  Aims. We report a study of the global properties of some embedded clusters
placed in the fourth quadrant of the Milky Way to clarify some issues related
with their location into the Galaxy and their stellar formation processes.
Methods. We performed BVI photometric observations in the region of DBS 77, 78,
102, 160, and 161 clusters and infrared spectroscopy in DBS 77 region. They
were complemented with JHK data from VVV survey combined with 2MASS catalogue,
and used mid-infrared information from GLIMPSE catalogue. We also searched for
HI data from SGPS and PMN radio surveys, and previous spectroscopic stellar
classification. The spectroscopic and photometric information allowed us to
estimate the spectral classification of the brightest stars of each studied
region. On the other hand, we used the radio data to investigate the
interstellar material parameters and the continuum sources probably associated
with the respective stellar components. Results. We estimated the basic
physical parameters of the clusters (reddening, distance, age, and initial mass
function). We searched for HII regions located near to the studied clusters and
we analyzed the possible link between them. In the particular case of DBS
160-161 clusters, we identified the HI bubble B332.5-0.1-42 located around
them. We found that the mechanical energy injected to the interstellar medium
by the more massive stars of this couple of clusters was enough to generate the
bubble.
