Indian Journal of Community Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Noma: A Neglected Tropical Disease of Public Health Importance.","authors":"Ratnesh Sinha, Dewesh Kumar","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_6_26","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_6_26","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 4","pages":"756-757"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13537769/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decomposing Oral Cancer Screening Inequalities Across Wealth Index among Indian Women Aged 30-49 Years: Findings From National Family Health Survey-5.","authors":"Pritam Halder, Anamika Soni, Priya Gupta, Janavi","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_544_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_544_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early detection of oral cancer is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality, yet uptake of screening among women remains low. Socio-economic disparities in screening can hinder equitable health outcomes. This study aimed to quantify inequalities in oral cancer screening among women and identify key contributors using decomposition analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed nationally representative survey data of women aged 30-49 years. Self-reported oral cancer screening was the outcome of interest. Socio-economic inequality was measured using the concentration index, and decomposition analysis was performed to assess the relative contribution of demographic, socio-economic, behavioral, and healthcare access factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Screening uptake was low and disproportionately concentrated among socio-economically advantaged women (Concentration Index: 0.006, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.005-0.007). Decomposition analysis revealed that education, household wealth, place of residence, and access to health information were the main contributors to observed inequalities, whereas age and marital status had smaller effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant socio-economic inequalities exist in oral cancer screening among women. Policies should focus on equity-oriented strategies, including targeted outreach to disadvantaged groups, integration of screening into primary and women-centric healthcare services, and strengthened health education. Reducing these disparities is essential for improving early detection and ensuring equitable oral cancer prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 4","pages":"701-709"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13537806/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Balancing Theoretical Knowledge and Clinical Competence: Digital Distractions and Exam-centric Medical Education in India.","authors":"Akhil R Nair","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_336_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_336_25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 4","pages":"760"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13537782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screen Time and its Correlates among College-going Young Adults in a Rural Community of Southern Andhra Pradesh.","authors":"G Varshini, B A Praveen Kumar, Devi Vara Prasad, Durgadasimi Deepa","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_963_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_963_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Globalization and urbanization have brought about remarkable changes in society's lifestyle. Faster economic growth and developments in recent times, especially in India, have ensured greater accessibility to electronic screen devices (ESDs). Hence, the study intended to estimate the average screen time and its correlates among young adults in a rural community.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 700 young adults aged 18-25 years from a rural community in Andhra Pradesh, South India, over 2 months. A structured, validated, and pretested \"Screen Time Questionnaire\" was used to collect data on socio-demographic details and screen time activity. The data were entered into MS Excel 2019 and further analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Inferential statistics were performed using Chi-square and regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 36.9% of 700 young adults had high screen time. The mean age of participants was 20.3 ± 1.3 years; 55.6% were male; 34.7% were working; 18.3% were overweight; and 32.7% reported disturbed sleep. Furthermore, 16.7% had never participated in any outdoor activity, and the majority (58.1%) used spectacles. Participants who reported both parents working, sleep disturbances, regular junk food consumption, and a lack of outdoor activities were more likely to engage in high screen use (<i>P</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Screen time was high among young adults, and regular junk food consumption, lack of outdoor activity, and parental employment status were independently associated with higher screen use. These findings contribute to the limited evidence on screen-time correlates among young adults in rural India and highlight the clustering of screen use with other lifestyle-related behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 4","pages":"674-679"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13537803/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148882259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and its Association with Lipid Profile Among the Rural Population of Chamarajanagara District-A Hospital-Based Study.","authors":"B V Sumanth, K J Thoyaj, N Shashank","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_622_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_622_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) patients are at an increased risk of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease complications. The association between SCH and dyslipidemia is still controversial.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To study the prevalence of SCH in Chamarajanagara district and to find its association with lipid profile.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at Chamarajanagara Institute of Medical Sciences hospital, Chamarajanagar. Age group of more than 18 years and less than 75 years were included in the study. All patients serum samples were processed for thyroid function tests and lipid profile.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 496 rural subjects were enrolled. Among them, six had T4/T3 values above the normal levels and were excluded. Out of 490 subjects, 16.3% had thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values more than 5 μIU/ml and were considered as the SCH group. The remaining 410 subjects, grouped as the euthyroid group (EUT). Median values of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were increased and statistically significant in the SCH group compared with EUT group. There was no difference between the groups with respect to high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. Dyslipidemia was common in the SCH group compared to the EUT group (<i>P</i> = 0.0308). In the SCH group, TG levels were elevated in 68.7% vs 29.7% in the EUT group (<i>P</i> < 0.0001) and TC levels were increased in 26.2% of subjects in the SCH group compared to 13.6% in the EUT group (<i>P</i> = 0.0046).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SCH is an important endocrinological health problem in India. Dyslipidemia is more common in the SCH group and the consequences can be detrimental, leading to complications. Therefore, routine serum TSH estimation to detect SCH in clinical practice as a screening test is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S549-S554"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13502977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological Trends and Patterns of Scrub Typhus in India: A Retrospective Analysis Based on Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Data (2009-2018).","authors":"Smiti Narain, Singh Bhavna, Dewesh Kumar, Ankita Mukul","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_754_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_754_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scrub typhus, a vector-borne febrile illness caused by <i>Orientia tsutsugamushi</i>, has shown significant global resurgence, affecting an estimated one billion people at risk and causing up to one million cases annually. In India, it is a major cause of acute undifferentiated fever but remains under-recognized and a clear research gap regarding long-term national trends, and the heterogeneity of case fatality across states exists. This study aimed to quantify the national burden, geographical distribution, temporal trends, and mortality associated with scrub typhus using Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) data, identifying surveillance and reporting gaps.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective, trend-based analysis was conducted using data from the IDSP portal covering 2009-2018. Data were extracted into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Epitools (version 2023.2). The Chi-square test for linear trend assessed temporal changes in the case fatality rate (CFR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1,141 cases and 39 deaths were reported across 16 states/UTs, yielding an overall CFR of 3.4%. A significant decline in CFR was observed over the decade (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Northeast India, particularly Mizoram (503 cases) and Meghalaya (136 cases), contributed the highest caseloads. High fatality rates in low-case states (e.g. Gujarat CFR 100%; Rajasthan CFR 74.1%) likely reflect reporting bias or data quality issues.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Scrub typhus shows a nationwide spread with seasonal peaks from October to January. Strengthened surveillance, early diagnosis, and public awareness are essential to reduce mortality and ensure standardized data reporting.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S498-S503"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13502987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Burden and Determinants of Fall and its Related Injuries in the Elderly Population of Uttarakhand, India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Sumant Kumar, Meenakshi Khapre, Anjali Mukkunnoth, Anubhuti Joshi","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_434_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_434_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fall among the elderly is a rising concern, notably in low- and middle-income countries. Uttarakhand's rugged terrain and limited healthcare pose challenges for elderly fall injuries. This study examines prevalence, risk factors, and health-seeking behaviors after falls in Uttarakhand's elderly.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 elderly participants aged 60 and above in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed to identify the prevalence of falls, socio-demographic risk factors, and health-seeking behaviors post-fall using Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the participants, 43.6% experienced a fall, mostly at home, in the past year, with 78% suffering injuries. Key risk factors included male gender, living in hilly areas, vision issues, irregular intake of chronic medications, poor health perception, lower cognitive scores, and walking or balance problems. Adjusted analysis showed that male gender and walking issues were linked to higher fall odds. Half sought medical help; the main barrier was a lack of perceived need.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study revealed a high prevalence of falls (43.6%) among the elderly, with a significant proportion (78.1%) suffering from injuries. Identified risk factors (male and walking problem) underscore the need for targeted fallprevention strategies focusing on early identification and management of mobility impairments among the elderly. Financial constraints and geographical barriers further complicate health-seeking behaviors, emphasizing the importance of accessible healthcare services for this vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S473-S479"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13502978/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Community-based Cross-sectional Study of a Tiered Mental Health Support Model for Frontline Workers in Andhra Pradesh during the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Sathiyanarayanan Sathiyamoorthi, Vijaya C R Aluva, Rajeev Aravindakshan, Navya K Naidu, M Shashidhara, Rashmitha Priyadarsini","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_140_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_140_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological stress among frontline workers. To address this, our institute, in collaboration with UNICEF, established a Psycho-Social Counselling (PSC) system in Andhra Pradesh to provide timely mental health support and promote well-being. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychological stress among frontline workers during COVID-19 pandemic using a structured mental health screening model and to conduct capacity-building programmes for prevention of psychosocial problems among healthcare workers. A community-based cross-sectional study using a locally adapted and validated Mental Health Screening Questionnaire (MHSQ) was conducted among frontline workers. Participants scoring ≥6 underwent detailed evaluation. Counselling helpline services and statewide mental health awareness sessions were conducted to support coping strategies among frontline workers. Among 8,219 participants, 1,468 (17.86%) had high-risk MHSQ scores (≥6). Of these, 673 (45.8%) underwent detailed evaluation; 455 (5.53%) received counselling and 218 (2.65%) required psychiatric management. Anxiety (45%) and insomnia (42%) were most common, followed by depression (12%) and substance use disorders (2%). Approximately 4,500 healthcare workers also received offline training. The PSC model demonstrated the feasibility of a structured, multi-tier approach for early identification and timely psychosocial support during public health emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S573-S578"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13502982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Addressing Urban Water Safety: Preventive Strategies and Governance Reforms for Indian Municipalities.","authors":"Suraj Kapoor, Saroj Kumar Patnaik","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_11_26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_11_26","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S581-S582"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13506105/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148819885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Comprehensive Training Package of National Health Programs on Knowledge and Skills of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in Haryana, India.","authors":"Harleen Arora, Sonu Goel, Ravita Yadav, Vijay Laxmi Sharma, Vikas Sharma","doi":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_419_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_419_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), a key cadre within India's National Health Programs (NHPs). However, gaps in training, particularly in practical application, limit their effectiveness. This study evaluates the impact of a comprehensive training package on the knowledge and skills of ANMs in Haryana, India.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A quasi-experimental pre-post design with no control group was conducted among 250 ANMs across 149 subcenters in Ambala and Panchkula districts, Haryana. A universal sampling method was used. Data collection included a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) checklist to assess knowledge and skills. A training intervention consisting of a modular training package and video demonstrations was implemented. Data analysis involved paired <i>t</i>-tests and multivariate regression to evaluate changes in knowledge and skill scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline data revealed significant knowledge gaps, particularly in mental health and tobacco control. Following the training, knowledge scores improved by 46% and skill scores by 37% (<i>P</i> < 0.0001). Notable skill improvements were observed in areas, such as pregnancy detection, blood pressure measurement, newborn resuscitation, and ORS preparation at home, with most ANMs shifting from the poor/average categories to the good category (>70% score). The greatest overall gains were seen in the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) and Reproductive Maternal and Child Health (RMNCH + A). Factors positively influencing knowledge scores included working alongside a second ANM and receiving the training intervention (<i>P</i> < 0.05). However, a decline was noted in certain skills, such as tetanus toxoid (TT) administration, highlighting the need for targeted refresher training.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A structured, job-oriented training package significantly enhances ANMs' competencies. Integrating practical, hands-on training with existing theoretical models is essential for improving public health outcomes. Policymakers should prioritize periodic refresher training and comprehensive capacity-building strategies to optimize the impact of trainings on ANMs.</p>","PeriodicalId":45040,"journal":{"name":"Indian Journal of Community Medicine","volume":"51 Suppl 3","pages":"S489-S497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13502972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}