Background: The prevention of new infections in high-risk groups is a major thrust in National AIDS Control Program. There is enough evidence that many epidemiological and behavioral determinants which make High Risk Group vulnerable to HIV transmission. The most effective means of controlling the spread of HIV is through the implementation of Targeted Interventions (TIs) efforts by which services are catered to them. Furthermore, stigma and marginalization are often linked to this population, which may lead to difficulties while accessing social and health services (SHS) due to behavioral, cultural and language barriers or lack of knowledge of the system. So, finding the sociodemographic & behavioral profile can give a breakthrough in improving the quality of life of HIV high risk groups. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted during September to December 2019 in two districts (i.e., Raipur & Durg) among HRGs of Chhattisgarh. Training cum sensitization of survey team e.g., peer educators, outreach workers, counselors, project managers prior to the survey was done for data collection. Results: A Total of 3963 HRGs were registered with TI NGOs, 3418 (86.2%) were screened. The mean age of study participants was 27.69 ± 6.1. Compliance of participation was 86.2%. HRGs were observed to have malnutrition (BMI <18.5 &> 25.0). 7 cases of Pulmonary TB were found among IDUs. Prevalence of diabetes and Hypertension was 1.2% and 1.1% respectively. Substance abuse (i.e., for Alcohol and Tobacco) was significantly higher among IDUs and FSWs. Conclusion: This study reinforces the fact that for accessing High Risk Groups and retrieval of relevant information can best be obtained by their care givers i.e., TI NGOs personnel. Also understanding the sociodemographic and behavioral profiles are central to designing targeted HIV prevention interventions for them.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death globally. Over three quarters of CVD deaths take place in low and middle income countries. The mortality varies from <10% in rural locations in less developed states to >35% in more developed urban locations. Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol using population¬ wide strategies. Objectives: 1. To study the demographic profile of study population. 2. To determine the prevalence of cardio¬vascular disease risk factors among study population. 3. To suggest measures for prevention of cardio¬vascular diseases. Methods: This study is a community based cross-sectional study conducted from June 2017 to July 2017 involving adolescents of the age group 10 to 19 years from the Urban Field Practice area of MIMS Medical College. Data was collected in a predesigned and pretested schedule and analyzed using SPSS version17. Results: Out of 328 participants, 185 (56.4%) were male and rest 143 (43.6%) were female. Among them 3.6% were hypertensive, 6.7% were Obese, tobacco intake and history of alcohol intake in last 30 days was present in 11.9% and 4.3% of male participants respectively. Conclusion: Many CVD risk factors are prevalent in the adolescents of the study area which can be prevented by healthy lifestyles such as healthy diet, regular exercise and personal awareness.

Background: Hepatitis B (Hep-B) infection is the major cause of acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and has long been recognized as an occupational hazard among healthcare workers (HCWs). Thus, this study was planned to evaluate the coverage of Hep-B vaccine among healthcare providers (HCPs) in a tertiary care hospital in Odisha. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs of Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital. A total of 300 HCPs were selected for the study by a stratified random sampling technique. A proportionate sampling of 26.2% from the doctor population of 280, i.e., 73, and 26.2% of the paramedic population of 865, i.e. 227, were selected by using a random number table to meet the sample size of 300. A self-designed, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Data on demographics and knowledge regarding Hep-B aspects were also collected. Results: One hundred and two (34%) participants had adequate knowledge and 198 (66%) participants had poor knowledge of Hep-B. The overall prevalence of Hep-B vaccination acceptance was 71.3%. 70% of the health workers had received the full three-dose vaccination schedule, while 6% had received two doses, 3.7% had received one dose, and 20% were unvaccinated. Conclusion: Coverage of complete immunization was low. The level of knowledge regarding the disease was also not satisfactory. Education programs should focus on increasing HCWs' perceived severity of occupational exposure to the Hep-B virus.

Background: By increasing immunity, the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine is expected to reduce the rate of infection and severity of infection, as well as the rate of hospitalisation. Healthcare providers (HCPs) can provide a good example when it comes to their health habits. HCPs are believed to have the best vaccine acceptance rates because they are open-minded and informed. By concentrating on COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among HCPs in India, the current study gives a clear picture of vaccine acceptability. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study approach was used. Participants in the study gave their informed permission. Snowball sampling was employed to spread the survey around social media platforms (mostly WhatsApp groups and email IDs). The survey was open from April 1 through April 30, 2021, and a total of 316 responses were received. SPSS software, version 25, was used for statistical analysis (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The participants’ average age was 32.8 ± 9.7, with 57% of them being male. 16.5% of the 316 individuals had a history of chronic illness. 40.5% had ever experienced COVID-19 symptoms, and 24.1% had been diagnosed with COVID-19 while on duty. Only 16.5% strongly agreed that they could get COVID-19 in the near future, and 48.1% disputed that obtaining COVID-19 infection would make them very unwell. Only 40.5% of participants were concerned about the possible side effects of the vaccine, while 63.2% were not concerned about the possible side effects of the vaccine. Only 39.2% were concerned about the affordability (high price) of vaccines. The majority (95%) of participants agreed to be vaccinated when sufficient information was provided, and only 31.7% agreed to be vaccinated if they were vaccinated free of charge. Conclusion: Due to the high level of current willingness among healthcare professionals to accept COVID-19 vaccines, these data may not be available to the general public. Understanding the complex and interrelated factors that influence vaccination decisions and the determinants of vaccine hesitancy in a particular population is essential to inform interventions to improve immunization coverage.

Background: The programme of mass drug administration for elimination of lymphatic filariasis is unique in its strategy that one dose of DEC with or without albendazole has been found to be capable enough to eliminate the load of filariasis worms which might have been built up over a period of one year in the people. So all attempts are really made in filarial endemic areas to administer DEC and albendazole to eligible population for the above purpose. The objective of the study were to review the progress of activities of single dose DEC mass administration in the selected district, make assessment of program implementation and recommend further course of action Methods: A cross -sectional study was done in Vizianagaram district of AP State from 15 th March to 15 th June 2016. All the PHCs were stratified into 3 groups depending on MDA 2015 coverage. The three categories of the PHCs are identified according to high coverage, very high coverage and very high coverage of DEC consumption. Thus three PHCs and an urban area were selected. Clusters of 30 houses from one village of each PHC and one ward of urban area with a total of 120 households were selected. One respondent from each house was interviewed for the purpose. Results: The age and sex wise distribution of study population for evaluation of MDA in urban area is 55.2% males and 44.8% whereas in rural area it was 54.4% males and 45.6% females. The age and sex distribution of respondents of MDA 2015 DEC evaluation study in urban area was 6.7% males and 93.3% females whereas in rural area it was 14.4% males and 85.6% females. Conclusions: The evaluation study of MDA on DEC clearly shows that there has been overwhelming success in administration and consumption of the drug DEC during MDA activity of 2015.