Background:In India, ragpickers form the base of hierarchy of informal sector of the solid waste management. Assessment of general and gender specific health of women is conducted in this study in view of dearth of published evidence.Materials and Methods:An interventional study was conducted from October 2003 to April 2005 in Mumbai, at the field office of a nongovernmental organization working for women ragpickers. By the systematic random sampling 168 women ragpickers were selected. Both general and gender-specific health needs of this socially and occupationally marginalized group, including health seeking behavior were explored in this study. Fourteen participants were trained as health volunteers to create awareness in the local community. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 11.0 software program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).Results:Marriage at young age, multiple pregnancies, low preference toward temporary methods of contraception, high addiction were prevalent in this lower socioeconomic young workforce. Morbidity was statistically significant among ragpickers who collected rags along dumpsite than street side and door to door waste collectors (χ2 = 27.8; df = 2; P < 0.001 significant). A need-based training program helped to improve knowledge of the participants [z = 12.7 (P < 0.05)].Conclusions:Unfulfilled health needs of this underprivileged workforce who contributes to the ecology and economy of the city need to be addressed. Sensitization of both general public and government is essential to legitimize this occupation. This in turn may help to alleviate poverty and environmental degradation; characteristic of rapid and unplanned urbanization in India.

Background: There are genuine reasons why rag pickers are considered one of the worst form of labour. The risk related to rag pickers’ health and physical development, as well as the hindrance these work places have on their education and psychological development; make rag picking a particularly adverse occupation for women and children. The objectives of the study were to explore the health profile and to identify the factors affecting the health seeking behaviours of women rag pickers. Methods: This study was done with the help of NGO working for women rag pickers. 120 rag pickers were participated in the study during study period (Jan 2012 to July 2012). Results: Almost all rag pickers were having some or other type of physical or mental ailments in minor or major form. It is seen that ignorance about health and disease is because of illiteracy, lower socioeconomic condition, unavailability of good health care facility nearby to their locality, difficulty in getting time to visit nearest health care facility from their 10-12 hours of duty etc. Conclusions: It was found that these rag pickers prefers to visit private clinics as they are open in evening time and most of the time were affordable for minor ailments.

Background: Hypertension is a major long-term health condition and is the leading cause of premature deaths among persons experiencing sedentary urban life style behaviors such as high calorie diet, lack of physical exercise and job stress. The objectives of the present study was to determine prevalence & various risk factors of hypertension among municipal school teachers in an urban slum.  Methods:The study area was a field practice area of tertiary care hospital in a metropolitan city. Municipal school teachers from suburban slums were the study participants. Teachers above 35 years of age and want to participate in study were included. The total sample size obtained was 220.Results: 40% of the teachers were belonged to 35-40 years of age group. 70.9% of the study participants were women. Among 220 teachers 36.4% were having normal blood pressure. 43.6% teachers were in the pre- hypertension stage, while 14.5% and 5.5% were in stage- 1 and stage- 2 hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 20%. In present study it was found that as the age advances chances of contracting hypertension also increases [P=0.006]. Statistically significant relation between obesity and hypertension is seen [P=0.007]. There was a significant relation between physical activity and prevalence of hypertension [P = 0.021].Conclusions:Increasing age, obesity and sedentary lifestyle are proportionally related to the development of hypertension which was statistically significant.

Introduction: Domestic violence against women is one of the most pervasive abuses of human rights in the world. Violence during pregnancy leads to both acute injuries and profound long-term challenges to health and wellbeing. Pregnancy provides a good opportunity for healthcare personal to screen women for domestic violence. Aim: To identify the pattern of domestic violence amongst pregnant women and to plan appropriate interventions. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Primary Health Care Centre. Methods and Material: 90 pregnant women attending the ANC OPD and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Percentages were calculated and Chi-square test was used wherever applicable. Results: Violence was mostly seen in the women who were married for five years (47.36%) and many among them experienced it within one year of marriage (34.28%). The most common violence faced by the women was verbal violence (44.73%), followed by financial violence (27.63%). Physical violence was experienced by 22.36% women. The Perceived risk factor for violence was mostly addiction of spouse in 26.31% of women and insufficient dowry and demand for male child in 19.73%. Conclusions: As occurrence of violence was found to be significantly associated with duration of marriage, educational status, and earning status of women asking about intimate partner violence should be a part of routine antenatal care for early detection and identification of cases, their counseling, and appropriate interventions.

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