Global Journal of Medicine & Public Health

Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Ring Enhancing Lesions of Brain

2026-01-25T18:13:52+00:00

ABSTRACT

Background

Ring-enhancing lesions (RELs) in the brain represent a diagnostic challenge due to their diverse etiologies,

ranging from infections to neoplastic conditions. MRI offers superior imaging features to distinguish among

these conditions.

Purpose

To evaluate the spectrum of ring-enhancing brain lesions and assess the role of MRI in differentiating these

pathologies.

Methods

A retrospective study of 160 patients with RELs on contrast MRI was conducted from May 2022 to July 2025. MRI

findings were analyzed with respect to lesion morphology, signal characteristics, and diffusion restriction.

Results

Infective lesions such as tuberculoma (40%) and neurocysticercosis (33%) were most common, followed by

abscesses (10%), metastases (13%), and primary tumors (4%). Diffusion restriction was a key differentiator, with

all abscesses showing restricted diffusion.

Conclusion

MRI, with its multiparametric capabilities, plays a pivotal role in the non-invasive differentiation of RELs and aids

in formulating appropriate management strategies. Advances in MRI techniques—such as diffusion tensor

imaging, perfusion imaging, MR spectroscopy, and functional MRI—hold promise for improving diagnostic

accuracy and reducing the need for invasive procedures. Incorporating artificial intelligence and radiomics may

further enhance lesion characterization and enable more precise, non-invasive differentiation of pathologies in

the future.

Community based study on cultural practices on rest, diet and hygiene among mothers after delivery in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, India

2026-01-25T18:38:14+00:00

Background

The traditions and cultural practices on lack of proper and adequate nutrition in right and inadequate proportions,

maternity care and risk of infections due to unhygienic personal care practices plays an important determining

factor for high morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, there could be good and safe cultural practices in

maternity care.The objective of this study was to explore the cultural practices on rest, diet and hygiene among

mothers after delivery in rural areas of Ramanagara district Karnataka.

Methods

The community based, cross sectional, descriptive and exploratory study was done in selected villages among

mothers who has baby of less than two years irrespective of their childbirth order. Direct interviewing of subjects at

their door steps for necessary and relevant information collected using the pre-tested, semi open-ended

questionnaire. Data was analysed in SPSS software version 23.

Results

Nearly 60% of the mothers completed their first childbirth and 61.6% of the babies were aged less than 12 months.

Nearly 50% of subjects took rest for less than 30 days and 25% took rest for more than 180 days. 52.8% started

attending work between 31 to 180 days post childbirth. Strict vegetarian diet was the nutritional habit among 46%.

Nearly 20% of total subjects did not avoid any food item. The prevalence of use of disposable type of sanitary

pads only and both reusable types were 13.8% and 1.6% respectively. The use of sanitary pads has no relationship

to their educational or occupational status.

Conclusion

The cultural practices during postpartum period on rest, diet and hygiene were beneficial to the health of the

mothers in the community. The village level health workers play a good role in continuation of healthy, beneficial

cultural practices by good motivation to the family members immediately after delivery.

Behaviour for covid-19 prevention – A cross sectional study among youths of Haryana, India

2026-01-25T18:44:40+00:00

Background

Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19) is a big threat globally. Youths empowered with knowledge are our present

and future shield from COVID-19 infections. The objective of our study is to assess the knowledge, perception and

practices of youths towards COVID-19 prevention. This will inform communication strategies for the future.

Methods

A questionnaire-based online study was conducted on 531 graduate students .Participation was voluntary, and

consent obtained. Data was presented with descriptive statistics. Correlation and regression were applied to draw

statistical inferences. The reliability of the various constructs in the questionnaire were assessed using the

Cronbach alpha coefficient with a value above 0.8 found.

Results

The majority(43%) of respondents were aged between 19 and 22 years. 54% were female, and 46% males. 72% of

respondents gained health information from digital sources. The majority (>71 %), were well aware of signs and

symptoms ,modes of transmission and strategies for prevention of COVID-19. 96% agreed masks were a key

preventive measure . Social distancing and hand washing were practiced by only 52%. 35% did not agree that

vaccination prevented COVID-19. The correlation coefficient between knowledge regarding Covid behaviour and

perception is higher (r = 0.73) than that between Covid behaviour and practice. Regression analysis (r=0.64)

predicted positive perception and determined the desired preventive action.

Conclusion

Most participants exhibited good knowledge, a positive perception and practiced prevention based on information

gained through digital media especially social media. The carelessness in the practice of precaution towards COVID-

19 by some youths highlights the need for youth focused communication by national authorities. The health

messages should address the prevalent misconceptions, so that misconceived behaviours are avoided.

Exploring Public Health Requirements and Service Provision for Community Geriatrics: A Mixed Method Approach Aimed at Advancing Universal Health Care

2026-01-25T18:54:20+00:00

Background

Introduction

Ageing of population, an inescapable and irreversible demographic reality is associated with felt need for added,

enhanced and quality support mechanisms in place for wellbeing and medical care of elderly especially among the

resource poor population. There is rapid rise in the ascending trends of population size, distribution and associated

facility demands, with the increase in quality of life, life expectancy and declining fertility rates. The study aimed to

assess the community health needs of geriatric population for achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Methods

This questionnaire-based study using Participatory Action Research based, in-depth interviews supported by

quantitative data collection through snow ball sampling technique was conducted in a tertiary healthcare center.

This study was conducted during September 2020 to February 2021 among 90 study participants. The study

participants were program managers, supervisors, implementers and beneficiaries. Those consenting to participate

in the study were included herein.

Results

The observed phenomenon of highest prioritization for health resource capacity (90%), access to care (90%) and

leadership policy and governance (75%) as responded by program managers is presented as factual percentages.

However, these are challenged by the felt grim scenario reported by beneficiaries, who indicated public health

(92.5%), leadership policy and governance (85%), and IEC and access to care (72.5% each) as areas of concern.

Conclusions: The comprehensive concerted and result oriented inputs for Universal Health Care are needed to be

addressed in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations

Maternal Knowledge of Neonatal Danger Signs: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Hospital, Moradabad, India

2026-01-26T05:40:52+00:00

Background

The first 28 days of life, the neonatal period, is the most vulnerable time for a child’s survival. Globally, 2.3 million

children died in the first month of life in 2023 – approximately 6,300 neonatal deaths every day. According to a UN

IGME report, India's neonatal mortality rate (NMR) declined from 28 per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 17 per 1,000 live

births in 2023. Neonatal mortality occurs mainly due to preventable causes infections, asphyxia, prematurity,

hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and jaundice. Informed mothers can identify warning signs of illness in their newborns,

such as difficulty breathing, high fever, or symptoms of jaundice, and then promptly seek professional medical care.

This study assessed maternal awareness of neonatal danger signs

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2024 among 378 mothers attending

antenatal and postnatal services at a tertiary care hospital in Moradabad, India. Participants were selected using

convenient sampling. Eligible participants included mothers with infants aged 18-45 years, who provided informed

consent; mothers who were critically ill or unwilling to participate were excluded. Data were collected using a pre

tested, structured questionnaire that covered sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, occupation,

parity, residence, etc.) and knowledge of neonatal danger signs, based on the World Health Organization (WHO)

classification. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Teerthanker Mahaveer

Medical College, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were entered and analyzed using

software, e.g., SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics presented as frequencies and percentages, and

associations between maternal knowledge and sociodemographic factors assessed using a chi-square test, with a

p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results

The majority of participants were married, belonging to the age group of 26–33 years. And were homemakers. Most

were from rural areas. 73.28% of mothers had high knowledge scores (>4), 14.81% reported high confidence in

recognizing danger signs. Commonly recognized signs included fever (95.76%), breathing difficulty (90.74%),

whereas convulsions (21.42%) and lethargy (49.2%) were less known. Significant associations were between higher

knowledge scores and older maternal age (p=0.00), higher parity (p=0.00), receipt of postnatal care (p=0.01), and

full newborn immunization (p=0.00). Multivariate analysis showed that higher parity (AOR = 2.834, 95% CI: 1.494–

5.373), receiving postnatal care (AOR = 2.041, 95% CI: 1.209–3.445), and full immunization of the newborn (AOR =

1.693, 95% CI: 1.012–2.832) were significantly associated with better maternal knowledge.

Conclusion

Although the majority of mothers demonstrated good knowledge of neonatal danger signs, gaps remained in

specific areas such as recognition of convulsions and lethargy. Moreover, maternal exposure to structured health

education was limited. Strengthening postnatal counseling and enhancing communication during routine maternal

and child health visits may significantly improve maternal recognition of neonatal danger signs. Targeted

interventions of this kind have the potential to promote timely care-seeking, thereby contributing to reductions in

neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Perils of self-managed medical abortion: an observational study in aspirational district Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

2026-01-26T05:48:00+00:00

Background

Despite legislation governing medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), many women self-administer MTP pills

without medical supervision. This study aims to investigate the maternal morbidity and mortality associated with

the use of self-managed abortion pills and the various factors contributing to their misuse.

Methodology

We conducted a prospective, hospital-based observational study at Amar Shaheed Jodha Singh Attaiya Thakur

Dariyaon Singh Medical College, Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. Eligible women were consecutively enrolled during

routine clinical care between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. Two hundred thirty-nine pregnant women who reported

to the outpatient department (OPD) or the emergency room with a history of taking the MTP pill (mifepristone–

misoprostol combination) without a valid medical prescription, whether procured by themselves or by another

person over the counter, were included in the study.

Results

Of 239 participants, most (76.15%) were aged 20–30 years. Over half (55.23%) were from rural areas, and 53.97%

belonged to the middle class. The majority (64.02%) had two or more children, and 61.51% had vaginal deliveries.

At the time of taking the MTP pill, 64.01% were under 12 weeks pregnant. Nearly one-third (31.80%) sought hospital

care more than 30 days after taking the pill. Severe anemia occurred in 21 participants, while 3 required ICU care, 3

developed sepsis, and 1 underwent laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy or perforation. No maternal deaths were

reported. Only 40.59% assessed their eligibility for medical abortion, and awareness of possible complications was

low (12.97%).

Conclusion

Using MTP pills without medical supervision can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening complications. It is

imperative to restrict easy and unrestricted access to these medications, necessitating the implementation of

stringent regulations targeting both individuals seeking the pills and those providing them.

Sample Size Estimation for EORTC QLQ-C30 Summary Score as Primary Endpoint

2026-01-26T05:53:17+00:00

Background

This paper discusses the importance of sample size in research, highlighting the ICH Guidance's requirement for

clinical studies to clearly explain their sample size, particularly when using the EORTC QLQ-C30 Summary Score as

the primary outcome measure. The idea behind this paper is to give the sample size when the outcome is Global

Health Status and Out-of-Pocket Expenditure.

Method

The sample size calculation is based on a simulation technique using SAS software, assuming equal allocation

between groups to yield a significant result with sufficient power.

Results

Sample sizes obtained using a simulation-based method require 25 patients per group to account for a minimum

clinically significant difference of 14 units between the two groups, with 88% statistical power at a 5% level of

significance.

Conclusion

The simulation-based technique, combined with validated software, can be helpful when the effect size and

variability of the QoL score are not precisely known, particularly when the effect size is not sufficiently specified to

determine the sample size accurately. Compared to conventional techniques, simulation-based sample size

estimation increases confidence in reaching statistical power, particularly for complicated endpoints like the

EORTC QLQ-C30 summary score.

A study to estimate the frequency of functional disability and associated factors among elderly individuals in a rural field practice area of Bangalore Medical College and Research Center- a cross sectional study

2026-01-26T12:33:22+00:00

Background

Global increase in elderly population reveals that health of the elderly directly indicates health of a population. With

functional disability being an important indicator of disease burden in elderly age group, its estimation and

evaluation could pave way for appropriate interventions for betterment of their health contributing to healthy

ageing. Hence this study was conducted to estimate the frequency of functional disability and associated factors

among elderly individuals in a rural field practice area of Bangalore Medical College and Research Center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross sectional study was conducted among elderly residents in a rural area of Bangalore. Based on a study done

in a rural area of Haryana, (P=37.4%), the sample size was calculated as 200. Samples were selected by Simple

Random Sampling method and data collected using Epicollect tool. Sociodemographic factors was assessed using

a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and Barthel’s Index for activities of daily living.

RESULTS

A total of 200 elderly individuals participated in the study, in the age group of 60- 90 years which included

103(51.5%) females and 97(48.5%) males. Frequency of functional disability among elderly individuals of the study

area was found to be 43 (21.5%). Advancing age, female gender, widowhood, illiteracy, unemployment, economic

dependence, chronic diseases, and addictive habits were significant risk factors for functional disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional disability is prevalent in a significant proportion of elderly individuals in rural area. Hence, it should be

identified and addressed through community-based interventions including comprehensive geriatric health

assessment and social support promoting activities

Histopathological study of endometrium in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)

2026-01-26T12:41:18+00:00

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is the most common health issue seen in women of all age groups. AUB

significantly affects the quality of life of women and results in anemia. Endometrial sampling could be

effectively used as the first diagnostic step in AUB

Objective: The present study was done to determine the histopathological spectrum of endometrium in

women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Material and and methods

This was a hospital-based prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology from

June 2023 to October 2024 with approval from the Institute Ethics Committee.

Results

Most of the cases were in the age group of 41 to 50 years, comprising 58.13%. The mean age was 43.6 years.

About 1.88% cases were malignant while 11.87% cases being precursor premalignant lesions which need to

be followed up as they might progress to malignancy. Malignant lesions were seen in the 51-60 years and 41-

50 years age group. Premalignant lesions were majorly seen in the perimenopausal (41-50years) age group.

Most common histopathological diagnosis was proliferative endometrium 40.63% and which was most

commonly seen in the age group of 41-50 years. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that, majority of

the patients presenting with AUB were of the perimenopausal age group. Precursor lesion that is endometrial

hyperplasia was also seen in a significant population which should be followed up regularly as these lesions

may progress to malignancy. Endometrial carcinomas were found mostly affecting the women of

perimenopausal and postmenopausal age group.

A Framework for Field Implementation for Tuberculosis Screening in India: Lessons from the 100 Days TB Campaign in Jharkhand, India

2026-01-26T12:54:39+00:00

general health system, expanding symptom profiles, and applying a structured vulnerability mapping exercise to

reach individuals at higher risk. However, the implementation across districts greatly differs, with consequences of

variable quality in screenings, fragmentary diagnostic pathways, and delays in monitoring systems. These then

reduce sensitivity at each step of the screening cascade, with implications for campaign cost-effectiveness.

Experiences from the 2024-25 implementation in tribal districts of Jharkhand highlight operational challenges; yet,

simultaneously offer a number of practical lessons on how TB screening could be strengthened without

overwhelming frontline workers or the health system. This paper outlines an implementation framework that

standardises vulnerability and symptom assessment, strengthens the use of X-ray and NAAT as first-line diagnostic

tools, and transitions to real-time, individual-level monitoring systems. It is expected that the screening yield will

increase, diagnostic efficiency will improve, and intensive campaigns will eventually translate into meaningful case

detection in vulnerable populations

Village Transformation and Emerging Health Challenges: A Comprehensive Review of Rural Urbanization and Its Public Health Impact in India

2026-01-26T13:04:53+00:00

Background

Rural urbanization—the transformation of rural areas into urban-like settlements—is accelerating in India due to

demographic shifts, government initiatives (e.g., PMAY-G, Rurban Mission), infrastructural development, and

remittance-driven investments. This systematic review explores how rural urbanization influences public health,

focusing on emerging health impacts and determinants. Two distinct models of urbanized rural areas (URAs)

were identified: proximity-based and remittance-driven. While these areas experience improved housing,

sanitation, and healthcare access compared to traditional rural areas, they also face a dual burden of disease—

rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) alongside persistent communicable diseases—due to inadequate

infrastructure planning, environmental degradation, and lifestyle transitions. Health determinants were

analyzed using the WHO social determinants framework, revealing significant differences from traditional rural

areas across physical, economic, behavioral, and environmental dimensions. A fishbone analysis was used to

illustrate interconnected causes of health issues, including air and water pollution, dietary shifts, poor ventilation,

and socioeconomic disparities. The review concludes that rural urbanization requires differentiated health

planning, including the upgradation of PHCs, NCD screening programs, environmental monitoring, and targeted

health education. Addressing these needs with context-specific strategies is vital to ensuring equitable and

sustainable public health in transitioning rural landscapes.

COVID-19 as the New Normal: Evolution, Endemicity, and Public Health Strategies

2026-01-26T13:07:51+00:00

As COVID-19 transitions from a pandemic to an endemic disease, public health efforts must increasingly focus on

sustainable surveillance systems, adaptive prevention strategies, and long-term health system preparedness to

mitigate ongoing population-level impact. The emergence of new Omicron subvariants such as LF.7 and NB.1.8 in

Southeast Asia—often an early indicator of global SARS-CoV-2 transmission trends—highlights the virus’s

continued evolution and its capacity for periodic surges. Waning population immunity and the limited effectiveness

of current vaccines in preventing transmission have altered the epidemiological profile of COVID-19. As a result, its

transmission dynamics now resemble those of other seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory

syncytial virus (RSV).This communication outlines the public health implications of COVID-19’s endemic nature and

proposes long-term preparedness strategies for policymakers, health systems, and public health professionals

In Utero Exposure to Preeclampsia and Cardiometabolic Risk: A Review of Literature

2026-01-26T13:13:24+00:00

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy, affecting 3-5% of pregnancies globally and

is an independent cardiovascular risk factor for the mother, and recent studies reveal that offspring of affected

pregnancies may also have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (Karrar and Hong, 2022). This

is referred to as foetal programming and is said to be related to several factors (Davies et al., 2017). Therefore, this

study focuses on the cardiometabolic risks endured by offspring of preeclamptic pregnancies.

Scrub typhus meningoencephalitis- An interesting case study

2026-01-26T13:22:48+00:00

ABSTRACT

Scrub typhus is a mite borne acute febrile illness by Gram-negative intracellular organism Orientia

tsutsugamushi. Its commonly presents as fever, headache, inoculation eschar, and lymphadenopathy. In severe

forms, pneumonia, myocarditis, azotemia, shock, gastrointestinal bleed, and meningoencephalitis are known to

occur [1

2] . Central nervous system involvement is a complication of scrub typhus ranging from meningitis to

meningoencephalitis. We report a case of acute meningoencephalitis syndrome, following scrub typhus

infection in a 13-year-old child. Patient was treated with injection ceftriaxone, injection dexamethasone, capsule

doxycycline, tablet azithromycin and injection levetiracetam. Patient was hospitalized for 13 days and recovered

completely.