Indian Journal of Medical and Health Sciences

Maternal health among tribal women in India faces significant challenges, including high maternal and infant mortality rates, malnutrition, anemia, and inadequate healthcare access. This study examines the factors contributing to these health disparities, focusing on the experiences of tribal communities in regions such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. The introduction highlights that unhygienic childbirth practices, poverty, and limited healthcare services are major contributors to maternal health issues. Methodologically, the study utilizes secondary data from previous research, including health surveys and case studies, to identify trends in maternal health and nutrition within tribal populations. The study aims to assess the nutritional status and healthcare practices of tribal women, with objectives to identify factors leading to high maternal mortality and morbidity, and to explore regional differences in health outcomes. The findings reveal that a substantial proportion of tribal women suffer from anemia, malnutrition, and inadequate antenatal care. For instance, in regions such as Chhattisgarh, maternal mortality rates are elevated among both first-time and multiparous mothers, with factors such as low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, and traditional childbirth practices being key contributors. Anemia, particularly chronic energy deficiency, is prevalent across many tribal areas, with significant variations in nutritional status between regions. In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need for targeted health interventions to improve maternal health outcomes among tribal women. Strategies such as enhanced healthcare access, education, and nutritional support are essential to address these disparities and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in tribal communities.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, causing substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite global efforts to control and eliminate TB, the disease continues to affect millions, with an estimated 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths reported in 2019 alone.The burden of TB is further complicated by the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Material and Method: This study was a prospective, non-interventional and observational study was carried out in the Department of General Medicine at Ballari Medical College and Research Centre, Ballari. The source of data for this study comprised tuberculosis (TB) patients with known diabetes mellitus (DM) and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus visiting the TB Cell Hospital. Confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis as evidenced by either sputum for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB), Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT), or radiological investigations. Result: A vast majority of the participants (91.0%, 131 participants) had negative sputum status, while 9.0% (13 participants) did not have their sputum status reported. No participants had positive sputum status at the end of treatment. The p-value of < 0.001 suggests a highly statistically significant difference in sputum status at the end of treatment. The majority of the participants (91.0%, 131 participants) were cured, while 9.0% (13 participants) died. The p-value of 0.006 indicates a statistically significant difference in treatment outcomes. In this study, participants who were cured had lower mean FBS (135.4 ± 33.7 mg/dL), PPBS (206.9 ± 46.8 mg/dL), and median HbA1c (6.5%) at baseline compared to those who were not cured (FBS: 174.9 ± 46.5 mg/dL, PPBS: 252.2 ± 62.9 mg/dL, HbA1c (7.8%, IQR: 7.2 - 8.6%). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing treatment outcomes in patients with TB-DM comorbidity and underscores the need for personalized management strategies, routine DM screening, and appropriate treatment modalities to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating targeted interventions to optimize treatment outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with TB-DM comorbidity