Department of Community Medicine

Established

The Department of Community Medicine at Karuna Medical College plays a pivotal role in linking clinical medicine with public health, in alignment with the institution’s mission of compassionate healthcare and service to society. The department emphasizes the prevention of diseases, promotion of health, and enhancement of quality of life through structured community-based interventions. Committed to excellence in medical education, the department trains undergraduate students in core areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health management, and primary healthcare delivery. Teaching is imparted through a blend of classroom instruction, interactive discussions, and extensive field-based learning. The department actively engages in community-oriented programs, research, and the implementation of national health initiatives. It operates in close association with the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) at Kanjikode and the Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) at Melamuri, providing students with hands-on experience in both rural and urban healthcare delivery systems. Through its integrated approach, the Department of Community Medicine at Karuna Medical College strives to produce socially responsible and public health–oriented medical professionals capable of addressing current and emerging health challenges with a holistic, evidence-based, and community-centered perspective

Key Doctors

Research & Publications

Name of the faculty	Title of the article
Dr Deepak M G	Consideration for testing of COVID- 19 in travellers under quarantine - A Retrospective study from Palakkad District, Kerala, South India Perceptions about psychosis and psychiatric services: A qualitative study from Vellore, India Congenital anomalies: A major public health issue in India
Dr. Vinitha C T	Level of reproductive health awareness and factors affecting it in a rural Community of south India Pattern and extent of Hospital acquired infections in a Tertiary Care hospital Factors associated with HIV infection in educated malawians - Analysis of the 2010 DHS Alcohol use among medical Inpatients in a Tertiary Care Hospital Quality of facility-based family planning services of adolescents in Malawi A case study on tuberculosis treatment defaulters in Delhi
Dr. Jeshela M	Knowledge Among Junior Doctors About the Collection and Transport of Samples for Tuberculosis Diagnosis in a Medical College Hospital in Coastal Karnataka, India Adverse Events among Beneficiaries who Received a Dose of Sputnik V Vaccine at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Coastal Karnataka, India
Dr. Raseena P A	Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among women of reproductive age group in Palakkad district of Kerala:a crosssectional study Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Determinants– An Online Cross-Sectional Survey in Kerala, India Effect of covid-19 on tuberculosis in India
Dr. Jai Krishna M G	COVID-19 precautionary dose vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate medical students of a government medical college in Karnataka – A cross-sectional study A cross-sectional study to assess happiness and it’s correlates among medical undergraduates and interns of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru 3) A Cross-sectional study to assess the magnitude of elderly abuse and its associated factors in the urban field practice area of a government medical college, Bengaluru 4) Neck circumference: A Novel Anthropometric Tool for screening Obesity Among Young Adults
Dr. Anu Priya Mathew C	A Cross-sectional study to assess the magnitude of elderly abuse and its associated factors in the urban field practice area of a government medical college, Bengaluru Neck circumference: A Novel Anthropometric Tool for screening Obesity Among Young Adults A Cross-sectional study on empathy and its associated factors among medical students of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding food labels among undergraduate medical students of a government medical college, Bengaluru COVID-19 precautionary dose vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate medical students of a government medical college in Karnataka – A cross-sectional study A cross-sectional study to assess happiness and it’s correlates among medical undergraduates and interns of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru A Cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of depression among medical undergraduates and interns of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru
Dr. Julie K John	Adherence to tuberculosis treatment among patients attending national tuberculosis elimination centre in tertiary care hospital, Bangalore
Dr Aseeba O P K	Assessment of Responsibilities of Parents and Healthcare Workers in Routine Immunisation Practices: A Community-based Crosssectional Study A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of nomophobia and its impacts on quality of life among medical students in Shimoga, Karnataka A study on Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice of Standard Precautions and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV/ AIDS among Health care professionals in Tertiary Care Hospital, Shivamogga
Mrs. Athira T Chandran	Knowledge and practice of breast self-examination among women of reproductive age group in Palakkad district of Kerala: a crosssectional study

Ongoing Research Activities of MBBS students

➢ Batch 2022 MBBS Students
1. Prevalence Of Complications of Diabetes Mellitus.
2. Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Toxicity Symptoms Associated with Pesticide Use Among Resident of Chittur.
3. Treatment Adherence in Hypertensive Patients.
4. A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitude, Practice of Hypertension in Chittur Population.
5. Prevalence Of Depression and Associated Factors Among Elderly Population in Palakkad District.
6. Covid And Prevalence of Morbidity.
7. Prevalence Of Post Menopausal Symptoms and Its Effect on Quality of Life of Women.
8. Covid 19 And Health Seeking Behaviour.
9. Prevalence Of Visual Disturbances in Students.
10. Eating Pattern Challenge.
11. Physical Activity Among Medical Students.
12. Rule of halves in Hypertension.

➢ Batch 2023 MBBS Students
1. Gender Based Violence in Female Patients.
2. Nutritional Status Associated Factors and Its Challenges Among Under-Five Children in a Rural Village in Palakkad – A Mixed Method Study.
3. A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Association Between Menstrual Irregularities and Body Mass Index Among Female Students of a Nursing College at Palakkad.
4. A cross-sectional study to assess the proportion of non-communicable diseases among women of reproductive age attending in a tertiary care hospital, Palakkad.

Facilities

Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Kanjikode

The Rural Health Training Centre at Kanjikode, affiliated with the Department of Community Medicine, Karuna Medical College, functions as a key hub for primary healthcare training and community outreach. Situated in the growing industrial area near Palakkad, it replicates a Primary Health Centre setting to provide practical learning experiences. The centre offers hands-on training to undergraduate students and interns in areas such as community-based healthcare, epidemiological studies, and public health programme implementation. Students participate in field activities, including family surveys, health camps, and awareness campaigns, under the supervision of faculty members.

Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC), Melamuri

The Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) at Melamuri, affiliated with the Department of Community Medicine, Karuna Medical College, functions as an essential centre for urban health services and student training. Located in the heart of Palakkad town, it caters to the healthcare needs of urban and semi-urban populations while providing a real-world learning environment. The UHTC offers hands-on training for undergraduate students and interns in urban health management, national health programmes, and public health outreach. Under faculty supervision, students participate in outpatient care, health education sessions, surveys, and awareness activities addressing urban health challenges such and vector control. as non-communicable diseases, sanitation,

Buses for transport of students to field visits and research activities

➢ For Academic purposes:

▪ Lecture Hall
▪ Demonstration room
▪ Research room
▪ Museum

News, Events & Activities

➢ Community Outreach Program

(COP) The Department regularly conducts community outreach camps in three designated areas under the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Kanjikode — Vazhakode (Elapully), Vadakkethara (Puthussery), and Dam Road (Walayar). These camps are held on fixed days every month and serve as a vital platform for:

▪ Screening of common health conditions
▪ Providing treatment and basic medical care
▪ Delivering focused health education to the local population

This initiative reinforces the department’s commitment to preventive, promotive, and participatory healthcare, ensuring that essential health services reach underserved communities.

Family Adoption Programme

In alignment with the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines for competency-based medical education, the Department actively implements the Family Adoption Programme (FAP). Each year, selected areas are identified by the department for family adoption, where medical students are assigned to individual families to:

▪ Understand social, environmental, and health determinants
▪ Build rapport with the community
▪ Promote health awareness and preventive practices
▪ Facilitate linkage to healthcare services

As part of the programme, health camps and awareness sessions are conducted in the adopted areas to address local health needs. These sessions cover topics such as nutrition, hygiene, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and sanitation.

➢ Health & awareness day celebrations

▪ World Environment Day Celebrations 2025

On June 4, 2025, the Department of Community Medicine at Karuna Medical College organized World Environment Day celebrations based on the theme “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution.” MBBS students and faculty took part in various activities such as an awareness rally, tree plantation, campus clean-up, health education sessions, and student-driven educational sessions. These initiatives highlighted the connection between environmental sustainability and human health. The event aimed to encourage eco-conscious practices and instil a sense of environmental responsibility in future medical professionals.

➢ World Health Day 2024 Celebration – Quiz competition

On the occasion of World Health Day 2024, themed “My Health, My Right”, the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM) organized a National Level Quiz Competition for Undergraduates on April 7, 2024. Our college actively participated in this nationwide initiative by conducting the quiz at the institutional level. The event aimed to raise awareness among medical students about health as a fundamental human right and to promote understanding of the social, economic, and political factors that influence access to healthcare. The competition saw enthusiastic participation from undergraduate students, encouraging critical thinking and reinforcing key public health principles. The event was coordinated by the Department of Community Medicine, reaffirming the college’s commitment to promoting health equity and public health education.

➢ Participation in Conferences

Recently, students from the department attended NATCON 2025, held at Government Medical College, Trivandrum where they actively participated in scientific paper presentations and quiz competitions

Details:

Paper Presentations
Prevalence And Associated Factors of Depression Among Elderly Population Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre in Palakkad, Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study
Community Based Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Prevalence of Hypertension and To Evaluate the Applicability of the Rule of Halves in Hypertension Among Adults in Chittur, Palakkad
A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Comparative Study to Assess the Association of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Other Inflammatory Indices in Children with Febrile Seizures in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Palakkad
Post COVID 19 Comorbidities Among Patients Of Karuna Medical College Palakkad: A Cross-Sectional Study