The health of populations — not individuals. A department built on field epidemiology, Urban and Rural Health Training Centres, ICMR-funded research and a culture of paperless data collection via Epicollect. Medical education that begins in the village.
The health of populations — not individuals. A department built on field epidemiology, Urban and Rural Health Training Centres, ICMR-funded research and a culture of paperless data collection via Epicollect. Medical education that begins in the village.
24 faculty & officers
2 training centres · Urban + Rural
11 thrust areas
A multidisciplinary, socially oriented discipline — integrating epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, nutrition, MCH and national programme evaluation.
Community Medicine at AVMCH provides high-quality training for MBBS, MD Community Medicine, MPH and Allied Health Sciences students. The department delivers promotive, preventive and curative services through Urban (Mudhaliarpet) and Rural (Chinnakanganakuppam) Health Training Centres, with free OPD, drug distribution, screening camps, school health initiatives and family adoption programmes.
Faculty lead national and state public-health programmes, epidemiological research and institutional governance — ethics committees, NAAC/NMC documentation, curriculum planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Paperless data collection with the Epicollect application underpins an increasingly digital pedagogy.
Forty-seven research projects since 2023 — ICMR and intramural funding on tobacco cessation, NCD risk factors, menstrual health, digital wellness and health disparities. Plus an Ohio-funded HPV cost-effectiveness study.
Training integrates field epidemiology, biostatistics, programme evaluation and digital public-health workflows through Urban and Rural HTC postings, village surveys and community-based interventions.
Research Focus
Centres · Urban HTC · Rural HTC · Village surveys · Camps
Outreach
Courses · Field Epidemiology · Healthcare Delivery · Value-added UG
Academic Programmes
Undergraduate · Competency-based
Postings across Urban and Rural HTCs, family studies, diet surveys, national programme offices and industrial public-health sites. Value-added courses in Field Epidemiology.
Postgraduate · 3-year specialty
Biostatistics, epidemiology, national health programme administration, qualitative research, ICMR/ICSSR methodology and field dissertations.
Dr J. Arun Daniel — Professor & HOD — PI on an Ohio-funded cost-effectiveness analysis of HPV screening in India, with published work on menopause, lifestyle disease and rural women's health.
Professor & Head · MBBS, MD, PhD
PI — Supply- and Demand-side Barriers to HPV Screening & Cost-effectiveness Analysis of HPV Screening in India (Extramural, Ohio). Author of multiple papers in Cureus, Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology and the International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Research. Co-lead of the Karkinos collaboration on NCD screening for Puducherry citizens. Convenor of the Workshop on Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis (2023) and World Epidemiology Day (2025).
23 qualified professionals committed to clinical excellence.
Dr. D. Arunachalam
Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. T. Prasad
Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. N. Nishanthini
Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. R. Angusubalakshmi
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. S. Bhuvaneswary
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. R. Arul Prasad
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. R. Govindaraj
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. V. S. Simon Jude
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. Sandra Fernandez
Assistant Professor
MBBS, MD
Dr. R. Anand Babu
Assistant Professor
Environmental Science
Dr. A. Sowmya
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
Dr. T. Kawya
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
Dr. T. Saranyaa
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
Dr. S. V. Adheedhan
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
Dr. S. Janani
Senior Resident
MBBS, MD
Dr. G. Subash Chandra Bose
Lecturer cum Biostatistician
M.Sc, PhD
Mrs. K. Sevvanthi
Statistician
M.Sc Biostatistics
Dr. V. J. Nithya
Medical Officer
MBBS
Dr. Agilan
Medical Officer
MBBS
Dr. Nivea Padmavathi
Medical Officer
MBBS
Dr. M. Yeshmathi
Medical Officer
MBBS
Dr. Pooja Lakshmi
Medical Officer
MBBS
Dr. Sugamathi
Medical Officer
MBBS
TB, HIV, vector-borne and emerging infections — epidemiology and surveillance.
Risk factors, screening and management of diabetes, HTN, CVD and cancer.
MCH, nutrition, immunisation and RMNCH+A programme evaluation.
Pollution, climate, water, waste, housing and occupational hazards.
Nutritional status, obesity, malnutrition and lifestyle behaviours.
Accessibility, financing, workforce and programme evaluation.
Disease distribution, surveillance systems and public-health analytics.
BCC, community participation and social determinants of behaviour.
Ageing, quality of life and community mental-health interventions.
Preparedness, response, resilience to epidemics and pandemics.
ML, surveillance, risk prediction and decision-support tools.
ICMR, Ohio, intramural and ICMR-STS funded. Below — a curated twelve across the full range of thrust areas.
Research Snapshot
12 projects highlights from a pool of 47
05 ongoing 07 completed
| # | Project | PI | Funding | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | A prospective mixed method study of the direct and indirect costs involved in tuberculosis treatment among the tuberculosis patients initiated on treatment in Puducherry | Dr S.V Adheedhan | Extramural – NTEP | Postgraduate | Completed · Not Presented, not published |
| 02 | Determinants and patterns of the health seeking behavior for non-communicable diseases among middle aged people - A cross sectional study in Puducherry | Dr S.V Adheedhan | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 03 | Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns associated with risk of obstructive sleep apnea in Puducherry- A case Control Study. | Dr S.V Adheedhan | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Published |
| 04 | Morbidity pattern and its sociodemographic determinants among elderly people living in old age homes and residences of Puducherry – a comparative cross-sectional study. | Dr A.M Arun Vineeth | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, published |
| 05 | A cross- sectional study of the Respiratory Impacts and Trawler Fuel Exhaust among Puducherry Fisherman Employed in the Unorganized Sector | Dr A.M Arun Vineeth | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 06 | Knowledge and Awareness about biomedical waste segregation and disposal in paramedical students at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry - A cross sectional study | Dr A.M Arun Vineeth | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 07 | A quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program to reduce menopausal transition symptoms in urban perimenopausal women | Dr Nagavalli | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Not presented, not published |
| 08 | Knowledge and Practice of Food Labelling information among Households of Urban Population of Puducherry | Dr Nagavalli | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 09 | Utilization pattern and satisfaction level of old age pension scheme among elderly in rural area of Puducherry- A cross sectional Study | Dr Nagavalli | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Published |
| 10 | Assessment of awareness and attitude towards Organ donation among medical students of Puducherry - An interventional Study | Dr Saranyaa.T | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 11 | Association of air pollution indices with respiratory morbidity in an Urban area of Puducherry-A time- series analysis | Dr Saranyaa.T | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 12 | Assessment of awareness and attitude towards organ donation among medical paramedical non-medical students of Puducherry- A cross sectional Study | Dr Saranyaa.T | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Published |
| 13 | An explanatory mixed method study on menstrual health and hygiene and its effects among school-going adolescent girls of urban and rural areas of Puducherry | Dr Saranyaa.T | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Not Presented, not published |
| 14 | Empathy Assessment among medical Students towards Patients- a cross-sectional study | Dr.S. Subha Lakshmi | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Published |
| 15 | Health related and lifestyle factors among obese and non- obese people in an Urban Population of Puducherry | Dr Sowmya.A | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Published |
| 16 | A Cross-sectional study to assess degree of Physical activity Practices among MBBS students in a Medical College, Puducherry | Dr Sowmya.A | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 17 | assessment of Relationship between Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality among Undergraduate Medical Students in Puducherry- A Cross-Sectional Study | Dr Kawya.T | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 18 | Impact Of Positive Deviance Approach In Prevention And Control Of Dengue Among Adults In Rural Puducherry - A Mixed Method Study | Dr R. Sachudhanandham | Extramural – ICMR | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 19 | Burden and associated factors of Burnout syndrome among School Teachers of Puducherry district – A Mixed method study | Dr Nivedhan Sundaram | Extramural – ICMR | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 20 | A Quasi-Experimental Study on Breast Cancer Awareness and Breast Self-Examination Practice among Rural Women in Pondicherry | Dr Jenifer Rachael | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 21 | Impact of a Comprehensive Self-Care Education Module on Diabetes Management: A Community-based Cluster Randomized Crossover Trial in Puducherry | Dr J.Varsha | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 22 | An Embedded Experimental model to Assess the Effectiveness of Health Promotion Intervention on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among Fishermen in Rural Puducherry – A one phase approach | Dr Nijanthan.D | Extramural – ICMR | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 23 | Impact of Digital Wellness Educational Intervention Program on ocular health and scholastic performance of school children –Stepped wedge, cluster- randomized– community trial. | Dr Saiepriya | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 24 | Health disparities among adolescents: Comparing nutritional and mental health outcomes in childcare institutions and community settings in Pondicherry: a cross-sectional analytical study | Dr Neena Mathew | Extramural – ICMR | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 25 | Effect of tobacco cessation intervention on tobacco use behavior among auto-rickshaw drivers in Puducherry : “a randomized controlled trial” | Dr Vivek Anand.V | Extramural – ICMR | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 26 | A Community based Cross-Sectional Study on Health Literacy among Rural Adolescent Population in Pondicherry | Dr Jenifer Rachael | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 27 | Out-of-Pocket Expenditure among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Attending Treatment from a Tertiary Health Care Facility, A Mixed Method Study | Dr Jenifer Rachael | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 28 | Adherence to Screening Tests for Chronic Diabetes Complications Among Diabetic Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study in an Urban Area of Puducherry | Dr Nivedhan Sundaram | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 29 | Prevalence and Preferences of Tattooing Practices Among College Students in Puducherry, India: A cross-sectional study. | Dr Nivedhan Sundaram | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 30 | Community level Carbon Footprint and Health Co -benefits of low Carbon Behavior – in Rural and Urban Areas of Puducherry | Dr Saiepriya | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 31 | The effect of school bag weight on general health, morbidity pattern and scholastic performance among middle school children | Dr J.Varsha | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 32 | Comparing risk factors associated with hereditary and non-hereditary Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension - A community-based case control study. | Dr Neena Mathew | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 33 | A comparative study of the diagnostic accuracy of the Mini-Cog test with MMSE for assessment of cognitive impairment among adults in the community field- practice area of AVMC, Puducherry | Dr Neena Mathew | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 34 | Catastrophic Health Expenditure among High-risk Pregnant Women in Rural and Urban areas of Puducherry - A Comparative Cross-sectional Study | Dr Sachudhanandham | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
| 35 | Effect of Job Stress and Mental Health in Pink-Collar Job Workers of Coastal areas of Puducherry district - A Cross-sectional Study | Dr Sachudhanandham | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, not published |
| 36 | Association of leptin with body mass index. A community based control study among the adults in rural area | Mr.Mugesh.S | ICMR-STS | Undergraduate | Completed · presented, not published |
| 37 | A cross- sectional study on middle school children's nowledge of acute conjunctivities | Ms. Udayachanah S | ICMR-STS | Undergraduate | Completed · presented, not published |
| 38 | Mental Health impact and influence of parental substance abuse among adolescents in rural area of Puducherry | Ms. Rohini A.S | ICMR-STS | Undergraduate | Completed · presented, not published |
| 39 | Effect Of Theory Of Planned Behaviour (Tpb) Mobile Based Application On Lifestyle Practices Among University Students In Tamilnadu – A Quasi Experimental Study. | Dr. C. Rajan Rushender | Self | Faculty | Completed · Not Published |
| 40 | Supply-side and Demand-side Barriers to Access HPV Screening and the Cost- effectiveness analysis of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Screening for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer Screening in India | Dr. Arun Daniel.J DR.Shyamkumar Sriram | Extramural- Ohio | Faculty | Completed · Published |
| 41 | Awareness and perceptions about Medical Ethics among undergraduate Medical students – A cross sectional study | Dr. T.Kawya | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Not Published |
| 42 | Telemedicine Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness among Medical students-A Cross sectional study | Dr.S Subha Lakshmi | Self | Postgraduate | Completed · Presented, Not Published |
| 43 | The effect of school bag weight on general health, morbidity pattern and cholastic performance among middle school children at Puducherry. | Dr.J.Arun Daniel | Self | Faculty | Completed · Presented Not Published |
| 44 | The effect of Anti-helminthic therapy on insulin resistance among Diabetes patients: A community - based cluster, randomized controlled trial at Puducherry, India. | Dr. S. Bhuvaneswary | Self | Faculty | Ongoing |
| 45 | Participation and diagnostic yield of multiple cancer awareness and screening campaigns at Puducherry - A Community based prospective study. | Dr. D. Arunachalam | Self | Faculty | Ongoing |
| 46 | Assessment of Healthy Ageing index and its association with Functional, Psychological and Cardiovascular Risk Outcomes Among Adults in urban Puducherry: A Community-Based Study. | Dr. Angusubalakshmi .R | Intramural funding (Seed money project) | Faculty | Ongoing |
| 47 | Lifestyle Behaviours of Adolescents and Their Association with Academic Performance: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study Among Parents. | Dr Jennifer Rachel | Self | Postgraduate | Ongoing |
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology Published online
Dr.J. Arun Daniel
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology Published online
Dr.J. Arun Daniel
International Journal of Early childhood special Education (INT-JECSE)
Dr.V.Sudha
Journal of statistics and Mathematical Engineering · 2581-7647
Dr.G.Subash Chandra Bose
Journal of Research & Health · 2423- 5717
Dr Aumrin Fathima Dr Arun Daniel
Global Journal of Public health medicine · 2664-4657
Dr.P.Deepana Dr.V.Sudha Dr T.Vignesh Dr G. Subhash Chandra Bose Mrs Sevvanthi
International Journal of Pharmaceutical and clinical Research · e-ISSN: 0975-1556, p-ISSN:2820-2643
Dr.J.Arun Daniel
Cureus · 2168-8184
Dr.N.Nishanthini
Research Journal of Medical Sciences (MAK HILL Publication) · 1993‐609
Dr.N.Nishanthini
International Journal of Medical Science and Current Research (IJMSCR) · 2209-2870
Dr.Sowmya A, Dr.J.Arundaniel, Mrs.K.Sevvanthi
International Journal of Medical Science and Current Research (IJMSCR) · 2209-2870
Dr.T.Kawya, Dr.J.Arundaniel
International Journal of Medical Science and Current Research (IJMSCR) · 2209-2870
Dr.S. Subha Lakshmi, Dr.T.Vignesh, Mrs. K.Sevvanthi, Dr.D.Arunachalam
Indian Journal of Community Medicine · 0970-0218
Simon Jude, Ali J, Abedi, Saira Mehnaz, Mohammed Shameemm
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care · 2249-4863
Asmita Saha, John Dinesh A, Sudha V
Journal of laboratory Physicians · 0974-7826
Sarman Singh, Arun Daniel J
Sri Lankan Journal of Anesthesiology · 2279-1965
Ezhilrajan Vaithiyalingam, Shanmugavalli Ettiyan , Haribabu Veeraraghavan, Arjun Peddapally, Deepa Shanmugham, Prithiviraj Nagarajan and Subash Chandra Bose Gandhi
Health Science Reports · 2398-8835
Prithiviraj Nagarajan, Mani Rajarathinam, Arun Daniel Jayakumar, Prasad Thirumal , Kumar Rangarajalu , Nisha Perumal, Pavithra Muthiah, Anusheela Howlader
Journal of Chemical Health Risks · 2251-6727
Dr.T.Saranyaa, Dr.N.Nishanthini, Mrs.K.Sevvanthi
National Board of examinations - Journal of Medical Science · 2583-7524
Dr.SV.Adheedhan, Dr.J.Arundaniel, Dr.T.Vignesh
National Board of examinations - Journal of Medical Science · 2583-7524
Dr.V.Nagavalli, Dr.V.Sudha, Mrs.K.Sevvanthi
National Board of examinations - Journal of Medical Science · 2583-7524
Dr.A.M. Arunvineeth, Dr.D.Arunachalam, Dr.T.Vignesh, Mrs.K.Sevvanthi
TPM – Testing, Psychometrics, Methodology in Applied Psychology · 1972-6325
Nisha.b, Angusubalakshmi, Karthik.k.r, Dr. R. Bala krishnan
Daily OPD · Camps
OPD + IP + Delivery
Monthly
Longitudinal
Models + posters
Models of public-health importance and posters of eminent public-health scientists — supporting UG and PG teaching.
Water & practicals
Water analysis, milk testing and essential public-health practical training for UG and PG students.
Biostat & data
Computers and public-health instruments supporting epidemiological research and PG dissertation work.
AV-equipped
Two spacious AV-equipped rooms for UG/PG teaching, practical classes and community-medicine demonstrations.
Textbooks & journals
Standard public-health textbooks, journals and reference works for PG students and faculty.
Paperless data
Internet-enabled classrooms, portable Wi-Fi and the Epicollect app for paperless field-data collection.
Philosophy
CM · AVMCH
“Bridging clinical medicine and public health — with epidemiology, biostatistics and the social determinants of health at the centre of the training.
Department of Community Medicine, AVMCH & Hospital
Dr. G. Subash Chandrabose
Microbiology Research Journal International · 2023
Dr T. Saranyaa
Department of Pediatrics, AVMCH · 2023, AVMCH
Dr Vineesh.H
Vinayaka Missons Research Foundation – Deemed University · 2024, VMRF- Salem
Dr Deepana.P
Vinayaka Missons Research Foundation – Deemed University · 2024, VMRF- Salem
Dr T. Saranyaa
Department of Pediatrics, AVMCH · 2024, AVMCH
Dr.V. Nagavalli
Department of Pediatrics, AVMCH · 2024, AVMCH
Dr Nivedhan Sundaram
National Conference SSSCOMCON 2024, "My Health My Right" · 28-.08.2024 & 29.08.2024, Shri Sathya Sai Medical college & Research Institute
Dr.A.M. Arun Vineeth
International Conference PREVENCON'25, organized by Tamil Nadu Alliance by Development of Community Medicine in Collaboration with Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry · 2025, Hotel Aditi, Puducherry
Dr A. Sowmya
Vinayaka Missons Research Foundation – Deemed University · 2025, VMRF- Salem
Dr.Nivedhan Sundaram
World Breast Feeding Week celebration 2025, Department of Pediatrics & Collaboration with Community Medicine, AVMCH, Puducherry · 2025, AVMCH
Dr.R.Sachudhantham
World Breast Feeding Week celebration 2025, Department of Pediatrics & Collaboration with Community Medicine, AVMCH, Puducherry · 2025, AVMCH
Dr.Neena Mathew
World Breast Feeding Week celebration 2025, Department of Pediatrics & Collaboration with Community Medicine, AVMCH, Puducherry · 2025, AVMCH
Dr.Jennifer Racheal
National Newborn week Celebration 2025, Department of Pediatrics, AVMCH · 2025, AVMCH
Dr.J. Varsha
National conference on Infectious Diseases & Beyond PACT 2025 organized by Shree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai · 23.07.2025, Shree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai
02
Feb 2023
Guest Lecture · 150
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & DrN. Nishanthinii
24
Mar 2023
CME · 150
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr T.Vignesh
25
Mar 2023
Quiz · 55
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr T.Vignesh
29
Mar 2023
Workshop · 30
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr.J. Arun Daniel
06
Apr 2023
CME · 146
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr.V.Sudha
12
May 2023
Workshop · 162
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr T.Vignesh
18
Aug 2023
Competition · 50
Dr.C. Rajan Rushender & Dr T.Prasad
08
Apr 2024
CME, Quiz, Camp · 154
Dr D.Arunachalam & Dr.N.Nishanthini
03
Aug 2024
Competition · 50
Dr D.Arunachalam & Dr.N.Nishanthini
13
Sep 2024
Training Program · 120
Dr D.Arunachalam & Dr.N.Nishanthini
18
Nov 2024
CME, Competition · 165,15
Dr D.Arunachalam & Dr Bhuvaneswary, Dr Govindaraj
24
Mar 2025
Symposium · 170
Dr D.Arunachalam & Dr Sivapushani
06
Aug 2025
Competition
Dr Arun Daniel & Dr Arul Prasad
10
Sep 2025
Seminar · 100
Mrs Sivagangai & Dr Arun Daniel
03
Nov 2025
Competition · 148
Dr Arun daniel & Dr Bhuvaneswary
18
Nov 2025
CME · 140
Dr Arun daniel & Dr Bhuvaneswary
26
Nov 2025
Competition · 27
Dr Arun daniel & Dr Bhuvaneswary
For research collaborations on NCD screening, HPV, tobacco cessation and maternal-child health — as well as Urban/Rural HTC visits and field-epidemiology training — please contact the HOD directly.
HOD:Dr. J. Arun Daniel
E-mail:arundaniel.jayakumar@avmc.edu.in
Address:AVMCH & Hospital, Kirumampakkam, Puducherry — 607 402
