National Journal of Community Medicine
The National Journal of Community Medicine (eISSN: 2229-6816, pISSN: 0976-3325) is a monthly peer-reviewed open access journal (CC BY-SA 4.0). The journal publishes research articles, focusing on epidemiology, public health, environmental and occupational health, biostatistics, health care delivery, medical anthropology and social medicine. NJCM is indexed by SCOPUS , Scimago Journal Ranking, Ebsco, CAB Abstract, Google scholar etc.
Aim and Scope of the Journal:
The aim of the journal is to publish high quality peer reviewed research in the fields of epidemiology, public health, environmental and occupational health, biostatistics, health care delivery, medical anthropology and social medicine, especially on issues of national and regional importance for developing countries like India and abroad.
The journal typically publishes original research articles and review articles from the areas of public health, preventive medicine, general epidemiology, infectious and non-infectious disease epidemiology, epidemiological diagnosis, maternal health, child health, adolescent health, public health administration, health care service delivery, etc. Research findings relevant to India and the subcontinent are emphasized more. However, it is not limited to that. Invited reviews and comments, invited papers on recent advances, editorial correspondence, and book reviews are also published in the journal.
Official Website: www.njcmindia.com
Key Information: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/Key_Information
Author Guideline: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/Author_Guidelines
Submission: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/about/submissions
Contact Email: [email protected]
Address: SMIMER, Surat, India
Aim and Scope of the Journal:
The aim of the journal is to publish high quality peer reviewed research in the fields of epidemiology, public health, environmental and occupational health, biostatistics, health care delivery, medical anthropology and social medicine, especially on issues of national and regional importance for developing countries like India and abroad.
The journal typically publishes original research articles and review articles from the areas of public health, preventive medicine, general epidemiology, infectious and non-infectious disease epidemiology, epidemiological diagnosis, maternal health, child health, adolescent health, public health administration, health care service delivery, etc. Research findings relevant to India and the subcontinent are emphasized more. However, it is not limited to that. Invited reviews and comments, invited papers on recent advances, editorial correspondence, and book reviews are also published in the journal.
Official Website: www.njcmindia.com
Key Information: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/Key_Information
Author Guideline: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/Author_Guidelines
Submission: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/about/submissions
Contact Email: [email protected]
Address: SMIMER, Surat, India
less
Related Authors
InterestsView All (8)
Uploads
Papers by National Journal of Community Medicine
GTB contributes to 15-20% of infertility cases in India, with the highest burden among women aged 20-40 years. Hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring of re-productive organs, resulting in irreversible damage. Traditional methods like microscopy and culture are inadequate for GTB detection. Advanced techniques, though more accurate, remain inaccessible to many due to cost and resource constraints. While antitubercular therapy (ATT) can control infection, restoring fertility often re-quires surgical intervention or assisted reproductive technologies, which are financially prohibitive for most patients. GTB is a silent epidemic with profound implications for reproductive health and social well-being in India. Addressing GTB requires enhanced awareness, integration of infertility screening into TB programs, improved access to advanced diagnostics and treatments, and targeted public health policies. Bridging these gaps can mitigate the burden of infertility and improve quality of life for affected individuals."
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified 37 studies published in English between 2013 and 2023 that met the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers screened and selected studies, and data was extracted and analyzed using a standardized form. The PRISMA framework was employed to visualize the study selection process.
Results: Hypertension was the most prevalent NCD (˃50% in studies), followed by diabetes (<50% in studies, but with high new case detection). Depression was particularly prevalent among urban females (over 50%). Obesity and overweight were widespread, with women being more likely to be overweight and men to have central obesity. Significant gender disparities existed in hypertension, depression, diabetes, and visual impairments.
Conclusion: This review highlights the significant NCD burden among elderly Indians, particularly hypertension and diabetes, underscoring the need for targeted health interventions. Addressing modifiable risk factors with gender-sensitive approaches is essential. Further research is needed on the intersection of aging and NCDs in India to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals."
Methods: In this cross-sectional study involving 300 adolescents, participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire after ethical approval was obtained.
Results: The majority were 10-14 years of age (52.7%), with a mean age of 14.35±2.80. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was 35.3%, with social anxiety (14%) being the most common. Prevalence was higher in females and in the 15-19 years age group.
Conclusion: This study reveals a significant burden of anxiety disorders (35.3%) among urban adolescents in Delhi, with social anxiety being the most prevalent type."
GTB contributes to 15-20% of infertility cases in India, with the highest burden among women aged 20-40 years. Hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and scarring of re-productive organs, resulting in irreversible damage. Traditional methods like microscopy and culture are inadequate for GTB detection. Advanced techniques, though more accurate, remain inaccessible to many due to cost and resource constraints. While antitubercular therapy (ATT) can control infection, restoring fertility often re-quires surgical intervention or assisted reproductive technologies, which are financially prohibitive for most patients. GTB is a silent epidemic with profound implications for reproductive health and social well-being in India. Addressing GTB requires enhanced awareness, integration of infertility screening into TB programs, improved access to advanced diagnostics and treatments, and targeted public health policies. Bridging these gaps can mitigate the burden of infertility and improve quality of life for affected individuals."
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified 37 studies published in English between 2013 and 2023 that met the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers screened and selected studies, and data was extracted and analyzed using a standardized form. The PRISMA framework was employed to visualize the study selection process.
Results: Hypertension was the most prevalent NCD (˃50% in studies), followed by diabetes (<50% in studies, but with high new case detection). Depression was particularly prevalent among urban females (over 50%). Obesity and overweight were widespread, with women being more likely to be overweight and men to have central obesity. Significant gender disparities existed in hypertension, depression, diabetes, and visual impairments.
Conclusion: This review highlights the significant NCD burden among elderly Indians, particularly hypertension and diabetes, underscoring the need for targeted health interventions. Addressing modifiable risk factors with gender-sensitive approaches is essential. Further research is needed on the intersection of aging and NCDs in India to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals."
Methods: In this cross-sectional study involving 300 adolescents, participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire after ethical approval was obtained.
Results: The majority were 10-14 years of age (52.7%), with a mean age of 14.35±2.80. The prevalence of anxiety disorders was 35.3%, with social anxiety (14%) being the most common. Prevalence was higher in females and in the 15-19 years age group.
Conclusion: This study reveals a significant burden of anxiety disorders (35.3%) among urban adolescents in Delhi, with social anxiety being the most prevalent type."
Methods: Several literature and databases were searched and analysed properly from 2020 to 2022 to find the relevant databases on the usage of proper medications.
Results: During COVID-19, many antivirals, antibiotics, and conventional drug therapy were in high demand. Many antivirals, including Remdesivir and Ritonavir, were tried, but they had a number of adverse effects, including hypokalaemia, headaches, and nausea. Another issue with the use of drugs in this pandemic is antibiotic resistance. Since vaccines are relatively new, adverse symptoms like fever, discomfort, chills, tiredness, nausea/vomiting, headache, and insomnia have so far been reported.
Conclusion: This analysis outlines a progressive change in the medical community, where simple treatment procedures have shown to be more successful than those using many drugs, producing better patient results. This indicates a shift in medical practice toward more simplified and effective modes of care."
Method: We conducted an advanced bibliographic search in the Scopus database to identify articles on COVID-19 and Reproductive Medicine from 2019 to May 2022. The collected data was analyzed with Scival software, and the results were presented through summary tables.
Result: A total of 737 publications were collected and analyzed, of which 594 were original articles and 143 reviews. Leila V. Adamyan and Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Russia) were the most productive author and institution, respectively. The European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology was the journal with the highest number of publications. In addition to that, we report a steady increase in the number of publications between 2020 and 2021, especially of articles published in first quartile (Q1) journals. Finally, although most of the publications had only national collaboration, the highest impact was found in those studies with international collaboration.
Conclusion: The scientific production on Reproductive Medicine and COVID-19 has reported a steady increase in recent years, especially in Q1 journals, which evidences a special interest in the subject by the scientific community. However, since new articles on COVID-19 are constantly being published, we recommend future bibliometric analyses to better analyze the topic."
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban science colleges in Gujarat. A multicomponent questionnaire comprised of demographic, dietary and lifestyle characteristics was administered to the participants (18-23 years). Data on weight, height and blood pressure were collected by trained field personnel. The categorical variables were tested by a chi-square test, while the t-test was used to compare quantitative variables.
Results: Overall, 415 participants (65% female) were included in the study, with a mean age of 19.5 years. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 23.4% and 4.8%, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the male gender, not being underweight, and overweight was found to be associated with elevated blood pressure.
Conclusions: There is a pressing need to identify cardiovascular risk factors at younger ages through regular screening, with more focus should be put on the adaptation of healthy lifestyles."
Materials and Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among 200 elderly participants from twelve selected villages in Chengalpattu district by multistage random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire obtained from the Food and Agricultural Organization was used to find out Dietary Diversity. Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutrition Assessment tool and Anthropometric indices. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The mean dietary diversity score was 7.2±1.8. 37% of respondents with dietary diversity scores below the mean value were considered to have Inadequate dietary diversity while 63 % consume diverse diets. Nutritional assessment based on WHO BMI standards revealed undernutrition among 21.5% of respondents while 60% were of normal weight. Chi-square revealed a statistically significant association between Dietary Diversity and Nutritional status (p value=0.000)
Conclusion: The present study found that most study participants were consuming a diverse diet and those subjects with better dietary diversity scores had their Body Mass Index in the normal range. This indicates that adequate dietary diversity can contribute to the attainment of optimum nutritional status."
Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the field practice area of rural and urban health and training centre of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Chengalpattu district, Tamilnadu among 380 women aged 40 to 65 years.
Results: Mean age of the study population was 49.69 (± 11.2). On risk categorization by STOP-BANG Questionnaire, it was found that 72.9% (277), 26.1% (99) and 1.1% (4) had low, intermediate and high risk for sleep apnea. 16.9% of the study participants had excessive daytime sleepiness. Fatigue severity scale of more than or equal to 36 was seen among 34.5% of the study participants.
Conclusion: The STOP-Bang questionnaire has been shown in studies to be a quick, efficient, and accurate OSA screening tool. It can make it easier to allocate resources effectively for detecting and treating OSA that had not yet been recognised."
Methodology: This correlational research was carried out by examining cardiac patients who were receiving treatment at the selected hospital of Punjab, India. 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Quality of Life SF-36 were used to assess functional capacity and HRQOL among subjects.
Results: Of the 196 cardiac patients, 80.1% patients were not able to cover more than 250 m of walking distance during 6MWT, depicting to have a low Functional capacity. Results also revealed that all (n=196) cardiac patients had poor quality of life. Furthermore, a significant mild positive correlation (.223) between the functional capaci-ty and HRQOL was found among these cardiac patients.
Conclusion: Functional capacity and quality of life are directly related to each other. Poor the functional capacity poor is the quality of life of cardiac patients. Thus, the results point towards the need for early involvement of pa-tients in cardiac rehabilitation in order to improve health and prevent future complications."
Methodology: A purposive sampling was done across the health care facilities and geographies in the State & the districts were selected based on high, medium and low CS rates. A 360-degree stakeholder engagement approach was taken for a qualitative exploration to find out the reasons.
Results: Medical, behavioural, cultural, and infrastructure including health system related factors have contributed to the rise of C-sections, particularly unnecessary elective C-sections. Limited trained personnel for doing normal deliveries in the public sector, infrastructure and safety issues for mother and child, and a preference for painless deliveries, and prior CS delivery stood out.
Conclusions: As per the study's findings, it can be said that non-medical reasons account for a high percentage of C-sections in Telangana."
Frontline healthcare workers, individuals who contracted and recovered from COVID-19, as well as migrants, were particularly affected by this social stigma. Many of them experienced heightened levels of anxiety, fear, and guilt as a result. These feelings often led to symptoms of burnout and depression, and in some extreme cases, even suicidal attempts. In this article, we delve into the various dimensions of social stigma that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic in India as well as worldwide.
Conclusion: Societies that faced stigmatization were more vulnerable and had a greater risk of COVID-19 infec-tion. Social stigma has detrimental effects on both mental and physical health, particularly affecting younger indi-viduals, which could potentially hinder the productivity and economic growth of future generations and the na-tion as a whole. Providing support, be it social, financial, or mental, to one another, plays a critical role in mitigat-ing stigma.
To fully grasp the enduring consequences of social stigma on mental health, future studies should investigate this aspect using prospective research designs."
Methods: We propose a hospital-based RCT comparing the yoga group with usual care control group using quan-titative methods for 3 years. A total of 1800 PLHIVs will be studied with 1:2 intervention to control group ratio. Each participant will be involved for 24 months (intervention delivery/follow-up). PLHIV in the intervention group will be given yoga therapy training of 45- minute duration once a month for 3-months followed by self-practice at home. Independent t tests and Z test for proportion will be used to compare the two groups at baseline. Intention to treat analyses will be conducted with participants as originally allocated at randomization to avoid bias. Alpha level will be set at 5%, using two-tailed for all inferences.
Discussion: This study will generate preliminary data about effect of yoga on TB and other opportunistic infec-tions as well as the feasibility and utility of further RCT in the domain."
Methodology: This research uses a case control study design with a total sample size of 144 consisting of 72 cases and 72 controls selected by systematic random sampling method. Data analysis was carried out using Stata version 14 program.
Results: Determinants that are risk factors for stunting are history of LBW (OR=7 with 95% CI=1,453-66,087), pregnancy distance (OR=3.7, with 95% CI=1,698-8,178), knowledge about complementary feeding (OR=4.230 with 95% CI=1,841-10,048) and hand washing with soap habits (OR=5.153 with 95% CI=1,707-18,565). Logistic regression analysis showed that LBW history was the main determinant of stunting in children aged 6-24 months.
Conclusions: Risk factors that determine stunting in children aged 6-24 months, including a history of LBW, pregnancy distance, knowledge about complementary feeding and hand washing with soap habits."
Objectives: 1. To assess the social support and medication adherence among people with Type 2 diabetes melli-tus. 2. To study the factors associated with social support and medication adherence among people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methodology: This community-based study was undertaken among 150 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Social support was assessed using standard, validated Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Medi-cation adherence was assessed using standard, validated 8-item Morisky adherence scale.
Results: Mean age of study participants was 57.42±11.07 years. In the present study 87 (58%) had high social support followed by moderate support 63 (42%). In the present study majority of study participants 83 (55%) had moderate medication adherence followed by low medication adherence 67 (45%).
Conclusions: Social support plays an important role in promoting medication adherence among diabetes pa-tients."
Methods: This model was developed with a set of predictors based on data collected during baseline and follow up visits from currently pregnant women as per study protocol. For evaluating efficiency of this model, System Usability Scale (SUS) was adopted and shared with 25 randomly selected experts in the field of public health. The questionnaire was shared via google form and responses recorded on Likert’s scale were then analysed using SPSS.
Results: IRAIVI model's usability assessed using SUS found to be user-friendly, best learning curve, adaptable to new system and highly acceptance by healthcare workforce. The SUS score averaging at 84 demonstrates favoura-ble usability of the model.
Conclusion: This model has capability to accentuate maternal health services which in-turn can contribute for better ANC services in resource-constrained settings. Additionally, future opportunities can be explored through field studies in different settings."