Nature, prevalence, and risk factors for self-neglect among older people: a pilot study from Vellore, South India.

Changes in demography in developing countries haves led to new issues among older rural populations, such as self-neglect which is under researched.Self-neglect identified as poor self-care, unsafe living quarters, inadequate medical care and poor utilization of services increase the odds of morbidity and mortality.Methods Our study was conducted in Kaniyambadi, a rural block in Vellore district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Comparative evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening programs in regular ophthalmology clinics versus integrated diabetic clinics within rural health-care services.

Background: Robust integration of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening within health systems is essential to prevent DR-related blindness. This, however, remains a challenge in the developing world. The aim of this study was to evaluate two models of DR screening programs within rural general health-care services.

Impact of maternal iron deficiency anemia on fetal iron status and placental iron transporters in human pregnancy.

Iron deficiency anemia is associated with maternal morbidity and poor pregnancy outcomes. Heme and non-heme iron transport proteins expressed in the placenta help in adequate iron supply from anemic mother to fetus. Here we examined the expression of placental iron trafficking molecules and their association with maternal and neonatal iron status in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Recalibration of the Framingham risk score for predicting 10-year risk of cardiovascular events: A non-concurrent rural cohort study from Tamil Nadu.

Objective: To recalibrate the Framingham Risk Score-cardiovascular diseases (FRS-CVD) using 10-year mortality data and baseline risk factor data for a rural cohort and assess the effect of recalibration on proportion categorised as high risk.

Methods: Participants of a cardiovascular risk factor survey aged 30-64 years in 2011-12, from 9 villages of a rural block in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, were followed up for mortality till 2021, as part of an established demographic surveillance system. We calculated both lipid-based and Body Mass Index-based FRS-CVD risk scores, as well as recalibrated scores using risk factor data from the baseline survey and CVD mortality observed over 10 years.

Perinatal Mortality and its Causes in a Rural Block in Tamil Nadu, Southern India: A Community-Based Nonconcurrent Cohort Study.

Background: Globally, over 130 million babies are born every year, and almost 8 million die before their first birthday. Data on perinatal mortality (PM) and its various causes are lacking in many parts of the world including India.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate stillbirth (SB), early neonatal, and PM rates and its causes over the last decade in a rural development block, India.

Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Its Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women of Rural South India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Vitamin B12 is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system and for the formation of red blood cells. Vegetarian diet, low socioeconomic status, and social and religious reasons are known risk factors of its deficiency. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are vulnerable groups.

Chronic periodontitis among diabetics and nondiabetics aged 35-65 years, in a rural block in Vellore, Tamil Nadu: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic periodontitis is a common cause of poor oral health globally. Those at higher risk of this preventable and easily treatable condition need to be identified so that efforts can be taken to decrease disease burden and subsequent consequences.

Aims: The aims of the study were (1) To compare the prevalence of chronic periodontitis among individuals with and without type 2 diabetes, aged 35-65 years from a rural block in Vellore, Tamil Nadu and (2) to assess risk factors for chronic periodontitis among individuals with diabetes.

Performance of the Achutha Menon Centre Diabetes Risk Score in Identifying Prevalent Diabetes in Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: The Achutha Menon Centre Diabetes Risk Score (AMCDRS), which was developed in rural Kerala State, South India, had not previously been externally validated. We examined the performance of the AMCDRS in urban and rural areas in the district of Vellore in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and compared it with other diabetes risk scores developed from India.

Methods: We used the data from 4,896 participants (30 to 64 years) of a cross-sectional study conducted in Vellore (2010 to 2012), to calculate the AMCDRS scores using age, family history, and waist circumference.

Prevalence of statin use among high-risk patients in urban and rural Vellore, Tamil Nadu: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study assessed statin use among diabetics and those with coronary heart disease (CHD) in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural and urban Vellore, among 6196 participants (30-64 years), in 2010-2012. Statin use among those with known CHD and diabetes (on diabetic medication) was recorded.

Prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in rural & urban Tamil Nadu.

Background & Objectives: Surveillance of risk factors is important to plan suitable control measures for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The objective of this study was to assess the behavioural, physical and biochemical risk factors for NCDs in Vellore Corporation and Kaniyambadi, a rural block in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 6196 adults aged 30-64 yr, with 3799 participants from rural and 2397 from urban areas.

Prevalence of coronary heart disease in rural and urban Vellore: A repeat cross-sectional survey.

Background: With the increase of cardiovascular risk factors in India, the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is also expected to rise. A cross-sectional study in 2010-2012 assessed the prevalence and risk factors for CHD in urban and rural Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The secondary objectives were to compare the current prevalence with the prevalence of CHD in the same areas in 1991-1994.

Rising trend of cardiovascular risk factors between 1991-1994 and 2010-2012: A repeat cross sectional survey in urban and rural Vellore.

Background: Repeat cross sectional surveys document the trend of prevalence rates for non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. In this study, we compare the prevalence rates for risk factors for cardiovascular disease in urban and rural Vellore between 1991-1994 and 2010-2012.

Methods: Cross sectional survey was carried out in 1991-1994 in a rural block in Vellore district and in Vellore town, to study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among adults aged 30-60 years.

How healthy is our geriatric population? a community-based cross-sectional study.

Introduction: With the rise in aged population there is a greater need to look into their nutritional and physical disability aspects which is otherwise neglected. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition, anemia and physical disability among the community-dwelling aged population.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural block of north Tamil Nadu.

Differential patterns, trends and hotspots of road traffic injuries on different road networks in Vellore district, southern India.

Objective: To describe spatial and temporal profiles of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) on different road networks in Vellore district of southern India.

Methods: Using the information in the police maintained First Information Reports (FIRs), daily time series of RTI counts were created and temporal characteristics were analysed with respect to the vehicle, road types and time of the day for the period January 2005 to May 2007. Daily incidence and trend of RTIs were estimated using a Poisson regression analysis.

Foot care knowledge and practices and the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy among people with diabetes attending a secondary care rural hospital in southern India.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a multifaceted disease and foot ulceration is one of its most common complications. Poor foot care knowledge and practices are important risk factors for foot problems among people with diabetes.

Aims: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding foot care and to estimate the proportion of people with peripheral neuropathy among people with diabetes.

Rheumatic heart disease: progress and challenges in India.

Rheumatic heart disease, a neglected disease, continues to be a burden in India and other developing countries. It is a result of an autoimmune sequalae in response to group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GAS) infection of the pharynx. Acute rheumatic fever (RF), a multisystem inflammatory disease, is followed by rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and has manifestations of joints, skin and central nervous system involvement.

The effect of community based daycare on mental health and quality of life of elderly in rural south India: a community intervention study.

Background: Sustainable cost-effective interventions to improve psychiatric morbidity and quality of life among the elderly have not been systematically evaluated in developing countries.

Method: The most vulnerable elderly living in Pennathur, Vellore district, India, in terms of socioeconomic status and social supports, were invited to participate in a day-care program. Baseline assessments were done using the Mini Mental Status Examination, the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life- Bref.

A community health programme in rural Tamil Nadu, India: the need for gender justice for women.

This article highlights the efforts of the Community Health and Development (CHAD) Programme of Christian Medical College to address the issues of gender discrimination and improve the status of women in the Kaniyambadi Block, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. The many schemes that are specifically for women and general projects for the community from which women can also benefit represent a multi-pronged approach whose aim is the improvement of women's health, education and employment in the context of community development. However, despite five decades of work with a clear bias in favour of women, the improvement in health and the empowerment of women has lagged behind that achieved by men.