The 14th South East Asia Regional Scientific meeting of the International Epidemiological Association
(IEA) and International Conference on Public Health and Sustainable 2022 was held at Chiang Rai,
Thailand from November 22 to 24 for which an oral presentation titled “Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of family planning programme in two tribal districts with
high Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Odisha, India: Excerpts from a qualitative baseline research” was granted
a full scholarship (waived registration and accommodation free) for ongoing work under ICMR project
under Principal Investigator (PI) Prof. Dr. Sonali Kar.
The paper was presented by Prof. Dr. P. C Samantaray, Co-PI of the project, other contributors of the
work at the field level were post graduates from Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Asutosh
Pradhan, Dr. Surya Prakash Routray, Dr. Liwa Patnaik & Dr. Priyaranjan Sahoo and District Consultants
Suvam Swain (Koraput) and Bishnu Dash (Boudh). Besides describing the baseline data of contraceptive
acceptance in two districts in detail, a brief preview of the intervention plan was also presented.
The key intervention modalities that is `Suchi’ (EC-Eligible couple colour coded details), `Yogya Dampati
Card’, a drama in local language done by KIMS Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Students were
highlighted in the concluding part of the presentation.
The presentation was adjudged the best in MCH (Maternal and Child Health) session and also won
audience appreciation.
The IEA conference was attended by nearly 2,000 delegates and under the aegis of WHO, IEA and
UNICEF. The team is grateful for the cooperation of the KIMS management and especially the Founder
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, for his enthusiastic encouragement.