Low risk of relapse and deformity among leprosy patients who completed multi-drug therapy regimen from 2005 to 2010: A cohort study from four districts in South India.

Introduction: Relapse of leprosy among patients released from treatment (RFT) is an indicator of the success of anti-leprosy treatment. Due to inadequate follow-up, relapse in leprosy patients after RFT is not systematically documented in India. Relapsed leprosy patients pose a risk in the transmission of leprosy bacilli.

A cross-sectional study on prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in India: rationale and methods.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common preventable and treatable chronic respiratory disease, which affects 210 million people globally. Global and national guidelines exist for the management of COPD. Although evidence-based, they are inadequate to address the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity in India.

A single weighting approach to analyze respondent-driven sampling data.

Background And Objectives: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is widely used to sample hidden populations and RDS data are analyzed using specially designed RDS analysis tool (RDSAT). RDSAT estimates parameters such as proportions. Analysis with RDSAT requires separate weight assignment for individual variables even in a single individual; hence, regression analysis is a problem.

Relapse and deformity among 2177 leprosy patients released from treatment with MDT between 2005 and 2010 in South India: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of relapse among leprosy patients released after completing multi-drug therapy (MDT) during 2005-2010 under India's National Leprosy Eradication Programme in South India.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of leprosy patients who were released from treatment (RFT) with MDT during April 2005 and March 2010 in four purposely selected districts from South India. We clinically examined them for signs of relapse, persistence and deformity.

Cholera outbreak linked with lack of safe water supply following a tropical cyclone in Pondicherry, India, 2012.

In the aftermath of a severe cyclonic storm on 7 January 2012, a cluster of acute diarrhoea cases was reported from two localities in Pondicherry, Southern India. We investigated the outbreak to identify causes and recommend control measures. We defined a case as occurrence of diarrhoea of more than three loose stools per day with or without vomiting in a resident of affected areas during 6-18 January 2012.

Measles case fatality rate in Bihar, India, 2011-12.

Background: Updated estimates of measles case fatality rates (CFR) are critical for monitoring progress towards measles elimination goals. India accounted for 36% of total measles deaths occurred globally in 2011. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate measles CFR and identify the risk factors for measles death in Bihar-one of the north Indian states historically known for its low vaccination coverage.

Impact of Chikungunya on health related quality of life Chennai, South India.

Background: Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) infection affects large populations and leads to prolonged and debilitating pain affecting health related quality of life (HRQoL). We assess the impact of CHIKV on HRQoL of clinical CHIKV (C-CHIKV) patients in a suburban locality of Chennai City, South India. Further, we determined factors associated with clinical recovery among C-CHIKV patients.

Appropriateness and execution challenges of three formal size estimation methods for high-risk populations in India.

Objectives: To describe formal, external to programme methods for size estimation of high-risk populations and compare execution challenges and validity of results.

Design: A cross-sectional HIV risk behavioural and biological survey was implemented among 24, 10 and five female sex workers, high-risk men who have sex with men and injecting drug user survey groups, respectively. Size estimates were calculated using three formal methods: capture-recapture, the multiplier method and the reverse tracking method (RTM), a new method.