Browsing by Author "Singh, R."

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Academic psychiatry journals in South Asian countries: most from India, none from Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives
(Global Psychiatric Association, 2022) Arafat, S.M.Y.; Ali, S.A.Z.; Saleem, T.; Banerjee, D.; Singh, R.; Baminiwatta, A.; Shoib, S.
Objective: As journals play a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge, reviewing the psychiatry journals would illustrate the current status of mental health research. Aims: We aimed to identify and assess the academic journals within South Asia that focus on psychiatry. Methods: We searched on Google to identify the currently functioning psychiatry journals from South Asian countries. We used “psychiatry journals in South Asia” and “mental health journals in South Asia” as search terms. We also searched by individual country names (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). Results: A total of 20 psychiatry journals were identified and reviewed from five countries; one each from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while 16 journals were from India. Only three journals (15%) are indexed in PubMed, four journals (20%) in Scopus, and one in Web of Science inclusively. Major indexation was only found in the journals from India. The Indian Journal of Psychiatry appears to be the oldest and currently leading mental health journal in the region. Conclusion: The review revealed that South Asia has a noticeable deficit in a high-quality academic research publishing system in psychiatry despite the region holding about a quarter of the global population.
Chinese medicine neuroaid efficacy on stroke recovery: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study
(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2013) Chen, C.L.; Young, S.H.; Gan, H.H.; Singh, R.; Lao, A.Y.; Baroque, A.C.; Chang, H.M.; Hiyadan, J.H.; Chua, C.L.; Advincula, J.M.; Muengtaweepongsa, S.; Chan, B.P.; de Silva, H.A.; Towanabut, S.; Suwanwela, N.C.; Poungvarin, N.; Chankrachang, S.; Wong, K.S.; Eow, G.B.; Navarro, J.C.; Venketasubramanian, N.; Lee, C.F.; Bousser, M.G.; CHIMES Study Investigators
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous clinical studies suggested benefit for post stroke recovery when MLC601 was administered between 2 weeks and 6 months of stroke onset. The Chinese Medicine Neuroaid Efficacy on Stroke recovery (CHIMES) study tested the hypothesis that MLC601 is superior to placebo in acute, moderately severe ischemic stroke within a 72-hour time window. METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized 1100 patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 6 to 14, within 72 hours of onset, to trial medications for 3 months. The primary outcome was a shift in the modified Rankin Scale. Secondary outcomes were modified Rankin Scale dichotomy, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale improvement, difference in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale total and motor scores, Barthel index, and mini-mental state examination. Planned subgroup analyses were performed according to age, sex, time to first dose, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, presence of cortical signs, and antiplatelet use. RESULTS: The modified Rankin Scale shift analysis-adjusted odds ratio was 1.09 (95% confidence interval, 0.86-1.32). Statistical difference was not detected between the treatment groups for any of the secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses showed no statistical heterogeneity for the primary outcome; however, a trend toward benefit in the subgroup receiving treatment beyond 48 hours from stroke onset was noted. Serious and nonserious adverse events rates were similar between the 2 groups.CONCLUSIONS:MLC601 is statistically no better than placebo in improving outcomes at 3 months when used among patients with acute ischemic stroke of intermediate severity. Longer treatment duration and follow-up of participants with treatment initiated after 48 hours may be considered in future studies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00554723.
Depression and suicidal behavior in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
(Cambridge University Press, 2022) Arafat, S.M.Y.; Saleem, T.; Menon, V.; Ali, S.A.Z.; Baminiwatta, A.; Kar, S.K.; Akter, H.; Singh, R.
Background. Estimates of depression in suicidal behavior in South Asia would help to formulate suicide prevention strategies in the region that hasn’t been assessed yet. Objectives. We aimed to systematically assess the prevalence of depression in fatal and nonfatal attempts of suicide in eight South Asian countries. Methods. We searched Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO by specific search terms to identify articles assessing depression in fatal and non-fatal attempts of suicide in South Asian countries published between 2001 and 2020. Two separate meta-analyses were conducted for fatal and non-fatal attempts. Due to the high heterogeneity of studies (96–98%), randomeffects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence rates. Results. A total of 38 studies was identified from five south Asian countries (India [27], Pakistan [6], Sri Lanka [3], Nepal [1], and Bangladesh [1]). The majority of studies (n = 27) were published after 2010. Twenty-two studies reported non-fatal attempts, and sixteen reported suicide. The prevalence of depression among non-fatal attempts ranged from 14% to 78% where the pooled prevalence rate was 32.7% [95% CI 26–39.3%]. The prevalence of depression among suicides ranged from 8% to 79% where the pooled prevalence estimate was 37.3% [95% CI 26.9–47.6%]. Conclusions. This review revealed the pooled prevalence of depression among fatal and nonfatal suicidal attempts in South Asian countries, which seems to be lower when compared to the Western countries. However, a cautious interpretation is warranted due to the heterogeneity of study methods, sample size, and measurement of depression.
Future of Road Traffic Signs in Delhi: Application of Functional Analysis in TRIZ
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Arjune, V.; Singh, R.
Road safety in India has had little improvement over the years with deaths per lakh population being just over 10 for the last five years. Cities in India are characterized by an increasing urban population coupled with rising mobility, busy lifestyles and constant movement and thus, it is a big challenge for populated cities like Delhi to reduce road accidents, traffic congestion, and vehicular pollution. Several causes are related to road accidents particularly the issues of road signs are identified through a functional tree diagram. The solutions to the problems are modeled using the contradiction matrix and the 40 inventive principles provided by the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Placement and design of road traffic signs are needed to gauge the behaviour of drivers in an effort to reduce road fatalities, injuries, congestion and travel time. This paper explains the steps in the TRIZ process that guides to inventive solutions to the problem of road traffic signs in Delhi. Furthermore, the study proposes that road markings, standardized color, projecting signs outwards and modification of road signs structural frame can be used effectively to curb the problem of traffic congestion in Delhi with the spin-off effect of drivers’ education and to reduce road accidents.
Gender distribution of editors in psychiatry journals of South Asia
(lsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, 2022) Arafat, S.M.Y.; Amin, R.; Baminiwatta, A.; Hussain, F.; Singh, R.; Kar, S.K.; Mubashir, A.S.
No abstract available
Navigating the International Trade War & Diplomacy: Implications for S&T development in the Caribbean Community
(4th International Conference on Social Sciences 2018, Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Arjune, V.; Singh, R.; Desai, P.N.
The recent trade wars among the G7 countries may have begun to shift the world trading structure with significant consequences for international cooperation in the areas science and technology. International trade wars not only limit the access, through tariffs, to goods and services but also the technologies that embody those goods. Small developing countries in the Caribbean that has vested interest in the prosperity of the US, given their historical legacy, primary source of collaborative projects and the hub for Caribbean goods are likely to be the most affected. As the WTO agreements prevent the discrimination between trading partners, the surge in tariffs are not exclusive to China and is likely to be applied in developing countries. The ongoing tug-of-war between the US and China could have drastic implications for struggling Caribbean economies that see them as engines of growth and development. In this paper, we look at the relevance of CARICOM in progressing towards an innovative powerhouse for the Caribbean countries in an uncertain environment of post-Trump and post- Brexit. The paper is divided into two sections. The first deals with CARICOM exports and imports as well as their important trading partners. The other section complements by analyzing the different sources of FDI, and international agreements. In the paper, we argue that the trade war can act as a catalyst for Caribbean countries in not just diversifying their exports, but also looking towards emerging markets in the global south. We further propose that widening of regional cooperation by CARICOM with other intergovernmental organizations can cushion the effects of disruptive global problems like the international trade war.
Prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students living in Muslim-majority countries: systematic review and meta-analysis
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2023) Arafat, S.M.Y.; Baminiwatta, A.; Menon, V.; Singh, R.; Varadharajan, N.; Guhathakurta, S.; Mahesar, R.A.; Rezaeian, M.
BACKGROUND: Assessing suicidal behaviours among students would help to understand the burden and enhance suicide prevention. AIMS: We aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among students living in Muslim-majority countries. METHOD: We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO. Meta-analyses were performed to pool the lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plans and attempts. RESULTS: From 80 studies, 98 separate samples were included in this analysis. The majority (n = 49) were from the Eastern Mediterranean, and 61 samples were of university students. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation was 21.9% (95% CI 17.4%-27.1%) for lifetime, 13.4% (95% CI 11.1%-16.1%) for the past year and 6.4% (95% CI 4.5%-9%) for current. The pooled prevalence of suicide plans was 6.4% (95% CI 3.7%-11%) for lifetime, 10.7% (95% CI 9.1%-12.4%) for the past year and 4.1% (95% CI 2.7%-6.2%) for current. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts was 6.6% (95% CI 5.4%-8%) for lifetime and 4.9% (95% CI 3.6%-6.5%) for the past year. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was highest (46.2%) in South-East Asia, but the 12-month prevalence was highest (16.8%) in the Eastern Mediterranean. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed notably high rates of suicidal behaviours among students living in Muslim-majority countries. However, the quality of studies, differences in regional and cultural factors, stages of studentship and methods of measurement should be considered when generalising the study results.
Social Plurality and Development with Disparity in the Post-colonial Sri Lanka Limits and Scope for Compatibility
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Singh, R.
Sri Lanka is a classic case of democratic-unitary political system, which has been evolved since the colonial period in a plural society. The plural character of the society has sufficient rationale for the introduction of diversified development policy, but majority community always opposed any substantive measure and, thus, ethnic and linguistic minorities got alienated and have been striving for greater autonomy. Such autonomy has not been granted. It has been resulted into the demand for separate homeland leading to secession. The state apparatus resisted such a demand through the coercive measures at its disposal, which have been proved counter-productive. However, certain steps have been undertaken in order to harmonize diverse perceptions and interests. The state always remained in the catch-22 situation between the perceptions of the minority and majority communities. The unitary character of the polity has been considered non-negotiable, but plural character of the society aggravated the demand for greater autonomy. Policies of the successive governments in the post-colonial period remained ambivalent in dealing with the social plurality and, thus, resulted into development with disparity. An attempt has, therefore, been made in the paper to analyze both political and administrative (structural) dimensions of the development strategy and objectives vis-avis social plurality. The interaction of both reveals the intricacies involved in the crisis situation. The demand for parity resulted into cosmetic administrative changes, which again facilitated the political movement leading to fissiparous tendencies. However, socially desirable and politically acceptable development policy is yet to be enforced. The paper, therefore, identifies several limitations in the introduction of such a development policy and explores the scope for development strategy, which is based on parity and, thus contributes to the peaceful resolution of ethnic fratricidal war in the plural society traditionally known as resplendent island-society.
Suicide methods in South Asia over two decades (2001-2020)
(Avenue Publishing Co, 2021) Arafat, S.M.Y.; Ali, S.A.; Menon, V.; Hussain, F.; Ansari, D.S.; Baminiwatta, A.; Saleem, T.; Singh, R.; Varadharajan, N.; Biyyala, D.; Kar, S.K.; Khan, M.M.
BACKGROUND: Suicide is a global preventable public health problem. About a quarter of all suicides in the world occur in South Asia. As means restriction is an important suicide prevention strategy, gaining knowledge of the common suicide methods and their changing trends in each country and region is crucial. AIMS: We aimed to assess the suicide methods in South Asian countries over the last two decades. METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the search terms. Original articles of quantitative studies, published in the English language, from 2001 to 2020, with full-accessible text, that rank different methods of suicide in eight South Asian countries, were included. RESULTS: A total of 68 studies were found eligible for review. The Maximum number of studies were found from India (n = 38), followed by Bangladesh (n = 12), Pakistan (n = 9), Sri Lanka (n = 6), and Nepal (n = 3). Hanging (n = 40, 55.8%) and poisoning (n = 24, 35.3%) were the two most common suicide methods reported, in that order. Hanging followed by poisoning were the commonest suicide methods in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan while in Sri Lanka, poisoning was the preferred method to hanging. There is a decline in suicide by poisoning and an increase in suicide by hanging in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. Although hanging is still the commonest method in Pakistan, the use of firearms is growing in recent years (2011-2020). CONCLUSIONS: There is a steady decline in the incidence of suicides by poisoning following pesticide regulations in South Asian countries. However, there is heterogeneity of study methods, probable under-reporting of suicide, and lack of robust suicide data. KEYWORDS: South Asia; Suicide; hanging; methods; poisoning; suicide prevention.