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Community Medicine

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About the department

Established in 1966 as the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at Coimbatore Medical College, the Department of Community Medicine has grown into a leading hub for public health education and practice. Renowned for its robust training programs, the department excels in undergraduate and postgraduate education, epidemiology, infection control, biostatistics, research methodology, and the implementation of national health programs. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, it fosters outreach initiatives and plays a pivotal role in advancing preventive medicine in Tamil Nadu. For inquiries,

Contact us: [email protected]

HOD Desk

Dr. P. Kalidas, MD

Head of the Department

Dr. P. Kalidas, MD (Community Medicine), serves as the Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine. With over 26 years of undergraduate teaching experience, he has held key administrative roles, including Vice Principal and Dean FAC at Coimbatore Medical College. A recipient of multiple awards for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kalidas is actively involved in research and serves as the MDRU Nodal Officer and Institutional Ethics Committee Chairman. His leadership drives the department’s commitment to public health excellence.

Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Professors
Michael McGarvey
Professor of Literature
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Course Handling

MBBS

Undergraduate Community Medicine

BSc Dialysis Technology

Paramedical Social and Preventive Medicine

Diploma in Pharmacy

Health Education and Epidemiology

Postgraduate Postings

Pre and Para Clinical Training

Research and Publications

Ongoing research

The department is actively engaged in cutting-edge research, including:

  1. Prevalence of anaemia and its risk factors among adolescent school girls in rural and urban Coimbatore, with peer education interventions (MDRU-approved).

  2. Perceived barriers in cervical and breast cancer screening among urban women in Coimbatore.

  3. Prevalence of ocular disorders among sewing workers in Tirupur garment factories (ICMR STS).

  4. Impact of screen time on sleep patterns and behavioral issues in preschool children (ICMR STS).

  5. Perceptions of the Family Adoption Program among undergraduate students and faculty.

  6. Environmental and genetic factors contributing to byssinosis among cotton textile workers in Tiruppur (ICMR STS).

  7. Impact of electronic gadget usage on quality of life among IT professionals (ICMR STS).

  8. Seroprevalence of scrub typhus among family members of affected indigenous populations in Erode (ICMR STS).

  9. Impact of adverse childhood experiences on adult behavior in Coimbatore.

Publications

Dr. P. Kalidas

  1. K. Gokul and P. Kalidas, “Association between mobile phone addiction and sleep pattern among engineering students,” Natl. J. Res. Community Med., vol. 7, no. 2, 2018.

  2. K. Kokila and P. Kalidas, “Cardiovascular risk factors and impending 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular disease events among an urban population in Tamil Nadu state in South India – A community-based cross-sectional study,” Asian J. Med. Sci., vol. 14, no. 4, Apr. 2023.

  3. S. Priya and P. Kalidas, “Study on the levels of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in females with metabolic syndrome as a predictor of future cardiovascular risk,” Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Rev., 2024.

  4. K. Nisha and P. Kalidas, “Study on the lipid profile levels in female patients among metabolic syndrome population,” Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Rev., 2024.

  5. K. Rekha and P. Kalidas, “A study on health-seeking behavior among married reproductive-age women in a rural area,” IOSR J., 2017.

  6. P. Kalidas, “Awareness about mosquito-borne infections among agricultural and horticultural college students: Coimbatore, South India,” Int. J. Community Med. Public Health, vol. 5, no. 9, Sep. 2018.

  7. P. Kalidas, “Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding dengue among outpatients and their attenders in three PHCs in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,” J. Clin. Diagn. Res., vol. 13, Feb. 2019.

Dr. K. Kokila

  1. K. Kokila, “Hypertension and lifestyle determinants in public transport drivers: A sector-specific study in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,” Acta Med. Int., vol. 11, Jan.–Apr. 2024.

  2. T. Umapriyadharshini, K. Kokila, S. Manoj, L. Karthiyayini, and P. Kalidas, “Risk perceptions, preventive behaviours, and knowledge among public on the COVID outbreak: A cross-sectional study in an urban area of Coimbatore district,” J. Cardiovasc. Dis. Res., vol. 15, no. 2, 2024.

  3. K. Kokila, “A cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude about non-scalpel vasectomy and practices of any contraceptive method among females of reproductive age in an urban slum, Chennai,” Int. J. Community Med. Public Health, vol. 5, no. 1, 2018.

  4. K. Kokila, “A study on prevalence of chronic kidney disease and its risk factors among adults in selected slums of Chennai,” Int. J. Community Med. Public Health, vol. 6, no. 2, 2019.

Achievments

Faculties

  • Dr. P. Kalidas: Best Doctor Award (2016), Best Performance Award by Health Minister (2019), multiple COVID-19 service awards (2020).

  • Dr. K. Kokila: Best Doctor Awards (2021), COVID-19 service award (2020).

  • Dr. Darshan Manoj S: Best Doctor Award (2022).

  • Dr. Uma Priyadharsini T: Best Doctor Award for MEU performance (2024).

  • Dr. Karthiyayini L: Best Doctor Award for MEU performance (2024).

  • Dr. Shanmugapriya D: Best Doctor Awards (2021, 2023).

  • Dr. Jayapriya C: Multiple Best Doctor Awards (2021, 2023, 2024).

Students

  • 2019 MBBS batch: First place in state-level COVID short film contest by IAPSM and Kanyakumari Government Medical College.

  • World TB Day 2018: Certificate of Achievement by IAPSM for outstanding activities.

  • World Breast Feeding Week at Karpagam Faculty: 2nd and 3rd prizes in reels and poster competitions.

  • Prazosia 2023 at Omandurar Medical College: 1st (Gold Medal), 2nd, and 3rd prizes in intercollege events.

  • Multiple ICMR-STS projects approved and ongoing.

Events and Services

Academic events

The department organizes a range of academic and awareness events annually:

  • Health Days Celebrations: Events for World Health Day, World TB Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hypertension Day, World Diabetes Day, and Breast Cancer Awareness Week, featuring quizzes, rangoli, and poster competitions.

  • Marathon Events: Conducted for World Health Day in 2024 and 2025.

  • CME Programs: World Health Day CME in 2024.

  • Research Methodology Workshops: Annual workshops for faculty (with General Medicine, 2024) and undergraduates/CRMI.

  • IAPSM Nationwide Quiz: Conducted annually for undergraduates on World Health Day.

  • Pulse Polio and Mission Indradhanush: External monitoring with WHO teams.

  • Program Evaluations: Participation in Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam and Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme evaluations.

  • MCQ Contest: Annual contest with Stanley Medical College, awarding Rs. 1000 to the topper.

Community Services

The department is deeply committed to public health through:

  • Field Visits: Family surveys, medical camps, school health activities, and visits to Aavin Dairy, ART/ICTC centers, and waste management facilities.

  • Health Education Camps: Focus on improving health literacy, including Family Adoption Program and monsoon fever screening camps.

  • Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM): Screening for NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, cervical/breast cancer), pain and palliative care, physiotherapy, CAPD bag provision for CKD patients, and population health registry updates.

  • Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP): Operates a fever clinic with lab investigations to monitor infectious diseases and respond to outbreaks.

  • Infection Control: Collaborates with Coimbatore Corporation for vector-borne disease prevention through source reduction, fogging, and IEC activities.

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