Outcomes In India Research Articles

Socio-demographic variables for child immunisation among Khatik population of Delhi

ABSTRACT Background: In India, the Expanded Programme on Immunization was introduced in 1978 and renamed the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985 with the intention of immunising at least 85% of newborns. To improve infant mortality and health outcomes in India and other low and middle income countries, it is critical to understand the local immunisation barriers. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted amongst the Khatik population of North East Delhi. All childbearing women were included in the study, and data from 387 mothers was collected. Results: The illiteracy rate amongst women (18.3%) was found to be higher compared to that amongst men (7.1%). A high proportion of the children were immunised (98.7%). The results of the chisquare test revealed that the influence of socio demographic variables was not statistically associated, with the immunisation status of the children (P > 0.05). Conclusion: However, it was also evaluated that both mothers and fathers with high and intermediate school levels of education were more likely to immunise their child compared to those who were illiterate, and with primary and middle levels of education. Increasing mothers’ knowledge could help to reduce the number of children who are not immunised.

ICT Skills and Labor Market Outcomes in India: Evidence from Cell Tower Expansion

ICT Skills and Labor Market Outcomes in India: Evidence from Cell Tower Expansion

Gender-Neutral HPV Vaccine in India; Requisite for a Healthy Community: A Review.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects approximately 80% of individuals, irrespective of gender, and is implicated in various cancers. Existing HPV vaccines, while safe and effective, do not sufficiently protect males when administered solely to females. This review, triggered by the urgent need to address this gap and reduce the associated stigma, aims to evaluate the introduction of a gender-neutral HPV vaccine, GARDASIL-9, in India. The primary objective is to assess the necessity and feasibility of incorporating the gender-neutral HPV vaccine into India's national immunization program. This integration is crucial to ensure equitable access for all children and to mitigate the substantial burden of HPV. A literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, government websites, and relevant publications. Keywords included "gender-neutral vaccine", "HPV vaccine", and "Indian population". The central research question guiding this review is: How necessary and feasible is the inclusion of a gender-neutral HPV vaccine in India's national immunization schedule to ensure equitable access for all children and reduce the HPV burden? The review inclusion criteria comprised studies addressing the prevalence of HPV infections, HPV vaccination awareness among both genders, the cost-effectiveness of gender-neutral vaccines, current HPV vaccination status, and future perspectives specific to India. Studies not meeting these criteria were excluded. The review highlights that introducing a gender-neutral HPV vaccine in India is imperative. Including males in vaccination efforts significantly reduces the overall disease burden and helps in reducing the stigma associated with HPV. A comprehensive vaccination program, bolstered by education and awareness campaigns, and its inclusion in the national immunization schedule is essential. This approach ensures equitable access to the vaccine for all children, fostering a healthier community, preventing HPV-related cancers, and enhancing public health outcomes in India.

ICT Skills and Labor Market Outcomes in India: Evidence from Cell Tower Expansion 

ICT Skills and Labor Market Outcomes in India: Evidence from Cell Tower Expansion 

Addressing Nutritional Challenges: Strategies for Improving Health Outcomes in India and Global Hunger Concerns

In India, the prevalence of unhealthy dietary patterns and nutritional deficiencies remains a significant public health concern, posing challenges to food, nutrition, and health security. This paper explores key interventions to improve women’s and children’s health and nutrition, including enhancing diet quantity and quality, preventing micronutrient deficiencies like anaemia, and increasing access to essential nutrition and health services. Additionally, efforts to improve water and sanitation facilities and promote education, particularly regarding nutrition awareness, are highlighted. Empowering women to delay and space pregnancies appropriately is emphasized as crucial for maternal and child health. Despite existing efforts, policies and programs in India have primarily focused on post-childbirth feeding interventions, overlooking the importance of addressing maternal nutrition during fetal development. Recognizing this gap, the paper highlights the paramount importance of addressing maternal nutrition to tackle the root causes of malnutrition and improve health outcomes for both mothers and children

Harnessing Twitter: Sentiment Analysis for Predicting Election Outcomes in India

This paper explores the potential of Twitter, a popular social media platform, as a tool for predicting election outcomes. Sentiment analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for predicting election outcomes, with numerous studies showcasing its effectiveness in various countries. For instance, research has utilized sentiment analysis to forecast election results in nations like the USA, India, Pakistan and other countries, demonstrating the utility of social media data in gauging public opinion and predicting electoral results [1]. Elections in India are always considered important events that most people look forward to the rapid growth of social media in the past has provided end users with powerful tools to share their ideas. Twitter, which is one such platform, provides daily updates on political events through various hashtags and trends. People react to political events and give their opinions. Our approach is to collect tweets from top political parties contesting the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2022, and then calculate sentiment scores. The database includes a variety of recent and well-liked tweets about a specific political party. Party tweets are generated with specific keywords like “BJP”, “AAP”,“Congress” and so on. In the context of India, Twitter sentiment analysis tools and classification have been used to predict the outcomes of state assembly elections, underscoring the potential of social media data in forecasting electoral results within the country [2]. We used standard machine learning algorithms like VADER sentiment analyzer on Random Forest and Decision Tree for our classification and testing data to classify tweets as positive and negative. As a result, this work uses sentiment analysis to evaluate tweets gathered from Twitter and forecast election outcomes. This work shows the growing influence of social media on politics and the feasibility of using such platforms for predictive analysis. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for political parties, policymakers, and researchers interested in the intersection of social media and politics. Random Forest and Decision Tree models performed well in predicting election outcomes based on sentiment analysis on Twitter data with 89% and 86% respectively.

Still Waters Run Deep: Groundwater Contamination and Education Outcomes in India

Still Waters Run Deep: Groundwater Contamination and Education Outcomes in India

Intersecting Identities: The Influence of Gender and Caste on Educational Outcomes in India

Since 1947, India has strived to expand access to education. Yet deep-rooted inequalities tied to gender, caste, and social identity persist. This paper explores these inequalities and the ways in which they shape educational outcomes. Despite policy interventions aimed at inclusion, disparities in access, quality, and performance continue to plague the system. The privatization of education and the shift to digital learning, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have further widened this gap, leaving vulnerable populations with limited opportunities for advancement. The paper demonstrates the need to adopt an intersectional framework in educational policy, addressing not only access but also the achievement and outcomes of marginalized students. By highlighting the structural inequalities that persist in India's education system, this research underscores the urgency of rethinking policy interventions to create equitable educational opportunities, particularly for those at the intersection of caste and gender. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions, through which, India can move closer to achieving its universal education goals while ensuring that its most vulnerable populations are not left behind.

Prevalence of frailty and association with patient centered outcomes: A prospective registry-embedded cohort study from India

PurposeWe aimed to study the prevalence of frailty, evaluate risk factors, and understand impact on outcomes in India. MethodsThis was a prospective registry-embedded cohort study across 7 intensive care units (ICUs) and included adult patients anticipated to stay for at least 48 h. Primary exposure was frailty, as defined by a score ≥ 5 on the Clinical Frailty Scale and primary outcome was ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and resource utilization. We used generalized linear models to evaluate risk factors and model association between frailty and outcomes. Results838 patients were included, with median (IQR) age 57 (42,68) yrs.; 64.8% were male. Prevalence of frailty was 19.8%. Charlson comorbidity index (OR:1.73 (95%CI:1.39,2.15)), Subjective Global Assessment categories mild/moderate malnourishment (OR:1.90 (95%CI:1.29, 2.80)) and severe malnourishment (OR:4.76 (95% CI:2.10,10.77)) were associated with frailty. Frailty was associated with higher odds of ICU mortality (adjusted OR:2.04 (95% CI:1.25,3.33)), hospital mortality (adjusted OR:2.36 (95%CI:1.45,3.84)), development of stage2/3 AKI (unadjusted OR:2.35 (95%CI:1.60, 3.43)), receipt of non-invasive ventilation (unadjusted OR:2.68 (95%CI:1.77, 4.03)), receipt of vasopressors (unadjusted OR:1.47 (95%CI:1.04, 2.07)), and receipt of kidney replacement therapy (unadjusted OR:3.15 (95%CI:1.90, 5.17)). ConclusionsFrailty is common among critically ill patients in India and is associated with worse outcomes.Study registration: CTRI/2021/02/031503.

India's approach to agroforestry as an effective strategy in the context of climate change: An evaluation of 28 state climate change action plans

CONTEXTAgroforestry, a sustainable land-use system that integrates trees with crops and/or livestock, is recognized as an effective strategy for synergizing climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in India. However, the prevalence of limited land under agroforestry indicates the presence of significant constraints hindering its widespread implementation. To address this challenge, the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) represents a potentially potent policy tool for driving the expansion of agroforestry at the sub-national level. OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to examine (i) how the SAPCCs recognized and reported the benefits of agroforestry for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and (ii) what policy approaches are put forth to operationalize agroforestry in India. METHODSFor this study, the information on agroforestry was coded using a hybrid approach (a combination of deductive and inductive coding) followed by thematic analysis and peer debriefing (for validation of the generated codes and themes). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSMany of the mitigation and adaptation benefits of agroforestry are reflected in the SAPCCs. However, the predominant focus of these SAPCCs has been on tree-based agroforestry, with insufficient attention given to the crop-tree-livestock nexus, which could offer greater scope for reducing agricultural emissions. Furthermore, existing constraints to the expansion of agroforestry have not been adequately addressed, and the strategies proposed lack the necessary precision to enable effective implementation on the ground. These shortcomings are further compounded by the absence of accurate budgetary estimates, thereby hindering the ability to execute meaningful actions at the grassroots level. SIGNIFICANCEThe results of this study could offer valuable perspectives on how the potential benefits of agroforestry may be harnessed more prudently to realize mitigation and adaptation outcomes in India while aligning with the country's Nationally Determined Contributions and building sustainable livelihood.

Exploring the enigma of low prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in India.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with significant distress and dysfunction. While worldwide estimates of prevalence range from 3.9% to 24%, little research has been conducted to identify the prevalence of PTSD in the general population of India. This study analyzes data from the National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016, a comprehensive epidemiological study of mental health disorders in India, to explore the unique characteristics and prevalence of PTSD in the Indian population. The National Mental Health Survey 2015-2016 employed a multiple-stage, stratified, cluster-sampling methodology, covering 39,532 individuals in 12 states of India. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 6.0.0 was used to diagnose psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A detailed analysis of sociodemographic profiles, prevalence patterns, comorbidities, economic and social impact, and treatment-seeking behavior was conducted. Firth penalized logistic regression was employed to identify associated sociodemographic factors. The study revealed a low prevalence of PTSD in India at 0.2%, significantly lower than global averages. Factors associated with PTSD included female gender, middle age (40-49 years), and urban residence. The study also highlighted a high rate of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, substantial disability, poor treatment-seeking behavior, and significant suicidal risk among individuals with PTSD. Our findings underscore the need for culturally informed diagnostic and management programs to accurately identify and address PTSD in the Indian population. Cultural nuances, stigma, and the use of Western-derived diagnostic instruments likely contribute to the underidentification and undertreatment of PTSD in India. The study emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these challenges to improve mental health outcomes in India.

Birth Order and Children’s Health and Learning Outcomes in India

India has a high prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age, despite marginal improvement over the years. In 2019-21, 35.5 per cent of children below five years were stunted (National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2019-21). This has been attributed to several factors including open defecation, poor maternal nutrition and food insecurity. This paper examines if the birth order of children is associated with in variation in height among them, using nationally representative data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS 2005 & 2011). The objectives of this paper are to: (i) assess the association of a child’s birth order with height (ii) test if the association of birth order with height changes with the degree of son preference (iii) analyse the relationship between birth order and educational outcomes of children. Our results suggest that (i) the height-for-age z score is negatively associated with the birth order of the child (ii) the negative association of birth order with height is stronger for mothers who have a moderate or high degree of son preference, especially when children have an older brother (iii) maternal characteristics such as education could mitigate the negative relationship between birth order and height when son preference is low but not when son preference is high (iv) birth order has a negative association with the reading, writing and mathematical ability of children, especially if the child was stunted in childhood. This indicates that the fertility behaviour of families has both a direct and indirect impact, which could influence both long term nutrition and education of children.

Assessing prescribing practices in Indian health facilities: a comprehensive review

Prescription patterns play a critical role in healthcare delivery, affecting the efficacy of medication therapy and resource utilization. Rational prescribing practices are essential for safe and effective healthcare, necessitating comprehensive prescriptions containing medication details, prescriber information, and patient instructions. This review explores prescription completeness and rationality, utilizing WHO prescribing indicators and other completeness metrics, across Indian healthcare facilities. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for original research articles published between 2013 and 2023, focusing on WHO-recommended prescribing indicators and completeness criteria. Inclusion criteria covered articles in English, spanning primary, secondary, or tertiary care settings. Data from selected articles were extracted and analysed. Data were synthesized from sixty-seven studies, depicting various prescribing practices. The assessment encompassed prescribing, patient care, and facility indicators. Findings highlighted challenges such as illegible prescriptions, incomplete details, polypharmacy, brand name dominance, and inappropriate antibiotic use. Despite WHO recommendations, generic prescribing was limited. This review reiterates the need for interventions to enhance prescription quality, patient safety, and cost-effectiveness. Recommendations include adopting electronic prescribing systems, standardizing prescription formats, conducting regular prescription audits, implementing educational programs, promoting generic drug use, and adhering to essential medicines lists. These multifaceted strategies can improve prescribing practices and ultimately contribute to enhanced healthcare outcomes in India.

Routing TQM through HR strategies to achieve organizational effectiveness: the mediating role of HR outcomes in India

Routing TQM through HR strategies to achieve organizational effectiveness: the mediating role of HR outcomes in India

Trade Liberalization and Gender Inequality in India: A Task Content of Occupations Approach

Abstract This paper considers the differential impact of input and output tariff liberalization on gender outcomes in India’s labour markets. It is the first to distinguish between occupational categories based on their task content to analyse these effects. Recent evidence suggests that trade induced competition and technological upgradation can reduce gender-employment and gender-wage gaps in labour markets. This paper identifies the occupational categories most affected by these competition and technology adoption effects of trade liberalization. It finds that competition effects of output tariff liberalization increases employment of female workers in routine occupations – both manual and cognitive – and reduces gender-employment gaps in routine manual occupations. On the other hand, input tariff liberalization worsens gender-employment gaps in routine manual occupations. The effect of input tariff liberalization on female workers in routine cognitive occupations, however, is to increase cohort-level employment, and there is some evidence that it increases cohort-level average wages for female workers and reduces the gender-wage gap in non-routine cognitive occupations.

Exploring the Influence of Education and Health Investments on Youth Employment Prospects in India

The discourse on labor engagement, underutilization, and unemployment has been a prominent focus in development literature, particularly in developing economies. These issues influence migration patterns and gross domestic output and, in some cases, contribute to youth restiveness. This study delves into the intricate relationship between investments in human capital, represented by spending on education and health, and its repercussions on youth employment outcomes in India. We gathered annual data spanning the years 1990 to 2021 from various Indian states. We employed the bootstrap-based bias correction for panel fixed effects estimation techniques to enhance the analytical accuracy. The findings of our investigation reveal that investments in human capital, encompassing both private and government health expenditures as well as expenditures on primary, secondary, and tertiary education, exert significant but varying impacts on youth employment in India. These results carry important policy implications. To effectively address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment in India, it is imperative to prioritize consistent and disproportionate investments in education over health. This shift in focus could prove instrumental in reversing the trend of youth unemployment and fostering sustainable economic growth.

A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF TRADE LIBERALISATION IN INDIA

The impact of trade liberalization in India has been a subject of significant academic and policy interest, particularly since the early 1990s when the country embarked on a path of economic reforms. This research paper explores the multifaceted consequences of trade liberalization on India's economy. Through a comprehensive analysis of empirical data, economic indicators, and scholarly literature, the paper examines both the positive and negative impacts of trade liberalization. The positive effects of trade liberalization are evident in India's impressive economic growth, driven by increased exports, foreign direct investment, and enhanced efficiency and competitiveness of industries. The opening of international markets has expanded consumer choices and improved product quality. Export growth has bolstered foreign exchange reserves and positively influenced the balance of payments. However, this paper also delves into the challenges posed by trade liberalization. It highlights the vulnerability of the Indian economy to external shocks due to increased global integration. Income inequality has widened as the benefits of liberalization have not uniformly reached all segments of society. Job displacement, particularly in industries facing stiff competition from imports, and agricultural challenges arising from competition with cheaper imported agricultural products, are significant concerns. The paper emphasizes the need for policymakers to address the negative consequences of trade liberalization by implementing measures to mitigate income inequality, support displaced workers, and strengthen the agricultural sector. The method used here was the empirical method. The sampling method taken here was the convenient sampling method and the sample size was 200. The sampling frame was established within the city of Chennai, located in the state of Tamil Nadu. The dependent variables are level of awareness regarding the impacts of trade liberalization in India, positive impact of trade liberalization on India's GDP, negative implications of trade liberalization on the Indian economy, main objectives of economic liberalization are the effective distribution of resources and competitive advantages and the independent variables are age, gender, educational qualification, salary and occupation. The research tools used here are simple bar charts, independent sample T test, univariate analysis of variance and correlation . It also underscores the importance of strategic economic planning to manage potential trade imbalances and prevent undue concentration of economic power. In conclusion, this research paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of trade liberalization in India, highlighting its dual nature bringing both opportunities and challenges. By examining empirical evidence and drawing insights from scholarly sources, the paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between trade liberalization and economic outcomes in India. KEY WORDS: Trade liberalisation, Global market, Trade barriers, Domestic sectors, Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Non-farm entrepreneurship, caste, and energy poverty in rural India

This study examines how non-farm entrepreneurship influences rural household energy poverty and explores caste-based heterogeneities in outcomes in India. The study used different quasi-experimental econometric methods to analyse panel data from the waves 1 and 2 (2015 and 2018) of the Access to Clean Cooking Energy and Electricity Survey of States (ACCESS) in India. The overall results across all estimation methods show that households' engagement in non-fam entrepreneurship significantly contributes to a reduction in their energy poverty levels and the probability of being energy poor. The sizes of the reduction vary across the four castes (General Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, and Other Backward Caste). The energy poverty reducing effect of non-farm entrepreneurship is particularly high among members of the Scheduled Tribe. Further mediation analyses reveal that non-farm entrepreneurship potentially affects rural households' energy poverty through their accumulation of financial (savings) and durable assets which possibly enable them to access cleaner energy sources for lighting and cooking. We encourage governments to pay attention to policies that promote non-farm entrepreneurship which has the potential to enhance asset accumulation and reduce rural energy poverty in the process.

Heat stress and adverse pregnancy outcome: Prospective cohort study.

To explore the relationship between occupational heat exposure, physiological heat strain indicators and adverse outcomes in pregnant women. Prospective cohort. Workplaces in Tamil Nadu, India. A cohort of 800 pregnant women engaged in moderate to heavy physical work in 2017-2019 and 2021-2022. Participants were recruited at between 8 and 14 weeks of gestation. Occupational heat exposure and heat strain indicators were captured each trimester. 'Heat exposed' was defined as heat stress exceeding the threshold limit value (TLV) for safe manual work (with maximum wet-bulb globe temperatures of 27.5°C for a heavy workload and 28.0°C for a moderate workload). Physiological heat strain indicators (HSIs) such as core body temperature (CBT) and urine specific gravity (USG) were measured before and after each shift. Heat-related health symptoms were captured using the modified HOTHAPS questionnaire. The main outcome measures included (1) a composite measure of any adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) during pregnancy (including miscarriage, preterm birth, low birthweight, stillbirth, intrauterine growth restriction and birth defects), (2) a composite measure of adverse outcomes at birth (3) and miscarriage. Of the 800 participants, 47.3% had high occupational heat exposure. A rise in CBT was recorded in 17.4% of exposed workers, and 29.6% of workers experienced moderate dehydration (USG ≥ 1.020). Heat-exposed women had a doubled risk of miscarriage (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.0-5.7). High occupational heat exposure was associated with an increased risk of any adverse pregnancy and foetal outcome (aOR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4-3.8) and adverse outcome at birth (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.3). High occupational heat exposure is associated with HSIs and adverse pregnancy outcomes in India.

Effect of Adolescent Health Policies on Health Outcomes in India

Adolescence is a crucial phase marked by significant physical, psychological, emotional, and social changes. India has the world’s largest adolescent population. Understanding and addressing their health needs is vital for the nation’s social, political, and economic progress. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the main adolescent health policies and strategies implemented from 2006 to 2020 and analyze the outcomes for adolescent health in India. To achieve this objective, the research adopted a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses of health policies, strategies, and programs implemented since 2005. Additionally, data from the most recent three Demographic Health Surveys (DHSs) were analyzed and compared to assess changes in adolescent health indicators after implementing these policies/strategies. The findings focused on India’s major adolescent health policies, namely the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Strategy2005, Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) 2014, and the School Health Program 2020. All the strategies and programs aim to provide a comprehensive framework for sexual and reproductive health services, expand the scope of adolescent health programming, and address various health aspects. The analysis highlighted strengths in targeted interventions, monitoring, and promotion but weaknesses in awareness, societal barriers, and healthcare worker participation. Opportunities include female-friendly clinics and education about early pregnancy, while addressing substance abuse and training volunteers remain challenges. Family planning has improved with higher contraception usage and a decline in unmet needs. The incidence of violence decreased, and positive health behaviors increased, such as condom use. However, challenges remain, including limited access to health services, concerns about female providers, and low health insurance coverage. Nutrition indicators showed a slight increase in overweight/obesity and anemia rates. In conclusion, progress has been made, but certain adolescent health aspects still require attention. Further efforts are needed to achieve universal health coverage and improve adolescent health outcomes. Conducting targeted awareness campaigns, strengthening health worker and NGO engagement, and combating the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents are recommended.