Acceptance of ASHA in a community determines health status of a community. Tribal women in the age group of 18 to 49 years are the main target population for ASHA. Hence assessment of perceptions of these women is of utmost importance. Aim: To evaluate the work of ASHA among women of age group 18-49 years in field practice area of teaching institute. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study in tribal village of Maharashtra. Total sample size was 57. Women in the 18-49 years of age group are selected randomly after systematic sampling. Methods and Material: A predesignedpretested interview schedule was used to record the information after taking informed consent. Statistical analysis used: Quantitative analysis was done using the proportions and chi square test used for comparison. Results: It was found that 77% of respondents reported that ASHA was acting as a representative of their needs in health system. 52% of respondents reported that ASHA visit is not a welcome gesture during postnatal period as it is against their culture. 77% of respondents were satisfied with overall ASHA services. 90% of respondents percieve that ASHA is not knowledgeable to get any treatment for fever or growth and development assessment. Conclusions: ASHA is trusted person for most of services but when it comes to seeking solutions for health problems people are very apprehensive. It will be hurdle for community mobilization for health improvement. Hence it need to be addressed on urgent basis by imparting some medical knowledge to ASHA and giving some cerifications.

Context:Teaching medical institutes and tertiary care hospitals in various cities are overcrowded and overburdened. The general outpatient department (GOPD) plays a vital role as screening OPD to triage patients who require secondary or tertiary care and refer them to appropriate OPD. Primary health care is initiated at the GOPD itself and the mechanism of referral is established.Aim:To study GOPD model and its services in the institute. To assess perception of patients towards it.Settings and Design:It was an observational study conducted in a medical college of Mumbai, Maharashtra for 1 month on persons attending the GOPD.Materials and Methods:Data and monthly reports were used for baseline comparisons and exit interviews of patients were taken using questionnaire.Statistical Analysis Used:Quantitative analysis was done using the proportions and means for the number of patients served daily by the GOPD and medicine OPD.Results:Around 44% of services were therapeutic in nature and it had contributed to a significant reduction in patient load into another specialist department. Nearly 30% cases needed referrals during the study period. Statistically, the significant value was obtained for patient satisfaction for consultation services from GOPD.Conclusions:A statistically significant value for patient satisfaction for consultation services from GOPD indicates that patients were in favor of such type of services.

Introduction: An E-Aushadhi management system based on database was introduced in urban health centre for managing stock outs. This study was conducted to assess utility of web-based drug warehouse management system in a peripheral hospital. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the perceived benefits and difficulties by health care providers expected in introducing a web-based Supply Chain Management System (E-aushadhi) and to identify the factors which will govern successful transition from current system of drug logistics management to web-based system. Methods and materials: In this study Focus Group Discussion was conducted with the staff members of an urban health centre who were working on a similar web-based platforms. There are four teams each comprising 3-5 members. Results: Themes and subthemes were made based on the transcripts analysed. It is perceived that with introduction of web-based drug warehouse system, accuracy of the data can be well assured as manual errors can be reduced a lot. Quality of stock maintenance will increase and will prevent stock outs Conclusion: The accuracy and transparency of drug stock maintenance will be increased while technical challenges such as internet availability, technician availability and training of personnel are perceived barriers.

Background: An outbreak investigation for food poisoning in a school of rural Maharashtra was carried out. This school had central kitchen for children staying at hostel. During monsoon season occurrence of acute gastroenteritis diseases is common and hence it important to investigate each and every suspected outbreak presenting with similar symptoms to that of acute gastroenteritis.Methods: It was a retrospective and prospective study design. All 140 children who ate food from central kitchen were interviewed and followed up. Median incubation period was obtained from the 12 children who fitted into case definition which was given by integrated diseases control program of Maharashtra. Environmental and food sampling along with laboratory investigations was done for diagnosis.Results: Total 12 children had symptoms of food poisoning. The median incubation period was around 8 hours. Gastrointestinal symptoms were the commonest reported by all the 12 children. It was found out that all the symptomatic children had eaten laddu brought from outside and stored in unhygienic conditions.Conclusions: Eating of laddu which were stored in unhygienic conditions had resulted into growth of Clostridia streptofaecalis in it causing food poisoning to children.