Pratit is devoted to rigorous operations research to ensure that our humanitarian missions are in tandem with long term goals for sustained development. We undertake a “research for service” approach – conducting research which meets standards of academic merit, but with the primary objective of improving our services and development projects to our target communities.

• Meticulous records of  patient charts are kept at each of our clinics. Penn undergraduates as well as Medical and Public Health Students study patient data using epidemiological methods to determine the specific disease burdens in the communities where Pratit works.
• In July 2010, Students from Penn conducted nearly 80 structured interviews with local individuals living in the slums where Pratit works. This needs-assessment was based on the World Health Organization Survey and assessed demographics, access to doctors, healthcare facilities, and medicines, cost of health needs, public hygiene, along with many other issues.
• Social Development Research and Advocacy:
  • Planning stages of Social Business Model for Women’s Stitching Cooperative
  • Advocacy for sanitation improvement through local drainage project

What we learn

The Disease Burden

Our initial analysis of clinical data has revealed several key factors contributing to the disease burden. We use this information to target our initiatives for specific community health needs which results in more effective methods and improved outcomes.

●      18% of patients report symptoms of respiratory tract infections.

●      13% of patients are symptomatic of gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

●      10% of patients suffer from hygiene related skin infections,

●      29% of all patients entering the clinics are treated with micro-nutrient supplements

Particular case studies from Rajabagan and surrounding communities also reveal the incidence of diabetes mellitus, spondaelysis, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and acute myocardial infarction. Hence, Pratit clinics aim to take a horizontal healthcare delivery approach to address a disease burden encompassing both communicable and non-communicable entities.

Rajabagan: A Community Profile

In maintaining our commitment to holistic methods of development, we also focus on measuring variables of socioeconomic status, demographics, hygiene and sanitation, and access to healthcare. Our assessments have focused on one particular BPL community, Rajabagan, where Pratit has worked for the longest.

• Over 550 homes, with ~5.6 persons per home
• Median per capita income: 650 Rs/month, compared to 3784 Rs/month nationally
• 53% do not have toilet facilities
• 20% arrived before 1947, and 30% arrived in last 15 years
• 52% Bengali, 17% Bihari, 31% from Orissa, Bangladesh, U.P., and A.P.
• Male Occupations: Factory worker and contract laborer
• Female Occupations: Domestic labor and unemployment