The use of an open-access web-based survey may address potential bias in previous studies, but may itself introduce a bias towards younger patients. This is the first report of a web-based survey of UK patients with psoriasis, providing further recent evidence of how psoriasis affects patients' lives.

ObjectivesMenopause is a transitional time in a woman's life leading to both physical and emotional challenges which affects the quality of life (QOL). Average age of menopause is around 48 years but it strikes Indian women at the age of 40 to 45 years. So, menopausal health demands higher priority in Indian as well as global scenario. The present study was conducted to compare the QOL of postmenopausal women residing in urban and rural communities.MethodsThe study adopted quantitative research approach with comparative survey design. The samples were 100 postmenopausal women from rural urban communities selected using non probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by interview using demographic performa and menopause specific QOL.ResultsThe mean QOL score (X2 = 27.24) of rural women was higher than the mean QOL score (X1 = 26.34) of urban women. The calculated independent ‘t’ value (t = 0.86; P < 0.05) is lesser than the table value (t98 = 1.980). There was association between QOL of urban postmenopausal women and monthly income of the family (χ2 = 4.023) was statistically significant at 0.05 levels.ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the QOL of postmenopausal women in rural and urban areas. Indian women are ignorant about the changes taking place in their reproductive system. Religion and culture of our society also inhibits to express these changes. Health care professionals have a great role in addressing these issues to prepare women to face the challenges of reproductive health.

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.

No abstract

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.

Mind-body therapies hold several advantages from the viewpoint of security, fulfilment, implementation and possible ancillary social and psychological health benefits. Side effects and risks of mind-body practice are generally nominal, implementation costs are little and most mind-body therapies can be performed by a broad range of populations, including overweight and sedentary menopausal women. The use of mind-body therapies for the alleviation of a menopausal symptoms is becoming increasingly common because of the perceived therapeutic benefits. The practice of mindfulness allows the participants to be aware of the present moment without concern for past or future consequences. Several researchers have discovered that being mindful may be helpful for menopausal women struggling with irritability, anxiety and depression. The purpose of this article aimed at reviewing the literature which studies the impact of the mindfulness-based training on menopausal symptoms among women during their climacteric period. Many midlife women try out practices like relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and yoga to help them get through these difficult times during their transitional period of life. Although these daily practices probably do not relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, they might improve overall wellbeing and help them sleep better. The literature was searched using databases such as CINAHL, Pub Med, Pro-Quest and Google scholar. The search terms used were: menopause, menopausal symptoms, mindfulness, quality of life and midlife transition. In India, the practice of mindfulness is not very well known among the menopausal women, so the aim of this review was to show a pathway to the primary health care workers like physicians, counsellors and the nurses, who can guide them about the practice of mindfulness thereby improving the quality of life.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a very common condition leading to physical, emotional, and psychological distress in females during their reproductive years. Researchers found that as many three of every four menstruating women have experienced some form of PMS. Although the severity of this problem is great, a lot of confusion exists in both medical and lay communities about what is and is not effective for the treatment of PMS. It has a wide variety of signs and symptoms and it may tend to recur in a predictable pattern. The physical and emotional changes experienced with PMS may vary from just slightly noticeable to very intense. Lifestyle adjustments in every kind can help to reduce or manage the signs and symptoms of PMS. Apart from all these, one of the most beneficial methods to reduce the difficulties of PMS is relaxation therapy which includes meditation, visualization, autogenic, Tai Chi, hydrotherapy, exercise, massage, aromatherapy, biofeedback, relaxation breathing, progressive muscle relaxation (Jacobson’s progressive relaxation therapy and The Mitchells progressive relaxation therapy) and yoga. Thus when remedies are available why not we celebrate the inborn power of relieving PMS in women.

Background Factors causing postoperative discomfort after laparotomy are numerous and must be explored in depth. The postoperative distress may significantly affect the patient's state of well-being. Hence, the present study aims to assess the factors contributing to discomfort after laparotomy. Aim The aim was to assess and compare the discomfort between open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Objectives of the Study 1. To analyze the causes of patient's discomfort after abdominal surgery.2. To compare the discomfort between open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery.3. To determine the association between pain and selected variables among open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Materials and Methods An exploratory approach with a prospective observational design was adopted for this study. Using the purposive sampling technique, 100 patients were selected to open and 100 to laparoscopic abdominal surgery groups. Data were collected using demographic and clinical proforma and standardized postoperative discomfort inventory 6 and 24 hours after the surgery. The assessment focused on the study variables such as symptoms after the surgery and the factors contributing to the postoperative discomfort. Statistical Analysis The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS software version 20. Results Among 200 participants, most of the open (68%) and laparoscopic abdominal surgeries (42%) belong to 25 to 35 years of age. Also, 54% and 13% were diabetic in open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery groups, respectively. Most samples (56% in open and 68% in laparoscopic surgery) stayed 5 and 10 hours in postoperative ICU. In open and laparoscopic abdominal surgeries, pain is the primary (100%) cause of postoperative discomfort after 6 hours of surgery. Movement restriction is also the reason for significant discomfort both in open (98%) and laparoscopic (100%) abdominal surgeries.In contrast, pain (99% and 100%), movement restriction (92% and 95%), and abdominal distention (61% and 34%) were the major problems contributing to the patient's discomfort after 24 hours of both open and laparoscopic surgeries too. There was a significant difference in causes of patient discomfort between open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery after 6 hours (P < 0.05), except for discomfort related to IV drip (P = 0.852), constipation (P = 0.2), and chills (P = 0.6). Conclusion Even though pain is the major distressing factor both in open and laparoscopic surgeries, the current study highlights a few other factors that affect postoperative recovery. Nurses' attention to such distressing factors will fasten patients' recovery and quality of life after abdominal surgery.