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Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in India. Malaria is commonly associated with thrombocytopenia, but its significance is not well established. A prospective study was conducted to correlate the presence and severity of thrombocytopenia with types and severity of malaria. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was performed in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care center of north India from January 2019 to June 2020. A total of 100 adult patients found positive for malaria parasites on peripheral smear examination were enrolled for the analysis. Results: The incidence of thrombocytopenia was seen in 80% of total malaria patients. There was a significant (P = 0.0001) association of severity of thrombocytopenia with symptoms and signs of malaria except for rigor. There was no significant (P > 0.05) association of severity of thrombocytopenia with age. There was a significant (P = 0.003) association of severity of thrombocytopenia with M antigen. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant (P = 0.0001) difference in Lung Function Test (LFT) and Kidney Function Test (KFT) parameters with severity of thrombocytopenia; whereas in blood parameters, only red blood cell counts were associated significantly with the severity of thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is a frequent overall manifestation of both falciparum and vivax malaria. Severe thrombocytopenia is identified in all age groups, commonly in males, and increases the risk of death from falciparum or vivax malaria, particularly in those with concurrent severe anemia. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria reduces the complications and adverse outcomes of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In April 2018, the Government of India launched 'Nikshay Poshan Yojana' (NPY), a cash assistance scheme (500 Indian rupees [~8 USD] per month) intended to provide nutritional support and improve treatment outcomes among tuberculosis (TB) patients. Objective: To compare the treatment outcomes of HIV-infected TB patients initiated on first-line anti-TB treatment in five selected districts of Karnataka, India before (April–September 2017) and after (April–September 2018) implementation of NPY. Methods: This was a cohort study using secondary data routinely collected by the national TB and HIV programmes. Results: A total of 630 patients were initiated on ATT before NPY and 591 patients after NPY implementation. Of the latter, 464 (78.5%, 95% CI: 75.0%–81.8%) received at least one installment of cash incentive. Among those received, the median (inter-quartile range) duration between treatment initiation and receipt of first installment was 74 days (41–165) and only 16% received within the first month of treatment. In 117 (25.2%) patients, the first installment was received after declaration of their treatment outcome. Treatment success (cured and treatment completed) in 'before NPY' cohort was 69.2% (95% CI: 65.6%–72.8%), while it was 65.0% (95% CI: 61.2%–68.8%) in 'after NPY' cohort. On adjusted analysis using modified Poisson regression we did not find a statistically significant association between NPY and unsuccessful treatment outcomes (adjusted relative risk-1.1, 95% CI: 0.9–1.3). Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis and previous evidence from systematic reviews, we did not find an association between NPY and improved treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of India unlocking, to secure a large population of this country, the healthcare facilities delivering primary care as well standalone health facilities need to be secured from impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. This document dwells on the broader guidelines for primary care practitioners/standalone private health facilities/frontline healthcare facilities to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic. The authors understand that the situation is evolving, so the guidelines too will keep evolving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]