Introduction: ASHA, the grass root level worker is a bridge between population and health system. Objectives: To determine the challenges and hurdles faced by ASHA during their field work in rural area of district Jaipur, Rajasthan. Methods and Materials: A field based descriptive, observational study was conducted among 135 ASHA's of ten PHC's of two blocks of Jaipur, Rajasthan from September 2018 to April 2019 by using a pretested, semi structured questionnaire for socioeconomic profile of ASHA and in-depth interview to find out challenges faced by ASHAs during their field work. Results: Majority of ASHA's (67%) were in the age group of 25-35 yrs, there were six (4%) young ASHAs who were 25 yrs of age. Majorities ASHA were studied up to secondary (32%) and higher secondary (28%), around 20% were only eighth passed (i.e. minimum education criteria) and (few) seven percentages were graduated. Majorities (84%) of ASHA were satisfied with their work but experience few challenges in field work however 15% ASHA are totally satisfied with their job and found none challenges in field work. Conclusion: Multiple inter related factors affects work performance of ASHAs in field. Financial incentives, self-identity and working for society were motivation for joining this profession. However, delayed and inadequate payment, overburden of work, poor transport and conflict between ICDS and Health staff were common challenges.

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in trend and associated with modifiable risk factors and subsequently reducing physical activity; hence the Government of India (GOI) has launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 to curb increasing prevalence. The present study was planned for assessment of the activities conducted under NPCDCS in rural Jaipur. Methods and Material: This observational study was conducted in rural Jaipur. NPCDCS reports, status of logistics and manpower were assessed for 1 year. Field level cross-checking survey was done to assess the gap between the actual screening work done and the work reported. All staffs were assessed for the level of awareness regarding NCDs as well as NPCDCS programs. Data were entered and analysed in Microsoft excel. Result: Around 48% (6674/13917) of persons >30 years were screened during 1 year study period. Around 51.5% of the screened persons had one or more NCDs (13.5% newly screened NCDs cases and 38% were prediagnosed of NCD cases). Status reports that 10 (83.33%) out of the total 12 expected reports were sent regularly on a monthly basis. Reason for not sending reports was a sudden lockdown due to COVID-19. Conclusion: The study concludes that the implementation of NPCDCS program activities is not in synch with the health staff awareness level. IEC activities were deficient and no work was done for adoption of behavioural change and healthy lifestyle. Actual cases of hypertension were more while cases of diabetes were less than the reported cases found on cross-check survey.

Background: The proper evaluation of the prescribing indicators helps to curb the injudicious use of drugs. Keeping this point in mind the present study was designed and carried out in order to check the prescribing pattern in the orthopaedic outpatients using the WHO prescribing indicators in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Lucknow. Methods: Data was collected from the outpatients of the orthopaedic department relating to demographics and the drug details in a structured Performa and were subsequently analyzed in accordance with the WHO prescribing indicators. The prescriptions were further analyzed for any errors relating to the prescription writing. Values were expressed in percentages. Results: A total of 261 prescriptions were analyzed comprising 796 drugs. Out of 261 patients, 147 (56.32%) were male while 114 (43.68%) were females. Most of the patients, i.e. 137 (52.49%) belonged to the age group of 18 -60 years. Out of the total prescriptions analyzed it was found that only 37 (14.18%) had drugs prescribed by the generic names and only 115 (44.06%) prescriptions were complete in all respect. Anti-ulcer drugs were most commonly prescribed and a total of 227 (86.97%) prescriptions had them. This was followed closely by NSAIDs with or without serratiopeptidases which formed a part of 217 (83.14%) prescriptions. Polypharmacy was an area of grave concern and the average number of drugs per prescription came out to be 3.05. A total of 128 (49.04%) prescriptions had 5 drugs written in them. The signature of the treating doctor was absent in or there was an untraceable signature in 235 (90.04%) prescriptions while the stamp of the treating doctor was absent in 216 (82.76%) cases. In 146 prescriptions (55.94%) the duration of treatment was not written and the follow up advice was not clear in 195 (74.71%) cases. Conclusion:This study provides the insight to the prescribing pattern in outpatients of orthopaedic department. The results obtained clearly show an immediate need for the increased awareness among the physicians as well as the medical students towards the WHO recommended prescribing indicators.

Background: Mortality due to Non communicable disease (NCD) has increased from 50% to 60% in India from 2004 to 2014. Increasing mortality due to NCD has compelled Government of India to launch a national program (NPCDCS). This program has involved peripheral health workers hence this study was conducted to assess level of knowledge and attitude of peripheral health workers working in rural area of CHC Naila regarding NCDs. Methods: Present study was conducted at CHC Naila, Rajasthan, during June to Dec 2019. All (38) peripheral health staff working under CHC Naila were assessed and categorised regarding NCD and NPCDCS program. Results: Majority (77%) peripheral health workers had more than ten years of field experience. All have heard about NPCDCS program and type of NCDs covered under it. they were aware of sign & symptoms of common NCDs, however 18.42% of these were not aware of their role of community awareness about risk factors of NCDs and conducting regular screening. Conclusion: Though the level of awareness of health workers regarding type of NCDs, its consequences and risk factors was good however skill development training is needed so that they can screen people effectively and motivate them for healthy life style for optimum result.

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