Risk factors for asthma across India: Results from global asthma network (GAN) phase I study.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the risk factors and triggers predisposing to asthma in Indian children and adults.

Methods: The Global Asthma Network Phase I study was a multicentre, international, school, and questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted across the world with nine centers in India from 2017-18, the current study being analysis of the Indian data.

Results: There were 20084 children, 25887 adolescents, and 81296 adults from 9 sites across India.

Prevalence, time trends and treatment practices of asthma in India: the Global Asthma Network study.

Objective: The objective of this subanalysis of data from centres across urban areas in India of the Global Asthma Network (GAN) was to study 1) the prevalence of symptoms of asthma in children and adults, 2) the change in prevalence of asthma and its trigger factors since the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), and 3) current asthma treatment practice.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, multicentre, school-based and self-administered questionnaire, responses from children aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years, and their respective parents, were analysed.

Results: The GAN Phase I study included 20 084 children in the 6-7-year age group, 25 887 children in the 13-14-year age group and 81 296 parents.

Global Asthma Network Phase I, India: Results for allergic rhinitis and eczema in 127,309 children and adults.

Background: The Global Asthma Network phase I study in India aimed to study the prevalence, time trends, and associated risk factors of allergic rhinitis and eczema among 6-7-year-old, and 13-14-year-old school children and their parents.  The objective of the study was to understand the current prevalence and associated risk factors of Allergic Rhinitis and Eczema in India among 6-7-year-olds, 13-14-year-olds and in their parents/guardians for newer directions to health care providers, policy makers and academicians.

Methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter study using self- and parent-administered questionnaire among randomly selected school children aged 6 to 7 years from 8 centers and 13 to 14 years from 9 centers and their respective parents/guardians across India.

Nasopharyngeal wash in preventing and treating upper respiratory tract infections: Could it prevent COVID-19?

Rapid transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The current emphasis is on preventive strategies such as social distancing, face mask, and hand washing. The technique of nasopharyngeal wash to prevent the virus from inhabiting and replicating in the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa has been suggested to be useful in reducing symptoms, transmission, and viral shedding in cases of viral acute respiratory tract infections.

An Assessment of a Public Health Initiative of Homeopathy for Primary Teething.

Background:  During primary teething, children suffer from running nose, mild fever, diarrhoea and other mild irritations and inflammations. A public health programme, 'Homoeopathy for the Healthy Child', was undertaken on a pilot basis focusing on promotion of healthy teething by provision of home-based care through six pre-identified homeopathic medicines for complaints commonly observed during primary teething. This article assesses the feasibility of this programme and reports the impact of this initiative on teething profile in children and episodes of diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).

Correlation of pollen counts and number of hospital visits of asthmatic and allergic rhinitis patients.

Aims And Objectives: Environmental pollens are known to cause exacerbation of symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. During pollen months, number of patients visiting hospital has been shown to increase in some studies. However, in India, such studies are lacking.