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Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) encompasses use of hygienic absorbents, appropriate frequency of changing, genital hygiene and disposal. Inadequate facilities at school pose a formidable barrier for MHM. Objective: To assess the practices related to MHM and their correlates among school going adolescent girls aged 15-19 yrs and explore the enablers and barriers of MHM from the participant’s perspective. Methodology: This concurrent mixed method study with cross-sectional design and phenomenological approach for quantitative and qualitative part respectively, was undertaken in public schools of Berhampore Municipality, Murshidabad district during September-November’23. The quantitative study was contemplated among 204 eligible participants selected through multistage random sampling. Data on background variables and variables related to MHM were collected with a predesigned, pretested self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS.20. For qualitative component, In-Depth Interviews (IDI) were done on purposively selected eight participants, representing different schools and age groups. IDIs were transcribed in verbatim and thematic analysis was done. Results: All participants used sanitary pads; 53.9%, 17.64% and 20.5% changed pads at appropriate frequency (four times/day), cleaned external genitalia (thrice/day) and disposed in covered bins respectively. Only 11.3% had favourable MHM (at least 3 correct practices out of 4). Maternal education [(OR:3.44; (1.28-9.27)]and occupation [(OR:7.01; (2.23-21.99)], socio economic status [(OR:5.66;(1.52-21.02)], access to continuous water supply [(OR:15.40;(4.38-54.10)] and disposal facilities[(OR:2.88;(1.15-7.22)] were significantly associated with MHM. On thematic analysis major enablers explored were conducive home environment, communication with parents, access to hygienic absorbents and access to washrooms with water supply at school; lack of access to hygienic washrooms and proper disposal facility at school, long duration of school and limited communication were identified as barriers for MHM. Conclusion: Among the school girls in this area unfavourable MHM was alarmingly high, surfacing multiple factors amenable to change by ensuring access to proper services/facilities and communication about MHM.

Background: The study aimed to estimate the magnitude of nomophobia, prevalence and degree of depression, anxiety and stress; the relationship between nomophobia and different mental health status; and also finding the correlates of nomophobia among undergraduate medical students. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Murshidabad Medical College during September-November 2023, among a calculated sample of 222 undergraduate medical students selected through stratified random sampling. A self-reported English questionnaire comprising background characteristics, smartphone use related characteristics; and validated nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q) and depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results: Among the study participants 13.1%, 72.1% and 14.8% had mild, moderate and severe nomophobia respectively. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were 54.5%, 69.4% and 37.4% respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression revealed that students aged less than 21 years (AOR: 6.088; 95% CI: 2.053- 18.055), students belonging to joint family (AOR: 6.836; 95% CI: 2.392-19.537) and daily average time spent on smartphone more than 5 hours (AOR:5.314; 95% CI: 1.919-14.721) were at higher risk of developing severe nomophobia. Correlation analysis revealed depression was significantly correlated with Nomophobia (Spearman rho:0.200, p value:0.003). Conclusion: Nomophobia is quite prevalent among medical students with varying degree of severity. Mental health status specially depression is correlated with nomophobia. Findings suggests the need for supporting the holistic well-being of medical students through proper health education strategies and workshops on mental health.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a major public health challenge. Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS), a simple and cost-effective tool consisting of two modifiable (waist circumference, physical activity) and two non-modifiable risk factors (age, parental history) for diabetes, can be easily applied in mass screening programmes. Opportunistic screening for diabetes among individuals aged = 30 years is being done under the programme for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. Objective: To assess the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus using IDRS, coverage of screening services for diabetes through the primary health care delivery system and to identify their correlates. Methodology: : A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal during September to November 2023 among permanent residents aged = 30 years on a calculated sample of 300 selected through multi-stage sampling. Required data were collected by interviewing the study subjects using pre-designed, pre-tested schedule including IDRS, reviewing medical records and measuring waist circumference. Analysis was done using SPSS-20. Results: Among 300 participants, 40.7% had high risk; 54% and 5.3% had moderate and low risk of diabetes respectively according to IDRS. In multivariable analysis, age =35 years (AOR 18.10, 95% CI 5.07-64.66), female gender (AOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.40-4.00) and being in joint family (AOR 3.53, 95% CI 1.77-7.04) were significant correlates for high-risk category according to IDRS. Only 67% were screened for diabetes within last six months, of which 89% were through primary health care delivery system. Screening status varied significantly by age group (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.98-7.35) and IDRS risk categories (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.06-2.80). Conclusion: Alarmingly substantial proportion of people in the area are at high/moderate risk of diabetes coupled with low opportunistic screening coverage, which highlights the need for intensive behaviour change communication and stronger service delivery.

Background: Tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) among close contacts of Tuberculosis (TB) cases is a globally accepted strategy. India targeted elimination of TB by 2025 and started implementing TPT among all household contacts. This intervention needs evaluation in different areas and population groups for effective outcome. Objectives: We aimed to assess the extent of TPT coverage and adherence; ascertain the reasons for non-initiation and non-adherence; and to determine the socio-demographic and programmatic correlates of coverage. Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study during September-November 2023 in a block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal. A sample of 301 eligible household contacts (HHC) of ‘index cases’ (microbiologically-confirmed drug-sensitive pulmonary TB) registered in TB unit of the block during October’22 to March’23 were the study subjects. For child contacts (