Lessons from a decade of adult vaccine rollout in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.

Introduction: The historical focus of vaccines on child health coupled with the advent of novel vaccines targeting adult populations necessitates exploring strategies for adult vaccine implementation.

Areas Covered: This scoping review extracts insights from the past decade's experiences introducing adult vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. Among 25 papers reviewed, 19 focused on oral cholera vaccine, 2 on Meningococcal A vaccines, 2 on tetanus toxoid vaccine, 1 on typhoid vaccine, and 1 on Ebola vaccine.

Tuberculin test using Indian indigenous purified-protein derivative (PPD) shows only moderate agreement with international standard PPD.

Background: In India, the prevalence of Latent TB infection (LTBI) is estimated to be around 40%. Various formulations of PPD(Purified protein derivative) are available, for diagnosis of LTBI, which may give variable responses. The commercially available PPD in India is by Arkray Healthcare (TST-Arkray).

Radiographic Assessment of Ankle Fracture Displacement: A Validation Study.

Background: Ankle fracture displacement is an important outcome in clinical research examining the effectiveness of surgical and rehabilitation interventions. However, the assessment of displacement remains subjective without well-described or validated measurement methods. The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intrarater reliability of ankle fracture displacement radiographic measures and select measurement thresholds that differentiate displaced and acceptably reduced fractures.

Acceptability, Adaptability, and Feasibility of a Novel Computer-Based Virtual Counselor-Delivered Alcohol Intervention: Focus Group and In-depth Interview Study Among Adults With HIV or Tuberculosis in Indian Clinical Settings.

Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among persons with HIV and tuberculosis (TB). Computer-based interventions (CBIs) can reduce unhealthy alcohol use, are scalable, and may improve outcomes among patients with HIV or TB.

Objective: We assessed the acceptability, adaptability, and feasibility of a novel CBI for alcohol reduction in HIV and TB clinical settings in Pune, India.

Cognitive-Behavioral-Based Physical Therapy for Improving Recovery After Traumatic Orthopaedic Lower Extremity Injury (CBPT-Trauma).

Physical and psychological impairment resulting from traumatic injuries is often significant and affects employment and functional independence. Extremity trauma has been shown to negatively affect long-term self-reported physical function, the ability to work, and participation in recreational activities and contributes to increased rates of anxiety and/or depression. High pain levels early in the recovery process and psychosocial factors play a prominent role in recovery after traumatic lower extremity injury.

Shifting research priorities in maternal and child health in the COVID-19 pandemic era in India: A renewed focus on systems strengthening.

Background: The remarkable progress seen in maternal and child health (MCH) in India over the past two decades has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to undertake a rapid assessment to identify key priorities for public health research in MCH in India within the context and aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A web-based survey was developed to identify top research priorities in MCH.

Utility of the Interferon-Gamma Release Assay for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening among Indian Health-Care Workers.

Background: The utility of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening among health-care workers (HCWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains unclear.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study among HCW trainees undergoing annual LTBI screening via tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON TB Gold Test-in-tube (QFT-GIT) in Pune, India. TST induration ≥ 10 mm and QFT-GIT ≥ 0.

COVID-19-related disruptions to routine vaccination services in India: a survey of paediatric providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruptions in essential health services globally. We surveyed Indian paediatric providers on their perceptions of the impact of the pandemic on routine vaccination. Among 424 (survey 1) and 141 (survey 2) respondents representing 26 of 36 Indian states and union territories, complete suspension of vaccination services was reported by 33.

Digital auscultation in PERCH: Associations with chest radiography and pneumonia mortality in children.

Background: Whether digitally recorded lung sounds are associated with radiographic pneumonia or clinical outcomes among children in low-income and middle-income countries is unknown. We sought to address these knowledge gaps.

Methods: We enrolled 1 to 59monthold children hospitalized with pneumonia at eight African and Asian Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health sites in six countries, recorded digital stethoscope lung sounds, obtained chest radiographs, and collected clinical outcomes.

Impact of the Fogarty Training Program on Trainee and Institutional Research Capacity Building at a Government Medical College in India.

Background: Strengthening health research is essential to inform public health policies. However, few research training programs have systematically measured their impact on capacity building and most evaluations have been limited to reporting of individual trainee metrics. Hence, we conducted an evaluation of the impact of a five-year training program focused on building both trainee and institutional research capacity at a public medical college in India.

Correction: Smoking, alcohol use disorder and tuberculosis treatment outcomes: A dual co-morbidity burden that cannot be ignored.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Smoking, alcohol use disorder and tuberculosis treatment outcomes: A dual co-morbidity burden that cannot be ignored.

Background: More than 20% of tuberculosis (TB) disease worldwide may be attributable to smoking and alcohol abuse. India is the second largest consumer of tobacco products, a major consumer of alcohol particularly among males, and has the highest burden of TB globally. The impact of increasing tobacco dose, relevance of alcohol misuse and past versus current or never smoking status on TB treatment outcomes remain inadequately defined.

High risk for latent tuberculosis infection among medical residents and nursing students in India.

Defining occupational latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk among healthcare workers is needed to support implementation of prevention guidelines. Prospective cohort study of 200 medical residents and nursing students in India was conducted May 2016-December 2017. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON TB Gold Test-in-tube (QFT-GIT) were performed at study entry and 12 months.

Elevated highly sensitive C-reactive protein and d-dimer levels are associated with food insecurity among people living with HIV in Pune, India.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Pune, India and its association with biomarkers known to confer increased risks of morbidity and mortality in this population.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis assessing food insecurity using the standardized Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Participants were dichotomized into two groups: food insecure and food secure.

Few eligible for the newly recommended short course MDR-TB regimen at a large Mumbai private clinic.

Background: India has the world's highest tuberculosis burden, and Mumbai is particularly affected by multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). WHO recommends short, intensive treatment ("Short Course") for previously untreated pulmonary MDR-TB patients but does not require universal drug susceptibility testing (DST) before Short Course. DST would likely screen out many MDR-TB patients in places like Mumbai with significant drug resistance.

High Prevalence of Active and Latent Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Tibetan Schools in India: The Zero TB Kids Initiative in Tibetan Refugee Children.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is high among Tibetan refugees in India, with almost half of cases occurring in congregate facilities, including schools. A comprehensive program of TB case finding and treatment of TB infection (TBI) was undertaken in schools for Tibetan refugee children.

Methods: Schoolchildren and staff in Tibetan schools in Himachal Pradesh, India, were screened for TB with an algorithm using symptoms, chest radiography, molecular diagnostics, and tuberculin skin testing.

Impact of Point-of-Care Diagnostics on Clinical Decision-making in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background: Rapid tests have transformed the landscape of available tools for clinicians caring for patients who are critically ill. Their emergence as part of routine care increases the capacity for similar devices to reverse or minimize major epidemics and assist healthcare providers in their clinical decision-making. To assess how a point-of-care complete blood count (CBC) could change patterns in clinical decision-making, we presented low and middle income (LMIC) healthcare providers with hypothetical clinical scenarios to understand how such a device could impact the way they treat and refer patients.

Tuberculosis patients not covered by treatment in public health services: findings from India's National Family Health Survey 2015-16.

Objective: Half of the TB patients in India seek care from private providers resulting in incomplete notification, varied quality of care and out-of-pocket expenditure. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of TB patients who remain outside the coverage of treatment in public health services.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16) were analysed using logistic regression analysis.

Addressing knowledge gaps and prevention for tuberculosis-infected Indian adults: a vital part of elimination.

Background: India plans to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, and has identified screening and prevention as key activities. Household contacts (HHCs) of index TB cases are a high-risk population that would benefit from rapid implementation of these strategies. However, best practices for TB prevention and knowledge gaps among HHCs have not been studied.

Cardiovascular risk in an HIV-infected population in India.

Objective: To characterise prevalence of traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, assess CVD risk and examine the effect of simulated interventions on CVD risk among HIV-infected Asian Indians.

Methods: Cross-sectional data between September 2015 and July 2016 wer used to describe the prevalence of CVD risk factors. Five risk scores (Framingham, Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs Study (D:A:D), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular, QRISK2 and Ramathibodi-Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand were used to estimate CVD risk.

TB Risk Perceptions among Medical Residents at a Tertiary Care Center in India.

Setting: Government tertiary health care center in India.

Objective: To understand the perceptions of medical residents about their risk of developing TB in the workplace.

Design: Cross-sectional study in which a semistructured questionnaire which included an open-ended question to assess their main concerns regarding TB in workplace was used to collect data.

Gender-based violence screening methods preferred by women visiting a public hospital in Pune, India.

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major global public health concern and is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Early identification of GBV is crucial for improved health outcomes. Interactions with health care providers may provide a unique opportunity for routine GBV screening, if a safe, confidential environment can be established.