The Islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been reported to be rabies free from time immemorial. Recently, a survey of the islands of Andaman and Nicobar & Lakshadweep was done between July and August 2003 to assess their rabies free status. It was revealed that these islands continue to remain rabies free. However, in Andamans the increasing dog population, poor vigil on import of dogs and lack of laboratory surveillance for rabies posed a threat to this status. The Lakshadweep islands, which are free of dogs, however, faced a threat from the lack of vigil on the entry and presence of cats and poor surveillance for rabies in them.

A study was conducted at Birbhum district of West Bengal among mothers who delivered in last one year to generate area-specific community-based data on the proportion of home deliveries, assistance during conduction of delivery and the intranatal care practices followed in the district. A multistage 40 cluster sampling method was used to study 320 mothers in the district. 37.81% deliveries were conducted at home. About 25% deliveries were conducted by untrained birth attendants, unqualified practitioners or relatives and friends. In 85.13% of home deliveries, DDK was not used. 68.6% home deliveries were conducted on the floor without any clean covering sheet. Though a clean instrument was used to cut the cord in 86.78% of home deliveries, a clean cord tie was used in only 24.89% cases. In 36.36% home deliveries, something was applied on the cord stump. High proportion of deliveries assisted by untrained persons and high magnitude of faulty intranatal care practices observed in the study require urgent and appropriate intervention.

A cross-sectional health examination survey was carried out among a random sample of 406 people of 30 years and above from a rural community to investigate the prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors. Prevalence of smoking and tobacco use was 16%, alcohol intake 9.4 %, daily Salt intake (>5 gram) 34.2%, daily saturated fat intake (>10 % of daily energy intake) 47 .0 % and physical inactivity 18.5 %. BMI was >25 Kg /m ² in 18 percent and it was >30 Kg / m ² in 3.2 percent population. Truncal obesity (WHR: men> 0.9; women > 0.8) was found 18.5 percent more in case of males (20.7). Abdominal obesity(men >102 ; women >88)was found 15.7 percent more in case of males (20.6).18.5 percent population was found suffering from systolic hypertension(>140 mm Hg )and 15 percent from diastolic hypertension(>90 mm Hg). Awareness of CHD risk factors was present in 30.0 percent population. Differences in prevalence of riskfactor in male and female were found statistically significant in case of smoking, alcohol consumption and abdominal obesity. The present study shows that prevalence of CHD risk factors increases significantly in men and women having BMI equal or more than 25 Kg /m ² so this cutoff, should be used to determine obesity in Indian population.

Geomatics technology has tremendous potential to address public health issues particularly under the present circumstances of global climate change and climate or technology induced human migration, which result in an increase in the geographical extent and re-emergence of vector-borne diseases. The authors present an overview of the science of geomatics, describe the potential impacts of climate change on vector-borne diseases and review the applications of remote sensing for disease vector surveillance.

This paper reviews the recent trends in the HIV/AIDS disease in the United States focusing on how the disease has matured over time and has now started to affect population segments that were not typically considered at-risk. The data reveals that HIV/AIDS levels have increased among women while it has decreased among men. HIV/AIDS has disproportionately affected the African American population while the levels have declined among whites. The case fatality rates of AIDS have declined from about 93% to 6% between 1981 and 1995. Overall the epidemic has slowed in the United States and more people affected with this disease are living longer. This can be attributed to effective treatment available and the increase in the general awareness of the disease in the US.

The microbiological quality of bottled mineral water marketed in Ludhiana was examined, Twenty three brands were analyzed for presumptive coliform count by multiple tube tests, and E. coli count was confirmed by Eijkman test. Bacterial and fungal loads were tested by membrane filtration test. Out of 23 only one sample (4.4%) showed the presumptive coliform count to be 460 most probable number (MPN)1 1 00ml,and 1 was found to be positive when tested by Eijkman test for Ecoli. In the membrane filtration test three samples (13%) showed more than two types of bacteria. Different types of bacteria isolated included Bacillus sp (19/23). Pseudomonas spp (13123), Ecoli, Klebsiella sp and S.albus one each Fungi was isolated from five of twenty three.(22%) samples. Only one brand of mineral water was unfit for human consumption. The rest of the samples were contaminated with non pathogenic flora.

The present study was conducted in pre-schoolers (2-6 years) from ten different slums of Udaipur City in Rajasthan with the aim to their nutritional status. From the data collected and observations recorded was observed that majority of the subjects were from nuclear family with monthly family income of less than Rs.1500/-. Developmental pattern of these subjects indicated that the height with age of bothe male and female subjects increased, however, their body weight did not increase. More than 50% of these pre-schoolers showed symptoms of protein energy malnutrition and anaemia, while 22% had pigeon chest deformity due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency. Classification for degree of malnutrition as per IAP showed that majority of these subjects (66%) were under weight (Grade I and II). Waterlow's classification revealed that majority of these pre-schoolers were wasted (30%) or wasted and Stunted (42%). This malnutrition was either of PCM (past chronic) or CLM (current long duration) type as per Seoane and Latham's classification.

The present hospital record based cross-sectional study was undertaken with the objectives of finding out the epidemiological profile of snake bite cases admitted in Shri V. N. Govt. Medical College and hospital during the period of 1998-2002. The data was collected from the filled case papers of snake bite cases, through medical record section under the department of PSM and analyzed manually. The outcome of snake bite treatment was noted and defined. Proportional case rate of snake bite cases varied from 6.8 per 1000 admissions in 1998 to 6.0 per 1000 in 2002. Snake bite cases were seen among Males (69.4%), 97.4% of cases were agricultural workers and labourers. The cases seen during the period of June to Aug (35.5%) followed by Septeber to November (33.5%). About 78.7% of the victims either got relived or cured with a experienced mortality 4.3%.

A Hospital based group matched case-control study was conducted to devise a risk scoring system for the prediction of cancer cervix at the Gynecology Clinic, Government Medical College Hospital, Nagpur, India. The study consisted of 230 cases of cancer cervix (histopathologically confirmed) and equal number of controls, group matched for age. The risk factors considered were Illiteracy, long duration of married life (>25 years), Early Menarche (<13 years), marital status (widow, separated, divorcee), multiparity (> 3), h/o abortion, h/o tobacco use, h/o passive smoking, poor genital hygiene, (grade Ill & IV) and low socioeconomic status. Statistical Analysis included unconditional multiple logistic regression analysis Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The overall predictive accuracy was calculated by Wilcoxon statistic as an equivalent of area under ROC curve. Five risk factors, illiteracy, poor genital hygiene, long duration of married life, multiparity and early menarche were identified to be significantly associated with cancer cervix. These factors were given statistical weights of 13, 10, 7, 5 and 5 respectively. A total score of 21 was found to be the best cut off for prediction and the overall predictive accuracy of the risk scoring system was calculated to be 0.74(0.67 - 0.81). In case of consistent further validation using other data sets this additive risk scoring system can be used for reducing the cost of universal screening by subjecting only high-risk subjects to laboratory screening procedure (Pap smear) in population setting.

Along with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is emerging as a major transfusion hazard. 22 cases of haemophilia (A 19, B 3) and 20 cases of thalassaemia (2 16, E(2) 4) constituted the study group. Patients tested for anti HCV (using third generation ELISA), HBsAg and antibodies to HIV I and II. Prevalence of anti HCV was 54.5% in haemophilics and 5% in thalassaemics. HBsAg was detected in 9.09% haemophilics and 5% thalassaemics. No anti HIV was detected in this cohort. Anti HCV seropositivity in haemophilics has increased compare to previous studies.

A community based cross sectional study was carried out in married reproductive age group women in Urban Health Centre field practice area of Govt. Medical College, Aurangabad. The study aimed to find out extent and socio-demographic correlates of unmet need for family planning. 20.54% of married women in reproductive age had unmet need for contraception, 3.61% for spacing births and 16.93% for limiting births. The main reasons for unmet needwere, littie perceived risk of pregnancy due to perimenopausal age (32.471/o) lactation (31.16%), ignorance (12.32%) etc.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of 106 children working in different units of lock factory was measured and compared with age and sex matched control group of same socio-economic status children. All the children worked for about ten hours per day. It was observed that there was a significant decrease in PEFR of children working in the different units of lock factories i.e. Hand press, Polishing, Lock fitting, Lock packing units as compared to control group (P>0.001). The reduction percentage of PEFR was maximum in children working in polishing unit (25.48%).

A community based cross-sectional study was done by interviewing a sample of 360 women of Anchuri Block in the district of Bankura, West Bengal to know the determinants of utilization and coverage quality of antenatal care services of subcentres using an appropriate scoring system for analysis. The study revealed underutilization of subcentres by the women and also sub-optimal performance of subcentres with regard to coverage quality of ANC services The main reason for under utilization of subcentres was found to be better service provision and easy accessibility of B.S. Medical College Hospital. Multiparous mothers were seen to be at a disadvantage both in terms of utilization of the source of choice as well as in terms of coverage of ANC services by subcentre ANMs.

Total 463 undergraduate students (216 males & 247 females) of ASRAM medical college of Andlira Pradesh were surveyed regarding awareness about biomedical waste management. Most of the students have heard about biomedical waste. Some of them were aware that it causes health hazards. But knowledge about category of wastes, duration of waste storage, responsibility of waste, type of bags used for collection, identification of Biohazard symbol was poor. Awareness of Biomedical waste. management and Handling rule 1998 was also poor. There were gaps in various aspects of Biomedical waste management among medical students. Appropriate training or inclusion of a topic in undergraduate medical curriculum can fulfill this.

A total of 88 Tuberculosis patients who registered for treatment were followed up until their completion. These patients were given treatment under the Government of India implemented RNTCP in the year 1999-2000 in a Tuberculosis unit in Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. Majority of the patients were male and from lower middle class In the present study the cure rate was 72.00 %, treatment completion was 80.55%, default patients were 22.72% and chronic cases were 6.25%.

The present cross-sectional study collected data regarding birth weight along with arm and thigh circumference of 174 consecutive newborns delivered at Maternity Hospital, Tasgaon during 2003. To compare & evaluate utility of arm & thigh circumferences for the detection of LBW newborns. Assessment of the best suitable measurement for identification of low birth weight newborns was made by comparison of Coefficient of Determinants (R(2)), Sensitivity and Specificity values and Kappa Statistics. The estimated cut off points of arm and thigh circumference for given value of birth weight 2.5 kg. were 9.1 cm and 14.2 cm. respectively. Although both measurements are highly sensitive, present study established supiriority of arm circumference over thigh circumference in predicting low birth weight newborns. Thigh circumference is more reliable. Advantages of these measurements are their simplicity & low cost.

The prevalence of RTIs in 600 married females (15-44 yrs.) representing 12 subcentre villages of Daurala block of Meerut was 35.3%. The reproductive tract infections were significantly associated with place of last delivery (P< 0.001), person conducted the last delivery (P< 0.001) and in women had history of abortions (P< .005).