Evaluation of Integrated Childhood Development Services (ICDS) program implementation in an urban slum of Delhi, India

Background: The Integrated Childhood Development Services (ICDS) scheme is India’s foremost program imparting comprehensive and cost-effective services to meet the multi-dimensional needs of children. Following a populist approach, the program has now increased its umbrella coverage to reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women. The impact of such development and existing program performance remain debatable due to the paucity of evaluation research.Methods: A mix-methods descriptive case study was done using adapted ICDS monitoring tool in a pre-identified slum. The slum was purposely chosen for its intensive habitation of the poor and marginalized population. Primary data were collected through personalized interviews with program staff, health functionaries, and community representatives. Secondary data were collected from records available at Anganwadi centre (AWC). The data were triangulated and analyzed with results being expressed in narrative, simple proportions and percentages.Results: The mean coverage of ICDS services was 58.3%. Maximum coverage recorded for Supplementary Nutrition (SN) and minimal for Nutrition and Health Education (NHE). SN, immunization, Pre-school education (PSE) and growth monitoring (0-3 years) were regularly held. Maternal and child health services were unsatisfactory. Poor community perception reported for AWC and ICDS services with exception of SN.Conclusions: Present case study unveils poor infrastructure, coverage and community participation for ICDS services. Immunisation and referral networking is often dysfunctional reflecting the need for enhanced intersectoral cooperation. Adapted tools could serve as an effective strategy for evaluating and facilitating need-based improvements

KINETIC AND EQUILIBRIUM STUDY OF TRINITROPHENOL ADSORPTION ONTO POLYANILINE TEA WASTE NANOCOMPOSITE FROM AQUEOUS MEDIUM

The current study is focused on the synthesis of polyaniline-tea waste nanocomposite (PANI-TWC) material as a competent adsorbent for the effective removal of trinitrophenol (TNP) from aqueous medium. Batch experiments were performed to examine the influence of the various adsorption parameters such as pH, dose of adsorbents, contact time and initial concentration of TNP on the adsorption process. The kinetic data were fitted with pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order models, and the kinetic studies were well explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm study for TNP adsorption from aqueous solutions on the PANI-TWC was performed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption equilibrium data were best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, which indicated that the adsorption surfaces are homogeneous and the adsorption occurred in monolayers

Evaluating the functional outcomes of tibia and ipsilateral femur fracture, which are floating knee injuries, in adults

Background: High velocity trauma leads to ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures. Despite being very uncommon, they have a significant morbidity rate. Combinations of diaphyseal, metaphyseal, and complicated intra-articular fractures may be present in this kind of injury. Objectives were to assess the functional success of adult patients with ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures treated with various methods. Methods: The 30 adult patients with floating knee injuries underwent surgical treatment as part of the prospective research at the department of orthopedics, govt. medical college, and affiliated group of institutions in Kota. A combination of implants, such as an intra-medullary nail, locking plates, screws, or external fixators, were used to treat both femur and tibia fractures. Results: Karlstrom-Olerud criteria were used for the final evaluation. In our study, five patients (16.6%) had excellent outcomes, ten (33.3%) had good results, seven (23.3%), had acceptable results, and eight (26.6%) had poor results. Conclusions: When the fracture is diaphysis and it is treated with intra-medullary nails for both the femur and the tibia, the results are excellent. In this way, the age of the patient, the kind of fracture, the methods of fracture fixation, and the functional result were all taken into account

Correlation coefficient analysis in twelve gladiolus (Gladiolus hybrids Hort.) genotypes

Study was undertaken to analyses the correlation co-efficient for twenty seven characters in twelve genotypes of gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridusHort.) grown atthe Instructional Farm, Department of Floriculture & Landscaping, College of Horticulture & Forestry, Jhalarapatan, Jhalawar. Spike length had highly positive association with rachis length (rg:0.92, rp:0.88), floret diameter (rg:0.94, rp:0.0.74), spike diameter (rg:0.66, rp:0.50), duration of flowering (rg:0.71, rp:0.42), number of florets per spike (rg:0.89, rp:0.84), number of cormels per plant (rg:0.69, rp:0.65), diameter of corm (rg:0.48, rp:0.41), weight of corm (rg:0.44, rp:0.40), weight of cormels per plant (rg:0.20, rp:0.19), size index of corms (rg:0.41, rp:0.38), florets remaining open at a time in vase (rg:0.56, rp:0.33). At both genotypic and phenotypic levels it had negative correlation with number of spikes per plot (rg:-0.56, rp:-0.48), number of corms per plant (rg:-0.72, rp:-0.50), number of corms per plot (rg:-0.60, rp:-0.54) and florets remaining unopened (rg:-0.39, rp:-0.37). It was observed that for most of the characters genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than phenotypic correlation coefficients

Assessment of genetic diversity using DNA markers among Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson germplasm lines collected from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand hills

The genetic diversity and the relatedness among thirty-one germplasm lines of yellow sarson collected from eastern UP were evaluated using morphological characters and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Molecular parameters, viz. A total number of bands, average polymorphic band, average percent polymorphism, average polymorphic information content (PIC), Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCA) and dendrogram generated using RAPD markers. A total of 148 different polymorphic amplification products were obtained using 10 selected decamer primers. The Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.557-0.899. Maximum polymorphism detected was 100 %.The range of amplification was from 190bp to 9 kb. Some unique bands were also reported with different primers that can be used for the identification of particular accession. PYSC-11-11 and PYSC-11-36 genotypes showed a maximum number of unique loci of different size. 31 germplasm lines grouped into two major clusters I and II based on RAPD profiling. Morphological characterization was done on the basis of leaf, petal and beak characteristics. The similarity value among the germplasm lines ranged from 0.222 to 1.000 using morphological descriptors. The dendrogram generated grouped the germplasm accession into two major groups at 44% similarity value. The cluster analysis was comparable up to some extent with Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCA) of two and three-dimensional plots. The variability revealed by morphological and molecular profile were found to be non-comparable. This study indicated the presence of high genetic diversity among collected yellow sarson germplasm, which could be used for developing for breeding and germplasm management purposes

Knowledge, attitude, and practices in response to COVID-19 pandemic in Indian population

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) had reported COVID-19 disease as a pandemic in March 2020, following which India witnessed more than 29,451 cases on 29th April. Correct knowledge about the disease, the right attitude, and response to infection control recommendations among people is of utmost importance to limit the contagion.Methods: A Cross-Sectional, web-based online study was conducted for five days. The responses (N= 1231) were collected across social networks using snowball sampling. The survey questionnaire assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practical aspects of participants for COVID-19. Knowledge items assessed the causative agent of COVID-19, it’s clinical symptoms, routes of transmission, preventive measures etc. Positive or negative attitudes towards mask usage and restriction compliance were assessed. Socio-demographic data and scores were de-identified and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: The mean age of participants (N=1231) was 32.3±13.7 years and 60.9% were males. High knowledge years and 60.9% participants were males. High knowledge accuracy rate of 84.5% and a mean score of 10.19±1.6 out of 12 was observed. Mean attitude and practice scores were 2.33±0.66 (3) and 1.97±0.16 (2) respectively. A significantly higher knowledge status was observed among females, medical workers, students, and homemakers. Similarly, better attitudes were noticed in males, adults (30-60 years), graduates, and those in job/service. As for practices, no such difference was noticed as more than 98% of participants were compliant to lockdown restrictions and practiced proper distancing and personal hygiene measures.Conclusions: Satisfactory awareness and response were observed owing to the public awareness campaign. Knowledge gaps, poor attitudes, and prevailing myths need to be addressed through targeted communication strategy.

Socio-epidemiological study of malnutrition and associated risk factors among under five children in rural Rajasthan

Background: Malnutrition continues to be a major problem in India and is rightfully described as “the silent emergency.” Sociocultural factors and rural urban disparity in health services in our country further impact the health outcomes. The effects of malnutrition are long-term and trap generations in the vicious circle of poverty. Improving nutrition is therefore essential to accelerate economic growth and development of the country.Methods: It was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 200 under five children residing in rural Udaipur, Rajasthan. Random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A structured validated questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic data, birth history, Anganwadi beneficiary status etc. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight and heights were recorded and classified as underweight, wasted and stunted, using standard World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.Results: This study revealed that 58% of the study population was stunted, 45% was wasted, 54% was underweight and 5% was overweight of the study population was overweight. Regarding the association of malnutrition parameters with other factors, it was found that malnutrition was high among female children, lower socioeconomic class, children of low educated mothers and children who were not exclusively breast fed.Conclusions: To combat malnutrition in India, there is need of multifaceted approach, taking into account the sociocultural determinants, demographic variables, especially in rural areas. In addition to providing supplementary nutrition, innovations regarding specific interventions targeted towards vulnerable population is necessary

Use of emergency contraceptive pill in India: boon or bane

It has been almost fifteen years since emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) have been made available over the counter in India. There have been concerns about the overuse/misuse of ECPs and probability to replace regular contraceptive methods. This article presents various facets of the use of emergency contraceptive pills in India and highlights the importance of potential research to prevent its misuse

Charmonium decay widths in magnetized matter

We study the partial decay widths of the charmonium states ($J/\psi$, $\psi(3686)$, $\psi(3770)$, $\chi_{c0}$, $\chi_{c2}$) to $D\bar D$ ($D^+D^-$ or $D^0\bar {D^0}$) in isospin asymmetric nuclear matter, in the presence of strong magnetic fields. The in-medium partial decay widths of charmonium states to $D\bar D$ are calculated within a light quark--antiquark pair creation model, namely the $^3P_0$ model, using the in--medium masses of the charmonia as well as $D$ and $\bar D$ mesons in the magnetized nuclear matter obtained within a chiral effective model. The presence of a magnetic field leads to Landau quantization of the energy levels of the proton in the nuclear medium. The effects of magnetic field and isospin asymmetry on the charmonium decay widths to $D\bar D$ are found to be quite prominent. The effects of the anomalous magnetic moments have also been taken into consideration for obtaining the in-medium masses of these heavy flavour mesons, used to calculate the partial decay widths of the charmonium states. The medium modifications of the charmonium decay widths can have observable consequences on the production of the charmed mesons in high energy asymmetric heavy ion collision experiments.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Eur. Phys. Jour. A. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1803.04322, arXiv:1901.06259, arXiv:1807.07572, arXiv:1811.04622, arXiv:1801.0640

Socio- demographic Profile and Compliance to Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation among Adolescent Girls in Central Delhi

Adolescence is a vulnerable period in the human life cycle for the development of nutritional anemia, particularly among girls. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an Urban Health Center, in New Delhi with the objectives to find out the prevalence and associated socio-demographic factors of iron deficiency anemia along with the study of compliance to weekly iron folic acid supplementation (WIFS). A total of 60 adolescent females (10–19 years old) were included in this study. The study was undertaken from Nov 2013 – Dec 2013 (2 months) using a pre-tested questionnaire containing items to assess the socio-demographic profile, their medical history and past history. After taking their assent, hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated using HemoCue method. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 71.1%. A significant association of presence of anemia was found with lower socio-economic status and non-intake of WIFS. Mean height and weight of subjects with anemia was significantly less in anemic girls than participants without anemia. Significant association of anemia was found with non-consumption of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets (χ2 value – 5.3, p value 0.02). A high prevalence of anemia among adolescent females was found, which was higher in the lower socio-economic strata and those not consuming WIFS. Thus there is a need to strengthen the programme for the prevention of anemia among adolescent girls through nutrition education and anemia prophylaxis