No abstract

Vaccination coverage in India has improved from 44% to 62%, an increase of 19% over a span of 10 y (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016), the inequity continues among the vulnerable people belonging to tribal groups and migrant population. In order to leave no one behind strategy, their vaccination coverage, reasons for low coverage were analyzed from available literary sources through this review article. A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted and articles published in various journals over the past 5 y were included. The vaccine coverage among the vulnerable population ranged from 31% to 89% from various studies. It was found that parents' education status, income of the family and lack of awareness of the schedule were the most important reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Introduction of cash assistance integrated into other national program, digitalizing vaccination cards, involvement of local healers are few strategies suggested in this article.

SARS CoV2 is an emerging infectious pandemic. The preemptive measures taken to curtail the spread has its effects far and wide across different sectors and all age groups. The most unspoken sufferers are adolescents. In this article, we have reflected on how adolescent issues addressed by the government's dynamism, have had collateral damage due to the COVID initiatives. Globally, around 89% are currently not in school because of COVID-19. They will pave a way to unforeseen collateral effects on the physical, social, psychological health, and future of the young minds. From an increase in school drop-outs, interrupted learning, worsening of the gender gap in education to technology dependence and addictions, this pandemic is going to unravel the uninvited social evils. The regular benefits of adolescents from the government have not been paid heed to. Supply of IFA tablets, sanitary napkins, provision of supplementary nutrition, health education, and implementation of immunization activities are a few of the services to mention which are being hampered. We have recommended a few strategies like establishing the peer educator system in disseminating COVID-related awareness, engaging them in a smooth public distribution system, and act as a potential linkage for the families in distress. We have proposed a few modus operandi like direct cash transfer or food supplements as take-home rations will be able to sustain the nutrition of the adolescents to keep the flow of uninterrupted amenities to adolescents in education, nutrition, mental health, personal hygiene, and other such sectors.

Introduction: The mental health impact of COVID-19 among food handlers working in food establishments/canteens of Dedicated COVID Health Centers and Hospitals are unrecognized. Aim/Objectives: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among all the food handlers working in food establishments/canteens of a tertiary care hospital in central India using a pre-designed, pre-tested proforma that included Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21). Results: Out of 76 study subjects, 9 (11.8%) had some form of mental illness; 7(9.2%) had depression, 3(3.9%) had anxiety and 1(1.3%) had stress. It was observed that study subjects traveling to the worksite in their own vehicle (OR=5.75, 95% CI=1.29- 25.72), difficulty with transport during lockdown (OR=14.75, 95%CI=3.07-70.92) and those with active complaints (OR=16.25, 95%CI=2.25-117.10) were at increased risk of some form of mental illness in comparison to their counterparts (p<0.005). The study subjects who received training or attended sessions had significantly better knowledge on COVID-19 prevention and control measures than those who didn’t (t=2.448, mean difference= 0.82, 95%CI= 0.13-1.51). Conclusion: It has to be reiterated that effective risk communication and periodic reinforcement of the non-pharmacological measures focusing food handlers to curb the spread of infection has to be continued in the fight against COVID-19.

Demographic and epidemiologic transition coupled with increasing life expectancy has resulted in high old age dependency ratios and rising burden of comorbidities; especially non communicable diseases. This demands large pool of caregivers to support the dependents; physically, psychologically and financially. But the problems faced by caregivers – stress, anxiety, monetary, physical exhaustion and sickness, lack of time for personal care and health resulting in caregiver burden – is often neglected. This article summarizes the importance and/or role of caregivers, theirs problems and recommendations to identify, manage and prevent caregiver burden. The involvement of various stakeholders namely medical and para-medical colleges through training and medical education, hospitals, physicians, psychiatrists and/or psychologists, research organizations, governments and their policies is the need of the hour.