INTRODUCTIONIndia is the second most populous country in the world with a population of more than 1.2 billion population explosion has been India's major problem since independence.1 It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. The explosive growth of human population combined with unsustainable production and consumption pattern, is putting increasing stress on air, water, land, energy and other essential resources.There are a number of factors that affect population growth in India. These include socioeconomic factors, religious and cultural factors, and geographical factors. Poverty and illiteracy leads to poor utilization of family ABSTRACT Background: Population explosion has been India's major problem since independence. It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. Adoption of family planning methods is one of the best solutions to tackle this problem. The present study was planned to determine the factors for non-acceptance of different contraceptive methods among married women of reproductive age group in rural areas of Patna. Methods: Study design: a community based cross sectional study. Study population: married women of reproductive age group (15-45 years). Study period: January 2012-July 2013. Study area: field practice area of PHC Sampatchak, Patna. Sample size: 705 using formula n =4p* q/d 2 . Study tool: pre tested semi-structured proforma. Collected data was analysed using latest version of SPSS. Results: 705 married women of reproductive age group were surveyed and it was found that out of 705 women only 230 (32.65%) were using contraceptive methods. Amongst the users 70.87% were using permanent method of contraception and that too female sterilization. Of the temporary method users (29.13%) 2.60% were using condom, 15.21% were using OCP (oral contraceptive pills) and 11.30% were using IUCD (Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device). Choice of contraceptive method was mostly OCP (71.4%) when duration of marriage was <5 years. Greater the duration of married life more was the acceptance of Tubectomy. The main reasons for non-acceptance of contraceptives method was desire for child (31.17%) followed by fear of side effects (21.05%). Want of male child and opposition by husband accounted for 8.45% &12% respectively. Conclusions: There is tremendous need to increase use of temporary contraceptives for spacing after one or two children. Male involvement in RCH care is essential. It is important to increase their participation as husbands often influence their wife's decision regarding reproductive health.

Background: Fast food culture is a vigorously uprising trend among the youngsters and medical students are no exception to it. Stressful life due to increased study load negatively influences the food choices of medical students. Hence the present study was undertaken with objectives to figure out the prevalence of fast food consumption among medical students, to study the fast food consumption pattern by the medical students and to explore various factors contributing to fast food consumption by the students.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among 120 undergraduate medical students of IGIMS, Patna for a period of 6 months. Data collection was done using pre-tested structured questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS latest version.Results: The study showed that all the respondents consume fast food sometime or the other and the knowledge of fast food was almost universal among the medical students. Most of the students (48.3%) were taking fast food as an alternative to dinner, 32 (26.6%) as evening snack and 26 (21.6%) as an alternative to lunch. Most preferred beverage was carbonated drinks (56.6%) while most preferred fast food was pizza (45%). 75.6% students were taking fast food 1-2 times a week. Reasons for consumption of fast food were mainly- eating in company (58.3%) and taste factor (55%).Conclusions: Despite of a majority (88.3%) being aware of the fact that consuming fast food leads to many diseases and disability, all the subjects continue to consume fast food, mostly due to reasons of taste, company and to avoid wastage of time.

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Background: Vaccines are safe, simple and one of the most cost-effective way to save and improve the lives of children. The World Health Organization launched the Global Programme of Immunization in 1974 and Government of India launched the same in India on 1st January, 1978, with a view to provide protection to the children against disease and to reduce infant mortality rate.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in the immunization clinic of a tertiary care hospital (IGIMS) of Patna district. The study unit were children of age group 0 to 12 months attending the immunisation clinic of IGIMS Patna. The study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017, for a period of 12 months.Results: About 40% of children were fully immunized, about 73.3% were having immunization card.Conclusions: Immunizations is one of the biggest public health achievements of the last century, saving millions of lives and preventing illness and lifelong disability in millions more. Many childhood diseases which is now preventable by vaccines often resulted in hospitalization, death or lifelong consequences only a few decades ago. Without immunizations, serious outbreaks of many of the diseases we are now protected from can reoccur. There is a need to create awareness regarding the importance of vaccination, as well as the consequences of partial immunization, parents views must also be taken into consideration when the programme is planned, especially those with a lower educational level.