The objectives of the study were to elicit the reasons for not undergoing cataract surgery from those having cataract, aged 50 years and above, in a village community and, develop, implement and assess a support strategy for getting cataract surgery done. The leading reasons identified were monetary constraints (18.8%), transport difficulty (17.4%), lack of awareness about cataract in the eyes (17.4%) and lack of escort (14.5%). Based on the identified reasons, patients were transported in groups to a government eye hospital for free surgery after completion of required pre operative formalities at the village health center itself. Out of 65 eligible individuals, 66.2% underwent surgery. The success of the approach was evident by perceived improvement in vision in 88.4% operated patients, occurrence of only few minor complications and a satisfactory hospital experience being reported by all.

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Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are major public health problems in India, including West Bengal. Existing programme to control IDD needs to be continuously monitored through recommended methods and indicators. Thus we undertook the study to assess the prevalence of goiter, status of urinary iodine excretion (UIE) level and to estimate iodine content of salts at the household level in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal. We conducted a communitybased, cross-sectional study in 2004; among 2250 school children, aged 8-10 years. The '30 cluster' sampling methodology and indicators for assessment of IDD, as recommended by the joint WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD consultation, were used for the study. Goitre was assessed by standard palpation technique, UIE was analyzed by wet digestion method and salt samples were tested by spot iodine testing kit. Of the 2250 children, 419 (18.6%) had goitre (95% Cl = 17.0 - 20.2%). Total goitre rate (TGR) was not significantly different in respect of gender, age and religion. Visible goitre rate was 2.5%. Median urinary iodine excretion level was 16 mcg/dL (normal: ΃ 10 mcg/dl.) and 16.5% children had value less than 5 mcg/dL. Only 67.4% of the salt samples tested had adequate iodine content of ΃ 15 ppm, with significant difference between Hindus and Muslims (c2=12.68, d.f.=1, p<0.01). TGR of 18.6% indicate the district is still endemic for IDD, but median urinary iodine within normal range reflects no current iodine deficiency. The district is in the transition phase from iodine-deficient to iodine-sufficient. Measures are to be sustained for successful transition towards elimination.

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A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the villages of Singur block, Hooghly district, West Bengal during September 2000 to February 2001. The objectives of the study were to find out the magnitude of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) among reproductive age group women, their knowledge about RTI and utilization of service available locally. Out of an estimated 896 women of reproductive age group in the study area, 186 women were selected by multistage random sampling technique. The study revealed that 66.1% respondents experienced one or more symptoms of RTI in four weeks recall period of this study. There was significant association (p<0.01) between literacy status and their experiences of reproductive illness. 57% had knowledge about RTI. This increased gradually with increase of their ages (p<0.01); literacy status (p<0.01) and their socio-economic condition (p<0.05). 27.6% of RTI patient did not receive any treatment, and majority of those received treatment (41.5%) sought advice from private practitioners.

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The study was carried out at Krishnanagar city of Nadia District, West Bengal on aims to focus the HIV/ AIDS related awareness and attitudes. A total of 400 samples divided into illiterate, primary, secondary and higher educated people (100 from each group) were surveyed using "5- point Likert Scale" consisting of two parts-Part-I for measuring attitude and Part-II for measuring awareness. The data were collected at the end of 1999 and analyzed using SPSS computer programme. Results revealed subjects of any categories of people in general were not aware and shows negative attitude towards AIDS. Significant differences were existed among the categories except between illiterate & primary and secondary & higher educated group of people about awareness and attitude towards AIDS.

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A cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban field practice slum area served by Urban Health Centre (UHC) attached to the deptt. of Preventive and Social Medicine, T. N. Medical College and Nair Hospital, Mumbai, to compare the knowledge about different Child Survival and Safe Motherhood interventions in two groups of mothers. 152 mother who regularly attended antenatal check-up in UHC constituted study group and 153 mothers selected by individual matching constituted the control group. Significant differences in the knowledge of study and control groups of mothers were observed about some interventions like time of initiation of breast feeding, duration of exclusive breast feeding, age of starting weaning and number of OPV and DPT doses to be given till 1 year of age.

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A study on morbity pattern and time trends of filaria cases was carried out in a PHC of Dakshin Kannada District during November 2000 to January 2001. The age and sex distribution of all 416 filaria cases recorded revealed that 235 (56.49%) were females and maximum concentration of 263 (63.21%) was in the age group of 16-45 years. The seasonal distribution revealed that rainy season accounted the highest number of cases 197 (47.35%). The prevalence was highest, 1.96/1000 population in the year 1993 and lowest, 0.71/1000 population in the year 1995.

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