Socioeconomic and behavioral factors of hypertension among Indian tribal population: Evidence from national family health survey 5.

Background: All Indian ethnic groups are experiencing an upsurge in the prevalence of hypertension. The objective of the present study was to explore the association between socioeconomic and behavioral factors of hypertension among the tribal population of India.

Methods: We used the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) round 5 data conducted in 2019-2021.

The hidden crisis: Health impacts of tobacco and nicotine products on Indian women.

Tobacco use among women in India is becoming a critical public health issue. Once viewed predominantly as a male habit, tobacco consumption among Indian women has seen a rising trend. This shift is driven by factors such as evolving societal norms, aggressive marketing by the tobacco industry, and increasing urbanization.

Five Years of National Health Policy in India: Critical Analysis of the Public Health Expenditure from 2017 to 2022 and Way Forward.

This retrospective study assesses the impact of India's National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 on public health expenditure and its implications for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3). Using secondary data analysis from government sources, we observed health budget trends relative to GDP from 2017 to 2022. The study found a marginal increase in public health expenditure from 0.

Youthful Choices: A Secondary Analysis of the NFHS-5 Data to Examine Tobacco Use in Indian Adolescent Girls and Young Women.

Background And Aim: Tobacco use among adolescents and young women is a global health concern. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among adolescents and young women in India.

Methods: Based on data from the National Family Health Survey-5, this study explored tobacco use among 241,180 young women aged 15-24 in India.

Trend and determinants of tobacco use among Indian males over a 22-year period (1998-2021) using nationally representative data.

Objective: Tobacco consumption is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. India is one of the largest consumers of tobacco worldwide. We assessed the trend of tobacco use among Indian males over a period of 20 years using data obtained from four rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).

Correlates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in India: Change as evidenced from NFHS- 4 and 5 during 2015-2021.

Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) have been on the rise in recent decades all over the world more remarkably in developing countries like India. We intend to measure the prevalence of DM and HTN in the Indian population and to compare the trends and various correlates of these diseases in NFHS (National Family Health Survey)-4 and 5. Data of NFHS-4 and 5 were accessed from dhs program website.

Factors affecting patient retention to hypertension treatment in a North Indian State: A mixed-method study.

Hypertension is a global health challenge, especially in low-to-middle-income countries, where awareness and control are suboptimal. Despite available treatments, poor medication adherence hampers blood pressure control, leading to adverse outcomes and increased costs. In response, the GOI has initiated national action plans to address noncommunicable diseases, including hypertension.

Socioeconomic and Geographical Inequities in Burden and Treatment seeking Behavior for Hypertension among Women in the Reproductive Age (15-45 years) Group in India: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey.

Background: Socioeconomic disparity changed healthcare seeking and management cascade of hypertension due to inequity in hypertension care cascade pathway.

Objectives: The inequities in burden and treatment-seeking behavior of hypertension among reproductive age group women were studied from National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) data.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed the data from NFHS-4 of women of reproductive age group between 15 and 49 years among the selected households contributing to 699,686 women.

Perception of Threat and Efficacy in Contracting COVID-19 Infection among Tobacco Users - A Cross-sectional Analytical Study from Four Indian States.

Background: To trigger quit intention and practice of preventive measures for COVID-19 among tobacco users; it is imperative for them to be well aware of the fact that they are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and should be at higher efficacy to practice preventive measures for the disease as compared to nonusers of tobacco.

Objectives: This community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2020 among 1203 adult participants to compare the threat and efficacy perception among users and nonusers of tobacco.

Materials And Methods: Perception of threat was assessed using three questions on perceived threat and one question on perceived susceptibility; whereas perception of efficacy was assessed using four questions each on self-efficacy and response efficacy through telephonic interview.

Construction and validation of an audio-visual tool to instruct caregivers of patients with pemphigus in photographing skin and oral cavity lesions during tele-consultation: A cross-sectional study.

Background Owing to the lack of standardised audio-visual (A-V) instructions to take photographs, patients with pemphigus faced difficulties during tele-consultation in COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To construct and validate an A-V instruction tool to take photographs of skin and oral cavity lesions of pemphigus. Methods In this observational study, we included patients with pemphigus of either gender seeking tele-consultation, aged 18 years or older.

Pestilent relationship between smoking and hypertension or pulse pressure among males over 15 years in India: NFHS-5 Survey.

Objective: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in India has divulged that 28.6% of the populace aged 15 years and above partakes in tobacco consumption in various modalities. Despite the availability of numerous studies on the correlation between smoking and hypertension, the nexus between tobacco smoking and hypertension remains enigmatic.

A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a culture and disease-specific, patient-centric multi-component tobacco cessation intervention package for the patients attending non-communicable disease clinics in Punjab, India.

Background: Developing an infrastructure to support tobacco cessation through existing systems and resources is crucial for ensuring the greatest possible access to cessation services. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed multi-component cessation among tobacco users in Non- Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics, functioning under the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, & Stroke (NPCDCS) of the Government of India.

Methods: The intervention package consisting of culture- and disease-specific four face-to-face counselling sessions, pamphlets, and short text messages (bilingual) with follow-ups at 3rd, 6th, and 9th months with an endline assessment at 12th months was delivered to the intervention arm of the two-arm- parallel group randomised controlled trial at two selected NCD clinics.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine/Therapy for Tobacco Cessation in India: A Secondary Analysis of GATS-1 and 2.

Background: India has nearly 267 million adult tobacco users, with a slowly improving quitting rate. Among the many approaches to quitting the habit, such as counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, nicotine patch or gum, and prescribed allopathic medicines. Complementary and alternative medicine/therapy (CAM), a thousand-year-old practice in India, may also prove to be a potential method in tobacco cessation; however, there is scarce literature on the extent of use of CAM among tobacco users who attempt to quit the habit.

Hypertension treatment cascade among men and women of reproductive age group in India: analysis of National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2021).

Background: Only a proportion of adults with hypertension are diagnosed and receive recommended prescriptions despite the availability of inexpensive and efficacious treatment. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of different stages of hypertension treatment cascade among the reproductive age groups in India at the national and state levels. We also identified the predictors of different stages of the hypertension treatment cascade.

Tobacco use in currently married pregnant & lactating women in India; key findings from the National Family Health Survey-5.

Background: Tobacco use among pregnant and lactating women carries dangerous repercussions for women and their children. Limited information is available at the national level on the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use in this vulnerable sub-population of women. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among currently married pregnant and lactating women and its association with demographic, behavioural and regional determinants in India.

Socio-cultural and financial issues against breast cancer screening behaviour among eligible Indian women: evidence for action.

Purpose: Breast cancer, a common malignancy in Indian women, is preventable and curable upon early diagnosis. Screening is the best control strategy against breast cancer, but its uptake is low in India despite dedicated strategies and programmes. We explored the impact of socio-cultural and financial issues on the uptake of breast cancer screening behaviour among Indian women.

Safety, efficacy and health impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS): an umbrella review protocol.

Background: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have witnessed a rise in popularity, particularly among the youth. Although they were initially introduced as an alternative to traditional smoking, the design and function of ENDS vary. The potential health effects of ENDS, especially in comparison to traditional cigarettes, are a matter of ongoing debate.

Prevalence and predictors of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among women aged 15-49 years across urban and rural India: findings from a nationwide survey.

Background: Women's health is usually looked upon in terms of their reproductive health. However, cardio-vascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death and disability among women, globally as well as in India. Risk factors of today can be disease of tomorrow.

Debunking Claims and Prioritizing Public Health: India's Bold Stand against Tobacco Imagery on OTT Platforms.

India has taken a ground-breaking step in public health by mandating anti-tobacco warnings and disclaimers on over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Concerns over the prevalence of tobacco imagery in media, including OTT platforms, prompted this decision due to its role in normalizing and glamorizing smoking, particularly among the youth. The Indian government aims to comprehensively address this issue and protect public health.

Comparative assessment of implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act in three States of India: A pre-post study.

Background Objectives: The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) limits the sale of tobacco products, promotion and advertising and packaging of tobacco products in India. Periodic monitoring of the level of compliance with all sections of COTPA is obligatory to assess the effectiveness of the act.

Methods: This pre-post study aimed to assess the change in the level of compliance with different sections of COTPA in selected States.

Prioritizing tobacco control & its cessation under sustainable development goals with a focus on India.

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) were meant to put each and everywhere 'at par'. The tobacco epidemic globally is one major deterrent to their achievement. While it gets addressed under SDG 3 through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - the World Health Organization (WHO) global treaty (the target 3.