Background: Most commonly severe congenital anomalies (CA) are heart defects, neural tube defects, and Down syndrome where some CA can be prevented. The present study was aimed to improve the knowledge regarding the prevention of CA using a health communication programme (HCP) among parents in selected community area at Udaipur.Methods: Evaluative research approach and pre-experimental, one-group pre-test - post-test research designs were adopted for this study. Using a non-probability, convenient sampling technique, sixty parents were recruited from the selected community area at Udaipur city. Tools include demographic data and a self-structured knowledge questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential values by IBM statistical package for social sciences (SPSS; version 23) software.Results: Data revealed that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the prevention of CA among parents and this knowledge can be increased by administering HCP on prevention of CA. The mean and standard deviation of post-test knowledge score 23.63±10.5 was higher than the mean and standard deviation of pre-test knowledge score 9.97±13.1.Conclusions: It is required to focus on HCP to improve the knowledge regarding the prevention of CA among parents in the community.

Background: The vision of the Indian dental association is to improve oral health and achieving optimal national oral health for all. So, the present study was aimed to improve the knowledge and practice regarding oral hygiene using STP (structured teaching programme) among selected middle school children at Udaipur.Methods: Evaluative research approach and pre-experimental, one-group pre-test, post-test designs were adopted for this study. Using a non-probability, convenient sampling technique, sixty children were recruited from the sixth and seventh standards of selected middle schools at Udaipur city. Tools included demographic data, a self-structured knowledge questionnaire and an observational checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential values by IBM statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 23) software.Results: Data revealed that there was a lack of knowledge and practice (tooth brushing technique) on oral hygiene among middle school children which can be increased by administering STP on oral hygiene. The mean and standard deviation of post-test knowledge score and practice score 15.73±1.19 and 8.41±1.66 was higher than the mean and standard deviation of pre-test knowledge score and practice score 5.11±1.14 and 4.27±179 respectively.Conclusions: Greater attention to STP on oral hygiene is needed to improve knowledge and practice (tooth brushing technique) regarding oral hygiene among middle school children.

Standard Days Method (SDM) is an effective, inexpensive, natural, affordable, non-hormonal and modern family planning method that is easy to teach and use. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude about SDM and preference of CycleBeads over CycleBead mobile application amongst accredited social health activist (ASHA) as a public health worker. A mixed-method study was conducted on 140 ASHA workers, allocated into two groups of 70 members each in experimental and control group. A simple random sampling technique was used for quantitative strand and purposive sampling for qualitative strand. A self-structured knowledge questionnaire, attitude scale and focus group discussion were used for data collection. Self-developed virtual learning module (VLM) on SDM with CycleBeads was used as an intervention. In the experimental group, there was a significant difference between pre-existing (5.74 ± 2.05) and post-test (14.64 ± 2.25) knowledge score, whereas the difference between the mean of pre-test (4.32 ± 0.67) and post-test (4.68 ± 0.46) attitude scores was not significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the knowledge and attitude scores in the control group. In the qualitative interview, participants expressed their preference for CycleBeads over CycleBead mobile application to teach women about SDM. VLM is useful in improving the knowledge regarding SDM of ASHAs as a public health worker. Public health workers (ASHA) preferred teaching SDM with CycleBeads in person instead of a mobile application for educating the beneficiaries.

Background: The present bio-medical waste (BMW) practices, setup, and framework explored that almost 82% of primary, 60% of secondary, and 54% of tertiary health-care facilities had no trustworthy BMW management system. This study aimed to improve the knowledge and practice of BMW management among housekeeping staff of a tertiary care center, Rishikesh. Materials and Methods: One group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental study was conducted on 139 housekeeping staff. A self-structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklist through the interview method was used for data collection. Virtual teaching tools (video about BMW management and e-pamphlet) were developed for the study and used. Results: After the intervention, in post-test it was found that the majority of participants had excellent knowledge (111; 79.8%), some (24; 17.3%) had good, and only few (4; 2.9%) had moderate knowledge. None of the participants were found to have poor knowledge after the intervention. There is significant difference in pre-existing (15.89 ± 2.49) and post-test (21.20 ± 4.61) knowledge score, pre-existing practice (21.67 ± 2.13), and post-test (24.95 ± 2.42) practice. There was association between educations their work area with knowledge and significant relationship between work area and past training programs with practice. There is a significant correlation between pre-test knowledge and practice (p=0.00) and post-test knowledge and practice (P = 0.01). Conclusion: It is evident that a virtual teaching tool that comprises video and e-pamphlet is useful in improving the knowledge and practice of housekeeping staff on BMW management.