Period Of Previous Year Research Articles

Trends in academic productivity in the COVID-19 era: analysis of neurosurgical, stroke neurology, and neurointerventional literature

BackgroundAcademic physicians aim to provide clinical and surgical care to their patients while actively contributing to a growing body of scientific literature. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted...

Injuries in the time of COVID-19

Research has shown that during the 2003 SARS pandemic, emergency department (ED) visits among the pediatric population decreased. We set out to investigate if this was also true for injury-related ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), we looked at 28 years of injury-related ED visits at the Montreal Children's Hospital, a provincially designated Pediatric Trauma Centre. We compared data from a two-month period during the COVID-19 lockdown (16 March to 15 May) to the same period in previous years (1993-2019) to determine whether the 2020 decrease in ED visit numbers was unprecedented (i.e. a similar decrease had never occurred) for different age groups, nature of injuries, mechanisms and severity. The 2020 decrease was unprecedented across all age groups between 1993 and 2019. When compared with the 2015 to 2019 average, the decrease was smallest in children aged 2 to 5 years (a 35% decrease), and greatest in the group aged 12 to 17 years (83%). Motor vehicle collisions and sports-related injuries practically vanished during the COVID-19 lockdown. Surprisingly, more children aged 6 to 17 years presented with less urgent injuries during the COVID-19 lockdown than in previous years. As was the case with SARS in 2003, COVID-19 acted as a deterrent for pediatric ED visits. The lockdown in particular had a profound impact on injury-related visits. The de-confinement period will be monitored to determine the impact in both the short and the long term.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on interest in owning a firearm in the American public

ABSTRACT News outlets ran stories suggesting that firearm purchases in the United States might have increased during the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. Such claims were made because gun stores were deemed essential businesses at the onset of the pandemic. However, there is no scientific evidence to validate this claim. We tested whether intentions to own a firearm actually increased at an unprecedented rate, by comparing the rate of increase in firearm checks (a conservative estimate of intentions to obtain a firearm) at the onset of the pandemic with the same time period in previous years as well as with significant events in recent American history. We defined the month of February as the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in the United States because this was the month in which (a) the pandemic caught wider national attention, (b) the first official presidential address relevant to the Coronavirus was made, and (c) the CDC initiated its first measures to stop the spread of the virus. Understanding why (inclination toward) firearm ownership increases during times of national crises can help researchers and gun policy makers better understand the psychological needs driving firearm ownership, and potentially improve gun regulations and gun policies for the future.

Effect of lockdown on air pollutants during COVID – 19 over Hyderabad

Objective: To understand the temporal characteristics of air pollutants during lockdown and to assess the impact of them on air quality. Method: We have analyzed the ambient monitoring data, from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), of air pollutants from 27th January to 12th July 2020 to compare prelockdown (27th Jan to 22nd March), during lockdown (23rd March to 17th May) and post lockdown (18th May to 12th July) effects over six stations in Hyderabad. Further, to understand the significant differences in PM concentrations we have evaluated rate of change (ROC) over a defined period of time. Pearson correlation analysis was used as an indicator of the relation between PM2.5 and PM10 for the study period. Findings: Our results show a significant decline in PM2.5 (27%) and PM10 (34%) concentrations during lockdown. This indicates positive effect of lockdown on air quality over Hyderabad. The contribution of PM2.5 in PM10 (46%) during lockdown remains same when compared to previous years though the concentrations have decreased. The PM2.5 was highly correlated with PM10 over all the stations. A substantial decrease in PM2.5 (27%) and PM10(39%) compared to the same period of previous years were observed. Apart of particulate matter the concentration of NO2 decreased by 33% during lockdown. Another noticeable point observed is that the concentrations of CO and SO2 showed a marginal decrease and they remained below permissible limits (NAAQS) during study period. Novelty / Recommendations: Overall, this study may be helpful to understand how air pollution is affected during COVID – 19 pandemic and provide important signs regarding the control of emissions by subsequently implementing stringent rules, like complete lockdown at least one day per week, imposing traffic rules, encouraging online teaching, digital shopping etc., to heal and save the environment. Keywords: Covid-19; lockdown; air pollutants; particulate matter; air quality

Significant reduction in hospital admissions for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

BackgroundChronic respiratory diseases are risk factors for severe disease in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Respiratory tract infection is one of the commonest causes of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). There has not been evidence suggesting the link between COVID-19 and AECOPD, especially in places with dramatic responses in infection control with universal masking and aggressive social distancing. MethodsThis is a retrospective study to assess the number of admissions of AECOPD in the first three months of 2020 in Queen Mary Hospital with reference to the admissions in past five years. Log-linear model was used for statistical inference of covariates, including percentage of masking, air quality health index and air temperature. ResultsThe number of admissions for AECOPD significantly decreased by 44.0% (95% CI 36.4%–52.8%, p < 0.001) in the first three months of 2020 compared with the monthly average admission in 2015–2019. Compare to same period of previous years, AECOPD decreased by 1.0% with each percent of increased masking (p < 0.001) and decreased by 3.0% with increase in 1 °C in temperature (p = 0.045). The numbers of admissions for control diagnoses (heart failure, intestinal obstruction and iron deficiency anaemia) in the same period in 2020 were not reduced. ConclusionsThe number of admissions for AECOPD decreased in first three months of 2020, compared with previous years. This was observed with increased masking percentage and social distancing in Hong Kong. We postulated universal masking and social distancing during COVID-19 pandemics both contributed in preventing respiratory tract infections hence AECOPD.

ERCP and SARS-COV-2: an urgent procedure that should be immune

Background Radical changes to clinical and endoscopy practice have been rapidly introduced following the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). Urgent endoscopies are, however, intended to proceed as normal with additional personal protective procedures. A perceived reduction in hospital attendances may suggest a number of urgently indicated endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatographies (ERCPs) are being missed. Objectives and Methods: A review of all ERCPs carried out in a large tertiary referral endoscopy unit under healthcare restrictions was compared to the same time period in previous years. The intention was to determine if ERCPs are proceeding as normal or if there is a difference in referral characteristics. Results Under service restrictions (13 March to the end of April 2020), 55 ERCPs were performed compared with 87 ERCPs in 2019. Similar numbers to 2019 were also recorded in the preceding years. One case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in a patient in the days following ERCP, with no cases notified among staff related to endoscopy. Conclusions A reduction in ERCP referrals raises concern that a cohort of patients with significant biliary disease remain undetected. Whether this results in later, and more severe, presentation remains to be seen but a potential surge in such cases could significantly burden all future endoscopy planning services.

Effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on the U.S. Emergency Medical Services System: A Preliminary Report.

BackgroundOur objective was to quantify trends in emergency medical services (EMS) incidents as the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic spread across the United States and to determine if there was an increase in EMS‐attended deaths.MethodsWe conducted a 3‐year comparative retrospective cohort analysis of data from the National EMS Information System. Data were included if care was provided between the 40th and 21st weeks of the next year and compared over 3 years. We included incidents identified through 9‐1‐1 where patient contact was made. The total number of EMS incidents per week was used as the denominator to calculate the rate of patient deaths and possible injury. We assessed for temporal and seasonal trends.ResultsStarting in the 10th week of 2020 there was a decrease in the number of EMS activations in the United States compared to the prior weeks and the same time period in previous years. The number of activations between week 10 and week 16 decreased by 140,292 or 26.1%. The portion of EMS activations reporting a patient disposition of death nearly doubled between the 11th and 15th weeks of 2020 (1.49%–2.77% of all activations). The number of EMS activations documenting a possible injury decreased from 18.43% to 15.27% between weeks 10 and 13.ConclusionWe found that early in the COVID‐19 outbreak there was a significant decrease in the number of EMS responses across the United States. Simultaneously the rate of EMS‐attended death doubled, while the rate of injuries decreased.

Estimation of Excess Deaths Associated With the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States, March to May 2020

Efforts to track the severity and public health impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States have been hampered by state-level differences in diagnostic test availability, differing strategies for prioritization of individuals for testing, and delays between testing and reporting. Evaluating unexplained increases in deaths due to all causes or attributed to nonspecific outcomes, such as pneumonia and influenza, can provide a more complete picture of the burden of COVID-19. To estimate the burden of all deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States from March to May 2020. This observational study evaluated the numbers of US deaths from any cause and deaths from pneumonia, influenza, and/or COVID-19 from March 1 through May 30, 2020, using public data of the entire US population from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). These numbers were compared with those from the same period of previous years. All data analyzed were accessed on June 12, 2020. Increases in weekly deaths due to any cause or deaths due to pneumonia/influenza/COVID-19 above a baseline, which was adjusted for time of year, influenza activity, and reporting delays. These estimates were compared with reported deaths attributed to COVID-19 and with testing data. There were approximately 781 000 total deaths in the United States from March 1 to May 30, 2020, representing 122 300 (95% prediction interval, 116 800-127 000) more deaths than would typically be expected at that time of year. There were 95 235 reported deaths officially attributed to COVID-19 from March 1 to May 30, 2020. The number of excess all-cause deaths was 28% higher than the official tally of COVID-19-reported deaths during that period. In several states, these deaths occurred before increases in the availability of COVID-19 diagnostic tests and were not counted in official COVID-19 death records. There was substantial variability between states in the difference between official COVID-19 deaths and the estimated burden of excess deaths. Excess deaths provide an estimate of the full COVID-19 burden and indicate that official tallies likely undercount deaths due to the virus. The mortality burden and the completeness of the tallies vary markedly between states.

A report of antibiotic restriction policy in Ghaem university hospital, Mashhad, Northea

AimThe most serious problem in health care setting is over use and misuse antibiotics particularly in Iran. In 2017, some programs were implemented by the Iranian Ministry of Health (MOH) to controlling the antibacterial agent consumption in hospitals. This study evaluates the impact of implementation a restriction policy in Ghaem university hospital, which tries to limit the prescription of eight expensive antibiotics. MethodAccording to this policy the prescription of these antibiotics were only allowed by infectious disease specialists. The restriction policy of expensive antibiotics were initiated from April 21, 2018. We compared the consumption of these eight expensive antibiotics during 2 trimesters before and after the administration of this restriction policy. We also measured these drugs usage during the same period in previous year (April 21- July 22, 2017). ResultsThe consumption was decreased 37.7% during trimester after the starting of restriction plan compare to similar period before it (p = 0). The consumption had also declined compare to the same period in previous year. ConclusionsThis simple restriction policy was effective in decreasing the antibiotic usage in Ghaem university hospital.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic in Paris, France: a population-based, observational study

SummaryBackgroundAlthough mortality due to COVID-19 is, for the most part, robustly tracked, its indirect effect at the population level through lockdown, lifestyle changes, and reorganisation of health-care systems has not been evaluated. We aimed to assess the incidence and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in an urban region during the pandemic, compared with non-pandemic periods.MethodsWe did a population-based, observational study using data for non-traumatic OHCA (N=30 768), systematically collected since May 15, 2011, in Paris and its suburbs, France, using the Paris Fire Brigade database, together with in-hospital data. We evaluated OHCA incidence and outcomes over a 6-week period during the pandemic in adult inhabitants of the study area.FindingsComparing the 521 OHCAs of the pandemic period (March 16 to April 26, 2020) to the mean of the 3052 total of the same weeks in the non-pandemic period (weeks 12–17, 2012–19), the maximum weekly OHCA incidence increased from 13·42 (95% CI 12·77–14·07) to 26·64 (25·72–27·53) per million inhabitants (p<0·0001), before returning to normal in the final weeks of the pandemic period. Although patient demographics did not change substantially during the pandemic compared with the non-pandemic period (mean age 69·7 years [SD 17] vs 68·5 [18], 334 males [64·4%] vs 1826 [59·9%]), there was a higher rate of OHCA at home (460 [90·2%] vs 2336 [76·8%]; p<0·0001), less bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (239 [47·8%] vs 1165 [63·9%]; p<0·0001) and shockable rhythm (46 [9·2%] vs 472 [19·1%]; p<0·0001), and longer delays to intervention (median 10·4 min [IQR 8·4–13·8] vs 9·4 min [7·9–12·6]; p<0·0001). The proportion of patients who had an OHCA and were admitted alive decreased from 22·8% to 12·8% (p<0·0001) in the pandemic period. After adjustment for potential confounders, the pandemic period remained significantly associated with lower survival rate at hospital admission (odds ratio 0·36, 95% CI 0·24–0·52; p<0·0001). COVID-19 infection, confirmed or suspected, accounted for approximately a third of the increase in OHCA incidence during the pandemic.InterpretationA transient two-times increase in OHCA incidence, coupled with a reduction in survival, was observed during the specified time period of the pandemic when compared with the equivalent time period in previous years with no pandemic. Although this result might be partly related to COVID-19 infections, indirect effects associated with lockdown and adjustment of health-care services to the pandemic are probable. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account when considering mortality data and public health strategies.FundingThe French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)

COVID-19: long-term effects on the community response to cardiac arrest?

COVID-19: long-term effects on the community response to cardiac arrest?

Covid-19 em contexto: comparação com a mortalidade mensal por causas respiratórias nos estados brasileiros

Decisões críticas no combate à pandemia causada pelo SARS-CoV-2 têm sido realizadas frequentemente com dados e informações ainda incompletas. Enquanto os órgãos pertinentes não solucionam os gargalos no fluxo de informações de vital importância, epidemiólogos e outros pesquisadores devem produzir subsídios técnicos para o enfrentamento da crise contornando essas limitações. No presente estudo, focado no Brasil, comparamos os óbitos pelo SARS-CoV-2, disponibilizados diariamente, com os dados de óbitos por doenças respiratórias e outras doenças nos anos de 2014 a 2018 (os últimos cinco anos completos para os quais os dados estão disponíveis). Adicionalmente, extraímos os sinais temporais anuais dos óbitos por doenças respiratórias para que o período típico de pico na mortalidade por essas doenças possa ser considerado em cada estado Brasileiro. A porcentagem de óbitos pelo SARS-CoV-2 até o dia 15 de abril equivale a 24% da mortalidade esperada por causas respiratórias no mesmo período, com base em anos anteriores, com grande variação entre os estados (desde o Amazonas, 151%, até o Tocantins, com 3%). Estamos na época típica de pico de mortalidade associada a doenças respiratórias em grande parte do Norte e Nordeste (com exceção de Roraima). Nas regiões Sudeste e Sul, esse pico é mais tardio (junho–agosto). A evolução da pandemia em cada estado dependerá, no entanto, de vários outros fatores, como o comportamento do patógeno – ainda não conhecido suficientemente. Ressaltamos a necessidade de ações para aumento da agilidade na disponibilização dos dados atuais de mortalidade (por diversas causas), para que equipes de pesquisa com diferentes abordagens analíticas possam se somar no combate a este desafio sanitário global.

(Machine) Learning from the COVID-19 Lockdown about Electricity Market Performance with a Large Share of Renewables

The negative demand shock due to the COVID-19 lockdown has reduced net demand for electricity|system demand less amount of energy produced by intermittent renewables, hydroelectric units, and net imports|that must be served by controllable generation units. Under normal demand conditions, introducing additional renewable generation capacity reduces net demand. Consequently, the lockdown can provide insights about electricity market performance with a large share of renewables. We find that although the lockdown reduced average day-ahead prices in Italy by 45%, re-dispatch costs increased by 73%, both relative to the average of the same magnitude for the same period in previous years. We estimate a deep-learning model using data from 2017{2019 and find that predicted re-dispatch costs during the lockdown period are only 26% higher than the same period in previous years. We argue that the difference between actual and predicted lockdown period re-dispatch costs is the result of increased opportunities for suppliers with controllable units to exercise market power in the re-dispatch market in these persistently low net demand conditions. Our results imply that without grid investments and other technologies to manage low net demand conditions, an increased share of intermittent renewables is likely to increase costs of maintaining a reliable grid.

An Epidemic of Hepatitis A - Liaoning Province, 2020.

What is already known about this topic? Hepatitis A (HA) is caused by acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and was once very common in China. Following the 2008 introduction of the HA vaccine into the national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the incidence of reported HA in China decreased markedly. However, HA epidemics still occur in Liaoning Province every 3–5 years, although with far fewer cases than in the pre-HA-vaccination era. What is added by this report? Between January 1, 2020 and March 18, 2020, the number of reported cases of HA in Dalian and Dandong cities of Liaoning Province increased significantly compared with the same period in previous years. All cases were sporadic, and cases were seen in nearly every township. The increase in HA occurred one month after local fresh seafood became available with most cases being among adults. A case-control study showed that consuming raw or undercooked seafood, clams, snapping shrimp, and oysters were significantly associated with the increase in HA. What are the implications for public health practices? Strengthening health education for residents to avoid consumption of raw seafood and encouraging HAV vaccination of adults aged 20 to 54 years are important to prevent periodic HAV endemic outbreaks. Further multisectoral cooperation must be emphasized on HA surveillance in areas with a high prevalence of HA.

Monitoring Crop Growth During the Period of the Rapid Spread of COVID-19 in China by Remote Sensing.

The status of crop growth under the influence of COVID-19 is an important information for evaluating the current food security in China. This article used the cloud computing platform of Google Earth Engine, to access and analyze Sentinel-2, MODIS, and other multisource remote sensing data in the last five years to monitor the growth of crops in China, especially in Hubei province, during the period of the rapid spread of COVID-19 (i.e., from late January to mid-March 2020), and compared with the growth over the same period under similar climate conditions in the past four years. We further analyzed the indirect effects of COVID-19 on crop growth. The results showed that: the area of the crops with better growth (51%) was much more than that with worse growth (22%); the crops with better and worse growth were mainly distributed in the North China Plain (the main planting areas of winter wheat in China) and the South China regions (such as Guangxi, Guangdong province), respectively. The area of the crops with a similar growth occupied 27%. In Hubei province, the area of the crops with better growth (61%) was also more than that with worse growth (27%). It was found that there was no obvious effect from COVID-19 on the overall growth of crops in China during the period from late January to mid-March 2020 and the growth of crops was much better than that during the same period in previous years. The findings in this study are helpful in evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 on China's agriculture, which are conducive to serve the relevant agricultural policy formulation and to ensure food security.

Impact of a structured medical staff education program on the effect of HIV testing in four multi-specialist hospitals of the mazowieckie voivodeship as a part of the "Stop late presenters" - project.

In half of newly detected cases of HIV infection in Europe, the diagnosis is made late. This has significant impact on the effects of antiretroviral therapy, long-term consequences of the disease, mortality, and the risk of HIV transmission in the environment. As part of the large "STOP Late Presenters" project, the number of HIV tests was assessed in four multi-specialist hospitals in the Mazowieckie voivodeship, which generally carry out over 112,000 hospitalizations per year. First, under the structured research program, the training of medical personnel was carried out in these hospitals, and then the number of HIV tests ordered was evaluated 2 months and 4 months after the training. 459 HIV tests were performed after the training in all hospitals, which is 2.44% of hospitalizations. It is interesting to note that after 4 months, the number of performed tests fell significantly. Staff training resulted in the number of tests higher by 5.8 %, compared to the same period of previous year. Four positive results were confirmed, which is 0.87% of all tests done. This is almost twice higher than in other European countries. Tests for HIV infection are most often ordered by doctors of infectious diseases, gynecologists and the staff of dialysis departments. We found that there is little interest in HIV testing among other specialists, despite reporting patients with clinical symptoms that suggest the likelihood of this infection. The improvement in HIV testing is of great importance for public health in our country and requires modification of diagnostic algorithms in hospital wards to reduce the number of late diagnoses of HIV / AIDS.

Brief review on materials used as carrier agents for larvicide formulations

Mosquito-borne diseases are great concerns of people in the worldwide, especially dengue. There are 390 million people infected with dengue in a year. According to Dengue Situation Update Report for Western Pacific Region, there is an increment in the number of the infected areas as compared to the same period of previous year. World of Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health (MOH) from every country pay the highest attention towards this issue. Other than inventing new formulation of adulticides, application of larvicide is newly emerging as an effective method to control mosquitoes from spreading virus. In this brief review, several recent studies about ways of the virus transmitted through mosquito biting behaviour, larvicide formulation and types of carrier agents being used to carry larvicide will be discussed. In order to sustain the aquatic ecosystem, materials for carrier agents should be environmental-friendly. This review paper will give insight into the recent development in carrier system for mosquitoes larvicide formulations.

A new strategy to promote flu vaccination among health care workers: Molinette Hospital's experience

Seasonal flu represents a major public health issue, especially for health care workers (HCWs). WHO highlights the need of higher awareness and flu vaccine coverage among HCWs. In Europe the coverage is less than 30-40%. Italy reports some of the lowest rates. The paper aims to illustrate the 2017/2018 flu vaccination campaign within Molinette, the third Italian hospital for dimensions, to provide inputs about strategies for increasing HCWs coverage. The campaign objective was to increase the administered doses at least of 30%. The intervention included informational material, direct educational sessions for workers, extension of the access time to Occupational Medicine Service, elimination of the reservation requirement, composition of "moving vaccination units" (MVUs), and organisation of vaccination sessions within departments. In 2017/2018, 593 doses were administered. The doses percentage change between 2017/2018 and 2016/2017 vaccination seasons was +46.06%, while it was +84.74% compared with the previous 5-year period mean. The majority was administered by Occupational Medicine Service, while 6.75% by MVUs. Among the total doses, 72.68% were administered to workers, 13.49% to residents, 6.75% to students, and 7.08% to "other". So, 7.68% of total workforce was vaccinated. Only 0.3% of vaccinated people presented mild adverse reactions. A combined campaign, that includes actions for education, increase of awareness, improved access to facilities and active offers to workers has potentiality but there is still work to do. The vaccination increase was determined mostly by the re-organization of the occupational medicine, while the MVUs were useful to HCWs of detached offices.

Oral health and healthcare utilization in Belgian dentate adults.

In 2012-2014, the Belgian National Oral Health Data Registration and Evaluation Survey, integrated in the Health Interview Survey (HIS), was carried out. The present study investigated, in a sample of 1340 dentate adults (≥25years), the association between oral healthcare utilization, oral health status and sociodemographic status. A multistage, stratified cluster sampling procedure was used. Oral examination for caries experience (World Health Organization, D3 MFT-Index), periodontal status (Dutch Periodontal Screening Index, DPS-Index), number of teeth present and occlusal contacts without wearing removable dentures was performed by calibrated examiners. Oral healthcare utilization data were retrieved from the records of the Belgian Intermutualistic Agency. Participants' oral health and sociodemographic data were linked to registered oral care utilization in the previous 5-year period. Regular attenders (annual attenders and those with at least one registered contact in three different years) were compared with irregular attenders (those having had dental visits but not according to the definition of regular attenders) and nonattenders. Data were weighted to compensate for sampling and participation bias. Six hundred and seventy-nine participants attended regularly, of whom 276 annually; 256 did not attend in the reference period. The overall D3 MFT-Index was not noticeably different between attendance patterns (varying between 11 and 13), although regular attenders had more restored teeth than nonattenders (P<0.01). No difference was seen for DPS-Index and number of teeth/occluding pairs (χ2 test, P>0.05). Females, participants with higher education, older participants and those in employment had higher rates of regular attendance. Regular attenders had fewer untreated caries lesions, but neither lower caries experience nor lower DPS-Index than irregular attenders. Regular attendance was associated with sociodemographic variables.

Effectiveness of medicine Malaria Off 200 as mass prophylaxis against Malaria in the high-risk villages of Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh

Background: Learning from the past experiences, the district health authority Shahdol has planned a mass-prophylactic activity with the Homeopathy Medicine (Malaria Off 200) in the selected high-risk villages (above 5 API) in the year 2016 Objective: The present paper reports the effectiveness of Malaria off 200 as mass-prophylactic drug in addition to routine antimalarial activities under NVBDCP in district Shahdol, Madhya pradesh in year 2016. Methodology: A Homeopathic drug Malaria Off 200 was used for the mass-prophylaxis of Malaria in high malaria transmission season in selected 28 villages of district Shahdol. The effectiveness of the drug was ascertained as “Reduction of ≥20% villages, having more than 2 malaria case in six-month period (July-December 2016)in comparison to the previous year”. Result: Of the 28 villages, seven (25%) reported Malaria case incidence equal to or less than two in six-month period (July-December 2016). In the same time period in previous year 23 (82%) villages reported Malaria case incidence more than two. So, reduction of number of villages with 'biannual Malaria case incidence’ rate was 57%. Conclusion: The short term finding validate the campaign as effective, as per the operational definition of effectiveness coined for the campaign. However, further time series studies with Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) is recommended for future.