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Public health programmes are interlinked and intertwined with communication, advocacy and social mobilisation for their success. The unprecedented situation created by COVID-19 brought a medical emergency all over the world, the like of which was probably not seen after the Spanish Flu outbreak, a century ago. First there seemed no solution in sight when tens of thousands of people lost their lives to the coronavirus in various countries, but when the vaccine arrived, there were, in general, doubts about its efficacy and safety. Indian scenario was not any different. When the government launched the vaccine in a campaign mode in January 2021, it was also battling with misperceptions and vaccine hesitancy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took it upon himself to address the issue through his various addresses to the nation and his signature programme Mann ki Baat (MKB) on the radio. This review paper examines the empirical research on MKB coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the media multiplier impact of the MKB, people's voices through their engagement with various social media platforms, and what is the impact on vaccine uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infertility is a neglected service component in the public health-care system in India. Objectives: This study aims to assess the availability and practices on prevention and management services for infertility in the district health system. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of selected health facilities and the staff from 12 district hospitals (DHs), 24 community health centers (CHCs), 48 primary health centers (PHCs), and 48 subcenters was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods. Interviewed staff included 26 gynecologists; 91 medical officers; 91 auxiliary nurse midwife; 67 laboratory technicians; and 84 accredited social health activist workers. Results: The findings indicate that adequate staff was in place at more than 70% of health facilities, but none of the staff had received any in-service training on infertility management. Most of the DHs had basic infrastructural and diagnostic facilities. However, the majority of the CHCs and PHCs had inadequate physical and diagnostic facilities related to infertility management. Semen examination service was not available at 94% of PHCs and 79% of CHCs. Advanced laboratory services were available in <42% at DHs and 8% at CHCs. Diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were available in 25% and 8% of DHs, respectively. Ovulation induction with clomiphene was practiced at 83% and with gonadotropins at 33% of DHs. Conclusion: The district health infrastructure in India has a potential to provide basic services for infertility. With some policy decisions, resource inputs and capacity strengthening, it is possible to provide advanced services for infertility in the district health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Access to reproductive health services in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) programs can greatly enhance program's potential to limit the spread of disease, reduce unintended pregnancies and safeguard the health of infected people. Objectives: To assess (i) knowledge, attitude, and use regarding contraceptives; safe sex and dual protection; (ii) fertility desires and unintended pregnancies post HIV and (iii) symptoms of reproductive tract infection/sexually transmitted infection (RTI/STI) among women infected with HIV. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 300 currently married HIV-positive women who had not undergone permanent sterilization with no immediate desire for pregnancy. Study site was Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) in tertiary hospitals of Mumbai and women were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Results: In spite of good awareness about modern methods, 42.7 felt that contraceptives other than condoms were harmful to use due to their HIV status. Knowledge on dual protection was limited to condom (75%). Condom use increased from 5.7% pre-HIV to 71.7% post-HIV, with 89.6% reporting regular use. Future fertility desire was expressed by 8.7% women. Induced abortions post-HIV was reported by16.6% women, as pregnancies were unintended. About 69% wished to use dual contraceptive methods for effective protection if it was not harmful to be used by people living with HIV (PLHIV). Conclusion: Data reveals a need to promote modern contraceptive methods along with regular condom use to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve health-seeking behavior for contraception. Health system models that converge or link HIV services with other reproductive health services need to be tested to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare to infected women in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the perceptions of health care providers about barriers to improved patient safety in the Indian state of Kerala. Materials and Methods: Five focus group discussions were held with 16 doctors and 20 nurses across three institutions (primary, secondary and tertiary care centers) in Kerala, India. Transcripts were analyzed by thematic analysis. Setting: One rural primary care clinic, one secondary care hospital and one tertiary care center in Kerala, India. Participants: 16 doctors and 20 nurses participated in five focus groups. Results: Overall, there were 129 unique mentions of barriers to patient safety; these barriers were categorized into five major themes. 'Limited resources' was the most prominent theme, followed by barriers related to health systems issues, the medical culture, provider training and patient education/awareness. Conclusions: Although inadequate resources are likely a substantial challenge to the improvement of patient safety in India, other patient safety barriers such as health systems changes, training, and education, could be addressed with fewer resources. While initial approaches to improving patient safety in India and other low- and middle-income countries have focused on implementing processes that represent best practices, this study suggests that multifaceted interventions to also address more structural problems (such as resource constraints, systems issues, and medical culture) may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the results of a study regarding the implications of stigmatizing attitude prevalence among urban middle class in Maharashtra, India for HIV/AIDS education strategy. It states that there is correlation between the stigmatizing attitude and discrimination and the knowledge of people about HIV/AIDS.