Environmental cum medical study was conducted in asbestos cement factory. The environment was evaluated for asbestos fiber by the methods recommended by BIS. Total 355 exposed and 312 suitably matched control workers were investigated by spirometer, Wright's peak flow meter and full sized postero-anterior chest radiograph. The levels of asbestos fiber were 2 to 3 times higher than TLV i.e. 2 f/ml in pipe cutting dept., crude fiber grinding inlet count was more than the ACGIH recommended limit i.e. 5 mpccf of air in pipe cutting dept. and silica mill. In the rest of the department, fiber level as well as dust particle count were below prescribed limit. The comparison of mean values of PFT parameters of workers with 16-20 years exposure history with control one was showing statistically significant decline in mean values of FVC only suggesting restrictive type of PFT impairment in this group of workers. But in workers with more than 20 years exposure, the mean values of all the parameters studied were reduced as compared to control one suggesting combined type of PFT impairment. When the mean values of PFT parameters of exposed smokers were compared with exposed non-smokers there was statistically no significant difference. This can be due to marginal contribution of smoking habit in impairment of PFT parameters of exposed smokers. The percentages of workers with parenchymal and pleural changes due to asbestos exposure were nearly two times more in more than 20 years exposure groups as compared to 11-20 years exposure groups. The parenchymal and pleural changes due to asbestos exposure were more common in exposed smokers as compared exposed non-smokers. However the detailed analysis revealed that if smoking contributes to the development of interstitial fibrosis, the contribution is a marginal one in comparison to the effect of asbestos dust exposure.

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The present study carried out in Calcutta National Medical College, Calcutta, has revealed problem of missed opportunities of immunisation in children and pregnant women and factors contributing to the problem. The percentage of missed opportunity in children and pregnant woman are 30% and 7% respectively. The major cause in case of children were that all the vaccines are not administered in all the days of week (71.05%) and in pregnant woman were wrong ideas about contraindication (42.86%) and indifferent attitude of the health worker (42.86%). All the missed opportunities were attributed to the health care providers.

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It is well felt that community participation, local planning, development of self reliance and manpower resource within the community itself can strengthen the effort of disaster preparedness and response. The present study was intended to bring out the salient features about perception and opinion of community leaders and community members about existing preparedness programme and appropriateness of mitigatory exercise against flood disaster in four eastern states of India viz. West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and Orissa. Many snags at the implementation level, in terms of co-ordination, directives, logistics and knowledge gap were noted, which should be dealt with due care for successful disaster preparedness programme.

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One of the principles of primary health care is intersectoral co-ordination. A cross sectional study done at the primary health center revealed existence of unsatisfactory co-ordination between health and education department.

[ABSTRACT]   Full text not available     [PubMed]

Full text not available    [CITATIONS]  [PubMed]