Infant mortality rate (IMR) is an important development indicator and a vital component of millennium development goals (MDGs) set by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). According to UNDP, so far India has only fared moderately in reducing IMR (Goal 4 of MDGs). India (32) ranks 144th among 196 countries regarding IMR as per the 2017 data availed from World Development Indicators. Its adjacent countries such as Bhutan (25.6), Bangladesh (26.9) and Nepal (27.8) have fared much better regarding infant survival. Numbers within the parentheses indicate the IMR of the respective country. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified that IMR among families with better access to improved drinking water sources and toilet is much lower than those bereft of the same. This inference has been drawn from National Family Health Survey 3 data (NFHS III). The present study investigates into the aforementioned relation analysing NFHS IV data. The result depicts that contrary to UNICEF’s findings, IMR increases with better accessibility to improved water sources. Further to this, the article shows that an additional aqua-related practice together with improved drinking water sources might lead to the betterment of IMR for India.

Paracetamol is the commonest agent employed in self poisoning, however it is not clear whether adolescents possess insight into the serious complications associated with its misuse. Using a one page questionnaire, the availability, usage, and knowledge of toxicity of paracetamol among 1147 American and British adolescents was assessed. Although 90% of all sttidents recognised that paracetamol could kill, the great majority of students overestimated the lethal dose. In addition, while knowledge regarding side effects of paracetamol was poor the drug was widely available to, and used by, the study population. It is proposed that gross overestimation of the number of tablets required to kill, poor understanding of paracetamol side effects, and wide availability of the drug contribute to its frequent use in adolescent suicidal behaviour. The inclusion of some over-thecounter medications in school drug education programs in addition to tighter control of the availability of paracetamol may help reduce the problem of adolescent self poisoning.

Background: The fixation of lumbar spine is needed for various spinal problems such as fracture in lumbar spine, resection of tumors in vertebral bodies, gross spondylolisthesis, and lumbar instabilities. Majority of pedicle morphometric studies are based on white population in different parts of the world, whereas only a few studies are available on Indian population.Objective: To report the results of a morphometric study of adult atypical lumbar vertebrae's pedicles and correlate them physiologically to provide morphometric inputs for the use of this vertebral component in implants fixation in the population of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 20 dry human atypical lumbar vertebrae obtained from Department of Anatomy, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh, India). Pedicle vertical height (h) and pedicle width (w) were measured with the help of a sliding vernier caliper.Results: Positive correlations have been found between height and width of dry human lumbar vertebrae.Conclusion: Results indicated that in Rewa region of central India, 15-mm Steffee pedicle screw can be used safely for atypical lumbar vertebrae.

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