State-wise variation and inequalities in caesarean delivery rates in India: analysis of the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021) data.

Background: India's caesarean delivery (CD) rate of 21.5% suggests adequate national access to CD but may mask significant disparities. We examined variation in CD rates across states (geography), wealth, and health care sector (public versus private).

Factors associated with help-seeking by women facing intimate partner violence in India: findings from National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021).

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women has harmful effects on their psychological and physical health. However, help-seeking for IPV is significantly low among women in the Indian context. This study examines the different factors that influence help-seeking behaviour among women in India.

The Burden of Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Urban India: A Community Healthcare Setup-Based Study.

Introduction: Foot ulcer is the most common cause of hospitalisation among people with diabetes (PWD). The objective of the study is to determine the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the urban community in India and its relationship with glycemic level and demographic parameters like age and sex among diabetic patients.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed from January 2016 to December 2018 at an urban community set up in Mumbai.

Defining blood deserts and access to blood products for 660 million people: a geospatial analysis of eight states in Northern India.

Introduction: Blood transfusion is crucial, but low-income and middle-income countries like India face a severe shortage of banked blood. This study focuses on the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states in India, where healthcare is limited, and health outcomes are poor. Our objective was to assess the blood banking infrastructure and access to blood products in these states.

Consensus recommendations for acute trauma care & outcomes in LMICs from the transdisciplinary research, advocacy & implementation network for trauma in India.

Background & objectives Injuries profoundly impact global health, with substantial deaths and disabilities, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper presents strategic consensus from the Transdisciplinary Research, Advocacy, and Implementation Network for Trauma in India (TRAIN Trauma India) symposium, advocating for enhanced, system-level trauma care to address this challenge. Methods Five working groups conducted separate literature reviews on pre-hospital trauma care, in-hospital trauma resuscitation and training, trauma systems, trauma registries, and India's Towards Improving Trauma Care Outcomes (TITCO) registry.

Beyond the Ivory Tower: Perception of academic global surgery by surgeons in low- and middle-income countries.

Interest in global surgery has surged amongst academics and practitioners in high-income countries (HICs), but it is unclear how frontline surgical practitioners in low-resource environments perceive the new field or its benefit. Our objective was to assess perceptions of academic global surgery amongst surgeons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a cross-sectional e-survey among surgical trainees and consultants in 62 LMICs, as defined by the World Bank in 2020.

An Indian surgeon's perspective on management of asymptomatic gallstones.

Introduction: Cholelithiasis is widely prevalent in India, with a majority of patients being asymptomatic while a small proportion experiencing mild complications. In the laparoscopic era, the rate of cholecystectomies has increased owing to early recovery and fewer complications. In asymptomatic patients, the risk of complications must be balanced against the treatment benefit.

Does women empowerment associate with reduced risks of intimate partner violence in India? evidence from National Family Health Survey-5.

Background: Women empowerment is commonly believed to be an important factor affecting a woman's likelihood of facing violence from her intimate partner. Even as countries invest in policies that aim to strengthen women empowerment, studies show that increase in women empowerment does not necessarily decrease intimate partner violence (IPV) against them. Against this paradox, the present study seeks to understand the specific empowerment components that associate with IPV against women in India.

Recognising socio-cultural barriers while seeking early detection services for breast cancer: a study from a Universal Health Coverage setting in India.

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women in India, yet the uptake of early detection programs is poor. This leads to late presentation, advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, and high mortality. Poor accessibility and affordability are the most commonly cited barriers to screening: we analyse socio-cultural factors influencing the uptake of early detection programmes in a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) setting in India, where geographical and financial barriers were mitigated.

Exploring the perioperative infection control practices & incidence of surgical site infections in rural India.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) affect around a third of patients undergoing surgeries worldwide, annually. It is heterogeneously distributed with a higher burden in low and middle-income countries. Although rural and semi-urban hospitals cater to 60-70% of the Indian population, scarce data regarding SSI rates are available from such hospitals.

Are LMICs Achieving the Lancet Commission Global Benchmark for Surgical Volumes? A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) set the benchmark of 5000 procedures per 100,000 population annually to meet surgical needs adequately. This systematic review provides an overview of the last ten years of surgical volumes in Low and Middle- Income-Countries (LMICs).

Methodology: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases for studies from LMICs addressing surgical volume.

Profile and triage validity of trauma patients triaged green: a prospective cohort study from a secondary care hospital in India.

Objectives: To evaluate the profile of non-urgent patients triaged 'green', as part of a triage trial in the emergency department (ED) of a secondary care hospital in India. The secondary aim was to validate the triage trial with the South African Triage Score (SATS).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

What to scale first? A cross-sectional analysis of factors affecting cesarean delivery rates at first referral units in Bihar, India.

Background: Low rates of caesarean delivery (CD) (<10%) hinder access to a lifesaving procedure for the most vulnerable populations in low-resource settings, but there is a paucity of data regarding which factors contribute most to CD rates.

Objectives: We aimed to determine caesarean delivery rates at Bihar's first referral units (FRUs) stratified by facility level (regional, sub-district, district). The secondary aim was to identify facility-level factors associated with caesarean delivery rates.

Breast Conservative Surgery for Breast Cancer: Indian Surgeon's Preferences and Factors Influencing Them.

Background: It is well established that disease-free survival and overall survival after breast conservation surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy are equivalent to that after mastectomy. However, in Asian countries, the rate of BCS continues to remain low. The cause may be multifactorial including the patient's choice, availability and accessibility of infrastructure, and surgeon's choice.

Does women's empowerment and their socioeconomic condition affect the uptake of breast cancer screening? Findings from NFHS-5, India.

Background: Screening for breast cancer results in early diagnosis of the disease and improves survival. However, increasing participation of women in screening programs is challenging since it is influenced by socioeconomic and cultural factors. This study explores the relationship of socioeconomic and women empowerment factors with breast cancer screening uptakes in the states and union territories of India.

Patterns of Head and Neck Injuries in Urban India: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: The pattern of head and neck injuries has been well studied in high-income countries, but the data are limited in low- and middle-income countries, which are disproportionately affected by trauma. We examined a prospective multicenter database to describe patterns and outcomes of head and neck injuries in urban India.

Study Design: Retrospective review of trauma registry.

Management of pancreatic trauma in urban India: A multicenter study.

Background: Pancreatic trauma occurs in 0.2-2% of patients with blunt trauma and 1-12% of patients with penetrating trauma. The mortality and morbidity rates range from 9 to 34% and 30-60% respectively.

A pilot multicentre cluster randomised trial to compare the effect of trauma life support training programmes on patient and provider outcomes.

Introduction: Trauma accounts for nearly 10% of the global burden of disease. Several trauma life support programmes aim to improve trauma outcomes. There is no evidence from controlled trials to show the effect of these programmes on patient outcomes.

Assessing geographical and economic inequalities in caesarean section rates between the districts of Bihar, India: a secondary analysis of the National Family Health Survey.

Background: In Bihar, one of the most populous and poorest states in India, caesarean sections have increased over the last decade. However, an aggregated caesarean section rate at the state level may conceal inequities at the district level.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to analyse the inequalities in the geographical and socioeconomic distribution of caesarean sections between the districts of Bihar.