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Background: Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3.9.1 and 11.6.2 call for a reduction in deaths and illnesses from air pollution, improving the air quality of cities. The above goals motivate us to organize workshops to improve the health of traffic police, who bear the brunt of air pollution. The paper examines the effect of workshops on the health-seeking behavior of the traffic police in Bhubaneswar city. Methods: The study conducted two workshops as a quasi-experimental, single-group study at an academic institution in Bhubaneswar. It included 20 traffic police officers (11 male and 9 female). The Kirkpatrick 4-level model was used to assess the effectiveness of the workshops. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and postworkshop scores. Results: Thirteen traffic police officers rated the workshop sessions as excellent. The score before the workshop ranged from zero to three, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 2.81 (1.0). The postworkshop score had a minimum to maximum score of three to five with a mean (SD) of 4.41 (0.7) (P < 0.005). The effect size dcohen (confidence interval [CI]) was 1.87 (3.27-4.71). The mean (SD) of absolute and relative gain was 1.6 (1.0) and 0.93 (1.02), respectively. All 20 traffic police officers showed improvement in health-seeking behavior. The significant lifestyle changes after the workshops ranged between 5% and 75%. Conclusion: The test scores indicated statistically significant improvement as the P value recorded was smaller than 0.05. This concludes that the improvement in understanding of the session was statistically significant because of the training imparted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal and child health (MCH) care is one of the essential routine healthcare services, which got affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Modeled projections had anticipated an 8.3%-38.6% rise in maternal mortality from different countries globally. In view of limited studies pertaining to issues related to accessing MCH services in the event of a pandemic, this study was carried out on pregnant and postnatal mothers in Odisha, India. Methods: An explorative qualitative study through 36 in-depth interviews (IDIs) was conducted among 16 (44.4%) antenatal and 20 (55.5%) postnatal mothers in six of thirty districts of Odisha, India, from February to April 2021. The districts and blocks were randomly selected for better representativeness. The IDIs were conducted using a predesigned and pretested guide among mothers who had undergone delivery or availed of antenatal, postnatal, or child health services from October 2020 to April 2021. The IDIs were conducted till data saturation. The data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. Results: The average age of mothers was 27.6 (+/- 2.2) years. Among the participants, 16 (44.4%) were antenatal and 20 (55.6%) were postnatal mothers; 19 (52.8%) were primipara and 17 (47.2%) were multipara. The majority explained that they received enormous support including door-to-door services from the community health workers (CHWs) even during the difficult times of the pandemic. Reduced transportation facility and fear of contracting the infection were reasons behind the unwillingness to visit health facilities and preference for home delivery. Furthermore, the pandemic had physical, mental, social, and financial impacts among pregnant and postnatal women. Conclusion: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to MCH services by antenatal and postnatal mothers. Health system preparedness and appropriate strategies including better community engagement and participation could avert such challenges in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The free-of-cost supply could not meet the demand for Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in India, so the government approved an injection option with a price. We aimed to determine how much money an individual would be willing to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their children and assess the factors determining it. Methods: We conducted a study among all adults visiting the outpatient department of a government tertiary care hospital in West Bengal, India, in August 2021. Trained nursing officers combined bidding game and open-ended question methods during personal interviews to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) values. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of 1565 participants was 40.8 (12.2) years with 46.5% (n = 727) males, 70.4% (n = 1102) parents, 50.0% (n = 783) educated up to class 12 and 30.9% (n = 483) belonging to upper-middle socio-economic scale (SES). The median (inter-quartile range [IQR]) WTP amount for the first dose and the subsequent/booster dose among the unvaccinated (50.2%, n = 785) and vaccinated (49.8%, n = 780) participants were ₹0 (0-100) and ₹0 (0-200), respectively. The median (IQR) WTP for inoculating children with any COVID-19 vaccine was ₹50 (0-300) in both groups. Significant differences were found in the WTP prices for adult vaccines in both groups concerning age category (P = 0.02), education (P < 0.01) and SES (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Although more than half of the respondents were unwilling to pay for themselves, WTP for COVID-19 vaccination was higher for their children. Policy-makers should consider income, education and age to cap the private sector vaccination price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Health literacy among school children is a priority to promote their health, hygiene, and nutrition behaviours and practices. Although in schools they learn from their peers and teachers, their domestic and social conditions also contribute to learning and adopting in practice. The level of health literacy is also influenced based on socio-demographic features. Aims: It is imperative to explore and understand the practices including existing gaps and challenges for future improvement. Methods and Material: A qualitative study consisting of 17 focus group discussions (FGDs) among students and teachers in six rural secondary schools was carried out in a rural block of the Cuttack district, Odisha. All FGDs were audio-recorded; transcribed and compiled data were imported into Atlas.ti for analysis. Results: An existing gap in health literacy and healthy practices with respect to hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, and diseases was observed. A low socio-economic status, inaccessibility to clean and safe drinking water, toilet facility, and nutritional food items were major factors preventing their health literacy and practice. Many schools have adopted measures such as poster presentation, practical teaching and demonstration, school play, and competitions at the school and in the community, which were found to be effective for creating awareness. Improving infrastructural facilities, ensuring availability of essential commodities, and having more health-promotional activities are required for improving health literacy and practice. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to improve the health literacy and practice among rural school children. Innovative practical-oriented education at schools and improved awareness among parents and community people would achieve better adherence to healthy practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: While there are studies on peoples' behaviour toward health professionals (doctors and nurses) during the Coronavirus diesease (COVID-19) pandemic in hospital settings, there is limited literature on Community Health Workers (CHWs). Our study attempted to explore the behaviour of community people towards CHWs during the pandemic and its underlying reasons. Material and Method: A qualitative study using In-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) was conducted among CHWs and community people from six districts of Odisha from February to April 2021. The researchers transcribed the audio recordings in the vernacular language of the Odisha province, i.e., Odia, and later translated them into English. A qualitative content analysis method was used to prepare the detailed report using Max Weber Qualitative Data Analysis (MAXQDA) software. Result: The study found two major categories-Reflection on community behaviour towards CHWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflection on availing health care services by community people during a pandemic. Many CHWs revealed that the community people acknowledged their work and dedication and extended all sorts of co-operation and support. However, few community people were non-cooperative and non-supportive. Community reluctance owing to perceptions that the CHWs might be infected, was the significant cause that they faced a lack of support from the community. Further, to create awareness of COVID-19 infection among community people, CHWs adopted different strategies such as door-to-door visits, wall painting, poster display, and awareness through mikes. Conclusion: The efforts made by the CHWs during health emergencies need to be recognized and appraised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the deaths due to road traffic injuries occur outside the hospital. However, the trauma care system in India is still in the nascent stage to provide emergency prehospital health-care services. The emergency prehospital trauma health-care services are mostly limited to the urban areas in India. The heavy traffic in urban areas, adverse topography, poor health infrastructure, and unavailability of skilled human resources in the rural areas limit the provision of prehospital trauma care services in India by using traditional car ambulance. The bike ambulance service and the first responder seems to complement each other to provide prehospital emergency trauma care services in the every corner of India negotiating the constraints faced by car ambulance services. The bike ambulance service has been started in few cities across few states/union territories in India, but it has a long way to go. Inadequate public funding, lack of guidelines, and skilled workforce form the bottle neck in rolling out of bike ambulance services across India. The government can take the opportunity of the services of vast network of nongovernmental organizations (NGO), self-help groups, youth clubs, and other social organizations to make this initiative an exemplary solution for providing optimum prehospital emergency trauma care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of information on sewage worker's quality of life (QoL). Hence, we aimed to assess the QoL and its associated factors among sewage workers in Puducherry, coastal south India. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 sewage workers were included in the study. QoL was assessed using a validated Tamil version of WHO QoL-BREF. The association of QoL with age, educational status, residence area, self-reported chronic illness, use of protective measures, tobacco and alcohol use was assessed by univariate analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the independent factors associated with QoL. Results: Overall mean (standard deviation) score of QoL was 56.9 (9); mean score of social relationship domain was comparatively lower than physical, psychological and environmental domains. Current tobacco and alcohol uses were 17% and 67%, respectively, while alcohol use during work (entering sump) was 5%. At least one morbidity was present among 94 (45%) subjects. About half (47%) used at least one protective measure while entering the drainage sump. Age group above 50 years, below primary level education, presence of chronic illness, smokers and alcohol users had significantly lower QoL score. Conclusions: Social relationships' domain of QoL was very low among sewage workers. The majority of them do not use any personal protective devices and almost half had chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Construction workers are one of the important neglected occupation groups. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and health risk score of tobacco and alcohol use and its association with sociodemographic factors and self-reported morbidities among construction workers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 male construction workers in a tertiary care medical institution in Puducherry, India. A semi-structured questionnaire based on the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) guidelines for assessment and health risk score of alcohol and tobacco use was used. The association of current tobacco and alcohol use with associated factors was analyzed by univariate analysis. Results: About 371 male construction workers participated. The mean (standard deviation) age of construction workers was 28.28 (9.04) years. The prevalence of current tobacco and alcohol use was 60.1% (223/371) and 47.7% (177/371), respectively. Out of 133 smokers, 60.9% (81) were used only bidi, 27.1% (36) only cigarette, and 12% (16) both bidi and cigarette. Most of the workers (126/151 [83.4%]) used khaini among smokeless tobacco users. The majority (204/241 [84.6%]) of ever smokers and nearly half of alcohol users (103 [49.8%]) had moderate risk based on ASSIST score. Higher current tobacco consumption is associated with higher age group, married, lower education status, unskilled occupation, contractual workers, migrants from other states, more duration of work in construction field, and the presence of self-reported health problems (P < 0.05). Current alcohol consumption is associated with more duration of work in construction field and the presence of self-reported health problems (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Tobacco and alcohol use is high, and health risk due to substance use is also more in construction workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the stages of change model for smoking cessation, “willingness to quit” forms the starting point. Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of willingness to quit among smokers in India from Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2009–2010. Methods: Secondary data analysis of GATS, 2009–10, was done to find the correlates of willingness to quit among smokers. All the sociodemographic variables, smoking‑related factors such as frequency, previous attempt to quit, and also effect of antitobacco messages delivered to various media were tested for association using multivariable analysis. Results: Of 9627 current smokers analyzed, 50.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 49.9–51.9] were willing to quit smoking. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age groups [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.31, 95% CI: 1.05–1.65], individuals who have their first smoke after 60 min of wakeup (PR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05–1.36), those living in a house with smoking restriction (PR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.17–1.42), those who received advice to quit from doctor, those who attempted to quit in the past 12 months (PR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03–1.60), having knowledge about illness caused due to smoking, and those who have noticed antismoking messages in billboards/hoardings were willing to quit smoking compared to their counterparts (PR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.23). Conclusion: Enforcing social restrictions like smoking restriction at house and also brief advice by doctors to quit smoking during any contact with the tobacco user could improve quit rate especially in young tobacco users and those who have attempted to quit before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nonsmoking youth form a high-risk group and are at increased risk of ill-effects caused due to secondhand smoke (SHS). The objective is to determine the prevalence and correlates of SHS exposure among the nonsmoking youth in India from global adult tobacco survey (GATS), 2009–10. Methods: Secondary data analysis of GATS, 2009–10 was done to find the correlates of SHS at three different settings – house, workplace - indoor, and public place. All the sociodemographic variables were tested for association with SHS exposure using multivariate analysis. Prevalence ratio with 95% confidence interval [CI] was used to report the risk. Results: The prevalence of SHS was 48.6% (95% CI: 47.7%–49.5%) at house, 25.5% (95% CI: 23.5%–27.6%) at workplace - indoors, and 42.7% (95% CI: 41.7%–43.7%) at public places. SHS exposure among females was found to be higher at house; youth living in rural area were found at increased risk to SHS at both household and public places; and inverse relationship was seen between SHS exposure and education level at both household and workplace - indoors. Overall, the study showed that smokeless tobacco users were at increased risk of SHS exposure at all the three settings. Conclusion: Being female, living in rural area, lower education status, lower socioeconomic status, and use of smokeless tobacco were found to be associated with SHS exposure among nonsmoking youth in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical variable of chemical burns, and their outcomes to prevent or reduce the frequency and morbidity of such injuries. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all the patients with chemical burns admitted at author's center between November 2008 and December 2013. All the patients were evaluated in terms of age, sex, total body surface area, etiology, treatment given, morbidity, mortality, final outcome, and then educated regarding specific preventive measures. Results: A total of 96 patients (2.4% of total burn admissions) (42 males and 54 females) were admitted to our hospital with chemical burn injuries. Most of the patients were in the age group of 16-30 years. Incidence in females was slightly higher than in males. Acid was found to be the most common cause of injury. We found 55% patients admitted had <10% total body surface area (TBSA) involvement, 35% had burns involving between 11 and 20% TBSA, and 4% had burns involving 21-30% TBSA, and 6% had burns in >30% TBSA. Morbidity was noticed in the form of skin defect in 80% of cases, soft tissue defect with exposed tendon, bone, or vessels in 16% of cases, and 4% of patients developed contracture and hypertrophic scar. Eighty-six percent of patients required operative intervention. A total of three deaths (3%) were recorded. Conclusion: It was found that chemical burns, though not very common, are deeper burns and can be accidental or non-accidental, and the high-risk age group is 16-25 years. Chemical burns are largely preventable and if properly managed have a good outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of speed detection device in preventing road traffic accidents with the increase in the total number of accidents, persons injured, severity of injuries, and deaths in 2015 as per the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). It mentions that vehicular speed is the most important risk factor for road traffic accidents, injuries, severity, and deaths. It also mentions that impact of speed detector in reducing the road traffic crashes and injuries.

A letter to the editor offering information on Noncommunicable disease risk factor reporting in India's National Family Health Survey is presented.