Examining inter-generational differentials in maternal health care service utilization: insights from the Indian Demographic and Health Survey.

This study examines the association between age cohort and utilization of maternal health care services in India, before and after adjusting for individual, household and contextual factors. Using data from the Demographic and Health Survey 2005-06, women were classified into three distinct age cohorts based on their age at childbirth: 15-24, 25-34 and 35-49 years. Binary logistic regression models were applied to assess the influence of women's age cohort on receiving full antenatal care (ANC) and skilled birth attendance (SBA).

Are female sex workers able to negotiate condom use with male clients? The case of mobile FSWs in four high HIV prevalence states of India.

Introduction: Condom promotion among female sex workers (FSWs) is a key intervention in India's National AIDS Control Program. However, there is limited understanding of how FSWs negotiate condom use with male clients, particularly in the context of their mobility for sex work. The objective of this study is to examine the factors associated with the mobile FSWs' ability to refuse unsafe sex and successfully negotiate condom use with unwilling male clients.

Factors associated with maternal healthcare services utilization in nine high focus states in India: a multilevel analysis based on 14 385 communities in 292 districts.

Background: Studies have often ignored examining the role of community- and district-level factors in the utilization of maternity healthcare services, particularly in Indian contexts. The Social Determinants of Health framework emphasizes the role of governance and government policies, the measures for which are rarely incorporated in single-level individual analysis. This study examines factors associated with maternal healthcare utilization in nine high focus states in India, which shares more than half of the total maternal deaths in the country; accounting for individual-, household-, community- and district-level characteristics.

Characteristics of childhood tuberculosis patients registered under RNTCP in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) reflects on-going transmission. Data on childhood TB from TB registers under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program of 2008 and 2009 in Varanasi district was analyzed. Proportion of childhood TB was 8.

Mass media exposure to tobacco messages among secondary school children in Mumbai.

The objectives of this study were to explore differences in exposure to media messages (pro- and antitobacco messages, marketing and promotions) between students consuming tobacco, areca nut, nonconsumers, and those intending to quit and to examine differences between municipal and private school students. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey was completed by secondary school students (N = 534) from municipal and private schools in Mumbai. Overall, the number of students who reported ever use of tobacco was quite low (5.

Risk reduction and perceived collective efficacy and community support among female sex workers in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, India: the importance of context.

Background: Empowering sex workers to mobilise and influence the structural context that obstructs risk reduction efforts is now seen an essential component of successful HIV prevention programmes. However, success depends on local programme environments and history.

Methods: The authors analysed data from the Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment Round I cross-sectional survey among female sex workers in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The role of basic laboratory services in strengthening primary health centres.

Several proposals have been initiated under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to strengthen public health services in the country. Primary health centres (PHCs) are the basic structure for implementing primary healthcare, and basic laboratory services are essential not only for strengthening PHCs but also for their sustainability. In order to accomplish these, possibilities within NRHM are discussed.

A systematic review of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in India: current understanding and future needs.

HIV/AIDS-related stigma is recognised as a major barrier to HIV prevention efforts and an impediment to mitigating its impact on individuals and communities. This paper reviews the existing research literature on AIDS stigma in India with the objective of documenting the current status of research, highlighting major findings and identifying key gaps remaining. Thirty publications were identified through a careful search of which a majority focused on stigma assessment and very few on stigma measurement, conceptual aspects of stigma or stigma reduction interventions.

Mental health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in India: a literature review.

We describe the global conditions associated with the AIDS pandemic and its socioeconomic and psychological impacts. A systematic review was performed to investigate the literature on the mental health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in India. The focus is on the prevalence, nature, and sociocultural factors of the epidemic in India.

Cost-effectiveness of Childbirth Strategies for Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV Among Mothers Receiving Nevirapine in India.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is an important mode of spread of HIV in India. With strategies like caesarian section and nevirapine therapy, this spread has been reduced. However, they have costs attached.

Emerging patterns of reported morbidity and hospitalisation in West Bengal, India.

This paper presents evidence on the levels, patterns and determinants of morbidity prevalence and hospitalisation in the state of West Bengal in India using data from the 60th round (2004) of the National Sample Survey Organisation on 'morbidity and health care'. The reported morbidity and hospitalisation rates were considerably higher in urban than in rural populations. Age indicated substantial effects on morbidity and hospitalisation in both rural and urban areas, with females reporting higher morbidity than males in urban areas.

Developing clinical indicators for the secondary health system in India.

Quality Problem Or Issue: One of the prime goals of any health system is to deliver good and competent quality of healthcare. Through World Bank-assisted Maharashtra Health Systems Development Project, Government of Maharashtra in India developed and implemented clinical indicators to improve quality.

Initial Assessment: During this, clinical areas eligible for monitoring quality of care and roles of health staff working at various levels were identified.

Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of people living with HIV: challenges for health care providers.

A trained health service workforce is critical to ensuring good quality service delivery to people with HIV. There is only limited documented information on the challenges and constraints facing health care providers in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of HIV positive women and men. This paper reviews information on providers' attitudes, motivation and level of preparedness in addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of people living with HIV in the context of the human resources crisis and emerging treatment and prevention strategies.