Global Journal of Medicine & Public Health

A descriptive study regarding prevalence and correlates of cardiomyopathy among patients of alcohol dependence syndrome attending a tertiary care hospital in North India

2026-02-27T14:11:40+00:00

Background

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a significant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). ACM progresses from

subclinical diastolic dysfunction, detectable through advanced imaging techniques like echocardiography and

MRI, to systolic dysfunction. There is a scarcity of Indian studies investigating the prevalence and characteristics

of ACM. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of cardiomyopathy among patients diagnosed

with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) and to assess reversibility of the cardiac changes observed

longitudinally with 6 months abstinence from alcohol.

Methodology

The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry at a tertiary care hospital in North India. 80 male in

patients with newly diagnosed ADS were included in study. Transthoracic 2D Echocardiography was performed

to detect any electrophysiological or structural changes in the heart. Statistical analysis was done using the

Mann-Whitney Test, Chi-Square test, or unpaired T test.

Results

Cardiomyopathy was present in 20%(n=16) ADS patients. Out of 16 patients, 12(75%) had grade 1 and 4(25%)

had Grade 3 CM. The patients were consuming alcohol over a mean period of 11.75 years with mean consumption

of 230.29 kg of alcohol and there was a significant association seen in years of drinking with cardiomyopathy

(P=0.044). The abstinence from alcohol led to an improvement of structural changes in the heart in 37.50 % of

patients.

Conclusion

It becomes important to monitor heart health in chronic alcoholics. A multidisciplinary approach involving

cardiologists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists should be adopted in the management of patients with

alcohol dependence syndrome.

A Comparative Study on feeding practices among well-nourished and malnourished Children in Western India

2026-02-27T14:21:16+00:00

Introduction

Feeding practices significantly influence the nutritional status of children, particularly during the first two years of

life. Inadequate breastfeeding and delayed complementary feeding contribute to malnutrition, a major public

health concern. This study focuses on a rural block of Vadodara district, aiming to compare socio-demographic

factors and feeding practices between well-nourished and malnourished children. The findings may guide targeted

nutrition education and community interventions to improve child health outcomes and reduce malnutrition

related morbidity and mortality in the local context.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to February 2022 in 30 anganwadis of

Vadodara district, Gujarat, using a thirty-cluster sampling method. A total of 246 children aged 6–60 months

(including Severe Acute Malnutrition, Moderate Acute Malnutrition, and normal) were selected. Data on socio

demographics and feeding practices were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire administered to mothers.

Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements, including weight, height/length, and MUAC,

were recorded. The variables were compared with appropriate statistical tests and p-value less than 0.05 was

considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 246 children were included (120 well-nourished, 126 malnourished). Malnutrition was significantly

associated with age, low birth weight, father's education, and mother's occupation. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)

was more common among well-nourished children as compared to malnourished(p<0.05). Complementary feeding

practices, early initiation of Breast feeding were proportionately more in the well-nourished group but not

statistically significant.

Conclusion

Malnutrition was associated with a child's age, lower birth weight, father’s literacy, and mother’s occupation.

Exclusive breastfeeding significantly influenced nutritional status, highlighting its importance. Other feeding

practices showed no significant difference between well-nourished and malnourished children, indicating the need

for focused breastfeeding promotion.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients attending a community health centre for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

2026-02-27T14:54:41+00:00

Background

Rabies remains a major public health concern in India, accounting for a substantial proportion of global human

rabies mortality. Evidence from primary care settings, where the majority of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is

delivered, is essential to guide prevention strategies. This study assessed the epidemiological and clinical

characteristics of patients seeking rabies PEP at a community health centre in northern India.

Methods

A retrospective record-review was conducted at Community Health Centre, Jawan, district Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Records of new cases reporting for rabies PEP from April 2022 to March 2023 were analysed. Socio-demographic

characteristics, type of biting animal, wound category, site of bite and delay to presentation were extracted.

Descriptive statistics were computed.As the study involved secondary analysis of routine facility-based records

without personal identifiers, it constituted less than minimal risk research as per the ICMR ethical guidelines;

therefore, formal ethical committee approval was not required.

Results

A total of 2270 animal bite cases were recorded during the study period. Mean age of patients was 23.69±17.83

years. Males constituted 71.7% of cases. Lower limb bites were most common (63.3%). Dog bites accounted for

94.0% cases. Category II wounds constituted 96.0None of the Category III patients received immunoglobulin due

to non-availability at the facility.Mean time to reporting was 1.91±2.24 days.

Conclusions

Young males and lower limb bites were the most common among PEP seekers. Lack of immunoglobulin for

Category III wounds persists as a major system gap. Strengthening availability of biologicals and community-level

prevention remain key priorities.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Menstruation in Adolescents: A Cross Sectional study in an urban school in Maharashtra, India

2026-02-27T15:02:07+00:00

Objectives

The present study was done to assess the Knowledge, attitude and practices about menstruation in young

adolescent girls aged 11-14 years.

Methods

A self-designed pre-validated self-filled questionnaire was used to collect data from students of class 6,7,8 of a

public school catering to children of middle and lower-middle class households in an urban area of Maharashtra.

Results and conclusions

Despite being from an urban area, misconceptions as to the source of bleeding in menses still persist. Many

restrictions still persist on girls during menstruation. This knowledge gap needs to be assessed and addressed to

mitigate anxiety and confusion.

Loneliness and spirituality among elderly residing at a residential care home in karakulam panchayat: A mixed method study

2026-02-27T15:16:02+00:00

ABSTRACT

Background

Social isolation can have a major impact on seniors' lives. Emotional distress because of loneliness, depression, and

poor physical and mental health is associated with social isolation. People can become socially isolated for a variety

of reasons, such as getting older or weaker, no longer being the hub of their family, leaving the workplace, the

deaths of spouses and friends, or through disability or illness. Spirituality can help older people find solace and peace

of mind, especially if they are feeling lonely or isolated.

Objective

The present study was conducted to assess the loneliness and spirituality of inhabitants of a residential care home,

and to determine the factors affecting loneliness in-depth interviews.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted after taking consent from the study population. A pre

designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS software, and the results were

reported as percentages.

Study Setting

Karakulam Panchayat of Thiruvananthapuram District

Participants

Residents aged 65 and older residing at Bethel gram, residential care home Vazhayila, Thiruvananthapuram.

Result

This study shows that 11 out of 40 residents in a residential care home experience loneliness, and 25 out of 40

residents are spiritual. More than a quarter of the residents experienced significant feelings of loneliness, and more

than half of the residents are spiritual.

Conclusion

By estimating the prevalence of loneliness and assessing spirituality among the elderly residents of a residential

care home, you can gain important insight into their emotional and psychological well-being. The study provides

insight into the spiritual health of the residents, highlighting their sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to

spirituality. Loneliness can have a negative effect on mental and physical health, so identifying and addressing the

feeling in the community may be essential for improving residents’ quality of life.

Kodamaea Ohmeri: An Emerging Opportunistic Yeast - A Case Series from Northeast India

2026-02-27T15:36:19+00:00

Introduction

Kodamaea ohmeri, formerly classified under the genera Pichia and Yamadazyma, is an uncommon ascomycetous

yeast belonging to the family Saccharomycetaceae [1,2]. It represents the teleomorphic form of Candida

guilliermondii var. membranaefaciens and has traditionally been utilized in the food industry for the fermentation

of fruits, pickles, and rinds [3]. The genus Kodamaea currently comprises five recognized species (K. anthrophila, K.

kakaduensis, K. laetipori, K. nitidulidarum, and K. ohmeri), among which only K. ohmeri has been associated with

human pathogenicity [4]. K. ohmeri has emerged in recent years as an opportunistic fungal pathogen, particularly

in immunocompromised hosts [4,5]. Since the initial description of K. ohmeri–associated sepsis, reports of invasive

fungal disease due to this organism have steadily increased. Documented presentations include bloodstream

infection, catheter-associated fungemia, peritonitis, and infective endocarditis. Notably, several hospital-based

outbreaks—particularly within neonatal and paediatric intensive care settings—have highlighted its capacity for

nosocomial transmission and its association with substantial mortality [6–12]

Epidemiological Investigation of a Chikungunya Fever Outbreak in a Tribal Population of Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal, India

2026-02-27T15:43:42+00:00

Introduction

Chikungunya is a re-emerging viral fever transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. We

investigated the outbreak with the objective of finding out the cause of fever with joint pain and

recommended preventive measures.

Methods

This outbreak investigation was done at the village of Gangarampur block of Dakshin Dinajpur

district, West Bengal, India. House-to-house search for active cases was conducted at the village

during October - November 2024. The outbreak was described by time, place, and person

distribution. Epidemic curve, spot maps, and analytical tables were constructed to determine the

relation of the outbreak. Blood samples were tested for dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and scrub

typhus. Entomological surveys were also done to measure larval index.

Result

A total of 35 cases were identified, with an overall attack rate of 2.97%. Majority of the cases were

female (57.2%) and age group of 31 - 50 years (48.8%). In almost all cases, patients developed fever

with joint pain. The epidemic curve showed maximum cases in the month of November 2024.

Chikungunya, dengue & scrub typhus positivity was 51.7% (15/29), 3.4% (1/29) & 6.9% (2/29)

respectively. No such significant entomological findings were observed.

Discussion

We initiated the investigation on the presumption of a dengue outbreak, but after blood samples

reporting, it was revealed that cases were predominantly (51.7%) Chikungunya, 6.9% were Scrub

Typhus and mixed infections of Scrub Typhus with Chikungunya and 3.4% were Dengue. Without

any complications, almost all cases were managed at home. Extensive awareness generation

programmes were conducted for the prevention and transmission of fever.

PUMA Questionnaire and Hand-held Spirometry for Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Screening

2026-02-27T15:48:08+00:00

Background

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) remains a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, yet it is

often underdiagnosed, particularly in its early stages, as most of the time patients assume these are normal aging

or minor issues like colds, and also due to underutilization of spirometry. Conventional spirometry, though

considered the gold standard, is not always feasible for large-scale screening due to its cost, technical

requirements, and limited availability in primary care settings.

Aim

(1) To assess the utility of the PUMA questionnaire in combination with a handheld COPD-6 spirometer (HSD) for

screening symptomatic smokers.

(2) To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of these tools individually and in combination, compared with

diagnostic spirometry.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among current and ex-smokers presenting with respiratory symptoms.

Participants were screened using the PUMA questionnaire and the COPD-6 handheld spirometer. All underwent

confirmatory diagnostic spirometry as the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV),

and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated for each tool separately and for the combination approach.

Results

The PUMA questionnaire alone showed sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 68.4%, while COPD-6 demonstrated

sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 75.9%. The combination significantly improved performance, with sensitivity

of 95.2% and specificity of 81.0%. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated an AUC of 0.92 for Combined (PUMA

and COPD-6), indicating excellent diagnostic accuracy. The area under the ROC curve for the combination was

superior to either tool individually, indicating improved diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion

The combination of the PUMA questionnaire and COPD-6 handheld device provides a practical, cost-effective,

and reliable strategy for early COPD screening in symptomatic smokers. This approach can be particularly

valuable in primary care and community-based settings, where access to full spirometry is limited.

A study of student feedback on Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) - a cross sectional study

2026-02-27T15:53:26+00:00

Introduction

The Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum aims to produce competent medical graduates.

CBME and medical education technology conducts formative assessment. Regular student feedback is essential to

evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum, and make improvements if necessary.

Aims and objectives:

To ascertain the perceptions of students on their experience with the CBME curriculum.
To assess the impact of various components of CBME on the creation of competent Indian Medical

Graduate

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary care institute in North

Maharashtra. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect feedback on various aspects of the

CBME curriculum. A stratified sampling technique was used. From every phase of the course, around 30-50 students

were randomly selected to achieve a sample size of 90. The attrition rate was 30% and hence the final sample size

was 120.

Results

A total of 120 students participated in the study. The majority of students reported that the syllabus was properly

covered, and teaching methods were incorporated as prescribed by NMC. Most students reported a changing

pattern of assessment especially for Phase 3 students. This has created extra difficulty on top of an already

demanding medical curriculum.

Conclusion

The curriculum and its contents were effectively communicated to students. A lack of uniformity in assessment

formats has created challenges for phase 3 students. Formative assessment techniques need to be revised to be

more standardised and less time-consuming.

Recommendations

A trusted partnership can be developed between students and curriculum designers with consistent communication

and feedback.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of Traditional Medicinal Plants for Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Africa

2026-02-27T16:02:16+00:00

Condition or domain being studied

Population health; Intervention Regime; World Health Organization Ordinal Scale

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a global, ancient, and chronic disease affecting the lungs. It is treated and managed by

the administration of Western regimes. Despite the availability of these drugs, the use of traditional medicinal

plants by African populations is still a continuing practice as an alternative and complementary medicine to manage

tuberculosis. Recent studies investigating the efficacy of these traditional medicinal plants have yielded positive

findings, as reported in the literature. With extensive drug resistance among Tuberculosis patients, this alone has

motivated researchers to test and investigate if indeed medicinal plants could be effective as alternative therapies

to consider for tuberculosis management in Africa.

Rationale for the review

Medicinal plants for tuberculosis treatment have been studied both in vitro and in vivo (1, 2) and continue to be

investigated in Africa (3). However, the literature reports based on scientific evidence have not clearly stated the

level of their efficacy and have not strongly highlighted the important data on these African medicinal plants. the

degree of their efficacy remains poorly documented, which is the focus of this review. Numerous studies across

Africa continue to investigate the efficacy of traditional medicinal plants as potential candidates for the discovery

and development of novel tuberculosis treatments (4). This review aims to collate and provide a detailed literature

review of all African Medicinal Plants that have been tested for their anti-Mycobacterial properties. It will not only

add value to the existing body of knowledge but also report on the degree of efficacy demonstrated by individual

tested medicinal plants. The medicinal plants that have demonstrated efficacy could be further studied by scientific

investigators to move forward in inventing novel drugs from natural products. So, the research question in this

review is whether the tested medicines are indeed effective.

Review objectives

Are African traditional medicinal plants scientifically documented for their efficacy?
Does literature provide the degree of efficacy of all investigated traditional medicinal plants of Africa?To what

level do the medicinal plants exhibit their efficacy against tuberculosis?

Does literature provide the degree of safety of all studied African medicinal Plants that have exhibited efficacy?
Which plant parts have been studied and have displayed efficacy?
Which study models have been used to study the efficacy of African traditional medicinal plants? and to what

degree?

Clinical Profile and Perinatal Outcomes in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: An observational study from Tripura, India

2026-02-27T16:08:30+00:00

Background

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP) is a liver disorder in pregnancy linked to maternal

discomfort and adverse perinatal outcomes.Despite existing studies, data from Tripura remain

unavailable. This study evaluated the clinical profile and perinatal outcomes of IHCP in this region.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted from July 2022 to June 2023 at Tripura Medical

College & Dr. BRAM Teaching Hospital. Eighty singleton pregnant women beyond 28 weeks

gestation diagnosed with IHCP based on clinical features, elevated liver enzymes, and serum bile acid

levels were enrolled. Patients received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy and were monitored

until delivery and 14 days postpartum. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including delivery mode,

fetal distress, birth weight, APGAR scores, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and early

neonatal deaths, were recorded and analyzed.

Results

The mean maternal age was 27.4 ± 4.9 years, with 61.2% primigravida. The mean serum bile acid level

at diagnosis was 38.6 ± 17.3 µmol/L, indicating predominantly mild IHCP. Labor was induced in 70%

of cases, and caesarean section was performed in 58.8%. Intrapartum fetal distress occurred in 30%

of pregnancies. The mean gestational age at delivery was 37.5±1.6 weeks. Neonatal outcomes

showed a mean birth weight of 2.8±0.4 kg, with 13.7% low birth weight. Resuscitation was required

in 32.5% of neonates, and 32.5% required SNCU admission. Early neonatal death occurred in 6.3% of

cases. Neonatal complications included birth asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, respiratory

distress syndrome, and neonatal jaundice.

Conclusion

IHCP in Tripura presents with clinical and biochemical profiles consistent with existing literature.

Perinatal morbidity and mortality remain significant, underscoring the importance of close fetal

monitoring and individualized delivery planning based on serum bile acid levels. Further large-scale

studies are needed to optimize management and outcomes in this population.

Cooking methods and organoleptic profile of vegetable cream: A comparative analysis

2026-02-27T16:41:44+00:00

Background

Soup is important in the Mediterranean diet, promoting the consumption of vegetables and legumes and providing

essential nutrients. Some studies refer that soup becomes a source of comfort for 1 in 3 consumer’s globally.

However, its consumption has been declining in Portugal, considering this market is facing lower consumer

demand, limited product innovation, and stiff competition.

Methods

This project aimed to encourage soup consumption by developing a sustainable, nutritionally balanced, allergen

free option, suitable from 8 months of age, enriched with olive oil and low in sodium. The formulations were based

on: leek, zucchini, carrot, and orange lentils, processed fresh, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. Dehydration was carried

out at 70°C for 10 hours (Proficook PC-DR 1116), while freeze-drying lasted 72 hours at -54°C (Mini Lablyo), leading

to greater water loss. Colour parameters were measured with the Konica Minolta Chroma Meter CR-400 for all

vegetables except lentils, which were analysed only in dry form. The soup was prepared using a Thermomix TM6

with 850ml of water, 100g of leeks, 100g of zucchini, 150g of carrots, and 50g of lentils. The ingredients were cooked

for 25 minutes at 100°C, adding olive oil and progressive mixing (1 minute, speed 5-7).

Results

Consumer acceptance was evaluated with 36 participants through hedonic tests, showing that formulation II

(dehydrated ingredients) was the most appreciated. Sodium chloride levels were determined using a 300 series Brix

refractometer.

Conclusion

Overall, the results highlight the potential of dehydrated vegetable soups as a practical and nutritious solution to

promote healthier eating habits.

Malaria Prevention Knowledge and Practices Among Mothers of Under 5 Children in Rural Southern Haryana, India

2026-02-27T16:46:37+00:00

Background

Children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria. Mother is the primary caretaker

of children. This study was conducted to estimate the knowledge and practices regarding prevention of malaria

among mothers of under 5 children

Methods

It is a community based cross sectional study. A total of 440 mothers of under 5 children were interviewed using a

pretested and pre-designed schedule. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the variables. The data were

analyzed using Epi-Info.

Results

Majority of study subjects had awareness about malaria. However, less than 50% under 5 children slept under the

insecticide treated net. About one- fourth of households accepted the IRS in the previous year.

Conclusions

Well-planned and well implemented communication programs with special focus on proven effective malaria

control interventions can contribute to achieving multi-level malaria prevention and treatment targets