Rupsa Banerjee - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Rupsa Banerjee

International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Sep 16, 2023

International journal of community medicine and public health/International journall of community medicine and public health, Mar 30, 2024

Unintentional injuries continue to be a major global health problem. Worldwide 19% of the uninten... more Unintentional injuries continue to be a major global health problem. Worldwide 19% of the unintentional injury burden is among children and adolescents, with road traffic, drowning, burns, falls, and poisoning as leading causes. 1 Road traffic injuries alone constitute the leading cause of death in the age group of 15-19 years and the second leading cause of death in the age group of 5-14 years. 2 Unintentional injuries in children pose public health threat, especially in case of major injuries. Prevention strategies need to be worked out for all injuries, particularly for major injuries which cause considerable disability and mortality that often lead to serious consequences in the child and the family. Injuries occur as a result of a complex array of several factors that can be described through an epidemiological tetrad model involving host, vector, physical environment and socioeconomic environment. This conceptual model, named the Haddon matrix, was developed by William Haddon Jr. more than two decades ago to understand the realm of traffic safety by applying basic principles of public health. 3 Since then, the matrix has been used as a tool for developing implementation strategies in prevention at various points in the sequence of the injury ABSTRACT Unintentional injuries in children pose public health threat that often leads to serious consequences in the child and the family, especially in case of major injuries. Prevention strategies need to be worked out for all injuries, particularly for major injuries which cause considerable disability and mortality. We present three road-related major injury events which had occurred during the entire period of a larger study, which have been analyzed using the Haddon's matrix through an epidemiological tetrad model involving host, vector, physical environment and socioeconomic environment. Intervention strategies for prevention of similar injuries in future have been outlined at various time points for each case, as well as general measures, in various levels of care. Of the three major road-related injury cases (12 years, female; 17 years, female; and 17 years, male), two were automobile accidents in 17 years old adolescents and one was a case of injury of a 12-year-old girl due to fall on road. Risk factors were present in all three cases related to host, vector, physical environment and socioeconomic environment. Strategies for prevention have been outlined at various time points i.e. pre-event, event, post-event at various levels for each case, as well as intervention strategies that can be implemented in general by the individual, family, community including panchayat, and both State and National governments. All major road-related injuries and their complications that occurred in subjects of the present study could have been prevented by taking responsibility at various levels.

Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination, 2017

Need for the study: WHO recommends pre exposure prophylaxis in rabies endemic countries for all i... more Need for the study: WHO recommends pre exposure prophylaxis in rabies endemic countries for all individuals who are at increased risk of exposure to rabies such as veterinarians, rag-pickers, animal handlers, rabies researchers/laboratory workers, International travellers and children. Objectives: To assess the safety of rabies vaccine administered intradermally as pre-exposure prophylaxis among 3 high risk groups viz., children, rag-pickers and veterinarians. Methods: All the subjects who volunteered from each of the 3 risk groups were taken for the study and were given purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine having a potency of >2.5 IU per dose, intradermally as pre exposure prophylaxis on days 0, 7 and 21. Subsequently, all were followed up to assess the safety of intradermal rabies vaccination by recording the adverse drug reactions from the day of administration of first dose of vaccination upto 2 weeks after the last dose of vaccination. Results: The present study included 150 children, 225 rag-pickers and 122 veterinary students. The adverse drug reactions to rabies vaccination among these groups were 5.1%, 5.0% and 10.4% respectively which were mild in nature and subsided spontaneously or by taking symptomatic treatment and none of the subjects dropped out because of adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: Pre exposure prophylaxis against rabies by intradermal route is safe and well tolerated by high risk groups, which may be considered as a strategy for eliminating the disease by 2030.

Indian Journal of Community Health

Background: The highest financial expenditure for Rabies in any country is the cost of rabies pos... more Background: The highest financial expenditure for Rabies in any country is the cost of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. The type of vaccine and route of administration, as well as type of immunoglobulin used, all significantly influences the cost of treatment. Aims & Objective: To analyse the direct and indirect cost of the rabies post exposure prophylaxis. Material & Methods: The study was conducted at anti-rabies clinics of Government Hospital, where PEP is provided free of cost and a private medical college hospital, where PEP is provided for a cost. 290 animal bite victims who completed the PEP were included in the study. After obtaining written informed consent from the study subjects, data regarding socio-demographic profile, details of animal bite exposure, cost incurred for PEP i.e, direct and indirect cost were collected. Results were expressed as proportions, median and inter-quartile range (Q1-Q3). Results: The total median cost incurred by the bite victims for PEP in Go...

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, Mar 25, 2022

Background: In developing countries like India, where out-of-pocket expenditure forms a large par... more Background: In developing countries like India, where out-of-pocket expenditure forms a large part of overall health spending, crowdfunding can be an alternative to ease peoples' financial burden. The COVID-19 pandemic in India imposed a huge financial strain on people causing many to turn to crowdfunding to pay for their medical expenses. Health professionals can play an important role in raising awareness among people regarding medical crowdfunding. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness and perception about crowdfunding among health care professionals and analyse COVID-19 relief campaigns run by selected crowdfunding platforms in India. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted including cross-sectional online survey among healthcare professionals and secondary analysis of COVID-19 relief campaigns run by crowdfunding platforms in India. Results: Among 155 participants in our study, 121 (78%) were aware about crowdfunding and most of them (93%) had come to know about crowdfunding during the pandemic. Participants who had previously known someone who required funds to support their medical treatment had greater knowledge regarding crowdfunding (p=0.04) and believed that crowdfunding can reduce individual financial burden (p=0.02). However, 30% participants did not trust online crowdfunding platforms to be genuine. Three crowdfunding platforms (Ketto, Milaap and Impact Guru) were analysed for COVID-19 relief campaigns-most campaigns were run to raise funds for medical oxygen/oxygen concentrators. Conclusions: We found that previous experience of unmet financial need affects both knowledge and trust in medical crowdfunding. There is a need to improve awareness and confidence related to crowdfunding among health care professionals.

Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 2021

Background: Childhood injury has been recognized as a major threat to child survival and health, ... more Background: Childhood injury has been recognized as a major threat to child survival and health, as well as economic burden, which includes the cost to government and out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) to families. Child-To-Child Approach is an innovative technique to reduce childhood injuries and expenses on their treatment. Objectives: To assess economic benefit in the treatment of unintentional childhood injuries, including OOPE by families, by the implementation of the child-To-Child approach. Materials and Methods: The present study is part of a quasi-experimental before-and-after intervention study conducted in the rural area of Delhi for the prevention of childhood injuries through intervention by the child-To-Child approach. Cost of injury treatment, including travel and accommodation expenses, and wage loss were noted. The projected gain in the total cost and out-of-pocket expenditure on injury treatment throughout 20 years of childhood and adolescence were calculated. Results: Both incidences of injuries and total expenditure for treatment of injuries had decreased during the postintervention period in the intervention group, against a rise in the control group. The proportion of OOPE for availing private health care facilities for treatment of injuries, which was more than one-fourth of total expenses, also had decreased in the intervention group during the postintervention period. On economic analysis, it is projected that there will be enormous gain in cost by the implementation of child-To-Child approach in the study area in 20 years, along with saving of OOPE of the families. Conclusion: Child-To-Child approach is effective in preventing childhood injuries and reducing the cost of treatment of injuries.

Indian Journal of Public Health, 2021

Background: Childhood injury has been identified as a grave public health problem globally as wel... more Background: Childhood injury has been identified as a grave public health problem globally as well as in India. Most studies have reported injuries to have occurred while the child was at home, though injuries while on road, school, or playground also commonly occurred. Objective: The objective of the study is to find the association between unintentional childhood injury and the activity and location of the child at the time of injury. Methods: The present study is part of a larger study for preventing childhood injuries, conducted from August 2017 to January 2019 in Delhi, and reports the activity and location of the children at the time of injury. A total of 173 injuries that occurred during the total study duration were included in the analysis. Data regarding activity and location of the subjects were collected and analyzed by case-crossover study design, during “case/hazard period” and two “control/reference periods.” Results: Majority of the injuries occurred while the subjects were at home and engaged in activities other than normal activity. When various locations and activities were combined, unmatched odds ratios (ORs) were raised for activity other than normal activity (statistically significant) and for location other than at home. Similar results were obtained for matched Mantel–Haenszel OR, with activity other than normal being significantly more risk for injury (P = 0.000). Conclusion: Majority of unintentional injuries occurred in children and adolescents, while the subjects were away from home and engaged in any activity other than normal daily activities. This indicates the importance of teaching safety behavior to children so that they can prevent being injured wherever they go and whatever activity they perform.

Indian Pediatrics, 2021

Child-to-child approach is an innovative strategy for preventing and reducing the morbidity and m... more Child-to-child approach is an innovative strategy for preventing and reducing the morbidity and mortality burden of unintentional childhood injuries. To test effectiveness of Child-to-child Approach in preventing unintentional childhood injuries and their consequences. Community-based non-randomized cluster-controlled trial of parallel design. 397 children and adolescents. Eldest literate adolescent of selected families of intervention area were trained on prevention of injuries. They were to implement the knowledge gained to prevent injuries in themselves and their younger siblings and also disseminate this knowledge to other members of their families. Data was collected from both intervention and control areas during pre- and post-intervention phases on the magnitude of injuries, time for recovery from injuries, place for seeking treatment, cost of treatment, knowledge and practice of participants and their families regarding injuries. During post-intervention phase, the intervent...

The Journal of communicable diseases, 2016

MAMC Journal of Medical Sciences, 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID -19) is an acute respiratory illness which spread rapid... more Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID -19) is an acute respiratory illness which spread rapidly to many countries including India. The Government of India took several measures to control the spread of the disease including issuing advisories and awareness materials for the public along with nationwide lockdown. Aims: To assess the public perspective of the disease, their behaviour during lockdown and adherence to government directives for its prevention. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult population residing in India during the lockdown, using a self-administered online-circulated questionnaire. Snowball sampling technique was followed. Data were collected on awareness regarding the disease and adherence to advisories issued by the government during the lockdown. Results: A total of 404 subjects sent their responses, of whom 73.76% were aged less than 50 years and 51.24% were females. More than 85% knew about the modes of spread of the disease and 97.5% knew its symptoms. Most participants were aware that they had to call the COVID-19 helpline number or visit a doctor/hospital immediately in case they came in contact with an infected person or developed symptoms themselves. Around 79% reported that they went out of their house during lockdown, mostly to buy essential supplies, of whom 8.7% went outside almost every day. More than 90% followed correct handwash practices but approximately 6% of those who went out didn’t use a mask regularly and 2% never used a mask. Conclusion: Majority of the participants across India were aware regarding COVID-19 and were following Government directives.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 2021

ABSTRACT Introduction: World Health Organization has recommended that in healthy persons with cat... more ABSTRACT Introduction: World Health Organization has recommended that in healthy persons with category III exposures, who receive wound care and rabies immunoglobulin infiltration, a vaccine regimen consisting of 4 doses administered intramuscularly on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 can be used as an alternative to the 5-dose intramuscular regimen. Objective: To assess the clinical safety and immunogenicity of rabies vaccine administered as 4-dose Essen intramuscular regimen for post-exposure prophylaxis. Methods: A non-randomized, comparative, controlled study was conducted at the anti-rabies clinic, KIMS Hospital and Research Center, Bangalore, India. The study subjects were divided into study group i.e., 4-dose intramuscular regimen, and control group i.e., 5-dose intramuscular regimen, and were given post-exposure prophylaxis. All subjects were followed for any adverse drug events. Rabies virus neutralizing antibodies was determined on day 14, 90 & 180 at the WHO collaborating center, NIMHANS, Bangalore, India to assess the immunogenicity. Results: The present study included 70 adult animal bite victims, 35 each in study group and control group. The incidence of ADEs was 7.8% in 4-dose Essen group and 7.0% in 5-dose Essen group;the difference between them was not significant (P > .05). Similarly, all the subjects in both the groups had protective antibody titers of ≥ 0.5 IU/mL (100% seroprotective) from day 14 till day 180; the difference between two groups was also not significant (P > .05). Conclusion: The 4-dose intramuscular Essen post-exposure prophylaxis regimen was found to be clinically safe and immunogenic.

International Journal of Noncommunicable Diseases, 2020

The role of tobacco smoking in COVID-19 has been studied by several researchers, but conclusive e... more The role of tobacco smoking in COVID-19 has been studied by several researchers, but conclusive evidence has not yet been established. This calls for assimilation of the findings reported in available published studies. The present review attempts to understand the observation and opinion of various researchers on this aspect. A scoping review was conducted to study the role of tobacco smoking in the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19. The review included 14 studies, of which 7 studies discussed the pathophysiological effects of nicotine in detail, while seven other studies analyzed the risk of tobacco use or otherwise, on occurrence and severity of COVID-19. Based on the existing evidence, it may be concluded that tobacco smoking evokes adverse pathophysiological changes in smokers and is associated with worse progression of COVID-19 to its severe form, with the patients requiring admission in the intensive care unit and placed on ventilator support or may even succumb to the disease. Although one researcher, through several studies, has reported a beneficial effect of nicotine, there is not enough evidence to support this claim. Research is probably in the pipeline to test medicinal nicotine to prevent and treat COVID-19 in providers and patients with moderate and severe illness. Until the results of the proposed research or further longitudinal analytical studies proving beneficial association are published, it will be in the best interest to advise patients and the entire population to refrain from smoking tobacco to prevent an impending upsurge of noncommunicable diseases that might otherwise happen in the near future.

International Journal of Healthcare Education & Medical Informatics, 2018

Background: Over the past years several diseases and disorders associated with different kinds of... more Background: Over the past years several diseases and disorders associated with different kinds of occupations have been identified, including healthcare. It is important for medical personnel especially resident doctors to have adequate knowledge of occupational health and safety and prevention of occupational hazards. Objective: To assess the knowledge among resident doctors regarding occupational health and safety in healthcare settings, and the effect of training on the same. Methodology: A before and after intervention study without control was done among a group of resident doctors of a medical college in Delhi. Training on occupational health and safety was given to the study participants in the form of a two-day workshop. Pre-and post-test questionnaires filled by the participants were scored and the mean scores were compared and tested for statistically significant difference using Mann Whitney U test. Results: The study was done on 17 postgraduate resident doctors. The mean post test score was higher than the mean pre-test score and the difference was statistically significant at p<0.05. Conclusion: Training of doctors and other health personnel on occupational health and safety and prevention and control of occupational hazards can prove to be effective in improving their knowledge regarding the same.

Cureus, 2019

Introduction Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major concern to effective control of tuber... more Introduction Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major concern to effective control of tuberculosis (TB) in India and the likelihood of drug resistance increases with repeated exposure to anti-TB drugs. India has emerged as one of the leading contributors of DR-TB in the world posing a major threat to TB control. In the current study, we aim to find the burden and factors associated with drug resistance in previously treated pulmonary TB patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 previously treated pulmonary TB patients registered with Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) centers under Nehru Nagar Chest clinic in Delhi, India. The participants were selected consecutively as they registered with the chest clinic. A predesigned, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire in the Hindi language used to collect socio-demographic data and factors associated with the development of drug resistance. Physical examination of all the participants was done (height, weight, pallor). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors of drug resistance. Results Of 230 previously treated pulmonary TB patients, 80 (34.8% (95% CI:28.7-40.9%)) were drugresistant. Age (p=0.021), ever consumption of alcohol (p= 0.001), pallor (p=0.06), BMI (p=0.028), fasting blood sugar (p=0.001), treatment failure (p=0.005) and the number of prior courses of anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) taken (p=0.004) were significantly associated with drug resistance. On applying binary logistic regression analysis, independently associated factors with drug resistance were ever consumption of alcohol, pallor, high fasting blood sugar level, previous treatment failure patients and the number of prior courses of ATT (p<0.05).

International Journal of Advanced Research, 2017

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2016

The adequacy of breastfeeding determines its effectiveness. UNICEF has developed a breastfeeding ... more The adequacy of breastfeeding determines its effectiveness. UNICEF has developed a breastfeeding assessment tool, using which the adequacy of breastfeeding can be easily assessed from simple observations like colour of the infant, alertness & tone, percentage weight loss of infant in the first 5 days of life, urine output, stool frequency, number of feeds in 24 hours, behaviour of the infant during and after feeds and use of dummy/nipple shields/formula etc. 2 These observations can be made according to the simple ABSTRACT Background: Breast feeding will have a profound impact on child's survival, health, nutrition and development. Optimal breastfeeding practices can save lives of more than 1.5 million under five children every year. Therefore, adequate breast feeding in new-borns is important for proper growth & development. The objective of the study was to assess the breast feeding adequacy for early neonates using the UNICEF breastfeeding assessment tool and to provide early and appropriate intervention for breast feeding inadequacy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the post natal wards of 2 hospitals i.e.,

BMJ Open, 2022

IntroductionPoor pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in infants born to COVID-19 positive mothers hav... more IntroductionPoor pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in infants born to COVID-19 positive mothers have been reported, but there is insufficient evidence regarding subsequent growth and development of these children. Our study aims to explore the effect of in-utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes and growth and development of infants.Methods and analysisA multicentric ambispective cohort study with comparison group (1:1) will be conducted at six sites. A total of 2400 participants (exposure cohort, n=1200; comparison cohort, n=1200), ie, 400 participants from each site (200 retrospectively; 200 prospectively) will be included. Exposure cohort will be infants born to women with documented COVID-19 infection anytime during pregnancy and comparison cohort will be infants born to women who did not test positive for SARS-CoV-2 anytime during pregnancy. All infants will be followed up till 1 year of age. Anthropometric measurement, age of attainment of developmental milestones and...

International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2019