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Introduction: To complement the Swachhata Abhiyaan effort, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, initiated "KAYAKALP." Kayakalp is an initiative to improve the cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation of public health facilities by recognizing and giving awards to those who exhibit a high level of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control. Our study aimed to assess the level of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control practices in the health care facility after undertaking by the department of Community Medicine of a medical college. Methodology: A retrospective comparative observational study was conducted at RHTC in the Kathua district of UT J and K. We compare the level of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control practices using the Kayakalp scoring tool before and after taking over by the department of Community Medicine of a medical college. The scoring for various areas of concern is based on a checklist for quality assessment which includes facility upkeep, sanitation and hygiene, waste management, and infection control. Results: The total scores vary before and after undertaking of a Primary Health Center (PHC) by the Community Medicine Department of new medical college of J and K. Overall scores vary from the baseline score of 56% before to 84% now after 2 years of the undertaking. Conclusion: Resource management and capacity building under the guidance of public health professionals can result in a significant increase in hygiene, cleanliness, and infection control. So integrated approach involves public health specialists and other medical professionals like medical officers, field workers, sanitary inspectors. etc., can be helpful in recognizing the challenges and barriers.
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Introduction: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services is a source of great concern. Health gains made during the last 2-3 decades have been halted due to shifting of resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and Objective: This study was conducted to identify community needs, demands, and perceptions regarding the effectiveness of using health services during the pandemic. Methodology: This was a qualitative study which was conducted through focus group discussions. The participants comprised of three groups: community leaders, healthcare providers, and field workers. Discussion among the participants was conducted using the standardized World Health Organization community assessment tool. Result: In our study, it was reported that most of the essential health services were disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic. The barriers to accessing essential health services have been exacerbated and the provision of community-based services is effected due to this. In regard to COVID-19 vaccination also, there remain individuals who are reluctant to be vaccinated. Conclusion: Our study shows that the community faced barriers in accessing and using health services during the pandemic. To ensure the public's access to health services and strengthen healthcare preparedness strategies like health budget allocation, manpower, infrastructure, trainings, integration with primary healthcare, etc., need to be carried out during and after the pandemic. Thus, participation and inter-sectoral coordination across levels are required to overcome these barriers.
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Introduction: Safe and adequate water supply and sanitation in schools are prerequisites for right to basic education for school children. The provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities has been linked to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the indicators of WASH in schools falling under the Rural Health and Training Centre (RHTC), Budhi, GMC Kathua. Material and Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted during a period of two months in the month of September 2019 to October 2019. It was done in the rural area under CHC Nagri Parole Kathua. The total number of schools under CHC is 981. Interview of the head of the school was done using world health organization (WHO) and united nations international children's emergency fund (UNICEF) Standardized Questionnaire for WASH Practices. The Questionnaire includes core and expanded questions on drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and descriptive statistics was analyzed in the form of number and percentages. Results: Out of total 139 schools, 57.72% schools had basic drinking water facilities. Only 29.11% schools have basic hand-washing facilities with soap and water; 81.29% of the schools have improved toilets. Conclusion: Political will and financing and effective delivery of interventions will be required to ensure universal access to WASH in schools.
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INTRODUCTION: Consumption of tobacco leads to a myriad of ill effects among the smokers as well as those in their proximity. The study related to tobacco consumption was conducted among individuals over 15 years of age, residing in urban slums. OBJECTIVE: To assess the pattern of tobacco consumption in urban slum population, using WHO standardized questionnaire which is Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS); questions related to tobacco from the surveys, which are the subset of GATS 2nd Edition key questions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was observational cross-sectional in nature which was conducted over a period of 6 months i.e., from September 2019 to February 2020 in urban slums of Trikuta Nagar, urban health training centre which is a field practice area of Postgraduate Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu. The information about the tobacco consumption was gathered by interview sessions after taking consent from all the participants. Totally, 718 individuals were met, out of which, 539 were over 15 years of age and 510 agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: 36% (maximum) belonged to 36-45 year age group and lowest (3%) among individuals >66 years. 48% prevalence of active smoking; maximum indulgence (53%) observed in 36-55 year group. Highest exposure to passive smoking seen in 56-65 year group (75%). 45% prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption, highest in 56-65 year group (72%), lowest in 15-25 year age group (17%). CONCLUSION: Regular conducting of IEC activities for generating awareness with the strict implementation of tobacco control measures by the government needs to be carried out as urban slum population is a vulnerable group and most susceptible to the vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
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INTRODUCTION: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) play an important role in decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with poor WASH practices. Poor knowledge and awareness lead to an increase in communicable diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess and report the core indicators on sanitation and drinking water from urban slums using standardized WHO and UNICEF questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: The present observational cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months i.e., from September 2019 to October 2019 in urban slums of Trikuta Nagar, a field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu. Information was gathered from the head of the household as well as from other household members. About 50% of the population were selected randomly by lottery method i.e., 450 and consist of 112 households. However, at the time of the study, only 100 households were assessed because of the nonavailability of household members and some houses were locked at the time of the interview. RESULTS: The study revealed that nearly 62% of families were of a joint type and most of the families were headed by male members. Around 82.5% of the slum members used water for drinking from improved source but only 21.5% of the household members used adequate water treatment method i.e., boiling. Besides, about 49.5% of the household members used improved sanitation facilities. CONCLUSION: Local administration needs to accelerate the process of supplying piped water connections to the underserved to improve their drinking water sources and also increase access to basic sanitation services at the household level.
