BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown in India compelled the health system to focus on COVID-19 management. Information from the field indicated the impact of COVID- 19 on the provision of maternal health services. This research presents users' and providers' perspectives about the effect of the pandemic on maternal health services in select districts of Assam.MethodsThe study was undertaken to understand the status of maternal health service provision and challenges faced by 110 pregnant and recently delivered women, 38 health care providers and 18 Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee members during COVID-19 pandemic. Telephonic interviews were conducted with the users identified through simple random sampling. Healthcare providers and the community members were identified purposively.ResultsMost of the interviewed women reported that they could access the health services, but had to spend out-of-pocket (for certain services) despite accessing the services from government health facilities. Healthcare providers highlighted the lack of transportation facilities and medicine unavailability as challenges in providing routine services. The study revealed high proportion of Caesarian section deliveries (42.6%, n = 32) and stillbirths (10.6%, n = 8).DiscussionThis research hypothesizes the supply-side (health system) factors and demand-side (community-level) factors converged to affect the access to maternal health services. Health system preparedness by ensuring availability of all services at the last mile and strengthening existing community-reliant health services is recommended for uninterrupted good quality and affordable maternal health service provision.
Article InfoIn the present study, the edible fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju was investigated for its ability to grow on different lignocellulosic substrates namely, water hyacinth, wood chips and paddy and to produce various lignocellulolytic enzymes such as cellulase, xylanase and pectinase. The production pattern of the extracellular enzymes, total proteins and reducing sugar level was studied during the growth of this fungus under Solid State Fermentation (SSF) for a period of 56 days. Wheat grains were rapidly utilized and consumed by the fungus as a simple carbon source and were used for spawn formation. Different lignocellulosic complex carbon sources served as substrates and exhibited better induction process for more enzyme biosynthesis and production. The maximum activity of enzymes was obtained on 28 th and 56 th day of culture growth. The total yield of mushroom grown on different lignocellulosic substrates and levels of cellulose, pectinase and xylanase was also detected.
BACKGROUND Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality globally and in India. Access to non-pharmacological options, such as Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR), are however limited. OBJECTIVE The current study explored the perceptions, experiences, needs and challenges of individuals living with CRDs and the potential of and need for PR from the perspective of patients as well as medical professionals involved in the referral (doctors) and delivery (physiotherapists) of PR. METHODS In-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted among 20 individuals diagnosed with CRDs and nine medical professionals. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used as we sought to identify the meanings shared both within and across the two participant groups. RESULTS The individuals living with CRDs considered lifestyle choices (smoking and drinking), lack of physical activity, mental stress and heredity as the triggering factors for their CRDs. All of them equated the disease with breathlessness and lack of physical strength consulting multiple doctors about their physical symptoms. The most commonly cited treatment choice for was an inhaler. Most of them believed that yoga and exercise were good self-management strategies and some were performing yoga postures and breathing exercises as advised by friends or family members, or learnt from a televised programme or on YouTube videos. None of them identified with the term ‘Pulmonary Rehabilitation’, but many were aware of the exercise component and its benefits. Despite being naïve to smartphone technology or having difficulty reading, most of them were very enthusiastic to enroll for an application-based remotely delivered digital PR programme. The medical practitioners were however reluctant to depend on a PR programme delivered entirely online. They recommended that individuals living with CRDs be supported by their family to use technology with some time spent with a medical professional during programme. CONCLUSIONS Individuals suffering with CRDs in India are currently managing their disease with ‘non-guided’ strategies, but are eager to improve and would benefit from a ‘guided’ PR programme to ‘feel better’. A home-based’ PR programme, with delivery facilitated by digital solutions would be welcomed by patients and healthcare professionals involved in their care, as it reduces the need for travel, specialist equipment and setup. For the Indian context, including yoga in a PR programme could be a way of making PR ‘culturally congruent’ and more successful. The digital PR intervention should be flexible to individual patient needs and should be complimented with physical sessions and a feedback mechanism for both the practitioners as well as the patients for better uptake and adherence.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.