Association between smartphone addiction and sedentary behaviour amongst children, adolescents and young adults: A Systematic Review and meta-analysis.

Background: The rapid proliferation of smartphones has raised concerns about their impact on physical activity levels, particularly among younger demographics. While smartphones offer numerous benefits, there is growing evidence to suggest that excessive use may lead to sedentary behaviours, potentially impacting physical health adversely. Hence, this review was done to explore the association between smartphone addiction and reduced physical activity amongst children, adolescents and young adults.

The mediating role of BMI in alcohol-linked liver enzyme elevation among adults at a tertiary care hospital in South India.

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for liver disease, with significant variations in its impact across populations. BMI has been identified as a potential mediator in alcohol-related liver damage. This study aimed to examine the association between alcohol consumption and liver function and to explore the mediating role of BMI in a population from India, where both are rising public health concerns.

Effect of Millets Once a Day on Glycaemic Control among Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Setting - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 14% of pregnancies globally, with a prevalence of 9-16% in India. Low-glycaemic index (GI) foods like millets may help control glycaemia in GDM. This study compared glycaemic control between GDM patients consuming millets once a day (MOD) and those receiving enhanced medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for 1 month.

Effectiveness of Inhalational Tranexamic Acid in Patients with Nonmassive Hemoptysis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hemoptysis, the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract, varies in severity and necessitates effective management to mitigate morbidity. Traditional treatments include bronchial artery embolization and pharmacological approaches. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent known for its efficacy in reducing bleeding during surgery and trauma, is being explored for its efficacy in treating Hemoptysis via both intravenous and inhalational routes.

Construct Validation and Reliability Assessment of Tamil Translated Hill-Bone-Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale Among Hypertensive Patients in Rural Puducherry, South India.

Background: Pharmacological drugs and medications are being widely used for the control of non-communicable diseases like hypertension. Hill-Bone-Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale (HB-HBP) is a newly developed specific questionnaire for assessing the anti-hypertensive medication adherence. Hence, this study was done to translate the HB-HBP in Tamil and to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Tamil version.

Effectiveness of mobile phone applications for tobacco cessation: An umbrella review.

Background: Mobile Health (mHealth), leveraging nearly 4.5 billion people actively use mobile phone and internet, can be crucial in promoting tobacco cessation. This umbrella review aimed to assess the effectiveness of mobile phone applications in achieving this outcome.

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.

Sex-based differences in TB treatment compliance: A mediating factor for sputum conversion among newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in Chennai, South India.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern, particularly in India, which carries a significant portion of the global burden. The role of sex as a determinant of health is increasingly recognized, impacting various aspects of TB, including treatment compliance and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the mediating role of treatment compliance in the relationship between sex and sputum conversion in newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients in Chennai, South India.

Prevalence of Selected Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Their Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in India.

Background: Low- and middle-income countries face the dual problem of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are also at risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hence, we did this study to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) among PLHIV and to find the factors associated with it.

Self-directed learning for medical graduates: A boon or bane in disguise? A cross-sectional study in Chennai.

Background: Self-directed learning (SDL) is an essential aspect of adult education or andragogy, gaining significance in medical education with the introduction of competency-based medical education. The primary objective of this study is to assess the self-directed learning abilities of second-year medical undergraduates in Chennai, South India, and to identify potential challenges and gaps in their learning process.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 82 second-year medical students attending self-directed learning sessions at a medical college in Chennai.

Budget impact and cost-utility analysis of prophylactic emicizumab versus on-demand bypassing agents for adolescent severe haemophilia A patients with inhibitors in India.

Introduction: Severe Haemophilia A patients with inhibitors are currently being treated with bypassing agents like activated prothrombin complex concentrates (aPCC) and recombinant factor VIIa. Emicizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, introduced to reduce the bleeding events, improve treatment adherence, and quality of life. However, cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the intervention is not studied in a low middle income setting like India.

Association between domestic violence and unintended, terminated pregnancy and complications during pregnancy among Indian women: Findings from nationally representative survey.

Background: Women experiencing domestic violence might have restrictions in the pregnancy-related decision-making and care-seeking process leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We explored the association between domestic violence and undesirable pregnancy events.

Methods: 63,796 women aged 18-49 years covered under the domestic violence module of National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-21.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework in Public Health Facilities in Tamil Nadu: A Qualitative Study.

Background: In 2017, the National Patient Safety Implementation Framework (NPSIF) was introduced in India to ensure patient safety at different levels of the health care delivery system by 2025. Evaluating the implementation status, feasibility, and challenges and obtaining suggestions for improvement are key to the successful and sustainable implementation of any national health framework. Hence, we explored the facilitators and challenges in implementing the NPSIF and sought suggestions to address the challenges.

Association between acute liver injury & severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acute liver injury (ALI), a complication often seen in COVID-19 patients, can lead to severe liver damage, multi-organ failure, acute vascular events, and can potentially escalate to patient mortality. Given this, we initiated a meta-analysis to investigate the correlation between ALI and adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We conducted an exhaustive search of databases, including Medline, Embase, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, from the November 2019 until January 2022.

Burden, trend and determinants of various forms of domestic violence among reproductive age-group women in India: findings from nationally representative surveys.

Background: Violence, a notable human rights concern, has a public health impact across the globe. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of domestic violence among ever-married women aged 18-49 years in India.

Methods: Secondary data analysis with National Family Health Survey 5, 2019-21 data (NFHS-5) was conducted.

Equity and extent of financial risk protection indicators during COVID-19 pandemic in rural part of Tamil Nadu, India.

Catastrophic health expenditure [CHE] in India is on a rise. This situation would worsen even further when resources are disproportionately distributed across various socioeconomic classes. Hence, we conducted this study to determine the equity and extent of out-of-pocket [OOP] payments, Catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment among rural households during COVID-19 pandemic in Tamil Nadu, India.

Non-pharmacological Interventions for Tobacco Cessation in India: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Non-pharmacological management of tobacco cessation has been reported to yield a high level of abstinence from tobacco usage. However, it is unclear which type of non-pharmacological intervention to be adopted in national tobacco control program. Hence, we undertook this review to identify the best non-pharmacological tobacco cessation therapies for tobacco cessation.

Compliance with hand hygiene practices and its appropriateness among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities of Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Compliance with appropriate hand hygiene practises is the most efficient and cost-effective intervention that can be implemented in the healthcare setting. Given its importance, we tried to capture the compliance with hand hygiene practises and their appropriateness among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities in Tamil Nadu.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals from various departments in 18 public healthcare facilities spanning six districts in Tamil Nadu.

Institutional disrespect and abuse during health-care utilization in public health facilities of Tamil Nadu: A facility-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Disrespect and abuse have a negative impact on the quality of care provided in the public health facilities, thereby impacting the public health-care utilization of the patients.

Objectives: This study aims to capture the burden and determinants of disrespect and abuse faced by the patients who seek care from public health facilities in Tamil Nadu.

Methods: This study was conducted among 4917 participants at outpatient and inpatient levels in 18 public health facilities across six districts in Tamil Nadu.

Evaluation of National Patient Safety Implementation Framework in Selected Public Healthcare Facilities of Tamil Nadu: An Operational Research.

Background: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced the "National Patient Safety Implementation Framework" to ensure the patient safety at different levels of healthcare delivery system. However, there is limited effort made in evaluating the implementation status of this framework. Hence, we have performed the process evaluation of National Patient Safety Implementation Framework across the public healthcare facilities in Tamil Nadu.

Impact of health insurance coverage on health care utilization during COVID-19 pandemic: A propensity score matched survey analysis in a target region in India.

Background: Health insurance is considered as a mechanism to accelerate the progress towards universal health coverage and ensure financial risk protection for households throughout the country. There is a growing body of evidence reporting that the health insurance coverage can significantly improve the access and utilization of healthcare services. Hence, we attempted to determine the impact of health insurance on the utilization of healthcare services during COVID-19 pandemic.