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Head and neck cancer is a significant public health concern in India and globally, with substantial social and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. The study aimed to assess the socioeconomic impact of head and neck cancer. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire-based study involving 178 head and neck cancer patients who were evaluated at least two years post-completion of their treatment. The questionnaire data collected data on various factors, including site of cancer, treatment modality, speech and diet impairment, changes in earning capacity, occupation, and salary. This was collected from all patients visiting our tertiary cancer care center outpatient department in Ahmedabad, India, between January 2023 and August 2023. The findings highlight the diverse and profound socioeconomic consequences of head and neck cancer. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive support systems for affected individuals and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender discrimination at the workplace remains a significant issue in India despite progress in gender equality. This paper provides an overview of gender discrimination at the workplace in India, including its prevalence, types, causes, and consequences. It analyses the legal framework and policies in place to address the issue, as well as the challenges faced in their implementation. The paper also examines the impact of gender discrimination on women's career opportunities, earnings, and mental health, as well as the broader economic and social implications of this issue. Finally, the paper concludes by suggesting ways to promote gender equality in the workplace and advocating for a cultural shift toward gender sensitivity and inclusivity. Keeping in mind, the study has focused on the analytical aspect and 285 women professionals were chosen to get to know their perception towards gender discrimination in various professions. The findings disclosed that still women face challenges and they are lagging behind in every possible manner. Therefore, there is a need to foster open thoughts and revolutionize the world in reducing the gender gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Son preference is culturally rooted across generations in India. While the social and economic implications of son preference are widely acknowledged, there is little evidence on spatial heterogeneity, especially at the district level. OBJECTIVE To derive estimates of son preference for the 640 districts of India and examine spatial heterogeneity in son preference across the districts of India. METHODS We apply model-based Small-Area Estimation (SAE) techniques, linking data from the 2015-2016 Indian National Family Health Survey and the 2011 Indian Population and Housing Census to generate district-level estimates of son preference. RESULTS The diagnostic measures confirm that the model-based estimates are robust enough to provide reliable estimates of son preference at the district level. Son preference is highest in the districts across northern and central Indian states, followed by districts in Gujarat and Maharashtra, and lowest in the southern districts in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable heterogeneity in son preference across Indian districts, often masked by state-level average estimates. Our findings warrant urgent policy interventions targeting specific districts in India to tackle the ongoing son-preference attitudes and practices. CONTRIBUTION Our study demonstrates the power of SAE techniques to generate robust estimates of son preference at the district level. This study is the first of its kind to examine spatial patterns in parity-specific son preference at the district level in India.and Maharashtra, and lowest in the southern districts in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable heterogeneity in son preference across Indian districts, often masked by state-level average estimates. Our findings warrant urgent policy interventions targeting specific districts in India to tackle the ongoing son-preference attitudes and practices. CONTRIBUTION Our study demonstrates the power of SAE techniques to generate robust estimates of son preference at the district level. This study is the first of its kind to examine spatial patterns in parity-specific son preference at the district level in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an examination of the relationships between imbalanced gender ratios and the growth–health–poverty nexus, a simultaneous equation model (based on panel data) identifies an adverse impact of poor health conditions on the gender ratio. Better health services and health outcomes can raise the survival rate of girl children and women, while a higher gender ratio (a greater presence of women) is associated with an increased survival rate of girl children. Economic growth alone is not sufficient to curb gender inequality, but the female labour force participation rate does have favourable effects on the gender ratio, indicating the wide social and economic implications of women's access to resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: According to NHFS-4 data, around 38% of under-five Indian children are malnourished and stunted. In addition to poor socio-economic status, faulty complementary feeding practice is a major contributor to this. The objective of this study is to know the prevailing complementary feeding practices in our area, the most common food type preferred for introduction during initiation of complementary feeds, knowledge of the mother and their family members regarding complementary feeding, the factors influencing in decision making and its financial burden on the family. Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in a private Medical College in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. 256 mothers of infants between six months to two years attending Paediatric OPD from December 2018 to June 2019 were selected by random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Results: Out of the total 256 subjects interviewed, 134 (76.13%) out of 176 families belonging to lower income group preferred commercially available processed food over home food as the initial weaning food as compared to 32 (40%) out of 80 of the high income group preferring the same. The lower income group spent 22.3% of the total family income on commercial preparations to feed their infants in the age group six to 12 months. Whereas high income group families spend an average of 14.3% of family income on baby food products in the same age group. Despite being in regular contact with the local physician, in 85% of the total visits to the doctor, the opportunity wasn't utilised to counsel the family member about complementary feeding practices. Conclusions: Commercial preparations are the primary preferred weaning food. The dietary diversity of complementary food is very poor, thus affecting growth and development. The false perception that commercial preparations are critical to child growth and development is overburdening the family finances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We assess the impact of an approach in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh that combines micro-credit with efforts to target the poor, address their specific needs, and enhance their economic potential. Our results support the pro-poor nature of the program and point toward benefits in terms of female empowerment and nutritional intake but not asset formation or income for program participants and other villagers. While study of longer-term effects is desirable, this suggests that even in the short term, the program helped improve consumption smoothing and income diversification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Tuberculosis patients are registered in government clinics under Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) program in Chennai city catering to 4.34 million population. With the entire country geographically covered under the DOTS program, research into socioeconomic impact of TB on patients and their households is crucial for providing comprehensive patient-friendly TB services and to document the benefits of DOTS. Objective: To assess the social and economic impact of TB on patients registered under DOTS program and their families. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 300 TB patients was done using a pre-coded semi-quantitative questionnaire between March and June 2007 in all the Tuberculosis Units (TUs) of Chennai city. Results: Social and economic impact was perceived by 69.0% and 30.3% patients, respectively. About 24.3% suffered from both social and economic impact, while 75% patients suffered from any one form of impact. Social impact was perceived by more female patients as compared to males (80.7% vs. 62%; P < 0.001). More patients with extra-pulmonary disease (44.4%) and patients belonging to joint families (40.7%) perceived economic impact (P < 0.05). Conclusion: After 8 years of DOTS implementation, the present study has shown that with the availability of DOTS, percentage of patients who mortgaged assets or took loans has reduced. Social impact of TB is still perceived by two-thirds of the patients (69%). Elimination or reduction of social stressors with specific, focused, and intense social support services, awareness generation, and counseling to patients and families need to be built into the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Owing to their style and economic impact, Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRIC countries) are destined to become relevant actors in the new ocean governance. The following working hypothesis is sustained: the BRIC countries, due to the potential of their maritime territories, can be considered to be emerging maritime powers capable of displacing some of the historical maritime powers. This would also entail a shift of strategic maritime space towards the southern hemisphere. Other emerging maritime scenarios associated with the BRIC countries include the Russian Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific ocean belt, or “string of pearls”, as it is known. Factors such as competitiveness, maritime leadership and ocean governance are thus placed in a new economic and political context where they might be redefined and adapted to the circumstances of the BRIC block and other emerging countries, the majority of which are subject to demographic pressure and a high degree of poverty. The most relevant conclusions point to the emergence of a new type of neo-navalism, on the one hand—a BRIC version of traditional sea power and, on the other, a possible threat to the EU''s Integrated Maritime Policy under pressure from strong competitiveness in a highly internationalised environment, forcing changes in its original approach with its distinct social profiles and commitment to latest generation rights. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tobacco is a well-acknowledged social and health evil. The history of tobacco use traces back to the dawn of human civilization and has been deeply entrenched into the human society since time immemorial. The social, economic, and health impact of tobacco has been a subject of intense debate over the recent decades. For India, this problem has been a unique one, with the consumption patterns either largely influenced by the socioeconomic backgrounds or dictated by the cultural diversity. With more than 200 million tobacco consumers in the country at present, it becomes imperative to address this health hazard and stir up strong measures toward damage control. This article addresses the tobacco problem, its evolution, and the factors that have affected the growth of Indian tobacco industry. It also highlights the current legislative measures against tobacco, fiscal gains to the government, and the serious health and economic impact to the consumer, compounded by the increasing cost of private health care in the present era of consumerism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the levels of living self-help groups (SHGs) in the district of Coimbatore in India. Such groups refer to voluntary associations of persons established with the aim of meeting common objectives. The functions of the SHGs are outlined, one of which is to promote literacy and raise general awareness among members. The socio-economic impact and performance of self-help groups are aslo tackled.