Double burden of malnutrition among women of reproductive age: Trends and determinants over the last 15 years in India.

Introduction: Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an emerging Global Syndemic characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of both undernutrition and overnutrition. Women of the reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) are disproportionately affected by DBM and are at high risk of continuing the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This study aims to assess the changing trends and determinants of DBM among women of the reproductive age group in India.

Trends in prevalence and determinants of severe and moderate anaemia among women of reproductive age during the last 15 years in India.

Background: Anaemia is a serious global public health problem that disproportionally affects children, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age, especially pregnant women. Women of reproductive age are more vulnerable to anaemia, particularly severe and moderate anaemia leads to adverse outcomes among pregnant women. Despite continuous Government efforts, anaemia burden still poses a serious challenge in India.

The clinical demand and supply of blood in India: A National level estimation study.

Background: Estimating the clinical demand for blood and components arising in a health facility is crucial to ensure timely availability of blood. This study aims to estimate disease-specific clinical demand, supply and utilization of whole blood and components in India.

Methods: We conducted a national level cross-sectional study in five randomly selected states from five regions of the country.

A review of legal, regulatory, and policy aspects of blood transfusion services in India: Issues, challenges, and opportunities.

Background: Blood transfusion services (BTS) in India have progressed significantly during the last three decades. However, there is still inequity in the availability and access to blood due to various demand and supply-side issues. Appropriate laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines are critical to ensure universal access to blood.

Assessment of Performance of Blood Banks in India: A National Level Cross Sectional Study.

India lacks comprehensive information about blood transfusion systems, which could help ensure universal access to safe blood through evidence-based strategies and programs. We conducted the first national assessment of blood bank systems, services, practices, and performance in India. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of all 2626 blood banks and assessed the administrative, technical, and quality aspects in 2016.

A national level estimation of population need for blood in India.

Background: The population need for blood is the total volume required to transfuse all the individuals who need transfusion in a defined population over a defined period. The clinical demand will arise when people with a disease or condition who require transfusion, access healthcare services, and subsequently the clinicians request blood. Essentially, the conversion of need to demand must be maximum to avoid preventable mortality and morbidity.

Demystifying the varying case fatality rates (CFR) of COVID-19 in India: Lessons learned and future directions.

Introduction: At the end of the second week of June 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 responsible for COVID-19 infected above 7.5 million people and killed over 400,000 worldwide. Estimation of case fatality rate (CFR) and determining the associated factors are critical for developing targeted interventions.

Is BCG associated with reduced incidence of COVID-19? A meta-regression of global data from 160 countries.

Background: Global research is running towards to find a vaccine to stop the threat of the COVID-19. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine that prevents severe forms of tuberculosis is getting more attention in this scenario. The objective of our study was to determine the association between BCG vaccine coverage and incidence of COVID-19 at a national-level across the Globe.

Who is dying from COVID-19 and when? An Analysis of fatalities in Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, public health efforts must focus on preventing avoidable fatalities. Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of deceased COVID-19 patients; and estimation of time-interval between symptom onset, hospital admission and death could inform public health interventions focusing on preventing mortality due to COVID-19.

Methods: We obtained COVID-19 death summaries from the official dashboard of the Government of Tamil Nadu, between 10th May and July 10, 2020.

Forecasting COVID-19 epidemic in India and high incidence states using SIR and logistic growth models.

Background: Ever since the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak emerged in China, there has been several attempts to predict the epidemic across the world with varying degrees of accuracy and reliability. This paper aims to carry out a short-term projection of new cases; forecast the maximum number of active cases for India and selected high-incidence states; and evaluate the impact of three weeks lock down period using different models.

Methods: We used Logistic growth curve model for short term prediction; SIR models to forecast the maximum number of active cases and peak time; and Time Interrupted Regression model to evaluate the impact of lockdown and other interventions.

Prevalence and Predictors of Self-Reported Consistent Condom Usage among Male Clients of Female Sex Workers in Tamil Nadu, India.

Clients of female sex workers (FSWs) possess a high potential of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections from high risk FSWs to the general population. Promotion of safer sex practices among the clients is essential to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of consistent condom use (CCU) among clients of FSWs and to assess the factors associated with CCU in Tamil Nadu.

Sexual behavior among unmarried business process outsourcing employees in Chennai: gender differences and correlates associated with it.

Background: Premarital sex is often associated with high risk sexual behavior such as early age of initiation, multiple partners and inconsistent condom use. Evidence shows that such sexual behavior pre-disposes to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.

Objectives: This paper tried to investigate the correlates of premarital sexual behavior among male and female business process outsourcing (BPO) employees to highlight the gender differences that exist in relation to it.

Trends in risk behaviors among female sex workers in south India: priorities for sustaining the reversal of HIV epidemic.

HIV epidemic in India is predominantly concentrated in subgroups of population, such as female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, whose behavior exposes them to a higher risk of acquiring HIV infection. This paper aims to present the changing patterns of socio-demographic characteristics, behaviors, reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated factors among FSWs over 11 years. Multistage cluster sampling with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) method was used in the surveys.

Association between stigma, depression and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in South India - a community based cross sectional study.

Background: India has around 2.27 million adults living with HIV/AIDS who face several challenges in the medical management of their disease. Stigma, discrimination and psychosocial issues are prevalent.

The efficacy of antioxidants in functional recovery of spinal cord injured rats: an experimental study.

A total of 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats (180-220 g) subjected to spinal cord injury (SCI) were divided into three groups of ten rats each. Group 1 served as control (SCI + Saline), Group 2 received daily dose of ascorbic acid 2,000 mg/kg body weight and group 3 rats received alpha tocopherol daily with the dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. The Spontaneous coordinate activity (SCA), Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and Tarlov locomotor scores were used to assess functional recovery of SCI rats.