{"title":"And Forget We Must Not, Those Who Went Before Us….","authors":"Anjum John","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_78_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_78_25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"239"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Scoping Review on Epidemiological Risk Factors and Treatment Modalities for Snakebites in India.","authors":"Soumyajit Saha, Swati Behera, Srajana U Kotekar, Shafeeq Hameed, Navya Vyas","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_824_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_824_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Snakebite is a major public health concern in India and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Death and significant health repercussions caused by snakebites can be effectively mitigated with easy access to safe and effective antivenoms and enhanced awareness among healthcare professionals and the general public.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review investigates the factors influencing snakebite outcomes and the current treatment options in India.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and grey literature from World Health Organization and Government of India databases, focusing on studies published between 2012 and 2022. Inclusion criteria encompassed cross-sectional, intervention, descriptive, qualitative studies, case reports, and case series published in English, concentrating on snakebite envenoming.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Key findings included a lack of community awareness regarding early identification and management of snakebites, insufficient information on updated treatment protocols among healthcare providers, poor health-seeking behavior of victims, high reliance on untrained folk healers for initial treatment, and inadequate availability of anti-snake venom. These factors significantly impact snakebite-related outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This scoping review provides valuable insights on the formulation of evidence-based policies that focus on reducing the impact of snakebite and improving patient outcomes in India, with the ultimate goal of achieving a 50% reduction in the number of deaths and cases of disability due to snakebite by 2030.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"203-210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a School-based Intervention on the Health Cognition of Adolescents.","authors":"Soyuz John, Dhanasekara Pandian, Aravind Raj Elangovan, Adhin Bhaskar","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_1198_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_1198_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The major modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases are physical inactivity, food habits, alcohol, and smoking. The risk factors typically emerge during adolescence and extend to the later years of life. Even though several structural and proximal elements decide these health-related behaviors (HRBs), the thoughts and feelings attributed to the behavior mediate the interaction between the external environment and behaviors and are amenable to change.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The current study aimed to assess whether the school-based intervention improved health cognition such as knowledge, self-efficacy, intention, and locus of control of HRBs of adolescents.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We used a quasi-experimental research design. One hundred and ninety-six students from four schools in an urban district were recruited into the intervention group (n = 112) and waitlist group (n = 84). The researchers developed questionnaires to assess knowledge, self-efficacy, and intention and used the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale to evaluate the participants' locus of control. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 196, 181 students completed the study. The intervention group had 106 students and waitlisted group had 76 students. Even though both groups showed improvement, Kendall's W analysis showed that the intervention group had a higher quantum of changes in the health cognitions than the waitlisted group over time.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>School-based intervention effectively changed the adolescents' health cognition.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"172-177"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trends in Re-emerging Disease Outbreaks in India: A Comparative Analysis before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Varun Agiwal, Sirshendu Chaudhuri, Somnath Naskar","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_565_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_565_24","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Updated Brahm Govind Prasad's Socioeconomic Classification for the Year 2024.","authors":"Deepti Shettar, Gowthamkarthic Ravichandhiran, Basavaraj Yamakanamardi, Soumya Agadi","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_911_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_911_24","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"234-235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shirin Laturkar, Andrea Neha Dias, Vanshikha Agarwal, Anand Dattatreya Meundi
{"title":"Perceived Factors Affecting Patient Disclosure on Matters Concerning Contraception and Sexual History in Young Adults in Bengaluru, Karnataka.","authors":"Shirin Laturkar, Andrea Neha Dias, Vanshikha Agarwal, Anand Dattatreya Meundi","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_782_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_782_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In India, cultural norms imply that premarital sex rarely occurs. These beliefs contrast sharply with an increase in permissiveness toward premarital sex and the possibility of unprotected, risky sexual behavior. Young adults may hesitate to discuss their sexual history and contraceptive concerns with doctors, resulting in adverse reproductive health outcomes. Understanding the factors affecting a patient's decision to withhold, this history could help improve the state of sexual health among young adults in India.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objectives of this study were to assess attitudes and perceptions regarding the disclosure of information about sex and contraception when seeking health care and to identify perceived factors affecting the disclosure of information about sex and contraception among young adults in Bengaluru when they seek health care.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Following a pilot study, 60 participants were selected from four colleges in Bengaluru (multistage random sampling). A digital questionnaire was administered.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 60 respondents (aged 18-25), 22 (36.7%) were sexually active. Fifteen (25%) respondents did not consider themselves adequately knowledgeable regarding contraceptives. The majority of respondents considered the Internet to be their main source of information regarding contraceptives but considered health-care providers to be the most reliable. Unprofessional physician behavior, the presence of parents/guardians in the room, and the existence of a personal relationship between the physician and the patient's family would likely result in respondents withholding sexual history.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Young adults consider health-care providers reliable sources of contraceptive knowledge, yet rarely utilize them. Physicians must take steps to maintain a favorable environment to encourage young adults to disclose their sexual history.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"166-171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent Trends in Ménière's Disease Management in India: Results from the DIRECTION Cross-sectional Online Survey.","authors":"Prashant Agrawal, Mohinesh Jain, Aakriti Sharma, Vibhuti Jain Rana","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_387_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_387_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ménière's disease (MD) is an inner ear ailment that can be effectively controlled with appropriate treatment and disease management.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The DIRECTION (Differential dIagnosis for compREhension of Causes, Triggers, and Indications Of MéNière's disease) study was designed to highlight the major causes, symptoms, treatments, and disease management of MD from the perspective of clinical physicians and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) across India.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A national, cross-sectional survey was conducted to record the responses of HCPs regarding MD symptoms, patient complaints, diagnosis, and dosing regimen of preferred medication. The survey responses were recorded from consulting physicians with specialties in ear, nose, and throat, chest, and neurology across the northern, southern, eastern, and western regions of India.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to 89% of the HCPs who participated in this nationwide survey, 10%-40% of the patients visited them with dizziness and vertigo as primary symptoms for MD. Nearly 64% of the physicians diagnosed patients based on their symptom history, generally when the disease has progressed to its middle stage. The majority of the clinicians prefer 16 mg betahistine at twice-a-day frequency. Most of the respondents agreed that there was no significant impact of COVID-19 infection on initiation and progression of MD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vertigo and dizziness are the most common symptoms of MD, and the disease is generally detected during its middle stage. Patient counseling and education, being one of the most important aspects in disease management, must be promoted.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"191-196"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Abhaya's Cries Are Unanswered and Keep Echoing Every Day.","authors":"Sanjay Chaturvedi, Rajib Dasgupta","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_109_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_109_25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Siju V Abraham, S Vimal Krishnan, Tijo George, Vimal Koshy Thomas, Sajin P Sunny, Sahla Hassan, Antony Joseph Thekekara, V Harihara Jothi
{"title":"Baseline Knowledge and Change in Confidence after Learning First Aid from Emergency Physicians: A Pre-Post Interventional Study of 2462 High School Junior Red Cross Cadets.","authors":"Siju V Abraham, S Vimal Krishnan, Tijo George, Vimal Koshy Thomas, Sajin P Sunny, Sahla Hassan, Antony Joseph Thekekara, V Harihara Jothi","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_1458_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_1458_22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Public awareness of the importance of first aid (FA) significantly impacts patient care. Even though it is understood that FA awareness and training should be made universal, it is often debated whether FA education should be made compulsory among school students.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to assess the baseline understanding of select FA measures among school students.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 2462 students were given a self-administered questionnaire to assess their baseline knowledge on managing common injuries, followed by a 3-h interactive lecture on FA. Postintervention evaluation was done with the same questionnaire analyzing their change in knowledge and confidence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nearly three-quarters (n = 1798, 73%) of the students had never attended a FA course. Eighty percent knew how to manage a cut injury properly, but only a minority answered correctly when asked about the first step to aid an individual in case of a seizure (n = 233, 9.5%), burns (n = 366, 14.9%), or snakebite (n = 852, 34.6%). The mean knowledge score for the students (n = 2355) improved from 3.91 ± 1.4 to 6.65 ± 1.9 after the course. A statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) in confidence was also noted after the lecture.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>FA training for high school students would not only enhance their confidence and awareness about FA management but may also act as a bridge to improving basic care measures at the community level.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"153-158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Over Two Decades in a Rural Population in Western India.","authors":"Sindhu Nila, Aditi Apte, Yogeshwar Kalkonde, Dhiraj Aggarwal, Sanjay Juvekar","doi":"10.4103/ijph.ijph_488_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_488_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Surveillance and control of cardiometabolic risk factors can be a cost-effective strategy for controlling noncommunicable diseases in resource-limited settings. However, long-term studies on them in rural India are limited.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objective of this study was to assess the changes in the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors between the years 2005 and 2022-2023.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2005 and 2022-2023 in a well-defined population in the Vadu Health and Demographic Surveillance System in the rural Pune district. Trained surveyors used the WHO STEPS tool to measure tobacco use, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, anthropometry, and blood pressure in both studies. Fasting blood glucose was measured only in the recent study. Both studies used random stratified sampling with 10-year age-sex strata for the 25-64-year age group. Data were analyzed using a Chi-square test and age-adjusted, sex-stratified prevalence rates (n = 2073 [2005]; n = 1711 [2022-2023]).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Over 17 years, the age-adjusted prevalence of generalized overweight or obesity has more than doubled (31.6% to 70.1% in men and 22.8% to 60.1% in women). Central obesity prevalence has also more than doubled (20.2% to 54.3% in men and from 21.6% to 45.4% in women). While there has been a decrease in the prevalence of hypertension in both genders (25.9% to 22.1% in men and 22.7% to 17.5% in women), the prevalence of prehypertension has increased (41.6% to 60.1% in men and 32.8% to 43.9% in women).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study suggests the need for primary prevention strategies to control obesity and prehypertension in the study population and similar rural communities in India.</p>","PeriodicalId":13298,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of public health","volume":"69 2","pages":"159-165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144527716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}