Infectious Diseases and Disease Control

Despite decades of efforts at organising campaigns and programmes for control of diseases, several infectious diseases claim a heavy toll in India. Tuberculosis and Malaria contribute to several avoidable morbidities and mortalities. Infectious diseases, in addition to hindering overall development of the nation, are also drivers of poverty in several areas and populations. Recent changes in lifestyle and rapid urbanisation and environmental changes pose new challenges for various emerging infectious diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and zoonoses. Several infectious diseases are under-researched and neglected. Thorugh focused research and action on infectious diseases we seek to contribute to improved disease control and elimination in India.

On-going Projects

Completed Projects

1. Vijayashree Yellappa, T. Battaglioli, S. K. Gurum, D. Narayanan, P. Van der Stuyft . Private practitioners’ contributions to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in a South Indian district. Int. Tuberc Lung Dis. 2016;20(5):659–665.

2. Vijayashree Yellappa, Pierre Lefèvre, T. Battaglioli, D. Narayanan, P. Van der Stuyft. Coping with tuberculosis and directly observed treatment: a qualitative study among patients from South India. BMC Health Services Research. 2016;16: 283.

3. Vijayashree Yellappa, Pierre Lefèvre, Tullia Battaglioli, Narayanan Devadasan, Patrick Van der Stuyft. Patients Pathways to Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment in a Fragmented Health System: A Qualitative Study from a South Indian district.i

4. Nora Engel, Gayatri Ganesh, Mamatha Patil, Vijayashree Yellappa, Caroline, Vadnais, Nitika Pant Pai, Madhukar Pai. Barriers to point-of-care testing in India: Results from qualitative research across different settings, users and major diseases. Plos One; 2015. 10(8): e0135112.

5. Nora Engel, Gayatri Ganesh, Mamatha Patil, Vijayashree Yellappa, Caroline, Vadnais, Nitika Pant Pai, Madhukar Pai. Point-of-care testing in India: missed opportunities to realize the true potential of Point of Care testing programs. Bio Med Central. 2015;15:550. DOI 10.1186/s12913-015-1223-3.

6. Vijayashree Yellappa, Narayanan Devadasan, Anja Krumeich, Nitika Pant Pai, Caroline Vadnais, Madhukar Pai, Nora Engel. How patients navigate a fragmented health system to reach a diagnosis: A qualitative study from India. Global Health Action. 2017 (In Press). 7. Vijayashree Yellappa, HimaBindu, Devadasan Narayanan. T. Battaglioli, P. Van der Stuyft. Understanding Retail Private Pharmacist’s Role in Private Tuberculosis Market: A Qualitative Inquiry from a South Indian district. 2017 (Submitted to TMIH).

Blog at International Health policies, advocating for collaborations with private sector on 03.06.2015: http://www.internationalhealthpolicies.org/regulate-or-collaborate-the-puzzle-of-private-medical-practitioners-engagement-in-disease-surveillance-in-india/.
Newspaper, The Hindu, carried my research findings on 21.08.2016 in Science Tech division:http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/improving-access-to-dots-is-crucial/article9012067.ece. This coverage is based on my research paper titled ‘Coping with tuberculosis and directly observed treatment: a qualitative study among patients from South India’. BMC Health Services Research. 2016;16: 283.
Newspaper, The Hindu, carried my research findings on 23.08.2016 demonstrating the poorinvolvement of Private doctors in the Indian National TB Programme: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/private-practitioners-not-fully-involved-in-fight-against-tb/article9019285.ece
Blog by a Science Journalist, based on based on my paper titled Coping with tuberculosis and directly observed treatment: a qualitative study among patients from South India. BMC Health Services Research. 2016; 16: 283; https://journosdiary.com/2016/08/21/tb-dots-therapy-rntcp-flexible/.
News paper, Bangalore Mirror carried a news to showcase the poor involvement of private practitioenrs in TBNational TB Programme, based on my research paper Private practitioners’ contributions to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in a South Indian district. Int. Tuberc Lung Dis. 2016;20 (5):659–665. http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/Private-participation-in-TB-control-programme-abysmal/articleshow/53162986.cms.
Healthcare Executive Magzine carried my interview about ‘spiraling health cost in India’ on 15.07.2016 :https://www.healthcareexecutive.in/focus-preventive-care.