Identifying and Addressing Factors Contributing to Pretreatment Loss to Follow-Up of Tuberculosis Patients Referred for Treatment from Medical Colleges in Pondicherry: An Implementation Research.

Background: In India, there is no feedback regarding 34% of tuberculosis (TB) patients diagnosed and referred from medical colleges for treatment to peripheral health institutions (PHIs).

Objectives: The aim of this study is to measure the effectiveness of the new intervention package, developed based on qualitative study in reducing pretreatment loss to follow-up (PTLFU) of all TB patients diagnosed and referred for treatment from medical colleges to PHIs.

Materials And Methods: An intervention was developed based on the findings of in depth-interviews conducted among different stakeholders such as TB patients who did/did not report, service providers working in four medical colleges in Pondicherry.

A descriptive cross-sectional study on menstrual hygiene and perceived reproductive morbidity among adolescent girls in a union territory, India.

Introduction: Menstruation is a milestone event in a girl's life and the beginning of reproductive life. Lack of knowledge and poor sanitary practices during menstruation has been associated with serious ill-health ranging from genital tract infections, urinary tract infections, and bad odor.

Aim: This study aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practices about menstrual hygiene and perceived reproductive morbidity among adolescent school girls in Puducherry.

A case-control study on environmental and biological risk factors for renal calculi persisting in a coastal Union Territory, India.

Background And Objectives: Renal stone disease is a common disorder of the urinary tract and also a significant problem because of incidence, recurrence, and severe consequences. The complex pathogenetic mechanisms of renal stone formation involve both biologic and environmental risk factors. The present study was performed to identify the role of these parameters among renal stone patients and normal individuals from a coastal union territory region in South India.

Patient and health system delays among adult smear-positive tuberculosis patients diagnosed at medical colleges of Puducherry in south India.

Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are essential for an effective tuberculosis (TB) control program. This study was done to assess the extent of various delays among TB patients diagnosed at medical colleges of Puducherry. A cross-sectional study involving retrospective medical record review and prospective patient interviews was conducted in and around the union territory of Puducherry during the period 2009-10.

Study of morbidity pattern among salt workers in marakkanam, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Salt workers are exposed to occupational hazards like contact with salt crystals and brine, physical stress, sunlight and glare due to sunlight reflected by salt crystals. Very few studies have documented the morbidity among the salt workers.

Aim: To assess the morbidity pattern among salt workers in Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu, India.

Study of childhood obesity among school children aged 6 to 12 years in union territory of puducherry.

Objective: To study the prevalence of obesity and overweight among school children in Puducherry. To identify any variation as per age, gender, place of residence and type of school.

Setting And Design: Secondary data analysis of a school-based cross sectional study in all the four regions of Puducherry.

Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in an urban area of Puducherry, India: Time for preventive action.

Background: Epidemiological studies in India have shown that the prevalence of diabetes in the population is at least twice the number of persons diagnosed with diabetes residing in the given area. Similarly, community-based prevalence figures are unavailable in Puducherry,.

Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the number of persons diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in Puducherry.