s. ganesh kumar

Loop layout is a common layout in the Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), machines arranged around the loop and materials are transported in unidirectional only. The intention of the loop layout problem (LLP) is the determination of regulating of machines around a loop, to minimize the maximum congestion among the family of parts. Artificial immune system (AIS) algorithm, Tabu Search (TS) and Improved Tabu Search (ITS) algorithms are employed to solve these loop layout problems. The algorithm is tested and validated through large and small-sized randomly generated hypothetical problems with minimum required machine sequence. Further, the efficiency of algorithms is compared with existing algorithm for benchmark problems. Computational results reveal that ITS algorithm outperforms the AIS, TS and existing algorithm for large-sized hypothetical problems.

First point‑of‑care (FPC) at the primary health care (PHC) level is an important public health issue at the global level. Patients directly come to tertiary health centers without a referral. AIMS AND

Hence, the current study was done to assess the proportion of individuals availing health‑care services from rural health center (RHC) as FPC and reasons for not availing it.

A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted in Puducherry, coastal South India, among 367 households with 1510 individuals. Sociodemographic details, recent FPC during the past 6 months, morbidity profile, and reasons for not seeking were collected from all the individuals.

About 44.5% (672/1510) of individuals used any health facilities, of which 70.4% (473/672) used RHC as the FPC. About 33.2% of individuals had a respiratory illness, 22.3% had general signs and symptoms. About 24.6% (32/130) mentioned the reasons for not seeking care as lack of appropriate health facilities.

More than one‑fourth of the study population not utilized services at PHC level. Improving the health facilities may help to increase these services.

Almost 15% of all pregnant women can develop potentially life‑threatening complications. As a result, identification of high‑risk pregnancy at earliest stage will be useful in directing appropriate intervention. Hence, the current study was done to determine the prevalence and outcome of high‑risk pregnancy among antenatal women in rural Puducherry.

A record‑based longitudinal study was done during March 2018 among 569 antenatal women who have attended rural health center of tertiary care institute. High‑risk pregnancy was classified based on the guidelines from Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and outcome assessment based on the obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Among 569 antenatal case record reviewed, 315 (55.3%) were in the age group of 20–25 years and majority (463, 81.4%) belonged to below poverty line families; 410 (74.3%) registered their current pregnancy within the first trimester. The prevalence of high‑risk pregnancy among study participants was 18.3% (95% confidence interval: 15.3%–21.7%). Majority (81.9%) had term delivery. Regarding obstetric and neonatal outcomes, majority had spontaneous vaginal delivery (73.9%); about 10.4% gave birth to low‑birth weight baby, and only 1.7% had stillbirth. Parity, socioeconomic status, and unfavorable outcomes such as low‑birth weight, preterm, and postterm delivery were associated with high‑risk pregnancy.

The current study found that almost one‑fifth of the pregnant women in rural area have high‑risk pregnancy. Unfavorable obstetric and neonatal outcomes were common among high‑risk cases. Hence, early detection of high‑risk pregnancy needs to be done at primary health‑care level to improve the maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.

Limited information exists in India about the awareness and perception of the people regarding pictorial health warnings (PHWs) and text warnings on tobacco products, more so from rural areas. Objectives were to report the awareness of these warnings, factors predicting awareness and perceived effectiveness of PHWs, and understanding of their content in a rural population.

A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted in two villages (chosen randomly out of total four) in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Puducherry. Households were selected by systematic random sampling. All persons ≥18 years and residing in the area for at least 6 months were included. Data regarding awareness and perception of participants was collected through a semi‑structured interview schedule.

A total of 428 participants were recruited; 197 (46%) were male, and 231 (54%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 38.9 (standard deviation 15.0) years. Awareness of PHWs and text warnings was 39.5% (169/428) and 21% (90/428), respectively. Only 11.2% participants perceived PHWs as effective. Most (45%) of the participants had a vague understanding of the content of PHWs. On multivariate logistic regression, male gender, current tobacco use, and better education emerged as predictors of greater awareness of PHWs. Extended family predicted greater perceived effectiveness of PHWs, whereas, high socioeconomic class and middle school completion predicted lower perceived effectiveness of PHWs.

Awareness and perceived effectiveness of adults in rural Puducherry regarding PHWs were low. There is a need to create awareness through education and using meaningful, larger pictures.

Nonscholastic abilities among medical students are an important area of concern for the health professionals. Very few studies had been conducted in the past with regard to it.

This study was an exploratory study aimed to assess the nonscholastic abilities among medical students in a medical institution in coastal South India.

This study assessed three broad domains of nonscholastic abilities namely personal qualities, interpersonal activities, and communication skills among 106 medical students using a structured questionnaire (27 questions with a total score of 27). The data were analyzed by independent t‑test and linear regression model.

About 41.5% (44) of the subjects were males and 52.8% (56) of them were belonged to 18–19 years age group. Overall mean score of nonscholastic abilities was found to be 19.40 (standard deviation = 3.27). Percentile distribution of subjects is at score 17 (25th percentile), 20 (50th percentile), and 22 (75th percentile). Mean personal quality domain score was found to be proportionately lesser than other domains of nonscholastic abilities. Nonscholastic ability score was significantly associated with marks obtained in the previous examination (P = 0.006). However, linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of family problems (P = 0.005) and alcohol use (P = 0.026) were associated with low nonscholastic ability score among medical students.

Nonscholastic abilities are still a required need in medical student’s career. Further analytical studies will help in identifying the in‑depth evaluation of factors associated with it.