The status and socio-demographic predictors of geriatric malnutrition of rural Maharashtra of central India: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The elderly population has a lot to give to society but various issues like malnutrition hinder their activities and affect their quality of life. Objective: The current study was proposed to assess the nutritional status of the elderly in rural Maharashtra of central India. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 460 elderly individuals and was conducted in selected four villages of same district in central India for 5 months (Aug-Dec 2021). Stratified sampling method was used. This study used the MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) questionnaire and haemoglobin level to assess the nutritional status of the elderly. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were carried out using R software. Results: Out of 460 study subjects, 42 (9.13%) were malnourished and 286 (62.17%) were at risk of malnutrition. The study assessed 300 elderly for hemoglobin status and 129 (43%) were found anemic. The elderly who belonged to the age group 71-80 years had lesser odds of having satisfactory nutritional status (OR=0.53) while age group >80 was more prone to anemia (OR= 1.71). The odds of satisfactory nutritional status were higher for elderly who had education less than secondary school (OR=2.02) and for elderly those who had completed high secondary schooling (OR=4.94) and those who belonged to the nuclear family (OR=1.59). The study showed elderly who belonged to Open caste had lesser odds of having anemia (OR=0.68). Conclusion: The study found high prevalence of anaemia (43%) and at-risk malnutrition (62.17%) in the geriatric population. Policymakers should prioritise nutritional interventional policy, and stakeholders should promote the existing nutritional policies of this vulnerable group

¿Cómo pasan las y los jóvenes su tiempo libre? Conclusiones de una investigación formativa en la India central rural, mediante el registro de actividades diarias, proyecto V-CaN

Introduction. The younger population is disproportionately affected by NCDs, which are also rapidly affecting the poorer sections of the Indian population. Adolescents' unhealthy food intake and lack of physical activity are major contributors to the emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objective. To understand the way leisure time is utilized by the individuals of 10-30 years age from the rural central India, in order to find opportunities for promoting recreational activities. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted using Daily Activity Schedule for formative research for V-CaN (Vitalizing Communities against No communicable diseases) project in 12 villages selected using convenience sampling maintaining variability with individuals of age 10-30 years. The activity was conducted separately with boys and girls, and content analysis was performed to analyze dataIntroducción. La población más joven se ve afectada de forma desproporcionada por enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), que también afectan rápidamente a los sectores más pobres de la población india. La ingesta de alimentos poco saludables y la falta de actividad física por parte de los adolescentes contribuyen en gran medida a la aparición deENTs. Objetivo. Comprender la utilización del tiempo libre por individuos de 10-30 años de edad en la India central rural para encontrar oportunidades de promoción de actividades recreativas. Métodos. Se realizóun estudio cualitativo utilizando el Programa de Actividades Diarias para la investigación formativa del proyecto V-CaN en 12 aldeas seleccionadas mediante muestreo de conveniencia manteniendo la variabilidad con individuos de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 30 años. La actividad se llevóa cabo por separado con niños y niñas y se realizóun análisis de contenido

Study protocol for economic evaluation of probiotic intervention for prevention of neonatal sepsis in 0-2-month old low-birth weight infants in India: the ProSPoNS trial

Introduction: The ProSPoNS trial is a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the role of probiotics in prevention of neonatal sepsis. The present protocol describes the data and methodology for the cost utility of the probiotic intervention alongside the controlled trial. Methods and analysis: A societal perspective will be adopted in the economic evaluation. Direct medical and non-medical costs associated with neonatal sepsis and its treatment would be ascertained in both the intervention and the control arm. Intervention costs will be facilitated through primary data collection and programme budgetary records. Treatment cost for neonatal sepsis and associated conditions will be accessed from Indian national costing database estimating healthcare system costs. A cost–utility design will be employed with outcome as incremental cost per disability-adjusted life year averted. Considering a time-horizon of 6 months, trial estimates will be extrapolated to model the cost and consequences among high-risk neonatal population in India. A discount rate of 3% will be used. Impact of uncertainties present in analysis will be addressed through both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Ethics and dissemination: Has been obtained from EC of the six participating sites (MGIMS Wardha, KEM Pune, JIPMER Puducherry, AIPH, Bhubaneswar, LHMC New Delhi, SMC Meerut) as well as from the ERC of LSTM, UK. A peer-reviewed article will be published after completion of the study. Findings will be disseminated to the community of the study sites, with academic bodies and policymakers. Registration: The protocol has been approved by the regulatory authority (Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation; CDSCO) in India (CT-NOC No. CT/NOC/17/2019 dated 1 March 2019). The ProSPoNS trial is registered at the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI). Registered on 16 May 2019. Trial registration number: CTRI/2019/05/019197; Clinical Trial Registry

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan: An Opportunity to participate in a National Program to Implement & Complement Family Adoption Program for Holistic Rural development

Abstract Medical education in India is predominantly based on Theoretical and bedside teaching. A significant reorientation is needed in medical education, to allow students to understand the grass root level social health dynamics. National Medical commission introduced Family Adoption program as a modality to address this issue to be implemented by all medical colleges for all students admitted from academic year 2022 onwards. The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) is a flagship national program of Government of India for holistic rural development by engaging and enabling higher educational institutions to utilize their expertise for accelerating sustainable growth and development of rural India. The Medical Universities/colleges can participate in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and utilize its platform for implementation of statutory Family adoption program.  We developed a Model where in Health sciences Universities /colleges can leverage their expertise in Health care to for benefit of adopted villages and Communities by nurturing for their health based on our experience of implementing both Unnat Bharat Abhiyan & Family adoption Program. We propose variety of measures in which Health sciences Universities/colleges can implement both programs in sync with each other as both complement each other towards common goal of welfare of adopted villages. We believe our model is feasible and can address complementary requirements of Unnat Bharat abhiyan and Family adoption program and benefit all the stakeholders involved. Keywords: Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Family adoption program, Rural Health, Rural Development &nbsp

Social entrepreneurship in medical education: Model to establish SinnoLABs (social innovation labs) for health sciences universities

Social entrepreneurship is a cross-cutting competency. It draws on knowledge from various disciplines and personal experiences. Health, social sciences and humanities are usually technically sound but lack specific business knowledge and skills. Entrepreneurial education makes it possible to establish training environments where students join as 'novices', develop skills and undergo experiences that help them build capable profiles and prepare for their professional careers in today's economy. It is important to note that the development of skills for social entrepreneurship is increasingly demanded in all disciplinary fields. Interest from the academic, business and civil society in social innovation and social entrepreneurship is growing rapidly since social value creation and social innovation are considered vital to the social entrepreneurship phenomenon. The innovation process aims to fill the gap between working life and educational framework so that students can develop innovation capabilities they will need during their careers. Taking cognizance of the importance of social innovation and entrepreneurship, the Government of India formulated a policy for Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2022. Our University established a first of its kind Social Innovation Lab (SinnoLAB) under a Collaborative European Union Project. Our University is one of the collaborating partners and the only health sciences university to set up a SinnoLAB in India. We discuss in this article how a SinnoLaB can be set up, its functions, need for such labs in medical institutes, its role in medical education and its beneficiaries and propose that other health sciences institutes can also take up social innovation and entrepreneurship considering the benefits to all stakeholders

Social support status of the elderly population in selected villages in a central India district

Background: Social support has been considered an important social determinant of health because it assists individuals in reaching their physical and emotional needs. The current study was proposed to assess the social support status of the elderly in rural central India. Material and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in selected four villages in central India on 460 elderly individuals for 5 months (Aug-Dec 2021) with the use of the MSPSS (Multi-dimensional Scale Perceived Social Support) questionnaire. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were carried out using R software. Result: Out of 460, 37 (8.04%) of the elderly were found to have low, 177 (38.47%) were moderate, and 246 (53.48%) were having high social support. The result showed age and education of the elderly were significantly associated with social support. Conclusion: Intergenerational activities, provision and strengthening of social platforms, and the addition social support components with comprehensive geriatric assessment can improve the current status

Morbidity Profile and Health Seeking Behaviour Among Youth - A Cross-Sectional Study from a Slum in Mumbai

Background: Young people hold the key to society's future. Approximately around half of the population in developing and least developed countries is below the age of 25 with around 20 percent in the youth age group of 15 to 24 years. Given such age demographics, it is imperative that if the health needs of young people are not addressed, the global health goals will not be met. Objective: The present study was conducted with an objective to study the prevailing morbidity patterns, its epidemiological determinants and health seeking behaviour for the observed morbidities in the youth population from a slum of Mumbai. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Malvani slum area of Mumbai among 540 youth between 15 to 24 years of age. Results: 321 participants (59.4%) had some or the other illness in the 15 days prior to interview. 128 participants (23.7%) had a single complaint while 193 (35.7%) had more than one complaint. Most common illness found in participants was fever (28.5%). Acute respiratory tract infections were found in 20.4%. 8% of the study participants had history of hospitalization in the last one year. The predictors for morbidity in study participants were religion and gender at P<0.01. Conclusion: Although youth is considered as a comparatively healthier age group 60% had some or other acute morbidity. The youths had risk-taking approach towards health with tendency to delay visiting the doctor or buying over-the-counter drugs