India is the second most populous country of the world and has changing socio-political-demographic and morbidity patterns that have been drawing global attention in recent years. Despite several growth-orientated policies adopted by the government, the widening economic, regional and gender disparities are posing challenges for the health sector. About 75% of health infrastructure, medical man power and other health resources are concentrated in urban areas where 27% of the population live. Contagious, infectious and waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, amoebiasis, typhoid, infectious hepatitis, worm infestations, measles, malaria, tuberculosis, whooping cough, respiratory infections, pneumonia and reproductive tract infections dominate the morbidity pattern, especially in rural areas. However, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, blindness, mental illness, hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, accidents and injuries are also on the rise. The health status of Indians, is still a cause for grave concern, especially that of the rural population. This is reflected in the life expectancy (63 years), infant mortality rate (80/1000 live births), maternal mortality rate (438/100 000 live births); however, over a period of time some progress has been made. To improve the prevailing situation, the problem of rural health is to be addressed both at macro (national and state) and micro (district and regional) levels. This is to be done in an holistic way, with a genuine effort to bring the poorest of the population to the centre of the fiscal policies. A paradigm shift from the current 'biomedical model' to a 'sociocultural model', which should bridge the gaps and improve quality of rural life, is the current need. A revised National Health Policy addressing the prevailing inequalities, and working towards promoting a long-term perspective plan, mainly for rural health, is imperative.

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Background:India has the third largest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and thus, dental practitioners are more likely to encounter such patients for dental management.Aim:The aim of the following study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV among dental interns and post graduate (PG) students of a dental institution in India.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 128 dental students (64 interns and 64 PG students). Data related to HIV PEP was collected by pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire and difference in responses by education level was assessed by Chi-square test and Z-test (significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05). For statistical analysis, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16, Chicago IL, USA) was used.Results:Difference in responses between dental interns and PG students was not statistically significant for majority of questions. All participants had positive attitude toward HIV patients (98.4% [63/64] interns vs. 100% [64/64] PG students). Interns (68.8%, 44/64) and PG students (68.8%, 44/64) were equally aware of the concept of HIV PEP. PG students had better knowledge than dental interns on few questions but overall both of them lacked knowledge about the best timing for commencement of HIV PEP (20.4% [13/64] interns vs. 42.2% [27/64] PG students) (P < 0.01), the antiretroviral drug regimen (48.4% [31/64] interns vs. 43.7% [28/64] PG students) and its duration (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 25.0% [16/64] PG students), timing of antibody testing to rule out infection to health care worker (23.4% [15/64] interns vs. 35.9% [23/64] PG students) (P = 0.04).Conclusion:As knowledge regarding HIV PEP is found to be inadequate, well-designed educational programs need to be conducted to increase the understanding of dental professionals on this issue.

Background:World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that tobacco deaths in India may exceed 1.5 million annually by 2020.Objectives:The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use, its influences, triggers, and associated oral lesions among the patients of Rural Dental College and Hospital of Loni, Maharashtra.Materials and Methods:A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from June - December 2010. All the patients from the outpatient department and with tobacco habits were included in the study. Patients were interviewed through a pre-tested structured questionnaire in relation to their tobacco habits, its influences and triggers. Also clinical examination was carried out to check for any tobacco related oral lesions. For the data analysis, Microsoft Excel and chi-square test was used.Results:The overall prevalence of tobacco use was 16.38%. Smokeless form of tobacco was more prevalent in both males (81.84%) and females (100%). Majority of the patients (males - 68.22%, females- 90.62%) were light tobacco users. About 76.09% males and 31.25% females admitted that they developed the habit due to initial influence of friends. The most common oral mucosal lesion in both the males (42.20%) and females (11.07%) was tobacco hyperkeratosis. Most common trigger for tobacco use was “work related” (69.14%) in males and “after meals” (53.13%) in females.Conclusion:Since the number of tobacco users visiting the dental hospital is reasonably high; dentists can contribute to restrain the hazard through community educational activities such as de-addiction counseling of tobacco users to quit the habit.

Background-Maharashtra being one of the developed states in India , is a hub for in-migration. Seasonal migration of agricultural workers during sugar cane harvesting season has been an established phenomena. Thousands of workers with their families come to Maharashtra for the period of approximately six months, starting from November each year. This migratory population faces various adversities of life. Agricultural workers face a large number of health problems, many of which arise out of their work Objective-To understand the living and the health conditions of migratory sugarcane harvest workers of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. Material and Methods-Prospective observational study was carried out for the period of six months in the operational Zones of 3 Co-operative Sugar Processing Units. Results-Study revealed that the literacy rate among workers was extremely low. Majority belonged to lower socioeconomic class and from underprivileged section of the society. The housing and living conditions at work site were extremely poor. The nutritional status of the workers and their family members was unsatisfactory. Malnutrition, respiratory, musculoskeletal, dermatological, gastrointestinal diseases were very much prevalent. Overall reproductive health of males and female members was worrisome. Lack of antenatal care and unsafe delivery practices result in high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The immunization status of the children of these workers was unsatisfactory. Conclusion-A well defined policy, comprehensive approach, well coordinated actions and political will for social welfare and medical care, will help to improve the plight of migratory sugarcane harvest workers.