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Context: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by the cyclic occurrence of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms during the menstrual cycle. It is evident from the literature that PMS is a common problem all over the globe, as the majority (77.5%) of women surveyed believe it has a significant impact on their lives. Aims: This study aimed to determine the incidence, intensity, and predictors of PMS among adolescent girls. Settings and Design: A private college of nursing in Kerala, India. A mixed method approach with descriptive design Methods and Material: The sample consisted of 100 students who fulfilled the selection criteria and were selected by random sampling, for assessing incidence and intensity (Quantitative). Of these, 10 students were selected for a focus group discussion (FGD) to determine the predictors of PMS (Qualitative). The incidence and intensity of PMS were assessed using Standardized Stainer and Wilkin's PMS diagnostic criteria tool and 10 volunteer students with criteria >10 (moderate and severe) were selected for FGD. Statistical analysis used: Thematic and descriptive analysis Results: The results revealed that 86% of the participants were experiencing PMS. Twenty-four percent reported mild symptoms, while 54% and 8% reported moderate and severe PMS, respectively. Analysis revealed that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence PMS. Conclusion: PMS is an important health issue influenced by lifestyle factors among adolescent girls. PMS is on the uprise and there is an urgent need for motivating adolescent girls continuously through educational programs. Keywords: Body Mass Index, Focus group discussion, and Premenstrual syndrome. Key messages Menstruation is a normal biological phenomenon and all fertile females should accept with gratitude that they have the power of procreation. Relieving PMS symptoms begins with a change in attitude, which consists of women thinking differently about their cycles and modifying their lifestyles to lead more productive lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Academic stress and study habits are crucial indicators of academic success. At the moment, faulty study habits press on the students into academic stress. The present study was conducted to identify the academic stress and study habits of university students of health science. Methods This cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 150 undergraduate students of nursing, physiotherapy, and pharmacy (n = 50 in each group). A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. The information on academic stress and study habits was collected by using the Student Stress Inventory and Palsane and Sharma Study Habit Inventory, respectively. Results Mean score of academic stress was found to be 75.353 ± 16.463. Pharmacy students had a higher level of stress compared to physiotherapy and nursing students (p = 0.013). Furthermore, the prevalence of unsatisfactory study habits among undergraduate students was 72%, with a mean score of 52.7 ± 9.152. Also, nursing students had a higher level of study habits compared to physiotherapy and pharmacy Students. There was no significant relationship found between study habits and academic stress (r = -0.048, p = 0.557). There was a significant association found between study habits and gender (p = 0.021), as well the association found between stress level and course type, Pre-University Course percentage, and first-year percentage (p = 0.044, 0.04, and 0.044 respectively). Conclusion Academic stress and poor study habits are prevalent among undergraduate students. This indicates strategies need to be formed to enhance healthy study habits and alleviate the academic stress of the students, mainly in professional courses; it is an urgent need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcoholism is a common problem both in developing as well as developed countries. It leads significant harm to the physical, psychological and social health of individuals, families and communities as a whole. Wives of the alcoholics are the persons who suffer the consequences of alcoholism and its effects the most. Objective: To assess the quality of life of wives of alcoholics. Materials and Method: Quantitative approach with descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. Total 150 men residing at Mangalore and Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district were administered the AUDIT tool through house to house survey, of which 132 men who scored 8 to 10 were taken as alcoholics and their wives were selected as participants through purposive sampling technique. Participant information sheet and informed consent was obtained. The data was gathered by using WHOQOL-BREF tool to assess the quality of life. Results: Shows that mean quality of life score of wives of alcoholics in physical domain (11.73), psychological (9.43), social (5.04) and environmental (13.10) respectively. The chi-square test shows that there is a highly significant association between QOL scores of subjects and selected variables such as income of family (p ≤ 0.001) and number of children (p ≤ 0.018). Conclusion: The study findings revealed that wives of alcoholics are having poor quality of life. Hence need to adopt effective interventions to promote the wellbeing of the wives of alcoholics and to improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational hypertension (GHTN), formerly known as pregnancy induced hypertension, is defined as a new rise in blood pressure (BP) >140/90mm Hg, presenting at or after 20 weeks gestation without significant proteinuria (> 300mg/24 hour urine collection of urine, or 2 specimens of urine collected > 4 hours apart with > 2+ on the protein reagent strip. It is the most frequent cause of hypertension during pregnancy, constituting approximately 70%, and complicating about 6-17% pregnancies in healthy nulliparous women and 2- 4% in multiparous women[1]. According to World Health Organization, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension(PIH) is one of the main causes of maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. The condition is estimated to account for 10% to 15% of maternal deaths worldwide. Disorders of high blood pressure are the second leading cause of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths in developing countries. Predicting Pregnancy Induced Hypertension(PIH) and treating the condition early will reduce the maternal as well as perinatal mortality and morbidity. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), Uterine Artery Pulsatality Index (UtA PI), Resistive Index (RI) and Systolic/Diastolic (S/D) ratio are an effective screening tools to identify the risk of PIH through uSG done in I and II trimester of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : An integrated approach is strongly suggested for creating knowledge, attitudes, and awareness to control the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people as well as health care students. Objectives : To determine the awareness on epidemiological factors of HIV/AIDS among nursing students. Methodology : A quantitative approach with descriptive design was found suitable to conduct the study among 700 first year B Sc nursing students were selected using cluster sampling method from different nursing institutions. After obtaining the consent from the subjects a pretested and valid questionnaire on HIV/AIDs was administered to collect the data. Results : All the students had information (86.1%) on HIV/AIDS mainly from T.V/Radio. It was found that majority of the subjects (63.3%) had poor awareness, 31.6% had average and only 5.1%of subjects had good awareness on HIV/AIDS. Conclusion : It is evident from the study findings that the nursing students lack awareness on epidemiological factors of HIV/AIDs there is a need to have an education program before they are active in caring for the patient in hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "A study to determine the effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Module (VATM) regarding Immediate First Aid Measures on knowledge of Ambulance drivers in selected health care settings of Mangalore, Karnataka," by Wilson Glan Machado and Neetha Kamath is presented.