Cancer remains a growing public health challenge in India, impacting not only patients but also their caregivers, often family members who bear the emotional, physical and financial burdens of care. These family caregivers face overwhelming stress, anxiety and depression, particularly in rural areas with limited healthcare access. Cultural expectations often lead them to neglect their own well-being. Many are forced to reduce work or quit jobs, worsening financial strain. Despite their vital role, caregivers are largely overlooked in cancer care discourse. There is an urgent need for India-specific, empathetic research and policies that support caregiver health and recognise caregiving as a public health priority.

This study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to examine the association between caregiver burden and mental health status among informal caregivers of patients with cancer in central rural India. In the quantitative phase, a cross-sectional survey will be conducted using systematic random sampling. Data will be collected via a semistructured questionnaire and standardised tools: the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory to assess burnout levels, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 to evaluate psychological distress. Statistical analysis will include descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

The qualitative phase will involve in-depth interviews with purposively selected caregivers to explore lived experiences, coping mechanisms and emotional challenges. Interviews will be transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of caregiver burden and mental health, reflecting both measurable patterns and the human experience of caregiving in a rural setting.

Ethical clearance for this study protocol was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha (Approval No. DMIHER(DU)/IEC/2025/436). Permission for data collection was further granted by both the institutional ethics committee and Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha. The findings of this research will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and by engaging relevant stakeholders through appropriate channels of communication.

CTRI/2025/08/093357.

Temporary childbirth migration (TCM), where women return to their natal homes for pregnancy, delivery or postpartum for a limited duration, is a long-standing sociocultural practice in India. While often motivated by familial support and traditional norms, its implications for maternal and child health and health system engagement remain poorly understood. This study aims to quantify the impact of TCM on maternal and newborn outcomes and to explore how continuity of perinatal care and social support mediate these relationships.

We are conducting a three-site, community-based, prospective cohort study across the Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites of Vadu (Maharashtra), Sevagram (Maharashtra) and DEESHA (Delhi). A total of 3000 pregnant women will be enrolled in pregnancy (

This study has been approved by the Ethics committees at the KEM Hospital Research Centre Pune (KEMHRC/RVM/EC/1931), Society for Applied Studies (SAS/ERC/TCM Study/2024), Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS/lEC/COMMED/8412023) and University of California San Francisco (22-36484). All research activities are conducted in accordance with Indian Council of Medical Research Guidelines for biomedical research and the Declaration of Helsinki. On study completion, findings will be disseminated to diverse local, national and global stakeholders and published in academic journals.

CTRI/2024/02/062881.

There are little available data on the prevalence, economic and quality of life impacts of musculoskeletal disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. This lack of evidence is wholly disproportionate to the significant disability burden of musculoskeletal disorders as reported in high-income countries. Our research aimed to undertake an adequately powered study to identify, measure and value the health impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

A community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken between January 2021 and September 2021. A two-stage cluster sampling with replacement and probability proportional to size was used to select a representative sample of the population.

The survey was conducted in 15 villages in the Hai District, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Economic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires were administered to a sample of residents (aged over 5 years old) in selected households (N=1050). There were a total of 594 respondents, of whom 153 had a confirmed musculoskeletal disorder and 441 matched controls. Almost three-quarters of those identified as having a musculoskeletal disorder were female and had an average age of 66 years.

Questions on healthcare resource use, expenditure and quality of life were administered to all participants, with additional more detailed economic and quality of life questions administered to those who screened positive, indicating probable arthritis.

There is a statistically significant reduction in HRQOL, on average 25% from a utility score of 0.862 (0.837, 0.886) to 0.636 (0.580, 0.692) for those identified as having a musculoskeletal disorder compared with those without. The attributes ‘pain’ and ‘discomfort’ were the major contributors to this reduction in HRQOL.

This research has revealed a significant impact of musculoskeletal conditions on HRQOL in the Hai district in Tanzania. The evidence will be used to guide clinical health practices, interventions design, service provisions and health promotion and awareness activities at institutional, regional and national levels.