carried out in two randomly selected (using random number table) senior secondary schools of Bareilly among 400 students of class 9 th to 12 th . A total of 200 students were selected from each school. Chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis. Almost all the students (97.75%) have heard about of swine flu and are aware of it as a disease entity. Fever was found to be the main symptom while coughing and sneezing were main way of spread of swine flu known to them. About 97% of the students mention use of mask as most effective way to prevent them from swine flu. Knowledge of availability of medicine was present in less than half of the students. TV was found to be the main source from which they get knowledge (79%), and they are trying to get knowledge (53.2%) of swine flu. Among them, 74% students were taking precaution against swine flu.

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Background: Urolithiasis is the third most common urological disease. The prevalence is on the rise due to various changes in the socio-demographic and other etiological factors in the northeastern states of India in general and Manipur in particular. Aims & Objective: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary stones and to assess the association between urolithiasis and selected variables of interest. Material and Methods: The study was conducted during September 2008 to August 2010 among wetland dwellers of Loktak Lake in Thanga, a rural area of Manipur. A representative sample of subjects, which included men and women 15 years of age and above were included in the study. Sample size was calculated based on a prevalence rate of 5.41% with an allowable error of 1.5 at 95% confidence level. Calculated sample size was 875. A pre-tested interview schedule was used for data collection. Results: A total of 875 individuals were studied. The prevalence rate of urolithiasis was 196(22.40%) and was more commonly present in the age group of 25-44 years. Urolithiasis was observed to be significantly more common among those individuals who are more educated, engaged in heavy work, with history of urinary tract infection (UTI), with history of stressful events in recent years, among those who consumed only 2-4 glasses of water per day and with family history of stones. Conclusion: Prevalence of urolithiasis was observed to be 196(22.4%). Information regarding the risk factors which have been identified in the present study can be utilized in formulating future health plans for preventive services.

Background Estimating the distribution of new HIV infections according to identifiable characteristics is a priority for programmatic planning in HIV prevention. We propose a mathematical modelling approach that uses robust data sources to estimate the distribution of new infections acquired in the generalised epidemics of sub-Saharan Africa and validate it against cohort data. Methods We developed a predictive model that represents the population according to factors powerfully associated with risk: gender, marital status, geographic location, key risk behaviours (sex-work, injecting drug-use, male-to-male sex), sero-discordancy within couples, circumcision and ART status. Incidence inference methods are applied to estimate the short-term distribution of new infections by group. The model is applied within a Bayesian framework whereby regional demographic and epidemiological prior information is updated, where possible, with local data. We validated and trained the model against cohort data from Manicaland (Zimbabwe), Kisesa (Tanzania) and Rakai (Uganda). Building on the results from the acquisition model we infer likely sources of transmission. The model was applied to six countries in the region to investigate potential differences in incidence patterns. Results Without training using the site-specific data, the model was able to predict the pattern of new infections with reasonable accuracy: 95% credible intervals were substantially overlapping and the rank ordering of groups with new infections was consistent. With training using group-specific data on new infections, the accuracy of predictions for subsequent rounds of data improved further and credible intervals narrowed. When applied to the six countries in the region the model showed variation in the distribution of infections between and within countries consistent with the data on prevalence. Conclusions It is possible to accurately predict, the distribution of new HIV infections acquired using data routinely available in many countries in the Sub-Saharan African region. This validated tool can complement additional analyses on resource allocation and data collection priorities.