HIV infection and AIDS have only begun to hit India. While prevention is paramount in the fight against HIV infection, counseling services must also be made available to individuals who are already infected with HIV. Counseling affords direct interpersonal contact and the opportunity to pose questions of health personnel. This process helps infected and/or sick individuals to better absorb information and cope with all the aspects of HIV infection. Data suggest that STD infection rates have declined in some African countries where counseling programs have been put into place. Given these merits of counseling, the government of India should develop and implement appropriate policy guidelines, while providing the necessary facilities and manpower to meet patient needs.

It is imperative that health and morbidity data in India at the district level are collected regularly, analyzed, and interpreted with appropriate epidemiological tools. With that in mind, the government of India, since 1990, has strengthened its training of applied epidemiology. The Field Epidemiology Training Program was implemented to create a capability in field epidemiology within the existing health services system to help health authorities at the district level make informed decisions in the delivery of health care. This paper describes the existing health profile, deficiencies/gaps and justifications, program objectives and components, the expected outcome, the project plan, and achievements.

A study of 4326 students, selected by stratified random sampling and using a self administered questionnaire, revealed that overall cannabis abuse among them was 4.5%. It amounted to a considerable decline in prevalence compared to 10.2% observed in 1976. However, it was noted that this reduction was mainly in occasional users and the proportion of regular users has actually increased in 1986. The prevalence has also shown an increase among girl students. The regular users were mainly from professional colleges, hailing from metropolitan cities and with relatively higher amount of pocket money at their disposal. It was concluded that the observed trends could be due to peer pressures. It was also considered that health education of such students at entry point may help reduce the problem.

117 families, having a total population of 558 were studied regarding drug consumption pattern. It was found that the average no. of episodes per person was 0.99 of which drugs were consumed for 72% of episodes. Significant difference was observed in consumption of drugs between males and females. Allopathic medicines were consumed for 93.3% of the episodes and the major source (53.8%) of medical care was from private practitioners. It was seen that the number of drugs consumed per episode of sickness rose as the per capita income increased. Vitamins and Minerals (22.3%) were the main group of drugs consumed. Drugs acting on the alimentary system (17.5%), Respiratory System (14.7%), Antimicrobials (14.6%) and Analgesics (10.8%) contributed to 80% of drug intake.

One hundred five In-service nursing personnel of West Bengal Health Service, who completed a two day's orientation training programme on AIDS were subjected to Pre and Post-training assessment of their knowledge relating to AIDS by the same written questionnaire. Significant improvement in percentage of subjects (from 7.6% pre-training to 51.4% post-training) with desirable level of awareness and knowledge could be achieved by the programme. The importance of inclusion of study of AIDS in the pre- qualification curriculum and continuing education for nursing personnel is stressed.

A study on breast feeding and weaning practices was carried out in a sample of 57 lactating mothers of rural community. Although early start and prolonged breast feeding was an universal practise, but timely weaning was neglected and offered to 54.5% of infants only. On the contrary, introduction of artificial milk to young infants was a culturally accepted baby feeding.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis was clinically diagnosed by non-healing skin lesions present on dorsal surface of nose (Snout) and outer surface of ear and by making impression smear from lesions. One per cent Berberine sulphate inoculated intralesionally on four occasions at weekly interval was found to be highly effective against cutaneous leishmaniasis in domestic dogs.