COVID-19 has been affecting mankind round the globe. The incidence of this infectious disease of respiratory origin is constantly on rise. Another infectious disease widely prevalent is tuberculosis (TB). During past corona virus pandemics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, coinfection with TB was seen. We present this review as the co-infection of COVID-19 with TB has not been assessed yet, imposing a greater global threat. We suggest few measures to be implemented without delay for effectively screening the suspects of co-infection and also follow up of non-suspect patients in the post-pandemic phase.
India is currently undergoing increased urbanisation and population growth. The existing health care facilities and health care personnel are not able to cater to the health care needs of the population. Hence, a demand-supply gap is prevailing in the country. Improper functioning of three tier health care delivery, inaccessibility of secondary and tertiary government health services are the other major hurdles in effective health care utilisation. Technological interventions like tele-consultation strived continuously to tackle this crisis but had attained limited success. Other technological advancements as mobile based interventions (mHealth) have been emerging in the recent times. mHealth includes the use of telecommunication and multimedia technologies integrated with mobile and wireless healthcare delivery system. With success stories round the globe, it can be marked that mobile technology in the present scenario has gained substantial effects on health outcomes. Using mobile technology offers a tremendous opportunity for developing countries as India to advance in health care delivery by effectively utilising scarce resources. The vastly underserved healthcare market combined with high mobile phone penetration and rapidly growing smart phone adoption creates enabling environment condition for mHealth adoption in India. mHealth, being user friendly and cost effective, would be an interesting initiative in developing world. Customised application and sustainable financial models which could suit the existing local healthcare delivery networks would yield beneficial outcomes.
Background: Acceptance of vaccines has been on a decline in recent times, with vaccine hesitancy being listed as one of the top 10 global health threats. This study analysed vaccine hesitancy and belief towards vaccination among caregivers of children aged below 5 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 196 caregivers of children aged 6 months to below 5 years who had attended an immunization clinic at a tertiary care institute of Eastern India from March to May 2019 were surveyed. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit eligible study participants. The survey assessed the attitudes of parents towards childhood vaccination by using the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale and their beliefs towards vaccination. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the association of various sociodemographic factors with vaccine hesitancy. Results: Among the caregivers, most (48%) mothers were aged 26–35 years, literate and homemakers. Vaccine hesitancy was observed in 9.18% of the participants. Only the age of the child was significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Nearly half (48.5%) of the participants were concerned about the serious adverse effects of vaccines, and a third (30.6%) agreed that newer vaccines are associated with higher risks than the older ones. Caregivers felt that vaccines are no longer required for uncommon diseases. Conclusion: Concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy are prevalent even among caregivers attending a tertiary care institute. Thus, additional studies are required to assess hesitancy in urban, rural, remote and inaccessible areas. Policymakers ought to conduct periodic assessments and implement necessary remedial measures for the long-term sustenance of the benefits of the national immunization programme.
Background Children with cleft lip and/or palate can be undernourished due to feeding difficulties after birth. A vicious cycle ensues where malnutrition and low body weight precludes the child from having the corrective surgery, in the absence of which the child fails to gain weight. This study aimed to identify the proportion of malnutrition, including the deficiency of major micronutrients, namely iron, folate and vitamin B 12 , in children with cleft lip and/or palate and thus help in finding out what nutritional interventions can improve the scenario for these children. Methods All children less than 5 years with cleft lip and/or cleft palate attending our institute were included. On their first visit, following were recorded: demographic data, assessment of malnutrition, investigations: complete blood count and peripheral blood film examination; serum albumin, ferritin, iron, folate, and vitamin B 12 levels. Results Eighty-one children with cleft lip and/or palate were included. Mean age was 25.37± 21.49 months (range, 3–60 months). In 53% of children suffered from moderate to severe wasting, according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Iron deficiency state was found in 91.6% of children. In 35.80% of children had vitamin B 12 deficiency and 23.45% had folate deficiency. No correlation was found between iron deficiency and the type of deformity. Conclusion Iron deficiency state is almost universally present in children with cleft lip and palate. Thus, iron and folic acid supplementation should be given at first contact to improve iron reserve and hematological parameters for optimum and safe surgery.
Background: Rapid urbanization has resulted in increased burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially among urban poor population. In the absence of a well-functioning three tier health care system in urban India, health needs of urban poor are rarely fulfilled. The objective of this study was to assess primary health care services utilisation pattern and its associated selected socio-demographic determinants in an urban population of Dakshinpuri Extension, South-east district of Delhi.Materials and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done from November 2013 to November 2014 with a sample size of 440 households through simple random sampling. Information was obtained regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and morbidity pattern of all the members of household in the preceding one year of the conduct of the present study through a pretested semi structured interview schedule. Association of various socio-demographic characteristics with primary and secondary health care facilities utilisation was studied with bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.Result: In this study, 42% of the household members suffered from acute illnesses and symptoms in the preceding one year. Secondary/tertiary health care facilities were approached mostly for seeking treatment. Majority of the household members sought treatment from private health care facilities. Significantly higher utilisation of secondary/tertiary health care facilities was found by head of households and household members who are married.Conclusion: Primary health care system needs to be revamped to improve healthcare delivery among urban population. Strategies to decongest secondary/tertiary health care facilities in urban India needs focus.
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