30^th International Conference on Neurology and Cognitive Neuroscience February 24-25, 2020 London, UK

Biography:

Basant Kumar Bajpai pursuing his Ph.D (last year) from Health Telematics Science Institute, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania.

Abstract:

The pressure reactivity index (PRx) is valuable for monitoring traumatic patients. However, the quality of data for calculating PRx is questionable. Therefore, we explored the association between PRx and the quality of ABP(t) and ICP(t) signals using obvious moving average and FIR optimal filters. Data from 60 traumatic brain injury patients were collected. Moving average and FIR filtering was performed on the ABP(t) and ICP(t) signal, along with a “surrogate gold standard” as a reference. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curves (AUCs) were determined. A Bland–Altman assessment was also used to compare the methods. The FIR approach had 76.9% sensitivity, 77.8% specificity, and an AUC of 0.812, which indicate excellent classification. The moving average method had 75% sensitivity and 60% specificity with AUC of 0.617. The Bland–Altman assessment showed lower and upper limits of agreement of -1.64 and 1.13, respectively, and the mean bias ± SD was -0.25. The moving average had a significance level of 0.0006, and FIR-filtered PRx data had a significance level < 0.0001. The FIR (optimal) filtering approach is more sensitive to discriminate intact and impaired thresholds of PRx for TBI treatment decision making.  

Biography:

Dr. Sumaira Kanwal has completed he PhD from Kongju national University Korea and postdoctoral studies from Samsung Medical center. After getting her degree she is working as a faculty member in COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal campus. (One of the leading University of Pakistan. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of various journals. Her main field of interest is Neurology and neuromuscular disorders.

Abstract:

Congenital deafness is one of the most common inherited disorder caused by various causes. It can be originated by acquired as well as genetic factors. Consanguinity is one of the most important factor in developing countries for highest prevalence of the disorder. Inherited deafness can be classified into syndromic and non-syndromic categories. Almost 60 genes are responsible for non-syndromic deafness. Three deaf families were selected on the basis of age onset (Prelingual), congenital type and parents with Consanguinity. In current study three deaf Prelingual affected Pakistani families were selected for whole exome sequencing analysis (WES) for identification of pathogenic variant.  Capillary sequencing was used to confirm the mutant variants. In current study a Homozygous missense mutation was found in USH1C (MIM# 605242) c.307C>T (p.Arg103Cys), a homozygous missense mutation P.Ala595Thr c.1783G>A in MYO15A (MIM# 602666) and third was found in TPRN gene MIM# 613354).

Biography:

Muhammad Abul Hasan received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Glasgow, UK in 2014 while MEng and BEngg degrees from NED University, Pakistan. He is a CO-PI of neurocomputation lab funded by Higher Education Commission under National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Pakistan. He is working on neuromodulation using central and peripheral stimulation for cognitive enhancement (improving peak performance), pain management using non-invasive technologies, neuro-rehabilitation and signal processing.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Binaural Beat (BB) is a form of sound wave therapy in which both ears received sounds of slightly different frequencies, yet auditory cortex perceived as a single signal [1]. BB therapy is provided in frequency ranges corresponding to electroencephalogram (EEG) bands (theta, alpha, beta, and gamma). Studies have shown benefits of different types of BB therapy for treatment of anxiety, depression, mood and memory [1-4]. Studies used different cognitive and EEG tests for studying psychological and neurological changes following BB stimulation [3,4]. However, the unknown mechanism of BB therapy is a challenge for end users to implement BB in clinics [5]. The unknown mechanism might be due to lack in validation processes. In this study, machine learning and regression analysis was applied to study the neurological and psychological changes.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: 21 participants in this study were divided into three groups for receiving different BB stimulation (alpha; 400-410 Hz low beta; 400-414 Hz, and high beta; 400-429 Hz stimulation). The stimulation was provided in three consecutive 5 minute sessions (15 min total length). Digit span (4 to 8 words) task was performed on each subject to study effects of BB on memory. EEG with 128 Hz sample rate in closed-eyes state was recorded with Emotive epoch 14 channels device for studying neurological changes. Ethical permission was provided by University Ethics research committee. EEG data was converted into frequency domain using Welch modified periodogram method. Supervised machine learning was applied using artificial neural network.

Findings: Alpha BB causes reduction in frontal theta and enhancement in posterior alpha. The accuracy for neurological and cognitive data was 72% and 75% respectively, for alpha BB. Also, the reduction in score and increase in response time for complex digit memory task when compare to simple task is also non-significant. It means participants were performing complex task with more confident.

Conclusion & Significance: Alpha BB with only 15 min stimulation duration induces neurological and cognitive changes. Machine learning and regression analysis techniques should be applied for validating the effect of BB. Our findings suggest that alpha BB stimulation should be tested for empowering attention and for relaxation before starting neurofeedback training sessions.

Recent Publications:

• Huang L, and Charyton C. (2008). A comprehensive review of the psychological effects of brainwave entrainment. Altern Ther Health Med. 14 (5), 38–50.

• Chaieb L, Wilpert E, Reber T, and Fell J. (2015). Auditory beat stimulation and its effects on cognition  and mood states. Front Psychiatry 6, 1-9.

• Gao X, et al. (2014). Analysis of EEG activity in response to binaural beats with different frequencies. Int J Psychophysiol. 94 (3), 399–406.

• Goodin P, et al. (2012). A high-density EEG investigation into steady state binaural beat stimulation. PLoS One 7 (4): 1-8.

• Jirakittayakorn N, and Wongsawat Y. (2017). Brain responses to a 6-Hz binaural beat: effects on general theta rhythm and frontal midline theta activity. Front. Neurosci. 11, 1-11.

Biography:

I am Pankaj Bhatia Pursuing PhD in Punjabi University, Patiala. I have received a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Akal College of Pharmacy, Sangrur and a master’s degree (Pharmacology) from I.S.F. College of Pharmacy, Moga, India. Working in exploring novel targets in subject of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the explicit area of interest is in Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative disorders. I am GPAT-2017 qualified, life member of SPER and have won best poster & other awards.

Abstract:

Biography:

Ayça Dilara Yilmaz is from Ankara University. She has a PhD in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. She is a Post-doctoral researcher in Ankara University.

Abstract:

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of epilepsy, with neuronal and abnormal neurogenesis accompanying the degeneration changes in the hippocampal circuitry and excitability. Although the exact causes of TLE are not known in most cases, TLE is thought to occur secondary to an initial injury, such as brain damage, tumors, meningitis, encephalitis, status epilepticus or childhood febrile seizures. The electrical kindling model of the amygdala is one of the experimental animal models that examine the development processes of TLE and is an accepted animal model in which epileptogenesis, epilepsy analysis and effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs are evaluated. There are a limited number of studies in the field of epilepsy with proteomics technologies. By proteomics, differentially expressed proteins and proteins that might enable or complicate the epileptogenesis process can be identified.

Biography:

Niraj Khatri Sapkota has completed his PhD in Molecular Physiology applications to pharmacology at the age of 32 years from Zhejiang University, China, one of the Thomson Reuters and Elsevier best ranked university of the world; he is now working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology in Chitwan Medical College affiliated to Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He is an active researcher and academician of his country, Nepal. He has published more than 50papers both original and review papers as a single author or with collaboration in reputed international journals and is serving as a reviewer, advisory and editorial board member and Editor of more than 30 international reputed journals.

Abstract:

Fortified  supplement or foods is must essential requirement for strict vegetarian or in vegan diet as it is exclusive component of animal based food, potential neurohematological symptoms generally with anaemia but could be the one without anaemia in some rare case. This case report visualise the common strict vegeterian neurological related complain   after long duration of stand-up vegetarian due to cultural reason.

Biography:

Sohail Daniel is a medical students year at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge. Graduated completed in 2018 with BA (Hons) degrees in Medical Sciences from the University of Cambridge, specialising in Psychology. Sohail Daniel is currently undergoing research in developmental paediatrics.

Abstract:

Cognitive inflexibility is an important trait that is displayed in a multitude of neuropsychiatric disorders. It is often modelled using reversal learning paradigms which measure the capacity to inhibit a previously learned discrimination and learn a new response following sudden changes in stimulus-response (S-R) contingencies. Previous research has demonstrated the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the mesocorticolimbic system in positive and negative reinforcement which are both important in reversal learning.  Our study aims to investigate the role of dopaminergic neurons originating from the VTA in reversal learning using a two-choice probabilistic learning task. Selective silencing of these neurons was achieved through the infusion of a viral vector into male Th::Cre+/- Long-Evans rats, leading to the selective expression of hM4Di designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) in the VTA. These were then selectively activated by systemic injection of clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). We found this did not produce significant effects on reversal learning through either positive or negative reinforcement, but we did observe a significant increase in response choice latencies in TH::Cre+ subjects following synaptic silencing. We propose that this effect could be the result of reduced dopaminergic activation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by the VTA. This is consistent with the role of dopamine in cognition and invigorating behaviour.

Biography:

Alina K. Fong received her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology with an emphasis in neuroimaging from Brigham Young University. She received the national American Psychological Association Clinical Neuropsychology Division 40 Graduate Student Research Award in 2004. Her research focuses on clinical applications of fMRI. She has published numerous articles combining neuropsychology and neuroimaging, along with deriving normative data for brain injury. Dr. Fong is currently the Director of Cognitive FX, a concussion treatment center that utilizes functional Neuro Cognitive Imaging technology. She is a Clinical Neuropsychologist at Intermountain HealthCare, and has helped build the Sports Medicine and Concussion Clinic practices in Utah.

Abstract:

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) occurs in a significant percentage of concussion patients and is defined as having a history of traumatic brain injury with persistence of three or more symptoms. Standard structural clinical neuroimaging studies show no abnormal findings for the majority of PCS patients as opposed to functional MRI, which often reveals irregularities in the blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal. This suggests that dysregulation of neurovascular coupling (NVC), which causes abnormal BOLD signals, plays a significant role in PCS pathology. Compared to the pathophysiologic mechanisms occurring in acute concussion, the underlying neuropathophysiology of chronic concussive sequelaeor PCS is less understood, though becoming clearer with emerging research. We present a treatment approach grounded in the physiological theory presented here called Enhanced Performance in Cognition (EPIC), which has shown strong clinical success.

Biography:

My name is atitya fithri khairani, 37 years old from Indonesia. I completed as neurologist at the age 30 years old. I am interested in the field of epilepsy espescially in neurogenetic. I work as staff in sardjito hospital, Yogyakarta and as doctoral student from Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Abstract:

Status epilepticus is a rare but potentially life threatening complication that women with epilepsy may experience during pregnancy. Poor compliance may contribute to the occurrence of status epilepticus, resulting in the need for substantial increases in anticonvulsant dosing to suppress seizures. This case report aims to report cases status epilepticus in patients during pregnancy at Dr. Sardjito Hospital.

Biography:

Kostiantyn Kuts is a faculty in National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Radiation Psychoneurology Department in Ukraine. 

Abstract:

Neurocognitive deficit is one of the main neuropsychiatric effects of radiation exposure. The impact of ionizing radiation (IR), particularly in the low-dose range, and age-related factors may have a synergistic effect on the development of post-radiation cognitive impairment. It is suggested that the low doses of IR is a risk factor associated with age-related diseases, in particular, neurodegenerative ones. The prospective clinical study of the randomized samples of 52 elderly male Chornobyl clean-up workers (aged 64,1±2,9) irradiated at doses of 0.002–1.1 Sv at mean arithmetic dose (M ± SD) of 0.31±20.29 Sv, mean geometric dose of 0.16 Sv, median dose of 0.25 Sv and 13 male non-exposed controls (aged 63,3±2,9). All patients were examined using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, premorbid IQ assessment, and audial ERPs.

Biography:

From years -2014 (After MSCCRRA pass year-2013), concepts    arises   health sciences, study technique till year 2019 about hundred.  All about accepted journals with 50% conferences. But know many more  update  concepts with language.

Abstract:

As living thing survival means also Survival theory also works as biochemical and elements with specific elements and biochemical specific natural property that connected survival theory. That’s connected higher rank theory, sex hunt theory (link to biochemical   survival theory). There are two types’ nutrients basic and special that’s use by ancients, medieval man with ape tradition. That’s special nutrients in different reason different type’s .That’s special nutrients survival theory give big differences.  That’s arises the regional races. Also in common work basic nutrients survival theory. Also  after  then in same  races  sub races arise  due  war    Kabila  tradition  war  possible separate language and  regular try to separate  biochemical evolutions. Apply the some less. That’s traditional different type special nutrients and environments   develop a different region different anthropology and color by root of DNA, give survival theory.

Biography:

Suprita Gupta is faculty in Department of Biochemistry at National Medical College Teaching Hospital in Nepal.

Abstract:

Glycated hemoglobin concentrations reflect time-averaged blood glucose during the previous 2-3 months and are used as the gold standard for long term follow up of glycemic control. The patients should be clearly explained in the context of the importance of having good daily glycemic profiles to understand the relationship between high HbA1c results and health risks. HbA1c was estimated in hemolysate by nephelometric method followed by National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) protocol with MISPA-I2 smart card system in 104 type 2 DM patients. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and Post prandial blood glucose (PPBG) were simultaneously determined in serum of patients. The calculation was done by using formula eAG (mg/dl): (28.7*HbA1c)-46.7 given by NSGP/DCCT guideline. The categorization of glycemic control was made as HbA1c ≤5.9% (very good glycemic control), HbA1c between 6.0 and 6.9 % (good glycemic control), HbA1c between 7.0 and 7.9 % (poor glycemic control), HbA1c ≥ 8% (bad glycemic control).

Biography:

From years -2014 (After MSCCRRA pass year-2013), concepts    arises   health sciences, study technique till year 2019 about hundred. All about accepted journals with 50% conferences. But know many more  update  concepts with language 

Abstract:

If we done  any research, first  primary  important the   main  key of  evolution  of  best  type  brain   biochemical’s, after  then    finds  best  results  of  any research. Do  the experiment  its theoretical  approach,  in  modern time  new successful   research  of  scientist brain  new research  cognition  of   some  5   root .  The roots mentions   are 1. Complex   reasoning ,numerical  extreme practice without solution book  as  think to  think  like one complex reasoning  give 30-45 minutes  to   think  to   think  brain twist all dimensions  of  till the research  work  do   but  not  use students  to more waste  of time  2. By see solution  book   complex  numerical ,reasoning’s   extreme  practice step understandings  after the  memorize   practice   like    single time 2-3 repeat  to  upgrade  brain software regular  update   till research work  do 3.  Use exercise   as catalyst 2   -3 hours or   maximum neuron-plasticity (ROM), increase skill. With attach two methods apply (a) Standard level reasoning’s, numerical (b) above mention extreme level   . Also its tries to encode work in extreme neuron-plasticity boundary cases.  4. Also separate the reasoning’s and numerical  5.Back generation best skill till presents, apply above mention 4 in experiments.  

Biography:

Swapnil Pandey has completed his M.Sc. at the age of 23 years from Bundelkhand University and persuing their doctoral degree from Academy of scientific and innovative research (AcSIR) India. He was awarded with Senior Research Fellow from ICMR, India. He has published more than 7 papers in reputed journals. 

Abstract:

Betula utilis (BU), an important medicinal plant that grows in high altitudes of the Himalayan region, has been utilized traditionally due to its antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anti-tumor properties. Here, we demonstrated the lifespan promoting and amyloid-β-induced toxicity attenuating activity of B. utilis ethanolic extract (BUE) in a multicellular model organism, i.e., Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results showed that BUE (50µg/ml) extended the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 35.99% and increased its survival under both oxidative and thermal stress conditions. The BUE (50µg/ml) also reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 22.47%. The BUE treatment significantly improved the survival of human amyloid-β (Aβ) expressing CL4176 worms in response to proteotoxic stress induced by Aβ protein aggregation. Interestingly, the BUE (50 μg/ml) supplementation was also able to reduce the aggregation of Parkinson’s related protein, α-synuclein in the transgenic strain NL5901 and improved chemotactic behavior in wild-type C. elegans. Moreover, the BUE-mediated lifespan extension was found to be dependent on mev-1, daf-16, hsf-1, and skn-1 but not on sir-2.1 gene. Transgenic reporter gene expression assay showed that BUE (50µg/ml) treatment enhanced the expression of stress protective genes such as sod-3 and gst-4. The present findings suggested that ROS scavenging activity together with multiple longevity mechanisms were involved in BUE-mediated lifespan extension. Thus, BUE might have a potential to increase lifespan and to attenuate neuro-related disease progression.

Biography:

From years -2014 (After MSCCRRA pass year-2013)   , concepts    arises   health sciences, study technique till year 2019 about hundred.  All about accepted journals with 50% conferences. But know many more  update  concepts with language.

Abstract:

The    peoples   to   want    show   more attacking   nature to use    that like   addictive   dangerous      substances     to feel pseudo attacking. In     strong    sex powers     to   demand    variety   of nature   to   sex   of  girls,  women’s    but  legally  barriers  other  family  issue  not  to  practically  uses that’s     depression   contraction   of  that  demand. Also due the nerve weakness root    to end that   sensitivity  of depression and  stress with  some  cases  natural  depression ,stress   use  the  addiction  . Also the some peoples to use in complex situations   like love, business   loss   to   hidden   work for   brain attacking.  Also labor   to more tired they want to depress tired. Its have clear that points above mention psychology works behind the addiction. For that natural  nerve sensation tolerate  herbal  evolution of biochemical  aswgandha, brahmi shilajeet, aamla, sankhpuspi , zinger , ajwain, methi   etc  use  .It’s  give the  more strength of brain nerve  in all dimensions  that’s  end  the  any cause  to wants  use  the  alcoholism ,drugs, tobacco  like  that etc.

Biography:

Raghav Khanal is a Public Health Student from Nepal. He is very much interested in scientific study and research. I also have a lot of good experience working in Public Health field under our Academic Curriculum beside my Academic field.

Abstract:

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS are at a higher risk of mental disorder with a prevalence that is two to four times higher compared with comparable HIV-negative individuals or the general population.

Objectives: The study had major objective to find the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaski district Nepal.

Material and Methods: The study design used was descriptive cross-sectional study design among people living with HIV/AIDS undergoing ART centre at Pokhara Academy of Health Science which is the only ART centre of whole Kaski district. All the registered cases under the ART were the study population (n=278). The depression assessment was done by using Nepali Version Beck Depression Inventory and Semi structured questionnaire was used.

Results: The study found that the prevalence depression among PLWHAS in Kaski district, Nepal was (27.7%) with mild (13.3%) depression was highest, followed by moderate (8.6%) and severe (5.8%) depression. The study found that different factor such sex, employment, educational status, discrimination, tobacco consumption etc. were significantly associated with depression and the study also showed that female are more likely 2.577 more likely to have depression then men, illiterate were also 2.66 times more likely to have depression than literate respondents, etc. The study also showed that there is negative correlation between depression score and monthly income of respondent.

Conclusions: The study concluded that the prevalence of depression among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaski district was (27.7%) and demographic, social, economic and behavioral factors like sex, educational status, income, discrimination, tobacco consumption, etc. were significantly associated with depression.

Biography:

Nirmala M Emmanuel has completed her M.Sc Nursing at the age of 30 years from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. She is working as a Nurse Manager in the Surgical Nursing department of CMC, which is a multispecialty hospital with nearly 2500 beds. She also serves as a Professor at the College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals and has National and International presentations for her credit.

Abstract:

Introduction: Low Back Pain (LBP) affects 80% of the population globally. In India, prevalence of LBP among nurses is reported to be 66%.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess the sleep quality of nurses with low back pain in a tertiary care setting, South India and to determine the relationship of sleep quality with the physical and psychological parameters such as pain intensity, functional disability, anxiety and depression. All the nurses willing to participate in the study and available during the data collection period were screened for LBP. Among the nurses with LBP, 193 subjects were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Study was approved by the Institutional Review Board and informed written consent was obtained from the subjects. Subjects were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMP), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), Zung Self-rating Anxiety (ZSA) and Depression (ZSD) scales.

Results: Among 1284 nurses screened, 686 (53.4%) had LBP. Of the 193 nurses included in the study 68.4% of the nurses had good quality of sleep. Majority of the subjects had minimal disability (68.4%), moderate pain (81.3%), and normal anxiety (56.3%) and depression (91.7%) levels. There was a significant positive correlation between sleep quality and pain intensity (r=.355, p<.01), disability (r=.376, p<.01), anxiety (r=.297, p<.01) and depression (r=.233, p<.001).

Conclusion: Improving sleep quality will decrease the physical and psychological manifestations of patients with low back pain and hence improve the quality of life of nurses with LBP.

Recent Publications:

• Emmanuel N M, Ezhilarasu P and Lee P (2015) Postoperative pain experience among elders: A phenomenological approach. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 4(6): 69-71.

Biography:

Maria Kyprianidou is a PhD candidate in Public Health in the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Technical University of Cyprus. She has studied Mathematics at University of Patras and took her M.Sc in Biostatistics from the University of Athens. She has been involved in several epidemiologic surveys about the short term effects of atmospheric pollution on pediatric admissions in Arkansas (USA), the associations between physical activity, TV watching and tobacco use among Cypriot adolescents, as well as the EUVETCARE project.

Abstract:

Introduction: Multi-morbidity is defined as the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions. As the average life expectancy is increasing worldwide so does the prevalence of multi-morbidity.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of multi-morbidity in the general adult population of Cyprus as well as to identify the most common diseases and its combinations.

Methods: The referent population was the general adult population of Cyprus. A representative sample of n=1143 individuals, 18-94 years old was surveyed during 2018-2019. Demographic characteristics, chronic clinical and mental conditions were collected through a validated questionnaire. Chronic conditions were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).

Results: We estimated that 25.81% of the participants had multi-morbidity and the rates increased according to age (p for trend <0.001); the highest prevalence was among people aged 65+, i.e., 68.89%. The prevalence of multimorbidity was higher in females than males (28.19% vs. 22.78%, p=0.039) and similarly among residents of urban vs. rural regions (26.53% vs. 23.79%, p=0.371). The most prevalent chronic diseases were hypercholesteremia (17.90%), followed by hypertension (13.27%), thyroid diseases (8.80%) and gastric reflux (7.83%), while the most common combinations were diseases of circulatory (63.5%) and endocrine system (67.7%).

Conclusion: The significant proportion of Cypriots who has multi-morbidity, even from the younger ages, underlines the emerge need of prevention strategies and relevant programs for the entire population.

Biography:

Mithun Gupta has completed her Masters of Public Health from National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Bangladesh. She has been working in public health since last seven years. She is now working as a senior sector specialist and leading programme focusing early childhood nutrition of health, nutrition and population department of BRAC, which is world’s number one development organization. She has worked with the research team of NIPSOM and participated in several conferences to share her experiences in working with the community people.

Abstract:

According to Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS 2014) only 55% infants aged 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed mainly due to traditional norms and lack of knowledge of mothers/family members about recommended practices (Formative Research Report, Ministry of Information & UNICEF, 2014). Moreover, according to the Bangladesh national labor force survey in 2010, around 3.2 million women are working in garments sector. Most of them reside in urban slums where malnutrition rates are high. Despite having major contribution to the national growth, they have very limited access and rights to enjoy benefits like maternity leave, baby-friendly policies etc. Female workers in lactating stage often face challenges to ensure EBF. Through Mothers@Work initiative of UNICEF, BRAC is implementing this programme to improve EBF support and practice for working mothers in RMG factories by engaging public, private and civil society stakeholders. The objective of the programme is to improve quality of breastfeeding counseling and support for pregnant and lactating mothers (PLW) during ANC and PNC as well as to improve EBF practices in the workplace. This project aims to address the bottlenecks to practice EBF in workplaces. Two RMG factories were selected randomly of Dhaka district to implement seven minimum standards (such as maternity leave and benefits, day-care & breastfeeding centers, breastfeeding supportive environment, maternity health protection, breastfeeding breaks etc.) based on the Global and Bangladesh policy framework and guidelines to enhance breastfeeding support among working women through targeting senior, mid management and general workers of factories. Working PLW’s are counseled every month on breastfeeding techniques and problem solving. Breastfeeding corners were also established. Monthly progress report and quarterly monitoring tools were used to track the findings. The project after running almost one and half years could increase EBF rates from 17% (October 2016) to 72% (August 2018) in both factories. Factors that influenced the improved EBF practices were identified as functional breastfeeding corners, involvement of higher management and hands-on support to PLW mothers regarding attachment, positioning and manual expressions of breast-milk with labeling and storing. The outcome shows how counselling, enabling environment and monitoring during ANC and PNC can improve EBF practice among working mothers.

Biography:

Prabhaker Mishra (DOB: January 1979), presently working as Associate Professor in SGPGI Lucknow-India. He had completed his PhD in Statistics on the topic “Statistical Study of Human vulnerability and Risk. Assessment of Natural Hazards in Orissa” as Senior research fellowship (ICMR) in 2010. He had worked as Assistant Professor (Biostatistics) in the Department of Community Medicine, in medical colleges during 2011 to 2014. He had co-supervised 12 MD students; and presently other 31 MD /2PhD and 1PhD students are pursuing under his co-supervision /supervision. He had published 82 research papers in various national / international journals. His expertise area is applied and medical statistics.

Abstract:

The increasing volume of research by the medical community are also leading numbers of contradictory findings and conclusions. The main reason of the these contradiction are sampling variability and sample size. The differences observed between the groups may represent true difference, but significance level of the same difference is varying from one study to another study due to variation in sample size. Sample size not only affect the level of significance but also affect the power of the study and margin of error. Sample size has no direct relationship with effect size although increasing sample size increases reliability of the effect size detected between the groups. An appropriate sample size, allows the researcher to control the error (Type I & II error). At the time of planning of the study, the researcher must establish a justifiable level of statistical significance, with corresponding power of the study, targeted difference (i.e. effect size) and the variability of the data (for continuous data). The proper planning of sample size can boost the study importance. The aim of this study is to discuss the effect of sample size on level of significance, power of the study and the reliability of the research findings.

Biography:

Abhiruchi Galhotra is working as an Additional Professor, Dept of Community & Family Medicine, AIIMS, Raipur and Nodal Officer for ICMR funded Research Project on Prevalence & Etiology of Hearing Impairment. She has Post PG teaching experience of 17 years and Supervised for 2 PG thesis. She has contributed 5 chapters in various textbooks of which one is by Springer Nature and 2 others are by Springer. She also have more than 25 research publications to my credit which includes, original articles, review articles, commentary, viewpoint and letter to editor. She has been instrumental in establishing the department of Community & Family Medicine at AIIMS Raipur.

Abstract:

Background: Universal access to adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right article 21 of Indian constitution. Hygienic sanitation facilities are crucial for public health. The world continues to urbanize and the cities increasingly bear the burden of poor sanitation with an estimated 57% and 16% of urban dwellers lack access to toilets and basic sanitation services respectively. Almost 100 million urban residents practice open defecation in the midst of challenges of providing many millions of rural households with adequate sanitation. The issue of toilets is more serious in urban areas because in urban areas, spaces are cramped and open space is deficient.

Objectives: Our objectives of the study to assess the availability and accessibility of various types of sanitary facilities to adolescent girls.

Material and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study. Complete enumeration of adolescent females (10-19 years) living in the selected division was done and a list of the same was prepared (107). Written informed consent was obtained from all the study participants.

Results: Out of a 107 adolescent girls enumerated, 98 consented for the study. Mean age of adolescent girls in the present study was 15.44 ±2.2 years and a majority of them were in high school. Only 38.7% (n=38) of study subjects had access to an independent household/private toilet facility, 9.2% (n=9) were practicing open defecation and remaining 52% (n=51) were using public/community pooled toilets.

Conclusions: Common problems faced by public/pooled toilet users were lack of privacy in 56.9% (n=29) and about males gathering around the toilets that were there in 66% (n=34) of the public toilet users.