Development and Clinical Validation of Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid Application-Artificial Intelligence Tool Using Cervical Images in Screen-and-Treat Visual Screening for Cervical Cancer in South India: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: The burden of cervical cancer in India is enormous, with more than 60,000 deaths being reported in 2020. The key intervention in the WHO's global strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer is to aim for the treatment and care of 90% of women diagnosed with cervical lesions. The current screen-and-treat approach as an option for resource-limited health care systems where screening of the cervix with visual inspection with acetic acid application (VIA) is followed by immediate ablative treatment by nurses in the case of a positive test.

Burden of Financial Hardship Among Breast Cancer Survivors in Maharashtra, India.

Introduction: Improved breast cancer treatments have increased survival rates, but prolonged and costly therapies strain survivors financially. This study addresses the dearth of research on financial difficulties among breast cancer survivors (BCS) in India.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was employed; we assessed financial hardship (FH) using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (COST-FACIT), a validated 12-item questionnaire.

Structured Counselling and Regular Telephonic follow up to improve Referral flow and compliance in Nepal for Diabetic Retinopathy(SCREEN-D Study): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an emerging public health issue, leading to severe visual impairment or blindness. Early identification and prompt treatment play a key role in achieving good visual outcomes. The objective of the study was to estimate the effectiveness of SCREEN package on improving referral compliance from peripheral centres to a tertiary eye centre in Nepal.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Interventions to Improve the Follow-up Rate for Children With Visual Disabilities in an Eye Hospital in Nepal: Nonrandomized Study.

Background: Monitoring ocular morbidity among pediatric patients requires regular follow-up visits. We found that the follow-up rate was poor among children in our setting. Therefore, we intended to assess the effectiveness of 2 interventions-(1) counseling and (2) SMS text messaging and phone calls-to improve the follow-up rates.

"Augmenting the referral pathway for retinal services among diabetic patients at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital, Nepal: a non-randomized, pre-post intervention study".

Background: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an important public health issue in Nepal. Despite the availability of retinal services, people may not access them because of the lack of knowledge about DR and poor referral systems. DR screening uptake was low at Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital(REMEH) since retina services were started.

Regional variation in diabetic retinopathy and associated factors in Spectrum of Eye Disease in Diabetes (SPEED) study in India-Report 5.

Purpose: To study the zonal variations in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and associated factors in people with known type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending large eye care facilities in different regions of India.

Methods: In this cross-sectional eye-care facility-based study, India was divided into five zones; large eye care facilities with a good referral base and offering an entire range of care for patients with DR were invited. First-time T2DM attendees aged ≥18 years were recruited.

Effectiveness of health education and monetary incentive on uptake of diabetic retinopathy screening at a community health center in South Gujarat, India.

Purpose: The effectiveness of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) with and without monetary incentive in uptake of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening at community health center (CHC) was compared in South Gujarat, India.

Methods: In this non-randomized controlled trial, ASHAs were incentivized to refer people with diabetes mellitus (PwDM) from their respective villages for DR screening after people were sensitized to DM and DR. The minimum sample size was 63 people in each arm.

Spectrum of Eye Disease in Diabetes (SPEED) in India: A prospective facility-based study. Report # 4. Glaucoma in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To estimate the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and glaucoma in a facility-based cross-sectional observational study in India.

Methods: All people received a comprehensive eye examination. Glaucoma-specific examinations included applanation tonometry, optic disc and cup evaluation, and stereo biomicroscopy in all people; gonioscopy and visual field testing in glaucoma suspects.

Spectrum of Eye Disease in Diabetes (SPEED) in India: A prospective facility-based study. Report # 3. Retinal vascular occlusion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To determine the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending large eye care facilities across India who have retinal vascular occlusion (RVO).

Methods: A 6-month descriptive, multicenter, observational hospital-based study of people was being presented to the 14 eye care facilities in India. The retina-specific component of comprehensive eye examination included stereoscopic biomicroscopy, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and fundus fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography was also available when needed.

Spectrum of eye disorders in diabetes (SPEED) in India. Report # 2. Diabetic retinopathy and risk factors for sight threatening diabetic retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes in India.

Purpose: To assess the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and sight-threatening DR (STDR) and associated risk factors in select eye-care facilities across India.

Methods: In this observational study, data of people with T2DM presenting for the first time at the retina clinic of eye-care facilities across India was recorded. Data collected in 2016 over 6 months included information on systemic, clinical, and ocular parameters.

Spectrum of eye disorders in diabetes (SPEED) in India: Eye care facility based study. Report # 1. Eye disorders in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To document the spectrum of eye diseases in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) reporting to large eye care facilities in India.

Methods: The selection of eye care facilities was based on the zone of the country and robustness of the programs. Only people with known T2DM certified by internist, or taking antidiabetes medications, or referred for diabetes related eye diseases were recruited.

Glaucoma-associated long-term mortality in a rural cohort from India: the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study.

Aim: To evaluate glaucoma-associated mortality in a rural cohort in India.

Methods: The study cohort comprised individuals aged 40 years and above who took part in the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS1) during 1996-2000. All participants underwent detailed comprehensive eye examination.

Multiple barriers to participation for people with psychosocial disability in Dehradun district, North India: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study used a population-based cross-sectional survey to describe the prevalence of psychosocial disability and unmet need for access to services in North India.

Setting: This study was conducted in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, in 2014.

Participants: A population-based sample of 2441 people over the age of 18 years.

Factors Influencing Employment and Employability for Persons with Disability: Insights from a City in South India.

Background: There is a lack of evidence on barriers faced by persons with disability in accessing employment opportunities in India.

Aim: This study was undertaken to ascertain both employee and employer perceptions on barriers existing among Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled sectors to employ persons with disabilities.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred participants from six IT/IT-enabled sector organizations were included in the study; study was conducted at Hyderabad, India.

Risk factors for orofacial clefts in India: A case-control study.

Background: Orofacial clefts (OFC) are linked with several genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to explore the association of potential risk factors with OFCs in India.

Methods: This was a hospital-based, matched case-control (1:4 ratio; matching done for parity) study conducted in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi-National Capital Region.

Folate, vitamin B12, ferritin and haemoglobin levels among women of childbearing age from a rural district in South India.

Background: Low folate and vitamin B12 levels have negative effect on pregnancy outcomes but there is paucity of data on their levels among Indian women. Ferritin and haemoglobin are associated with maternal mortality and low birth-weight. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of deficiency of serum folate and vitamin B12, and low levels of serum ferritin and blood haemoglobin among women of childbearing age from a rural population of South India.

Differential cataract blindness by sex in India: Evidence from two large national surveys.

Aims: Women suffer disproportionately more from cataract blindness compared to males in low- and middle-income countries. Two large population-based surveys have been undertaken in India at an interval of 7 years and data from these surveys provided an opportunity to assess the trends in gender differentials in cataract blindness.

Materials And Methods: Data were extracted from the surveys to discern sex differences in cataract blindness.

Prevalence of disability among adults using Rapid Assessment of Disability tool in a rural district of South India.

Background: There are different estimates of disability prevalence reported in India due to the differences in definitions and methodologies. Reliable data is needed to plan effective disability inclusive strategies.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with disability among adults ≥18 years of age in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh using the Rapid Assessment of Disability (RAD) tool.

A Mixed-Method Study to Determine the Benefits of Periconceptional Folic Acid Supplementation and Effects of Folic Acid Deficiency in Mothers on Birth Outcomes.

Background: Evidence from high income countries shows mothers who are supplemented with folic acid in their periconceptional period and early pregnancy have significantly reduced adverse outcomes like birth defects. However, in India there is a paucity of data on association of birth defects and folic acid supplementation. We identified a few important questions to be answered using separate scientific methods and then planned to triangulate the information.

Rehabilitation Needs of Stroke Survivors After Discharge From Hospital in India.

Objective: To assess the rehabilitation needs of stroke survivors in Chennai, India, after discharge from the hospital.

Design: Mixed-methods research design.

Setting: Home-based.

Birth prevalence of neural tube defects and orofacial clefts in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In the last two decades, India has witnessed a substantial decrease in infant mortality attributed to infectious disease and malnutrition. However, the mortality attributed to birth defects remains constant. Studies on the prevalence of birth defects such as neural tube defects and orofacial clefts in India have reported inconsistent results.

Evaluation of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a clinical decision support system in managing hypertension in resource constrained primary health care settings: results from a cluster randomized trial.

Background: Randomized control trials from the developed world report that clinical decision support systems (DSS) could provide an effective means to improve the management of hypertension (HTN). However, evidence from developing countries in this regard is rather limited, and there is a need to assess the impact of a clinical DSS on managing HTN in primary health care center (PHC) settings.

Methods And Results: We performed a cluster randomized trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a clinical DSS among Indian adult hypertensive patients (between 35 and 64 years of age), wherein 16 PHC clusters from a district of Telangana state, India, were randomized to receive either a DSS or a chart-based support (CBS) system.