Search

Background: Intra-uterine contraceptive device is one of the most commonly used reversible method of contraception worldwide. In West Bengal Cu-T acceptance is decreasing in majority of the districts. Objectives: To determine the underlying factors for low acceptance of IUCD. Methodology: A qualitative study was carried out in Paschim Mednipur and Howrah districts of West Bengal in 2009 by organising seven Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in each district. Three FGDs among beneficiaries’ i. e eligible couples, 3 FGDs among service providers and one FGD among health administrators were undertaken in each district.Results: Beneficiaries experienced complications like bleeding, pain, misplacement etc. Fear of weakness, white discharge, occurrence of cancer existed. Providers highlighted lack of privacy, need for Cu-T re-orientation training, shortage of IEC material and inadequate time spent by doctor for motivation, rumour among clients. Administrators opined that sustenance of Behaviour Change Communication, training of ANMs would be useful.Conclusion: Different rumours& myth in the society responsible for low acceptance of Cu-T may be removed through strengthening the Behaviour Change Communication involving Doctors also.

Professor Sandip Kumar Ray, a brilliant, highly committed, renowned Community Medicine teacher and distinguished public health expert and researcher left for his heavenly abode on 17th July 2020.Prof. Ray had dedicated his entire professional career to public health teaching, training and research. He had brought about a radical change in Community Medicine training by orienting it more towards practical approach i.e. field based training.Prof. Ray was the elder son of Prof. Bidhu Sekhar Ray, an eminent medical teacher and former Principal of R.G.Kar Medical College, Calcutta. He was born on 28th April 1947. He passed MBBS from R.G. Kar Medical College in the year 1971 and joined “Kadambini” Primary Health Centre, Monteswar, Burdwan as Medical Officer in 1973. He attained Post Graduate degree in Community Medicine from Benaras Hindu University in the year in 1979. After that he joined as faculty in Community Medicine Department of Burdwan Medical College and attained the post of Professor and Head of the department. During his tenure, the department flourished under his able leadership and the teaching and training modalities of Community Medicine was strengthened as well. In 1994 he joined Medical College, Kolkata as Professor and Head and continued his term till his superannuation from West Bengal Medical Education Services. Thereafter he continued to render his expertise as senior faculty/ HoD of Community Medicine in several Medical Colleges of West Bengal, Karnataka and also in Nepal. He was Guest Professor at Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Kolkata. He was also program coordinator of PGDMCH course of IGNOU study centre at Medical College, Kolkata. He had a pleasant personality with an ever smiling face and was the loving ‘dada’ and an ideal role model for the junior colleagues. His passion for the discipline and his dedication towards teaching inspired thousands of undergraduate, post graduate and PhD students.

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.

A study was conducted by house-to-house visit during 2nd and 3rd round of IPPI in Nov and Dec 2000 in two slums adjacent to Medical College Kolkata. Total houses visited in these two rounds were 2836 and 611 children were immunised at home. Mothers of 503 children (who did not receive IPPI dose at booth on NIDs) were interviewed. For rest 104 children, mothers were not available during the time of visit. The result showed that infants were the largest group (30.6%) to receive vaccine at home. Majority (84.1%) was permanent residents of the locality. Only 4.2% were Bengali-speaking Hindus while most other were Hindi or Urdu speaking Muslims. "Health workers will bring vaccine at door steps" was the reason of non-attendance at booth by 30.2% parents. No routine immunisation was received by 14.9% children. The source of information regarding IPPI was, 45.4% from medical students, 28.5% from health workers, 15.1% from TV, 5.6% from relatives and neighbours, 3.6% from miking and 1.8% from newspapers respectively.