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Background and Objective: Peritonitis following hollow viscus perforation is commonly encountered in surgical emergency, which needs prompt and aggressive management. Unlike foreign nations, no score is routinely used in most tertiary medical colleges of India for prognostication of these patients preoperatively, leading to delay in adequate management and poor outcome. The aim of this research is to compare the accuracy of Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) and Jabalpur score in prediction of mortality of patients presenting with perforative peritonitis. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients presenting with perforative peritonitis between November 2022 and April 2024 were scored using the two scoring systems and patients followed up over 30 days. Mortality based on scores of the scoring systems was analyzed. Results: Both scores had a significant P value, suggesting that both are efficient scoring systems. Receiver operating characteristic curves for both scores were plotted, and the area under the curve was calculated. Chi-square test showed no significant difference between the two scoring systems. Conclusion: Jabalpur score and MPI are both efficient scoring systems. Utilization of either of the scoring systems depends on the availability of resources in the health-care setup.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic led to drastic changes worldwide significantly affecting mental health of students. This study aimed to assess psychological distress due to COVID-19 in students during the late phase of pandemic and to establish correlation of academic course, socio-demographics and knowledge-attitude-practices (KAP) with depression and anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kolkata, from March to April 2022 among undergraduate medical students and undergraduate students from engineering and general science colleges, via purposive and snowball sampling. Survey questionnaire was circulated via Google forms through social media. It included Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Fear of COVID-19 scale 2020, KAP regarding COVID-19 and socio-demographics. Data were analyzed using SPSS(Version 22.0) by estimating mean, standard deviation, median, interquartile range and displayed by charts and tables. Mann-Whitney U test/non-parametric ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used for drawing statistical inferences. P-value of

Background: The prevalence of sleep problems is approximately 40% among the general and health-care populations. Post-covid-19 sleep disturbances may persist for a long time and are often precursors of psychiatric disorders and expeditors of many systemic diseases. Studies on sleep quality in COVID-19 patients are considerable but in post-COVID-recovered subjects are scanty. There is no study on sleep quality of such patients in Eastern India. Aims and Objectives: We hypothesize that both sleep disturbances and sleep quality may be affected in subjects in their post-COVID state. Therefore, we planned to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances, sleep quality, severity of insomnia, and the relationship of different parameters with respect to sleep quality. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty COVID-19-recovered patients were administered a pre-structured questionnaire including Pittsburgh sleep quality index and insomnia severity index containing various sleep parameters. Results: Majority of the study participants had sleep disturbances in the form of change in sleep pattern (59.6%), poor sleep quality (77.6%), reduced sleep duration (29.6%), daytime sleepiness (20%), difficulty in sleep initiation (29.6%), and subthreshold insomnia (53.6%). Poor sleep quality was strongly associated with reinfection, change in sleep pattern after infection, sleep pattern alteration during pandemic, and those who felt tired during daytime. Conclusion: This study concludes that a significant number of COVID-19-recovered subjects experienced sleep disturbances including poor sleep quality.

Background: Effective vaccination is a successful tool for controlling COVID-19 pandemic, along with other preventive measures. Both intention to get vaccinated and barrier to vaccination played important role in COVID vaccination drive. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess awareness, acceptance, and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccine among the residents of rural and urban area and to assess the factors related to their attitude. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among the adult residents of urban and rural area over 6 months. Total sample size was 400. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to recruit the study participants after obtaining informed verbal consent. This process was continued until the desired number of sample size was attained. Data were compiled after collection and analysis was done. Results: Rural population had significantly higher knowledge of coronavirus and urban population knew prevention of coronavirus infection more. Correct knowledge of COVID vaccine availability was higher among rural people but higher knowledge of vaccine related information was among urban population. Sources of information were mainly from mass media. Vaccine acceptance was more among urban population, but apprehension was significantly higher among urban residents. Higher proportion of urban people was motivated significantly by the healthcare workers as well as self-motivated than their rural counterpart. Conclusion: Targeted interventions could be developed for increasing awareness of disease and availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Population-based vaccination program can decline the trend of the pandemic in long term.

Background: Thalassemia is stress inducing, and the parents of the affected child develop a variety of coping strategies in response to that stress. Objective: The objective of this study was to find coping styles adopted by parents of thalassemic children and to identify factors associated with their coping. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016–2017 involving 96 randomly selected parents of thalassemic children attending the Thalassemia Clinic of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital. Data were collected via interview using predesigned questionnaire and Brief-COPE inventory. Analyses were done estimating mean and proportion and using Pearson correlation coefficient (r), unpaired t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regressions. Results: Two third of participants were mothers (66.7%) accompanying thalassemic children. Majority of them were aged within 21–30 years (55.2%), Hindu (84.4%), rural inhabitants (96.9%) and belonged to backward class (60.4%). Majority (72.9%) were from joint family of lower socioeconomic strata (94.8%). The age of thalassemic children was 80.47 ± 42.49 (mean±sd) months. Most of them were male (53.1%). Majority of thalassemic children was born in first birth order (63.0%) and diagnosed before attaining first birthday (71.0%). More than 60% of the participants were using acceptance coping “a lot.” The most commonly used coping strategies were active coping, acceptance, planning, and religion. In multivariable analyses, overall coping was found to increase by 0.331 on every unit decrease of age at diagnosis of thalassemia of children and to decrease by 0.116 unit on every unit increase of age of respondents. Conclusion: Acceptance coping was used effectively rather than behavioral disengagement, which suggests that a positive attitude toward stress is present but needs to be better handled. Counseling and psychotherapy for parents of thalassemic children can be provided through an intervention program.

Background and Objectives: The enigma COVID-19 pandemic already involved major parts of the globe with a toll of 3,175,207 victims and 224,172 deaths from 215 countries/territories as on May 1, 2020. It cripples nations by the loss of human resources, economic decline, hunger, unemployment insecurities giving way to mental morbidities, and still many others to be discovered. A systematic search about correlates of its killing attribute is urgently warranted. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey for 3 weeks (03/5/2020–23/5/2020) was conducted in a teaching institution at Kolkata aiming to describe the magnitude and correlates of COVID-19 mortality. Data pertaining to COVID-19 cases, deaths of affected countries, and their potential correlates were retrieved from various public domains, for example, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports, worldpopulationreview.com, data.worldbank.org. Results: Multiple linear regressions analysis through forward method revealed a maximum R2 of 57.7% (P = 0.03) and a significant model fit (P = 0.000) for COVID-19 mortality rate per million which was revealed to have a positive association with median age of the population of the country (β = 0.073), proportion of population sustaining obesity (β = 0.051) and %of population consumed alcohol over the past 12 months (β = 0.018). It meant for 1 year increase in median age COVID-19 mortality would be increased by 8.0%. Similarly, COVID-19 mortality would be increased by 2.0% and 5.0% by inclusion in the model of 1% alcoholic, and 1% obese individual, respectively, Conclusion: Notwithstanding variations in testing, reporting, and patients' management strategy the findings of this research have some implications to the scientific fraternity and policymakers.

Aim: To find out variation in hospital attendance and admission for various infectious diseases (IDs) during the national lockdown as compared to prelockdown era. Materials and Methods: This observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a state-level ID hospital in West Bengal. Data related to the turnout of ID patients at the hospital outpatient department and indoor admission during the lockdown and unlock phases of 2020 were collected by review of hospital records and compared with the pre-COVID period of 2019. Collected data were entered into an MS Excel sheet, and analysis was performed by SPSS 20.0. Results: Since April 2020, inpatient and outpatient turnout has gone far below the similar months of 2019. Outpatient consultation, indoor admission, anti-rabies clinic attendance, and childhood immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases had decreased significantly by 66.9%, 84.3%, 87%, and 85.2%, respectively, during lockdown (April–June 2020) compared to January–March 2020. Dramatic reduction noticed in hospital admission of diarrhea (93%), measles (96.5%), chicken pox (99.2%), acute respiratory illness (93.9%), diphtheria (66.7%), rabies (66.6%), and typhoid (98.2%) patients; while no cases of tetanus, swine flu, meningococcal meningitis, and mumps were admitted during lockdown period. Conclusion: It is evidenced that measures put in place by the government to curb COVID-19 spread disrupted other ID patient attendance at hospitals. Stigma and fear of contracting COVID-19 during hospital visits and unavailability of transport due to lockdown could be the main reason for reduced attendance.

Background: Auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) provides immunization service at subcenter. This study aimed to assess the quality of care and client satisfaction toward immunization. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during January 2018 in three randomly selected subcenters of Gangajalghati block of Bankura district. Immunization services and client satisfaction were assessed by nonparticipant observation of immunization process in 86 “vaccination encounters” and exit interview of mothers of the same vaccinees selected randomly in equal number from each subcenter. Data were collected using checklist and questionnaire containing some questions with options on Likert scale. Clients' satisfaction was also explored through “focus group discussions” (FGDs) among randomly selected samples of eight mothers at each subcenter. Providers' perspective was grasped from an “FGD” conducted among a sample of accredited social health activists and in-depth interview of ANMs of selected subcenters. Verification of cold chain, logistics, and registers was done using checklist. Results: Coverage with appropriate vaccination was universal in each of the subcenters. The waiting time was 21.82 ± 15.37 (mean ± standard deviation) min. Postvaccination message was provided to 97.70% of mothers. Improper biomedical waste management was the rule. Cold chain was maintained properly. Only 45.30% of respondents knew the vaccine that was given in the session; however, 91.90% could utter the next date of vaccination. Sitting arrangement, cleanliness in clinic, attendance, timeliness of service, skill, and attitude of ANMs were labeled as “good” by 59.30%, 82.60%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 98.80% of respondents, respectively, and overall, 94.00% was satisfied toward service. Conclusion: An overall good quality immunization service was found existing in the study area.

Background: Changing trends of privatization and globalization of health care compel the hospitals to practice cost accounting for providing accurate information about the cost of patient care. Objectives: The objectives were to determine unit cost and to identify major cost areas of outpatient department (OPD) services provided by the community health center (CHC) of Bankura district, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Amarkanan CHC in 2016. Work sampling (WS) and time motion (TM) study were conducted for assessing the workforce cost, otherwise complete enumeration was done to assess the cost of different service areas such as medicine, logistic, maintenance, transport, electricity, building, equipment, and furniture. A predesigned pro forma and a questionnaire were used for WS and TM study and for interviewing the key informants for collection of information pertaining to different costs. Unit cost of different services as well as overall unit cost was estimated. Results: If a patient received injection, undergone dressing, and had electrocardiogram and X-ray both done in a day, then the total cost of OPD services for workforce was Rs. 85.33/. Cost of logistics per patient per day was maximum in X-ray room. Manpower exerted the maximum cost incurred by the government to conduct OPD in Amarkanan CHC. Overall, the unit cost in OPD incurred by the government was Rs. 44.53/-. Conclusion: Close monitoring is required by aligning the staffing pattern and patient activities and having adequate number of staff with right skill at right place and time for efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.

Background: Serum creatine kinase (CK) level is increased muscular dystrophy (MD) and may be used as a clue to identify MDs. Objective: The objective is to compare CK levels between Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), to correlate value of serum CK with number of deletions, duration of illness and to establish a cut off value of CK for screening. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a tertiary care institute of Kolkata. Clinically diagnosed patients of 139 DMDs and 50 BMDs along with 69 age-matched individuals suffering from diseases other than MDs was included. Estimation of serum CK levels and gene analysis were done for all. Results: DMD victims were found to be younger with low age of onset and lesser disease duration but higher serum CK level compared to those having BMD. Most of the genetic deletions were happened in distal region of dystrophin gene and a significant difference was revealed to exist between DMD and BMD neither in regard to proportion of overall deletion nor deletions in proximal and distal region. However, gene deletion was found absent in 31% and 42% of DMD and BMD cases. Serum CK level of 511.5 unit/L was seemed to be a reliable cut-off for detection of DMD and BMD with 97.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and area under the curve 0.989 with a P = 0.000. Conclusion: In case of nonavailability of genetic test facility as well as negative genetic test serum CK may be tried for identifying MD.

Background and Objectives: The enigma COVID-19 pandemic already involved major parts of globe with toll of 2,074,529 victims and 139,378 deaths from 213 countries/territories as on April 14, 2020. It cripples nations by the loss of human resources, economic decline, hunger, unemployment insecurities giving way to mental morbidities, and still many others to be discovered. Till it completes its trajectory, a systematic investigation, a prerequisite of any epidemic control, is warranted. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey over 2 weeks (April 15, 2020–April 28, 2020) has been conducted at a teaching institution at Kolkata aiming to describe the magnitude, pattern, severity, and correlates of coronavirus pandemic 2020. Data pertaining to COVID-19 cases, deaths of affected countries, and their reported and or potential correlates were retrieved from various public domains, for example, https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports, worldpopulationreview.com, data.worldbank.org. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a maximum R2 of 32.3% (P = 0.013) with a significant model fit (P = 0.000) for COVID-19 incidence rate per million which is associated positively with the proportion of the urban population (b = 0.024) and the percentage of the population aged 65 years or higher (b = 0.112) and negatively with current universal Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination (b = −1.021) policy of countries. Conclusion: Against this viral catastrophe evidence-based classical public health measures are underway. Notwithstanding variations in testing and reporting policy, the findings of this research ignite further study.

Background: Thalassemia imposes persistent stress on the parents of thalassemic children because of realization of the adverse consequences with resultant psychological problems. Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QOL) in respect of physical, psychological, social and environmental domains among parents of thalassemic children and to identify the factors related to their QOL. Methods: An institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Thalassemia clinic of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, during July 2016 - June 2017. Ninety six study participants were selected by systematic random sampling. WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Bref Version was used for assessment of Quality of life. Pearson correlation coefficient, unpaired t-test, ANOVA, multiple linear regressions were performed using SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Most of the participants (55.2%) belonged to 21-30 years age group, were female, Hindu, from rural area and of lower socio-economic status. The mean score of overall QOL was 78.57 ± 9.8 (Mean ±SD). Median score in psychological domain was the lowest domain. Overall QOL score was positively associated with educational level, occupation and SES. Conclusion: Along with medical management for thalassemic children, the psychological well-being of their parents should also be taken care off.

Background: HIV/AIDS is still a big public health challenge of India. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) belong to an important high risk group (HRG) in the transmission of HIV/AIDS. International borders have intermingling of population and also plenty of migrant population. Thus study on FSW s with relation to HIV/AIDS in an international border area is an important area of Research. Aims: The present study was planned with the objectives of: to determine the sociodemographic profile of the FSW under the study, to assess their knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS and to find out their sexual practices. Settings and Design: It was a community based descriptive cross sectional study, done at the Indo-Bhutan border town of Jaigaon in Alipurduar District of West Bengal with the help of a Non-governmental organization (NGO) working on Targeted Interventions (TI) for FSW. Methods and Material: Total 90 FSWs were interviewed using predesigned pretested questionnaire. The questionnaires used were prior validated by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analysed by SPSS 14.0. Results and Conclusions: The analysis revealed that 35 % of the study population were illiterate. It was also found that 81% of respondents had heard about HIV/AIDS; 76.7% had knowledge about its spread through vaginal sex, 67.8% had idea regarding its Mother to Child transmission. 92% felt PLHIV should not be kept away from others, 93% felt they shouldn't be deprived from property. Regarding sexual activity, 76.7% had sexual activity more than 3 times/week and 97.8% used condom persistently in last one year. Coordinated Efforts is required to be taken in this regard to tackle these problems.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable disease still millions of people suffer and many of them die from this disease. Just providing anti-TB medication is not sufficient to ensure that patient to be cured. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the treatment outcome rates and to find out the determinants of patient satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A clinic-based, descriptive, crosssectional study was conducted in Lokepur Tuberculosis unit (TU) from July 2015 to June 2016. Simple random sampling was adopted to select 50% of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) centers under that TU. Afterward, complete enumeration of the adult TB patients receiving Category I treatment and registered from June to October 2015 was done from the selected DOTS centers. Exit interview of the patients was conducted using pretested predesigned questionnaire and treatment outcomes were recorded from TB register. Data were entered in MS Excel Spreadsheet and analyzed by SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Treatment success rate of Category I TB patients was about 87%. Almost 76% patients were satisfied with the given services. Treatment success rate was higher among the satisfied (97%) than the not satisfied (57%) clients and the difference was statistically significant. Client satisfaction was statistically associated with gender, residence, educational level, first caregiving person, and decision maker in getting treatment. Conclusion: Concern given to urban slum areas, improvement of literacy status of the patients, arrangement of the alternative sources of income for TB-affected family, and improvement of the knowledge of first caregiving persons are the steps to be taken at this hour.

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a complex phenomenon caused by nonlinear combination and interaction of man, vehicles, road, and environment. Aim: This study aims to find out the outcome and severity of RTI in a district of West Bengal, India. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among inpatients of Departments of Surgery and Orthopedics of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for 1 year interviewing 295 RTI selected through scheduled sampling. Information pertaining to demographic and correlates of RTI was collected by face to face and over telephone using semi-structured questionnaire. Nine-item Simplified Injury Severity Scale (SISS) was used to assess injury severity. Internal consistency of SISS scale was showed by Cronbach's alpha and association with the correlates was done by Mann–Whitney U-test. Statistical Analysis Used: With SPSS version 22.0, binary logistic regression, and Mann–Whitney U-test. Results and Conclusion: Fatal outcome in terms of death and permanent disability was 34.24% and they had higher marginally significant (P = 0.06), SISS score (45.17 ± 12.59). Participants with absence of protective devices, presence of comorbidities, drunkenness, with accidents over national highways, in-between 6 am and 6 pm, mechanized two-wheelers, and nonreceipt of first aid were found to have significantly high scores compared to their counterpart. SISS, as a proxy measure of severity assessment, could throw a light on it and awareness generation and legislative stringency might be need of the hour for the country.

Background: Perceived stress and burnout are by-products of powerless responsibility imposed on resident doctors. Emotional intelligence (EI) works as an adapting and coping tool. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the role of work-related perceived stress on burnout and influence of EI on it. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2016 among 63 resident doctors of different departments of Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire for background characteristics and work-related variables. Cohen perceived stress scale, Trait EI, and Shirom-Melamed burnout questionnaire were applied for measuring perceived stress, EI, and burnout, respectively. Statistical analysis was done with of SPSS version 22.0, and for mediation analysis, Andrew F. Hyne’s SPSS macro was adopted. Nonparametric bootstrapping was done assuming small sample. Results: Out of complete responses, 67%, 22.9%, and 9.8% were from clinical, paraclinical, and preclinical specialties, respectively. Burnout had a significant positive correlation with perceived stress and in negative correlation with EI-well-being and positive correlation with EI-self-control and sociability. Physical fatigue factor of burnout had a significant positive correlation with EI-emotionality. Perceived stress had a negative correlation with EI-well-being. On mediation analysis, assuming EI as a mediator, total, direct, and indirect effects of perceived stress on burnout were significant (

Background: Early childhood education (ECE) is an important service provided by Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). It is largely responsible for developing school readiness in children. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess ECE component of ICDS services through measurement of school readiness and find out other correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional evaluation study was carried out among Anganwadi centers (AWCs) under Bankura Municipality, West Bengal, India from July to November 2015. AWCs were selected by 30 cluster sampling. From each selected center Anganwadi worker (AWW), 7 randomly selected children of 5 years of age and their caregivers were included in the study. Data were collected by assessment of children, interview of AWWs and caregivers of children, observation of ECE activity and record review using ECE Program Evaluation Package developed by World Bank and predesigned schedule. Mean, standard deviation, proportions were estimated for description and correlation, unpaired t-test, analysis of one-way variance, multivariable linear regression were performed to find out correlates of school readiness using SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Average duration of ECE activity was 66.0 min/day which was far less than the norm. Overall average score of school readiness of 210 children was 14.0 out of 40. Inadequate physical facility, poor classroom performance acted as deterrents for school readiness. Help in the study at home was revealed to be a determinant of school readiness. Conclusion: For the preparation of formal schooling of children most important needs of the hour are physical facility of AWCs, supportive supervision of AWWs, and creation of congenial environment at home.

Introduction: Growing concern for Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic forces World Health Organization (WHO) and government of India (GOI) to incorporate newer rapid and highly specific diagnostic test like Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT). Aim: To find the usefulness of CBNAAT in increasing Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) positive patient pool over and above the yield of traditional sputum microscopy. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nilratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH), Kolkata, India. The study involved 94 smear negative TB suspects referred from other health facilities as well as diagnosed by the department itself. After collecting baseline information like age, sex, previous history of TB and its treatment by interview and scrutinizing records using predesigned questionnaire, the patients were put on sputum CBNAAT and Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL)- CBNAAT testing. Data were analysed by estimating mean, Standard Deviation (SD), proportion and using independent t-test, chi-square test. Results: Overall, average age of participants was 44.7±15.3 (mean±SD) years. Male-female ratio was 1:2.8. Altogether 44.7% patients were detected sputum positive out of which 34.0% were detected only by sputum CBNAAT and another 10.7% detected when BAL-CBNAAT testing was used among the negatives yielded from sputum CBNAAT only. These differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: Utility of CBNAAT over and above traditional diagnostic methods was reaffirmed. With added advantage of detecting MDR cases simple, sensitive, speedy and automated CBNAAT seems new mile stone in ‘Stop TB’ strategy and needs utilised to its highest potentiality through monitoring and supervision.

Transgender (TG) people experience a gender identity that is different from their anatomical sex. For their high-risk sex behavior, they are important group for targeted intervention of HIV/AIDS. The objective of the study was to find the sexual behavior of TG people and to assess few aspects of their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. This cross-sectional survey was done from June to August 2012, in field practice area of “Kosish,” a nongovernmental organization run by TGs in Alipore of Kolkata metropolitan city, India. Information was collected by interviewing 90 TG of 11 selected hotspots using a predesigned questionnaire. Results revealed that 4.5% were illiterate. Drug abuse was reported by 22.2% participants. Inconsistent condom use was found. Venereal disease research laboratory reactivity was found in 11.11%. Nearly 16.7% had experienced sexual violence in the past 3 months. Thus, interventions for overall empowerment of the TGs are recommended.

Background: Studying level of living, awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and sex behavior of men who have sex with men (MSMs) is prerequisite for control of increasing AIDS among them in India. Objective: To assess sociodemographics, awareness about STIs including AIDS, and find out the pattern of high risk sex behavior of MSM. Methodology: Cross-sectional survey was undertaken in May, 2012 among MSMs catered by T I program via Nongovernmental Organization "Madhya Banglar Sangram" in Murshidabad District. 62 MSMs were included from five cruising spots sampled randomly out of fourteen such. Information was collected via interview and focused group discussions (FGD) using questionnaire and FGD guide. Blood samples were examined for VDRL reactivity. Results: Median age was 25 years and sexual debut at 13.67 ± 4.29 years. 87% respondents were residing in parental house, 20% was married, 40% had low education, 80.33% had additional jobs but 54% reported poor income. About 56% respondents knew "what is AIDS" and its spread via anal sex, mother to child transmission, needle sharing, sex worker, and blood transfusion reported by 52.46, 50.82, 47.54, 45.90, and 34.43%, respectively. More than 2/3rd, about 40 and 34.43% MSMs played "anal and oral receptive," "anal insertive" and "oral insertive" role. About 33% used condom regularly. Majority knew main symptoms of STIs. About 2/3rd reported discrimination by neighbors. Blood examination showed 6.45% VDRL reactivity. Conclusion: Reducing vulnerability of MSMs to HIV/AIDS requires holistic programs.

An intervention study was conducted among students of three randomly selected free primary schools in rural West Bengal to assess the effect of health-nutrition education for behavior modification of parents on nutritional anemia of children. Clinically anemic students were school-wise randomized into ′groups of two′ and intervened with anthelminthic, iron-folic acid (IFA) pediatric tablet and health-nutrition education by reoriented teachers. Parents of study group were involved in behavior change processes. Baseline overall prevalence of anemia was 64.4%. After IFA therapy, prevalence of anemia was not found to differ between two groups (χ2 = 2.68, P > 0.05, RR= 0.48, 95% C.I 0.2 < RR < 1.19) while reducing 52.2% of relative risk. Reassessment after six months showed significantly lower prevalence in study group (χ2 = 18.14, P < 0.05, RR = 0.20, 95% C.I. 0.08 < RR < 0.49). Parental involvement for life style and dietary modification may curb childhood anemia.