"TB drug stock planning in advance is a futile activity" health system's perceived challenges and suggested solutions pertaining to Nikshay Aushadhi portal in central India.

Background: The National TB elimination programme (NTEP) is facilitating sub-national certification of "TB Free" status with benchmarks at every 20% reduction in incidence from the baseline of 2015. Drug consumption/sale is essential criteria to claim for the award. During the certification process in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh in 2022, it was found that Nikshay Aushadhi (a web-based supply chain management portal) entries were incomplete or vacant in most of the districts and it was observed that quarterly drug requests were not sent using Nikshay Aushadhi.

Are we expecting too much for too long from the vaccinators? A qualitative study on perceived challenges of COVID-19 vaccinators of district Shahdol, India.

Background: There is a paucity of knowledge regarding challenges faced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinators in resource constraint settings like district Shahdol, Central India. Hence, the present study was planned to explore the perceived challenges of vaccinators regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: In October 2021, district health authorities conducted a one-day workshop with the auxiliary nurse midwives, staff nurses, and lady health visitors who work as vaccinators.

Poor adherence to TB diagnosis guidelines among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition in central India: A missed window of opportunity?

Background: In India, under-five children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are referred to Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs). NRCs screen the causes of SAM including tuberculosis (TB). The national TB programme recommends upfront testing with a rapid molecular test if TB is suspected in children.

Mental Health Issues in Madhya Pradesh: Insights from National Mental Health Survey of India 2016.

Background: About 14% of the global mental health burden is contributed by India. However, there exists a disparity in mental health patterns, utilization, and prioritization among various Indian states. The state of Madhya Pradesh is a low performer among Indian states, ranking lower than the national average on the Human Development Index, Hunger Index, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

High prevalence of prediabetes among the family members of individuals with diabetes. Findings from targeted screening program from south India.

Aim: We aimed to screen for prediabetes, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors among family members of people with diabetes registered for care in a primary health centre in South India.

Methods: During 2017-2018, we screened eligible family members of individuals with diabetes at their homes. We measured fasting capillary blood glucose (FCBG); for those with FCBG≥126 mg/dl, we confirmed the diagnosis of diabetes with fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Screening for diabetes among tuberculosis patients registered under revised national tuberculosis control program, Bhopal, India.

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remain a global public health problem. India has the largest number of TB cases; in 2015, out of total global annual incidence of 9.6 million TB cases, 2.

Iodine Deficiency and Toxicity Among School Children in Damoh District, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, and household consumption of adequately iodized salt in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh in 2016.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with cluster sampling method was used among school-going children. 30 clusters, each with 90 children were selected to access Total Goiter rate (TGR).

A study on prevalence of diabetes and associated risk factors among diagnosed tuberculosis patients registered under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in Bhopal District.

Context: Tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a worldwide global public health problem. About 95% of patients with TB live in the low and middle-income countries and more than 70% of patients with DM also live in the same countries, especially in South East Asia. Screening for diabetes in patients with TB will not only ensure early case detection but also better management of diabetes and will lead to better TB treatment outcome.

Provider reported barriers and solutions to improve testing among tuberculosis patients 'eligible for drug susceptibility test': A qualitative study from programmatic setting in India.

Background: In a study conducted in Bhopal district (a setting with facility for molecular drug susceptibility testing (DST)) located in central India in 2014-15, we found high levels of pre-diagnosis attrition among patients with presumptive multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)-meaning TB patients who were eligible for DST, were not being tested.

Objectives: In this study, we explored the health care provider perspectives into barriers and suggested solutions for improving DST.

Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study.

'Before reaching the last mile'- Knowledge, attitude, practice and perceived barriers related to tuberculosis directly observed therapy among ASHA workers in Central India: A mixed method study.

Introduction: Community-based direct observed treatment (DOT) providers are an important bridge for the national tuberculosis programme in India to reach the unreached. The present study has explored the knowledge, attitude, practice and barriers perceived by the community-based DOT providers.

Methods: Mixed-methods study design was used among 41 community-based DOT providers (Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs)) working in 67 villages from a primary health center in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Screening of Patients with Chronic Medical Disorders in the Outpatient Department for Depression Using Handheld Computers as Interface and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a Tool.

Background And Objectives: Depression, especially in concurrence with chronic medical disorders, is highly prevalent worldwide. An average between 9.3% and 23% of patients with one or more chronic disease have co-morbid depression.

High pre-diagnosis attrition among patients with presumptive MDR-TB: an operational research from Bhopal district, India.

Background: Pre-diagnosis attrition needs to be addressed urgently if we are to make progress in improving MDR-TB case detection and achieve universal access to MDR-TB care. We report the pre-diagnosis attrition, along with factors associated, and turnaround times related to the diagnostic pathway among patient with presumptive MDR-TB in Bhopal district, central India (2014).

Methods: Study was conducted under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme setting.

Isoniazid Preventive Therapy among Children Living with Tuberculosis Patients: Is It Working? A Mixed-Method Study from Bhopal, India.

Objective: We assessed uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) among child contacts of smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients and its implementation challenges from healthcare providers' and parents' perspectives in Bhopal, India.

Methods: A mixed-method study design: quantitative phase (review of programme records and house-to-house survey of smear-positive TB patients) followed by qualitative phase (interviews of healthcare providers and parents).

Results: Of 59 child contacts (<6 years) of 129 index patients, 51 were contacted.

Some interesting observations regarding TB patient management from a rural area of Madhya Pradesh: TB case series.

Despite many serious efforts, tuberculosis (TB) is still a recognized public health problem. The Government of India has adopted the Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS) strategy for the entire country through the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) for the treatment of TB. In this report, we have presented the trajectories for care seeking of two TB cases who suffered from either "patient level delays" or "health system-related delays" in seeking DOTS for the treatment of TB.