Persons In India Research Articles

Functional and Radiological Outcome of Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Replacement in a Tertiary Care Centre : A Quasi-prospective Study.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent joint disease with a prevalence of 5313 per 100,000 persons in India. OA of the knee is a major contributor to mobility impairment, particularly among women. In these patients, total knee replacement (TKR) is widely accepted as the gold standard treatment for pain relief and restoration of function. Now, patients have the option of undergoing either a simultaneous bilateral TKR or a staged TKR. The former has shown significant advantages such as shorter rehabilitation, cost efficacy and shorter hospital stay. This study aimed to assess the functional and radiological outcome of simultaneous bilateral TKR in a tertiary care centre. 30 adult patients above the age of 55 years with severe OA knee who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKR between 2022-2023 were included in this prospective study. Preoperatively, they were assessed with radiographs including full length scannograms. Mean Anatomical Axis, Mean Mechanical Axis and Mechanical Axis Deviation (Varus) were calculated based on the scannograms by a single observer. The same observer administered the oxford knee score (OKS) preoperatively to all patients. Regular clinical and radiological follow up was done. After 1 year follow up, the same observer administered the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) to the operated knee. With a female preponderance among the study subjects (56.7%), the majority of the cases in our cohort were characterised as Grade IV Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grade of Osteoarthritis (76.66%) and were found to have tricompartmental involvement (70%). The mean anatomical axis for the right and left lower limb were 4.56±5.17 and 9.68±1.72 respectively. The mean mechanical axis deviation (Varus) for the right and left lower limb were 31.6±15.1 and 52.0±13.9 respectively. Preoperatively, mean mechanical axis for the right and left lower limb were 9.95±4.31 and 14.2 ±0.67 respectively. Postoperatively, mechanical axis was restored to near-normal values (3-5 degrees). Significant improvement in mean OKS from a preoperative value of 18.30 ± 3.46 to postoperative value of 33.50 ± 5.32 was noted at 1 year. Treatment of severe bilateral OA knee with simultaneous single staged bilateral TKR ensures good functional outcome , early mobility with minimal complications.

Employment of Specially-Abled People in the Hotel Industry—An Indian perspective

Abstract A person with a disability implies a personage with a defined impairment of not less than 40% as per the Gazzette of India. Disability is a collective term that covers (1) impairments (a body function or structure problem), (2) limitations on the operation (related to difficulties in performing a task or action), and (3) constraints on participation (an issue found in life circumstances involvement); The International Classification for Functioning (ICF) definition of disability that states “disability is caused by a complex relationship between body structures, functions and impairments, reflecting the circumstances in which a person lives” will be used. Research conducted by the American India Foundation (AIF) identified different career opportunities for specially-abled persons in India, including examples from the hotel and catering industries. The present scenario of specially-abled people in the Indian hotel industry was explored to understand the opportunities and hindrances in the process and how they can be resolved to increase their employment for a dignified life and an inclusive Indian society as a presumed national goal by the NITI Aayog. This study connects the demand for a competent workforce in the Indian hotel sector with the employment needs of specially-abled people.

Social support and economic conditions among older migrants in India: do distance, duration, and streams of migration play a role in later life?

BackgroundBeing older and having a migrant feature might cause a double risk of vulnerability in poor economic, social support, and health status at the place of destination. This study examines the association of migration on the social support and economic condition of older persons in India.MethodsLongitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave-I (2017–2018) data with total samples of 66,156 older adults aged 45 + with 30,869 and 35,287 male and female samples, respectively, used in this study. Descriptive and bivariate analyses have been performed to examine the pattern of older migrants, and multinomial logistic regression analysis has been used to establish the associations between migration, social support, and economic condition.ResultsOver half (57.5%) of the population aged 45 + in India had migrant characteristics; 80% migrated before 25 years. Of all migrants, about 90% migrated within one state (Intrastate), and 9% migrated to another (Interstate). The association between social support and migration by distance and the adjusted result showed that immigrants were less likely to have medium [RRR = 0.56 (CI; 0.46–0.68)] and high [RRR = 0.39 (CI; 0.30–0.50)] social support. The interstate migrants were also less likely to have high [RRR = 0.90 (CI; 0.83–0.98)] social support. The migrants with 0–9 years of duration were less likely to have high social support, and the urban to rural stream migrants were more likely to have high social support. The association between economic status and migration by distance and the adjusted result showed that more affluent immigrants were likelier to have [RRR = 1.41 (CI; 1.14–1.73)] better economic conditions than affluent non-migrants. Migrants with 0–9-year duration and urban to rural stream were found to be likelier to have better economic conditions.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that distance, duration, and migration stream have a significant association with social support and economic conditions in later life. In exploring migration’s effect on social and economic status, policymakers should prioritize migrants in their agenda to maintain socio-economic and social support for older persons in India to achieve the sustainable goal of active and healthy ageing.

Implementing pharmacogenetic testing to optimize proton-pump inhibitors use among Indian population based on CPIC-CYP2C19-PPI dosing guidelines: The need of the hour.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed to decrease stomach acid and treat various acid-related Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases. However, genetic variations, particularly in the CYP2C19 gene, affect PPIs metabolism and efficacy. Variants in CYP2C19 can result in different rates of PPI metabolism, influencing their effectiveness. Personalized medicine strategies, such as genotyping for CYP2C19, have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of PPI therapy and patient safety. This review aims to describe the relevance of CYP2C19 genetic profiling in the indian population, including normal function (e.g. CYP2C19*1, *11, *13, *15, *18, *28, and 38), decreased function (e.g., CYP2C19*9, *10, *16, *19, *25, and 26), loss of function (e.g., CYP2C19*2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *7, *8, *22, *24, *35, *36, and *37), and increased function (e.g., CYP2C19*17) variants. This review also examines the clinical pharmacogenomics implementation consortium (CPIC)-CYP2C19-PPI guidelines to highlight the importance of pharmacogenomics (PGx)-informed personalized PPI therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease treatment. On average, each person in India possesses eight pharmacogenetic (PGx) variants that can be clinically significant, underscoring the need for preemptive testing. Implementing CYP2C19 genetic testing in India requires expanding laboratory capacity, increasing accessibility in primary care, increasing public awareness, collaboration between pharmacovigilance and PGx programs, investing in advanced sequencing technologies, data management systems, and integration with electronic health records and clinical decision support systems. Addressing challenges such as genetic diversity, socioeconomic factors, health-care access issues, and shortage of trained professionals is essential for implementation. Due to the lack of definitive country-specific policies and PGx guidelines from Indian drug regulatory agencies, guidelines from international consortia such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and drug labeling offer crucial foundational evidence. This evidence can be used to enhance patient outcomes and ensure the safe and effective use of PPIs in India.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis Awareness and Acceptability among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Persons in India: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

With increasing importance being given to preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for human immunodeficiency virus prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons (TG), we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of PrEP awareness and acceptability among these key populations in India, and their sociodemographic and behavioral determinants. The systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023390508). Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on PrEP awareness or acceptability among MSM or TG in India. MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to February 29, 2024, using keywords and database-specific terms. Relevant websites were also searched. Critical appraisal was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Random-effects meta-analysis was done for common outcomes reported by the studies. Reporting was as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses 2020 statement. Ten studies providing cross-sectional data, mostly from South West India, were included for qualitative synthesis. All were conducted in settings where PrEP was not available. The pooled prevalence among MSM and TG was 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7%, 28.7%) for awareness and 79.8% (95% CI 57.4%, 100.0%) for willingness to use daily oral PrEP. This review highlights the felt need for PrEP among MSM and TG in India. Further research is needed to understand user attitudes in different parts of the country.

Experiences of transgender persons in accessing routine healthcare services in India: Findings from a participatory qualitative study.

Despite having a higher burden of health problems, transgender persons face challenges in accessing healthcare in India. Most studies on healthcare access of transgender persons in India focus only on HIV related care, mental healthcare, gender affirmative services or on the ethno-cultural communities or transgender women. This study fills this gap by focusing on diverse gender identities within the transgender community with a specific focus on experiences in accessing general or routine healthcare services. A qualitative descriptive approach was used in this study. 23 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions were conducted virtually and in-person with a total of 63 transgender persons in different regions of India between May and September 2021. The study used a community-based participatory research approach and was informed by the intersectionality approach. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data. Four key themes emerged: (i) intersectional challenges in accessing healthcare start outside of the health system, continue through cisgender-binary-normative health systems that exclude transgender persons; and at the interface with individuals such as health professionals, support staff and bystanders; (ii) the experiences negatively impact transgender persons at an individual level; (iii) in response, transgender persons navigate these challenges across each of the levels: individual, health system level and from outside of the health system. This is a first of its kind qualitative participatory study focusing on routine healthcare services of transgender persons in India. The findings indicate the need to move conversations on trans-inclusion in healthcare from HIV and gender affirmative services to routine comprehensive healthcare services considering the higher burden of health problems in the community and the impact of poor access on their lives and well-being.

Challenges and opportunities in strengthening primary mental healthcare for older people in India: a qualitative stakeholder analysis

BackgroundPrimary mental healthcare (PMHC) allows for complex mental health issues in old age to be addressed. India has sought to improve PMHC through legislation, strategies and programmes. This study analyses the challenges and opportunities involved in strengthening PMHC for older persons in India from the perspectives of key stakeholders.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 14 stakeholders selected from the PMHC system in India and analysed using thematic analysis. First, the analysis was organizationally structured in accordance with the six WHO mental health system domains: (1) policy and legislative framework, (2) mental health services, (3) mental health in primary care, (4) human resources, (5) public information and links to other sectors, and (6) monitoring and research. Second, for each building block, challenges and opportunities were derived using inductive coding.ResultsThis study highlights the numerous challenges that may be encountered when attempting to strengthen age-inclusive PMHC. Among these challenges are poor public governance, a lack of awareness and knowledge among policy-makers and other stakeholders, and existing policies that make unrealistic promises to weak primary healthcare (PHC) structures with an excessive focus on medicalizing mental health problems. Thus, the mental health system often fails to reach vulnerable older people through PHC. Established approaches to comprehensive, family- and community-oriented PHC support attempts to strengthen intersectoral approaches to PMHC that emphasize mental health promotion in old age. Targeting the PHC workforce through age-inclusive mental health education is considered particularly necessary. Experts further argue that adequate monitoring structures and public spending for mental health must be improved.ConclusionsIn this study, we aim to elaborate on the mental healthcare developments that may serve to achieve equity in access to mental healthcare in India. Coordinated and collaborative efforts by public and private stakeholders involved in the care of older persons, both with and without lived mental health experiences, as well as their families and communities, are necessary to bring the vision of those policies for PMHC to fruition. The findings presented in this study can also inform future research, policies and practice in other low- and middle-income countries.

Knowledge of prevention and first aid in burn injuries among health care workers and non-health care persons in India

Appropriate and timely first aid reduces morbidity in burns. This study aims to assess the knowledge of first aid in burns among healthcare workers (HCW) and nonhealthcare workers. (NHCW). MethodsA survey, distributed in both paper and Google survey formats, presented five sample cases with multiple-choice answers. Participants recorded the most suitable first aid management for each scenario. Correct answers were provided on completion. ResultsOut of the total 753 participants, only 89 (11.8%) got all five answers correct. 16% HCW and 6% NHCW could answer all 5 questions correctly (with a true HCW:NHCW ratio of 2.67:1). Providing care for individuals with burns substantially raised the probability of giving accurate responses (p = 0.0001). While attending the general First Aid Course did not affect the responses (p = 0.08), participation in the Burns First Aid Course demonstrated slightly improved results (p = 0.052). The scenario involving liquid petroleum gas leakage saw a high proportion of correct responses, likely influenced by media coverage. ConclusionWe find a clear need for adequate training in burns first aid due to low awareness among healthcare workers (HCW) and non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Factors such as participation in burn first aid courses and gaining firsthand experience in treating burns were found to be linked to improved knowledge of burns prevention and first aid. Utilizing various media channels could be a valuable strategy to reach a broader audience, especially in remote and inaccessible areas.

Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity among Elderly Persons in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: The increasing development of overweight/obesity among elderly persons in India, combined with the aging population puts them at risk of coronary heart diseases, thereby reducing life expectancy. The data on the prevalence of overweight/obesity among elderly persons in India is varied (2%–60%). Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to obtain a holistic estimate of the prevalence of overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) among elderly persons in India. Methods: A systematic electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to retrieve community-based studies which reported the prevalence of overweight/obesity among elderly persons in India, without any date or language restriction. To estimate the pooled prevalence and heterogeneity, the random-effects model and I 2 statistic methods were employed. We also conducted subgroup analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis. Results: We included 33 studies in this meta-analysis, which comprised a total of 60,006 participants. The pooled prevalence of overweight/obesity among elderly persons in India was 21.5% (95% confidence interval: 17.1%–26.2%, I 2-99.3%). The subgroup analysis based on gender and study setting did not reveal the cause of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis after removing a large study did not change the pooled estimate. Conclusions: One-fifth of the elderly persons in India are overweight/obese. Strengthening of primary health care by training health care providers, screening for obesity combined with appropriate management is vital to address the problem of overweight and obesity among the elderly population to reduce obesity-related complications and thereby achieve healthy aging.

Synthesizing the risk of morbidities and lifestyle factors on insomnia symptoms among middle-aged and older adult persons in India

PurposeMost of the time increasing age and improper lifestyle enhance the burgeoning health challenge for middle-aged and older adult persons. In this way, the present study seeks to know the association of morbidity, lifestyle parameters, and background characteristics with insomnia symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in India.MethodsThe study utilizes a sample of 46,462 older individuals aged 45 years and above from LASI wave-1. Multivariate binary logistic models were applied to acquire the results.ResultInsomnia symptom was closely linked with hypertension [AOR: 1.33; 1.27–1.39], heart diseases [AOR: 1.37; 1.23–1.53], the neurological problem [AOR: 1.67; 1.46–1.91], as compared to older adults who did not suffer from any morbidity. The likelihood of insomnia symptoms was also higher among older individuals who reported following an accustomed lifestyle i.e., no reading habit [AOR: 1.35; 1.26–1.45], never going to the park for relaxing leisure hours [AOR: 1.38; 1.01–1.73]. Moreover, insomnia increases with age, and among elder women.ConclusionThe encouragement of remedies for morbidity and improper lifestyle practices could be considered as part of a plan to decrease insomnia symptoms. As well as the detection of early stages of insomnia by health professionals and intervention of public health services is necessary.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep quality with cognitive function: a study of middle-aged and elderly persons in India.

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and poor sleep quality affect around one in ten people in India. We aimed to determine if OSA symptoms and poor sleep quality are independently associated with cognition in middle-aged and elderly urban Indian populations. We studied the cross-sectional association between OSA symptoms (by Berlin Questionnaire), poor sleep quality (by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and cognitive function in adults ≥ 50years. Using a standard neuropsychological battery for cognitive function, a G-factor was derived as the first rotated principal component assessing domains of information processing, memory, and executive function. The associations of exposures with cognitive measures were modeled using linear regression, adjusted for metabolic risk factors, lifestyle factors, and psychosocial problems, followed by stratified analysis by decadal age group. A total of 7505 adults were enrolled.Excluding those with MMSE < 26 (n 710), of 6795 individuals (49.2% women), mean (SD) age 64.2 (9.0) years, 38.3% had high risk of OSA symptoms, and 15.9% had poor sleep quality. OSA symptoms were negatively associated with cognitive domains of information processing (adjusted beta coefficient of z-score - 0.02, p-value 0.006), memory (- 0.03, 0.014), and G-factor (- 0.11, 0.014) in full-model. Stratified analysis by age group showed significant adverse effects of OSA symptoms on cognition for middle-aged people (50-60years) (- 0.26, 0.001), but not in later age groups. Poor sleep quality was also associated with lower cognitive scores for G-factor (- 0.48, < 0.001), memory (- 0.08, 0.005), and executive domains (- 0.12, < 0.001), but not with information domain. The findings suggest that both symptoms of OSA and poor sleep quality have a direct adverse impact on cognition in an Indian setting. A modest effect of age on the relationship of OSA and cognition was also observed.

Trade Unions: a Symbiont of Multifaceted Changes in Kerala

Trade unions, as we see them today, are the vibrant remnants of the great struggle that unfolded after the 1850s when numerous large-scale industries began recruiting a large number of people in less than agreeable working environments. Despite the unfavourable conditions and appalling work, workers persevered until agitations began. Shri Lokhandey was the first person in India to form an association of Bombay Mill Workers in 1890. Encouraged by this initiative, many associations and labour unions sprang up in different parts of India. This eventually led to the formulation of various labour legislations at the national and state levels. In this study, we analyse the trade unions of Kerala, rightfully called the 'political laboratory of India,' owing to its distinguished political scenario compared to the rest of the Indian states. This study delves into the analysis of trade unions in Kerala concerning its political landscape, socio-economic factors, and legal frameworks. The historical backdrop sheds light on the roots of trade unions in Kerala, evolving from early struggles during trade expansion to their pivotal role in the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt of 1946. In the political domain, the article aims to explore the symbiotic relationship between trade unions and political parties, especially the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], which has been a stalwart presence. It also elucidates the integral role played by trade unions in the evolving political landscape. The socio-economic dynamics highlight the economic hardships and poor working conditions that fuelled the trade union movement, shifting from an initial focus on political issues to later emphasizing economic demands post-independence. Legally, the article focuses on the current Trade Union Act and its demand for legislative updates.. This analysis offers valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of trade unions in Kerala through the examination of trade union activities, strikes, and case studies.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Measurement Using Human Face Skin Region.

Analyse the diabetes mellitus (DM) of a person through the facial skin region using vision diabetology. Diabetes mellitus is caused by persistent high blood glucose levels and related complications, which show variation in facial skin regions due to reduced blood flow in the facial arteries. Materials and Method. In this study, 200 facial images of diabetes patients with skin conditions such as Bell's palsy, rubeosis faciei, scleroderma, and vitiligo were collected from existing face videos. Moreover, face images are collected from diabetic persons in India. Viola Jones' face-detecting algorithm extracts face skin regions from a diabetic person's face image in video frames. The affected skin area on the diabetic person's face is detected using HSV colour model segmentation. The proposed multiwavelet transform convolutional neural network (MWTCNN) extracts the features for diabetic measurement from up- and downfacial scaled images of diabetic persons. The existing deep learning models are compared with the proposed MWTCNN model, which provides the highest accuracy of 98.3%. The facial skin region-based diabetic measurement avoids pricking of the serum and is used for continuous glucose monitoring.

General overview of the Risk factors, Pathogenesis, and Combined treatments for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT)

In regions of the world where iodine is abundant, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto's disease or autoimmune thyroiditis, is the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism. It is a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by autoimmune-mediated thyroid gland destruction, which results in progressive thyroid failure, either with or without goiter formation. In young to middle-aged women, Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically starts as a painless, diffuse, firm thyroid gland enlargement that progresses to hypothyroidism. Many people don't initially exhibit hypothyroidism, and some don't even have a goiter or may have an atrophic thyroid gland. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), also known as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by parenchymal atrophy, fibrosis, and diffuse lymphocytic infiltration. being the main source of primary hypothyroidism in regions with adequate iodine. With the help of various criteria, such as physical examination, blood tests for thyroid hormone levels (TSH is low, T3 and T4 are tall, for example), serum cholesterol and triglycerides, blood glucose, and radioactive iodine uptake, it is possible to distinguish between infections and clutter. According to estimates from several thyroid disease studies, 42 million persons in India are estimated to have the ailment. The pathogenesis causes, risk factors and combination therapy linked to Hashimoto's thyroiditis are discussed in this review study.

Prevalence of root caries in Indian population - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To evaluate the pooled prevalence of root caries among Indian population through systematic review and meta-analysis. The study protocol adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022367365). Research articles published in English language till July 2022 were evaluated with the use of databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus and employed standard Boolean operators. The search turned up a total of 194 articles; however, only 14 of those matched the requirements for inclusion and were used to compile the meta-analysis. MedCalc® Statistical Software version 20.2 was used to determine the pooled estimates. Using the random effect model, the analysis was carried out. By estimating the heterogeneity using Higgins' I2 statistics, the extent and importance of differences between the chosen studies were ascertained. Publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot and Egger's test. The random effects model yielded a pooled prevalence of 27.617 (95% CI = 17.422-39.154). Three out of ten persons in India may be affected by root caries, which is a serious health issue. To enhance the quality of life for the aged population, oral health policies and preventive actions should concentrate on this issue.

Primary mental healthcare for older people in India: between stigmatization and community orientation

BackgroundQuestions of equitable access to primary mental healthcare (PMHC) for older persons in India have been examined mostly in terms of the coverage of services, although perceptions of mental health and old age and social norms at the community level should be considered in the shaping of PMHC approaches. The present qualitative study, therefore, examined how social perceptions and norms of mental health in old age are and should be considered in the design and implementation of primary healthcare approaches in India.MethodsA secondary thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (n = 14) of PMHC in India was conducted.ResultsFour key themes emerged from the analysis, in which social perceptions and norms were discussed: (1) family participation and low threshold access to mental healthcare, (2) the position of community health workers as an important pillar of old age and mental health-sensitive community-based care, (3) the role of social cohesion and traditional values in fostering a positive and supportive community environment for old age mental health, and (4) the empowerment of communities, families and older persons through mental health education.ConclusionsPMHC, with its focus on mental health promotion, could be an important anchor for combatting negative attitudes about mental health and old age. The findings presented in this study can inform age-sensitive policies and programmes for mental health in India and could inform future research on the subject.

Prevalence of Anemia Among the Elderly in India: Evidence From a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies.

Anemia is a leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality among the elderly population. In spite of numerous interventions and strategies rolled out to tackle the growing burden of anemia, lesser importance is being given to this age group. There is a lack of data on the national level burden of anemia among elderly persons (≥ 60 years) in India. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons (≥ 60 years) in India by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and IndMed, and included cross-sectional studies reporting data on the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons in India and used random effects model to estimate pooled point prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI), To explore the heterogeneity further, we did sub-group analyses based on zonal divisions of India (region), rural or urban, study setting, method of hemoglobin estimation and sampling strategy. Out of 22 studies, one study was of high quality of bias, 11 of moderate, and 10 were of low quality of bias. The pooled estimate of anemia was 68.3% (95%CI: 60.7 to 75.9), I2 = 99.0%, and Q=2079.2 (p-value <0.001). The pooled prevalence of anemia among the elderly in India was found to be high and necessary actions need to be taken at the policy level to achieve "active and healthy ageing".

Human Rights of the HIV-Infected Persons in India: Issues and Concerns

Human rights are basic rights of human beings regardless of gender, religious identity and nationality. Human beings and their rights are constitutionally and legally protected. Though safeguards are there against human rights violations, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected people have to face several injustices in our society. People living with HIV are usually subjected to discrimination in the society even in the 21st century. Society’s attitude towards these people is that of stigma and discrimination. They are provided with the right to privacy according to the current human rights standards. However, the fact is that for the prevention of further spread of HIV, disclosure of HIV-positive status is imperative. Unless the society’s attitude towards HIV-infected persons changes, an HIV/AIDS-free world cannot be dreamt of.

Exploring the positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of the older adults in India.

Caregiving is a committed role that focuses on providing the required support and care to a care receiver who is either ill, disabled, or dependent to the extent that they are incapable of independent functioning. The topic of caregiving has been extensively studied worldwide, mainly focused on the negative aspects of caregiving, like caregiver stress, burden, role conflicts, and burnout among caregivers. However, limited efforts have been made to understand the positive aspects of caregiving among informal caregivers who spend most of their time in this unpaid role. The present study addresses this concern by exploring the positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of older persons in India. This is a qualitative study, which was conducted, using the existential-phenomenological approach. In this study, a purposive sampling technique was used, and a total of a 100 family caregivers participated from four cities in India, namely Prayagraj, Pune, Visakhapatnam, and Guwahati. Twenty-five family caregivers between the age of 30-50 years participated from each of these four cities. The data was collected using six semi-structured interview questions on positive aspects of caregiving based on the lived experiences of caregivers. The interview schedule was developed based on the PERMA model and finalized after the pilot study. Each interview took 30-50 min and was recorded and transcribed. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Some commonalities and differences were observed in the responses given by family caregivers from the four cities. Four major themes that emerged for the "Nature of positive caregiving" among participants from all four cities are "Caregiver's attitude," "Care and compassion," "Roles and responsibilities," and "Beliefs and values." Four significant themes for the "Factors contributing to positive caregiving" are "Meaningfulness in life," "Sense of belongingness," "Personal growth," and "Empathetic understanding." Based on the study's findings, it can be said that the themes were associated with the PERMA model. Positive caregiving is an important indicator of caregivers' and care receivers' well-being. The findings have implications for planning some action research, training, and counseling programs for promoting positive aspects of caregiving among informal caregivers.

Organizing primary mental healthcare for older persons in India: Challenges and opportunities from the perspective of key stakeholders

Organizing primary mental healthcare for older persons in India: Challenges and opportunities from the perspective of key stakeholders