Background: Iron-deficiency anemia is considered to be a major health problem in India. This can complicate a normal pregnancy resulting in poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Iron-folic-acid (IFA) supplementation to antenatal and postnatal mothers given through the National Health Mission (NHM) serves as a major tool to combat this problem. Aim: This study aimed to assess compliance to IFA supplement and associated factors among antenatal mothers in a district of West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 208 pregnant mothers attending different subcenters, using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected on their demographic, obstetric profile, compliance to IFA tablets, and knowledge on various health care-related factors through direct interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 (licensed) considering the confidence interval to be 95%. Results: Compliance rate was 81.74%. The most common cause of noncompliance was forgetfulness (73.7%). On multivariate regression analysis, age, history of deworming, and education became the significant predictors for noncompliance to IFA. Conclusions: Compliance to IFA supplementation was better than the national average, although deworming and education can lead to a better outcome. Health workers played a pivotal role for the success of this national program.

Context: India is now witnessing steady increase of substance abuse in younger age group. Street life is a major reason in addition to curiosity, unawareness of harm, migration, peer pressure. Aims: To assess the prevalence, pattern and related factors of substance use and stress among the street living children. Settings and Design: This street-based observational, cross sectional survey included 150 street children living in vicinity of railway stations, business activity centre and major religious places of Kolkata. Methods and Material: A descriptive research was done in 150 street children, aged 6 to 18 years and stayed in the street for at least six months. Respondents and care givers were interviewed with pre designed proforma to obtain information on socio demographic attributes, pattern of substance abuse, psycho social issues, self rated health. Weight and height were recorded by calibrated standardized instrument. Statistical analysis used: Collected data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0(licensed). Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was done for normally distributed, skewed and categorical variables respectively. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: Two-thirds of participants used substance. Illiteracy was significantly more in females. Perceived positive benefit was commonest reason while feeling happiness and diminished pain was the most common expectation behind substance abuse. Peer group had the biggest influence (92.0%) on their life. Substance abuse was significantly more in males, adolescents, employed, without family attachment, adult as influencer and in those who lived on street without family. Conclusions: Higher prevalence of substance abuse among males, adolescents with adult influencer, employed and without family attachment highlighted the urgent need of intervention to see a better future.

Context: Estimated 42 million reproductive age group women currently use injectable contraceptive, fourth most prevalent contraceptive worldwide. Aims: To find out the prevalence, reasons and the associated factors for using injectable contraceptive among the women of reproductive age group. Settings and Design: A sub-centre-based observational, cross sectional survey was conducted among 212 reproductive age group women living in the rural areas of a district, West Bengal. Methods and Material: A multi-stage cluster random sampling technique was done considering villages as the cluster to get the required sample. Totally, 212 reproductive age group women were chosen from a total of 16 villages, selected by simple random sampling. Information regarding study variables was collected by direct interview of the respondents by visiting individual houses with help of a pre-designed, semi-structured proforma. Strict confidentiality and anonimousity were maintained throughout the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analysed with SPSS 22.0 (licensed). Mean, median, proportion were used for quantitative variables whereas qualitative attributes were presented by proportion. Associations between dependent and independent variables were tested by Chi-square test. Results: The proportion of teenage marriage was unexpectedly high. More than half mothers were unwilling to have babies in future. One-third of study population used injectable contraceptive, ASHA was the main suggestion provider in choosing the method. The major reasons of use were discomfort in previous method and suggestion of service provider. Irregular menstrual problem and easy maintenance was the commonest cause of dissatisfaction and satisfaction, respectively. Conclusions: Use of injectable contraceptive must be sincerely promoted through social marketing and the front line health workers should motivate the women to use it by providing correct information.