About IMSEAR
Index Medicus for South-East Asia Region (IMSEAR) is an archive of selected publications in health sciences in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Materials in IMSEAR include formally published health science journals, health reports and documents.
Items in IMSEAR are organized under categories, sub-categories and collections reflecting type of materials, countries and journal titles. In addition to metadata of each item, original full text documents or links to original documents are provided whenever available, under Open Archives Initiative (OAI) framework. Items in IMSEAR can also be harvested through OAI-PMH at the base URL: https://imsear.searo.who.int/server/oai/request.
You are welcome to register yourself at the IMSEAR and subscribe to our collections to receive email alerts whenever new items are added to the collection. If you would like to include your publications in IMSEAR, please contact searolibrary@who.int at the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.
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Recent Submissions
Bayesian analysis of multidrug resistance tuberculosis from Amravati Region using non-informative priors
(Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India., 2025-03) Ahemed, S. F.; Singh, R.; Singh, P.
This study is an attempt to fit a binary logistic model on the data of TB- patients registered under DOTS from Amravati region, with the aim to determine predictors (risk factors) of MDR-TB, under Bayesian framework. Drug resistant tuberculosis is a serious public health problem in India and worldwide. Detection and treatment of MDR?TB is a priority in National Tuberculosis program in India. Bayesian approach with Non-informative prior is employed for data analysis in this study. MDR-TB presence is taken as the response variable in this study, with 18 explanatory variables related to clinical and treatment details of present and past history of the patients. Odds ratios for the Bayesian estimates of parameters are calculated using Gibbs Sampling procedure. It is found in the study that probability of developing MDR-Tb increases with increase in the number of previous TB treatment. Out of 18, eight variables are found to be potentially effective in the development of MDR-TB among TB patients.
Formulation and Validation of tool to assess the exposure of occupational health hazards
(Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India., 2025-03) Adithiyalakshmi, S.; Sivakami, P. S.
Background: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risk assessment is critical for improving worker safety by identifying and controlling high-risk hazards in the workplace. Objectives: This study developed and validated a tool specifically designed to assess occupational health hazards among fishermen, Methodology: involving three key steps: conceptualization, expert judgment and content validity determination. Structured with four domains: physical, ergonomic, environmental and psychological. Results: A pilot study with 50 fishermen yielded a Cronbach?s alpha of 0.710, indicating acceptable internal consistency. The tool?s content validity was confirmed by fifteen subject experts, with an overall Content Validity Ratio (CVR) above the acceptable threshold of 0.49. Each domain demonstrated high relevance, achieving an itemLevel- Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of 0.95, kappa value of zero, one and an overall Scale - Content Validity Index (S-CVI) of 0.93, underscoring its robustness. Four components were identified through principle component analysis with keiser normalization of 0.653. The cumulation variance of 76 percent provides suitability of retention. Conclusion: This tool effectively represents key elements of occupational health hazards for fishermen and can be complemented with additional questionnaires for comprehensive data collection in the fishing sector.
Nutritional Disparities among Adolescent Girls Belonging to the Tribal Localities of Gujarat
(Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India., 2025-03) Tiwari, D.; Nair, S
Background: Adolescence is marked by the onset of the second growth spurt, a phase of rapid growth and development that places high demands on nutritional intake. Poor nutritional status among adolescent girls is a major public health issue in India, with the situation being even more critical in tribal areas. This study was conducted in the tribal region of the western state of Gujarat, aiming to identify the factors contributing to the poor nutritional status of adolescent girls. Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used to enroll subjects. Adolescent aged between 16-18 years (N=120) were enrolled for the study. Anthropometric measurements (Height, Weight and Mid Upper Arm Circumference), dietary history (24 hr recall, Minimum dietary diversity-Women) and blood haemoglobin was measured. Results: The mean BMI-for-Age (BAZ) score was -1.09±1.07, with approximately 22 (18.3%) of the subjects being classified as thin. The mean height for age (HAZ) score was -1.22 ± 0.85, and about 18 (15%) of the subjects were found to be stunted. Approximately 80 (66.66%) of the subjects were moderately anaemic, 18 (15%) were mildly anaemic and 7 (5.8%) were severely anaemic. The median nutrient intake among the adolescents was found to be significantly low compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) at (p<0.001). The Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD-W) score of the adolescent girls was 4.25 ± 0.57. Conclusion: Nutritional status of the adolescent girls was in compromised conditions. Some of the underlying reasons were; Preference and consumption of fat rich foods, skipping of breakfast, poor IFA and Deworming rate and poor personal hygiene etc.
Indomethacin: A multifaceted therapeutic agent with potential applications
(Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India., 2025-03) Prabhat, Jagriti; Bashar, M. A.
Background: Indomethacin, a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), exhibits remarkable therapeutic versatility across diverse medical applications. While traditionally recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, recent studies underscore its potential in oncology, virology, neurology, and cardiovascular health. Its primary mechanism involves cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, and modulating immune responses. Beyond this, non-COX-mediated effects, such as autophagy regulation and mitochondrial modulation, expand its therapeutic scope. Objective: This study aims to explore the broad therapeutic potential of indomethacin beyond its conventional use as an anti-inflammatory agent, focusing on its applications in oncology, virology, neurology, and other medical fields. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies was conducted to evaluate the mechanisms, therapeutic benefits, and limitations of indomethacin. Research findings on its role in cancer therapy, viral infections, neuroprotection, and inflammatory disorders were analyzed, along with advancements in drug formulations to mitigate adverse effects. Results: Preclinical studies demonstrate that Indomethacin restores apoptotic pathways by targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, enhancing the efficacy of immuno-therapies and chemotherapies in breast, colon, and prostate cancers. In vitro and clinical studies reveal its dual antiviral action against SARS-CoV-2, canine coronavirus, and rotavirus, achieved by inhibiting viral replication and suppressing cytokine storms. Clinical evidence highlights its ability to lower intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and manage refractory migraines. Additionally, animal models suggest neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease, including reduced amyloid-beta plaque formation. Furthermore, experimental studies validate its potential to mitigate inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, while clinical trials in neonatology confirm its efficacy in reducing intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) severity. Conclusion: Despite its broad therapeutic utility, indomethacin’s gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity remains a limitation. Advancements in drug formulations, including phospholipid conjugates (e.g., DP-155), hydrogen sulfide-based derivatives, and nano-particles, have shown promise in reducing adverse effects. Future research directions include large-scale clinical trials to validate its efficacy in under explored therapeutic domains, mechanistic studies on non-COX pathways, and innovative combination therapies. Indomethacin exemplifies the potential of repurposed drugs to address complex medical challenges. By leveraging its restorative, synergistic, and multitargeted effects, alongside innovative delivery strategies, indomethacin can continue to play a transformative role in modern medicine.
Innovative Therapeutics in Neurodegenerative Disease: Current Advances and Future Directions
(Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India., 2025-03) Joshi, P.; Singh, S.; Dhariyal, R. S.
Neurodegenerative disorders, which are marked by gradual degeneration of the neurological system and intricate pathogenic pathways, provide a significant challenge to modern medicine. The focus of this thorough assessment is on innovative therapeutic techniques created between 2020 and 2023, with a particular emphasis on molecular therapies, biologics, and new technologies. The effectiveness of treatment has been greatly increased by recent developments in medication delivery methods, such as brain-targeting tactics and nano-carrier based ideas. The advent of diseasemodifying therapies, such as Lecanemab for Alzheimer's disease and new LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson's disease, signifies a change in focus from treating symptoms to addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning have expedited the process of finding and developing new drugs, and sophisticated biomarker platforms have made it possible to precisely stratify patients. Not withstanding these successes, there are still major obstacles to overcome in the areas of cost control, healthcare implementation, and treatment optimization. The shift toward personalized medical methods and the integration of numerous therapeutic modalities for improved treatment outcomes are highlighted in this review, which critically examines recent advancements, cutting-edge technology, and future possibilities in neurodegenerative disease therapies.