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Background: Adolescents constitute about 21% of India’s population. Realizing the special needs of adolescents, GOI launched the adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) program in 2006. ‘Yuva’ clinic was established for the first time in Bihar in 2012 at Patna Medical College for providing services as per ARSH protocols. This study aimed at analyzing the biosocial and awareness profile of the adolescent clients vis a vis ARSH strategy, and the utilization of services at the clinic.Methods: Cross-sectional study using semi-structured questionnaire.Results: Total of 1180 adolescents (950 males, 230 females) was studied. Sixty-six percent males, 74.8% females were urban; about 90% were unmarried. Majority were from upper middle class. No females but 66.6% and 86.7% of males were taking alcohol and tobacco respectively. More than 90% of attendees reported regular physical exercise; 36.8% males and 58% females had abnormal BMIs. Seventy-six percent were nutritionally aware, 24.06% aware about reproductive and sexual health (RSH), and 64.74% about ARSH services. Rural and SES were significantly associated with the adolescents’ awareness of nutrition, RSH, and services available. Females had significantly more knowledge regarding RSH. Sixty-seven percent availed counseling services and 1.35% was referred, 50.6% came for clinical services out of which 69.8% remained unmet.Conclusions: ARSH clinic is a useful initiative. However there are gaps in services vis-a-vis ARSH strategies. If addressed, clinic is likely to attract more adolescents and achieve the objectives of improving their health and capacity to deal with their myriad problems in a better way.

Background: Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are important public health problem which can be prevented by consumption of iodized salt. For sustainable elimination of IDDs, the goal of universal salt iodization (USI) is to cover more than 90% of household to consume adequately iodized salt. This study was conducted with objectives to assess knowledge and practices regarding salt consumption and to find the factors associated with consumption of adequately iodized salt in selected districts of traditional goitre belt of Bihar. Materials and Methods: The study was a community based cross-sectional study conducted in three districts of Bihar by using cluster sampling technique from January 2018 to March 2018. Results: Only 1.7% children and 33% adults were able to identify the condition of goitre. Among adults who identified the case as goitre, around 52% respondents had correct knowledge about cause of goitre. Around 30% caregivers knew the brand name of salt that was used in their household and only 19% of adults had heard about iodized salt.In around 13% households; salt was added at the end of cooking during food preparation. Adequately iodized salt was consumed in 73.5% households. The salt stored in air tight container had significantly higher iodine content in comparison to salt stored in open container (p=0.041). Conclusion: The knowledge among people regarding IDDs and iodized salt was very poor which need to be focused in our national programme. The goal of USI regarding iodized salt consumption is yet to be achieved in these districts.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major preventable public health problem. Prevalence of VAD in preschool children was 5.7% (India), and 4.5% (Bihar). India is implementing biannual Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) since 2007 along with 80 other countries. VAS was originally proposed as a short term measure, followed by dietary improvement. Since vulnerability to VAD is more in high priority districts (HPDs), it was deemed worthwhile to study the extent to which VAS programme is utilized in the 10 HPDs of Bihar with respect to the processes involved and the ultimate outcome of empowering the community with knowledge and capacity to combat VAD on their own.Methods: Cross sectional observational study conducted in 6 randomly selected blocks and 5 session sites per block of the 10 HPDs. 300 sites sampled for processes and 893 caregivers interviewed for their knowledge.Results: Out of 300 sites, 269 sites found functional, 30.85% sites had due lists and 30.11% had MCP cards; 20.44% had adequate VA. IEC displayed at 52.78% and 71.3% sessions conducted in shade. In 79.55% sites efforts made to determine age of child before administration. Correct use of recommended spoon known to 80.66%, benefits of VA to 76.57% and diseases due to VAD to 81.7% of FLWs. Knowledge regarding VA good in 33.4% of caregivers, average in 35.5%, and poor in 30.9%.Conclusions: Crucial gaps found in necessary inputs and conduct of VAS. Community knowledge found lacking for sustainable programme withdrawal. Better programme management will improve utilization.

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