Changes in the associations between malaria incidence and climatic factors across malaria endemic countries in Africa and Asia-Pacific region.

Empirical evidence supporting the associations between malaria incidence and climatic factors has remained controversial, buffering the progress in the Global Malaria Program that aims to eliminate 90% of the world malaria burden by 2030. This study has aimed to evaluate the nature and extent at which these relations are maintained across all the malaria endemic countries of Africa and Asia-Pacific region. We have utilized the last two decades of malaria incidence, annual minimum temperature, and annual precipitation time series data (2000-2020) for the two most malaria-impacted regions.

Phase partitioning effects on seasonal compositions and distributions of terrigenous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have posed serious risk to marine ecosystems due to their carcinogenic properties, and persistence in the environment and elevated bioaccumulation. It, therefore, becomes essential to examine spatial distribution, composition, and sources of PAHs. In this study, we have examined these PAH variations in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea (ECS), that are experiencing rapid population and economic growth by the surrounding developing countries.

Association between age at menarche and age at menopause among women of an indigenous population of North Bengal, India.

Menarche and menopause are two major components of a woman's reproductive life. Ages at menarche and menopause vary widely between and within populations and are influenced by various factors, both genetic and environmental. The present community-based cross-sectional investigation aimed to assess the association between ages at menarche and natural menopause among women belonging to the indigenous Rajbanshi population of North Bengal, India.

Effects of socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle variables on overweight and obesity among rural Rajbanshi post-menopausal women of India.

Overweight and obesity are one of the most neglected public health problems in both developed and developing countries. Prevalence of overweight and obesity among post-menopausal women are increasing at a rapid pace. The present study aims to assess effects of socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle variables on prevalence of overweight and obesity among post-menopausal rural women belonging to an ethnic population of eastern India.

Estimation of Sex From Index and Ring Finger Lengths in An Indigenous Population of Eastern India.

Introduction: Forensic anthropology involves the identification of human remains for medico-legal purposes. Estimation of sex is an essential element of medico-legal investigations when identification of unknown dismembered remains is involved.

Aim: The present study was conducted with an aim to estimate sex from index and ring finger lengths of adult individuals belonging to an indigenous population of eastern India.

Socio-Economic, Demographic and Lifestyle Determinants of Overweight and Obesity among Adults of Northeast India.

Background: Overweight and obesity are the accumulation of high body adiposity, which can have detrimental health effects and contribute to the development of numerous preventable non-communicable diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effect of socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle factors on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults belonging to the Rengma-Naga population of North-east India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 826 Rengma-Naga individuals (males: 422; females: 404) aged 20-49 years from the Karbi Anglong District of Assam, using a two-stage stratified random sampling.

Association of some socio-economic and socio-demographic variables with wasting among pre-school children of North Bengal, India.

Background: Undernutrition is a global public health problem that causes premature morbidity and ill-health conditions and has long-lasting physiological effects in children. The present study assesses the prevalence of wasting [low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)-for-age] among children and to determine the association of wasting with different socio-economic and socio-demographic variables.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 1222 pre-school children (boys: 589; girls: 633), aged 1-5 years, in Darjeeling district, North Bengal, India, using multistage stratified random sampling method.

Estimation of stature from lengths of index and ring fingers in a North-eastern Indian population.

Forensic anthropology involves identification of human remains in a legal situation. Along with the other three parameters of forensic anthropology, i.e.

Fat mass and fat-free mass as indicators of body composition among Bengalee Muslim children.

Background: The composition of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are now considered to be important indicators of body composition.

Aim: This cross-sectional study determines the body composition using FM and FFM among children.

Subjects And Methods: The study was conducted among 1248 children (619 boys; 629 girls) aged 5-12 years and belonging to the Bengalee Muslim population of West Bengal, India.

Socio-economic and demographic factors affecting the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF).

Background: The present cross-sectional study evaluates the utility of the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) over conventional nutritional indices for nutritional assessment. It also assesses the impact of various socio-economic and demographic factors on the CIAF.

Subjects And Methods: Height, weight, age, socio-economic and demographic data were recorded from 3444 children (1682 boys; 1762 girls) aged 1-12 years and residing in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India.

Assessment of the nutritional status of children aged 5-12 years using upper arm composition.

Background: Upper arm muscle area (UMA) and upper arm fat area (UFA) were introduced for assessment of child nutritional status.

Aim: This cross-sectional study assesses child nutritional status using UMA and UFA. It also evaluates the suitability of upper arm muscle area by height (UAMAH) for assessing child under-nutrition with respect to stunting and wasting.

A comparison of palmar dermatoglyphics in two ethnic Indian populations of north Bengal, India.

Dermatoglyphic print comparisons can be utilized to establish personal identification in forensic cases. The northern part of the state of West Bengal, India, is the home to many ethnic populations. Two such populations are the Rajbanshi and the Mech.

Thinness is a major underlying problem among Indian children.

The incidence of child undernutrition is high around the world, particularly alarming in the developing countries. This cross-sectional investigation has been undertaken among rural primary school-going children residing in Phansidewa block of Darjeeling district. The study sample was 2111 children (1028 boys; 1083 girls) aged 5-12 years.

Prevalence of undernutrition among children (5-12 years) belonging to three communities residing in a similar habitat in North Bengal, India.

Background: In India, children show a high incidence of undernutrition and constitute a highly susceptible group.

Aim: The present cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of undernutrition among school-going children belonging to three communities in the same geographical and ecological habitat.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 906 boys and 964 girls in the age group of 5-12 years and belonging to the Rajbanshi, Tea-labourer and Bengalee Muslim communities residing in North Bengal, India were included.

Association of maternal nutritional status, body composition and socio-economic variables with low birth weight in India.

The present cross-sectional study examines the association of maternal nutritional status, body composition and socio-economic status with newborn low birth weight (LBW). It was conducted on 503 mothers and their singleton newborns in an urban hospital in Siliguri, West Bengal, India. The maternal anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold), socio-economic variables (education, household income, occupation and birth order) and newborn birth weight were recorded.