Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death globally in both developed and developing countries. Coronary artery disease which was once thought to be a disease of the urban population is now involving the rural community in an increased number. So a study of major coronary risk factors in rural communities will help to adopt various strategies particularly behavior change and communication relevant for these communities to prevent these risk factors and lower CAD related mortality and morbidity. Objective was to estimate rates of the various risk factors for CAD and identify the high-risk groups in the rural community.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out in a rural area in the Howrah district of West Bengal. Four hundred and eighteen (418) persons (212 males and 206 females) were subjected to study using structured, pretested and predesigned schedule. Coronary artery disease risk factors were assessed. Statistical analysis was done with the help of statistical software, the SPSS 20.0 for windows.Results: The study observed that prevalence of tobacco use among the study population was the most significant risk factor (42.3%). The prevalence of other coronary risk factors ranged from 10-20%. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption and sedentary life style were significantly more amongst males. Whereas truncal obesity and systolic hypertension more among females.Conclusions: Various comprehensive strategies particularly behavior change and communication targeting these high risk population need to be emphasized to lower CAD related morbidity burden in the community.

Background: : Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is a trained female community health activist. ASHAs are local women trained to act as facilitator and promoters of health care in their communities. ASHA is trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. ASHA play an important role in newborn care to reduce their morbidity and mortality.Methods: Data were collected from ASHAs working in Shibbur area of Howrah District, west Bengal. The study sample consisted of 70 ASHAs working in the Shibpur area that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A predesigned pretested questionnaire of ASHA was used to collect data in the study.Results: The mean age of ASHAs was 35.74 years. Only 32 (45.71%) had received middle level (class VIII) education. Only 45.71 % of ASHAs had good knowledge and practice regarding hypothermia and its complication and the procedure of providing warmth the baby after delivery. Only 57.1% of ASHA had good knowledge regarding counseling and problem solving on breast feeding. Only 38.57% had good knowledge and practices on identification and basic skill on management of Low Birth Weight (LBW) having birth weight of <2.5kg and pre-term baby (<37 weeks of gestation).Conclusions: In the present study, we found that Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of ASHAs were inadequate in some aspects of newborn care. This gap of knowledge should be taken seriously during training procedures so that effective knowledge and essential skill for newborn care can be imparted. During recruitment of ASHAs higher literally status should be given preferences.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with diabetes have higher rates of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Many of these complications can be prevented with appropriate medical care that often requires significant alterations in lifestyle and strict adherence to self-care tasks to obtain good control of disease. Awareness regarding the complications of this disease will play a vital role in its prevention and control. While lack of adherence to the treatment and self-care leads to poor glycemic control, thereby, increasing hazardous complications. Objective of the study was the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of diabetic patients regarding the disease and its complications, and to estimate the knowledge and adherence to self-care practices concerned with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: The study was conducted in Tangra an urban slum of Kolkata from July 2018 to December 2018. A house to house survey was conducted to identify the known diabetics in the community and data of 362 patients were collected.Results: A total of 362 diabetic patients consented and participated in the study of whom 191(52.76%) were male and 171(42.74%) female. Majority of the respondents (26.52%) between the age of 50-59 years, 140(38.67%) belonged to upper middle class. Though 332(91.71%) respondents were aware regarding diet control but only 170(46.96%) were actually practicing the recommended diet schedules. Knowledge of the respondents regarding eye, foot, skin and dental care was very low, only 67(18.51%), 102(28.28%), 62(17.13%) and 46(12.71%) respondents were aware respectively and practices were still lower.Conclusions: Overall the level of self-care activities among diabetic patients in our study was quite low.  Government policies should help in creating guidelines on comprehensive diabetes management within the primary health care setting including availability of medicines and diagnostic services and creating public awareness.