Zika virus disease is a new emerging infection in the Americas afflicting many pregnant females causing microcephaly in newborns.This virus could be a potential threat to India as considering the vector for transmission exists in India.Therefore the present paper aims to discuss briefly about the epidemiology of current Zika virus disease outbreak, its prevention and control and preparedness measures taken by India to contain this dreaded infection, in case it is imported to the country.

Background: This study was conducted to find out the effect of dentition status on the oral health related quality of life of rural elderly people residing in an Indian population. Methods: A total of 368 elderly subjects from eight villages were included in the study. OHRQoL was measured by using a validated Hindi version of Geriatric Oral Health As Background: This study was conducted to find out the effect of dentition status on the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of rural elderly people in an Indian population. The main objectives included the assessment of age wise differences among the elderly segment, particularly the effect of coronal and root caries, missing teeth and filled teeth. Methods: A total of 368 (192 (52.17%) males and 176 (47.83%) females) elderly subjects from eight villages were included in the study. Oral Health Related Quality of life was measured by using a validated Hindi version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Clinical assessment of the subjects was done regarding carious, missing, and filled teeth, and carious roots. Results: The mean GOHAI score was found to be 18.14 ± 5.71. The mean number of decayed crown was 1.34 ± 1.63, mean number of missing teeth was 12.74 ± 11.14, mean DMFT score was 14.08 ± 10.13, and mean number of teeth with root caries was 0.55 ± 1.17. Average number of carious roots was found to be maximum among 70-79 years age group followed by 60-69 years age group. Age wise differences were found to be statistically significant for mean number of decayed crown, missing teeth, root caries and mean DMFT. Conclusion: The results revealed that having more teeth present and less decayed teeth were found to be associated with better oral health related quality of life. The elderly are a special part of our society and need the utmost attention since they are most susceptible to oral diseases which impact their daily activities. Hence more light needs to be thrown on such issues to improve the overall health including the oral component. sessment Index (GOHAI). Clinical assessment of the subjects was done regarding carious, missing, filled teeth and carious roots. Results: The mean GOHAI score was found to be 18.14 ± 5.71. The mean decayed teeth were found to be 1.34 and mean DMFT was 14.08. Age wise differences were found to be statistically significant for mean number of decayed crown, missing teeth, root caries and mean DMFT. Conclusion: The results revealed the having more teeth present and less decayed teeth were found to be associated with better oral health related quality of life.

Objective: Transmission of infectious agents in a dental clinic is unavoidable. A considerable emphasis must be placed on observing a strict protocol for infection control. The present study assesses infection control practices undertaken by undergraduate dental students in a dental college in North India. Materials and Methods: Along with the general information (age, gender and year of study), a self-applied questionnaire (15 questions with dichotomous response of yes/no) was administered to third- and fourth-year undergraduate students. Fisher exact test was used to assess the differences according to the student year of study and gender. Result: Receiving an overall response rate of 94.2%, highest responses in “yes” were received for wearing and changing gloves and wearing face masks. Changing face masks, hand pieces and burs between patients was practiced more by the senior students, whereas using a special container for disposing of sharp objects was reported more by juniors (p<0.05). No difference among genders was seen. Conclusion: The present study reports unsatisfactory infection control practices, which calls for strict follow-up of infection control guidelines.

Introduction: “Honor killing” is an extreme and brutal abuse of human rights, violating the most basic of human rights-the right to life-as well as every other article in the International Convention on Human Rights (1948). The practice of honor killing “goes across cultures and across religions.” Objective: The present study attempts to assess knowledge and attitude of people regarding honor killing. Materials and Methods: After conducting focused group discussions (FDGs) on honor killings with the participants, researchers reached consensus about the core themes emerging from FDGs and formed a questionnaire to assess the knowledge and attitude of people about the practice of honor killing. Results and Conclusions: Most of the participants were aware of honor killing and opposed this practice. Their ideas about “honor” and “dishonor” were reflective of observations in existing literature. Based on the key points, a 16-item Hindi questionnaire was formed which awaits validation.

Background: The current study was done to find out the prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases among students of government medical and dental colleges of Delhi. Methods: The newly admitted medical and dental students filled a pre-tested proforma pertaining to their lifestyle behavior and sociodemographic features. Anthropometric examination was conducted to find out the prevalence of overweight and truncal obesity. Blood pressure was measured. Chi-square and independent t-test was applied to find out the difference in proportion and mean values of the risk factors in males and females. Results: Around two-thirds of students were males. The prevalence of ever use of alcohol was more than current use of tobacco (2.2% vs. 1.1%). Truncal obesity was more in females (37%) and overweight was more common in males (26%). More students were doing physical activities of duration less than 30 minutes a day. Conclusion: The prevalence of truncal obesity and overweight was more in the fresh entrants of a medical and dental college of Delhi.

Obesity and excess weight are major risk factors for chronic diseases, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders and certain forms of cancer. Understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms that govern body weight is an important research priority because such insight could guide the rational design of new agents to treat obesity. If this becomes a reality, it will be a dream come true for people who are suffering from obesity. In 2014, 39% of adults aged 18 years and older (38% of men and 40% of women) were overweight. In the modern world, we have a long list of measures that includes both medical and surgical, which can help us to reduce obesity out of which the therapeutic vaccines show promise. Recent studies have shown that therapeutic vaccines may be new targets for development of anti-obesity medications. These vaccines will aim at multiple targets, which include a spectrum of problems ranging from metabolic derangements to infectious agents including suppressing the appetite-stimulating hormone and blocking absorption of nutrients.

Raw vegetables are a great source of vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals and their regular consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke and certain cancers. The consumption of raw vegetables without proper washing is an important route in the transmission of parasitic diseases. There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of food-borne illness linked to fresh vegetables. Soil-transmitted helminth infection is endemic in many parts of the world, principally in developing countries, where there is poor environmental sanitation and hygiene. The rate of parasitic contamination in vegetables is more during warm season than cold season. Food shops and food stalls need continuous monitoring and food handlers should receive suitable training in the basic principles of food safety as well as rules of personal hygiene and approved practices in food handling. Similarly, there is lack of food safety knowledge and practices among home food preparers. Though there is much evidence stating that parasites are transmitted through raw vegetables, more research is needed to be done in different geographic regions, especially in developing countries like India.

Background: AIDS and migration are two crucial social issues facing today’s changing world. Global experience strongly suggests that migration and vulnerability to HIV in males are inter-related. Lack of appropriate information and resources expose men to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Migrant populations specifically are at greater risk for poor health and HIV infection. This is due to the impact of sociocultural patterns of migration on health, reduced availability and accessibility of health services due to economic transitions, and the difficulty of healthcare systems to cope with the traditions and practices of the migrants. Mumbai has a sizable population of Nepali migrants as it offers economic opportunities and well-established community networks. Migrants from Nepal generally travel alone and studies in Nepal have shown that they indulge in high-risk behavior in Mumbai. Objective: This study explored the knowledge, attitude and practices of the Nepali migrant community in Mumbai related to sexual health practices. It also assessed the needs of the Nepali population for HIV prevention, care and support for people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA) and prevailing levels of stigma and discrimination in the community. Methods: The study design was qualitative. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted among Nepali migrants in Mumbai and Thane districts of Maharashtra. Results: Nepali migrants had very poor knowledge about STI/ HIV/ AIDS. Stigma and discrimination existed against Nepali PLHA. There was a critical need for HIV prevention, care and support for PLHA. Conclusions: Behavior change communication (BCC) and information education communication (IEC) in Nepali language using mass media like radio and newspapers are urgently needed. Referral linkages with nearest public and trained private healthcare provider are essential for health needs of the migrants, especially for STI/ HIV. Creating PLHA support groups and networks among Nepali migrants and using peer educator models through the community network contact person would help in addressing stigma and discrimination.

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is considered to be one of the important parameters in the assessment of quality of healthcare and overall performance of a healthcare facility. Objectives: To assess the utilization of health services and patient satisfaction for services provided by this tertiary care center. Material and Methods: The present study was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care center situated in South Delhi from March 9 to June 8, 2016 (3 months). Patients of age >18 years visiting the OPD who gave their informed written consent were interviewed by using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. The responses of patients were divided into three categories-satisfied, uncertain and dissatisfied. Statistical Analysis: The surveyed questionnaires were collected and coded in an MS Excel database and analyzed by using the SPSS statistical package, version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were performed on the sociodemographic data. Results: A total of 313 patients had participated in the present study. Most (53.4%) of the patients were of age group 21-40 years. Majority (60.1%) of them were male. Nearly 80% were literate. It was found that 89.9% patients were satisfied with the overall behavior of hospital staff. It was revealed that 87.4% of the patients were satisfied with the good healthcare services provided by the hospital. 7.1% patients were dissatisfied with the healthcare services. They found insufficient healthcare facilities in this hospital. 5.2% patients were uncertain. Conclusion: Dissatisfaction among some patients triggers an alarm for hospital management to work on those components so that quality health services can be provided to all patients to make them satisfied. Periodic patient satisfaction survey should be institutionalized to provide feedback for continuous quality improvement.

Introduction: Kala-azar (KA) remains one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in India, despite several efforts for eliminating it by 2010. Objectives: To assess progress towards elimination of visceral leishmaniasis from India and to identify major challenges in the path of its elimination and to suggest remedial measures to be undertaken to achieve the goal in future. Methods: Various print and electronic databases were searched for finding studies on KA. Findings: It was found that passive surveillance leads to many missed out cases. Improper training of private practitioners adds further to the burden of disease. Inadequate and irregular insecticidal spray in the endemic areas increases the number of cases. Asymptomatic and PKDL cases are not taken seriously. Conclusion: Kala-azar is very difficult to be eradicated till strategic modifications are not made. Indoor residual spray should be supervised strictly. There is a need for drug compliance and omitting irregular and incomplete treatment. Asymptomatic (population at-risk) should be screened by rK39 test by mass screening and treated with approved drugs. Under-reporting of the KA cases should be seriously tackled. More emphasis should be given on active surveillance of KA cases. Reporting system should be strengthened.Candidate vaccines should be evaluated by clinical trials which, if found effective and safe, can eradicate KA since there are no animal reservoirs of leishmaniasis in India. Information, education and communication (IEC) material should be widely disseminated in general public regarding its transmission, symptoms and preventive measures.