Equality and empowerment for women are among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 5). Although women were confronted with more challenges in various ways during pandemics; however, there is hardly any systematic synthesis of evidence on women's health-related challenges during pandemics. We reviewed the health challenges faced by women during the pandemic. We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL following PRISMA guidelines. We identified 2,831 studies, of which we included 17. Reproductive health, psychosocial health, and gender-based violence emerged as significant challenges. Many studies reported challenges in provisions for routine services and increased anxiety, fear, and stress among women. The findings highlighted that pandemic have a significant impact on women's health. Women must have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination, which requires urgent action to enhance women's rights and to achieve SDGs. Women engagement/involvement in pandemic-related services needs to be explored, which will aid in developing strategies to alleviate vulnerabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has varying effects on men, women, and the transgender population. However, there is a paucity of systematic evidence on how gender and other social determinants of health during COVID-19 are affected in resource constraint urban settings. This review describes the gender dimensions of health-related challenges among the urban poor during COVID-19 in LMICs. We searched 11 scholarly online repositories including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL using the domain “slums,” “COVID-19”, “LMICs” and “gender identities.” We used thematic framework analysis to synthesize qualitative data, and meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence. We registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020203783). We identified 6490 records, and 37 articles included. The studies reported stress among 74% women and 78% men, depression among 59% women and 62% men, and anxiety among 79% women and 63% men. Men had more stress than women during COVID-19; men are primarily responsible for household sustenance. Women had more anxiety than men, possibly because they are often the primary caregivers for children and the older population. While the severity varies according to gender identity, their vulnerability mostly related to their literacy and economy, highlighting the significance of including all social determinants in future primary studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails.

Background & objectives: Serial national level serosurveys in India have provided valuable information regarding the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the general population, but the impact of the ongoing pandemic on the tribal population in India is not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in the tribal population of Odisha post-second wave (September 2021). Methods: A population-based, age-stratified, cross-sectional study design was adopted for the survey, carried out in seven tribal districts of Odisha from 30 th August to 16 th September 2021. A multistage random sampling method was used where serum samples were tested for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein in each district, and a weighted seroprevalence with 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) was estimated for each district. Results: A total of 2855 study participants were included from the seven tribal districts of Odisha in the final analysis. The overall weighted seroprevalence was 72.8 per cent (95% CI: 70.1-75.3). Serological prevalence was the highest among 18-44 yr (74.4%, 95% CI: 71.3-77.3) and from Sambalpur district [75.90% (66.90-83.10)]. Among participants, 41.93 per cent had received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Kandhamal district had the highest number of fully immunized participants (24.78%), and in Sundergarh district, most of the study participants (58.1%) were unimmunized. Interpretation & conclusions: This study found high seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in the tribal population of Odisha. The vaccination coverage is at par with the general population, and efforts to address some knowledge gaps may be needed to improve the coverage in the future.

Background & Objectives: Japanese encephalitis/acute encephalitis syndrome (JE/AES) is one of the major zoonotic arbodiseases that has a significant effect on human and animal health. Though many studies have been published on the epidemiology and transmission mechanisms of JE/AES, but there is little evidence on health system preparedness, including community-based engagement. This study was undertaken to explore a multi-stakeholder perspective on health system preparedness for the prevention of JE/AES in a tribal district of Odisha, India. Methods: This study was conducted at Malkangiri district of Odisha. A total of nine focus group discussions (FGDs) among women having under-five children, community volunteers, and community health workers (CHWs), and 20 in-depth-interviews (IDIs) among community leaders, healthcare providers, and programme managers were conducted. The FGDs and IDIs were digitally recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed using content analysis approach. Results: Health system preparedness for the prevention of JE/AES was improved, including effective vector management, implementation of the surveillance system, and vaccination programme. The JE vaccine was introduced under Universal Immunization Programme in Odisha in 2016. Behavioural Change Communication activities were provided with the support of community volunteers on Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Day (VHNSD) under Gaon Kalyan Samiti (GKS) platforms. The CHWs were actively involved in vector management and raising sanitation and hygiene awareness. Interpretation & conclusions: Community participation and coordination between different stakeholders have a significant impact on the successful implementation of the programme. It was suggested that there was a need for a sustainability approach to active participation, orientation and capacity building training among CHWs and community volunteers to successfully implement the programme.