Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is frequently misdiagnosed during pregnancy. There is an abundance of evidence, but little is known regarding the regional prevalence estimates of GDM in India. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide valuable insights into the national and regional prevalence of GDM among pregnant women in India.Methods: We conducted an initial article search on PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ShodhGanga searches to identify quantitative research papers (database inception till 15th June,2022). This review included prevalence studies that estimated the occurrence of GDM across different states in India.Results: Two independent reviewers completed the screening of 2393 articles, resulting in the identification of 110 articles that met the inclusion criteria, which collectively provided 117 prevalence estimates. Using a pooled estimate calculation (with an Inverse square heterogeneity model), the pooled prevalence of GDM in pregnant women was estimated to be 13%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 9 to 16%.. In India, Diabetes in Pregnancy Study of India (DIPSI) was the most common diagnostic criteria used, followed by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) and World Health Organization (WHO) 1999. It was observed that the rural population has slightly less prevalence of GDM at 10.0% [6.0–13.0%, I²₌96%] when compared to the urban population where the prevalence of GDM was 12.0% [9.0–16.0%, I² = 99%].Conclusions: This review emphasizes the lack of consensus in screening and diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), leading to varied prevalence rates across Indian states. It thoroughly examines the controversies regarding GDM screening by analyzing population characteristics, geographic variations, diagnostic criteria agreement, screening timing, fasting vs. non-fasting approaches, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, offering valuable recommendations for policy makers. By fostering the implementation of state-wise screening programs, it can contribute to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes and promoting healthier pregnancies across the country.

Dengue continues to remain a public health problem in many regions of the world. This study focuses on addressing the community level barriers and opportunities using a health education intervention model to aid in dengue control. In-depth interviews of frontline workers were conducted to understand potential barriers during surveillance. A house-to-house cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2018 among the crowded urban Pratapnagar area followed by intervention in the form of health education using pamphlets and counselling. The entomological indices were found to be above the critical levels in the hotspot area. 90% of the population had heard about dengue but only 51.4% had knowledge about fever as one of the symptoms of dengue. Overall knowledge among the community was good. But attitudes and practices were low and probably required more sustained health education intervention over prolonged period. The potential barriers for surveillance which were recognised during In-depth interviews were safety issues, lack of manpower and availability of dedicated vehicles, dearth of community participation and lack of inter and intra departmental coordination. The health administration needs to adopt robust surveillance and monitoring activities with inter-departmental coordination ensuring greater community participation focusing on behaviour change.

Background: Obesity in children has become a public health concern worldwide with a significant rise in recent years. Aim & Objective: This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of overweight and obesity in adolescents studying in school and to determine the risk factors for obesity as well as overweight in this population. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional research was carried out among adolescent children of age group 12-15 years from Jodhpur's rural and urban schools. Methods and Material: The present study included 1864 school children. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and the researchers measured weight and height with the help of calibrated tools. Index for Body Mass (BMI) and Z-scores were calculated, and the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized gender-specific growth chart was used to classify children as being overweight and obese. Statistical analysis used: The statistical evaluation was conducted utilising SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square analyses were applied to analyse the relationship of independent variables with overweight/obesity status. Variables showing statistical significance at a 5% level were further analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: It was discovered that the rate of overweight and obesity among Jodhpur schoolchildren was 23.2%, with 22.9% classified as overweight and 0.3% as obese. The analysis revealed that children attending urban and public schools exhibited higher rates of obesity and overweight compared to those in rural and private schools. Conclusions: The study highlights a considerable burden of overweight among children enrolled in schools of Jodhpur, warranting the implementation of sustainable intervention aimed at encouraging physical exercise and a balanced diet.

Background: Assessing health technology is a vital tool for determining whether interventions should be continued or stopped. Delivering efficient medical services in remote tribal, hilly regions demands careful planning to maximize limited resources. To identify the effectiveness of telemedicine centres, we conducted an economic evaluation of telemedicine services in term of avoidance of patient transportation costs. Methods: A qualitative telemedicine evaluation was conducted through in-depth interviews with patients and hospital authorities, as well as focused group discussions with medical officers and paramedical staff. By analyzing direct and indirect costs, including setup, operations, and patient-related expenses, as well as patient satisfaction levels, the study provides insights into the sustainability of telemedicine in resource-constrained settings. Main Outcome Measures: Cost-effectiveness of telemedicine services, Reduction in patient transportation expenses, financial sustainability of telemedicine centres, and Patient satisfaction and healthcare accessibility. Results: The analysis reveals that telemedicine can significantly reduce patient transportation costs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, particularly for underserved populations in tribal and hilly regions. The study also highlights substantial operating costs driven by staff salaries and emphasizes the importance of efficient budget planning and resource allocation. Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential of telemedicine to promote health equity by reducing disparities and improving health outcomes. To fully understand the impact of telemedicine services, a comprehensive economic evaluation considering patient outcomes, quality of care, and long-term cost savings is recommended.