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Purpose: Despite 55% children aged 0-6 months being exclusively breastfed in India, 0.26 million children die each year from diarrhoea and pneumonia that can be prevented through early initiation of and exclusive breastfeeding (EIBF). A study was conducted to assess the factors associated with EIBF in 20 villages from the District Khagaria (State Bihar). Method: The cross-sectional study was carried out from Jan-March 2017 with a sample of 288 married women who had delivered in last 1 year. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors of EIBF. Results: Analyses show that institutional delivery (aOR: 2.69; CI 1.22 to 5.93; p<0.05) and delivery with normal mode (aOR: 4.61; CI 1.74 to 12.18; p<0.01) were significant contributors of EIBF. Additionally, likelihoods of EIBF were lower when the delivery was performed in a private institution (OR 0.28, CI 0.14 to 0.59; p<0.001) and by a doctor (OR 0.33, CI 0.18 to 0.60; p<0.001). Besides, higher birth order (OR 2.00, CI 0.98 to 4.10; p<0.05) was also found to be significantly associated with EIBF. Conclusion: System level efforts are needed to promote EIBF, along with improved training and reinforcement in doctors for breastfeeding. Reduction in caesarean section rates can positively contribute to EIBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Privacy and Security of patient health records is a matter of concern in India, as we gradually move from manual to electronic methods of data management in healthcare. Studies on understanding the awareness about privacy and security among healthcare professionals is a method of identifying the preparedness of the healthcare team and knowing their attitude. A cross-sectional study done using a questionnaire survey among 601 healthcare professionals working in private clinics, handling patient health information, in a specific district of Southern India, showed limited awareness about privacy and security of patient health information. The limiting barriers found were mainly insufficient funds to put security measures, inadequate space, shortage of qualified health information professionals and unenforced laws. Concluding, this study definitely calls for directing attention towards creating awareness about Privacy and Security of Patient Health Information handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]