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Background: India accounts for a quarter of the world cervical cancer burden. Cervical cancer is highly preventable. However, low level of participating women in screening is one of the major issues. The aim of this work was to study the factors that influence women to participate in cervical cancer screening by providing menstrual pads for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Methods: Menstrual clothes were collected from two different populations from the rural areas of Maharashtra state for HPV testing to screen for cervical cancer. For this study, out of 945 participated women, 557 (58.9%) provided their menstrual pads. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: The probability of providing the menstrual pads was high among the women who were highly educated compared to those with less education (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0–1.9), having mobile phone facilities as compared to those with no mobile phones (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0–2.0), who were using new cloths as menstrual pads compared to those who did not use the same (OR: 8.5; 95% CI: 5.0–14.3), who did not have tobacco habit as compared to those who had tobacco habit (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9) and in the village where health worker was stationed as compared to the village where health worker was not stationed (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4–2.5). Conclusion: Factors including health worker availability, using mobile phones for communication and high education level facilitate women’s participation. To improve the participation, there is need to apply special strategies for older age group, less educated women and women having tobacco habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of organisations, including medical associations, recommend that research subjects should be given the option of being informed about the general outcome and results of the study. We recently completed a study involving nine serosurveys from 2018 to 2020 in five districts of India among three age groups (children 9 months to < 5 years; 5 to < 15 years of age, and women 15 to < 50 years of age before and after the measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaigns). In Palghar district of Maharashtra all individuals in 30 selected clusters were enumerated, and 13 individuals per age group were randomly sampled. We established the procedures to return the results to the respondents for each stage of the survey. Of the 1,166 individuals selected for the measles and rubella serosurvey, 971 (83%) agreed to participate and were enrolled. Participants were informed that they will only be contacted if they test seronegative for measles and/or rubella antibodies. Overall, 140 individuals enrolled in the survey tested seronegative for IgG antibodies to measles and/or rubella viruses; were provided the reports and informed to seek medical advice. Upon follow up by phone, 10% (14) of the 140 participants reported to have been vaccinated. In this paper we discuss the procedures, experiences and considerations in returning results to participants in a community-based measles and rubella serosurvey. Although the lessons learned are specific to post measles-rubella vaccine campaign serosurvey in India, they might be helpful to those contemplating sharing results to participants of large scale survey settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a composite approach for drought characterization and monitoring using in situ and remote sensing-based drought indicators. The study was carried out on one of the most drought-prone areas of India, i.e., the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought indices, namely standardized precipitation index (SPI), streamflow drought index (SDI), and vegetation condition index (VCI), respectively, were integrated to develop the composite drought index (CDI) using principal component analysis (PCA). SPI and SDI were computed using in situ precipitation and streamflow data, respectively, for 35 years (1980–2014), whereas VCI was computed using MODIS satellite data (500-m resolution) for 15 years (2000–2014) at 1-, 3-, and 5-month time scales. The time scales of drought indices were evaluated using historical drought years and foodgrain production of the region. The drought areas observed by SPI, SDI, and VCI at different time scales were correlated with foodgrain production during the kharif crop growing season for 15 years (2000–2014). The maximum correlation of foodgrain production was observed with 3-month SPI (r = − 0.72), 5-month SDI (r = − 0.40), and 5-month VCI (r = − 0.81) for meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought, respectively. Three-month SPI, 5-month SDI, and 5-month VCI were selected from each drought category to develop CDI. These drought indices were combined using weights derived through the PCA technique. The maximum weight was obtained for 3-month SPI (45.4%) followed by 5-month VCI (42.8%) and 5-month SDI (11.8%). The developed CDI products showed a strong relationship (r = − 0.85) with foodgrain production. The drought years observed by CDI were also closest to drought years declared by the State Government. The time series trend of the drought-affected area observed by CDI, 3-month SPI, and 5-month VCI resembled the drought patterns very closely, especially during the drought years. The spatio-temporal analysis of individual drought indices and CDI with foodgrain production deviation showed that CDI was better for capturing drought conditions than individual indicators. The study suggested that an individual or single indicator is not sufficient to capture the actual drought severity and its magnitudes; therefore, using a composite approach could be a good choice for effective drought assessment and monitoring in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Placenta previa is a condition characterised by abnormal placental implantation and usually presented as painless vaginal bleeding in second or third trimester of pregnancy. Various studies have reported adverse outcomes in the cases of placenta previa. Aim: To find incidence, maternal and perinatal outcomes in placenta previa. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out during April-June 2021 at a Government Tertiary care centre in Maharashtra. Total 260 cases of placenta previa managed at the institute between 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2019 were included in study. Primary data from labour room and operation theatre was collected and detailed case papers were accessed from medical records section. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel Windows 2013. Results: Incidence of placenta previa was 1.09%. Majority of cases were from age group of 26-30 years, booked, gravida 2-3, belonging to low socio-economic status and without any history of risk factors. In 81.15% cases Lower Segment Cesarean Section (LSCS) was required. Post Partem Haemorrhage (PPH) (32.30%) and need for blood transfusion (86.15%) were major complications. Maternal mortality in cases of placenta previa was 4.23%. In perinatal outcome, prematurity was reported 44.30% cases while 57.46% needed NICU admission. Perinatal mortality was 17.53%. Conclusion: There is need for regular Antenatal Care (ANC) check-up and timely referral to tertiary care obstetrical care centre with availability of Blood bank and NICU for better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the transnationalism of racial anthropological frameworks and its role in the understanding of human difference during India's decolonization and nation-building. With attention to the circulation of scientific objects, I focus on the practices and articulations of Irawati Karve (1905–1970), an Indian anthropologist with a transnational scientific trajectory and nationalistic political engagements. I argue that Karve's adaptation of an internationally validated German racial approach to study caste, ethnic and religious groups contributed to the further racialization of these categories as well as to the racialization of nationalistic projects in Maharashtra and India. I conclude with a reflection on the transnationalization of the coloniality of racialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary adequacy and diversity during the lactation period are necessary to ensure good health and nutrition among women and children. Behavioral interventions pertaining to health and nutrition counselling during pregnancy and lactation are critical for awareness about dietary diversity. The issue assumes salience for marginalized communities because of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated economic and societal disruptions. This paper assesses the dietary patterns among 400 lactating mothers in the tribal-dominated district of Palghar in Maharashtra, India in 2020. The study is based on primary data regarding consumption of 10 food groups among women across 10 food groups based on 24-hour recall period. The primary outcome variable was binary information regarding Minimum Dietary Diversity defined as consumption from at least 5 food groups. Econometric analysis based on multilevel models and item-response theory is applied to identify food groups that were most difficult to be received by mothers during the early and late lactation period. We find that the daily diet of lactating mothers in Palghar primarily consists of grains, white roots, tubers, and pulses. In contrast, the intake of dairy, eggs, and non-vegetarian food items is much lower. Only Half of the lactating women (56.5 percent; 95% CI: 37.4; 73.8) have a minimum diversified diet (MDD). The prevalence of lactating women with MDD was higher among households with higher income (73.1 percent; 95% CI: 45.2; 89.9) than those in lower income group (50.7 percent; 95% CI: 42.3; 58.9). Lactating Women (in early phase) who received health and nutrition counseling services are more likely (OR: 2.37; 95% CI: 0.90; 6.26) to consume a diversified diet. Food groups such as fruits, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, and seeds were among the rare food items in daily diet. The dietary pattern lacking in fruits, nuts, and heme (iron) sources indicates more significant risks of micronutrient deficiencies. The findings call for improving dietary diversity among lactating mothers, particularly from the marginalized communities, and are driven by low consumption of dairy products or various fruits and vegetables. Among the different food items, the consumption of micronutrient-rich seeds and nuts is most difficult to be accessed by lactating mothers. Also, diet-centric counseling and informing lactating mothers of its benefits are necessary to increase dietary diversity for improving maternal and child nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The De-notified tribes are tribal communities that were notified under the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) 1871 in colonial India. Although the Act was repealed after independence, the tribes declared as 'criminals' continue to remain labeled and are still living with stigma. Tribes notified under the CTA became De-notified in Independent India. The De-notified tribes in India continue to remain as one of India's most excluded and marginalized communities, excluding opportunities and deprived of resources. There are 198 De-notified tribes in India. After the repeal of the act post-independence, some of the declared tribal communities were included among the Scheduled tribes' population in different states; some yet continue to remain enlisted as the 'De-notified' tribes in India. The De-notified tribes comprise a significant population in India, and they are classified under a separate category as DNTs or DNCs. These tribal groups, although were "de-notified" they continue to face discrimination in their everyday life. These tribes do not have access to basic resources and livelihood opportunities; they are treated differently by people from other castes. They also face discrimination at the hands of the police. Their stigmatized spoiled identity due to ancestral labeling influences their present critically. They are subject to atrocities in the hands of the police and power groups in the village. The incidences of atrocities in the case of the De-notified tribes are not acknowledged under the Prevention of Atrocities Act by the state, which protects the marginalized communities and tribes. Their complaints remain unnoticed, and they are subject to false suspicion. The tribe remains in poverty and is subject to stigma and exclusion; their situations have not changed. The government has made no notable attempt to create provisions for upliftment of these communities and safeguard their rights. The absence of uniformity in the reservation policy keeps them away from the government benefits. This paper attempts to highlight the issues and problems faced by the de-notified tribes in Maharashtra India, narrating their experiences of spoiled identity and stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]