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Background: A balanced and adequate diet is of utmost importance during pregnancy to meet the increased needs of the mother and to prevent nutritional stress. Studies have shown that a majority of pregnant women in India consume food that is deficient in protein, caloric content and other vital nutrients. In Maharashtra, 20.8% women aged 15-49 years are malnourished and 54.2% are anaemic (NFHS 5 {2019-2020} state fact sheet). Poor dietary intake is one of the common cause of micronutrient deficiency. Maternal anaemia contributes to intergenerational cycle of poor growth in the off spring.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in antenatal care outpatient department (ANC-OPD) of BJGMC and SGH, Pune from January 2021 to February 2021. The 94 antenatal mothers were selected randomly. Semi structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data. Percentages and frequency were used to describe continuous and categorical variables. Test of significance chi square was used with p value less than 0.05 as significant. Analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0.Results: The 91.5% subjects were aware about need of extra amount of food during pregnancy. The 95.7% agreed having extra food during pregnancy is good for health of mother as well as for baby. The 67% actually practiced adding extra food during pregnancy.Conclusions: Education level of pregnant women and socio-economic status were positively associated with nutrition knowledge. The study shows satisfactory knowledge and attitude toward nutrition and diet during pregnancy but practices toward nutrition is still lacking among the study population. Thus, significant gap is there in translating knowledge attitude in practice.

Background Lack of access to rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) contributes to high rabies mortality. A recombinant human monoclonal antibody (SII RMAb) was tested in a postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen in comparison with a human RIG (HRIG)-containing PEP regimen. Methods This was a phase 2/3, randomized, single-blind, noninferiority study conducted in 200 participants with World Health Organization category III suspected rabies exposures. Participants received either SII RMAb or HRIG (1:1 ratio) in wounds and, if required, intramuscularly on day 0, along with 5 doses of rabies vaccine intramuscualarly on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. The primary endpoint was the ratio of the day 14 geometric mean concentration (GMC) of rabies virus neutralizing activity (RVNA) as measured by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for SII RMAb recipients relative to HRIG recipients. Results One hundred ninety-nine participants received SII RMAb (n = 101) or HRIG (n = 98) and at least 1 dose of vaccine. The day 14 GMC ratio of RVNA for the SII RMAb group relative to the HRIG group was 4.23 (96.9018% confidence interval [CI], 2.59-6.94) with a GMC of of 24.90 IU/mL (95% CI, 18.94-32.74) for SII RMAb recipients and 5.88 IU/mL (95% CI, 4.11-8.41) for HRIG recipients. The majority of local injection site and systemic adverse reactions reported from both groups were mild to moderate in severity. Conclusions A PEP regimen containing SII RMAb was safe and demonstrated noninferiority to HRIG PEP in RVNA production. The novel monoclonal potentially offers a safe and potent alternative for the passive component of PEP and could significantly improve the management of bites from suspected rabid animals. Clincical trials registration CTRI/2012/05/002709.

We compared antituberculosis treatment (ATT) adherence and outcomes among patients exposed to Photovoice (video of previously cured TB patients sharing experiences about TB treatment) versus those not exposed. The odds of successful outcome (i.e., cured or completing treatment) for the 135 patients who watched Photovoice were 3 times greater (odds ratio: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3–6.1) than for patients who did not watch Photovoice. The comparison group, on average, missed more doses (10.9 doses; 95% CI: 6.6–11.1) than the intervention group who saw Photovoice (5.5 doses; 95% CI: 3.7–6.1). Using Photovoice at initiation of ATT has the potential to improve treatment adherence and outcomes.

Background: Family planning services have the potential to improve the quality of the lives of people. Family planning deals with reproductive health of mother, having adequate birth spacing, avoiding undesired pregnancies and abortions, preventing sexually transmitted diseases and improving the quality of life of mother, fetus and family as a whole. This study was conducted in the field practice area to learn about various family planning practices and reasons for non-use.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst women of reproductive age group in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre of Dept. of Community Medicine of a Government Medical College, Miraj Dist- Sangli, Maharashtra during the period of January to March 2018. Total of 2964 eligible couples were interviewed by the trained staff using the pre-tested questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using appropriate test whenever necessary.Results: The contraceptive prevalence was found to be 80.8%. Majority 92.8% couples who had two children were using one of the contraceptive methods. Among 2396 contraceptive users, 76% of couples had followed permanent method of sterilization. The permanent method opted by majority of couples was female sterilization i.e. 75.8%, whereas male sterilization was carried out by only 0.2% partners. Among the couples who were using temporary methods, majority partners were using Nirodh.Conclusions: Promotion of contraceptive usage should be done through intense awareness campaigns and continuous motivation should be carried in the current contraceptive users.