Success stories: exploring perceptions of former fellows of a global faculty development program for health professions educators.

Background: Faculty development programs (FDPs) in health professions education (HPE) are instrumental in supporting, promoting, and improving HPE curricula and activities that target individual- and system-level capacity strengthening. FAIMER, a division of Intealth, has been offering FDPs for global health professions educators in HPE and leadership for over two decades through the International FAIMER Institute in the USA and FAIMER Regional Institutes located globally. This paper explores perceptions of former program participants (Fellows) of FAIMER global FDPs by eliciting their success stories.

Performance of WHO-Updated Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Charts among Doctors: Findings from a Tertiary Care Teaching Center in Puducherry, India.

Background: The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction charts, updated by the World Health Organization for 21 regions in 2019. These charts-lab and non-lab versions-estimate a person's overall CVD risk; the non-lab version is intended for low-resource environments.

Objectives: Using the "non-lab" and "lab" versions of the WHO CVD risk prediction charts, we sought to estimate the burden of ten-year risk of a fatal or non-fatal CVD event in a tertiary care hospital of Puducherry and to assess the agreement between them.

Correlates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in India: Change as evidenced from NFHS- 4 and 5 during 2015-2021.

Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) have been on the rise in recent decades all over the world more remarkably in developing countries like India. We intend to measure the prevalence of DM and HTN in the Indian population and to compare the trends and various correlates of these diseases in NFHS (National Family Health Survey)-4 and 5. Data of NFHS-4 and 5 were accessed from dhs program website.

Perception of Threat and Efficacy in Contracting COVID-19 Infection among Tobacco Users - A Cross-sectional Analytical Study from Four Indian States.

Background: To trigger quit intention and practice of preventive measures for COVID-19 among tobacco users; it is imperative for them to be well aware of the fact that they are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and should be at higher efficacy to practice preventive measures for the disease as compared to nonusers of tobacco.

Objectives: This community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2020 among 1203 adult participants to compare the threat and efficacy perception among users and nonusers of tobacco.

Materials And Methods: Perception of threat was assessed using three questions on perceived threat and one question on perceived susceptibility; whereas perception of efficacy was assessed using four questions each on self-efficacy and response efficacy through telephonic interview.

Prevalence of clustering of non-communicable disease risk factors in a highly urbanized district of India: findings of a cross-sectional survey in Puducherry.

Background: In an individual, the development and severity of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are determined by the presence or absence of clustering of NCD risk factors in them. We aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with clustering of risk factors of NCDs in the district of Puducherry in India.

Methodology: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey among the adult population (18-69 years) of Puducherry district (N = 1114) between February 2019 and February 2020.

Impact of social determinants of health on progression from potentially life-threatening complications to near miss events and death during pregnancy and post partum in a middle-income setting: an observational study.

Objective: To assess the potential associations between social determinants of health (SDH) and severe maternal outcomes (SMO), to better understand the social structural framework and the contributory, non-clinical mechanisms associated with SMO.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Study Setting: Tertiary referral centre in south-eastern region of India.

Cost-effectiveness of emicizumab prophylaxis for haemophilia A with inhibitors: an adaptive health technology assessment for the Indian setting.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of emicizumab prophylaxis for patients having haemophilia A with inhibitors in the Indian context using an adaptive health technology assessment (aHTA) methodology.

Design: Economic evaluation using multiple approaches aimed at adjusting previously generated cost-effectiveness results based on (1) price differences only ('simple') and (2) differences in cost and expected treatment duration ('moderate') and differences in cost, inflation and life expectancy ('complex').

Setting: Typical haemophilia care in India.

Adherence to the National Tobacco-Free School Policy in Selected Schools of Puducherry District in India: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to estimate the level of compliance and the factors associated with high adherence to the Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines of the Government of India among schools in the district of Puducherry, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among schools (N=50) in the Puducherry district in 2021-2022 using a "Self-Evaluation Scorecard" of the ToFEI guidelines. The assessment was done through in-person interviews with the schools' heads/representatives.

Morbidity and Treatment-Seeking Pattern among Low Birth Weight Infants: A Community-based Cohort Study from Puducherry.

Background: To compare the morbidity and treatment-seeking pattern of low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) infants during the first six months.

Material And Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the service areas of eight urban primary health centers of Puducherry from October 2019 to July 2021. Details of LBW and sex-matched NBW infants were obtained from the birth registers of selected PHCs.

Comparative assessment of implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act in three States of India: A pre-post study.

Background Objectives: The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) limits the sale of tobacco products, promotion and advertising and packaging of tobacco products in India. Periodic monitoring of the level of compliance with all sections of COTPA is obligatory to assess the effectiveness of the act.

Methods: This pre-post study aimed to assess the change in the level of compliance with different sections of COTPA in selected States.

Prevalence and the factors associated with microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension in the urban areas of Puducherry district: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early indicator for renal and cardiovascular diseases, especially among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). We determined the prevalence and the factors associated with microalbuminuria among patients with type 2 DM and/or HTN in the urban areas of the Puducherry district in India.

Methods: We included 225 patients aged 40-69 years with DM and/or HTN from a non-communicable diseases (NCDs) survey conducted during 2019-2020 in the urban areas of Puducherry district.

Predictors of Control Status of Hypertension in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Predictors of hypertension (HTN) control status have not been well understood in India. This information is crucial for policymakers and program managers to devise newer HTN control strategies and implement relevant policies and programs. Therefore, we undertook this meta-analysis to estimate the effect of various factors on the control status of HTN in India.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics up to 6 months of follow-up: Result from a nation-wide population-based, age stratified sero-epidemiological prospective cohort study in India.

Repeated serological testing tells about the change in the overall infection in a community. This study aimed to evaluate changes in antibody prevalence and kinetics in a closed cohort over six months in different sub-populations in India. The study included 10,000 participants from rural and urban areas in five states and measured SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum in three follow-up rounds.

Cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for microalbuminuria in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in India.

Objectives: Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Early detection of CKD through microalbuminuria screening, followed by treatment, delays the progression of CKD. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening of microalbuminuria among normotensive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged >40 years compared with no screening scenario using a decision tree combined with the Markov model.

Association of Social Capital With Tuberculosis: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Analytical Study in South India.

Background: Social capital denotes the relationships, networks, norms and values in the community. A high level of social capital positively improves health through a supportive social system. Illnesses affect health and social relationships.

Hypertension Control Status Among Patients Receiving Treatment From Selected Primary Health Centres in Puducherry: A Cohort-Analysis Approach.

Background:  High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor contributing to 60% of premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases. In India, a mere 15% of the hypertensive population achieves optimal blood pressure control. Effective monitoring of hypertension is crucial for mitigating the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Haematological screening and its correlation with sociodemographic profile among the indigenous communities in and around Puducherry.

Background: Haemoglobin disorders are unique and important health challenges for tribal populations. Hence, this study was undertaken with the aim to screen for haematological disorders, particularly anaemia and haemoglobinopathies, and to assess the sociodemographic profile in indigenous communities residing in and around Puducherry.

Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in both urban and rural areas of Puducherry district.

Cost-effectiveness of response-adapted therapy (RAT) for advanced Hodgkin's Lymphoma compared with conventional treatment in India: a Markov-model based analysis.

Cost effectiveness analysis of interim positron emission tomography (PET-2, done after 2 cycles of chemotherapy) based response adaptive therapy (RAT) approaches in advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (aHL) are not available from an Indian perspective. We used a five-year decision analytics model to assess the cost-effectiveness of the two RAT approaches [(escalation (RAT-1) or de-escalation (RAT-2)] compared with standard care (SOC) in aHL (mean age:35 years). Modelling data was derived from secondary sources and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the model.

Cost-effectiveness of implementing risk-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) management using updated WHO CVD risk prediction charts in India.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the updated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction charts in 2019 for each of the 21 Global Burden of Disease regions. The WHO advocates countries to implement population-based CVD risk assessment and management using these updated charts for preventing and controlling CVDs.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of implementing risk-based CVD management using updated WHO CVD risk prediction charts in India.

Association of Selected Cardiovascular Markers With Tuberculosis: Community-Based Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analytical Study in Puducherry.

Introduction India accounts for one-fourth of the global tuberculosis (TB) burden and also faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases. Only a few have studied the association between the infective pathogenesis of TB and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods A cross-sectional exploratory analytical design was used to compare CVD risk factors and immunological and radiological parameters.

Continued tobacco use among tobacco-related head and neck cancer patients seeking care in a tertiary care facility, South India.

Introduction: Continued tobacco use in cancer patients leads to decreased treatment efficacy and safety, decreased survival, decreased quality of life, and an increased risk of cancer recurrence and primary tumours at other sites.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of continued tobacco usage during the first 6 months of diagnosis among tobacco-related head and neck cancer patients seeking care from a tertiary care centre and the factors associated with it.

Methods: A facility-based cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Puducherry, India.