A comparative evaluation of streamflow prediction using the SWAT and NNAR models in the Meenachil River Basin of Central Kerala, India.

Reliable and accurate modelling of streamflow is still a challenging task due to their complex behaviour, need for extensive parameter for development as well as lack of complete or accurate data. In this study, the applicability of an emerging data-driven model, specifically a neural network autoregression (NNAR) model, was evaluated for the first time as a substitute to the physically based hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for predicting streamflow under data-scarce conditions and for immediate high-quality modelling results. The inputs to the NNAR model were the lagged values of the daily streamflow time series data, and the output was the predicted value for the next day. Using streamflow data that was windowed by 20 days, the NNAR model produced the best prediction. The results of the statistical metrics used to evaluate the performance of the NNAR model were satisfactory (R = 0.90, RMSE = 28.27, MAE = 11.92, R2 = 0.83), indicating a high degree of agreement between the predicted and observed streamflow. The NNAR model outputs demonstrated its ability to accurately predict streamflow in the river basin, even without an explicit understanding of the physical processes that govern the system.

First responder's care package on management of road traffic accident victims of Udupi: Study protocol.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of 'first responder's care package' on knowledge and skill on the management of road traffic accident (RTA) victims. The outcomes relate to the quality of first responder's care by autorickshaw drivers. METHODS: Autorickshaw drivers (N = 1,040) will be assessed to identify the impediments and knowledge to provide the first responder's care to RTA victims following which, 150 autorickshaw drivers will be selected based on a cut-off knowledge score to train half of them using workshops. Drivers below 55 years and willing to participate will be recruited and drivers with serious health issues, homophobia and who cannot read English or Kannada will be excluded. Randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design will be adopted. Funding for the research is by the Indian Council of Medical Research and it is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India. DISCUSSION: Road traffic accidents are responsible for 85% of the total global mortality and 90% of the 'Disability Adjusted Life Years' in the developing countries amounting to an annual loss of $65 billion to $100 billion. India's rate of RTA deaths is high and postcrash care is not addressed efficiently by any agencies in India. Autorickshaw drivers could be ideal candidates for teaching the first responder's care package in India as they are a constant presence on the roads and reach all the main roads and small lanes of the country. IMPACT: The research will add to knowledge on quality of first responder's care provided to accident victims. If the intervention is found to be fruitful for the accident victims of the locality, it can be recommended to be implemented all over the state.

Assessment of knowledge, readiness, and barriers hindering the performance of first aid measures in emergency situations among non-healthcare professionals of selected organizations of Udupi Taluk.

BACKGROUND: A medical emergency is an unexpected event that poses a threat to one's health and safety. An individual who has received adequate first aid training is prepared to administer first aid promptly and effectively to a person in need until the arrival of medical assistance to prevent future problems that could result in disability or death. This study aims to assess the knowledge, readiness, and barriers to perform first aid measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive survey was used to collect data from 384 non-healthcare professionals of selected organizations of Udupi Taluk with the help of a structured questionnaire from January 21, 2022 to April 13, 2022. The self-structured tool was validated with experts from the subject areas and reliability was obtained by using the Split half method (0.78) for the knowledge questionnaire, readiness scale by using Cronbach's alpha and the reliability coefficient was 0.80, and barrier checklist was accomplished by a test-retest method and reliability coefficient of 0.76. Data was organized, and frequency, percentage, and Chi-square analysis were performed using SPSS 16.0 version (IBM Corporation Business analytics software portfolio). RESULTS: The results revealed that out of 384 samples, 261 (68%) non-healthcare professionals had average first aid knowledge, and 359 (93.4%) of the samples were found to be willing to administer first aid in an emergency. The six hurdles identified to performing first aid were language 365 (95.1%), lack of information 344 (89.6%), lack of training 341 (88.8%), legal concerns 274 (71.4%), fear 230 (59.9%), and lack of confidence 68 (17.7%). CONCLUSION: The first aid knowledge among non-healthcare workers is generally average. Thus, the readiness of the non-healthcare professionals can be enhanced by improving their knowledge and reducing the barriers perceived by the non-healthcare professionals to provide first aid during a medical emergency with the help of first aid training and reading materials.

Prevalence of road traffic injuries in South East and South Asian region - A systematic review.

Background: South and South-East Asian countries report a great liability for the world's road traffic injuries (RTIs) and deaths. A vast number of research studies tested various interventions including specific protective devices to prevent accidents, but no review papers have been conducted to find out the prevalence of RTIs in South-East and South Asian countries. Objective: This review paper was an attempt to find out the prevalence of RTIs and their associated factors in South-East and South Asian countries. Methods: Following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we searched the articles in the electronic databases of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Articles were selected if they reported the prevalence of RTI, or road traffic accident (RTA) deaths. In addition, a data quality assessment was done. Results: Out of the 10,818 article hits from the literature search, ten articles found the eligibility and inclusion criteria. Most of the studies reported that males are involved in the RTIs more than females. The male mortality rate is more than the female mortality in RTI mortality. Young adult males are the major victims when compared with the different age groups of male victims. Two-wheelers are the major contributors to the accident rate. Religious or national festivals are not free from accident-prone times. Climatic seasons and nighttime have a major influence on the RTIs. RTIs are increasing due to the sudden and huge increase in the number of motor vehicles and the development of cities and towns. Conclusion: Accidents are non-predictable but controllable disasters in society. Overspeeding, bad conditions on road, the vulnerability of the vehicles, and careless driving are the major reported reasons for RTIs. Making and implementing strict laws can help us to control RTAs. The major effect on the reduction of RTI can be assured only with the presence of responsible people. That can be achieved only by creating awareness in society about traffic rules and responsibilities.