BACKGROUND: Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against COVID-19. The purp... more BACKGROUND: Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to analyze the news stories on Covaxin published in the online media between two statements issued by Indian Council for Medical Research on 2nd and 4th July for their content, quality of information, and reporting standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed on Google to identify the news stories related to Covaxin in the English language published between these two statements. The selected news stories were subjected to content analysis and reviewed using the screening points developed through a consultation by two independent experts using ten prevalidated criteria for health news review. The data were analyzed in MS Excel and StataMP14. RESULTS: The final analysis included 24 news stories. The mean and median score of the news stories is 10.71 and 12 (out of 20), respectively, with a score ranging from 2 to 17. The stories did not promote ...
Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Operational definitions. Supplementary Table 2. Symptom... more Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Operational definitions. Supplementary Table 2. Symptoms of adverse events (n = 207) experienced by patients during first three months of initiation of DR-TB treatment (during July–September 2018) under the RNTCP at a DR-TB Center, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Journal of infection and public health, Jan 23, 2015
Multidrug-resistant TB has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries an... more Multidrug-resistant TB has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective TB control. Therefore, the present study sought to determine the treatment outcome in patients with MDR TB in seven districts and to examine the factors affecting the treatment outcome. A prospective cohort study was carried out by enrolling all the registered patients in DOTs Plus center of Vadodara district from February 2010 to December 2010. A total of 142 patients were interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire at the DOTS centers of seven districts of Gujarat or at their homes in cases of defaulters/death. After 24 months, of those 145 patients, 48 (33.10%) were declared cured, 8 (5.50%) had completed their treatment, 43 (29.70%) patients died during the treatment, and 32 (21.10%) patients defaulted during treatment. Factors associated with a significant difference in the outcomes were income, marital status, and education. Only educatio...
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on rising trend in developing countries like India. In typ... more The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on rising trend in developing countries like India. In type 2 diabetes patients, albuminuria has been shown to predict development of dysfunction in other organ systems such as kidneys, nervous system, and retina and increase risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. In this study, we plan to assess association of microalbuminuria with left ventricular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, Western India. Based on urine albumin excretion status, they were divided in two groups of 50 each—normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients. The mean FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c level was significantly lower in normoalbuminuric group compared to microalbuminuric group. There was an increase in cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, and LDL levels and decrease in HDL levels in microalbuminuric group as compared to normoalbu...
The COVID-19 pandemic will subside only through the emergence and distribution of an efficacious ... more The COVID-19 pandemic will subside only through the emergence and distribution of an efficacious vaccine. The two main aspects that should be maintained in equilibrium: the dire necessity for speedy vaccine research and the need for safeguarding the research subjects, which is of utmost concern in research ethics. This opens up a discussion of what norms to follow during the clinical trials while developing the vaccine. As of now, various companies like Moderna, Pfizer, University of Oxford, Astra-Zeneca and so on have moved beyond the safety, efficacy and immunogenic studies. This narrative review explores and discusses the key principles of ethics: a principle of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice along with its ten general expanded principles. Furthermore, it delves into the different types of vaccines, their mechanisms, side effects, limitations, and advantages.
Introduction: Swine flu influenza A (H1N1) has been one of the major public health problems in In... more Introduction: Swine flu influenza A (H1N1) has been one of the major public health problems in India. So this study was conducted to study the epidemiological profile of Influenza -A (H1N1) patients screened in SSG hospital Vadodara. Materials and Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted for patients screened for H1N1 during 01/08/2009 to 04/10/2010 in tertiary care government hospital, Shree Sayaji General Hospital Vadodara, Gujarat. All the relevant patients’ details were entered in Microsoft excel worksheet. Data was analysed using Epi Info software. Results: Total number of patients screened was 2440. Of which H1N1 positive patients were 245(10.0%).It was more commonly seen among age group 20 to 30 yrs and more among males (54%) as compared to females (46%). Among H1N1 positive females, 6 were pregnant and out of them 3 pregnant females died. Maximum patients were screened and found to be positive during winters (January and February). CFR (Case Fatality Rate) was found t...
Indian journal of forensic and community medicine, 2016
Introduction: Oral health and diseases receive little concern in India though their consequences ... more Introduction: Oral health and diseases receive little concern in India though their consequences affect the body as a whole. A prerequisite of progress towards optimal oral health is to understand where we stand today. So present study was carried out to evaluate oral hygiene awareness and associate barriers to avail oral health curative services among cross section of patients attending our centre. Materials and Methods: 276 subjects who gave informed consent were included out of 300 in this cross sectional study conducted at dental trust hospital, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. A pretested, semi structured, self-administered questionnaire was given to each of the participant. Data so collected was calculated in terms of percentages and proportions. Results: 261 (94.5%) subjects were of the view that oral hygiene is mandatory for overall health of the body, whereas hundred ninety-five (70.7%) of the subjects visited a dentist only for symptomatic reasons. 216 (78.3%) of the subjects cleane...
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of the study city, Gujarat from ... more Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of the study city, Gujarat from July 2016 to December 2016. A total of 210 mothers were selected using cluster sampling method. Primary variables studied were initiation of breastfeeding, frequency of breastfeeding in 24 hrs, EBF and other food given. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to find the factors associated with EBF.
BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction, peritonitis from a perforated bowel, abdominal trauma, malign... more BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction, peritonitis from a perforated bowel, abdominal trauma, malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract and other bowel diseases are common surgical problems throughout the world which must be treated operatively. Hence, it is frequently necessary to join two sections of bowel together. This anastomosis is carried out either manually or by using staplers. Many studies have different opinions about these two techniques. So this study is carried out with objectives to compare these two methods of anastomosis in terms of duration of anastomosis, duration of operation and duration of hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent gastrointestinal anastomosis between June 2009 and November 2011 at SSG hospital were considered in the study after taking written informed consent. All these patients were thoroughly investigated preoperatively. Patients were randomized alternatively either to the stapler group or the hand sewn group. Time taken for an...
Objectives: Urban Health and Nutrition Day (UHND) is an important activity for providing quality ... more Objectives: Urban Health and Nutrition Day (UHND) is an important activity for providing quality maternal, child health care and nutritional services, carried out once a month in urban slum areas by UPHCs. The objective of this study is to evaluate all UPHCs of Vadodara city in Western India for their readiness to provide UHND activities. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at all UPHCs of Vadodara city from April 2013 to March 2014. All 19 UPHCs were evaluated in terms of programme management of UHND and availability of vaccines/logistics/equipments and supplies. The checklist was based on the Guidelines of supportive supervision visit for facility assessment designed by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Gujarat. Results: With regards to human resources, medical officers were present at 19 centres while Health visitor, ANM and urban ASHA were present as per sanctioned norms at 8, 14 and 11 centers only. Microplan was present at all cent...
The meaning of “vaccine diplomacy (VD)” is defined as “the use of vaccines to increase a country&... more The meaning of “vaccine diplomacy (VD)” is defined as “the use of vaccines to increase a country's diplomatic relations and influence over other nations.” The golden era of vaccine science diplomacy started during the time of Cold War between the United States (US) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) with the development of a prototype of oral polio vaccine by the US Scientist Dr Albert Sabin working along with his Soviet counterparts. The foundation stone was already laid down by Edward Jenner when he shared his technique of the smallpox vaccine with other major countries to curb the spread of smallpox. Eventually, such a step led to the eradication of such a deadly disease. Only time has changed, not the tide. Even today, vaccines continue to remain as one of the important tools for achieving Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) and other targets in developing countries like India. During the wake of the Corona Virus Diseases-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, India's role in developing its vaccine science diplomacy has been a point of attraction. The phase-3 trial of Covaxin being developed by Bharat Biotech started in Lucknow and Gorakhpur in October 2020, and it is widely considered as the forerunner for the Indian vaccine market. As per the Union Health Ministry of India- “The Union Government is working on at least five distinct ways, ranging from free vaccines to guaranteed supply, in which it can help its immediate neighbours and countries in West Asia, Africa and even Latin America—officials familiar with the plan said on conditions of anonymity. The idea is to leverage the country's standing as the world's vaccine factory to merge diplomatic ties. Historically, it is observed that by the development and introduction of newer vaccines from time to time, many dismaying hurdles to vaccine science diplomacy (VSD) arise from ongoing wars and political instability. The current scenario is that both VSD and VD are at crossroads, and there is a possibility of getting a good direction if we make a piggyback policy approach of vaccine diplomacy along with the foreign policy. The lessons learned from the past must be followed now and, in the future, to make a better world for all. We acknowledge that the COVID-19 episode has again highlighted the dire need for VSD, and we assume that not only COVID-19 but in future, emerging and re-emerging diseases will occur so we have to prepare ourselves for combatting those future emerging and re-emerging diseases.
BACKGROUND: Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against COVID-19. The purp... more BACKGROUND: Covaxin is the first indigenous vaccine developed in India against COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to analyze the news stories on Covaxin published in the online media between two statements issued by Indian Council for Medical Research on 2nd and 4th July for their content, quality of information, and reporting standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed on Google to identify the news stories related to Covaxin in the English language published between these two statements. The selected news stories were subjected to content analysis and reviewed using the screening points developed through a consultation by two independent experts using ten prevalidated criteria for health news review. The data were analyzed in MS Excel and StataMP14. RESULTS: The final analysis included 24 news stories. The mean and median score of the news stories is 10.71 and 12 (out of 20), respectively, with a score ranging from 2 to 17. The stories did not promote ...
Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Operational definitions. Supplementary Table 2. Symptom... more Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Operational definitions. Supplementary Table 2. Symptoms of adverse events (n = 207) experienced by patients during first three months of initiation of DR-TB treatment (during July–September 2018) under the RNTCP at a DR-TB Center, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Journal of infection and public health, Jan 23, 2015
Multidrug-resistant TB has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries an... more Multidrug-resistant TB has become a significant public health problem in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective TB control. Therefore, the present study sought to determine the treatment outcome in patients with MDR TB in seven districts and to examine the factors affecting the treatment outcome. A prospective cohort study was carried out by enrolling all the registered patients in DOTs Plus center of Vadodara district from February 2010 to December 2010. A total of 142 patients were interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire at the DOTS centers of seven districts of Gujarat or at their homes in cases of defaulters/death. After 24 months, of those 145 patients, 48 (33.10%) were declared cured, 8 (5.50%) had completed their treatment, 43 (29.70%) patients died during the treatment, and 32 (21.10%) patients defaulted during treatment. Factors associated with a significant difference in the outcomes were income, marital status, and education. Only educatio...
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on rising trend in developing countries like India. In typ... more The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on rising trend in developing countries like India. In type 2 diabetes patients, albuminuria has been shown to predict development of dysfunction in other organ systems such as kidneys, nervous system, and retina and increase risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. In this study, we plan to assess association of microalbuminuria with left ventricular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, Western India. Based on urine albumin excretion status, they were divided in two groups of 50 each—normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric patients. The mean FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c level was significantly lower in normoalbuminuric group compared to microalbuminuric group. There was an increase in cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, and LDL levels and decrease in HDL levels in microalbuminuric group as compared to normoalbu...
The COVID-19 pandemic will subside only through the emergence and distribution of an efficacious ... more The COVID-19 pandemic will subside only through the emergence and distribution of an efficacious vaccine. The two main aspects that should be maintained in equilibrium: the dire necessity for speedy vaccine research and the need for safeguarding the research subjects, which is of utmost concern in research ethics. This opens up a discussion of what norms to follow during the clinical trials while developing the vaccine. As of now, various companies like Moderna, Pfizer, University of Oxford, Astra-Zeneca and so on have moved beyond the safety, efficacy and immunogenic studies. This narrative review explores and discusses the key principles of ethics: a principle of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice along with its ten general expanded principles. Furthermore, it delves into the different types of vaccines, their mechanisms, side effects, limitations, and advantages.
Introduction: Swine flu influenza A (H1N1) has been one of the major public health problems in In... more Introduction: Swine flu influenza A (H1N1) has been one of the major public health problems in India. So this study was conducted to study the epidemiological profile of Influenza -A (H1N1) patients screened in SSG hospital Vadodara. Materials and Method: A secondary data analysis was conducted for patients screened for H1N1 during 01/08/2009 to 04/10/2010 in tertiary care government hospital, Shree Sayaji General Hospital Vadodara, Gujarat. All the relevant patients’ details were entered in Microsoft excel worksheet. Data was analysed using Epi Info software. Results: Total number of patients screened was 2440. Of which H1N1 positive patients were 245(10.0%).It was more commonly seen among age group 20 to 30 yrs and more among males (54%) as compared to females (46%). Among H1N1 positive females, 6 were pregnant and out of them 3 pregnant females died. Maximum patients were screened and found to be positive during winters (January and February). CFR (Case Fatality Rate) was found t...
Indian journal of forensic and community medicine, 2016
Introduction: Oral health and diseases receive little concern in India though their consequences ... more Introduction: Oral health and diseases receive little concern in India though their consequences affect the body as a whole. A prerequisite of progress towards optimal oral health is to understand where we stand today. So present study was carried out to evaluate oral hygiene awareness and associate barriers to avail oral health curative services among cross section of patients attending our centre. Materials and Methods: 276 subjects who gave informed consent were included out of 300 in this cross sectional study conducted at dental trust hospital, in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. A pretested, semi structured, self-administered questionnaire was given to each of the participant. Data so collected was calculated in terms of percentages and proportions. Results: 261 (94.5%) subjects were of the view that oral hygiene is mandatory for overall health of the body, whereas hundred ninety-five (70.7%) of the subjects visited a dentist only for symptomatic reasons. 216 (78.3%) of the subjects cleane...
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of the study city, Gujarat from ... more Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of the study city, Gujarat from July 2016 to December 2016. A total of 210 mothers were selected using cluster sampling method. Primary variables studied were initiation of breastfeeding, frequency of breastfeeding in 24 hrs, EBF and other food given. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to find the factors associated with EBF.
BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction, peritonitis from a perforated bowel, abdominal trauma, malign... more BACKGROUND: Intestinal obstruction, peritonitis from a perforated bowel, abdominal trauma, malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract and other bowel diseases are common surgical problems throughout the world which must be treated operatively. Hence, it is frequently necessary to join two sections of bowel together. This anastomosis is carried out either manually or by using staplers. Many studies have different opinions about these two techniques. So this study is carried out with objectives to compare these two methods of anastomosis in terms of duration of anastomosis, duration of operation and duration of hospital stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent gastrointestinal anastomosis between June 2009 and November 2011 at SSG hospital were considered in the study after taking written informed consent. All these patients were thoroughly investigated preoperatively. Patients were randomized alternatively either to the stapler group or the hand sewn group. Time taken for an...
Objectives: Urban Health and Nutrition Day (UHND) is an important activity for providing quality ... more Objectives: Urban Health and Nutrition Day (UHND) is an important activity for providing quality maternal, child health care and nutritional services, carried out once a month in urban slum areas by UPHCs. The objective of this study is to evaluate all UPHCs of Vadodara city in Western India for their readiness to provide UHND activities. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at all UPHCs of Vadodara city from April 2013 to March 2014. All 19 UPHCs were evaluated in terms of programme management of UHND and availability of vaccines/logistics/equipments and supplies. The checklist was based on the Guidelines of supportive supervision visit for facility assessment designed by the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Gujarat. Results: With regards to human resources, medical officers were present at 19 centres while Health visitor, ANM and urban ASHA were present as per sanctioned norms at 8, 14 and 11 centers only. Microplan was present at all cent...
The meaning of “vaccine diplomacy (VD)” is defined as “the use of vaccines to increase a country&... more The meaning of “vaccine diplomacy (VD)” is defined as “the use of vaccines to increase a country's diplomatic relations and influence over other nations.” The golden era of vaccine science diplomacy started during the time of Cold War between the United States (US) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) with the development of a prototype of oral polio vaccine by the US Scientist Dr Albert Sabin working along with his Soviet counterparts. The foundation stone was already laid down by Edward Jenner when he shared his technique of the smallpox vaccine with other major countries to curb the spread of smallpox. Eventually, such a step led to the eradication of such a deadly disease. Only time has changed, not the tide. Even today, vaccines continue to remain as one of the important tools for achieving Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) and other targets in developing countries like India. During the wake of the Corona Virus Diseases-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, India's role in developing its vaccine science diplomacy has been a point of attraction. The phase-3 trial of Covaxin being developed by Bharat Biotech started in Lucknow and Gorakhpur in October 2020, and it is widely considered as the forerunner for the Indian vaccine market. As per the Union Health Ministry of India- “The Union Government is working on at least five distinct ways, ranging from free vaccines to guaranteed supply, in which it can help its immediate neighbours and countries in West Asia, Africa and even Latin America—officials familiar with the plan said on conditions of anonymity. The idea is to leverage the country's standing as the world's vaccine factory to merge diplomatic ties. Historically, it is observed that by the development and introduction of newer vaccines from time to time, many dismaying hurdles to vaccine science diplomacy (VSD) arise from ongoing wars and political instability. The current scenario is that both VSD and VD are at crossroads, and there is a possibility of getting a good direction if we make a piggyback policy approach of vaccine diplomacy along with the foreign policy. The lessons learned from the past must be followed now and, in the future, to make a better world for all. We acknowledge that the COVID-19 episode has again highlighted the dire need for VSD, and we assume that not only COVID-19 but in future, emerging and re-emerging diseases will occur so we have to prepare ourselves for combatting those future emerging and re-emerging diseases.
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Papers by Kedar Mehta