Nadia District Research Articles

Dietary practices of children and adolescents residing in an area of Chakdaha Block, Nadia district, West Bengal

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood and adolescence are crucial developmental stages during the life course. They develop and establish lifelong dietary and lifestyle habits. Unhealthy food environments that influence the risk of obesity and other nutrition-related NCDs by affecting the dietary patterns. Assessment of dietary patterns and factors affecting them will help to provide targeted interventions to improve the same. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged more than 6 months and adolescents by interviewing their mothers regarding the dietary patterns. A two-stage sampling method was followed for selection of the participants. Results: A total of 325 participants were interviewed. Dietary diversity (DD) was present in 55.4% of the participants. Children of mothers who were educated beyond middle school (aOR = 3.81 (1.87-7.73), P = 0.000) and children who stayed in a joint family (aOR = 1.73 (1.11-2.72) P < 0.05) had higher odds of having dietary diversity in their diet, after adjusting for age and sex. Fast food shop location (aOR = 0.14 (0.05-0.38), P value = 0.000) was found to have a significant association with fast food intake among participants. Conclusion: Children and adolescents residing in the study area have a distinct dietary pattern compared to prevalent dietary practices in India. To improve dietary diversity of children and adolescents, maternal education, family dynamics, and community food environment, which include fast food and market locations, can be points of targeted interventions

Geochemical Constraints on Arsenic and Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater of Ganges Delta, Nadia District, West Bengal

ABSTRACT Geochemical studies of groundwater from 302 tubewells and aquifer sediments of the Ganges delta plain of Quaternary age are conducted. The geochemical behaviour of Fe, Mn, SO42-, arsenic (As), REEs, and Eu parameters in groundwater indicates two contrasting environments: (i) a more oxic condition in the fluvial environment of the Jalangi River in the northern part, and (ii) a less oxidizing/reducing environment in the palaeo-lacustrine environment towards south of the study area. Arsenic concentration in groundwater is more in palaeo-lacustrine environment due to (i) reductive desorption from Fe-oxyhydroxide in the high pH reducing environment and (ii) mobilization by ion exchange with the help of fertilizer used in agricultural activities. Both these phenomena are attributed to the strong spatial correlation of arsenic (As) with pH, PO4, and SO4. However, the dissimilar nature of REE pattern in groundwater and aquifer sediment indicates that REE geochemistry of groundwater is being modified by the “reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxides” in sediment which releases REE into the groundwater. We conclude that desorption and “reductive dissolution of Fe-oxyhydroxide” controls release of As and REE into the groundwater in both oxic and reducing aquifer conditions in the Ganges delta.

A qualitative study among doctors exploring the factors influencing the doctor-patient relationship in a Government Medical College, Nadia district, West Bengal

Background: An efficient healthcare delivery system needs a healthy doctor-patient relationship. One of the important factors in the desired treatment outcome is the soundness of this healing relationship, which depends on the perception and attitude of both doctors and patients. This study aimed at assessing the status of this relationship as viewed by the doctors and exploring different factors influencing their perceptions regarding the same. Methods: In this qualitative study, the data were collected through 17 open-ended, in-depth interviews with doctors attending a Government Medical College in Nadia district, West Bengal. The participants’ experiences and their perceptions regarding the relationship were subjected to grounded theory content analysis after transcription and coding. Results: The findings revealed that the components of the doctor-patient relationship could be categorized into four key processes; ie; commitment; valuing the patient; doctor’s character and competencies; and the balance of power. This further led to the formation of three necessary relational elements, namely, trust; peace and hope; and being acknowledged. Respect in both ways was the established theme from this analysis. Conclusion: The physician-patient relationship plays a central role in patient outcomes. The factors affecting the same are quite comprehensible and these factors are to be taken care of, giving the highest priority, for the flawless running of health system.

Environmental contamination of arsenic: pathway analysis through water-soil-feed-livestock in Nadia District (India) and potential human health risk.

This study investigated arsenic (As) concentrations in diverse environmental components and their potential impact on the health risks faced by residents of the arsenic (As)-contaminated Nadia district in West Bengal, India. A random selection of 182 cattle and 255 goats from 40 livestock farmers in the district revealed that both animals and humans were naturally exposed to elevated arsenic levels through contaminated drinking water, foods, grasses, concentrate feeds, various fodder tree leaves, and other food/feed resources. The mean As concentration in roughages (483.18µg/kg DM) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in tree leaves (391.53µg/kg DM), and concentrate feed/ingredients (186.66µg/kg DM). Pond water exhibited higher arsenic levels (106.11µg/L) compared to shallow tube well water (47.96µg/L) and deep tube well water/tap water (10.64µg/L and 10.04µg/L, respectively). The mean arsenic concentration in soils DM of fodder fields, crop fields, and grassland was 10.25, 10.58, and 10.20mg/kg, respectively. It was observed that protein-rich feeds had lower levels of arsenic accumulation (p < 0.048), while fiber-rich feeds containing more cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin had higher arsenic levels (p < 0.017). Goats consumed 73.46% more arsenic per kg body weight compared to dairy cows. Although chronic and sub-chronic arsenic exposure in the district did not typically manifest symptoms or visible signs in ruminant animals, concentrations in the hair and feces of both cattle and goats exceeded normal values. Cattle feces had significantly higher arsenic (410.43µg/kg DM) levels (p < 0.001) than goat feces (227.00µg/kg DM), and arsenic concentration in cattle hair (1917.74µg/kg DM) was also significantly greater (p < 0.001) than goat hair (1435.74µg/kg DM). Arsenic levels in milk samples from both species were below 10µg/kg. Liver (356.02µg/kg DM) and kidney (317.22µg/kg DM) contained significantly higher (p < 0.001) levels of arsenic compared to muscle (204.23µg/kg DM), and bone (161.98µg/kg DM) in local meat-type adult male goats. The skin accumulated the highest amount of arsenic (576.24µg/kg DM) among the non-edible parts of the goat carcass. The cumulative cancer risk value for adults was 4.96 × 10-3, exceeding the threshold value (1 × 10-6). This suggests a significant risk of cancer development for the population in arsenic-affected areas. Non-cancer risks (hazard indexes) were estimated at 11.01 for adults. Our observations revealed that the highest bioaccumulation of arsenic occurred in the hair of cows, and goats in the examined localities. The biotransformation factor (BTF) for hair was much higher compared to other excreted samples from both species. The calculated BTF followed the order: hair > feces > milk for cows and goats. Livestock farmers in Nadia district are advised to carefully select feed resources, prioritizing those high in crude protein and low in neutral detergent fiber, and they should provide drinking water from deep aquifers to ensure the safety of milk and meat for human consumption.

A cross-sectional study on factors associated with iron-folic acid supplement adherence among antenatal women of Haringhata block of Nadia district, West Bengal

Background: Anaemia, lack of can cause health complications across all age groups, particularly among pregnant women. In India, despite various governmental and non-governmental initiatives, the coverage and compliance of iron folic acid (IFA) therapy among pregnant women remain inadequate. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-adherence and its determinants among pregnant mothers in Haringhata block, Nadia district, West Bengal. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, selecting eligible pregnant mothers through simple random sampling from sub-centre lists. Confidential interviews were conducted using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire, with informed consent obtained from participants. Data were entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) 20.0. Results: Results showed that 37.7% of pregnant women were anaemic, and 19.9% were non-adherent to IFA supplements. Among the non-adherent, 56.5% missed IFA intake due to forgetfulness. Lack of knowledge was a significant barrier, with 53.42% unaware of IFA benefits and none knowing the exact duration of intake. Bivariate analyses indicated higher odds of non-adherence among mothers whose husbands were unemployed/unskilled, who suffered from anaemia, and who lacked knowledge about IFA benefits. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that addressing forgetfulness, providing accurate knowledge about IFA intake, and targeted interventions for teenage mothers can improve adherence rates, preventing anaemia and enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.

Advancement Of Women Education In Relation To Attitude Of The Shedule Castes People With Various Socio-Economic Sectors And Regions Of Nadia District In West Bengal

Abstract Introduction: The study investigates the progress of women’s education among Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Nadia District, West Bengal, highlighting the significant barriers they face due to historical marginalization and socio-economic constraints. Objectives: The study investigates socio-economic factors’ influence on women’s education, community attitudes towards it, identified barriers, evaluated policy effectiveness, and devised region-specific recommendations for SC women in Nadia District.

Infant and young child feeding knowledge and practices among mothers of under-5 children in Nadia district, West Bengal: a cross-sectional study

Infant and young child feeding knowledge and practices among mothers of under-5 children in Nadia district, West Bengal: a cross-sectional study

Estimation of carbon footprint of Indian households in Kalyani subdivision of district Nadia, West Bengal, India

The present study aims to assess the contribution of Indian households to the increase in carbon footprint. Hence, this cross-sectional study was conducted in the Kalyani subdivision of Nadia district, West Bengal, India. Data were collected from 610 households, comprising 299 rural and 311 urban households, to analyse energy consumption patterns for various purposes. To summarize the dependent and continuous data, descriptive statistics were employed, while for inferences, independent sample t-test, Pearson correlation and regression were used. A significant difference was observed in total annual household carbon footprint between the urban and rural households due to varied energy consumption (t = 15.60, p &amp;lt; 0.05). The urban households were emitting twice (2325.20 kgCO2e) as much as the rural ones (1125.77 kgCO2e). It can also be inferred that emission was determined by the increase in household size, income, and improvement in the standard of living. Thus, in addition to several determinants, a complex cultural system, social practices, and awareness of green consumerism should also be incorporated and studied through an interdisciplinary approach to reduce the overall household carbon footprint.

Parental Perception and Attitude towards Private Tuition: A Cross-Sectional Study among Daily Wage Earners

Parents' perception of private tuition significantly impacts a child's educational journey. Positive attitudes boost academic growth, boost confidence, address individual needs, foster responsibility, and reflect cultural and social factors. Positive attitudes also encourage collaboration with educators, aligning educational goals and fostering open communication. So, the present study aimed to assess the level of perception and attitude among the parents of daily wage earners. A cross-sectional survey method has been employed to accomplish the purpose of the study among the daily wage-earning parents of school-going children. The present study consisted of 267 samples, comprising daily wage earners parents, by employing a random sampling method from Nadia District, West Bengal, India. A standardized perception and attitude scale towards private tuition, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81 and 0.79, respectively, was administered to collect data from the sample (daily wage earners parents). The findings of the study indicate significant differences in perceptions and attitudes towards private tuition based on factors such as gender, location, and educational qualifications. It has been found that attitudes and perceptions of private tuition have a moderately positive correlation. This study contributes to our knowledge of the significance of private tuition in the educational landscape and provides insightful information for future studies and the formulation of societal policies.

Evaluation of the effect of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and puerperium in a suburban medical college in West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT Background: The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 was a novel situation, there was no conclusive knowledge, particularly concerning its effect on pregnant women and infants. Eminent obstetric organizations have introduced an array of guidelines to assist clinicians in countering this prior unknown outbreak. The primary objective of this study was to summarize the clinical characteristics, complications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Outpatient/Emergency/Inpatient or COVID ward in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, of a tertiary hospital in Nadia district, West Bengal, India, from 1.7.2020 to 30.6.2021 including 104 pregnant or puerperal mothers with laboratory-confirmed, i.e., RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test positive reports after informed consent. The obstetric outcome, modes of delivery, and neonatal status including any complications or SNCU admission within six weeks postpartum were recorded. Results: The majority were in the ≥ 20–24 years age group, primigravida, residents of Nadia with no significant travel or contact history. 73.08% were affected in the third trimester and the comorbidities detected were chiefly anemia (15.38%), hypertensive or chronic liver diseases, and hypothyroidism. 45.19% of the mothers were asymptomatic while the other complaints were fever (18.27%), cough (11.55%), anosmia and/or ageusia (10.58%), sore throat (9.61%), respiratory distress, loose stools, and chest pain. The medical complications were predominantly low SpO2, convulsions, pneumonitis, and two maternal deaths. The obstetric complications were preterm birth (26.9%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (17.3%), antepartum (3.9%) and postpartum hemorrhage (4.4%), and sepsis (5.8%). Fourteen mothers had first-trimester termination, 63 had vaginal deliveries, and the rest had cesarean section. Out of 90 neonates, most were in the range of ≥ 2–2.5 kg birth weight and normal 1-min APGAR score. None tested positive for COVID-19 RTPCR and no detectable congenital anomaly or neonatal death was recorded.

Contraceptive use, unmet need and its determinants among tribal married reproductive women: A community based observational study in a district of West Bengal

ABSTRACT Context: Reported literatures revealed the problems of access and misconceptions, low contraceptive usage and high unmet need for family planning among the tribes. Aims: Our aim was to find out the prevalence of contraceptive usage, unmet need and their determinants among tribal married reproductive women. Settings and Design: A community-based, observational, analytical research using cross-sectional design was conducted among 290 tribal women of the Nadia district of West Bengal. Subjects and Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, an interviewer-administered pre-designed, structured proforma was used to collect information on socio-demographic attributes, marital history, contraceptives and fertility status, unmet needs and the reasons for not using contraceptives. Statistical Analysis Used: Bi-variate analysis was used to know the differences and a two-tailed significance test with a P value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results: The present study revealed a high prevalence of teenage marriage (60.7%) and pregnancy (27.6%). Every one in six tribal women was illiterate. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 43.8%. Tubectomy (38.6%) was the most common method (38.6%) and unfelt need (19.6%) was the most common reason for non-use. Age, occupation of women, social class, living status, marital duration, number of living children and desire to have a future child were found to be associated with the current contraceptive use. Social class, number of living children, contraceptive awareness, source and place of availability, abortion history, opposition from family and husband, and husband participation all were significantly associated with the unmet need for family planning. Conclusion: In-depth counselling focusing on achieving a satisfactory level of awareness and acceptance of family planning methods may help to achieve reproductive health by reducing unmet needs.

Retting with efficient microbial consortium helps in improving jute fibre quality and profitability: a study in Eastern India

Aim: To determine the effect of application of microbial consortium for faster retting of jute (Corchorus spp.) over conventional retting without microbial consortium on jute fibre recovery and fibre quality improvement. Methodology: Large scale retting trials of jute were conducted in five important jute growing districts of West Bengal, India for four consecutive years with and without microbial consortium. After completion of jute retting, fibre was extracted manually, processed and dry fibre weight was recorded. Jute fibre samples were collected and analysed for fibre quality parameters. The fibre strength was estimated using electronic fibre bundle strength tester, fibre fineness by air flow method and root content is measured as the length of fibre up to which root is present out of the total length of the fibre and is expressed as percent length. Results: Application of microbial consortium reduced the retting duration and root content in jute fibre in all the locations irrespective of years. The jute fibre recovery increased by 9.64 to 10.97% and 9.73 to 10.63% with microbial consortium over without microbial consortium respectively in different locations and different years under study. The maximum jute fibre yield with (33.17 q ha-1) and without microbial consortium (29.89 q ha-1) was recorded in Murshidabad district. Nadia district recorded significantly higher fibre strength of 24.92 g tex-1 and lowest retting duration of 11.92 days with microbial consortium among all the locations. Interpretation: The application of microbial consortium improved the fibre recovery and fibre quality leading to the increase in net income by ₹15624 to ₹18017 ha-1 of jute farmers. Hence, the application of microbial consortium for jute retting can be used extensively by the jute farming community in jute growing states of India for faster retting of jute along with quality fibre production, higher net income and doubling farmers’ income. Key words: Corchorus spp., Fibre quality, Jute retting, Microbial consortiu

Long-Term Effect of Rice and Non-rice Ecology on Pools of Carbon in Surface and Deep Soil in Farmer’s Field

The greatest terrestrial sink of carbon (C) is soil. In addition to improving soil quality, carbon absorption in soil helps reduce atmospheric CO2 loading. Not only the surface soil, but also the deep sub-soil act as a storehouse of C. Besides, the study of C dynamics in tropical rice soil is important in countries like India where rice is the predominant crop and soil C sequestration is at risk due to high temperatures. In this context, this study tried to understand the C dynamics in surface as well as deep soil under rice and non-rice ecology. Representative soil samples were collected from five sites of rice-rice (rice ecology) and vegetable-vegetable (non-rice ecology) cropping systems from three depths viz., 0-20 cm, 100-120 and 120-140 cm from long-term farmer’s field of Nadia district of West Bengal belonging to Alfisols to compare C dynamics of surface and deep soils as well as rice and non-rice ecology. Results indicated that surface soils exhibited higher amount of total C, total organic C and inorganic C in comparison to deep soil irrespective of crop ecologies. The rice ecology showed higher total C and total organic C in comparison to non-rice soil. As per water solubility, water-soluble (room temperature) C and hot water-soluble C which were highest in surface soil compared to deep soil as the former usually receives maximum amount of fresh C input compared to deep soil. Irrespective of crop ecology, water-soluble C (WSC), hot water-soluble C (HWC), recalcitrant C (RC) were highest in surface soil compared to deep soils. Again, irrespective of soil depth, WSC and RC were highest in rice ecology and lowest in non-rice ecology. But, HWC content was highest in non-rice ecology and lowest in rice ecology. Irrespective of crop ecology, per cent contribution of labile pool of C (WSC+ HWC) and that of RC pool towards TOC was the highest and the lowest respectively. However, irrespective of soil depth, per cent contribution of labile pool of C and that of recalcitrant pool of C towards TOC was highest and lowest in soils under non-rice ecology and rice ecology respectively. Thus, this study conclusively indicated the potential of subsoil layer to act as a C sink in comparison to surface soil. The rice soil also has been identified as a niche for soil C sequestration.

A Study on Contribution of Handloom and Cotton Industry in Indian Economy

The wave of globalization and liberalization appeared in the India in 1991. With the concept of liberalization, privatization and globalization a new chapter has been opened up in the Indian economy and her billion plus population. The Hugli district and Nadia District in West Bengal are one of the most renowned names in the handloom and cotton industry of West Bengal and a good percentage of people are engaged in this heritage industry. The paper also suggests some strategies to make this ever challenging industry globally competitive, such as, the identification of modern trends, promotion of exports, market assessment so that this heritage industry can cope with the modern trends and utilise the benefits of globalization.

Estimating Marketing Efficiency of Organic Farmers: Evidence from Districts of West Bengal, India

The growing organic food market offers considerable trading opportunities for organic farmers in India. In this context, this article intends to find out whether the organic farmers are exploring these marketing opportunities in the three districts (namely, Purulia, Purba Bardhaman and Nadia) of West Bengal. Farm-level marketing efficiency is measured in a framework of data envelopment analysis. Evidence reveals that farmers’ marketing activities determine the level of marketing efficiency. Results show that organic farmers in Nadia district are relatively marketing efficient in comparison to the farmers in Purulia and Purba Bardhaman districts. Moreover, an attempt has been made to identify the determinants of marketing efficiency. The result shows that marketing efficiency is affected by the economic status, level of education, years of farming experience, size of landholding of the farmer household and the type of marketing arrangement.

Deciphering the biometeorological influences on mycoflora dynamics in rice seeds of Indo-gangetic ecosystem

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a vital global food source, particularly in Asia, where it constitutes 60 to 70 per cent of cereal production. However, rice cultivation faces many challenges including seed-borne fungal pathogens. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the incidence and severity of seed-borne fungal pathogens in various rice varieties and their relationship with environmental parameters during different growth stages. Seed samples were collected from different locations in Nadia district, West Bengal, and analyzed for seed health. The prevalence of Helminthosporium oryzae, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium sp., Curvularia lunata, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Trichoconis padwickii was recorded. Compared to the other diseases, Fusarium sp. shows a distribution with greater kurtosis deviation from normalcy, suggesting the occurrence of more extreme values. In contrast, the tailedness of Aspergillus niger's distribution is more akin to that of a normal distribution. Eight varieties of rice were examined for their susceptibility to various seed-borne fungal pathogens, revealing that variety Shatabdi exhibited a high vulnerability to these pathogens. The isolation of seed-borne pathogens was carried out at different growth stages of rice, and it was observed that the harvesting stage is particularly susceptible to seed-borne pathogens. Temperature and humidity influence pathogen intensity differently across years, indicating the complex interplay of environmental factors in disease dynamics. This research contributes to understanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of seed-borne fungal pathogens in rice, facilitating the development of targeted management strategies for improved crop health and yield. . KEYWORDS :Biometeorological parameters, growth stages, rice, seed borne, varieties

Variation of standardized precipitation index (SPI) over southern West Bengal and its effect on jute yield

West Bengal is a key producer of raw jute fiber in the country. Identifying and managing dry spells during the jute growing period is crucial, necessitating contingency crop planning for enhanced productivity. Keeping this view in mind, standardized precipitation index (SPI) was calculated over five locations, representing five different districts of southern West Bengal. These locations are Barrackpore (North 24 Parganas District), Panagarh (Burdwan District), Bagati (Hooghly District), Krishnanagar (Nadia District) and Uluberia (Howrah District). This rainfall dependent dryness index (SPI) was calculated in 1 month and 3 months interval to identify short term dryness as well as mid-term dryness, applicable for seasonal crops. The trend analysis of the SPI values indicated that North 24 Parganas and Nadia experienced increased dryness during vegetative phase of Jute. Nadia district showed a significant increase in both short term and long-term dryness. The yield reduction index is well correlated with SPI values in all the study locations except Howrah. Arrangement of irrigation during the early stages of Jute can help the crop to cope up with the break of monsoon in this region

Socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dairy farm households in West Bengal state

India is one of the leading economies that have been stuck hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the stringent measures were put in place to combat it. Among several sectors, dairy sector is the most affected as dairy products are highly perishable and rely on time-sensitive supply chains. Though studies are available on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dairy sector, there are no studies on COVID-infected dairy farm households. The present study was an attempt to assess the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic on infected and uninfected dairy farm households in West Bengal. The study covered pre-lockdown, lockdown (both 1st and 2nd wave) and post-lockdown phases of COVID-19 pandemic. The primary data was collected from 150 dairy farm households (COVID-19 infected-75 and uninfected-75) in Murshidabad and Nadia districts of West Bengal. Dairy Economic Performance Index consisting of number of milch animals, milk yield, marketed milk, milk procurement price, concentrate price and veterinary cost was developed using principal component analysis. In order to make infected and uninfected groups statistically comparable, propensity score matching technique was employed. The index values were compared between matched infected and uninfected groups over different phases of COVID-19 pandemic. Dairy households incurred significant economic losses during the lockdown and post-lockdown periods due to increase in cost of concentrates, decline in the number of milch animals and drop in milk procurement prices. Dairy households faced constraints in procuring dry fodder, concentrate feed and in accessing veterinary care. COVID-19 infected dairy farm households had a greater socio-economic hurdle than that of uninfected households.

Trends of antihypertensive use in a tertiary care hospital in Nadia district of West Bengal, India

Background: Being a major non-communicable disease hypertension contributes significantly to disease burden and mortality. Poor control of blood pressure (BP) increases the chance of recurrent stroke and mortality. Although various guidelines have been published to inform practitioners about hypertension and its management, it is necessary to monitor to how much extent the guidelines are being followed. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to observe antihypertensive medication prescription pattern among indoor patients in a tertiary medical college hospital and to know whether such trend of prescription is relevant and in conformity with the national and international guidelines. Materials and Methods: A prescription-based survey was conducted over 6 months among patients admitted to the medicine ward in a medical college hospital in Nadia district of West Bengal. Relevant data were collected and used for analysis. Results: A total of 500 prescriptions were evaluated. Two hundred and seventy-three patients were female (54.6%) and 227 patients were male (45.4%). About 56.2% of patients were in the senior age group with a higher contribution by the female subjects. Only 17% of patients had Grade 1 hypertension reflecting poor BP control among hypertensive patients. Combination drug was advised in more than half of cases (54.6%), whereas single drug was advised in 44.2% of cases. Amlodipine was the highest prescribing drug (66%) both as monotherapy and in combination followed by Lasix (54.6%), labetalol (31.6%), and telmisartan (11.4%). The thiazide group of drugs was used only in 1% of cases. Conclusion: Overall, the management guidelines for hypertension were adhered in the prescriptions. The underutilization of thiazide-type diuretics remains an area of concern and needs necessary action. The public health delivery system may need to take appropriate measures to make people aware of BP control.

Bourdieu’s sociological lens: unveiling the dynamics of household carbon footprint in the Kalyani sub-division of Nadia district, West Bengal, India

Bourdieu’s sociological lens: unveiling the dynamics of household carbon footprint in the Kalyani sub-division of Nadia district, West Bengal, India