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The Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is a valuable longitudinal cohort study that tracks the health and demographic changes of a geographically defined population, serving as a platform for research and evidence-based policymaking. In India, there are nearly 20 HDSS sites covering diverse areas and populations totaling around two million. To foster collaboration, the Indian HDSS Network (IHN) was formed, comprising 19 sites from 16 institutes, covering a population of 1.5 million. The IHN aims to standardize data collection processes while allowing site-specific autonomy, generating high-quality longitudinal health, and demographic data. To ensure effective coordination, a governance structure with a rotating secretariat and working committee was proposed. The IHN envisions conducting robust multicentric research, supporting data-driven efforts to improve population health, and promoting research-policy synergy. The network's outcomes have the potential to optimize health research funding, generate epidemiological data, and provide evidence for public health policy. Collaboration within the IHN strengthens HDSS sites in newer technologies and community-based research, fostering capacity building. Seed funding is being sought to formalize and support the day-to-day functioning of the network, which holds promise for advancing population health and informing policymaking in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and condom usage among longdistance internal truck drivers in Pune, India. Material and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Pune-Solapur highway in India. The data was collected from 360 truck drivers. The symptoms were suggested by the investigators. Results: The mean age of truck drivers was 37.8 (SD = 10.8). Only 90 (25%) were educated up to senior secondary school or higher. Awareness among truck drivers about modes of spread of HIV/AIDS for unprotected sex, blood transfusion, needle sharing, mother to unborn child, breast milk was 80%, 56.1%, 51.7%, 60.3%, and 38.1%, respectively. Truck drivers with misconception score (about mode of transmission) of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 43 (11.4%), 60 (16.8%), 80 (22.2%), 74 (20.8%), 86 (23.9%), and 17 (4.9%), respectively. Both knowledge and misconception score were associated with education. Median knowledge score for specific symptoms of STD was 2. Only 67 (18.6%) participants used a condom each time during sexual act. A total of 151 (41.9%) condoms were obtained from peer educators/ NGO, and 280 (77.8%) drivers said that they will use a condom if available for free near brothels or 'dhabas', and educated about proper use of a condom. Conclussions: The awareness about the STD was insufficient, and a delay in health seeking among truck drivers was noted. Condom usage among the truck drivers was low. These results suggest the need for focused behavioral change program, including modification in health seeking behavior among long-distance truck drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the antidiarrheal potential of Lithocarpus dealbata (Miq.) Rehder (Fagaceae) and Urena lobata L. (Malvaceae) used in the traditional medicine system of the Naga tribes of in India. The antidiarrheal efficacies of the seed extract of L. dealbata and leaf extract of U. lobata were evaluated in murine models by three different approaches: (i) castor oil-induced diarrhea, (ii) PGE2-induced enteropooling, and (iii) small intestinal transit. The 800 mg/kg dose of methanol extracts of both plants showed significant (p < 0.001) inhibitor activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea and PGE2-induced intrafluid accumulation. Both extracts also showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal test. Acute toxicity tests did not reveal any sign of toxicity in the animals. The observed results could explain their use as antidiarrheal agents in traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of this study: Adhatoda vasica Nees has been commonly used in the indigenous system of medicine of Naga tribes in India for curing intestinal worm infections. In this study the anticestodal efficacy of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract was evaluated using Hymenolepis diminuta-rat experimental model. Materials and methods: The anticestodal efficacy of leaf extract was determined by monitoring the eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces counts and percentage worm recovery rates following treatment with methanol leaf extract of this plant to different groups of rats harbouring immature and mature Hymenolepis diminuta infections. Results: The result indicated 800mg/kg double dose of extract has profound efficacy against mature worms, where the EPG count was reduced by 79.57% and percentage worm recovery rate by 16.60%. These effects were better than treatment with 5mg/kg single dose of praziquantel, the standard drug. In case of efficacy against immature worms, the extract showed a significant reduction in worm recovery rate (from 100% in control to 20.00% at 800mg/kg dose of extract). Conclusion: The study shows that the leaf extract of Adhatoda vasica possesses significant anticestodal efficacy and supports its use in the folk medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites (Araceae) leaves in the treatment of intestinal worm infections is a common ethnobotanical practice in the Naga tribes of India. In the current study, the anticestodal efficacy of L. spinosa leaf extract was investigated against a tapeworm using Hymenolepis diminuta–rat animal model. The anticestodal effects of L. spinosa leaf extract was determined by monitoring the eggs per gram of feces (EPG) counts and percentage worm recovery rates after treatment with leaf extract in single and double doses of 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kg that were given orally for 5 days to the rats harboring immature and mature worms. The effect of plant extract was found to be dose-dependent, and double doses showed better efficacy as compared with single doses. In the case of infections with immature worms, 1600 mg/kg double dose of L. spinosa leaf extract reduced the fecal egg counts of H. dimunta by 80.8% and worm recovery rate by 16.7%, respectively. Praziquantel, the standard anticestodal drug given in 5 mg/kg single dose, reduced the fecal egg count by 83.2% and worm recovery rate by 16.7%. In the case of efficacy against mature worms, 1600 mg/kg double dose of leaf extract reduced the fecal egg counts of H. diminuta by 94.9% and worm recovery rate by 8.5%, respectively. Praziquantel (5 mg/kg, single dose) reduced the fecal egg counts by 95.1% and worm recovery rate by 16.7%. The study suggests that the leaf extract of L. spinosa possesses significant anticestodal efficacy and supports its use in folk medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trifolium repens L. is an herbal plant that is used in the folk medicine of the Naga tribes of India as a deworming remedy. This study deals with evaluating its anticestodal activity using experimental Hymenolepis diminuta Rudolphi infections in albino rats. Doses of T. repens aerial shoots extract 200 and 500 mg/kg reduced the mean fecal egg counts of H. diminuta by 47.72% and 54.59% and worm recovery rate by 60.00% and 40.00%, respectively. Praziquantel, the standard cestocidal drug, reduced the mean fecal egg count by 65.90% and worm recovery rate by 26.67%. The study suggests that the aerial shoots of T. repens bear anticestodal properties and supports its use in the traditional medicine system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Use of Strobilanthes discolor T. Anders leaves in the treatment of intestinal worm infections is a common ethnobotanical practice in the Naga tribes of north-eastern part of India. In the present communication the anticestodal efficacy of Strobilanthes discolor leaf extract was investigated using Hymenolepis diminuta—rat experimental model. The effects of leaf extract were adjudged by monitoring the eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) counts and percentage worm recovery rates following treatment with methanol leaf extract of this plant to different groups of rats harbouring Hymenolepis diminuta infections. The leaf extract showed significant reductions in EPG counts as well as in recovery of surviving worms at autopsy. A notable result of the extract''s efficacy was observed against the larval stages of parasite, where no single worm was recovered at its 800mg/kg dose administered twice daily for 3 days. Effects of plant extract on adult stages were almost comparable with that of a standard drug, Praziquantel. The study suggests that the leaf extract of Strobilanthes discolor possesses significant anticestodal activity and supports its use in the folk medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]