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Introduction Leprosy remains a significant health issue, especially in areas where diagnosis and treatment face numerous barriers, leading to preventable deformities and disabilities. This study aims to explore the obstacles to reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients, from both patient and healthcare provider perspectives. By conducting a qualitative analysis, the study seeks to assess the impact of reconstructive surgery on patients' quality of life, encompassing their physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from April to May 2024. One focus group discussion (FGD) for 12 participants, along with two in-depth interviews, was conducted for the patients at a leprosy rehabilitation center in western Maharashtra who have completed leprosy treatment and have undergone reconstructive surgeries for their disability. One in-depth interview was conducted with the key informant (a healthcare provider who is a surgeon who performs reconstructive surgeries for leprosy patients). Participants were selected through purposive sampling until information saturation was achieved. Interviews were conducted in local languages and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key barriers and themes. Results A qualitative analysis of feedback from leprosy patients who underwent reconstructive surgery (RCS) highlights the importance of family support and the transformative impact of surgery on functionality and psychological well-being. Stigmatization and fear often delayed treatment-seeking behavior, but government incentives alleviated economic burdens, and participants expressed readiness to recommend RCS to others. Surgeons emphasize the variety of surgeries performed, eligibility criteria, recovery period, and success rate of 85-90%, noting the importance of financial accessibility and a multidisciplinary approach. Suggestions for improvement include infrastructure enhancement, adequate funding, and active case detection by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). Conclusion The findings highlight the complex interplay of factors contributing to delays in reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients in India. Addressing these barriers requires multifaceted interventions, including increasing public awareness, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing support systems for patients. Policy development should focus on these areas to reduce disparities and improve the outcomes of reconstructive surgery in resource-limited settings., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Review Board at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune issued approval IESC/PGS/2022/204. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Shrivastava et al.)

Introduction: The rising prevalence of obesity has become a global public health crisis. Traditional screening tools like body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) have limitations, prompting the need for simpler, more effective alternatives. Neck circumference (NC) has emerged as a promising tool due to its simplicity, affordability, and reliability. The study aimed to evaluate neck circumference as a screening tool for obesity among female adults, alongside measuring BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), WC, and NC, and establishing NC cut-off values using body fat percentage as the gold standard. Additionally, it sought to compare the predictive accuracy of these measures for assessing obesity., Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted from March 2023 to October 2023, involved 362 female students from a health sciences university in Western Maharashtra, India. The participants provided informed consent and underwent anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat percentage, and neck circumference. Body fat percentage, measured using a bioimpedance analyzer, served as the reference standard., Results: The study identified a neck circumference (NC) cut-off of 31.3 cm using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, showing robust sensitivity (71.23%) and specificity (79.02%) for detecting obesity defined by body fat percentage. Waist circumference (WC) showed the highest sensitivity (73.97%) for diagnosing obesity in females, followed by NC (71.23%)., Conclusion: Neck circumference is a practical, cost-effective, and reliable screening tool for obesity, offering advantages over traditional methods. Its noninvasive nature and ease of measurement make it suitable for large-scale screening, contributing to the early detection and management of obesity-related health risks. This study supports the inclusion of NC in routine clinical assessments and public health initiatives., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Dr D.Y. Patil Medical College Institutional Ethics Subcommittee issued approval I.E.S.C/467/2022. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Nair et al.)