PRACTICING HEALTH PROMOTION IN PRIMARY CARE – A REFLECTIVE ENQUIRY

IntroductionHealth promotion is an integral part of routine clinical practice. The physicians’ role in improving the health status of the general population, through effective understanding and delivery of health promotion practice, is evident throughout the international literature. Data from India suggest that physicians have limited skills in delivering specific health promotion services. However, the data available on this is scarce. This study was planned to document the current health promotion knowledge, perception and practices of local primary care physicians in Odisha. MethodsAn exploratory study was planned between the months of January – February 2013 in Odisha among primary care physicians working in government set up. This exploratory study was conducted, using a two-step self-administered questionnaire, thirty physicians practicing under government health system were asked to map their ideal and current health promotion practice, and potential health promotion elements to be worked upon to enhance the practice. ResultsThe study recorded a significant difference between the mean of current and ideal health promotion practices. The study reported that physicians want to increase their practice on health education. ConclusionWe concluded that inclusion of health promotion practices in routine care is imperative for a strong healthcare system. It should be incorporated as a structured health promotion module in medical curriculum as well

Perception and practices followed by AYUSH practitioners and health seekers for prevention of COVID-19: Cross-sectional analysis of an app-based data

Abstract AYUSH Sanjivani is a mobile application launched by the Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) to gather information regarding the utilization of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) advocacies for the prevention of COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional analysis of the data generated through this mobile application has been performed and presented in this article to examine the acceptability and extent of utilization of AYUSH preventive measures in India. Objectives: The objectives of this cross-sectional analysis was to determine the trends of the utilization of AYUSH measures by the beneficiaries as reported by AYUSH practitioners and by the practitioners themselves for the prevention of COVID-19 and to determine the benefit obtained in terms of self-reported parameters of general well being, the overall impact on general health and in preventing the onset of flu-like symptoms. Methods: A secondary data analysis was undertaken, utilizing the cross-sectional data generated through the AYUSH Sanjivani App from May to July 2020. The responses in terms of demographic profile, utilization pattern, benefits obtained, the interventions used and the data of beneficiaries in terms of geographic location and interventions prescribed were analyzed statistically to assess the trends of the utilization of AYUSH measures for prophylaxis. Results: Data of 74,568 AYUSH physicians and 1,35,21,245 beneficiaries/health seekers whose data were reported by 3623 AYUSH practitioners were used for analysis. AYUSH advocacies/measures were utilized by 69,195 (92.8%) physicians for prophylaxis. Samshamani Vati, Chyavanprash, and Arsenicum Album-30 were the most commonly used AYUSH interventions. Improvement in terms of appetite, bowel movements, sleep, mental well being, stamina, change in pre-existing disease, and change in disposition were reported by 42400 (61.3%) physicians. Maximum beneficiaries were from the state of Gujarat followed by Madhya Pradesh. Arsenicum Album-30 was the most commonly prescribed/distributed intervention among the beneficiaries/ health seekers. Conclusion: Maximum physicians have reported having benefited from the use of AYUSH prophylactic measures for the prevention of COVID-19. Moreover, a good proportion of the Indian population was provided the AYUSH prophylactic measures as recorded in the app

The value of open-source clinical science in pandemic response: lessons from ISARIC

International audienc