Introduction: Food can be a potential source of infection and disease, right from the point of preparation to the point of consumption. It is more likely in the food service establishments where mass food is prepared.Objectives: To study the physical environment and hygiene status at food service establishments in a tertiary care teaching hospital in central Delhi. Materials and Methods:  An observational cross sectional study was conducted from June-August, 2014 in medical college and associated hospital in Delhi using questionnaire to assess sanitation and environmental hygiene status. The checklist contained 12 categories with a maximum possible score of 139 for the vegetarian and 140 for the non-vegetarian food establishments. The classification of the establishments on the basis of score obtained is as follows: Grade 1 = 0-25%, Grade 2= 26-50%, Grade 3= 51-75%, Grade 4 = 76-100% Data analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: A total 13 food service establishments were included of which most (92.3 %) were operated on contractual basis. Majority (84.6 %) provided non-vegetarian food. None of the food handlers were given uniform to wear during their working hours. Few (15.2%) were using caps but those were not covering the entire hair.Conclusion: The conditions of the food establishments in the medical college campus are not of prescribed standard and needs improvement. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i4.11533 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(4) 2015 76-79

Background: Knowledge of HIV status of a TB patient is critical from both patient and public health point of view. Early HIV diagnosis among TB patients could serve as an entry point for HIV care and treatment. Surveillance of HIV among TB patients has been recognized to be important as the HIV epidemic continues to fuel TB epidemics. Hence, this study was conducted with an objective to assess the socio-demographic profile and the prevalence of HIV among TB patients.Methodology: Cross sectional study was carried out in eight DOTS cum DMCs of Delhi. Data was collected from January 2012 to December 2012. Registered TB patients (new and retreatment) were interviewed on a predesigned questionnaire at the end of five months of treatment.Results: In 2012, out of the total 552 TB patients interviewed, 524 (94.9%) had been tested for HIV by the end of fifth month of their TB treatment. In them, 13 patients (2.4%) were HIV positive. All of them had been initiated on ART and CPT during continuation phase of TB treatment. In present study no variable was found to be significantly associated with HIV status except number family member and patients on retreatment category.Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV infection in TB patients in current study was (2.4%) substantially lower than reported in studies from other states. If HIV testing done by all TB patients then routine reporting of HIV status for all TB patients would provide even better information on which to base future planning.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(1) 2015 53-58

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BACKGROUND One-fourth of the worldwide under-five deaths annually occur in India. Over 70% of these deaths are due to preventable diseases. Malnutrition, socioeconomic status, place of residence, mother's education, access to quality health services and living environment are important determinants of morbidity and mortality of under-five children. There is a gap in literature regarding the morbidity pattern and its correlates among under-five children in the slums of Shillong city. Therefore, this study was designed to study the morbidity status and its pattern in under-five children and to find out the correlates of morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study with a pre-tested questionnaire was used to interview primary caregivers of 225 under-five children regarding the morbidity pattern currently and in the last three months. Anthropometric measurements of under-five children were also taken. Data was analysed using MS Excel and MedCalc version 16.2. Chi-square test was used to find association between categorical variables. RESULTS Majority (47.7%) of under-five children belonged to SES II, majority (45.8%) of them were of first birth order, 40% had only one sibling, 13.3% of the fathers and 27.6% of the mothers were illiterate. In the last 3 months, 61.8% children experienced some morbidity. ARI (64%), fever (35.6%) and diarrhea (11.5%) were the most common morbidities. Among under-fives with normal nutritional status 62.2% had any morbidity compared to 60.7% of those with malnutrition. Significant statistical association (p < 0.05) was found between number of siblings and morbidity status. CONCLUSION The most common morbidity among the study population were ARI, undernutrition followed by fever and diarrhea. All of which being preventable highlights the importance of family health counseling comprehensive of awareness about prevention and homebased care of these diseases.

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