Vaccination and associated factors among tribal children of 1 year age in nine Indian districts: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To report on vaccination status by 12 months of age among tribal children from nine districts of India. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 2631 tribal women having a child aged 12 months or below from nine Indian districts with a considerable proportion of the tribal population. Socio-demographic details, reception of various vaccines by 12 months of age, mother's antenatal care utilisation and health system-related details were collected through a pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire from mothers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with complete vaccination by 12 months of age. RESULTS: Only 52% of children were fully vaccinated by the age of 12 months among the tribal populations; 11% did not receive any vaccine, and 37% of the tribal children received some vaccines. The age-appropriate vaccination was unsatisfactory as only 75% of the infants received all birth dose vaccines, and only 60.5% received all doses by 14 weeks. Only 73% were vaccinated against measles. Illness of the child, home births and communication gaps concerning vaccination were the main reasons for an infant not being vaccinated appropriately. Frequency of health worker's visits to the village, hospital birth, reception of advice on vaccination and educational status of the head of the households were significantly associated with full vaccination status. CONCLUSION: A relatively low proportion of children were fully vaccinated among the tribal populations. Health systems factors, mainly the outreach services and advice by the health workers, were positively and significantly associated with a child being fully vaccinated by 12 months of age. Improving outreach services is crucial to improve vaccination coverage in tribal areas, and there is a need to address the social determinants in the long run.

Strengthening institutions for public health education: results of an SWOT analysis from India to inform global best practices.

BACKGROUND: Developing public health educational programs that provide workers prepared to adequately respond to health system challenges is an historical dilemma. In India, the focus on public health education has been mounting in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic is a harbinger of the increasing complexities surrounding public health challenges and the overdue need to progress public health education around the world. This paper aims to explore strengths and challenges of public health educational institutions in India, and elucidate unique opportunities to emerge as a global leader in reform. METHODS: To capture the landscape of public health training in India, we initiated a web-based desk review of available offerings and categorized by key descriptors and program qualities. We then undertook a series of in-depth interviews with representatives from a purposively sample of institutions and performed a qualitative SWOT analysis. RESULTS: We found that public health education exists in many formats in India. Although Master of Public Health (MPH) and similar programs are still the most common type of public health training outside of community medicine programs, other postgraduate pathways exist including diplomas, PhDs, certificates and executive trainings. The strengths of public health education institutions include research capacities, financial accessibility, and innovation, yet there is a need to improve collaborations and harmonize training with well-defined career pathways. Growing attention to the sector, improved technologies and community engagement all hold exciting potential for public health education, while externally held misconceptions can threaten institutional efficacy and potential. CONCLUSIONS: The timely need for and attention to public health education in India present a critical juncture for meaningful reform. India may also be well-situated to contextualize and scale the types of trainings needed to address complex challenges and serve as a model for other countries and the world.

Maternal depression: Technology enabled self screening in real time.

The first step toward providing treatment, is getting the right diagnosis in real time; before it is too late. Without this, resource deployment may appear to be comparable to the scale and scope of the problem, while in reality it may just be a drop in the ocean. Maternal depression, during pregnancy is a debilitating risk to both the mother and the child, but the bigger problem is, it goes unnoticed, undetected, and therefore untreated. If mobile technology can be deployed to screen for depression in real time by the pregnant mother herself, it will go miles in creating a HOPE for health.

Prevalence of depression among the elderly (60 years and above) population in India, 1997-2016: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of information on the magnitude of depression among elderly population in India. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression among elderly population in India. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, IndMed, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles reported community-based prevalence of depression among elderly population using screening tools. This study included the articles published during the years 1997 to 2016. Studies conducted in the special population groups, hospitals, reported only a subcategory of depression, and not specified the screening tool were excluded. Data were extracted from published reports and any missing information was requested from authors. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were performed. The publication bias was evaluated by using Egger's test and visual inspection of the symmetry in funnel plots. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies from 16 States of India were included as 56 datasets, which estimated the prevalence of depression among Indian elderly population as 34.4% (95% CI: 29.3-39.7). In sub-group analysis, the pooled prevalence was higher among females, rural populations, and in the eastern part of the country. Studies using non-probability sampling, and GDS and CES-D screening tool showed higher prevalence. Exclusion of the studies with sample size less than 100 and low-quality studies (score < 5/8) had no effect on the estimate of the prevalence. The studies that excluded dementia before assessment of depression had lower prevalence. CONCLUSION: About one third elderly population of India suffered from depression with female preponderance. The estimates varied with type of study tool, geographic region, sampling methods, and presence of dementia. The pooled estimate should be interpreted with caution as the studies included in this review had varied methodological approach and screening tools.

Predictors of hysterectomy among married women 15-49 years in India.

BACKGROUND: In India, community based studies and media reports indicate a surge in the number of young women undergoing hysterectomy in the past few years. This has led to suspicion on the misuse of procedure, and intense debates on its potential ill health-effects on young women. However, there are no population-based studies that provide insights into hysterectomy prevalence and its determinants at the national level. DATA AND METHODS: This study used data from India's District Level Household Survey that involved a sample of 3, 16,361 married women in the age group of 15-49 years spread across 21 States and Union Territories of India. Bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to estimate hysterectomy prevalence and identify its predictors. RESULTS: The study estimated hysterectomy prevalence of 17 per 1000 ever married women. The number of women undergoing hysterectomy ranged from 2 to 63/1000 across different states. A little more than one-third of women who had undergone hysterectomy were under the age of 40 years. The proportion of women below 40 years of age who had had hysterectomy was much higher in southern states of Andhra Pradesh (42%) and Telangana (47%). The likelihood of hysterectomy was higher among women belonging to households with health insurance (OR: 1.88, CI: 1.77-2.00) and women who were sterilized (OR 1.55; CI 1.45-1.67) than uninsured and unsterilized women, and lower among women with education level of matriculation and above (OR 0.47; CI 0.42-0.50) than those with no and/or low education. CONCLUSIONS: A sizable proportion of young women undergoing hysterectomy in India may have severe ill-health effects on their physical, reproductive and socio-psycho health. As women with low or no education are also more prone to hysterectomy, providing more information and education to them on the possible after-effects of hysterectomy and alternative options will enable them to make more informed choices.

Musculoskeletal Comorbidities among known Diabetes Patients, their Quality of Life, and Healthcare Costs: A Comparative Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Uttarakhand.

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disorder with long-term sequelae and multisystem manifestation. Burden of diabetes in on the rise. Presence of other morbidities can not only have a detrimental effect on the disease treatment and recovery course, but also on the financial burden and quality of life. Present study aims to investigate how musculoskeletal conditions affect individuals with diabetes compared to those without the condition. Material and Methods: A comparative study was conducted among patients attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in North India to assess the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in people with and without diabetes. A total of 195 diabetes patients and an equal number of individuals without diabetes were sequentially enrolled from the outpatient department (OPD). Results: Burden of musculoskeletal comorbidities was significantly higher (46.2%) among people with diabetes than the comparison group (25.1%). The overall odds ratio (OR) for comorbidities of musculoskeletal system was 2.5 times higher in diabetes cases as compared to individuals without diabetes. The OR for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic backache, and osteoarthritis was found to be 3.6, 2.9, and 1.7 respectively. Poor quality of life and higher direct cost of treatment were found among diabetes cases with musculoskeletal comorbidities as against those without these comorbidities. Conclusion: Presence of musculoskeletal comorbidity is high among diabetes patients, and it has an impact on the quality of life and treatment cost. Screening for musculoskeletal comorbidities should be included as part of the diabetes complication assessment to allow for early detection and treatment.

Hidden hunger in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its effect on glycaemic control: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hidden hunger or micronutrient deficiencies are quite common in many parts of the world, particularly in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Micronutrient deficiencies may impact insulin signalling pathways and glucose metabolism, potentially accelerating the onset and development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review aims to estimate the prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies among patients with T2D and assess the effect of their deficiency on glycaemic control. METHODOLOGY: The review follows the Cochrane Handbook and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. It includes all eligible studies reporting the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and their effect on glycaemic control in T2D patients. We would undertake a comprehensive literature search across databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, LILACS, ProQuest, Google Scholar and grey literature, and identify the studies meeting the inclusion criteria. We would perform data extraction using a prepiloted data extraction sheet and record relevant study characteristics and outcomes. ANALYSIS: Data will be analysed using JBI Sumari software and R software. Pooled prevalence/incidence of micronutrient deficiency will be estimated, and variance will be stabilised using logit transformation and a double-arcsine transformation of the data. The OR and risk ratio of glycaemic control among T2D cases with and without micronutrient deficiency will be estimated using the 'rma' function under the 'meta' and 'metafor' packages.The study findings will have implications for diabetes management strategies and may inform interventions targeting improved glycaemic control through addressing micronutrient deficiencies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review will be based on the scientific information available in the public domain; therefore, ethics approval is not required. We will share the study findings at national and international conferences and submit them for publication in relevant scientific journals. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023439780.

Key factors influencing public health students and curricula in India: Recommendations from a mixed methods analysis.

BACKGROUND: Building on a distinguished history of community medicine training, public health programs have been expanding in India in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional attention to the importance of public health programs and the need for a strong workforce. This paper aims to assess the current capacity for public health education and training in India and provide recommendations for improved approaches to meet current and future public health needs. METHODS: We conducted a desk review of public health training programs via extensive internet searches, literature reviews, and expert faculty consultations. Among those programs, we purposively selected faculty members to participate in in-depth interviews. We developed summary statistics based on the desk review. For qualitative analysis, we utilized a combination of deductive and inductive coding to identify key themes and systematically reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of each theme. RESULTS: The desk review captured 59 institutions offering public health training across India. The majority of training programs were graduate level degrees including Master of Public Health and Master of Science degrees. Key factors impacting these programs included collaborations, mentorship, curriculum standardization, tuition and funding, and student demand for public health education and careers. Collaborations and mentorship were highly valued but varied in quality across institutions. Curricula lacked standardization but also contained substantial flexibility and innovation as a result. Public sector programs were perceived to be affordable though fees and stipends varied across institutions. Further development of career opportunities in public health is needed. CONCLUSION: Public health education and training in India have a strong foothold. There are numerous opportunities for continued expansion and strengthening of this field, to support a robust multi-disciplinary public health workforce that will contribute towards achieving the sustainable development goals.

Cardiovascular Morbidity, Quality of Life, and Cost of Care among Diabetic Patients: A Comparative Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Uttarakhand, India.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is commonly observed to be associated with several comorbidities, out of which cardiovascular comorbidities are most frequently observed. The present study has been done to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular comorbidities among patients of diabetes and to compare it with that of matched nondiabetics. It also aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) scores and the cost of treatment between diabetics and nondiabetics with cardiovascular comorbidities. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based comparative analytical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand, India. One hundred and ninety-five diabetic were compared with an equal number of age- and gender-matched nondiabetics. We compared the two groups for the presence of comorbidities by Chi-square test and for QOL and cost of care by independent t-test. Regression was done to study factors associated with direct cost incurred for treatment among diabetics with cardiovascular comorbidity. RESULTS: The present study reported about four-time higher risk (odds ratio: 3.9; confidence interval: 2.5-6.1) of comorbidities of cardiovascular system (CVS) among diabetics as compared to nondiabetics. QOL scores were reported to be significantly lower among diabetics with comorbidities of CVS in comparison to nondiabetics. Significant predictors of direct cost among diabetics were religion, marital status, income, and use of alcohol. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular comorbidities have been reported to be four times higher among diabetics in comparison to nondiabetics, leading to an adverse effect on QOL and increased expenditure on treatment.

Effect of comorbidities on direct cost among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in tertiary care government hospital in Uttarakhand, India: A primary data analysis of out of pocket expenditure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of present study was to estimate and compare the direct cost between diabetics and age and gender matched non-diabetics. It also aimed to estimate and compare the effect of various comorbidities on direct cost between cases and controls, while simultaneously trying to determine the predictors of direct cost among T2DM patients. METHODS: A hospital-based pair matched case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, India to accomplish the objectives of study. Regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of direct cost among diabetics. RESULTS: Mean annual direct cost among diabetics was estimated to be US$ 104.6 (Indian Rupees (INR) 7338.9)) in comparison to US$ 27.8 (INR 1905.8) among non-diabetics. The total cost among cases was significantly higher than controls, if they had comorbidities from CVS, nervous, ophthalmic, respiratory and musculoskeletal system. Gender, education, duration of diabetes and number of comorbidities were significant predictors in estimating the direct cost among cases. For each one-year increase in duration of diabetes, direct cost increased by 13.1 unit. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides us conclusive evidence of significantly higher expenditure among diabetics in comparison to non-diabetics. An effect on direct cost among diabetics was observed with types and increasing number of comorbidities.

Estimation of the prevalence of depression using diagnostic instruments in the elderly population in India, 2000-2019: a systematic review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common mental disorder in the elderly population, which significantly impacts their quality of life. However, correct estimates of its magnitude are not available in the elderly in India. The present systematic review and meta-analysis would attempt to estimate the prevalence of depression using diagnostic instruments among elderly persons aged 60 years and above. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Searches will be performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Community-based cross-sectional and cohort studies (2001 to September 2019) reporting the prevalence of depression in the elderly, using diagnostic instruments will be included. Studies conducted among chronic disease patients, in-hospital patients and special groups such as with disaster-stricken populations, and studies reporting the only one or two subcategories of depression, will be excluded. Disagreements in study selection and data abstraction will be resolved by consensus and arbitration by a third reviewer. AXIS critical appraisal tool will be used for quality assessment of individual studies. Findings of eligible studies will be pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analysis whichever is appropriate. Heterogeneity between studies will be examined by Cochran's Q test and quantified by I² statistic. A cumulative meta-analysis will be used to detect temporal trends in the prevalence of depression and the effect of poor-quality studies on the pooled estimate. Publication bias will be assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and the Egger test. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval will be needed because it will be a systematic review. Data from previously published studies will be retrieved and analysed. Findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication in a scientific journal and conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019138453.

Out-of-pocket expenditure on prenatal and natal care post Janani Suraksha Yojana: a case from Rajasthan, India.

BACKGROUND: Though Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is successful in increasing antenatal and natal care services, little is known on the cost coverage of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on maternal care services post-NRHM period. METHODS: Using data from a community-based study of 424 recently delivered women in Rajasthan, this paper examined the variation in OOPE in accessing maternal health services and the extent to which JSY incentives covered the burden of cost incurred. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses are used to understand the differential and determinants of OOPE. RESULTS: The mean OOPE for antenatal care was US$26 at public health centres and US$64 at private health centres. The OOPE (antenatal and natal) per delivery was US$32 if delivery was conducted at home, US$78 at public facility and US$154 at private facility. The OOPE varied by the type of delivery, delivery with complications and place of ANC. The OOPE in public health centre was US$44 and US$145 for normal and complicated delivery, respectively. The share of JSY was 44 % of the total cost per delivery, 77 % in case of normal delivery and 23 % for complicated delivery. Results from the log linear model suggest that economic status, educational level and pregnancy complications are significant predictors of OOPE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that JSY has increased the coverage of institutional delivery and reduced financial stress to household and families but not sufficient for complicated delivery. Provisioning of providing sonography/other test and treating complicated cases in public health centres need to be strengthened.

Modeling of H1N1 Outbreak in Rajasthan: Methods and Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Mathematical models could provide critical insights for informing preparedness and planning to deal with future epidemics of infectious disease. OBJECTIVE: The study modeled the H1N1 epidemic in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan using mathematical model for prediction of progression of epidemic and its duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We iterated the model for various values of R(0) to determine the effect of variations in R(0) onthe potential size and time-course of the epidemic, while keeping value of 1/γ constant. Further simulation using varying values of 1/γ were done, keeping value of R(0) constant. We attempted to fit the actual reported data and compared with prediction models. RESULTS: As R(0) increases,incidence of H1N1 rises and reaches peak early. The duration of epidemic may be prolonged if R(0) is reduced. Using the parameters R(0) as 1.4 and 1/γ as 3, it estimated that there would have been 656 actually infected individuals for each reported case. CONCLUSION: The mathematical modeling can be used for predicting epidemic progression and impact of control measures. Decreasing the value of R(0) would decrease the proportion of total population infected by H1N1; however, the duration of the outbreak may be prolonged.