A Study of Needle Stick Injuries among Nursing College Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu

Introduction: Needle stick injuries (NSIs) are the most potential occupational hazards among nursing personnel with possible transmission of blood borne pathogens. As nursing students are in the learning stage, they might be at higher risk of acquiring the injuries.Objectives: Todetermine the prevalence of needle stick injuries and to assess the awareness, attitude and practices followed with regard to NSIs.Methodology: An online cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2020 among 175 students in a nursing college in Chengalpattu district Tamil Nadu, using a pretested semi- structured questionnaire, adopting universal sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Categorical variables were summarized as Percentages and chi square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of needle stick injury among nursing college students was 16%.Final year studentsweremore exposed to the injuries(35.7%). Majority (96.57%) of the students were aware about universal precaution guidelines, 57% of students were aware about the diseases transmitted by NSI, 97.71% were aware about safety devices and 67.43% of students were aware about the post-exposure prophylaxis in management of NSIs.Among the students, 71.43% had used gloves regularly, 72% were immunized against Hepatitis B, only 25.71% of students attended Integrated Counselling Testing Centre(ICTC) and more than half of the students always practiced recapping needle after giving injections. Conclusion: Majority of the students in this study were aware about NSIs, their attitude towards NSIs was agreeable. The practices reported though assessed through online survey was found to be deficient.Periodic education and training need to be done to avoid injuries in future.

A Time Log Study of Activities of Medical Officers Working at Urban Health Centres of Ahmedabad City, Gujarat

Introduction: Medical Officer (MO) of an Urban Health Centre (UHC) is responsible for implementing all activities grouped under Health and Family Welfare delivery system in UHC area. While RBSK MO of UHC works under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK). Objective: To assess various activities carried out by MBBS MOs and RBSK MOs at UHCs with proportion of time spent on each of activities. Method: The study was conducted at randomly selected 12 UHCs from randomly selected 3 zones of Ahmedabad city. Data regarding activities of MBBS and RBSK MOs were collected using predesigned matrix time log sheet wherein the MOs had to fill up their activities on 15 minutes slots for 2 weeks. Data were entered and analyzed using MS Excel. Results: Effective working time per day was 7 + 1/2 hours &6+1 hours for an MBBS & RBSK MO respectively. Majority of time spent per day by the MBBS MO was in conducting general OPD (mean 149 minutes) followed by preparing/checking reports. While, for RBSK MO, it was in health checkup at Anganwadis & Schools(118& 93 minutes respectively) followed by preparation of reports. Both MOs spent maximum time towards clinical work (48.51% by MBBS& 68.45% RBSK MOs) followed by administrative work (33.73% by MBBS & 18% by RBSK), field visits (11.5% by both), CME/workshops/trainings (2.02% by MBBS and 0.66% by RBSK) and other activities (4.2% by MBBS and 0.8% by RBSK). Conclusion: Frequency of various major activities was as per the recommendations for most of the MOs. However, many of them were not able to cover all the activities mentioned under guidelines.

eVIN: Role of Digitization in Improving the Efficiency of Vaccine Logistics System across India

Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is an indigenously developed technology which strives to digitise vaccine stocks and monitor the temperature of the cold chain through a smartphone based application. The platform supports the central government’s Universal Immunization Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks, flows and storage temperatures across all cold chain points of the country.This vaccine logistics system has been introduced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and implemented by the United Nations Development programmers. In terms of functionality, eVIN aims to provide an integrated solution to address constraints of infrastructure, monitoring and human resource, inadequate vaccine stocks and related challenges.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Response by Department of Community Medicine in a Medical College of Mumbai, India

The role of community medicine in epidemiology and disease outbreaks is significant. Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity to realize this potential.Here we present the role of Community Medicine department of a Medical College in Mumbai, which was a global hotspot for Covid -19. The responses were initiated in the first week of February, prior to the detection of the first case in the city. With the progression of the pandemic, the roles have changed and adapted accordingly. The activity of Community Medicine department is unique to this specialty and has provided a lifetime experience for its residents andfaculty.Our purpose here is to project the roles depicted in this model so that some of them can be followed by community medicine departments of other colleges and continued post-pandemic too.

A Cross Sectional Study on Assessment of Health Profile of Policemen Serving at Ahmadabad City, Gujarat

Introduction: Policemen are one of the important cadres for positive pace of development of any nation. They can work optimally if, they are physically and mentally fit. Objective: To assess socio-demographic and health profile, determinants of ill health and their correlates with work profile of male policemen at Ahmedabad city. Method: Study was carried out at Police headquarters, Ahmedabad where policemen from all over district reported for work. Calculated sample size was 416. List of all policemen was obtained, participants were selected through simple random sampling, and personal interview was carried out at Police Headquarters of the city. Result: The mean age of study participants was 42.50+9.32 years. In context to BMI,total75.3% policemen were either overweight or obese. Policemen with tobacco addiction were 186(45%).Of total, 11.29% and 7.69% were hypertensive and diabetics respectively. Around three-fourth (74%) policemen complained of perceived stress. Conclusion: Two thirds of the total participants were overweight or obese. Factors like improper dietary habits,presence of disease, disturbed sleep and tobacco addictions among Policemen had a significant association with their work profile. Majority were under perceived stress and its consequences.

Psychiatric Health Problems and Health Seeking Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Agra city, Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Researches had shown that Men who have sex with men (MSM) have higher chances of having psychiatric disorder as compared to heterosexual men. Ongoing homophobia, stigma and discrimination have negative effects on mental health of MSM. Many MSM do not seek care from mental health provider because of fear of discrimination Objectives: This study was carried out to assess psychiatric health problem among MSM and also assess their health seeking behavior. Method: The Snowball sampling technique was used. First participants were recruited through a non-profit peer group. Further participants were subsequently referred by participants from their peer circles. Data obtained from total 52 MSM using pretested questionnaire and General health questionnaire (GHQ-28) was analyzed using MS Excel. Results: Two-fifth (40.38%) of MSM had self-reported psychiatric health problem. While on GHQ, 57.69% of MSM were found to have psychiatric health problem with GHQ score of ≥24. MSM who were completely homosexual and who were victims/doer of violence with sex partners had significantly higher chances of having psychiatric health problem.57.15% MSM sought treatment for their psychiatric problem from an Allopathic doctor. Rest of them either went for a self treatment (28.57%) or not taken any treatment (14.28%). 75% MSM reportedly sought treatment from private health facility. Better facility, cost effectiveness, someone known recommended were most commonly cited reason for preferring a mental health provider. Conclusion: High prevalence of psychiatric health problems was found among MSM who engage in higher-risk sexual behavior. MSM require access to mental health screening services.

Knowledge and Perception of Health Care Workers Regarding COVID-19 in Different Parts of Gujarat State

Introduction: The World Health Organization declared the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and a pandemic on 11 March 2020. A poor understanding of the disease among healthcare workers may implicate in delayed treatment and the rapid spread of infection. Objective: To know the perception and knowledge of the health care workers in different districts of Gujarat state about the COVID 19. Method: A cross sectional web based survey was conducted among the 104 health care workers working in different districts of Gujarat during the month of April 2020. WhatsApp and Telegram based questionnaire was sent to each participant and their response was recorded. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel 2016 and was analysed by applying various statistical test using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of 104 participants, 46.15% and 53.85% were male and female respectively. Mean age of participants was 26.40 years. Majority participants were from Saurashtra-Kutch(36.54%) followed by central Gujarat(28.85%) and north Gujarat(23.08%). Out of 63 who had received training of basic course in COVID-19, only 27 were able to give correct answer about criteria for discharge of patient. Conclusion: HCWs in our study are having good knowledge regarding COVID 19. They are aware of the measures needed to be taken to reduce the spread of the disease. HCWs were using authentic sources for information; this ultimately affects knowledge and is reflected in attitude and practice.

Determinants of Inpatient Satisfaction on Hospital Services in a Government Tertiary Care Center

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is a psychological concept which is considered as a judgment of individuals regarding any object or event after gathering some experiences over time. It is one of the established yardsticks to measure the success of the services. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of inpatient satisfaction on hospital services. 2. To find out the determinants of inpatient satisfaction on hospital services. Method: It was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of four months at VIMSAR, a tertiary care hospital in Odisha in eastern India. A total of 164 patients were enrolled in the study from the five most occupied indoor departments who were administered a pre-tested semi-structured standardised questionnaire by face to face interview method. Results: Majority (77.44%) of respondents were in the age group of 21-60 years. The sample consisted of 65.24 % males and 43.9% were from lower socio-economic class. Patient satisfaction level was found to be relatively low (~80%) for the service domains like housekeeping, general services and ancillary services. Fields like front desk services, medical care, nursing care and laboratory services enjoyed a better satisfaction score (~90%). Binary logistic regression analysis reflected age and socio-economic class to be the negative determinants of the level of satisfaction. Conclusion: About two thirds of the inpatients were satisfied with the services availed at the tertiary care hospital in the five specialities. There is scope of improvement in the areas like housekeeping, ancillary care and general care. Socio-demographic characteristics like age and socioeconomic class inversely related to inpatient satisfaction on hospital services.

Socio-demographic Factors affecting Female Sterilization Operation among Couples of Ahmedabad City : A Record Based Study

Introduction: Unplanned pregnancy may be the reason of many neonatal and maternal adverse effects. Many factors have been reported to be associated with acceptance of female sterilization. Objective: To identify various socio-demographic factors affecting the decision of choice of Tubal Ligation (TL). Method: A record based study was done using data from the register maintained at the Family Planning Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department. Analysis of data of TL operations conducted between April 2018 to March 2019 were performed. Results: A total of 675 tubal ligation operations were conducted. The mean age of females undergoing TL was 28.8 ± 3.9 years and their husbands was 33.25 ± 4.38 years. Out of the total, 484(71.1%) couples were Muslims. Total 74(10.8%) females were illiterate and 39(5.8%) males were illiterate. Among 440 (65.1%) couples who had underwent TL had 3 living children. Majority i.e. 518 (76.7%) had the age of their last living child less than 1 month. Ninety one percent of couples had at least one male child. There was a significant relationship of female education with total number of living children. Relationship of total number of living children with religion was also significant statistically. Conclusion: The study concludes that female education as well as religious and cultural beliefs plays a major role in deciding the female sterilization.

Vaccination against COVID-19 during Pregnancy and Lactation : An Overview

Pandemic of SARS2- COVID 19 has caused disastrous impact globally in terms of sickness, deaths, and overburden on heath infrastructure, employment, economy and psychological health. All countries are affected, to greater or lesser degree; be it from developed, developing or under-developed region. Pregnancy has been identified as one of the risk factor for severe COVID 19 illness by CDC. About two-thirds of women who test positive for COVID 19 have no symptoms. But the data suggest that symptomatic pregnant patient with COVID 19 are at increased risk of more severe illness as well as have increased risk for ICU admission, ventilator support and deaths in comparison to their symptomatic non-pregnant peers Pregnant patients with co-morbidities such as obesity and diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and asthma are further at higher risk of getting serious illness .Pregnant woman’s Age above 35 years and pregnancy above 28 weeks makes women more at risk of severe COVID illness. Stillbirths and pre-term births are twice high in pregnant women with COVID -19 sickness as compared to pregnant women without COVID-19 infection. Ethnicity has also been found to affect the severity of COVID 19 illness. It has been found that Black and Hispanic pregnant women had disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death Further risk of ICU admission were higher in pregnant Asian, and Native Hawaiian /Pacific Islander women.