The age of 0-15 years is crucial in terms of health, growth and development for a girl. Discriminations against the girl child start from birth and continue throughout the life of women. Socio- cultural factors compound the problem thus lowering the status of women in society. The present study was conducted in 8 villages of south 24 Parganas of West Bengal to recognize the status and problem of the girl child in a given socio- cultural reality. Using a multi- stage sampling procedure, 438 households with 1377 children (870 girls and 507 boys) of 0-15 years age- group were selected for collecting data on children’s health, nutrition, education, work pattern and mother’s opinion regarding issues related to the girl child.

An epidemic of gastroenteritis occurred between July and November 1988 in Ahmedabad City. The epidemic originated from Saijpur Bocha locality of the city and thereafter several new foci also development. The city has a number of Government and Municipal Corporation run hospitals as well as private treatment centers where these cases were treated. The Corporation also took measures to control this epidemic. The present study analysis the cases of gastroenteritis (2008) and cholera (112) admitted to the Civil Hospital during this period. The cases occurred in all age groups and both sexes. However, when compared with hospital records of previous non- epidemic years, more cases were found in the adult population and the case fatality rate was low during this epidemic. The study details the various control measures taken by the Municipal Corporation.