A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Honey Dates Amla Mix in Improving Hemoglobin Level among Adolescent Girls with Anemia in a Selected School at Coimbatore

Anemia is a most common health problem in India. Adolescent girls are a sizable segment of the Indian population and constitute a vulnerable group. The present study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of honey dates amla mix in improving hemoglobin level among adolescent girls with anemia in Govt. High School at Vazhukuparai. The aim of the study was to improve the hemoglobin level by honey dates amla mix intervention. The objectives of the study include; 1. To assess the hemoglobin level among adolescent girls with anemia. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of honey dates amla mix in improving hemoglobin level among adolescent girls with anemia. 3. To determine the association between the hemoglobin level with their selected demographic variables. The research design adopted to this study was a pre- experimental design. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the basis of Ernestine Wiedenbach Prescriptive Theory (1968). The study was conducted in Govt. High School, Vazhukkuparai and 30 samples were selected by using simple random sampling technique. The demographic variables were assessed by using self administered questionnaire and the hemoglobin level was assessed by using Sahli’s method before and after intervention. The intervention of daily prepared mix of fresh medium sized amla 10gm, 5 seedless dates, 10ml honey was given to adolescent girls daily for 30 days between breakfast and lunch. The collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study findings revealed that Honey Dates Amla Mix is an effective intervention to improve the hemoglobin level among adolescent girls with anemia

Infants With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Are at Risk for Hypercalcemia, Hypercalciuria, and Nephrocalcinosis

In a retrospective study, most young children with CAH had at least one episode of hypercalcemia, whereas a smaller percentage was found to have hypercalciuria and/or nephrocalcinosis

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Water quality deterioration as a driver for river restoration: a review of case studies from Asia, Europe and North America

River restoration projects are carried out actively in several countries as an alternative flood protection measure, and also to improve/restore water quality and habitat diversity. The implication of various river restoration measures on water quality is seldom studied. In this review, case studies of restoration projects that aimed at water quality improvement were selected from four industrialized countries in three continents. The water quality concerns and the systematic development of legislative policies towards better water quality management in the different countries considered were assessed. The best management practices for river restoration with respect to water quality amelioration were evaluated with the perspective of the case studies selected. In the various case studies discussed, a combination of different restoration measures were implemented in tandem. The restoration measures were adapted to suit the local conditions and problems. A pre- and post-restoration investigation of the main success indicators was found to be an important criterion for the evaluation of the outcome of restoration projects. Successful restoration projects were found to focus on reduction of pollutant/nutrient input to the rivers, in addition to the implementation of suitable restoration measures. This has been achieved by public infrastructure development (like installation of storm water controls and sewage treatment plants). This review is aimed to act as an inventory for future restoration projects with water quality amelioration as their main target

Heat stress and inadequate sanitary facilities at workplaces – an occupational health concern for women?

Background: Health concerns unique to women are growing with the large number of women venturing into different trades that expose them to hot working environments and inadequate sanitation facilities, common in many Indian workplaces. Objective: The study was carried out to investigate the health implications of exposures to hot work environments and inadequate sanitation facilities at their workplaces for women workers. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 312 women workers in three occupational sectors in 2014–2015. Quantitative data on heat exposures and physiological heat strain indicators such as core body temperature (CBT), sweat rate (SwR), and urine specific gravity (USG) were collected. A structured questionnaire captured workers perceptions about health impacts of heat stress and inadequate sanitary facilities at the workplace. Results: Workplace heat exposures exceeded the threshold limit value for safe manual work for 71% women (Avg. wet bulb globe temperature=30°C±2.3°C) during the study period. Eighty-seven percent of the 200 women who had inadequate/no toilets at their workplaces reported experiencing genitourinary problems periodically. Above normal CBT, SwR, and USG in about 10% women workers indicated heat strain and moderate dehydration that corroborated well with their perceptions. Observed significant associations between high-heat exposures and SwR (t=−2.3879, p=0.0192), inadequate toilet facilities and self-reported adverse heat-related health symptoms (χ2=4.03, p=0.0444), and prevalence of genitourinary issues (χ2=42.92, p=0.0005×10−7) reemphasize that heat is a risk and lack of sanitation facilities is a major health concern for women workers. Conclusions: The preliminary evidence suggests that health of women workers is at risk due to occupational heat exposures and inadequate sanitation facilities at many Indian workplaces. Intervention through strong labor policies with gender sensitivity is the need of the hour to empower women, avert further health risks, and also enhance productivity for the few million women workers who contribute largely to the country's economy

Protocol for the formative phase of a trial (SHE-CAN) to test co-designed implementation strategies for HPV-based cervical screening among vulnerable women in two diverse settings in India

Abstract Background In view of the WHO’s call for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, and current low screening coverage, Indian policy makers need evidence on how to effectively implement cervical screening programmes, ensuring equity in access. Our study will follow the INSPIRE implementation framework to co-design and test HPV-based screening approaches in two states of India with different health system organisation, based on understanding the status of screening as currently implemented, readiness and challenges to transition to HPV-based screening, and preferences of key stakeholders. Here, we describe our protocol for the formative phase of the study (SHE-CAN). Methods The study population includes women from vulnerable populations, defined as residents of tribal areas, rural villages, and urban slums, in the states of Mizoram and Tamil Nadu. The baseline assessment will use mixed methods research, with desktop reviews, qualitative studies, and surveys. A capacity assessment survey of screening and treatment facilities will be done, followed by interviews with healthcare providers, programme managers, and community health workers. Interviews will be conducted with previously screened women and focus group discussions with under and never-screened women and community members. Stakeholder workshops will be held in each state to co-design the approaches to delivering HPV-based screening among 30–49-year-old women. Discussion The quality and outcomes of existing screening services, readiness to transition to HPV-based screening, challenges in providing and participating in the cervical cancer care continuum, and acceptability of screening and treatment approaches will be examined. The knowledge gained about the current system, as well as recognition of actions to be taken, will inform a stakeholder workshop to co-design and evaluate implementation approaches for HPV-based screening through a cluster randomised implementation trial

India Hypertension Control Initiative—Hypertension treatment and blood pressure control in a cohort in 24 sentinel site clinics

Abstract The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is a multi‐partner initiative, implementing and scaling up a public health hypertension control program across India. A cohort of 21,895 adult hypertension patients in 24 IHCI sentinel site facilities in four Indian states (Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana), registered from January 2018 until June 2019 were assessed at baseline and then followed up for blood pressure (BP) control and antihypertensive medication use. Among all registrations, 11 274 (51%) of the patients returned for a follow‐up visit between July 2019 and September 2019. Among patients returning for follow‐up, 26.3% had BP controlled at registration, and 59.8% had BP controlled at follow‐up (p < .001). The absolute improvement in BP control was more than two times greater in primary care (48.1 percentage point increase) than secondary care facilities (22.9 percentage point increase). Most IHCI patients received prescriptions according to state‐specific treatment protocols. This study demonstrates that a scalable public health hypertension control program can yield substantial BP control improvements, especially in primary care settings. However, high loss to follow‐up limits population health impact; future efforts should focus on improving systems to increase the likelihood that patients will return to the clinic for routine hypertension care