High Body Fat as a Predictor of Osteoporosis Risk in Postmenopausal Women: Insights From a Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Rural South India.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis poses a significant health burden, particularly among postmenopausal women. While obesity in the form of BMI has been implicated in various health conditions, the relationship between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and osteoporosis remains debated. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis risk and explore the association between WHR and osteoporosis risk among postmenopausal women in rural South India. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu. The study enrolled 435 postmenopausal women aged 45 years and above and the data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and osteoporosis risk assessment using the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool for Asian Women (OSTA) scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with osteoporosis risk with 95%CI. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of participants was 54.5 (8.6) years, 87% were married, 33% were illiterate with mean (SD) WHR of 0.88 (0.1). Around 80.5% of the participants were categorized as low risk, 16.1% as intermediate risk, and 3.5% as high risk based on OSTA scores. Older age, lower educational attainment, and higher waist-hip ratio were significantly associated with increased osteoporosis risk. CONCLUSION: This community-based study found a 20% osteoporosis risk among postmenopausal women using the OSTA scale, with age, lower education, and waist-hip ratio as key determinants. Early identification and interventions, particularly targeting older and obese individuals, are crucial to alleviate the burden and complications of osteoporosis.

Prevalence and Determinants of Long COVID Among Patients Attending the Outpatient Department of a Subdistrict Hospital in Haryana.

INTRODUCTION: Growing evidence indicates that individuals recovering from COVID-19 may experience prolonged health consequences, resulting in notable morbidity even after the acute phase. Limited published literature exists concerning sequelae of COVID-19 among the Indian population. Therefore, we conducted this study at a subdistrict hospital (secondary level) in Haryana, aiming to estimate the prevalence of long COVID and its determinants. METHODS: This hospital-based study focused on outpatients who had a confirmed history of COVID-19, with a minimum of 28 days elapsed since the positive COVID-19 diagnostic test date. We administered a semi-structured questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information, a standardized symptom assessment checklist to identify long COVID symptoms, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate and grade depression severity. Additionally, we conducted pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, complete blood counts, and kidney and liver function tests to assess the determinants of long COVID. STATA version 14 software (StataCorp. 2015. Stata Statistical Software: Release 14. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP) was used for data analysis, and the bivariate and multivariate analyses (p-value <0.2 in bivariate analysis) were conducted to determine factors associated with long COVID. RESULTS: A total of 212 participants (male 53%) were recruited in this study. Among the long COVID symptoms, fatigue, body pain, cough, joint pain, and breathlessness were the most frequently reported symptoms among the study participants. The prevalence of long COVID was found to be 37.3% (95%CI: 30.7-43.8%). In the multivariate model, depression (PHQ-9 scores) AOR-1.21 (95%CI:1.07-1.35) and severity of COVID-19 adjusted odds ratio (AOR)-2.22 (95%CI:1.05-4.69) came out to be statistically significant with long COVID. CONCLUSION: Findings show alarming rates of long COVID symptoms persisting in nearly 37% of COVID-19-recovered individuals. Establishing tailored guidelines is crucial to mitigate burdens and complications and enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Prevalence of Anemia Among the Elderly in India: Evidence From a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies.

Anemia is a leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality among the elderly population. In spite of numerous interventions and strategies rolled out to tackle the growing burden of anemia, lesser importance is being given to this age group. There is a lack of data on the national level burden of anemia among elderly persons (≥ 60 years) in India. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons (≥ 60 years) in India by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and IndMed, and included cross-sectional studies reporting data on the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons in India and used random effects model to estimate pooled point prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI), To explore the heterogeneity further, we did sub-group analyses based on zonal divisions of India (region), rural or urban, study setting, method of hemoglobin estimation and sampling strategy. Out of 22 studies, one study was of high quality of bias, 11 of moderate, and 10 were of low quality of bias. The pooled estimate of anemia was 68.3% (95%CI: 60.7 to 75.9), I2 = 99.0%, and Q=2079.2 (p-value <0.001). The pooled prevalence of anemia among the elderly in India was found to be high and necessary actions need to be taken at the policy level to achieve "active and healthy ageing".

Cancer prevention and control in India can get a boost through primary health care-based approach: A review.

India has a rising burden of cancer with an estimated 70% of the cancers caused by modifiable and preventable risk factors. This review was conducted to document the status, analyse the situation and propose the way forward for cancer prevention in India. A desk review of the online databases and reports from the government websites was conducted. The ongoing initiatives including cancer registries, medical and health education and training, and community-based programmes were analysed. This review was done from July 2019 to February 2021. Cancers of the breast, cervix, and lip and oral cavity are the three most common malignancies, with distinct regional variations in India and account for 34% of the 1.15 million cancer cases diagnosed annually. The major initiatives were focused initially on cancer treatment and prevention was added nearly a decade ago. Even with those, the scope and coverage of cancer prevention and treatment services has remained in hospitals and urban settings. India needs to build upon the ongoing approach which seems to be focused on "tracking the cancer, teaching the future and helping the masses" by implementing non-vertical primary healthcare cancer prevention and control approach. Cancer prevention should be made an integral part of the health interventions, rapidly extended to primary healthcare services and facilities, linked with specialised treatment facilities, as India aims for universal health coverage. The opportunity provided by the Ayushman Bharat Programme launched in 2018 should be leveraged for rapid expansion and effective coverage of cancer prevention and treatment interventions in India.

Knowledge and Willingness to Accept Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2 Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Delhi, India.

Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the most desired solution to combat COVID-19. Understanding the willingness to accept vaccines is essential to make appropriate strategies for the vaccination programme's success. There was a lack of published literature in India among medical students. Hence, we conducted this online, cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge and willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccines among undergraduate medical students of a medical school in Delhi. A complete enumeration of all the undergraduate medical students was done. All the students were invited to participate in this online survey. The questionnaire through Google forms was shared through email and WhatsApp. The questionnaire contained questions on the socio-demographic details, questions related to the knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines, willingness to accept the vaccine and vaccination status of the participant. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out. Out of 320 students contacted, 298 consented to participate in the survey, and 274 participants (85%) completed the questionnaire. Three-fourths of the participants were male; the mean age of the study participants was 19.6 years. Only 70.4% were willing to accept the vaccine. Those who perceived COVID-19 vaccines as safe (AOR=3.946; 95% CI: 1.946 to 7.912); and effective (AOR=2.079; 95% CI: 1.054 to 4.101); and who has knowledge about the vaccines (AOR=2.206; 95% CI: 1.186 to 4.104) were more likely to accept the vaccine. There is a need for enhancing the knowledge on vaccines, and their safety and effectiveness to promote the vaccine acceptance.