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Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the frontline warriors in combating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and due of the unavailability of targeted therapy, infection prevention and control practices (IPC) remain their key weapon. Effective implementation of recommended IPC strategies is essential for prevention of transmission of COVID-19 infection in health care settings. So, periodic assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of HCWs is required to provide adequate health education and training. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers regarding COVID-19 relevant IPC practices. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from 1st April to 15th April 2021. A 21-item questionnaire was developed based on recommendations of World Health Organizatio (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC). The questionnaire was shared with faculty, postgraduate residents and medical undergraduates via whatsapp messenger. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17 and Chi-square test was used for comparing variables. Results: A total of 317 participants had responded, out of which 55% were females. Majority of the respondents were medical undergraduates (70%) followed by medical postgraduates (18%) and faculty (12%). The mean cumulative KAP score of study participants was 18.01+2.08, suggesting that a good number of participants had adequate knowledge, positive attitude and appropriate practices. Conclusion: Our survey showed that the study participants had adequate awareness and adherence to COVID-19 relevant IPCs recommendations. Periodic training programs are still needed to address the shortcomings in infection control and prevention.

In view of the environmental problems generated by the large-scale production of fly ash, increasing attention is now being paid to the recycling of fly ash as a good source of nutrients. To reduce the cost of fly ash disposal and best utilization, it aimed to convert the fly ash into valuable vermicompost. Stated throughout the experiment, we opted for a soil sample and fly ash and pressed with different concentrations (control, 20%, 50%, 80% and 100%). Subsequently, all the mixtures were vermicomposted for 60 days by adding 100 Earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in each pile. The X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy measured the composition of the metal in fly ash as well as the nutritional content in the soil. This is followed by examining the morphological characteristics and cytogenetic study of Ricinus communis L. The present study indicated that E. foetida mitigates the toxicity of fly ash and is hence used as valuable vermicompost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to standardize a protocol for optimization of pre-treatment, mordanting and dyeing of cotton khadi fabric with waste marigold flower petals. The effects of different single and combined double mordanting on dye-ability and colour fastness properties have been studied after optimization of aqueous extraction of marigold flower as natural dye. Mordants used are potash alum, aluminium sulphate, stannous chloride as metallic salt mordant and harda (myrabolan) from natural source as mordant assistant. After finalizing the mordants, dyeing process variables are standardized for dyeing cotton khadi fabric with waste marigold flower extract as selective natural dye applied on 3% H2O2 (30%) bleached cotton khadi fabric. Dyeing process variables studied are dyeing time, temperature, MLR, pH, mordant concentration, dye concentration and salt concentration for dyeing with prefixed mordant. Colour fastness to washing, rubbing, light and perspiration against use of different mordants and also against different dyeing process variables are also investigated. The results indicate that, this particular natural dye renders better appreciation of colour yield by pre mordanting with 15% aluminium sulphate and harda (50:50) as compared to other single mordants (potash alum and stannous chloride) and double mordants used. Use of double mordant in 15 % application level, shows maximum K/S value with overall good colour fastness than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]