Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on gut health of children: A systematic review Deshna Oswal, Mubashir Angolkar, N. S. Mahantashetti, Pooja Dhagavkar, Shivani Haritay, Madan Godbole Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2025 ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of bovine colostrum (BC) on the gut health of the pediatric population.MethodologyThe systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis guidelines 2020. Full‐text articles such as randomized control trials, cohort prospective studies, and pilot studies were identified from the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, Clinicaltrial.gov, and Cochrane. After assessing for inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were finally included and assessed for quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project scale.ResultsSome studies reported a positive impact of BC on the duration and frequency of diarrheal infection in children, but the overall clinical benefits of BC in the gut health of children remain inconclusive. The studies were heterogeneous with regard to methodology, dose, form of BC used, and outcomes studied; hence, a meta‐analysis could not be performed in terms of outcomes assessed.ConclusionNo conclusion can be drawn regarding the clinical benefits of BC in the gut health of children. Further studies are needed in the pediatric population using BC as an intervention for a variety of gastro‐intestinal problems.
National Education Policy 2020 and MPH programs-translating policy to practice Mubashir Angolkar, Pooja S. Dhagavkar, Jyoti Nagmoti, Sanjay Zodpey Frontiers in Education, 2025 Background Public health education in India faces several challenges like non-uniform curricula, limited emphasis on experiential and competency-based learning, and inadequate infrastructure. Addressing these challenges demands significant changes in public health education to align it with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in particular. To overhaul the Masters of Public Health (MPH) program with a focus on holistic and multidisciplinary approaches, objective of this paper was to propose a framework for MPH program in alignment with NEP 2020. Methods A thorough desk review of NEP 2020 for reforms in higher education was conducted. Nine documents by University Grants Commission (UGC) detailing implementation of the policy at higher education level were reviewed for their relevance to MPH programs. Various guidelines to align MPH programs with policy’s proposed reforms were identified. MPH framework was developed on the basis of these guidelines. Results MPH programs in India are not in alignment with NEP 2020 reforms. The framework suggested in this study includes guidelines on: (1) Flexible career pathways, (2) multiple entry and multiple exits, (3) levels, level descriptors, qualification specifications and graduate attributes, (4) credit system and Academic Bank of Credit, (5) evaluation and assessment, (6) Incorporation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Courses and Courses on Human Values and Ethics, and (7) provisions for recognition of prior learning (RPL) thus aligning the MPH program with selected policy reforms. Conclusion MPH programs can be aligned with certain reforms suggested by NEP 2020. The proposed framework can provide a solid background for transforming MPH programs in India, making them more flexible, interdisciplinary, research oriented and improving their quality.
Mapping of MPH programs in terms of geographic distribution across various universities and institutes of India—A desk research Pooja S. Dhagavkar, Mubashir Angolkar, Jyoti Nagmoti, Sanjay Zodpey Frontiers in Public Health, 2024 BackgroundLandscaping studies related to public health education in India do not exclusively focus on the most common Masters of Public Health (MPH) program. The field of public health faces challenges due to the absence of a professional council, resulting in fragmented documentation of these programs. This study was undertaken to map all MPH programs offered across various institutes in India in terms of their geographic distribution, accreditation status, and administration patterns.MethodologyAn exhaustive internet search using various keywords was conducted to identify all MPH programs offered in India. Websites were explored for their details. A data extraction tool was developed for recording demographic and other data. Information was extracted from these websites as per the tool and collated in a matrix. Geographic coordinates obtained from Google Maps, and QGIS software facilitated map generation.ResultsThe search identified 116 general and 13 MPH programs with specializations offered by different universities and institutes across India. India is divided into six zones, and the distribution of MPH programs in these zones is as follows, central zone has 20 programs; the east zone has 11; the north zone has 35; the north-east zone has 07; the south zone has 26; and the west zone has 17 MPH programs. While 107 are university grants commission (UGC) approved universities and institutes, only 46 MPH programs are conducted by both UGC approved and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accredited universities and institutes. Five universities are categorized as central universities; 22 are deemed universities; 51 are private universities; and 29 are state universities. Nine are considered institutions of national importance by the UGC, and four institutions are recognized as institutions of eminence. All general MPH programs span 2 years and are administered under various faculties, with only 27 programs being conducted within dedicated schools or centers of public health.ConclusionThe MPH programs in India show considerable diversity in their geographic distribution, accreditation status, and administration pattern.
Knowledge Regarding Orthodontic Iatrogenics, Challenges, and Management Strategies among Orthodontists and Orthodontic Postgraduate Students: A Questionnaire Survey Amit B. Nilgar, Tanvi Shukla, Pooja S. Dhagavkar, Devyani V. Desai Indian Journal of Dental Sciences, 2022 Context: Negligence or improper care during orthodontic treatment results in various unwanted complications due to the orthodontic appliances. Iatrogenics is a situation that leads to reversible or irreversible damage to patients' health which is unintentionally induced by treatment. The knowledge and foresight to predict any iatrogenic incident will help an orthodontist to avoid any greater complications in the predicted outcome of orthodontic treatment. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of orthodontists and orthodontic postgraduate students regarding iatrogenics, its challenges, and management strategies. Settings and Design: An online questionnaire survey. Subjects and Methods: A predesigned pretested questionnaire on awareness, challenges, and management domains regarding iatrogenics, involved during orthodontic treatment, was circulated using Google Forms among orthodontists and orthodontic postgraduate students. Statistical Analysis Used: Responses of the participants were entered in excel and were assessed using descriptive and frequency statistics in SPSS (version 20). Results: It was observed that only 10% of participants had sufficient knowledge regarding iatrogenics which can possibly occur during any orthodontic treatment, its challenges as well as the management. Only half of the participants were trained to handle these kinds of situations. Conclusions: Orthodontists and orthodontic postgraduate students had an average to poor knowledge regarding iatrogenics involved in orthodontic treatment, its challenges, and management strategies.
Safe motherhood practices - Knowledge and behaviour among pregnant women in Belagavi, Karnataka. A descriptive study Pooja S. Dhagavkar, Anita Dalal, Amit Nilgar, Mubashir Angolkar Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 2021 BackgroundPregnancy and childbirth are essential for existence of the entire human race but maternal death is a twofold misfortune affecting both the mother and child. “Safe Motherhood Initiative” enlisted four pillars of safe motherhood but even after the launch of such and other initiatives maternal, infant and under 5 mortalities remained unacceptable. Assessing the level of awareness about safe motherhood practices among pregnant women thus becomes necessary to plan interventions to further empower them to avail these services.ObjectiveTo assess the level of knowledge and behaviour about the safe motherhood practices and factors influencing these practices in pregnant women.Study groupPregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Belagavi, Karnataka.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 374 pregnant women for 4 months. Sociodemographic data and details of knowledge and behaviour about safe motherhood practices were collected using a predesigned pretested questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS software.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 23.9 years. 84% of pregnant women had average knowledge while 68.4% had poor behaviour regarding Safe Motherhood Practices. Statistically significant associations were observed between knowledge and education level, employment status and socio-economic class, between behaviour and age at the time of marriage of the women and also between knowledge and behaviour (p-value<0.05).ConclusionsAmong pregnant women knowledge about Safe Motherhood Practices was average and behaviour was poor. There is a necessity to increase the knowledge which will in turn bring about a good behaviour and empower women to use the safe motherhood services.
