Background: DOTS is a comprehensive strategy for tuberculosis control based largely on Indian research and it now recognized worldwide. Still non-compliance to DOTS remains a major public health challenge. Aims: To know the compliance of DOTS therapy in tuberculosis patients in Howrah district of West Bengal and to find out the factors responsible for non-compliance. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine socio-demographic and treatment related risk factors in relation to non-compliance of patients under DOTS in Howrah district of West Bengal. Altogether 141 patients registered in 2nd quarter(1st April to 30th June2007) in Domjure TU were interviewed by home visit after their completion of intensive phase of treatment. Results: 63.8% patients were compliant with treatment. Non-compliance was significantly higher among 25-54 years age group(51.4%) and in male(46%) patients. Literate patients, patients of upper and lower middle socio-economic class and those were actually supervised during swallowing of drugs were found more compliant with the treatment. Conclusion: Proper supervision of DOT providers with adequate counseling of patients and their close relatives might help to treatment compliance.

Background:Reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases represent a major public health problem in developing countries. As reported from different community based studies conducted in India, the range of self reported morbidity vary from 39- 84%. Majority of the women bear the problems silently without seeking advice and treatment. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of RTIs morbidity among married women and identify different socio-environmental factors associated with it. Materials & Methods: A Community Based Cross – Sectional study was carried out in Howrah district of West Bengal during May 2009 to August 2009 to reveal the prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infection and its Social correlates. The respondents were 2000 currently married women (15-49yrs) selected by stratified multistage random sampling. House to house visit and data collection was done by faculty members of Community Medicine of different Medical colleges of W.B. using predesigned & pretested schedule. Result: The prevalence of RTI was 9.9% and was higher in 24-29 yrs age group. RTI was indirectly proportional to literacy status. Prevalence of RTI was significantly higher among those who did not use sanitary napkin or clean sundried domestic cloths. The occurrence of RTI was lower among those who used to practice barrier method of Contraception whereas it was higher among Cu-T users. Majority of symptomatic complained about vaginal discharge (44.7%). Conclusion: To prevent RTI morbidities, use of clean sundried domestic cloths, barrier method of contraception and awareness about small family norm are to be recommended through intervention in future.

Background: Self-medication is dened as medication taken on the patient's own initiative or on the advice of pharmacist or any other lay person. Self-medication can be described as a double edged sword for its users, because it has both benecial and harmful effects. According to recent community based study in 2016 prevalence of self-medication in developing countries varies from 12% to as high as 73% in different communities. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of self-medication among the residents of urban slum of Kolkata r and to identify the factors associated with the practice of self-medication. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done in the Tangra urban slum area of Kolkata. All the residents of selected slum who >18 years of age were selected. Atotal of 200 participants were randomly selected. Data on socio demographic details (age, gender, education, occupation, and income), practice of self-medication, and reasons for use of self-medication were collected. Results: Majority of the respondents were females 118 (59%) and maximum of the study participants were in the age group of 31- 60 years 96 (48%). The prevalence of self-medication was very high 138 (69%). Majority of the study participants preferred allopathy medicine 152 (76%). Pharmacist was the main source of information for practicing self-medication 118 (59%). Conclusions: Sessions of health education should be conducted to create awareness about side effects of self-medication. Govt should prepare and implement strict laws that without prescription of doctors no medicine should to given to anybody at the pharmacy.

Background: Intra-uterine contraceptive device is one of the most commonly used reversible method of contraception worldwide. In West Bengal Cu-T acceptance is decreasing in majority of the districts. Objectives: To determine the underlying factors for low acceptance of IUCD. Methodology: A qualitative study was carried out in Paschim Mednipur and Howrah districts of West Bengal in 2009 by organising seven Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in each district. Three FGDs among beneficiaries’ i. e eligible couples, 3 FGDs among service providers and one FGD among health administrators were undertaken in each district.Results: Beneficiaries experienced complications like bleeding, pain, misplacement etc. Fear of weakness, white discharge, occurrence of cancer existed. Providers highlighted lack of privacy, need for Cu-T re-orientation training, shortage of IEC material and inadequate time spent by doctor for motivation, rumour among clients. Administrators opined that sustenance of Behaviour Change Communication, training of ANMs would be useful.Conclusion: Different rumours& myth in the society responsible for low acceptance of Cu-T may be removed through strengthening the Behaviour Change Communication involving Doctors also.

Introduction: Unmet need for contraceptionsis the condition in which there is the desire to avoid or post-pone child bearing, without the use of any means of contraception.Objectives: This study was carried out to identify Perceptions, couple motivation to avoid pregnancy and reasons of non acceptance of contraception among married women having unmet need of contraception Method: The cross-sectional community based observational study was conducted at Chakberia&Kustia villages of Kalikapursubcentre of Sonarpur block of south 24 Parganas in West Bengal Data were collected by direct interviewing using valid and reliable interview schedule from 100 married women with specific sampling criteria. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed.Results: Out of 100 married women having unmet need of contraception, 58% women had unmet need for limiting and 42% women had unmet need for spacing. 27% and 18% women verbalized as they practicing withdrawal and calendar method, so they didn't use any contraceptives. Most common perceived contraceptive was oral pill. Only 28% women had strong Social familial individual approval for contraceptives; 32% women were moderately to poorly motivated to avoid pregnancy.