Effectiveness of Fortified Mid-Day Meal in Reducing Anemia Among School Children in Dhenkanal, Odisha: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia among school-aged children is widespread in India. The efficacy of micronutrient and iron fortified school-served meals in reducing iron deficiency anemia has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials in other parts of the globe. The current study evaluates its effectiveness in real-world Indian settings.

Strategies to overcome vaccine hesitancy: a systematic review.

Background: Vaccination, albeit a necessity in the prevention of infectious diseases, requires appropriate strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy at an individual and community level. However, there remains a glaring scarcity of available literature in that regard. Therefore, this review aims to scrutinize globally tested interventions to increase the vaccination uptake by addressing vaccine hesitancy at various stages of these interventions across the globe and help policy makers in implementing appropriate strategies to address the issue.

Programmatic assessment of electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN).

eVIN is a technology system that digitizes vaccine stocks through a smartphone application and builds the capacity of program managers and cold chain handlers to integrate technology in their regular work. To effectively manage the vaccine logistics, in 2015, this technology was rolled-out in 12 states of India. This study assessed the programmatic usefulness of eVIN implementation in the areas of vaccine utilization, vaccine stock and distribution management and documentation across selected cold chain points.

Effect of caste on health, independent of economic disparity: evidence from school children of two rural districts of India.

Caste, a stratifying axis of the Indian society, is associated with wealth and health. However, to what extent caste-based health inequality is explained by wealth disparities, is not clear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the caste-based differences in anaemia (haemoglobin < 11 gm/dl) and self-reported sickness absenteeism in schoolchildren and the mediating role of economic disparity.

Prevalence of afebrile malaria and development of risk-scores for gradation of villages: A study from a hot-spot in Odisha.

Introduction: Malaria is a public health emergency in India and Odisha. The national malaria elimination programme aims to expedite early identification, treatment and follow-up of malaria cases in hot-spots through a robust health system, besides focusing on efficient vector control. This study, a result of mass screening conducted in a hot-spot in Odisha, aimed to assess prevalence, identify and estimate the risks and develop a management tool for malaria elimination.

Prevalence of and factors contributing to anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders among urban elderly in Odisha - A study through the health systems' Lens.

Introduction: Growing geriatric mental health needs of urban population in India pose several programmatic challenges. This study aimed to assess anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders among urban elderly, and explore availability of social support mechanisms and of a responsive health system to implement the national mental health programme.

Methods: 244 respondents were randomly selected from Berhampur city.