Background:Annual mass drug administration (MDA) with diethyl carbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole is the most cost-effective strategy to control lymphatic filariasis (LF).Materials and Methods:The aim of the present study was to assess the coverage and the compliance of MDA, to elicit factors that influenced compliance, to document side-effects reported and to assess the awareness of the community regarding the disease and MDA program in Bankura district, West Bengal after 2012 round of MDA. Multistage cluster sampling method was adopted. Total four clusters; three villages and one urban municipality ward were selected. In each cluster, minimum 30 families were randomly selected and the head or any responsible family member was interviewed using a pre-designed, pre-tested schedule after taking written informed consent. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS 19.0.Results:Total eligible population was 683 among which 98.8% received both the drugs. About 5% of the recipients took none of the drugs. More than two-thirds of the families took unsupervised dose. Drug compliance rate was significantly lower in urban (90.7%) than in the rural clusters (95.7%) (z = 2.46, P < 0.05). Effective coverage rate was significantly lower in urban than in the rural clusters (87.4% vs. 95.3%; z = 3.57, P < 0.01). Coverage compliance gap was higher in urban (5.7%) than in rural cluster (3.9%). Fear of side-effects was the main reason for non-compliance. Reported side-effects were few, mild, and transient. Around 60% of the surveyed families were aware about the MDA program whereas, 67% of them heard about LF. Only 41% families were provided information, education, and communication in last 15 days before MDA. Major sources of information for the surveyed families were leaflets (20.3%) and poster (9.8%).Conclusions:Widespread rural urban variation in performance status, poor social mobilization activities, lack of supervised dosing, and lack of knowledge of the community about the disease and the program are the major areas of concern.

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Abstract:Background: In developing countries acute pesticide poisoning remains an important issue and according to WHO (1999)

Introduction: Corneal blindness, though treatable, contributes largely to the burden of blindness. With 1.2 million existing cases of corneal blindness in India, the demand for cornea collection is increasing. 69349 corneas were collected in 2018-19 but it is much less than what is needed. Faulty perceptions and unwillingness are two major hurdles against a scenario favourable towards eye donation. The objectives of the study was to assess the perception and willingness towards eye donation and the socio-demographic variables that affect such perception and willingness, in an urban community of West Bengal. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted among adult residents of the urban field practice area of Medical College Kolkata, data was collected from randomly selected eligible members, one each from all the available families by interviewing them using a validated pre tested schedule. Results: Eighty nine (52.3%) among 170 interviewed participants had Secondary level education or higher, 49.4% had outdoor engagement. 128 participants reported ocular morbidity in the family but only 126 had heard about eye donation. 98 (77.8%) of these 126, had favourable perception towards eye donation. Among these 98 participants, 40 were willing to pledge for eye donation. Higher education and outdoor engagement significantly predicted favourable perception, while willingness significantly increased with participants belonging to higher socio-economic class and with higher education. Conclusions: Compared to favourable perception, willingness of pledging eyes was lesser due to various false notions. Proper education through usage of means of mass communication and stress upon school education is needed to address these hurdles.

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND: Study of induced abortion in India by considering the complete birth history of women is lacking. Induced abortion is associated with high mortality and morbidity in India. OBJECTIVES:The objectives of the study were to find out the Induced abortions ratio and to identify certain characteristics like perception, health care seeking behavior and the motivational factors for such an act. METHODS: An exploratory type of investigation (a retrospective case series study) was carried out among 46 acceptors of induced abortion in a rural community of west Bengal, between September, 11 to February 12. RESULTS: The ratio of induced abortions was 20.62 per year per 1000 women of reproductive age group. 89% belongs to Hindu and 93% of them were married. Unplanned pregnancy (43.47%) and financial problem (21.73 %) were the main reasons for acceptance of induced abortions. About 71 % of induced abortions were carried out by qualified person in hospital set up. CONCLUSION: Eventually induced abortions are increasing universally and several traditional methods are also found to be life threatening. So exploration of induced abortions is important aspect and explores the point for entry of further research.