Background: The first two years of life involve rapid physical, cognitive and social development that requires optimal nutrition. Tribal populations are the most backward section of the society. In West Bengal, the Santal tribe contributes to 51.8% Scheduled Tribe population of the state. Aims & Objective: The present study was conducted to assess infant and young child feeding practice among Santal women in Bhatar block of Burdwan District, West Bengal in India. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive study of cross-sectional design. Bhatar block was purposively selected and 10 villages inhabited by Santals were chosen purposively. Data were collected by interview method using a pre-designed pre-tested schedule from 120 mothers having children of 0-23 months of age. WHO indicators for assessing infant and child feeding practices were used. Results: Breast feeding was initiated within one hour of birth in 48.33% cases, 46.15% babies were exclusively breastfed and in 47.37 % cases breastfeeding was continued at 1 year of the baby. Solid, semisolid or soft foods were correctly introduced at 6-8 months in 46.67% infants. Only 30.85% mothers maintained minimum dietary diversity while 41.49% mothers maintained minimum meal frequency. Conclusion: The poor status of indicators of Infant and child feeding practice found in present study may be attributed to high rate of illiteracy and poor socioeconomic condition among Santal women. Therefore intense total literacy campaign, income generating activities and health education by health personnel is the need of the day.

Background: Health care set ups in Indian cities are being catered by a number of street food vendors on whom the patients, visitors, doctors, medical students and staff depend. Thus, ensuring proper food hygiene among them is of uttermost importance. The purpose of the study was to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of food hygiene among them and various factors that influence it.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 106 street food vendors surrounding a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. A predesigned pretested schedule was used to collect information on socio-demographic profile, knowledge and attitude on food hygiene through interviews and practice was observed. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson’s Chi-squared test.Results: The mean age of food vendors was 37.74±10.70 years and majority were familiar with the terms “food hygiene” and “food borne illness”. The median score of attitude on food hygiene was 9.5 and significant (p<0.05) association was found with age, gender and education. Less than one third of street food vendors had acceptable practice and significant (p<0.05) association was found with education, marital status and type of food vendor.Conclusions: The street food vendors were aware of food hygiene and had favourable attitude towards it, but it wasn’t translated in their hygiene practice. This study can help to identify the factors that influence food hygiene practice and incorporate them in food hygiene training.

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Anthrax is one of the top 10 diseases reported in India and also one of the major causes of death in livestock. This study was conducted to confirm the outbreak of suspected anthrax, determine the transmission mechanism, and implement control measures in Bhatar block of Burdwan district, West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted through house-to-house visits in Oregram and Kathaldanga villages during the period from May 30, 2013 to June 8, 2013. Out of the 93 persons exposed to anthrax, 11 persons had history of slaughtering, while 82 consumed the meat. All of the 7 cases of suspected anthrax were male (mean age 41.14 ± 10.04 years) and involved in slaughtering the animal. Most cases presented with papule and vesicle over the upper extremity and the trunk. One patient among the suspected cases died. The outbreak was labeled as a suspected anthrax outbreak. A health awareness camp was organized to improve awareness of anthrax among villagers.

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