Background: Neonatal near miss is defined as, a neonate who has suffered a life-threatening condition but survived the first 28 days of life. As neonatal near miss is a predictor for early neonatal death, the lessons learned from near misses will be useful to help prevent early neonatal mortality. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to estimate the incidence of neonatal near miss and its associated factors in the early neonatal period in a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a longitudinal study where all the cases of early neonatal near miss and early neonatal mortality were documented over a 1-year period. A face-validated structured questionnaire was used to collect information from mothers. The data were described using proportions, mean, and standard deviation. Regression analysis and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) were used to identify the determinants of early neonatal near miss. Results: The study was conducted among 210 neonates born to 197 mothers. The neonatal near miss rate in our study was found to be 75.43/1000 live births. The total live births during the study period were 2784. The most common cause of near miss was identified as birth weight of <1750 g. The absence of antenatal ultrasound scans (aOR 6.124), anemia (aOR 3.945), preterm premature rupture of the membranes (aOR 3.136), presence of oligohydramnios (aOR 3.624), and malpresentation (aOR 5.581) was independent determinants of early neonatal near miss. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the importance of better antenatal care including prevention of anemia, screening and management of high-risk cases, and antenatal complications to avoid the incidence of near miss.

Introduction: The labor-intensive nature of cement brick manufacturing, its unorganized nature and internal migration, expose the employees to several occupational health hazards. The objective of the study was to assess the occupational risks in cement brick unit settings and to estimate the prevalence of respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities among the cement brick unit workers in a rural area of Bangalore urban district. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among cement brick unit workers over two months. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic details. Multiple observations on the field and the World Health Organization semi-quantitative risk assessment matrix were used to obtain risk scores of the occupational hazards. A structured questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and Minispir Portable Spirometer were used to assess the respiratory morbidities and lung functions. Musculoskeletal morbidities were assessed using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Proportions were used to describe respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify significant variables. Results: Among 120 subjects, 110 (91.6%) were men and 85.8% were migrants. Injury due to falls of heavy objects, back injury, respiratory complaints and slips/falls were found to be high-risk health hazards. The prevalence of respiratory morbidity was 21.7% and that of musculoskeletal morbidity was 51.7%. Workers receiving a higher salary (≥ 1500 Indian rupees) had higher odds of having respiratory morbidity. Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory and musculoskeletal morbidities was high. Introduction of mechanical equipment, decreasing work hours, periodic medical examinations and appropriate use of personal protective equipment will help in risk reduction as per this study.

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Background:In India, according to National Family Health Survey 4, the incidence of low birth weight was 18%. One of the factors that has emerged as a risk factor for low birth weight (LBW) is indoor air pollution. Objectives: To estimate the risk of low birth weight with prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution, in a rural area of south Karnataka. Study design: Case-control study. Study setting: The study was conducted in a Maternity hospital in a rural area of Ramnagara District in south Karnataka for two months. Participants: Women who delivered live singleton infants with LBW (birth weight < 2500g irrespective of gestational age) were considered "Cases". "Controls" included women who delivered single live infants weighing  2500g. Methods: Subjects were administered a pre-tested, face-validated structured questionnaire, with socio-demographic and obstetric information, exposure to various sources of indoor air pollution as well as environmental factors contributing to indoor air pollution. Main outcome measures: Odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio for various sociodemographic and environmental factors contributing to LBW. Results: Absence of exhaust ventilation in the kitchen, OR=3.76 (1.09-13.03), regular use of incense, OR=4.94 (1.12-21.73) and lack of cross ventilation in the house, ) were identified to be the main risk factors associated with LBW. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to indoor air pollution carried a higher risk of LBW. Pregnant women need to be educated regarding the harmful effects of burning incense at home and the dangers of poor ventilation, and their effect on the birth weight of newborns.

Purpose: Neonatal near miss (NNM) allows for the detection of risk factors associated with serious newborn complications and death, the prevention of which could reduce neonatal mortality. This study was conducted with the objective of identifying predictors for NNM in a tertiary hospital in Bangalore city.Methods: This was an unmatched case-control study involving 120 NNM cases and 120 controls. NNM was determined using Pileggi-Castro’s pragmatic and management criteria. Data was collected from in-patient hospital records and interviews of postpartum mothers. Multiple logistic regression of exposure variables was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: Significant predictors were maternal age ≥30 years (AOR, 5.32; 95% CI, 1.12 to 9.29; P=0.041), inadequate antenatal care (ANC) (AOR, 8.35; 95% CI, 1.98 to 51.12; P=0.032), <3 ultrasound scans during pregnancy (AOR, 12.5; 95% CI, 1.60 to 97.27; P=0.016), maternal anaemia (AOR, 18.96; 95% CI, 3.10 to 116.02; P=0.001), and any one obstetric complication (hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, diabetes in pregnancy, preterm premature rupture of membranes, prolonged labour, obstructed labour, malpresentation) (AOR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.26 to 14.95; P=0.02).Conclusion: The predictors of NNM identified has important implications for public health policy and practice whose modifications can improve NNM. These include expanding essential ANC package to include ultrasound scans, ensuring World Health Organization recommendations of eight ANC visits, capacity building at all levels of health care to strengthen routine ANC and obstetric care for effective screening, referral and management of obstetric complications.