Background:Access to improved drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the prime concerns around the globe. This study aimed at assessing water and sanitation hygiene-related attitude and practices, and quality of water in urban slums of south Delhi, India.Methodology:This pilot cross sectional study was performed during July 2013 across four urban slums of South Delhi. A convenient sample of 40 participants was enrolled. A modified version of previously validated questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, existing water and sanitation facilities and water treatment practices. Water quality testing was additionally performed using hydrogen sulphide (H2S) vials.Results:Average age of participants was 36 years (SD=10). 83% of the participants perceived gastrointestinal tract infection as the most important health problem. 75% of the participants did not use any method for drinking water treatment. 45% of the participants consumed water from privately-owned tube well/bore well. Water shortage lasted two days or more (50%) at a stretch with severe scarcity occurring twice a year (40%). Females aged 15 years and above were largely responsible (93%) for fetching water from water source. 45% of the participants had toilets within their households. 53% of drinking water samples collected from storage containers showed positive bacteriological contamination.Discussion:There is an urgent need to develop family centered educational programs that would enhance awareness about water treatment methods that are cost effective and easily accessible.

The present study has been designed to capture the current perception and practice of Ayurveda in its users and non-users. With objective of comparing the difference in its source of knowledge among both the groups, satisfaction level among who have already used it and identification of factors that promote or demote it. As this was questionnaire based cross section study, we develop questionnaire for it, after piloting we modified and validated it. This questionnaire was presented to common public via three ways, online portal, printed form and telephonic interview. Respondents for the study were selected after a pre-decided criterion. A total of 728 responses were selected for analysis out of which 376 (52%) were Ayurveda users and 352 (48%) were non-users, out of all participants 222 (30.4%) were females and rest 506 (69.5%) were males. Results also showed that while people of all age groups, both sex, all occupational and educational group uses Ayurveda, it appears that males and peoples older than 30 years of age prefer Ayurveda. Survey made clear that most of the users were more or less satisfied with effect of Ayurveda as they feel. While no statistical significant difference was found in source of knowledge between users and non-users, ignorance and unavailability of dependable Ayurvedic physicians appears to be the main demotivation for common public that prevent to use Ayurveda.

IntroductionMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent progenitor cells that can be differentiated into a variety of specialized cell types. Menstrual blood, such as umbilical cord blood and bone marrow stem cells, is a rich source of MSCs with proliferative properties. This research was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of menstrual blood donation regarding menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) among female healthcare workers in India.MethodologyA cross-sectional online and offline survey was conducted at the national level between 20 November 2021 and 10 March 2022. A self-constructed semi-structured questionnaire was distributed through Google Forms on various social media platforms. The questionnaire was self-administered, and data were collected using the purposive sampling technique.ResultsA total of 499 respondents completed the questionnaire. Nearly 49% of the respondents had adequate knowledge, 54% showed a positive attitude, and 45% reported adequate practices regarding menstrual blood donation and the usage of related products. The educational background, occupational status, and monthly income of the participants were found to be significantly associated with their attitude toward MenSCs.ConclusionThere is a need to promote interactive sessions on MenSCs among healthcare professionals in order to bridge the gap between general populations and the healthcare setting. Enhancing knowledge and awareness regarding the potential benefits of MenSCs would help in dissipating the age-old myths associated with menstruation and will benefit society as a whole.

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