Research question: What is the extent of perinatal mortality and pregnancy wastage in rural Punjab and what are risk factors for the same. Objective: To quantify the perinatal; wastage and risk factors including the prevalence of these factors to determine the loss attributable to these factors in ten Punjab villages during the period 1991-1996. Study Design: Case control. Sample Size: 2519 pregnant women with Known outcome of pregnancy. Study Variables: Cause, timing and factors affecting perinatal mortality and pregnancy wastage (viz Wt.<40kg; Ht, <152cm,BMI, <20 illiteracy, birth to conception interval <100wks, Prematurity (Gestation <37 wks). Registered in IIIrd trimester, Registered in IInd Trimester, Home delivery). Outcome variables: Contribution of these factors in perinatal loss and pregnancy wastage. Analysis; Percentages, Odds ratio, confidence interval and population attributable risk%. Results: The perinatal mortality rate was 34.57/1000 and pregnancy wastage was 7.23%. Prematurity was the leading cause of perinatal loss. 31.25% of perinatal deaths took place within 24 hours and 87.5% within 96 hours. In case of perinatal mortality the odds ration were significant (p<0.05) for the following risk factors: weight, height, body mass index, illiteracy, birth to conception interval <1000 weeks, prematurity, registration of pregnancy in IInd trimester, registration of pregnancy in IIIrd trimester, home delivery. In case of pregnancy wastage the odds ratio were significant for the following risk factors: weight, height, body mass index, illiteracy, birth to conception interval <100weeks, prematurity, past history of abortion and low socio-economic status.

Research Question: 1. What is the extent of immune response of Edmonston Zagreb Strain in children? 2. What are the side effects of this vaccine? Objectives: 1. To follow up children after Edmonston Zagreb strain vaccination for evaluation of seroconverstion. Study: Cross sectional Setting: Well Baby Clinic of pediatrics OPD at J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aigarh (U.P) participants: Children between 9-15 months. Sample Size: 100 consecutive children coming for routine immunization. Study variable: Malnourished and poor socio-economic status Outcome variable: Extent of seroconversion with no statistical significant difference between malnourished and socio-economically poor children. 26% showed minor self-limiting post vaccination reactions in all age groups. Recommendations: Edmonston Zagreb measles vaccine is recommended since it has very good immunogenic activity and post vaccination reactions.

Research question: What is the prevalence of hypertension in school children aged 10 years and above? Objectives: 1. To find out the prevalence of hypertension. 2. To generate a profile of hypertensive cases. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Selected primary schools run by Surat Manipal Corporation. Participants: School children aged 10 years and above. Sample size: 2250 children (1092 boys, 158girls) Study variables: Age, sex, body weight, body mass index Outcome variables: Prevalence of hypertension. Statistical analysis: X2 test Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension in children was 2.3 percent, separately in girls and 0.9 percent in boys. Body weight above 40kgms and body mass index (BMI) above 20 were differentiating points as children weighing more than 40kgms and/or with BMI more than 20 significantly higher prevalence of hypertension. Most of the cases were asymptomatic and also had no suggestive symptoms in the past.

Research question: How much is HIV sero-positivity among residing in the slums of Delhi? Objective: To find out the HIV sero-positivity rate among women residing in slums of Delhi. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Ante-natal clinics operated by a non-governmental organization in 13 slum communities in East and South Delhi, India Participants: All pregnant women, regardless of gestational period, who had stayed for six months or more in the preceding one year, in the selected slums. Outcome variable: HIV sero-positivity. Results: None of the 1521 blood specimens was positive for HIV antibody. There may have been selection bias. The sample size was inadequate to detect a sero-prevalence of less than 0.5% with 95% C.I. The findings could not be generalised to other population sub-groups.

Research question: 1. What are the epidemiological factors responsible for ARI? 2. What is the morbidity, mortality due to ARI? 3. What is the cases fatality rate of ARI? Objectives: 1. To study the epidemiological factors responsible for ARI. 2. To determine the morbidity & mortality due to ARI. Study Design: Longitudinal Setting: Rural area of south Goa. Participants: Under-Five children. Statistical Analysis: Chi – Square test Results: ARI incidence of 1.3 episodes/child/year and a case fatality of zero was noted. The present study confirmed ARI association with risk factors like age of the child (</yr), nutritional status (moderate & severe malnutrition, birth order higher birth orders and birth weight (low birth weight) Conclusion: As various factors have been linked with the incidence & severity of ARI, there is an urgent need to accelerate the implementation of ARI control in view of its great potential in producing an impact on infant & early childhood morbidity & mortality.

Research question: What is the prevalence and awareness of high blood pressure in a closed community of Shimla Town? Objective : To study the prevalence & awareness of hypertension in a closed community of North India Town. Design : Cross sectional study. Setting: 36 Institutions of Shimla town. Participants: 7630 employees (20-60 years) Study Variables: Age, sex, body mass index, physical activity Statistical Analysis: Standard deviation, chi square test Results: Prevalence of hypertension in closed community was founded to be 33.2%. The level of awareness in hypertensives was 12.32% in less than 35 years of age group; 22.43% in 35-49 years age group and rose to 27.09% in above 50. Only 307 were taking regular treatment.

Research question: Whether short post operative stay after cataract surgery affects the visual acuity & complications as compared to routine post operative stay? Objective: To study the outcome of short post operative stay after cataract surgery with that of routine cataract surgery. Study design: Cross-sectional Setting: Ophthalmology deptt. Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak Participants: 180 patients of senile cataract from rural area. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test Results: During 6 months follow up 94.44% patients in group I and 92.22% in group II had comparable outcome in relation to visual acuity and complications. The reduction in post operative stay from 6 days to 3 days in rural population can be helpful in increasing the capacity of existing eye care facility without compromising the quality of surgery.

Research question: Which are the maternal, socio-demographic and neonatal attributes responsible for neonatal mortality in rural areas of Gujarat? Objectives: (i) To know various maternal, socio-demographic and neonatal factors responsible for neonatal mortality in rural areas of Gujarat (ii) To estimate neonatal mortality rate in the area. Setting: Rural areas of six Primary Health Centers of Jamnagar district of Gujarat State. Study design: Community based cohort study. Sample size: Population of 40512 Participants: Members of the family in which neonatal deaths occurred. Outcome variable: Neonatal mortality Analysis: Sample proportions. Results: Neonatal mortality rate on the basis of follow-up of births during one year was found to be 47.27 per thousand live births. The major maternal and socio-demographic factors responsible for neonatal mortality were; maternal age, illiteracy, lack of antenatal care, closely spaced pregnancies, delivery conducted at home, delivery conducted untrained personnel and delayed initiation of breast feeding. The major neonatal factors responsible for mortality in neonates were; low birth weight, prematurity, first order of birth, early phase of neonatal period, male gender of the child. The leading causes of neonatal mortality were found to be prematurity, birth asphyxia, neonatal infections and congenital anomalies.