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director.vcrc@icmr.gov.in

Biostatistics and VBD Modeling

HomeResearch DivisionsBiostatistics and VBD Modeling
HomeResearch DivisionsBiostatistics and VBD Modeling
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Biostatistics and VBD Modeling

Head of the Division: Dr. A. Srividya, Scientist-E

Biostatistics and VBD Modeling

  • The Division focuses on the design, development and application of sampling strategies and mathematical models for the epidemiology, transmission and control of vector borne diseases.
  • Engaged in addressing operational research issues related to implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national vector borne disease control programmes.
  • Generates evidence base by evaluating diagnostic tools and conducting randomized controlled clinical trials and involved in estimating disease burden and assessing quality of life of patients afflicted with vector-borne diseases.

Social Science

  • Focuses to identify the major social and behavioural determinants of vector borne diseases, develop situation specific strategies that can modify the determinants, implement interventions at micro level, and monitor and evaluate interventions.
  • Design and implement situation specific communication and community engagement strategies

Facilities

  • Need based capacity building / training on vector / disease control is imparted to strengthen better use of empirical findings from research.
  • Besides teaching epidemiology, biostatistics and sociology to students of Post-Graduate programmes of the centre, the Division also involved in training national and international students / researchers / programme managers on vector surveillance, epidemiological studies and methods, and sample survey methods.

Research Areas

Epidemiology of vector borne diseases, Biostatistics, Mathematical Modelling, Operational Research and Socio behavioural research

Staff List
Sr. No.Name of the staffDesignation
1Dr. A. SrividyaHOD & Scientist-E
3Mr. M. P. AzadTechnical Officer-B
4Mr. M. MuruganSenior Technician-3
5Mr. Y. Srinivasa MurtySenior Technician-2
Ongoing Projects

Ongoing Projects

  • Development of Monitoring and Evaluation protocol for accelerated MDA with IDA for lymphatic filariasis elimination programme
  • Adaptation, validation and application of LYMFASIM model to predict the risk of resurgence following stopping MDA based on transmission assessment survey (TAS)
  • Communication and community engagement to support pilot release of Aedes aegypti carrying Wolbachia in Lawspet, Puducherry.
  • Mathematical modelling : understanding and controlling the patterns of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and transmission
  • Assessing community preparedness during COVID 19 pandemic in select districts in south India
Significant research findings/contributions
  • A safety and efficacy trial of the triple drug regimen (DEC, Ivermectin and Albendazole, IDA) vs the two drug (DEC, Albendazole, DA) showed that IDA is as safe as DA and more efficacious than DA
  • Developed and validated sampling strategies for
    • Assessing infection in humans for making decision on stopping or continuing mass drug administration (MDA), which formed the base for the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS) recommended by WHO
    • Monitoring W.bancrofti infection in vectors (Xenomonitoring) at a district level for post–MDA surveillance
  • A micro-simulation model LYMFASIM developed by ICMR-VCRC in collaboration with Erasmus University, Rotterdam has been used for
    • estimating the duration of MDA needed to reach elimination of LF, by simulating the trends post MDA
    • estimating infection thresholds for stopping MDA
    • downsizing of evaluation unit (EU) size for assessing transmission interruption using TAS
  • Accounting for spatial heterogeneity, the state level burden of lymphatic filariasis disease for the pre-MDA era in India was estimated as4.5(2.9-6.3) million DALYs, with the states Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh recording the highest (1.1 million) and lowest (6.1) DALYs
  • Developed, demonstrated and assessed feasibility of a low cost behaviour change communication strategy using community resources for enhancing compliance to MDA
  • Designed an implementation plan for up-scaling compliance to MDA in 3 settings with diverse contexts using Intervention Mapping protocol
  • Identified the social acceptability of triple drug regimen for LF elimination
  • Developed school-based Aedes mosquito surveillance system for risk assessment in collaboration with school education department

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