ESIC Medical College, Alwar, known in full as Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College, Alwar, is a co-educational medical college located in Alwar, Rajasthan, India. It was established (partially active) with 50 beds in operation.
Existing evidence suggests a lower uptake of cervical cancer screening among Indian women. Coverage is lower in rural than urban women, but such disparities are less explored. So, the present study was conducted to explore the self-reported coverage of cervical cancer screening in urban and rural areas stratified by socio-demographic characteristics, determine the spatial patterns and identify any regional variations, ascertain the factors contributing to urban-rural disparities and those influencing the likelihood of screening among women aged 30–49 years factors residing in urban, rural, and overall Indian settings. We did a secondary analysis of the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey in India (2019-21) data with a sample size of 3,48,882 women. The coverage of cervical cancer screening was estimated using sampling weights. Urban-rural differences were compared using the chi-square test. Spatial patterns were analysed using aggregated district-level data, and the contribution of different independent variables to the urban-rural disparities was estimated using multivariate decomposition analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted using STATA 17 to obtain the significant factors of reported screening in urban and rural areas. The nationwide coverage of cervical cancer screening was 2.0
Oncoplastic breast surgery (OPBS) has advanced with local perforator flaps (LPFs), improving cosmetic outcomes in breast-conserving surgery (BCS). However, LPFs remain underutilized in low-resource settings. We evaluated the feasibility, adoption and outcomes of LPFs in a resource-limited setting. A retrospective study of 28 patients undergoing OPBS with LPF reconstruction was conducted at a single low-resource center. Flap selection was based on defect size, tumor location, and patient anatomy. Demographic and perioperative data, including operative time, complications, and adoption trends, were analyzed. All 28 procedures were completed without secondary reconstruction. Mean operative time was 115 ± 20 min, reducing by 13.5
BACKGROUND:Hypertension is a significant public health concern globally and in India, contributing substantially to the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Early detection through appropriate screening practices is critical to mitigating its long-term impact. However, there is limited evidence on age-specific screening practices for hypertension in the Indian population. This study aims to assess hypertension screening practices across different age groups and identify associated socio-demographic, behavioral, and physiological factors to inform effective public health strategies. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), which included 1,01,839 men and 7,24,115 women aged 15 years and above. Hypertension was defined based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze associations between hypertension and various socio-demographic and behavioral factors. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis determined the optimal age for initiating hypertension screening. RESULTS:The prevalence of hypertension increased linearly with age, with a significant rise observed in the 35-39 years age group. Factors significantly associated with hypertension included marital status, religion, education, wealth index, alcohol consumption, and waist-hip ratio. ROC analysis identified 35 years as the optimal age for initiating routine hypertension screening in both men and women. Screening in this age group showed balanced sensitivity and specificity for early detection of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS:This study highlights the need to revise hypertension screening policies in India, recommending initiation at 35 years to improve early detection and management. Addressing socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants through targeted interventions is critical to achieving national hypertension control goals.
India's demographic dividend offers a critical opportunity to drive sustained economic growth over the next three decades, driven by increasing its share in global trade. Up until 1700, India had a thriving industrial manufacturing economy, producing about 25 % of the world's industrial output, making it the most important manufacturing centre in international trade. Based on recent trends, we argue that the service sector presents considerable growth potential. Within the service sector, despite a small share currently, the healthcare and wellness demonstrate particular promise. Leveraging India's vast pool of trained professionals and its established expertise in traditional systems of medicine, notably AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), suitable governmental initiatives are needed based on a strategy and a road map to incentivize exporters, get international recognition of Indian certifications, particularly by developed nations. This is essential for the growth of the export of wellness services from India, but can also help reduce the burgeoning healthcare costs, inequity and address the needs of ageing populations in developed countries.
BACKGROUND:Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, causing 1.3 million deaths in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the TB burden, leading to an 11% rise in TB mortality in India from 2019 to 2020. The World Health Organization aims to reduce TB deaths by 90% by 2030 and 95% by 2035. Early identification and management of severely ill TB patients are crucial for achieving these targets. This study aimed to identify adult TB patients at high risk of severe illness (HRSI) using a programmatic screening tool, assess referral linkages, and evaluate care outcomes within the first 7 days post-diagnosis in Bengaluru, India. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months (August 2022 to July 2023) across five Tuberculosis Units in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike district. Data were collected from National Tuberculosis Elimination Program records and patient interviews, including 263 adult drug-sensitive TB patients diagnosed at public health facilities. Patients were screened for HRSI within 7 days of diagnosis using a tool assessing body mass index (BMI), respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. Descriptive statistics summarized patient characteristics and outcomes, and associations were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS:Of the 263 TB patients screened, 20.9% were identified as being at HRSI. Among these high-risk patients, 73.3% accessed inpatient care, with 51% seeking treatment at district hospitals and 20% at private hospitals. Inpatient mortality among high-risk patients was 19.4%, while no deaths were reported among those managed as outpatients. Key severity indicators included BMI ≤14 kg/m2 (12%), respiratory rate >24 breaths/min (3%), oxygen saturation <94% (7%), and inability to stand without support (8%). High-risk status was more prevalent among patients over 65 years of age, males, those with microbiologically confirmed or smear-positive pulmonary TB, HIV-reactive status, and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION:Early identification and referral of TB patients at HRSI are essential to reduce mortality. The study highlights the effectiveness of a simple screening tool in routine programmatic settings and underscores the need for targeted interventions and improved healthcare access for high-risk TB patients in India.
