331 primary school students studying from Nursery classes to Class IV in 2 randomly selected schools in Naxalbari Village in Darjeeling district of West Bengal were tested for visual acuity (VA), Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and Bitot's spot. 329 students could be tested for visual acuity whereas all 331 students were tested for VAD and Bitot's spot. The prevalence of abnormal Visual Acuity (VA) (VA <6/9 in any eye) in this study group was 3.65% and it was highest in 7 - 8 years age group in both the sexes contributing to 75% of the total students having abnormal VA. All these children fell within 50th percentile of weight and height for their respective age and sex. Hindu & ST children accounted for 91.67% & 50% abnormal VA respectively; however, when presence of abnormal VA was compared with its absence between 2 sexes, Hindu and Muslim students and in different castes, no statistically significant differences were found (p >.05). Students of Class-I and Class-II contributed 25% and 50% respectively and together accounted for 75% of abnormal VA. Prevalence of VAD was 8.16%. Among sufferers of VAD Hindus (81.48%) and ST (51.85%) were the main contributors; the differences between presence and absence of VAD in 2 sexes, among 3 religious groups were not statistically significant (p > .05); however, differences among ST and NonSCST groups, and again SC, ST and Non-SCST groups were statistically significant (p < .05). Prevalence of Bitot's spot was 3.63%. Among the students having Bitot's spot, females (58.33%) outnumber the males (41.67%); but the difference between presence and absence of Bitot's spot in 2 sexes was not statistically significant (p>.05). 83.33% each of Hindus and STs had Bitot's spot. No SC and no Muslim student had this spot; the differences between presence and absence of Bitot's spot between Hindu and Christian students were statistically significant (p < .01); similarly when the findings were considered between ST and NonSCST students the difference was found to be statistically highly significant (p <.001).

Objective : To evaluate the maintenance of cold chain system (CCS) in intensified pulse polio immunization (IPPI) programme, during December 2001 and January 2002 in Union Territory (UT) Chandigarh. Materials & methods : A Cross sectional time bound study was conducted in seven centres, where OPV vials were stored prior to IPPI and 20 IPPI Booths in UT, Chandigarh. Booths were selected by stratified random sampling technique. The status of cold chain equipments was assessed at headquarter of IPPI, 06 regional (distribution) centres, 20 IPPI posts and O5 house to house teams. Results : The cold chain sickness rate was found to be 9.7% in January,2002. There were reports of breakdown of cold chain maintenance due to defective plugs and sockets, faults in thermostat, leakage of gas. But all vaccine samples picked up randomly were reported potent, as per the test reports provided by Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli during the period of study. Observation & discussion : temperature charting and cold chain maintenance was found satisfactory, but necessity of improvement, specially regarding the handling of vaccines by the female health worker. Lids of vaccine carriers not closed tightly, frequent opening of lids during immunization, direct exposure of vaccine to atmospheric temperature, keeping the vaccine vial in hand or pocket. More emphasis is to be given on maintenance of cold chain system in orientation training programme of all Health functionaries before the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) programme.

An annual utilisation of blood transfusion services at several depts. of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata were assessed among a sample of 3122 patients selected by Systematic Random Sampling Technique from the register made available in the blood bank there. Record analysis revealed that overall 79.4% of supplied blood units were actually transfused, wastage of 21.6%. Wastage was maximum in the Department of Gynae & Obstetrics (33.11%) and Surgery (32.87%). Only single unit of blood was requisitioned and transfused for 5.44% & 30.90% of the patients respectively. Most common indications of blood transfusion were for surgical cases (37.92%), followed by anaemia (34.80%) and haemorrhage (26.92%). The use of blood and blood products merit attention, apparisal and instructional guideing accordingly.