To study the occurrence of risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis in the homeless population in areas of Delhi, India.

Background: In India, there are only a few studies done in the area of assessing the risk factors of Tuberculosis (TB) among the homeless population. The homeless population has quite a higher chance of developing Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) as compared with the general population due to the presence of an inappropriate environment and high prevalence of risk factors.

Methods: This study was done among the homeless population in both males and females aged 18 years and above in areas of Delhi (Yamuna Pusta and Mansarovar Park).

Patterns and Predictors of Abortion Care-Seeking Practices in India: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey (2019-2021).

Background India continues to have unsafe abortions despite progressive legislation since the past five decades facilitating ease of access to abortion services. This study describes abortion care-seeking patterns (social/therapeutic/humanitarian/sex-selective/safe/unsafe), preferences (public/private/at home), and their determinants among Indian women. Methods Data were taken from the Indian National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-2021) including women aged 15-49 years, who had terminated their last pregnancy by induced abortion within five years prior to the survey (N = 5,856).

COVID-19 Booster Dose Coverage and Hesitancy among Older Adults in an Urban Slum and Resettlement Colony in Delhi, India.

Background: The high prevalence of vaccine booster hesitancy, with the concomitant waning of humoral vaccine or hybrid immunity, and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern can accentuate COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. The study objective was to ascertain the COVID-19 vaccination coverage, including the administration of precaution (booster) dose vaccination, among the older population in an urban slum and resettlement colony population in Delhi, India.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an urban resettlement colony, slum, and village cluster in the Northeast district of Delhi among residents aged ≥50 years.

Critical Analysis of Economic Evaluation of the Childhood Rotavirus Vaccination in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To identify, critically appraise, and summarize the use of different methods and results of economic evaluations to assess the efficiency of rotavirus vaccination programs in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in 3 bibliographic databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct (Elsevier) journal website, using key search terms. The study selection process was based on predefined inclusion criteria.

Lung Function and Respiratory Morbidity Among Informal Workers Exposed to Cement Dust: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Cement dust is a significant source of occupational exposure affecting lung function and respiratory health. A higher burden of respiratory morbidity is known among factory workers involved in cement production. Globally or from India, there are no estimates of this burden from informal workers exposed to cement dust.

Interventions to promote medication adherence for chronic diseases in India: a systematic review.

Introduction: Cost-effective interventions that improve medication adherence are urgently needed to address the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in India. However, in low- and middle-income countries like India, there is a lack of analysis evaluating the effectiveness of adherence improving strategies. We conducted the first systematic review evaluating interventions aimed at improving medication adherence for chronic diseases in India.

A study of beliefs towards mental illness among teachers in Sikar city, Rajasthan.

Background: Understanding the significance of adolescents' mental health, school-based mental health interventions are being implemented with the help of teachers globally.

Aim: Owing to the dearth of literature concerning the beliefs, and stigma among the teachers, the present study was conducted with an aim to study the mental health beliefs among teachers.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among randomly selected teachers teaching in government and private schools of Sikar city of Rajasthan.

Parents' expectation of antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory infections in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Despite most childhood infections being self-limiting, children are among the leading consumers of antibiotics. Little is known about parental expectations of antibiotics for childhood infections. A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the nature and extent of parental expectations of antibiotic prescriptions for children with respiratory infections.

Prevalence and Determinants of Low Birth Weight in India: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey (2019-21).

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important public health indicator extensively linked to infant and child mortality, especially in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, 15.5% of all infants are born with LBW while 95% of these occur in LMICs.

Media Reporting Relating to COVID-19 Vaccination as a Driver of Vaccine Hesitancy Prior to the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in India: A Content Analysis of Newspaper and Digital Media Reports.

Background Over 2,40,000 deaths were attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.

Infection control and preventing the transmission of tuberculosis in high-risk centres - recovery shelter for homeless people.

The term "infection control" refers to the policies and practices used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to limit the spread of illnesses with the primary goal of lowering infection rates. The objective is to reduce the chance of infection in patients and Healthcare workers (HCWs). This may be achieved by making all the HCWs to follow and practice the infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and by providing safe and quality healthcare.

The prevalence and predictors of depression and disability in older adults and elderly patients with Diabetes in India: Cross-sectional analysis from the Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Aim: Depression is associated with multiple comorbidities, such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM), especially in the geriatric population. Elderly patients having depression-DM comorbidity are more likely to experience disabilities in daily activities (IADL/ADL). The study objective was to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression in elderly patients with DM in India and also report the prevalence of IADL/ADL (Activities of daily living/Instrumental activities of daily living) disabilities in depressed and non-depressed subgroups of patients with DM.

Evaluation of Dakshata, a scale-up WHO SCC and mentoring-based program, for improving quality of intrapartum care in public sector in Rajasthan, India: repeated mixed-methods surveys.

Background: The Dakshata program in India aims to improve resources, providers' competence, and accountability in labour wards of public sector secondary care hospitals. Dakshata is based on the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist coupled with continuous mentoring. In Rajasthan state, an external technical partner trained, mentored and periodically assessed performance; identified local problems, supported solutions and assisted the state in monitoring implementation.

Hypertension Control Cascade and Regional Performance in India: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis (2015-2021).

Background The weak control cascade of hypertension from the time of screening till the attainment of optimal blood pressure (BP) control is a public health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings. The study objectives were to (1) estimate the change in the rate of prevalence of hypertension, the yield of newly diagnosed cases, initiation of treatment, and attainment of BP control in the age group 15 to 49 years; (2) ascertain the magnitude and predictors of undiagnosed hypertension, lack of initiation of treatment, and poor control of those on antihypertensive therapy; and (3) estimate the regional variation and state-level performance of the hypertension control cascade in India. Methodology We analyzed demographic and health surveillance (DHS) data from India's National Family Health Survey Fifth Series (NFHS-5), 2019-2021, and NFHS-4 (2015-2016).

Effect of WHO-SCC based intra-department mentoring program on quality of intrapartum care in public sector secondary hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, India: Pre-post mixed methods evaluation.

Quality of intrapartum care is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes; several models for improving performance are tested, globally. Dakshata is one such WHO SCC-based national program-improving resources, providers' competence, and accountability-in public sector secondary care hospitals of India. Andhra Pradesh state devised strategy of mentoring by the handpicked member from within the obstetric team, supported by external technical partner.

Determinants of Treatment Adherence and Health Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension in a Low-Income Urban Agglomerate in Delhi, India: A Qualitative Study.

Background Diabetes and hypertension (HTN) are increasing threats to global public health. Despite evidence of effective management of diabetes and HTN by medications that help in the prevention and reducing mortality of the disease, a large proportion of people either remain undiagnosed or untreated, especially in low-resource countries. This study was conducted to explore the patient treatment pathway and their health-seeking behavior in a low-income urban area.

Relationship between serum lipids and depression: A cross sectional survey among adults in Haryana, India.

Introduction: Dyslipidemia and mental illnesses are significant contributors to the global noncommunicable disease burden and studies suggest an association between them.

Aim: Using data from a noncommunicable disease risk factor survey conducted in Haryana, India, we undertook a secondary data analysis to examine the association between lipids and depressive symptoms.

Methods: The survey involved 5,078 participants and followed the World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance approach.

Achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals by 2030: investment estimates to increase production of health professionals in India.

Background: COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of having a sufficient, well-distributed and competent health workforce. In addition to improving health outcomes, increased investment in health has the potential to generate employment, increase labour productivity and foster economic growth. We estimate the required investment for increasing the production of the health workforce in India for achieving the UHC/SDGs.

Utilization of Nutritional Supplementation Services and Their Predictors in Pregnant and Lactating Women Living in an Urban Resettlement Colony of Delhi, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Maternal undernutrition during pregnancy and lactating has adverse health consequences for the mother and her child. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme by the Government of India provides supplementary nutrition services to all pregnant and lactating women but its utilization is suboptimal due to inefficient distribution through the health system and beneficiary concerns regarding its usefulness. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the utilization of nutrition-related ICDS services by pregnant and lactating women in urban poor settlements of Delhi and the sociodemographic factors associated with non-utilization.

Antibiotic Prescription Audits Among Pediatric Outpatients With Acute Ailments in a Secondary Care Hospital During the COVID-19 Omicron Wave in Northern India.

Background Antibiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), are pharmaceuticals used to treat bacterial infections. There is growing recognition that inappropriate antibiotic prescription in children is linked to increasing rates of severe adverse drug events and higher medical expenditures. There are a few prescriptions audit studies from smaller cities in Northern India, especially those conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic when the unregulated private sector accounted for 90% of antibiotic sales and 75% of healthcare requirements.

Out-of-pocket expenditure on childhood infections and its financial burden on Indian households: Evidence from nationally representative household survey (2017-18).

The key objective of this research was to estimate out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) incurred by the Indian households for the treatment of childhood infections. We estimated OOPE estimates on outpatient care and hospitalization by disease conditions and type of health facilities. In addition, we also estimated OOPE as a share of households' total consumption expenditure (TCE) by MPCE quintile groups to assess the quantum of the financial burden on the households.

The effectiveness of facility-based management of children with Severe acute malnutrition and their determinants in Jharkhand, India: A retrospective study.

Background: Children with Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) experience a high risk of disease and developmental delays contributing to large scale morbidity and mortality particularly in the developing world with existing progress inadequate to attain the Sustainable Development Goal for improved nutrition, and the cessation of all forms of undernourishment by 2030.The study objective was to assess the functioning and effectiveness of facility-based management of children with SAM in terms of their recovery (anthropometric indicators), adherence to discharge, and follow-up guidelines.

Methods: This secondary data analysis obtained data from the physical patient registers of two malnutrition treatment centres (MTCs) located in the Jamtara district of Jharkhand.

The need for a holistic approach toward pandemic control: lessons from a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 in Meghalaya, India.

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey of 416 participants from Meghalaya, India to assess knowledge, perceptions, and practices toward recommended COVID-19 preventive measures, and to explore health-seeking behavior and stigma during early phase of the pandemic. Most participants had knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (94%) and its spread (96%), and reported positive behavior change such as handwashing ≥ 6 times/day (41% pre-COVID-19 vs. 81% during COVID-19, P < 0.