Department of Preventive and Social Medicine

Department of Community Medicine is currently situated on the 2nd floor at the Academic campus.

Academic

Undergraduate students spend seven semesters in our department at JIPMER Karaikal. They have three clinical postings wherein they learn about survey methods, clinical examination in community settings, and principles of public health interventions as part of comprehensive health care.  Besides this, they have different field visits, theory sessions and practical sessions to improve their learning experience.

Department of Community Medicine, JIPMER Karaikal

Faculty name / Staff Administration role in the Department
1  Dr. Preetam Mahajan Associate Professor
2 Dr. L Karthik Balajee Officer In-charge of Department,

Officer IC-Dept stores,

OIC-Assessment MBBS Students (Dept)
3 Dr. Avinash Kumar OIC- Curriculum – Department, JIPMER, Karaikal
4. Mr Jeffin Joseph MSW (Posted in Department)
5. Ms Abinaya Junior Administrative Assistant
6. Mr Soosai Department store-keeper

Principal Investigator: “Developing and implementing a competency-based Skills Training module for the Undergraduate Medical Students in the Department of Community Medicine”.

Coinvestigator

  • “Effect of Strengthening the Antibiotic Surveillance System on the Antibiotic Susceptibility at JIPMER, Karaikal: Operational Research- AMROR”
  • “Developing a Prediction Model for Correcting Intracellular Biochemical Analytes in hemolyzed samples of Newborns based on Free Plasma Hemoglobin”.
  • “A prospective comparison of efficacy of topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% versus topical moxifloxacin 0.5% as preoperative prophylaxis in cataract surgery -a double-blinded non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.”

Publications/Conference Presentations

  1. Laksham KB. Community Diagnosis Posting : Enhancing Student Learning through Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques. In: Zayapragassarazan Z, Mohapatra DP, G S, Abhishekh B, Nanda N, Kumar VD, editors. Effective Educational Practices in Health Profession Education. 2nd ed. Puducherry: NTTC Alumni Association of JIPMER Department of Medical Education, JIPMER; 2025. p. 32–8.
  2. Laksham KB. Lithiumisation of Drinking Water for Suicide Prevention: A Systematic Review. Prev Med Res Rev. 2025| DOI: 10.4103/PMRR.PMRR_243_24
  3. Laksham KB. Beyond The Lecture Hall. Swasthya Sarvopari Quarterly Newsletter Directorate General of Health Services. 2025;Jan-March(5):28–9.
  4. Mahadevan D, Laksham KB, Kumar A. A Competency-Based Training Program Using Demonstrate-Observe-Assist-Perform ( DOAP) Method. In: 10th Research Day. JIPMER, Puducherry; 2025.
  5. Prabakar G, Laksham KB, Balasubramanian A. Competency-Based Training in Aseptic Glove Donning and Doffing for Clinical Practice. In: “Sierra Meducatum” – A National Hybrid Conference On Medical Education. Government Medical College, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; 2025.
  6. Jeyakumari D, Laksham KB, Swarna S, Sevitha V. Comparing Peyton’s Four-Step Approach and ‘See One, Do One,’ for Training in Gram Staining: A Competency-Based Medical Education Perspective. In: “Sierra Meducatum” -A National Hybrid Conference On Medical Education. Government Medical College, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; 2025.
  7. Sevitha V, Bharathi, Laksham KB, R SS, Duraipandian J. Epidemiological Analysis of Dengue Cases Detected via NS1 Antigen and IgM Antibody Tests in Karaikal. In: National Conclave on Vector-Borne Diseases, AIIMS Madurai. 2024.
  8. Laksham KB. Integrating Video Feedback into Medical Education : A Pathway to Enhanced Clinical Competence . J Heal Prof Educ Innov. 2024;1(4):54–71.
  9. Laksham KB, Prabakar G, Balasubramanian A. Aseptic Glove Donning and Doffing for Clinical Practice. In: Laksham KB, editor. 1st ed. Karaikal: JIPMER; 2024.
  10. Mehta P, Kiruthika S, Laksham KB. Effectiveness of health education on insulin injection technique in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus : A quasi ‑ experimental Pre ‑ test post ‑ test research. J Fam Med Prim care. 2024;13(11):5101–7.
  11. Swarna S., Laksham KB, Jeyakumari D, Bharathi T. Standard Operating Procedures On Collection And Transport Of Clinical Specimens. Antimicrobial Resistance Operational Research (AMROR) Project 2023. JIPMER. 2023.
  12. Swarna S., Karthik Balajee L, Jeyakumari D, Bharathi R. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates in a secondary care hospital , South India. In: Winter Symposium and South Zone MicroCon February 2024. Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; 2024.
  13. Laksham KB, Mahajan PB, Kumar A. Developing and Implementing a Competency-Based Skills Module in Community Medicine for Undergraduate Medical Students. In: FAIMER Onsite Session June 2023. PSG Coimbatore; 2023.
  14. Gupta A, Rajagopal MD, Laksham KB. Development and Pilot Testing of a Comprehensive Mobile Application to Assist Cell Counts during Peripheral Smear and Bone Marrow Examination. Cureus. 2023;6–13.
  15. Laksham KB. Life Jacket Usage and Effectiveness in Drowning Prevention: A Review. Prev Med Res Rev. 2023;
  16. Kandhasami M, Panchanathan S, Rajendran J, Balajee K. High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Prognostic Indicator of Cardiovascular Disease in Severe Non-Diabetic COVID-19 Patients. Discoveries. 2023;11(3):1–9.
  17. Laksham KB, Saravanan N, Balasubramanian S. Artificial Intelligence Applications in Predicting and Preventing Complications in Maternal Health. In: Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Systems. 1st ed. Nova Publisher; 2024. p. 160–93.
  18. Kumar A, Sahu S, Karunanithi G, Laksham K. Treatment Seeking Behavior, Treatment Cost and Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study from South India. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev. 2021 Sep 1;22(9):3023–30.
  19. Selvaraj R, Ramakrishnan J, Sahu SK, Kar SS, Laksham KB, Premarajan KC, et al. High prevalence of anemia among postnatal mothers in Urban Puducherry: A community‑based study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(8):2703–7.
  20. Sujiv A, Chinnakali P, Balajee K, Lakshminarayanan S, Kumar Sg, Roy G. Alcohol use and alcohol use disorder among male outpatients in a primary care setting in rural Puducherry. Ind Psychiatry J. 2015;24(2):135–9.
  21. Laksham K. Unmanned aerial vehicle (drones) in public health: A SWOT analysis. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(2):342.
  22. Laksham K, Selvaraj R, Kameshvell C. Depression and its determinants among elderly in selected villages of Puducherry – A community-based cross-sectional study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(1):141.
  23. Laksham K, Selvaraj R, Kar S. Menstrual disorders and quality of life of women in an urban area of Puducherry: A community-based cross-sectional study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(1):137–40.
  24. Karthik Balajee L, Chinnakali P, Kar SS, Roy G, Group M study. Availability and Usage of Latrine in Selected Coastal Villages of South India: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study. Indian J Community Fam Med. 2017;3(01):38–41.
  25. Balajee K, Kumar G, Shidam U. Comparison of psychological distress and its associated factors among chronic disease and healthy subjects in rural Puducherry, India. Indian J Soc Psychiatry. 2017;33(2):177.
  26. Karthik L B, Sujith B, Rizwan A S, Sehgal M. Characteristics of the Ozone Pollution and its Health Effects in India. Int J Med Public Heal. 2017 Mar 1;7(1):56–60.
  27. Niranjjan R, Sarkar S, Balajee K, Srinivasan M. Psychological distress , hopelessness and health service needs of late adolescents in rural Pondicherry , South India. Int J Community Med Public Heal. 2018;5(3):1109–15.
  28. Jain VK, Bhashini N, Balajee LK, Sistla S, Parija SC, Negi VS. Effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy on immune response to trivalent influenza vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis. Indian J Med Res. 2017 Apr;145(4):464–70.
  29. Stephen P, Mahalakshmy T, Manju R, Laksham K, Subramani S, Panda K, et al. High prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among autorickshaw drivers of Urban Puducherry, South India. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2018;22(1):40.
  30. Kumar SG, Majumdar A, Kumar V, Naik BN, Selvaraj K, Balajee K. Prevalence of acute respiratory infection among under-five children in urban and rural areas of puducherry, India. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2015;6(1):3–6.
  31. Laksham KB, Kalidoss V, Sivanantham P, Sambath PM, Arunachalam MK, Chinnakali P. Household biocide use and personal safety practices among rural population in South India: A community-based study. Med Pr. 2016 Oct 28;67(5):599–604.
  32. Chandra A, Sarkar S, Adinarayanan S, Balajee KL. Impact of Health Awareness Campaign in Improving the Perception of the Community about Palliative Care : A Pre ‑ and Post ‑ intervention Study in Rural Tamil Nadu. Indian J Palliat Care. 2016;22(4):467–76.
  33. Balajee KL, Rizwan SA, Kulkarni V, Silan V. Fixed-dose combination drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis under India’s RNTCP. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2015 Jul 1;19(7):870–1.

Activities and Events

Title Details
Awareness Program on World Suicide Prevention Day JIPMER Karaikal Download pdf

Dr Preetam B Mahajan

Associate Professor

Dr Karthik Balajee Laksham

Associate Professor

Dr Avinash Kumar

Assistant Professor

Dr Preetam B Mahajan

Position: Associate Professor
Email: preetam@jipmer.ac.in
Categories: Community Medicine
Academic Qualifications: MD (PSM), Diploma (Community Mental Health)-CIP Ranchi,
Areas of Interest : Clinical Preventive Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Research

Administration role in the Department: Officer In-charge, Department

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Preetam-Mahajan

Dr Karthik Balajee Laksham

Position: Associate Professor
Phone: 09442037375
Email: dr.balajeelaksham@gmail.com
Categories: Community Medicine

Academic Qualifications

  1. MBBS (Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu)
  2. MD (Community Medicine) All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  3. DNB (Preventive and Social Medicine), New Delhi
  4. PG Diploma in Geriatrics, CMC, Vellore
  5. Diploma in CommunityMental Health, NIMHANS, Bangalore

Fellowship/Membership

  1. Health Technology Assessment Fellowship – NHSRC, New Delhi
  2. FAIMER PSG Fellow
  3. MNAMS, National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Research:   https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karthik_Balajee3

Dr Avinash Kumar

Position: Assistant Professor
Categories: Community Medicine
Medical Registration number: Jharkhand Council of Medical Registration- 997
Academic Qualifications: MBBS, MD
Special Area of Interest: Non communicable disease and Occupational Health

Publication: 48

Positions Held: 

  • Curriculum In charge in the Department, JIPMER, Karaikal
  • Student Clinic of JIPMER Karaikal
  • Medical Camp Section In Charge, JIPMER, Karaikal
 
General info

Department of Community Medicine is currently situated on the 2nd floor at the Academic campus.

Academic

Academic

Undergraduate students spend seven semesters in our department at JIPMER Karaikal. They have three clinical postings wherein they learn about survey methods, clinical examination in community settings, and principles of public health interventions as part of comprehensive health care.  Besides this, they have different field visits, theory sessions and practical sessions to improve their learning experience.

Department Administration

Department of Community Medicine, JIPMER Karaikal

Faculty name / Staff Administration role in the Department
1  Dr. Preetam Mahajan Associate Professor
2 Dr. L Karthik Balajee Officer In-charge of Department,

Officer IC-Dept stores,

OIC-Assessment MBBS Students (Dept)
3 Dr. Avinash Kumar OIC- Curriculum – Department, JIPMER, Karaikal
4. Mr Jeffin Joseph MSW (Posted in Department)
5. Ms Abinaya Junior Administrative Assistant
6. Mr Soosai Department store-keeper
Research

Principal Investigator: “Developing and implementing a competency-based Skills Training module for the Undergraduate Medical Students in the Department of Community Medicine”.

Coinvestigator

  • “Effect of Strengthening the Antibiotic Surveillance System on the Antibiotic Susceptibility at JIPMER, Karaikal: Operational Research- AMROR”
  • “Developing a Prediction Model for Correcting Intracellular Biochemical Analytes in hemolyzed samples of Newborns based on Free Plasma Hemoglobin”.
  • “A prospective comparison of efficacy of topical ciprofloxacin 0.3% versus topical moxifloxacin 0.5% as preoperative prophylaxis in cataract surgery -a double-blinded non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.”

Publications/Conference Presentations

  1. Laksham KB. Community Diagnosis Posting : Enhancing Student Learning through Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques. In: Zayapragassarazan Z, Mohapatra DP, G S, Abhishekh B, Nanda N, Kumar VD, editors. Effective Educational Practices in Health Profession Education. 2nd ed. Puducherry: NTTC Alumni Association of JIPMER Department of Medical Education, JIPMER; 2025. p. 32–8.
  2. Laksham KB. Lithiumisation of Drinking Water for Suicide Prevention: A Systematic Review. Prev Med Res Rev. 2025| DOI: 10.4103/PMRR.PMRR_243_24
  3. Laksham KB. Beyond The Lecture Hall. Swasthya Sarvopari Quarterly Newsletter Directorate General of Health Services. 2025;Jan-March(5):28–9.
  4. Mahadevan D, Laksham KB, Kumar A. A Competency-Based Training Program Using Demonstrate-Observe-Assist-Perform ( DOAP) Method. In: 10th Research Day. JIPMER, Puducherry; 2025.
  5. Prabakar G, Laksham KB, Balasubramanian A. Competency-Based Training in Aseptic Glove Donning and Doffing for Clinical Practice. In: “Sierra Meducatum” – A National Hybrid Conference On Medical Education. Government Medical College, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; 2025.
  6. Jeyakumari D, Laksham KB, Swarna S, Sevitha V. Comparing Peyton’s Four-Step Approach and ‘See One, Do One,’ for Training in Gram Staining: A Competency-Based Medical Education Perspective. In: “Sierra Meducatum” -A National Hybrid Conference On Medical Education. Government Medical College, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; 2025.
  7. Sevitha V, Bharathi, Laksham KB, R SS, Duraipandian J. Epidemiological Analysis of Dengue Cases Detected via NS1 Antigen and IgM Antibody Tests in Karaikal. In: National Conclave on Vector-Borne Diseases, AIIMS Madurai. 2024.
  8. Laksham KB. Integrating Video Feedback into Medical Education : A Pathway to Enhanced Clinical Competence . J Heal Prof Educ Innov. 2024;1(4):54–71.
  9. Laksham KB, Prabakar G, Balasubramanian A. Aseptic Glove Donning and Doffing for Clinical Practice. In: Laksham KB, editor. 1st ed. Karaikal: JIPMER; 2024.
  10. Mehta P, Kiruthika S, Laksham KB. Effectiveness of health education on insulin injection technique in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus : A quasi ‑ experimental Pre ‑ test post ‑ test research. J Fam Med Prim care. 2024;13(11):5101–7.
  11. Swarna S., Laksham KB, Jeyakumari D, Bharathi T. Standard Operating Procedures On Collection And Transport Of Clinical Specimens. Antimicrobial Resistance Operational Research (AMROR) Project 2023. JIPMER. 2023.
  12. Swarna S., Karthik Balajee L, Jeyakumari D, Bharathi R. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates in a secondary care hospital , South India. In: Winter Symposium and South Zone MicroCon February 2024. Christian Medical College, Vellore, India; 2024.
  13. Laksham KB, Mahajan PB, Kumar A. Developing and Implementing a Competency-Based Skills Module in Community Medicine for Undergraduate Medical Students. In: FAIMER Onsite Session June 2023. PSG Coimbatore; 2023.
  14. Gupta A, Rajagopal MD, Laksham KB. Development and Pilot Testing of a Comprehensive Mobile Application to Assist Cell Counts during Peripheral Smear and Bone Marrow Examination. Cureus. 2023;6–13.
  15. Laksham KB. Life Jacket Usage and Effectiveness in Drowning Prevention: A Review. Prev Med Res Rev. 2023;
  16. Kandhasami M, Panchanathan S, Rajendran J, Balajee K. High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as a Prognostic Indicator of Cardiovascular Disease in Severe Non-Diabetic COVID-19 Patients. Discoveries. 2023;11(3):1–9.
  17. Laksham KB, Saravanan N, Balasubramanian S. Artificial Intelligence Applications in Predicting and Preventing Complications in Maternal Health. In: Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Systems. 1st ed. Nova Publisher; 2024. p. 160–93.
  18. Kumar A, Sahu S, Karunanithi G, Laksham K. Treatment Seeking Behavior, Treatment Cost and Quality of Life of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study from South India. Asian Pacific J Cancer Prev. 2021 Sep 1;22(9):3023–30.
  19. Selvaraj R, Ramakrishnan J, Sahu SK, Kar SS, Laksham KB, Premarajan KC, et al. High prevalence of anemia among postnatal mothers in Urban Puducherry: A community‑based study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(8):2703–7.
  20. Sujiv A, Chinnakali P, Balajee K, Lakshminarayanan S, Kumar Sg, Roy G. Alcohol use and alcohol use disorder among male outpatients in a primary care setting in rural Puducherry. Ind Psychiatry J. 2015;24(2):135–9.
  21. Laksham K. Unmanned aerial vehicle (drones) in public health: A SWOT analysis. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(2):342.
  22. Laksham K, Selvaraj R, Kameshvell C. Depression and its determinants among elderly in selected villages of Puducherry – A community-based cross-sectional study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(1):141.
  23. Laksham K, Selvaraj R, Kar S. Menstrual disorders and quality of life of women in an urban area of Puducherry: A community-based cross-sectional study. J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019;8(1):137–40.
  24. Karthik Balajee L, Chinnakali P, Kar SS, Roy G, Group M study. Availability and Usage of Latrine in Selected Coastal Villages of South India: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study. Indian J Community Fam Med. 2017;3(01):38–41.
  25. Balajee K, Kumar G, Shidam U. Comparison of psychological distress and its associated factors among chronic disease and healthy subjects in rural Puducherry, India. Indian J Soc Psychiatry. 2017;33(2):177.
  26. Karthik L B, Sujith B, Rizwan A S, Sehgal M. Characteristics of the Ozone Pollution and its Health Effects in India. Int J Med Public Heal. 2017 Mar 1;7(1):56–60.
  27. Niranjjan R, Sarkar S, Balajee K, Srinivasan M. Psychological distress , hopelessness and health service needs of late adolescents in rural Pondicherry , South India. Int J Community Med Public Heal. 2018;5(3):1109–15.
  28. Jain VK, Bhashini N, Balajee LK, Sistla S, Parija SC, Negi VS. Effect of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy on immune response to trivalent influenza vaccine in rheumatoid arthritis. Indian J Med Res. 2017 Apr;145(4):464–70.
  29. Stephen P, Mahalakshmy T, Manju R, Laksham K, Subramani S, Panda K, et al. High prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among autorickshaw drivers of Urban Puducherry, South India. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2018;22(1):40.
  30. Kumar SG, Majumdar A, Kumar V, Naik BN, Selvaraj K, Balajee K. Prevalence of acute respiratory infection among under-five children in urban and rural areas of puducherry, India. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2015;6(1):3–6.
  31. Laksham KB, Kalidoss V, Sivanantham P, Sambath PM, Arunachalam MK, Chinnakali P. Household biocide use and personal safety practices among rural population in South India: A community-based study. Med Pr. 2016 Oct 28;67(5):599–604.
  32. Chandra A, Sarkar S, Adinarayanan S, Balajee KL. Impact of Health Awareness Campaign in Improving the Perception of the Community about Palliative Care : A Pre ‑ and Post ‑ intervention Study in Rural Tamil Nadu. Indian J Palliat Care. 2016;22(4):467–76.
  33. Balajee KL, Rizwan SA, Kulkarni V, Silan V. Fixed-dose combination drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis under India’s RNTCP. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2015 Jul 1;19(7):870–1.
Activities and Events

Activities and Events

Title Details
Awareness Program on World Suicide Prevention Day JIPMER Karaikal Download pdf
Faculty

Dr Preetam B Mahajan

Associate Professor

Dr Karthik Balajee Laksham

Associate Professor

Dr Avinash Kumar

Assistant Professor

Dr Preetam B Mahajan

Position: Associate Professor
Email: preetam@jipmer.ac.in
Categories: Community Medicine
Academic Qualifications: MD (PSM), Diploma (Community Mental Health)-CIP Ranchi,
Areas of Interest : Clinical Preventive Medicine, Health Policy and Systems Research

Administration role in the Department: Officer In-charge, Department

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Preetam-Mahajan

Dr Karthik Balajee Laksham

Position: Associate Professor
Phone: 09442037375
Email: dr.balajeelaksham@gmail.com
Categories: Community Medicine

Academic Qualifications

  1. MBBS (Thanjavur Medical College, Tamil Nadu)
  2. MD (Community Medicine) All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
  3. DNB (Preventive and Social Medicine), New Delhi
  4. PG Diploma in Geriatrics, CMC, Vellore
  5. Diploma in CommunityMental Health, NIMHANS, Bangalore

Fellowship/Membership

  1. Health Technology Assessment Fellowship – NHSRC, New Delhi
  2. FAIMER PSG Fellow
  3. MNAMS, National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Research:   https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karthik_Balajee3

Dr Avinash Kumar

Position: Assistant Professor
Categories: Community Medicine
Medical Registration number: Jharkhand Council of Medical Registration- 997
Academic Qualifications: MBBS, MD
Special Area of Interest: Non communicable disease and Occupational Health

Publication: 48

Positions Held: 

  • Curriculum In charge in the Department, JIPMER, Karaikal
  • Student Clinic of JIPMER Karaikal
  • Medical Camp Section In Charge, JIPMER, Karaikal
 

Contact Information

Address :
Department of Community Medicine

JIPMER Academic Building
Karaikal Campus

Karaikal- 609602

Email id
Department of Community Medicine

Email id of OIC- dr.balajeelaksham@gmail.com

Working hours :

Mon-Fri: 9 am to 4.30 pm

( Sat : 9 am to 01:00 pm)