Challenges of biomedical research collaboration in India: Perceptions of Indian and international researchers.

Biomedical research collaborations are to be contextualized in the larger global health agenda which also opens up new information pathways, expands research networks, and brings additional resources. A qualitative inquiry was employed to understand the perceived benefits and challenges of research collaborations by biomedical scientists from India (Global South [GS] country) and the Global North (GN). In-depth interviews were conducted with 47 biomedical scientists from India and 06 from the GN.

Effect of Topical Silver Nanoparticle Formulation on Wound Bacteria Clearance and Healing in Patients With Infected Wounds Compared to Standard Topical Antibiotic Application: A Randomized Open-Label Parallel Clinical Trial.

Background: Infected wounds pose a special challenge for management, with an increased risk of wound chronicity, systemic infection, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Silver nanoparticles have multimodal effects on bacteria clearance and wound healing. This study aimed to document the efficacy of a topical silver nanoparticle-based cream on bacteria clearance and wound healing in infected wounds compared to Mupirocin.

Geospatial methodology for determining the regional prevalence of hospital-reported childhood intussusception in patients from India.

Both developed and developing countries carry a large burden of pediatric intussusception. Sentinel site surveillance-based studies have highlighted the difference in the regional incidence of intussusception. The objectives of this manuscript were to geospatially map the locations of hospital-confirmed childhood intussusception cases reported from sentinel hospitals, identify clustering and dispersion, and reveal the potential causes of the underlying pattern.

Association of transient mitochondrial functional impairment with acute heat exposure in children from Muzaffarpur region of Bihar, India.

Over the past several years, the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar (India) has witnessed recurrent outbreaks of acute encephalitis illness of unknown etiology, called acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) among young children, especially during the peak-summer season. Pesticide exposure, viral encephalitis, and litchi toxin intake have all been postulated as potential sources of the ailment. However, no conclusive etiology for AES has been identified in the affected children.

Adverse Events Following Immunization- The Known Unknowns and Black Box : Based on 10th Dr. I. C. Verma Excellence Award for Young Pediatricians Delivered as Oration on 9th Oct. 2022.

Although vaccines are one of the most rigorously tested biological products, the safety concerns persist globally. The vaccine safety concerns linked to measles, pentavalent and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have affected the vaccine coverage significantly in past. While surveillance of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) is part of the national immunization program mandate, it suffers from challenges and biases related to reporting, completeness, and quality.

Acute Encephalopathy in Children From Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India, and the Potential Role of Ambient Heat Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Background: Periodic outbreaks of acute encephalopathy in children have been reported from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. No infectious cause has been identified for this. This study presents the clinical and metabolic profile of children hospitalized with acute encephalopathy and the potential role of ambient heat stress.

Barriers in reaching new-borns and infants through home visits: A qualitative study using nexus planning framework.

Background: Home visitation has emerged as an effective model to provide high-quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal period and improve the health outcomes of mother- new born dyad. This 360 assessment documented the constraints faced by the community health workers (known as the Accredited Social Health Activists, ASHAs) to accomplish home visitation and deliver quality services in a poor-performing district and co-created the strategies to overcome these using a nexus planning approach.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India.

A Longer Quarantine Period May Be Needed for Effective Control of COVID-19 Transmission: Experience From Odisha, India.

Background The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become pandemic. For effective disease control, quarantine of the infected and exposed cases for an optimal period is critical. Currently, infected individuals are quarantined for 14 days.

Nurses and Midwives Human Resource for Health and Their Education in India: A Situational Analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to the status of the nurses and midwives human resource and training institutes in India and variations across states.

Method: This cross-sectional study collected information available from open sources (all data for the states) and supplemented with grey literature, as of 2019. The census population data were used for estimating the nurses and midwives dentistry.

Is Ambient Weather a Risk Factor for Acute Encephalopathy Outbreaks in Children in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India? Insight from a 9-Year Analysis.

Objectives: Despite periodic outbreaks, the causes and risk factors of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in children of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India, remain unknown. We explored the correlation between AES caseload and the climate parameters.

Methods: Data for 1318 hospitalized children with AES during 2012-20 were used.

Multicenter Studies: Relevance, Design and Implementation.

Multicenter studies are essential in clinical and public health research with several advantages compared to single-center studies. Multicenter studies are attractive and advantageous, allowing quicker recruitment, diverse population coverage and increased generalizability. However, these studies often suffer from methodological, implementation and statistical challenges that can compromise the validity of the study.

Why parents agree or disagree for minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) to identify causes of death in under-five children and stillbirth in North India: a qualitative study.

Background: Information on exact causes of death and stillbirth are limited in low and middle income countries. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is increasingly practiced in place of autopsy across several settings. A formative research documented the experiences of counselling and consenting for MITS in north India.

Promoting Family Integrated Early Childhood Development During the First 1000 Days in Urban Slums of Delhi: Feasibility and Early Implementation Experience.

The first 1000 days are critical for human development. Children residing in urban slums are at higher risk of suboptimal development. This article reports the feasibility and early implementation experiences of child stimulation directed counselling integrated with nutrition and health services by community functionaries in Delhi slums.

COVID-19 vaccine and the cold chain implications for global adoption.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally with 190.8 million infected cases and 4.1 million deaths as of July 18, 2021.

An Introduction to Qualitative and Mixed Methods Study Designs in Health Research.

With the recognition of different population behavior and relevance of socio-cultural factors in health, health services and public health program contexts, qualitative research is increasingly being used in health research, including clinical trials. Qualitative research follows an inductive framework to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomena, especially why and how aspects, through techniques including interviews, focus groups and observations. It analyzes the textual data collected following one of the common analysis approaches: grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography or participatory action research.

Improving quality of care for pregnancy, perinatal and newborn care at district and sub-district public health facilities in three districts of Haryana, India: An Implementation study.

Introduction: Improving quality of care (QoC) for childbirth and sick newborns is critical for maternal and neonatal mortality reduction. Information on the process and impact of quality improvement at district and sub-district hospitals in India is limited. This implementation research was prioritized by the Haryana State (India) to improve the QoC for maternal and newborn care at the busy hospitals in districts.

Profile and Epidemiology of Intussusception in Children Under-Two Years of Age: A Prospective Surveillance.

Objective: To report background intussusception epidemiology in children under-two years in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu state, India, prior to rotavirus vaccine (RVV) introduction.

Methods: Prospective sentinel surveillance was done at four hospitals in Coimbatore during April 2016 to September 2017. The children aged >1 mo and < 24 mo with diagnosed intussusception were recruited and data on clinical, treatment, diet, immunization, and sociodemography were collected.

Experience of establishing and coordinating a nationwide network for bidirectional intussusception surveillance in India: lessons for multisite research studies.

Objectives: To document and share the process of establishing the nationally representative multisite surveillance network for intussusception in India, coordination, data management and lessons learnt from the implementation.

Design: This study combined both retrospective and prospective surveillance approaches.

Setting: 19 tertiary care institutions were selected in India considering the geographic representation and public and private mix PARTICIPANTS: All children under-2 years of age with intussusception PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The experience of site selection, regulatory approvals, data collection, quality assurance and network coordination were documented.

Association of meteorological parameters with intussusception in children aged under 2 years: results from a multisite bidirectional surveillance over 7 years in India.

Objectives: The study aimed to document the association between intussusception in Indian children and meteorological parameters and examine regional variations.

Design: A bidirectional (retrospective and prospective) surveillance between July 2010 and September 2017.

Setting: At 20 hospitals in India, retrospective case record review during July 2010 and March 2016 and prospective surveillance during April 2016 and September 2017 were performed.

Perceptions of the parents of deceased children and of healthcare providers about end-of-life communication and breaking bad news at a tertiary care public hospital in India: A qualitative exploratory study.

Background: Parents of dying children face unique challenge and expect compassionate support from health care providers (HCPs). This study explored the experiences of the parents and HCPs about the end-of-life care and breaking bad news and related positive and negative factors in Indian context.

Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted at paediatrics department of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Grief reaction and psychosocial impacts of child death and stillbirth on bereaved North Indian parents: A qualitative study.

Background: Grief following stillbirth and child death are one of the most traumatic experience for parents with psychosomatic, social and economic impacts. The grief profile, severity and its impacts in Indian context are not well documented. This study documented the grief and coping experiences of the Indian parents following stillbirth and child death.

Harmonized One Health Trans-Species and Community Surveillance for Tackling Antibacterial Resistance in India: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

Background: India has the largest burden of drug‑resistant organisms compared with other countries around the world, including multiresistant and extremely drug‑resistant tuberculosis and resistant Gram‑negative and Gram‑positive bacteria. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are found in all living hosts and in the environment and move between hosts and ecosystems. An intricate interplay of infections, exposure to antibiotics, and disinfectants at individual and community levels among humans, animals, birds, and fishes triggers evolution and spread of resistance.

Perceptions of the healthcare providers regarding acceptability and conduct of minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS) to identify the cause of death in under-five deaths and stillbirths in North India: a qualitative study.

Background: India contributes the highest share of under-five and neonatal deaths and stillbirths globally. Diagnostic autopsy, although useful for cause of death identification, have limited acceptance. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is an alternative to autopsy for identification of the cause of death (CoD).