S Muhammad Salim Khan
@gmcs.ac.in
Professor & Head
Government Medical College Srinagar, India
EDUCATION
MBBS, MD, PGDHHM, PGD Bioethics
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Family Practice, Research and Theory
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Tanzeela Bashir Qazi, Sabira Aalia Dkhar, Ruqia Quansar, and S. Muhammad Salim Khan
Wiley
AbstractObjectiveTo study the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination on the menstrual cycle in response to concerns that the vaccines cause menstrual cycle disturbances and affect potential pregnancy.MethodAn online survey‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from November 20 to 27, 2021. Study participants were women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and the study tool used was a semi‐structured pretested questionnaire. A total of 300 participants were recruited for the study.ResultsThe mean age (± standard deviation) of the participants was 26.2 ± 4.8 years. 232 participants (77.3%) were unmarried. Only 30 participants (10%) reported a change in the regularity of menstruation and 33 (11%) participants reported a change in cycle duration after vaccination.ConclusionIn the present study, a change in the regularity of menstrual cycles was reported in 30 (10%) of the participants and a change in the duration of the cycle was reported in 11% of the participants (33). There was a significant association between the type of vaccine used and the changes in the menstrual cycle after vaccination. However, its long‐term health implications are yet to be determined.
, Adewale Adisa, Michael Bahrami-Hessari, Aneel Bhangu, Christina George, Dhruv Ghosh, James Glasbey, Parvez Haque, J C Allen Ingabire, Sivesh Kathir Kamarajah,et al.
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries.
Sabhiya Majid, Mosin Saleem Khan, Najila Nisar, Javid A Bhat, Inaamul Haq, and S Muhammad Salim Khan
Aboutscience Srl
Purpose: Due to a lack of effective antiviral treatment, several vaccines have been put forth to curb SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection and to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate by eliciting a protective immune response, primarily through virus-neutralizing antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness and immune response following the administration of adenoviral vaccine, COVISHIELD, in Indian population who were previously uninfected with SARS-CoV-2 and to reveal the effect of various sociodemographic, inflammatory and biochemical factors on antibody response. Methods: Briefly, the total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid protein along with the immunological markers were estimated by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology. Biochemical parameters were estimated by spectrometry. Results: A total of 348 subjects received two doses of COVISHIELD (224 males, 124 females). The mean age of the study subjects was 42.03 ± 13.54 years. Although both the doses of COVISHIELD against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induced a robust immune response that lasted for months in all the subjects, the total IgG titer against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was found significantly higher in subjects ≥50 years of age, and those with obesity, elevated triglycerides and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels. Conclusions: There is a definite effect of age and biochemical factors on the immunogenicity of COVISHIELD. An understanding of these factors could not only impact the design of vaccines and help improve vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy but also assist in decisions on vaccination schedules, in order to combat this deadly pandemic.
Asif Jeelani, Sabira Aalia Dkhar, Ruqia Quansar, and S. M. Salim Khan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to severe disruption in routine activities, significant mortality and morbidity. Adolescents are particularly prone to mental health issues. The present study aims to estimate prevalence of depression and anxiety and its determinants among school-going adolescents in Kashmir valley of India. Results The Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents and Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire were used to screen for depression and anxiety among school-going adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years during January and February 2021. Out of the 439 adolescents who had responded, 426 (97.03%) were included in final analysis. The adolescents had a mean age of 17.5 + 1.26 years and comprised of 57% males. The overall prevalence of depression was 16% and was associated with a past history of COVID-19 infection. Anxiety was present in 20% of adolescents. The prevalence was 14% for boys and 27.5% for girls. On logistic regression, anxiety was associated with female gender, past history of personal COVID-19 infection, history of COVID-19 diagnosis in family and hospital admission due to COVID-19 in family. Conclusions Anxiety and depression are major public health problems among adolescents. The high burden estimated in our study highlights the need for immediate action to support adolescents particularly those with a self/family history of COVID-19.
Kouser Sideeq Lone, S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Mariya Amin Qurieshi, Sabhiya Majid, Mohammad Iqbal Pandit, Inaamul Haq, Javid Ahmad, Ashfaq Ahmad Bhat, Khalid Bashir, Sufoora Bilquees,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
BackgroundWithin Kashmir, which is one of the topographically distinct areas in the Himalayan belt of India, a total of 2,236 cumulative deaths occurred by the end of the second wave. We aimed to conduct this population-based study in the age group of 7 years and above to estimate the seropositivity and its attributes in Kashmir valley.MethodsWe conducted a community-based household-level cross-sectional study, with a multistage, population-stratified, probability-proportionate-to-size, cluster sampling method to select 400 participants from each of the 10 districts of Kashmir. We also selected a quota of healthcare workers, police personnel, and antenatal women from each of the districts. Households were selected from each cluster and all family members with age 7 years or more were invited to participate. Information was collected through a standardized questionnaire and entered into Epicollect 5 software. Trained healthcare personnel were assigned for collecting venous blood samples from each of the participants which were transferred and processed for immunological testing. Testing was done for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific anti-spike IgM, IgG antibodies, and anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies. Weighted seropositivity was estimated along with the adjustment done for the sensitivity and specificity of the test used.FindingsThe data were collected from a total of 4,229 participants from the general population within the 10 districts of Kashmir. Our results showed that 84.84% (95% CI 84.51–85.18%) of the participants were seropositive in the weighted imputed data among the general population. In multiple logistic regression, the variables significantly affecting the seroprevalence were the age group 45–59 years (odds ratio of 0.73; 95% CI 0.67–0.78), self-reported history of comorbidity (odds ratio of 1.47; 95% CI 1.33–1.61), and positive vaccination history (odds ratio of 0.85; 95% CI 0.79–0.90) for anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies. The entire assessed variables showed a significant role during multiple logistic regression analysis for affecting IgM anti-spike antibodies with an odds ratio of 1.45 (95% CI 1.32–1.57) for age more than 60 years, 1.21 (95% CI 1.15–1.27) for the female gender, 0.87 (95% CI 0.82–0.92) for urban residents, 0.86 (95% CI 0.76–0.92) for self-reported comorbidity, and an odds ratio of 1.16 (95% CI 1.08–1.24) for a positive history of vaccination. The estimated infection fatality ratio was 0.033% (95% CI: 0.034–0.032%) between 22 May and 31 July 2021 against the seropositivity for IgM antibodies.InterpretationDuring the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, 84.84% (95% CI 84.51–85.18%) of participants from this population-based cross-sectional sample were seropositive against SARS-CoV-2. Despite a comparatively lower number of cases reported and lower vaccination coverage in the region, our study found such high seropositivity across all age groups, which indicates the higher number of subclinical and less severe unnoticed caseload in the community.
Khalid Bashir, KhurshidAhmad Wani, MariyaAmin Qurieshi, SMuhammad Salim Khan, and Inaamul Haq
Medknow
Background
Measles surveillance serves as the means of monitoring program success. The quintessential purpose of measles surveillance is to identify gaps and garner effective public health responses to achieve measles elimination.
Objectives
There were two key objectives: (i) to conduct an in-depth review of the existing measles surveillance system in Kashmir and highlight its strengths and weaknesses and (ii) to assess the pattern of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) coverage and MCV2 coverage among under-5 years children and describe the health-seeking patterns of suspected cases of measles.
Methods
The mixed methods study was conducted in the Kashmir valley from March 2018 to March 2019. An explorative qualitative design was followed using individual face-to-face interviews with thirty-two (n = 32) different stakeholders from the state, district, medical block, and primary health center (PHC) levels. To complement the qualitative study, a quantitative survey was done in two districts, Srinagar and Ganderbal, which consist of 5 and 4 medical blocks, respectively.
Results
Among the suspected cases of measles, 52% had visited PHCs. Sixty-four suspected cases of measles (64) were immunized with two doses of MCV. None of the clinically suspected cases of measles were further investigated. In the qualitative analysis, five themes were generated viz, "measles surveillance description of Kashmir valley;" "factors affecting measles surveillance, perceptions, and experiences of stakeholders;" "barriers to measles surveillance;" "measles surveillance activities need to be intensified;" and "respondent recommendations for building an effective and sensitive measles surveillance system."
Conclusion
The current measles surveillance system in Kashmir was not effectively functioning; case-based measles surveillance is not being done as per the WHO guidelines. There is a lack of planning, advocacy, awareness, and communication of measles surveillance among the stakeholders. The visible barriers in measles surveillance included lack of training, logistics, incentives, and monitoring by internal and external agencies.
Inaamul Haq, Mariya Amin Qurieshi, Muhammad Salim Khan, Sabhiya Majid, Arif Akbar Bhat, Rafiya Kousar, Iqra Nisar Chowdri, Tanzeela Bashir Qazi, Abdul Aziz Lone, Iram Sabah,et al.
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has greatly affected healthcare workers because of the high risk of getting infected. The present cross-sectional study measured SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers of Kashmir, India. Methods: Serological testing to detect antibodies against nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 was performed in 2003 healthcare workers who voluntarily participated in the study. Results: We report relatively high seropositivity of 26.8% (95% CI 24.8–28.8) for SARS-CoV-2in healthcare workers, nine months after the first case was detected in Kashmir. Most of the healthcare workers (71.7%) attributed infection to the workplace environment. Among healthcare workers who neither reported any prior symptom nor were they ever tested for infection by nasopharyngeal swab test, 25.5% were seropositive. Conclusion: We advocate interval testing by nasopharyngeal swab test of all healthcare workers regardless of symptoms to limit the transmission of infection within healthcare settings.
S Muhammad Salim Khan, Mariya Amin Qurieshi, Inaamul Haq, Sabhiya Majid, Javid Ahmad, Taha Ayub, Ashfaq Ahmad Bhat, Anjum Bashir Fazili, Abdul Majeed Ganai, Yasmeen Jan,et al.
BMJ
ObjectivesWe designed a population-based survey in Kashmir to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies in the general population aged 18 years and above.SettingThe survey was conducted among 110 villages and urban wards across 10 districts in Kashmir from 17 October 2020 to 4 November 2020.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 18 years and above were eligible to be included in the survey. Serum samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe labelled assay results equal to or above the cut-off index value of 1.4 as positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for the sampling design and assay characteristics.ResultsOut of 6397 eligible individuals enumerated, 6315 (98.7%) agreed to participate. The final analysis was done on 6230 participants. Seroprevalence adjusted for the sampling design and assay characteristics was 36.7% (95% CI 34.3% to 39.2%). Seroprevalence was higher among the older population. Among seropositive individuals, 10.2% (247/2415) reported a history of COVID-19-like symptoms. Out of 474 symptomatic individuals, 233 (49.2%) reported having been tested. We estimated an infection fatality rate of 0.034%.ConclusionsDuring the first 7 months of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kashmir Valley, approximately 37% of individuals were infected. The reported number of COVID-19 cases was only a small fraction of the estimated number of infections. A more efficient surveillance system with strengthened reporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths is warranted.
GlobalSurg Collaborative Covidsurg Collaborative, Ergin Erginöz, Juan J. Segura-Sampedro and Fardis Vosoughi
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.
Manoj V. Murhekar, Tarun Bhatnagar, Jeromie Wesley Vivian Thangaraj, V. Saravanakumar, Muthusamy Santhosh Kumar, Sriram Selvaraju, Kiran Rade, C.P. Girish Kumar, R. Sabarinathan, Alka Turuk,et al.
Elsevier BV
Background
Earlier serosurveys in India revealed SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 0.73% during May-June and 7.1% during August-September 2020. We conducted the third serosurvey during Dec 2020 and Jan 2021, to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in India.
Methods
We conducted the serosurvey in the same 70 districts selected for the first and second serosurveys. From each district, we enrolled at least 400 individuals aged ≥ 10 years from general population and 100 HCWs from sub-district level health facilities. Sera from general population were tested for presence of IgG antibodies against nucleocapsid (N) and spike protein (S1-RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, whereas sera from HCWs were tested for anti-S1-RBD. We estimated weighted seroprevalence adjusted for assay characteristics.
Results
Of the 28,598 sera from general population, 4585 (16%) had IgG antibodies against N, 6647 (23.2%) against S1-RBD and 7436 (26%) against either. The weighted and assay characteristic adjusted seroprevalence against either of the antibodies was 24.1 (95%CI: 23.0%-25.3%). Among 7385 HCWs, the seroprevalence of anti-S1-RBD IgG antibodies was 25.6% (95% CI: 23.5%-27.8%).
Conclusions
Nearly one in four individuals aged > = 10 years from general population as well as HCWs in India were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by December 2020.
Muhammad Salim Khan, Inaamul Haq, Mariya Amin Qurieshi, Sabhiya Majid, Arif Akbar Bhat, Tanzeela Bashir Qazi, Iqra Nisar Chowdri, Iram Sabah, Misbah Ferooz Kawoosa, Abdul Aziz Lone,et al.
Wiley
BACKGROUNDSARS‐CoV‐2 infection (COVID‐19) poses a tremendous challenge to healthcare systems across the globe. Serologic testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) may quantify the rate of clinically significant exposure in an institutional setting and identify those HCWs who are at greatest risk.METHODSWe conducted a survey and SARS‐CoV‐2 serologic testing among a convenience sample of HCWs from 79 non‐COVID and 3 dedicated COVID hospitals in District Srinagar of Kashmir, India. In addition to testing for the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2–specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), we collected information on demographics, occupational group, influenza‐like illness (ILI) symptoms, nasopharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) testing status, history of close unprotected contacts, and quarantine/travel history.RESULTSOf 7,346 eligible HCWs, 2,915 (39.7%) participated in the study. The overall prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2–specific IgG antibodies was 2.5% (95% CI, 2.0%‐3.1%), while HCWs who had ever worked at a dedicated COVID‐19 hospital had a substantially lower seroprevalence of 0.6% (95% CI, 0.2%‐1.9%). Higher seroprevalence rates were observed among HCWs who reported a recent ILI (12.2%), a positive RT‐PCR (27.6%), a history of being put under quarantine (4.9%), and a history of close unprotected contact with a person with COVID‐19 (4.4%). Healthcare workers who ever worked at a dedicated COVID‐19 hospital had a lower multivariate‐adjusted risk of seropositivity (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06‐0.66).CONCLUSIONSOur investigation suggests that infection‐control practices, including a compliance‐maximizing buddy system, are valuable and effective in preventing infection within a high‐risk clinical setting. Universal masking, mandatory testing of patients, and residential dormitories for HCWs at COVID‐19–dedicated hospitals is an effective multifaceted approach to infection control. Moreover, given that many infections among HCWs are community‐acquired, it is likely that the vigilant practices in these hospitals will have spillover effects, creating ingrained behaviors that will continue outside the hospital setting.
Manoj V Murhekar, Tarun Bhatnagar, Sriram Selvaraju, V Saravanakumar, Jeromie Wesley Vivian Thangaraj, Naman Shah, Muthusamy Santhosh Kumar, Kiran Rade, R Sabarinathan, Smita Asthana,et al.
Elsevier BV
S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Mariya Amin Qurieshi, Inaamul Haq, Sabhiya Majid, Arif Akbar Bhat, Sahila Nabi, Nisar Ahmad Ganai, Nazia Zahoor, Auqfeen Nisar, Iqra Nisar Chowdri,et al.
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Background Prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection provides essential information for deciding disease prevention and mitigation measures. We estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies in District Srinagar. Methods 2906 persons >18 years of age selected from hospital visitors across District Srinagar participated in the study. We tested samples for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay-based serologic test. Results Age- and gender-standardized seroprevalence was 3.6% (95% CI 2.9% to 4.3%). Age 30–69 years, a recent history of symptoms of an influenza-like-illness, and a history of being placed under quarantine were significantly related to higher odds of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies. The estimated number of SARS-CoV-2 infections during the two weeks preceding the study, adjusted for test performance, was 32602 with an estimated (median) infection-to-known-case ratio of 46 (95% CI 36 to 57). Conclusions The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies is low in the District. A large proportion of the population is still susceptible to the infection. A sizeable number of infections remain undetected, and a substantial proportion of people with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 are not tested.
SheikhMohd Saleem, SabiraAalia Dkhar, Ruqia Quansar, and SMuhammad Salim Khan
Medknow
Background: A series of measures have been suggested to reduce Covid-19 infection, including knowledge training for prevention and control, isolation, disinfection, classified protections at different degrees in infection areas, and protection of confirmed cases. Objectives: We conducted this study with an aim to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among the general population regarding COVID-19. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar in the month of April 2020. The questionnaire had four segments to collect data regarding social-demographic details, knowledge regarding Covid-19, attitude and practice based questions. The questionnaire was shared via social media applications like face book and Whatsapp to reach the target population. Continuous variables were summarized as frequency and percentage. All the analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2016. Among participants who responded, 1252 (82%) were in the age group of 18–40 years and 912 (60%) from urban areas. Results: A total of 934 (61%) respondents had heard details on COVID-19 from the social media, 1358 (89%) knew all ways of coronavirus transmission, 602 (40%) felt that COVID-19 is a serious disease, 1184 (78%) responded that they totally agree with the lockdown decision, and 1296 (85%) responded that lockdown is helping in reducing the number of cases. The majority, i.e. 1318 (87%), followed advisories and reported washing hands with soap and water regularly, 1108 (73%) reported regularly wearing masks, 1344 (89%) reported following lockdown guidelines, and 1306 (87%) reported maintaining social distancing. The respondents exhibited good knowledge, positive attitude, and sensible practices regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: Our study showed that the respondents have exhibited good knowledge, positive attitude and sensible practices regarding covid-19 during the pandemic.