PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the pattern of living arrangements among the older population and perception about old age support in the Indian adult population.Design/methodology/approachThis study used India Human Development Survey (IHDS), 2004‐2005 data for empirical analyses. Bivariate and multivariate models are used as statistical analyses for this study. This study is an evidence‐based interpretation of living arrangements among older persons and perception about future living arrangement and financial assistance among current adult people.FindingsIt was found that 17 percent of older population lived with their spouse only; only 2 percent lived singly, and the rest of 85 percent elderly were living in co‐residence with children. A majority of women respondents are expecting their sons to live with them, to take care and provide financial and emotional support in their old age. This indicates that the family will continue to be a significant social institution for the care and support for the older population in India.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind, which, in addition, to living arrangement patterns of the older population, provides some insight about the expectations of the current adult generation about living and financial preferences in old age.

The affect of COVID-19 and measures in response to it on human lives was enormous, including healthcare. The necessary healthcare services including communicable diseases, such as Tuberculosis (TB) were badly affected. Here an attempt has been made to trace the number of notified Pediatric TB cases during and after COVID-19 lockdown and unlock period, and then compared with same period of previous year. The epidemic data on notified pediatric TB cases for 2019 and 2020 were extracted from Health Management Information System (HMIS) database. The absolute numbers of monthly pediatric TB notifications from January to September for the year 2020 were compared to 2019, and the percentage decrease was estimated. The HMIS data shows that there is a significant decrease in pediatric TB notifications during COVID-19 epidemic in India. Especially, when the lockdown and related restrictions in response to COVID-19 was imposed, notifications were significantly decreased compared to same period during the previous year. Even, the reduction numbers of pediatric TB notifications during post-lockdown are still more worrying. Though, little improvements were observed sudden after lockdown was removed, but then-after again consisted decrease was reported; and these numbers again substantially lower than the numbers of previous year. Adequate measures to diagnose, control, and prevent TB focusing young children, should be implemented simultaneously with response to COVID-19 pandemic. Further, effective steps should be taken to remove the fear arise due COVID-19 pandemic among masses, so that the healthcare seeking may be improved.

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Purpose Enormous amount of biomedical wastes (BMW) produced everyday across the world. Management of BMW depends on adherence to protocol. BMW management at generation point, definitely, depends upon the awareness, attitudes and practises of health-care staff, the purpose of this study will assess the awareness, attitude and practise regarding different aspects of BMW. Design/methodology/approach An observational with appropriate checklists, and a cross-sectional study, involving questionnaires, was conducted during 7-24 January 2016. The existing system of BMW management, funds, resources, etc., knowledge, attitude and practises about BMW were assessed amongst 273 health-care workers in selected public health-care institutes of Karnataka. Findings Of 273 study participants, majority (54%) of them have not received any training pertaining to BMW. The results showed a poor level of knowledge and awareness of BMW management amongst health-care personnel. Merely, 43% of the participants correctly knew the categorization of BMW and its disposal in proper colour-coded bins/bags. Awareness is very poor amongst the lower age group, male participants, lab-technicians/pharmacists and supporting staff. Doctors were good at theoretical knowledge such as rules, legislation and public-health importance of BMW management than the practical aspects such as categorization and colour-coding. Further, the attitude of health-care staff is favourable about BMW. Immunization for hepatitis-B was very poor amongst waste handlers (43%). Originality/value As the awareness and practise regarding BMW management were poor across different health-care staff there is a need to conduct periodic training and regular monitoring with special focus on the proper use of personal protective equipment. Further, precautionary immunization should be provided, especially waste handlers and sanitary workers.