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Background: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for normal human growth and development as it is needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones produced by thyroid glands. The sicknesses occurred due to deficiencies of iodine in the nutrition are termed iodine deficiency disorders. Urinary iodine concentration is the prime indicator of a person’s nutritional iodine status. So, the aim of this study was to assess the status of iodine deficiency based on median urinary iodine excretion.Methods: Community based cross sectional study was carried out among purposively selected primary schools of the Dang district. All students between the age group of 6 to 12 years who were present on the day of visit were included in the study. A total 387 urine samples were collected during the period of August 2015 to September 2016.Results: Based on median urinary iodine excretion, among total analysed samples, about 6.5% samples confirmed severe iodine deficiency, 22% samples showed moderate iodine deficiency and about 36% samples indicated mild iodine deficiency. About one third (31.3%) samples suggested optimum iodine intake. Only few samples (4.4%) revealed more than required iodine intake.Conclusions: About one third (31.3%) of the surveyed population had adequate iodine intake while majority (64.4%) of them had inadequate iodine intake.

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Background: Catastrophic potential of the pandemic of AIDS may still not have been fully apprehended in 21st century, even though disease was exploded since 1981. Lack of public health awareness is only identifiable factor that is responsible for disastrous effect of HIV/AIDS. It is more even danger if future doctors unaware of diseases dynamics of HIV infection or AIDS diseases. So, the current study was planned to know level of awareness regarding of HIV/AIDS among medical and paramedical students of Sumandeep Vidhyapeeth University.Methods: Two hundred and eighty five students of Sumandeep Vidhyapeeth University were interviewed with the help of pre-designed questionnaire to know the awareness of HIV/AIDS among students.Results: The students were knowledgeable about causative agent and modality of diagnosis. However, only half of students were agreed with the fact that, the treatment is available for AIDS. On contrary, 24.60% students had wrong belief that the vaccine against HIV/AIDS is available. A very few number of students had the misconceptions about modes of transmission. Knowledge of prevention of HIV infection was good among students. Media and doctor/ health worker were the most frequently reported sources of information as reported by 56.49%% and 34.39% of the students respectively.Conclusions: The students had a satisfactory knowledge on many aspects of HIV/AIDS, but also along with some misconception about transmission of disease.

Background: To combat Iron deficiency anemia, an innovative pilot project, anemia prevention among adolescent girls and lactating mothers through nonpharmacological measures has been started at few places in Gujarat. To evaluate the acceptability of intervention kits provided to the beneficiaries. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study design where 182 beneficiaries were randomly selected for interview from 12 randomly selected Anganwadi centers of intervention taluka of Junagadh district. Results: Information Education and Communication (IEC) material though available was unread by majority of beneficiaries. Iron utensils were used by 65% of beneficiaries for cooking. Only few beneficiaries (7%) daily use the provided moringa powder. Only half of the beneficiaries (53%) had grown some of the crops from the kitchen garden kit provided and knowledge of beneficiaries regarding iron-rich food was satisfactory in less than one-fifth (19%) of them. Conclusion: Study results concluded that providing nonpharmacological material is of little use until beneficiaries were properly guided and motivated by regular follow-up visits and addressing their problems; otherwise, it just stands as a mere matter of rock only.