A multicentric cross-sectional study to characterize the scale and impact of polypharmacy in rural Indian communities, conducted as part of health workers training.

Context: Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication usage is one of the world's most important public health issues. Yet in rural India, where medications are readily available, little is known about polypharmacy.

Aim: This study explores factors related to polypharmacy in rural India to inform the response.

Profile of elderly attending a general practice clinic in a poor urban area: A cross-sectional study from South India.

Introduction: In India, the number of elderly is steadily increasing and is likely to reach 301 million by 2051. The increasing number and proportion of elderly will have a direct impact on the demand for health and pension services. As per the Demography of Indian Aging (Rajan .

Reported healthcare utilisation for childhood respiratory illnesses in Vellore, South India.

A 30-cluster survey using a modified WHO method was performed to assess the healthcare utilisation patterns for respiratory illnesses in Indian children < 5 years of age. Families of 600 children were interviewed to assess respiratory illness and healthcare utilisation during the previous month as well as hypothetical healthcare-seeking behaviour in the future. Based on parental report, 381 children (63.

The challenge of patients with severe psychiatric illness who do not access care - a way forward.

Psychiatric illnesses are a significant cause of morbidity all over the world. In India many people with mental disorders are unable to access psychiatric care for a variety of reasons. This article describes the successful management of a person with schizophrenia in the community through a primary care team in liaison with psychiatrist services.