Background: The study aims to estimate the prevalence of Intimate partner violence (IPV) in India, and changes observed over a decade as per the nationally representative datasets from National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) Round 3 and 4. We also highlight various socio-demographic characteristics associated with different types of IPV in India. The NFHS round 3 and 4 interviewed 124,385, and 699,686 women respondents aged 15–49 years using a multi-stage sampling method across 29 states and 2 union territories in India. For IPV, we only included ever-married women (64,607, and 62,716) from the two rounds. Primary outcomes of the study was prevalence of the ever-experience of different types of IPV: physical, emotional, and sexual violence by ever-married women aged 15 to 49 years. The secondary outcome included predictors of different forms of IPV, and changes in the prevalence of different types of IPV compared to the previous round of the NFHS survey.Results: As per NFHS-4, weighted prevalence of physical, sexual, emotional, or any kind of IPV ever-experienced by women were 29.2%, 6.7%, 13.2%, and 32.8%. These subtypes of IPV depicted a relative change of − 14.9%, − 30.2%, − 11.0%, − 15.7% compared to round 3. Significant state-wise variations were observed in the prevalence. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis highlighted women's and partner’s education, socio-economic status, women empowerment, urban-rural residence, partner’s controlling behaviours as major significant predictors of IPV.Conclusions: Our study findings suggest high prevalence of IPV with state-wise variations in the prevalence. Similar factors were responsible for different forms of IPV. Therefore, based on existing evidences, it is recommended to offer adequate screening and counselling services for the couples, especially in health-care settings so that they speak up against IPV, and are offered timely help to prevent long-term physical and mental health consequences.

Background: International Obesity Task Force proposed lower body mass index (BMI) cut-off values for defining overweight and obesity in Asian population. However, there is an absence of unanimity regarding the definition of overweight and obesity that is confusing while estimating disease burden, resource allocation, and priority setting. Therefore, the primary aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its predictors as per different criteria (WHO criteria, Modified Asian criteria of BMI classification and BF% estimation by bioelectric impedance analysis technique). The secondary aim was to assess the concordance of overweight and obesity as diagnosed using these three methods. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of Rohtak, north India over a period of 1 year with a sample size of 1080. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, blood pressure, body fat % analysis were recorded using standard protocols. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were observed to be 49.62% (N = 536) as per the modified criteria for the Asian Indians (BMI ≥23 kg/m²) and 34.62% (N = 374) according to WHO criteria (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). A total of 18.3% of the study population were hypertensive. Modified criteria of BMI classification for Asian Indians had high sensitivity (67%) as compared to WHO criteria (55%) in predicting, diagnosing hypertension, and resembled sensitivity estimate obtained through direct body fat percentage estimation (69%). Conclusion: Modified criteria of overweight and obesity classification are better in terms of reducing comorbid dysmetabolic conditions, as exemplified by hypertension.

Clinical, epidemiological, and molecular studies have sufficiently highlighted the vitality of vitamin D [25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)₂D] in human health and wellbeing. Globally, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) has become a public health concern among all age groups. There is a very high prevalence of VDD per the estimates from several epidemiological studies on different ethnic populations. But, population-specific scales do not support these estimates to define VDD clinically and consistent genetic associations. However, clinical studies have shown the relevance of serum vitamin D screening and oral supplementation in improving health conditions, pointing toward a more prominent role of vitamin D in health and wellness. Routinely, the serum concentration of vitamin D is measured to determine the deficiency and is correlated with physiological conditions and clinical symptoms. Recent research points toward a more inclusive role of vitamin D in different disease pathologies and is not just limited to otherwise bone health and overall growth. VDD contributes to the natural history of systemic ailments, including cardiovascular and systemic immune diseases. Considering its significant impact on premature morbidity and mortality, there is a compelling need to comprehensively review and document the direct and indirect implications of VDD in immune system deregulation, systemic inflammatory conditions, and cardio-metabolism. The recommendations from this review call for furthering our research concerning vitamin D and its direct and indirect implications.

Background: There is scant literature from India assessing the burden of mental disorders among elderly patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) among the elderly population with diabetes and/or hypertension and risk factors for psychiatric morbidity. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September-December 2017 by using a semi-structured questionnaire amongst an elderly population (n=320), who were attending an NCD clinic in a rural district in the northern state of Punjab, India. The Geriatric Depression Scale (30-item) and GAD-7 scale were used to assess depression and GAD. Result: Depression was found in 58.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.6-63.4%) of the study participants; of whom, 34.1% had severe depression. The proportion of GAD was found to be 38.7% (95% CI 33.6-44.2%), with 19.7% scoring in the severe range. Both GAD and depression was found in 37.8% (95% CI 32.7-43.2%). Female gender, nuclear family, being single/separated/divorced/widowed, low-income status and comorbid NCDs (especially hypertension) were found to be risk factors associated with depression and GAD. Conclusion: NCDs with co-morbid mental illness are a growing public health problem amongst the elderly population of the country. The NCD programme should make immediate efforts to provide mental-health care as part of a holistic care package to elderly with NCDs.