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Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024Evidence on the association of chronic illnesses with depression among adolescents in the Indian community setting is limited. A simple random sample of 583 adolescents,...
Evidence on the association of chronic illnesses with depression among adolescents in the Indian community setting is limited. A simple random sample of 583 adolescents, comprising 56.6% of boys and 43.4% of girls, were interviewed on home visits. Self-reports on chronic illnesses were elicited, followed by administration of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) questionnaire to screen for depression, and for confirmation of diagnosis by age-appropriate Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI Kid), or MINI. The prevalence of chronic illnesses was 8.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.3-11.0). Of these participants, 42.8% screened positive for depression. The prevalence of depression was 10.2% (95% CI: 3.4-22.2) among adolescents with chronic illness. The prevalence of physical-mental multimorbidity was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.3-2.0). The presence of chronic illness was associated with depression identified using both PHQ-9 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =3.1 [95% CI: 1.7-5.8], P < 0.001) and MINI Kid/MINI (AOR = 3.2 [95% CI: 1.1-9.4], P = 0.037). Adolescents with chronic illnesses can be targeted for mental morbidity screening in a bid to improve functional outcomes.
Topics: Humans; India; Male; Adolescent; Female; Chronic Disease; Depression; Prevalence; Rural Population; Child
PubMed: 38953819
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_327_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024Learning disabilities (LDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental deficits that negatively affect the acquisition, organization, retention, comprehension, or application of...
Learning disabilities (LDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental deficits that negatively affect the acquisition, organization, retention, comprehension, or application of age appropriate knowledge. Persons with LD lead a subsidized quality of life, especially in academic/vocational and psychosocial domains. A certificate issued by the medical boards at a state or district level is required to avail benefits such as scribes or relaxations. This may be done through a series of assessments by psychologists, special educators, or other health-care professionals. The authors aim to understand if uniformity exists in the assessment methods used for the diagnosis of LD globally and to prepare a gap analysis for the same. A systematic review was performed on English literature articles published from January 2005 to August 2023. Full-text studies reporting assessment and diagnostic methods of LD were included. A total of 1246 records were identified through a manual search of an electronic database. Seven duplicates were removed and 1174 studies were excluded based on the relevance by screening titles, abstracts, and full texts. Sixty-five studies were included and analyzed. The authors found a lack of uniformity in this diagnostic protocol, leading to uncertainty in disability certification, doctor shopping, and additional stress for the patients, as well as added burden on the government. Identification of LD requires a multistep assessment process with culturally relevant tools and norms and the participation of a multidisciplinary team of experts.
Topics: Humans; Learning Disabilities; Global Health
PubMed: 38953817
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1274_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024With increasing importance being given to preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis Awareness and Acceptability among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Persons in India: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
With increasing importance being given to preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons (TG), we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of PrEP awareness and acceptability among these key populations in India, and their sociodemographic and behavioral determinants. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023390508). Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on PrEP awareness or acceptability among MSM or TG in India. MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to February 29, 2024, using keywords and database-specific terms. Relevant websites were also searched. Critical appraisal was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was done for common outcomes reported by the studies. Reporting was as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 statement. Ten studies providing cross-sectional data, mostly from South West India, were included for qualitative synthesis. All were conducted in settings where PrEP was not available. The pooled prevalence among MSM and TG was 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7%, 28.7%) for awareness and 79.8% (95% CI 57.4%, 100.0%) for willingness to use daily oral PrEP. This review highlights the felt need for PrEP among MSM and TG in India. Further research is needed to understand user attitudes in different parts of the country.
Topics: Humans; Male; India; HIV Infections; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Transgender Persons; Homosexuality, Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Patient Acceptance of Health Care
PubMed: 38953814
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1027_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024India has run a nationwide vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which has recently introduced a precaution (third) dose for health workers. This study assessed the...
INTRODUCTION
India has run a nationwide vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which has recently introduced a precaution (third) dose for health workers. This study assessed the perception and attitude of health workers toward the Indian vaccination campaign against COVID-19, with an emphasis on this major change.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A printed questionnaire was distributed among health-care workers at the Medical College of West Bengal. The completed forms were analyzed.
RESULTS
Most of the participants were doctors (83.7%). Although all had received two doses of vaccine before, 44.4% were unwilling to be vaccinated with the third dose in the present scenario. The majority (63.8%) of the patients were concerned about side effects. The emergence of new COVID strains (65.6%) was viewed as a threat to the effectiveness of the vaccines. Participants with higher age, comorbidities, and those with the perception that the third dose was being introduced appropriately and would be effective against newer strains of the vaccine tended to be more willing to get vaccinated with the precaution dose compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSION
A dilemma regarding the acceptance of precaution doses was noted among health workers. This warrants the availability of more comprehensive information to increase acceptance of these vaccines.
Topics: Humans; India; COVID-19 Vaccines; Male; COVID-19; Female; Adult; Health Personnel; SARS-CoV-2; Attitude of Health Personnel; Middle Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination; Young Adult; Vaccination Hesitancy
PubMed: 38953812
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_544_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024Air pollution is a significant issue for a developing country like India and the air quality index (AQI) forecasting helps to predict air quality levels in advance and...
BACKGROUND
Air pollution is a significant issue for a developing country like India and the air quality index (AQI) forecasting helps to predict air quality levels in advance and allows individuals to take precautionary measures to protect their health.
OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to forecast the AQI for an industrial area (SIDCUL, Haridwar City) using a time series regression model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three years of existing AQI data points (post-COVID-19) were collected from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board for the SIDCUL area of Haridwar City and tried to know the status of AQI values for the following 12 months. Trend and seasonality components were seen through the decomposition process. Further, the augmented Dickey-Fuller test was applied to check the stationarity of the series before finalizing the best-suited time series model for forecasting the AQI values.
RESULTS
With the help of autocorrelation function (ACF)/partial ACF plots, a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) (0,1,0) (1,0,0)[12] model was selected with the minimum akaike information criterion (253.143) and mean absolute percentage error (17.42%). The AQI values have also been forecasted for this industrial area (SIDCUL) for the following year.
CONCLUSION
The seasonal ARIMA (0,1,0) (1,0,0)[12] model may be helpful to forecast the AQI values for a nonstationary time series dataset. Research indicates that the air of the SIDCUL area will become moderately polluted and may cause breathing discomfort to asthma patients' health. The scientists might apply this model to other polluted regions of the country so that the public and the government can take preventive measures in advance.
Topics: India; Humans; Air Pollution; Risk Assessment; Public Health; COVID-19; Forecasting; Seasons; Air Pollutants; Industry; SARS-CoV-2; Cities
PubMed: 38953809
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_279_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024Socioeconomic disparity changed healthcare seeking and management cascade of hypertension due to inequity in hypertension care cascade pathway.
Socioeconomic and Geographical Inequities in Burden and Treatment seeking Behavior for Hypertension among Women in the Reproductive Age (15-45 years) Group in India: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey.
BACKGROUND
Socioeconomic disparity changed healthcare seeking and management cascade of hypertension due to inequity in hypertension care cascade pathway.
OBJECTIVES
The inequities in burden and treatment-seeking behavior of hypertension among reproductive age group women were studied from National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) data.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed the data from NFHS-4 of women of reproductive age group between 15 and 49 years among the selected households contributing to 699,686 women. Socioeconomic inequities were assessed by expenditure quintile. Inequities in burden and treatment-seeking behavior were reported using the concentration curve and concentration index.
RESULTS
The prevalence of hypertension in India was 15% (95% confidence interval: 14.9%-15.4%). One-third (32%) of the hypertensive population received treatment and only 28% of the women had controlled blood pressure. Wealth and education-based inequalities were more in high wealth index. The inequity in screening and awareness was in the northern and northeastern regions.
CONCLUSION
There was inequity in the overall hypertension care cascade pathway with more inequity in the northern and northeastern region.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension; Female; India; Adolescent; Adult; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Healthcare Disparities; Health Surveys; Prevalence
PubMed: 38953807
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_84_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024India is at a critical stage to eliminate filariasis. Uncovering the factors governing may help taking appropriate measures to achieve the goal.
BACKGROUND
India is at a critical stage to eliminate filariasis. Uncovering the factors governing may help taking appropriate measures to achieve the goal.
OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the acceptance of "mass drug administration" (MDA) for prophylaxis against filariasis and the factors facilitating and interfering with it.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tribal endemic area of India from May 2022 to October 2022. A validated 29-item self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Items were grouped under "knowledge," "social processes," "think and feel," "practical factors," and "motivation/hesitancy" domains.
RESULTS
Of 101 participants, majority were aware of the disease (92.1%), its vector (74.3%), at least one disability caused (87.2%), and governmental scheme of MDA (69.3%). Two-thirds never received and 85.1% did not receive MDA within 1 year. 68.3% refused of distribution of MDA to their doorstep. Majority were concerned for getting MDA for self and their family/friends; however, 49.5% showed inability to take independent decision. More than 30% disagreed to get MDA had it been available. The region with the highest concerns for adverse drug effects showed minimum MDA consumption than others (P < 0.05). MDA acceptance/consumption was significantly associated with knowledge about disability caused, distribution of drugs by a health-care representative to doorstep, behavior of the representative, and concerns about potential adverse drug effects.
CONCLUSION
MDA coverage was inadequate in the study population. Level of knowledge, practical difficulties in getting drugs, inapt thinking/concerns, motivation, awareness about disabilities caused, door-to-door drug distribution, and behavior of health-care representative(s), were identified as factors significantly affecting acceptance of MDA.
Topics: Humans; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Cross-Sectional Studies; India; Female; Male; Adult; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Mass Drug Administration; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Middle Aged; Filaricides; Young Adult; Endemic Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent
PubMed: 38953805
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_312_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024In tuberculosis (TB) care and management, there are practical challenges existing at the patient-provider level leading to implementation barriers at the primary care...
BACKGROUND
In tuberculosis (TB) care and management, there are practical challenges existing at the patient-provider level leading to implementation barriers at the primary care level.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study is to explore the challenges and barriers faced by people with TB and health-care workers in TB care and management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was done as a part of a community intervention study between November 2021 and December 2022. Twenty interviews were taken with treatment for TB (n = 7) and health-care personnel (n = 13). Health-care personnel include nursing staff, medical officers, laboratory technicians, community health workers, and medical personnel from tertiary care hospital. Participants were recruited across all levels of health-care systems. Interviews were carried out in the Hindi language, audio recorded, and translated to English. Participants were asked about their experiences of challenges and barriers faced during TB care and management. Qualitative data were coded, and thematic analysis was done manually.
RESULTS
The challenges and barriers at the level of people with TB were issues with communication between providers and people with TB, out-of-pocket expenditure, poor adherence to medicines, lack of proper diet, gender issues, and stigma. The challenges and barriers at the level of health-care providers were a lack of infrastructure and logistics, lack of awareness, COVID-19-related issues, lack of workforce, and technical issues.
CONCLUSION
Communication between providers and people with TB must be improved to improve the drug adherence and satisfaction of the end user. Proper funding must be provided for the TB programs. People with TB must be counseled properly regarding the free health care services available near their homes to prevent out-of-pocket expenditure. These will help in fast-tracking the elimination of TB.
Topics: Humans; Qualitative Research; Male; Female; Tuberculosis; Health Personnel; India; Adult; Health Services Accessibility; Social Stigma; Interviews as Topic; COVID-19; Health Expenditures; Medication Adherence
PubMed: 38953801
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1151_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024Several sporadic cases and outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been reported from different states of India.
BACKGROUND
Several sporadic cases and outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been reported from different states of India.
OBJECTIVES
This paper explored the possibility of any ongoing transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Bhopal region of Central India, where the last outbreak of this disease was reported in 2018.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We screened a group of 75 febrile patients who had already tested negative for the locally endemic causes of fever like dengue, chikungunya, enteric fever, malaria, and scrub typhus and two groups of asymptomatic healthy individuals represented by blood donors (n = 75) and antenatal mothers (n = 75). We tested blood samples of febrile patients for ZIKV RNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and for the healthy individuals, we determined anti-zika immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS
ZIKV RNA was not detected in any of the 75 samples tested by real-time PCR assay. Among the voluntary blood donors and antenatal mothers, a total of 10 (15.38%) and 5 (6.66%) individuals were found to be seropositive for anti-ZIKV IgG antibodies, respectively. The seropositive group was found to have higher age 33.06 (±10.83) years as compared to seronegative individuals 26.60 (±5.12) years (P = 0.037).
CONCLUSION
This study, which is the first survey of seroprevalence of anti-Zika antibodies from India, reports an overall seropositivity rate of 10% for anti-Zika antibodies among the healthy population, suggesting an ongoing, low level, silent transmission of ZIKV in the local community.
Topics: Humans; India; Zika Virus Infection; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Adult; Female; Pilot Projects; Male; Zika Virus; Immunoglobulin G; Young Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Middle Aged; RNA, Viral; Adolescent; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38953800
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1098_23 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Apr 2024High proportion of multibacillary (MB) among newly diagnosed leprosy cases poses a public health challenge.
BACKGROUND
High proportion of multibacillary (MB) among newly diagnosed leprosy cases poses a public health challenge.
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to find out the factors associated with the high burden of MB leprosy in West Bengal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This case-control study was conducted from August 2020 to December 2022 in three high-endemic districts (annual new case detection rate ≥10/lakh) of West Bengal.
OBJECTIVES
MB cases registered under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme were considered as case and paucibacillary (PB) cases were considered as control. Weighted sample sizes for cases and controls in each of the three districts were selected using simple random sampling from the list of registered leprosy patients. Requisite data were collected through structured interview with a validated questionnaire in Bengali. R, version 4.1.1 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, 2021, Vienna, Austria) was used for data analysis. A binary logistic regression model was prepared with the type of leprosy as a dependent variable.
RESULTS
Three hundred and ninety-eight individuals, 204 MB and 194 PB, participated in this study with 1.97% nonresponse rate. Gender, marital status, and diagnostic delay (adjusted odds ratio = 2.75 [1.66,4.65]) were associated with developing MB. Not perceiving the symptoms seriously (90, 56% [PB], 97, 51% [MB]), lack of knowledge about the disease and its complications (47, 29% [PB], 53, 28% [MB]), delayed referral by the private practitioners (11, 7% [PB], 22, 12% [MB]) were the major reasons of delay.
CONCLUSION
This study identified a vulnerable group - married and migrated males. Changing from annual screening to quarterly screening along with capacity building and awareness generation of the targeted population is the need of the hour for eradicating the disease.
Topics: Humans; Case-Control Studies; India; Male; Female; Leprosy, Multibacillary; Adult; Prevalence; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Delayed Diagnosis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Child; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 38953799
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1004_23