CONCLUSION: A key strength of the study was its inclusion of the entire Panchayath population in Phase I, filling a significant gap in the literature on NDD prevalence at the community level in India. As one of the first community-level estimates, it underscores the need for targeted public health strategies, particularly for children. The findings offer crucial data to guide policymakers and public health officials in planning interventions to reduce the burden of NDDs in the region.
