Cascade of care for people with positive symptoms of common cancers in selected primary health centres of Puducherry: An explanatory mixed-method study.

Background & objectives Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and constitutes a public health priority. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer can adversely impact survival, recovery, and cost of treatment. The objective of this study was to estimate the proportion seeking timely care among those having early warning signals for oral, breast or cervical cancer and to explore the facilitators and barriers to early detection.

A Comparative Study of Choledochoduodenostomy Versus Open Choledochotomy With T Tube Placement in a Hospital Lacking Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Background: Choledocholithiasis, or stones in the common bile duct (CBD), has two types: primary stones that form in the CBD and secondary stones that migrate from the gallbladder. Management includes endoscopic, laparoscopic, and open surgical methods. In India, the availability of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery is limited often necessitating open procedures.

Implementation research on registering cancer cases in primary health centres of Puducherry through community health workers.

Background & objectives Hospital-based cancer registry does not represent the true burden of cancer in the community. Initiating a Primary Health Centre (PHC)-based cancer registry may better estimate population-level data for cancer cases in an area. This study aimed to set up a system for facilitating a PHC-based cancer registry and to assess the registration status of cancer cases in various PHCs of Puducherry.

Effect of Combined Intervention of Yoga and Physiotherapy as Compared to Only Physiotherapy on Lower Limb Muscle Strength, Balance and Range of Motion among Elders with Compromised Stair Climbing in Puducherry - A Parallel Arm Non-Randomized Control Trial.

The activity of daily living (ADL) related to stair climbing is one of the most compromised ADLs among the elders. It requires good muscle strength, balance, and range of motion (ROM) in the lower limb. We aimed to investigate the effects of Yoga complemented with physiotherapy (Intervention group) compared to only physiotherapy (control group) on lower limb muscle strength, balance, and ROMs among elders with ADL limitation in stair climbing.

Assessment of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy and Incidence of Tuberculosis among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seeking Care in an Anti-retroviral Therapy Center, Puducherry.

Background: One in three deaths among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) is due to Tuberculosis. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) was implemented in antiretroviral therapy (ART) center Puducherry in July 2017.

Objectives: We have determined the proportion of PLHIV who were eligible, initiated, completed IPT and also the incidence of tuberculosis before and after implementation of IPT.

Implementation Status of Airborne Infection Control Measures in Primary and Secondary Public Health Facilities, Puducherry: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Poor ventilation in healthcare settings is a concern for airborne infections, particularly in light of the potential for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. This study aimed to assess the implementation status of airborne infection control (AIC) measures in primary and secondary public healthcare facilities (HCFs) and to explore the facilitating factors and barriers in the implementation of AIC measures.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, which includes a cross-sectional descriptive study using a checklist to collect data on the implementation of AIC measures in 22 primary and two secondary public HCFs in Puducherry, South India, between October 2020 and February 2021.

Status of Substance use among Undergraduate Medical Students in a Selected Government Medical College in Puducherry - An Explanatory Mixed Method Study.

Background: Studies have shown increase in health-risking behavior and a decline in health-promoting behavior among medical students during their stay in medical school. This study aims to determine the prevalence and reason for substance abuse among the undergraduate medical students in a selected medical college in Puducherry.

Material And Methods: This was a facility-based explanatory mixed method study conducted from May 2019 to July 2019.

Effects of web-based training for carers in old age homes using WHO-iSupport for dementia, as a training tool - A mixed-method study.

WHO recognized Dementia as public health priority and developed iSupport, a knowledge and skills training program for carers of people living with Dementia. This Mixed-Method study assessed the effectiveness of web-based training sessions among carers at old age homes in and around Puducherry, India, using WHO-iSupport for dementia hardcopy manual as a training tool. We registered the clinical trial protocol with Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI), CTRI/2020/11/029154.

Prevalence of Oral Lesions and Its Associated Risk Factors Among PLHIV Availing Anti-Retroviral Therapy from a Selected Tertiary Care Hospital, Puducherry - A Cross Sectional Analytical Study.

Background And Objectives: Oral lesions are among the earliest and most important indicators of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The presence of oral lesions has a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the PLHIV. Hence, a novel attempt is made to assess the prevalence of various types of oral lesions among the adult people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Contribution of community health care volunteers in facilitating mobilization for diabetes and hypertension screening among the general population residing in urban puducherry - An operational research study.

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have contributed to almost half of the global disease burden. Many countries have experimented with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to provide necessary care for NCDs. We aimed at evaluating the contribution of CHVs in mobilizing adults for the Diabetes and Hypertension screening in a selected Primary Health Centre (PHC) of Puducherry, India.

Assessing the Status of Mandatory Tuberculosis Case Notification among Private Practitioners in Urban Puducherry.

Background: In India, tuberculosis (TB) was made a notifiable disease in 2012 and nonnotification was made a punishable offense in March 2018. In 2018, 25% of TB cases notified were from private sector.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to assess the proportion of private practitioners (PPs) who notified TB cases to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) and to identify the facilitating factors and barriers to TB case notification, including channels most preferred for notification.

Prevalence of malnutrition and its associated sociodemographic and clinical factors among adolescents in selected schools of Urban Puducherry, India.

Background: In India, adolescents constitute 21% of the total population. Majority of boys and girls in developing countries enter adolescence as undernourished, making them more vulnerable to several diseases.

Objective: Among adolescents in selected schools of urban Puducherry, we determined the prevalence of malnutrition and also assessed the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with undernutrition.

Treatment Seeking Behavior, Treatment Cost and Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study from South India.

Background: Head and neck cancer constitute one-third of all cancers. Due to the complex nature of Head and Neck Cancer treatment, expenditure on cancer treatment are higher and the Quality of Life of patients is also compromised. The objectives of the study were to determine the time taken by patients for seeking care from registered medical practitioners, time to definitive diagnosis and treatment initiation, expenditure incurred, and Quality of Life.

Severe undernutrition in children affects tuberculin skin test performance in Southern India.

Background: Undernutrition impairs immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a risk factor for tuberculosis disease (TB). We aim to investigate if severe undernutrition affects the tuberculin skin test (TST) response among household contacts (HHCs) of pulmonary TB cases.

Methods: We analyzed data from HHCs (> five years) of pulmonary TB cases in Southern India.

Community-based assessment of postnatal care in Puducherry-A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Postnatal period is a neglected period compared to the antenatal period. Providing adequate care to infant and mother during this vital period is essential.

Objectives: To assess the postnatal care (PNC) received by the mothers and newborn children in Puducherry.

Injury and its associated factors among residents of an urban slum during the festival month in South India: A community-based survey.

Introduction: Injury morbidity and mortality have been steadily increasing in both developed and developing countries including India. The current study tried to assess the incidence of injury and identify the risk factors associated with injuries during the festival month in a selected urban area in Puducherry.

Methods: It is a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted among the residents in the urban field practice area of a medical college in Puducherry.

Prevalence of anaemia and compliance to weekly iron-folic acid supplementation programme amongst adolescents in selected schools of urban Puducherry, India.

Context: Adolescents constitutes 21% of total Indian population. Iron deficiency anaemia has remained as a major nutritional problem amongst adolescents. To overcome this problem, Government of India started weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS) in 2012.

Risk factors for death during treatment in pulmonary tuberculosis patients in South India: A cohort study.

Objective: Identifying the risk factors for deaths during tuberculosis (TB) treatment is important for achieving the vision of India's National Strategic Plan of 'Zero Deaths' by 2025. We aimed to determine the proportion of deaths during TB treatment and its risk factors among smear positive pulmonary TB patients aged more than 15 years.

Study Design: We performed a cohort study using data collected for RePORT India Consortium (Regional Prospective Observational Research in Tuberculosis).

Alcohol use and tuberculosis clinical presentation at the time of diagnosis in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, India.

Setting: Alcohol use increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease and is associated with worse outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether alcohol use affects TB severity at diagnosis in a high-burden setting.

Design: Participants were smear-positive people living with TB (PLWTB) in India.

A community-based cross-sectional study on hypertension screening in Puducherry, India.

Background & Objectives: Hypertension is a health problem of global priority. Screening and early diagnosis is important to plan appropriate interventions. The present study objectives were to screen the urban population aged 30 yr and above and diagnose for hypertension and to identify the factors associated with poor screening for hypertension, if any.

High prevalence of anemia among postnatal mothers in Urban Puducherry: A community-based study.

Background: Anemia is a common problem across all life stages and ages with a higher burden among women. The postnatal period is an often-neglected period for the provision of effective care to the mothers. Anemia burden is also high during this period, which leads to many morbidities and poor quality of life.

Strengthening growth monitoring among under-5-year children to fight childhood undernutrition in India.

Introduction: Growth monitoring of children in India is usually done by Anganwadi workers using weight-for-age growth charts. We wanted to assess the magnitude of various types of undernutrition among under-5 children using multiple growth charts and risk factors of undernutrition. We also wanted to assess if prevalence of undernutrition improves following sensitization of various stakeholders.