Union Territories Of India Research Articles

Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of Acute Viral Hepatitis A and E in a semi-urban locality in Chandigarh, North Indian Union Territory, 2016-17.

Context:During ongoing passive surveillance in Burail, Chandigarh an unexpected rise in number of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) was reported during December 2016.Aims:An outbreak of AVH was investigated in an urbanized village, Burail, in Chandigarh, India with an objective of describing its epidemiological features.Settings and Design:A house-to-house survey was conducted in Burail (population 51,958).Subjects and Methods:WHO's standard case definition for AVH was used to identify cases. Suspected cases were tested for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and E virus (HEV) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Drinking water samples were tested for fecal contamination. Control measures were implemented to contain the outbreak.Statistical Analysis Used:Descriptive analysis was done as per time, person, and place.Results:Out of 141 confirmed cases of AVH, 85.1% were positive for HEV, 12.8% for HAV, and 2.1% for both HAV and HEV. The attack rate was 27.1 per 10,000 in a population. Males were affected more than females (P < 0.05). One of the areas reported a leakage in drinking water pipeline and had highest attack rate (36.8/10000 population). Drinking water samples were found negative for contamination. Around 27% of confirmed cases reported history of taking food from local vendors in Burail 2–6 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.Conclusion:This study described the epidemiological features of dual hepatitis outbreak due to HAV and HEV from Chandigarh, Union Territory, north India.

Study of evaluation of Alvarado scoring system in acute appendicitis

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgically correctable acute abdomen presenting at emergency department worldwide. Inspite of all advances in diagnostic modalities and surgical techniques, diagnosis remains difficult sometimes as a challenge and delayed decision making complicates this surgical disease. Alvarado scoring system is one of available scoring system for diagnosis of acute appendicitis, based on history, clinical examination, lab investigations and easy to apply, helps in clinical decision regarding planning surgery and avoid negative laparotomies. The aim of the study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of Alvarado scoring system in preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis and correlating with postoperative findings.Methods: This study was conducted in 100 cases of suspected appendicitis admitted in surgery department of Rajiv Gandhi Speciality Hospital, Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, Union territory of India, from July 2015 to June 2017 adopting Alvarado scoring system. Results were analyzed.Results: Out of 100 patients admitted with suspected acute appendicitis, number of cases operated suspecting acute appendicitis were 83 of which 80 were found to have acutely inflamed appendix. Results of Alvarado score of operated patients are as follows: 80 patients had score 7-10, and 3 patients had score 5-6, patients with Alvarado score &lt;5 (17 pts) were managed conservatively.Conclusions: The Alvarado scoring system is a simple and useful diagnostic tool for diagnosis of acute appendicitis with acceptable sensitivity and specificity and can be used with high degree of accuracy. Our findings suggest that patients presenting with abdominal pain and Alvarado scores greater than 7 are more likely to have appendicitis.

Bharatiya Yog Sansthan: reshaping society through Yog

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: understand the operating model of a not-for-profit organization; gain knowledge about the significance of an organizational structure to successfully run a not-for-profit organization; learn the socio-cultural implication of yog through BYS; and learn the applicability of growth and business expansion strategy in the case of a not-for-profit organization. Case overview/synopsis This case covers the innovative operating model of Bharatiya Yog Sansthan (BYS) – a not-for-profit organization which offers free service towards the society through yog. BYS was a not-for-profit organization that survived for long without accepting donation in any form. They had more than 3,500 Yog Centers in 21 States and 2 union territories in India and more than 60 Yog Centers in foreign countries. They were the only not-for-profit organization which had operated such a huge number of Yog Centers across the world. Des Raj became the face of BYS after the demise of the founder Mr. Prakash Lal. While adhering to the core principle of the founder, the list of challenges in front of Mr. Des Raj and other yog enthusiasts’ associated with BYS was long. There arise no questions regarding the level of commitment and dedication of Des Raj and his team. They had left no stone unturned to bring BYS into the lime light and perhaps this is the reason because of which BYS had stood for more than fifty years. On one part they were strictly against commercialization and on the other part, they wanted to reach every household. Was it truly challenging for them to reach people without spending money on promotion? Was it really difficult for a not-for-profit which survived without donation to establish it as a brand? Complexity academic level This case can be taught effectively to MBA/ BBA students as a part of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship subject. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Anaemia among men in India: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

Population-based studies on anaemia in India have mostly focused on women and children, with men with anaemia receiving much less attention despite anaemia's adverse effect on health, wellbeing, and economic productivity. This study aimed to determine the national prevalence of anaemia among men in India; how the prevalence of anaemia in men varies across India among states and districts and by sociodemographic characteristics; and whether the geographical and sociodemographic variation in the prevalence of anaemia among men is similar to that among women to inform whether anaemia reduction efforts for men should be coupled with existing efforts for women. In this cross-sectional study, we analysed data from a nationally representative household survey carried out from January, 2015, to December, 2016, among men aged 15-54 years and women aged 15-49 years in all 29 states and seven Union Territories of India. Haemoglobin concentration was measured using the portable HemoCue Hb 201+ (HemoCue AB, Ängelholm, Sweden) and a capillary blood sample. In addition to disaggregating anaemia prevalence (separately in men and women) by state and age group, we used mixed-effects Poisson regression to determine individual-level and district-level predictors of anaemia. 106 298 men and 633 305 women were included in our analysis. In men, the prevalence of any anaemia was 23·2% (95% CI 22·7-23·7), moderate or severe anaemia was 5·1% (4·9-5·4), and severe anaemia was 0·5% (0·5-0·6). An estimated 21·7% (20·9-22·5) of men with any degree of anaemia had moderate or severe anaemia compared with 53·2% (52·9-53·5) of women with any anaemia. Men aged 20-34 years had the lowest probability of having anaemia whereas anaemia prevalence among women was similar across age groups. State-level prevalence of any anaemia in men varied from 9·2% (7·7-10·9) in Manipur to 32·9% (31·0-34·7) in Bihar. The individual-level predictors of less household wealth, lower education, living in a rural area, smoking, consuming smokeless tobacco, and being underweight and the district-level predictors of living in a district with a lower rate of primary school completion, level of urbanisation, and household wealth were all associated with a higher probability of anaemia in men. Although some important exceptions were noted, district-level and state-level prevalence of anaemia among men correlated strongly with that among women. Anaemia among men in India is an important public health problem. Because of the similarities in the patterns of geographical and sociodemographic variation of anaemia between men and women, future efforts to reduce anaemia among men could target similar population groups as those targeted in existing efforts to reduce anaemia among women. Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Association of frequency of television watching with overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in India: Evidence from a nationally representative study.

For women of reproductive age, overweight and obesity are an established risk factor for several medical complications. To address the increasing rate of obesity in India through public health awareness programs, the association between common behaviors and overweight and obesity needs to be investigated. This study aims to determine whether there is any association between the frequency of television watching and overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in India. This is a cross-sectional study that utilized data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), which utilized a nationally representative sample from all 29 states and 7 union territories of India. The survey itself followed a two-staged stratified random sampling technique. The primary outcome of interest was overweight (23.0 kg/m2 to <27.5 kg/m2) and obesity (≥27.5 kg/m2), measured by using the Asian body mass index cut-off. The major explanatory variable was the frequency of television watching, measured in days per week. Sample weight of NFHS-4 was adjusted during the analysis. Multilevel ordered logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with overweight and obesity. To show the strength of association, both the unadjusted Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analysis included weighted data from 644,006 Indian women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Among the respondents, 33.5% were overweight or obese (BMI ≥23.0 kg/m2). The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with age (p-value <0.0001) and almost half of the women aged 35-49 years were either overweight or obese (48.6%). The prevalence was significantly higher among those living in an urban area compared to a rural area (urban 46.5% vs. rural 26.5%; p-value <0.001). The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with the frequency of watching television and was the highest among the individuals who reported watching television almost every day (p-value <0.0001). Women watching television almost every day had 24% (AOR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.21-1.26; p-value <0.001) increased odds of being overweight and obese compared to their counterparts who never watched television. This study found that the likelihood of being overweight and obese significantly increased with the frequency of watching television; likely due to physical inactivity during leisure time. Further studies should examine the physical activity and food habits of this target group. Public health promotion programs in India should raise awareness regarding the harmful effects of the sedentary lifestyle associated with watching television.

Quality of maternal and child health: fresh evidence from India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the regional variations in maternal and child health all over India. The Maternal and Child Health Index (MCHI) is constructed to find the extent of variations in maternal and child health status for the States and Union Territories (UTs) of India.Design/methodology/approachThe Wroclow taxonomic technique was used to construct the MCHI for the States and UTs of India. In all, 29 variables were selected for the construction of MCHI. All the variables were taken from National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS, 2017) of India.FindingsThe findings suggest that there are wide variations in MCHI all over India. In India, Kerala topped in terms of MCHI followed by Jammu & Kashmir. Nagaland is on the bottom of the list followed by Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. High values of MCHI (> 0.4) are posing a serious concern for all States/UTs in India.Social implicationsThe existence of inequality in MCHI for India is truly posing a serious inquiry regarding the healthcare system in India. The outcome of the study demands that time has come to adopt a human rights approach to the right to health in India. The findings of the study could be used by the health policy makers in India.Originality/valueThis study shows the existence of wide variations in the quality of maternal and child health all over India. The quantification of the quality of maternal and child health is needed to improve the health of the population in India. Little research has been done on the issue of quality of maternal and child health in India. This study is an important contribution to the current knowledge of quality of maternal and child health in India.

LASI-DAD study: a protocol for a prospective cohort study of late-life cognition and dementia in India

IntroductionAlzheimer’s disease and related dementias can be considered the epidemic of the 21st century. Particularly, the predicted growth in the size of elderly populations in low-income and middle-income countries is...

Prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults: Results from the great India blood pressure survey

ObjectiveHypertension is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is limited data on hypertension prevalence in India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among Indian adults. MethodsA national level survey was conducted with fixed one-day blood pressure measurement camps across 24 states and union territories of India. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg or on treatment for hypertension. The prevalence was age- and gender-standardized according to the 2011 census population of India. ResultsBlood pressure was recorded for 180,335 participants (33.2% women; mean age 40.6 ± 14.9 years). Among them, 8,898 (4.9%), 99,791 (55.3%), 35,694 (11.9%), 23,084 (12.8%), 9,989 (5.5%), and 2,878 (1.6%) participants were of the age group 18–19, 20–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.5, 30.9) and the prevalence among women was 23.7% (95% CI: 23.3, 24). Prevalence adjusted for 2011 census population and the WHO reference population was 29.7% and 32.8%, respectively. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of hypertension, with almost one in every three Indian adult affected.

Regional Disparities in Social Development: Evidence from States and Union Territories of India

The present study examines the regional disparities in social development in India by using social development index (SDI). The study used census-based data of 2011 including 28 states and seven union territories (UTs) of India. The study ends by ranking of states and UTs on the basis of development index consisting of 12 social indicators. This article also compares selected states on the basis of human development index (1981, 1991 and 2001) and SDI (2011) values. In addition, the study finds district-level SDI and ranks the districts of selected states, that is, Kerala, Haryana and Bihar. The findings of the study confirmed the northern–southern social development divide in India. The empirical findings show that Kerala is the best state among all states in India in terms of social progress. Results of the study confirmed huge disparities at district and states/UTs level in India.

Epidemiological investigation of an acute viral hepatitis outbreak in an urbanized rural area in a North Indian Union Territory

Purpose: A waterborne outbreak of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) was reported in an congested and overcrowded urbanized rural area, known as Burail, in Chandigarh, during January to December, 2017. This outbreak was investigated with an objective of describing its epidemiological features, identify the source of contamination and implement the containment measures. Methods & Materials: A house-to-house survey was conducted to identify symptomatic cases, defined as per WHO's standard case definition for acute viral hepatitis, using standard case record form. Laboratory investigation of all the suspected cases was done for Hepatitis A and E virus (HAV & HEV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Environmental investigation included water testing of all the tube wells supplying water in the study area for chlorination and faecal contamination. The outbreak was described in terms of time, person, and place analysis to generate the hypothesis and implement control measures to contain the outbreak. Results: A total of 34,542 individuals were contacted and screened for symptoms of acute viral hepatitis. Hundred fifty four cases of AVH were laboratory confirmed. Out of these, 128 (83.1%) cases were positive for HEV, 21 (13.7%) for HAV, and 5 (3.2%) for both HAV & HEV IgM antibodies. Overall attack rate (AR) was 0.49%. It was highest among the age group of 16-20 years (0.98%), followed by 11-15 years (0.79%). However, all the age groups were affected. The AR among males (0.52%) was higher as compared to the females (0.43%). There were no deaths reported. Environmental investigation confirmed the sewage contamination of drinking water in the distribution system of one of the tube well, where clustering of cases was observed. Conclusion: Dual HAV and HEV outbreak was confirmed that was transmitted by contaminated drinking water in the study area. HEV was the major etiological agent. The recognition of early warning signals, timely investigation, and surveillance of water quality can contain the outbreak.

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality associated with head and neck cancer in India: Protocol for a systematic review.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous tumor at various anatomic sites and one of the most common cancers in India. Published and existing reports and studies highlight an alarming increase in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of HNC. Despite its high incidence, there is a dearth of more precise estimates of reliable epidemiological data pertaining to HNC in India. This protocol aims to conduct a full-scale systematic review and meta-analysis on the HNC epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, and mortality) in 29 states and 7 union territories of India. We will search for eligible published studies through PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Review. Cancer registries such as (but not limited to) World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research-National Cancer Registry Program, which is maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research, will be used for extracting relevant data using a standardized data collection form. The random-effects model of meta-analysis will be employed to aggregate the pooled estimates of relative ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Publication bias will be assessed using a funnel plot, and Egger's regression will be applied to test the symmetry of the funnel plot. This review will provide updated evidence of the current burden of HNC in India. This will guide future studies and cancer registry reports to provide holistically representative epidemiological data. In accordance with the guidelines, our systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews and was assigned the registration number, CRD42017077482.

Levels and trends in the sex ratio at birth and missing female births for 29 states and union territories in India 1990–2016: A Bayesian modeling study

The sex ratio at birth (SRB) has risen in India and reaches well beyond the levels under normal circumstances since the 1970s. The lasting imbalanced SRB has resulted in much more males than females in India. A population with severely distorted sex ratio is more likely to have prolonged struggle for stability and sustainability. It is crucial to estimate SRB and its imbalance for India on state level and assess the uncertainty around estimates. We develop a Bayesian model to estimate SRB in India from 1990 to 2016 for 29 states and union territories. Our analyses are based on a comprehensive database on state-level SRB with data from the sample registration system, census and Demographic and Health Surveys. The SRB varies greatly across Indian states and union territories in 2016: ranging from 1.026 (95% uncertainty interval [0.971; 1.087]) in Mizoram to 1.181 [1.143; 1.128] in Haryana. We identify 18 states and union territories with imbalanced SRB during 1990–2016, resulting in 14.9 [13.2; 16.5] million of missing female births in India. Uttar Pradesh has the largest share of the missing female births among all states and union territories, taking up to 32.8% [29.5%; 36.3%] of the total number.

Glittering potentially malignant shell: Arecanut

Areca nut is consumed extensively throughout the world with significant public health and oral implications. This habit is more prevalent amid communities belonging to India and the South-East Asia region (SEAR). In the past few decades, surveys have reported that consuming areca nut has increased among population and a high proportion of school children use areca-nut daily in some form. Low cost, easy availability, advertising, role modeling, social acceptance and perception of areca nut as harmless is what contributes to its use. Areca nut users are at high risk of oral submucous fibrosis, a debilitating and potentially malignant condition and also suffer adverse health outcomes. Though industrially made areca nut products have been banned in all states and union territories of India, but it is still widely available. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control provides evidence-based policies for reducing tobacco use, but no global policy exists for the control of areca nut use. Associative research is needed to sermon this nugatory global public health emergency and to mobilize efforts to control areca nut use. In addition, possible prevention and cessation programs for areca nut users, effective actions to increase awareness regarding health risks among general public and to minimize its use both at personal and government levels should be undertaken.

Reasons for low utilisation of public facilities among households with hypertension: analysis of a population-based survey in India

IntroductionIn India, for most patients, primary healthcare remains the intended entry point for the management of non-communicable disease risk factors. The extent and determinants of non-utilisation of public primary care...

Leptospira in the different ecological niches of the tribal union territory of India.

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease, which has a medical and veterinary importance, and also a commonly re-emerging infectious disease. The main causes of transmission are known; however, the respective prominence of each of the components and the respective environmental risk factors are obscure. Present study was conducted in the different locations (urban/rural/tribal) of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli). Periodical sample collection approach was used to collect the samples from May 2016 to April 2017, to determine the persistence of leptospiral contamination of the environmental sources. The PCR detection and isolation of Leptospira revealed that pathogenic leptospires were present in water, soil and animal urine. The highest positivity was reported from the water of household drainage in urban areas and in the water from rice field of rural areas. The data obtained from the present study may help and guiding in developing preventive measures for leptospirosis in the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Inventory of prong-gilled mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) of India with records of endemic taxa

The present study investigated leptophlebiid mayfly in 48 sampling sites from 11 states and one union territory of India including earlier report. It deals with diagnostic characters, diversity, distribution and status of 26 species belonging to 12 genera under two subfamilies of Leptophlebiidae from India. Twenty-three of them are endemic to India inclusive of 15 species and six genera are endemic to the Western Ghats and four species are endemic to the Himalaya. Due to this high percentage of endemism, conservation of habitats and microhabitats harbouring this ancient gondwanan lineage gains priority.

Factors Influencing the Entrepreneurial Culture among the Rural College Students in Puducherry Region: A Study with Garrett Ranking Technique

In today’s competitive world, and based on market economy along with rapid international changes and developments, entrepreneurship is considered as the engine of economic development that can play an important role in the country’s economic growth, employment and social welfare. Puducherry formerly known as Pondicherry is a union territory of India. It was formed out of four regions of former French India, namely Pondichery (Pondicherry; now Puducherry), Karikal (Karaikal), Mahe and Yanaon (Yanam). It is named after the largest district, Puducherry. Historically known as Pondicherry the territory changed its official name to Puducherry in 2006. With many extensions, Govt.of Puducherry is taking lot of efforts to bring entrepreneurial growth in their regions. Creating awareness among students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) including rural colleges of Puducherry regions are tremendous. In order to motivate students youth force to turn around as entrepreneur is the prime objectives of the Entrepreneurial Development Cell (EDC), Govt. of Puducherry. It includes Start-up entrepreneurial activities, touch shop, idea generation programme etc., are taking place for influencing students’ community to become as entrepreneur. This study aims to find out the most prominent factors affecting the entrepreneurial development among the rural college students in Puducherry region. For the purpose of the study primary data is collected from One Hundred students through structured questionnaire. The factors to be considered are Risk taking, Economic condition, Entrepreneurial training, and Family background, Confidence, Creativity and Innovation. Simple percentage method and Garett Ranking method were used. The finding of the study shows that Risk taking capacity, creativity and innovative skills are the most affecting factors in developing an entrepreneurship among the students in rural colleges of Puducherry region.

Microfilaria persistent foci during post MDA and the risk assessment of resurgence in India

BackgroundPondicherry, a union territory in India, is an endemic district for bancroftian lymphatic filariasis transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus where eight rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) were completed in 2011 (annually once from 2004 to 2011).The objectives of this study were to conduct a focal survey to assess microfilaria and antigen (Ag) prevalence among young adults and to assess vector infection and infectivity through a focal entomological survey.MethodsMosquitoes were collected using gravid traps in Sedurapet village of Pondicherry and dissected to enumerate W. bancrofti larvae stage first larval stage (L1), second larval stage (L2), and third larval stage (L3). Microfilarias (Mf) were detected using blood smears collected from inhabitants.ResultsA total of 360 individuals from 67 houses were enrolled in this study of which 290 (80.6%) were surveyed for the presence of Mf. Two Mf carriers were detected yielding an overall prevalence of 0.69% and two out of 85 (2.35%) were Mf antigen positive. Of the 2875 mosquitoes collected by gravid trap, Culex quinquefasciatus (93.9%) was the predominant species, followed by Anopheles subpictus (2.3%) and Culex vishnui (3.8%). The density of Cx. quinquefasciatus was 28.1 per trap-night. A total of 2429 Cx. quinquefasciatus were dissected and microscopically examined for abdominal conditions (gravid 85%, semi-gravid 9.4%, unfed 3.8%, and fully fed 1.9%) and filarial infection. One mosquito (infection rate equal to 0.04%) was found to harbor a second stage filarial larva, and none of the mosquitoes had infective stage larva.ConclusionOur results show no reappearance of infection of lymphatic filariasis in Sedurapet village of Pondicherry after MDA, and thus, no further intervention is required in that area for possible resurgence of lymphatic filariasis. However, monitoring should be continued as part of post MDA activities until the endpoint of complete elimination is achieved. We demonstrated that xenomonitoring can be used to monitor the post MDA situation for possible risk of transmission to initiate control measures.

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic disease of cattle that impacts productivity and represents a major public health threat. Despite the considerable economic costs and zoonotic risk consequences associated with the disease, accurate estimates of bTB prevalence are lacking in many countries, including India, where national control programmes are not yet implemented and the disease is considered endemic. To address this critical knowledge gap, we performed a systematic review of the literature and a meta‐analysis to estimate bTB prevalence in cattle in India and provide a foundation for the future formulation of rational disease control strategies and the accurate assessment of economic and health impact risks. The literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and identified 285 cross‐sectional studies on bTB in cattle in India across four electronic databases and handpicked publications. Of these, 44 articles were included, contributing a total of 82,419 cows and buffaloes across 18 states and one union territory in India. Based on a random‐effects (RE) meta‐regression model, the analysis revealed a pooled prevalence estimate of 7.3% (95% CI: 5.6, 9.5), indicating that there may be an estimated 21.8 million (95% CI: 16.6, 28.4) infected cattle in India—a population greater than the total number of dairy cows in the United States. The analyses further suggest that production system, species, breed, study location, diagnostic technique, sample size and study period are likely moderators of bTB prevalence in India and need to be considered when developing future disease surveillance and control programmes. Taken together with the projected increase in intensification of dairy production and the subsequent increase in the likelihood of zoonotic transmission, the results of our study suggest that attempts to eliminate tuberculosis from humans will require simultaneous consideration of bTB control in cattle population in countries such as India.

&lt;b&gt;A Babbler’s tale: assessing the distribution of &lt;I&gt;Turdoides striata&lt;/I&gt; (Dumont, 1823) (Aves: Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae) in India&lt;/b&gt;

The Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata is an agriculturally important, non-endemic bird found throughout India, however, very little information is available regarding this less known/less studied species’ current distribution and population size. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evaluated the species as ‘Least Concern’, however, increasing anthropogenic stressors adversely impact the species’ natural habitat; and the changing climatic variables could affect its geographical range, population and ecology. An online survey was conducted during 2014–2015 (targeting 232 ornithological forums comprising of over 4,00,000 members) to obtain information on the species’ location, and number of individuals in each social group in India. The reported sites were verified during 2016–2017 by visiting the individual locations. A total of 3,030 individual birds forming 400 social groups were recorded from 24 states and union territories of India. This novel study utilized public participation as an important data collection tool for the species, which has a reportedly large distribution range. Importantly, the findings of this study contribute to the existing baseline information on the non-endemic bird species of India.