Background: Menstruation is a normal physiological process and irregular menstrual pattern is a problem affecting the quality of life among women in the reproductive age group. Although many factors contribute to the irregularity in menstrual cycles this study was conducted to find out the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and irregular menstrual pattern.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural health and training centre of SRM hospital between August and October 2018 by using a convenience sampling method and data was collected from 163 women in the reproductive age group and analysed to find out the relationship between the BMI and menstrual irregularity.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 31.29 (±8.32) years and their mean age at menarche was 12.59 (±1.86) years. Majority of the study participants belongs to lower middle class (25%), Hindus (85%) by religion, married (82%), homemakers (53%) belongs to nuclear family (45%) having education up to high school level (61%). Only 44% of the participants have their BMI within normal range and 8% are obese. Irregular menstrual pattern was present in 13% of the study participants. The association between the BMI and the irregular menstrual pattern was found to be significant with a p<0.05.Conclusions: A significant association between the BMI and the irregular menstrual pattern highlights the importance of adapting simple and effective lifestyle and behavioural modifications in the reduction of excess weight thereby leading to healthy reproductive life among women.

Background: The abundance of Aedes mosquitoes which transmits dengue fever fluctuates with unusual rainfall pattern and water storage practices, as it breeds well in artificial collections of water in and around the houses so vector control is the only way to break the chain of disease transmission. This study aims to find out the association between water storage practices and mosquito larval indices.Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted among 121 households in the rural field practice area of SRM Medical College and Research Centre using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire along with visual inspection of households for water collection and larval breeding.Results: Total study population in the 121 households was 484 which includes 247 (51%) males and 237 (49%) females. Majority of the study population were illiterates 23.7% or have education upto high school 20.8%, doing semi-skilled/unskilled work 32% belonging to a nuclear family 69.4%. More than half of the households were living in pucca house 50.4% and belongs to class-II socio-economic status 46.3%. Water scarcity and water storage were reported mostly in months between March to June which was significantly associated with presence of larva in the corresponding months (p<0.001).Conclusions: Water storage practices due to water scarcity has a significant association with the larval indices which shows that improper water storage practices can be a breeding place for mosquitoes and aid in transmission of vector borne diseases.

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem, causing a significant morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged (10-19 years) and to describe certain socio-economic, demographic characteristics related to overweight and obesity among adolescents. Material & Methods: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study conducted at the Field Practice Area of Urban Health Training Centre. A total of 900 adolescents between 10-19 years were enrolled. Parameters of height, weight and waist circumference and hip circumference were measured and recorded. Following the completion of the questionnaire, the results were compared against the body mass index (BMI). Questions from the GSHS (Global School- based student health survey) Questionnaire were also applied. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.7% and 5.8% among adolescents aged (10-19 years). It was found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was more in boys compared to girls. The present study found a positive association of overweight and obesity with age, SES. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were high among boys and need to be addressed by primary and secondary methods of prevention.

Background: Injections are some of the most commonly done medical practice worldwide and it is estimated that approximately 16.7 billion injections are administered worldwide. A national study from India published in 2012 found that frequency of injection was 2.9 per person per year.Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was done to asses the practice and awareness of injection use among 119 adults in a rural field practice area of a teaching hospital in South India. A pre-validated, unstructured questionnaire was used to collect the data. It consisted questions about demographic data such as age, sex, education, marital status etc. and questions about injection usage such as type, frequency, route of administration was recorded.Results: Mean age of the study participant was 36.6. More than half 67 (56.3%) used injections in the past 3 months. On assessing the reasons for injection use, most of the participants complained of muscle pain 37 (31.1%). Among those who had injections in the past 3 months 52 (43.7%) received Intramuscular (I.M). 30 percent (35) of the injections were administered by interns followed by medical officer/physician 22 (34.5%) when asked about their general feeling after an injection, majority 78 (65.5%) of them said they felt better after receiving the injection. When asked about diseases transmitted through contaminated needles, 24 (20.2%) said don’t know.Conclusions: Nearly 60 percent of the individuals preferred injections to oral medicine awareness on the risk of injection and diseases transmitted through needles was low.

Background: Stress related to work is a complex process that influences both the worker's health and his productivity. Identification of the stressors may elicit psychological, behavioural or physical response in the work environment. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in a single thermal power unit located in Tamilnadu state. A standard and validated questionnaire by O'Donnell MP, was used to assess the occupational and nonoccupational stress. Results: A total of 126 participants were included in the study. Psychological stress was the most common form of stress reported by 32.5% of the subjects. The prevalence of occupational stress was 9.5% in study population. Physical stress and family stress were reported by 13.5% and 12.7% of the subjects respectively. The highest odds of stress were observed in 30 to 39-year age group, when compared to youngest age group (20 to 29 years). Strong positive association was observed between the psychological stress and hypertension in study population. Conclusions: Psychological stress was the most common form of stress reported in industrial workers. Male gender, middle age groups, current use of smoking or alcohol is strongly associated with occupational stress.