Study to Assess Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness to Promote Safe Motherhood among Women from a Rural Area of Western Maharashtra.

Background: Promotion of maternal health should be an integrated approach comprising adequate planning of pregnancy coupled with the awareness of the available maternal and child health services and its utilization.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPACR) among antenatal and postnatal women and to assess the factors related to it.

Materials And Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 antenatal and postnatal women attending a tertiary care hospital of Karad.

Gaps in facilities available at Community Health Centers/Rural Hospitals as per Indian public health standards - Study from Western Maharashtra.

Background: The launch of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) gives us the opportunity to review the functioning and bring up the Community Health Centers (CHC) services to the level of Indian Public Health Standards and thus improve the lives of citizens.

Objectives: Assessment of the gaps in the facilities available at Community health centers/Rural hospitals as per Indian Public health standards.

Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Satara district of Maharashtra.

Menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls - A study from urban slum area.

Background: Adolescence has been recognized as a special period that requires specific attention as it marks the onset of menarche, an important milestone, and hence good hygienic practices during menstruation are crucial to maintain a healthy life.

Aims And Objectives: This study was planned to assess knowledge, beliefs, and source of information regarding menstruation, and also to assess hygiene among them.

Materials And Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in urban slum area.

Seroprevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution for Hepatitis C infection: A study from rural hospital in Maharashtra.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis C is global health problem affecting a significant portion of the world's population. Available data in Western Maharashtra on seroprevalence, risk factors and genotype distribution are very limited.

Objectives: The present study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence, factors influencing transmission and distribution of genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a hospital-based population.

Novel Rhodafluors: Synthesis, Photophysical, pH and TD-DFT Studies.

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of new rhodol derivatives has been developed. The synthesis involves condensation of 2-hydroxy benzophenone derivatives with 1, 3-dihydroxy benzene derivatives in solvents such as ionic liquid (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidonium hydrogen sulfate) and methane sulphonic acid. Both ionic liquid and methane sulphonic acid were found to be promising self-catalyzed solvents to bring out the conversion to form desired rhodols in excellent yields.

Field Testing of Second Generation of Colour-Coded Rings for Detecting Slow Progress of Labour at Rural Health Centres.

Introduction: An innovative appropriate technological tool of colour-coded rings based on cervicographic principles was developed to monitor deliveries.

Objectives: To study efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of colour-coded rings for monitoring active phase of labour.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive deliveries occurring at selected primary health centres from Pune, Satara and Kolhapur Districts of Maharashtra, during 15 months period were included in the study and matched control groups.

A study of the outbreak of Chikungunya fever.

Background And Objectives: Chikungunya fever occurred in an epidemic form in the state of Maharashtra after a gap of about 32 years. Many cases with symptoms which were suggestive of Chikungunya fever were reported from the village Kasegaon, Dist Sangli, Maharashtra, India. Hence, this study was done to assess the magnitude of the outbreak and to identify the possible socio-environmental factors which are responsible for Chikungunya fever.