BACKGROUND Worldwide despite growing evidence of the importance of mental health for economic, social and human capital, people with mental health problems and even the very concept of mental health, receive negative publicity and are stigmatised in public perceptions. Negative and stigmatising attitudes are found even among healthcare staff including nurses. Today, the focus of psychiatric care is on de-institutionalisation: this depends on a number of key conditions, of which tolerance and nondiscrimination are among the most important. To deal with that problem, intervention has to be started from the healthcare professional's level itself, for which the present attitude of them has to be understood.The aim of this study is to assess the attitude of nurses towards patients with mental illness in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODSStaff nurses in each ward are approached, were given socio-demographic data sheet and attitude towards Mental Illness questionnaire. RESULTSWe approached 140 staff nurses working in various wards, ICU's and casualty of Pariyaram Medical College; 27 were not willing to participate in the study. Among the 113 participated, 10 had to be excluded due to incomplete data sheet. Final sample size of the study was 103. Most of them (90%) were females, in younger age group; 75% were married and 73% were from nuclear families. Majority (83%) had diploma in nursing; 74% of them were having > 10 years of experience as staff nurse. Only 35% of them had experience in psychiatry ward; 25% of them had got training in psychiatry. Positive and negative attitudes were analysed in each subscales showing more of positive attitude in all subscales except for pessimistic prediction. Younger age group nurses (20 -30) showed more positive attitude towards mental illness when compared to older age group (31 -50). Males showed more positive attitude in all subscales except for benevolence. Female nursing staffs showed more benevolence scores. Nurses who were married had more positive attitude. Nurses with diploma had more positive attitude than nurses with BSc degree. Training in psychiatry during their nursing course was not found to changing the attitude. Experience in psychiatry ward showing significant negative attitude in stereotypy. CONCLUSIONThis study explored the attitude of nurses towards mental illness in tertiary level general hospital settings. This is pointing out the area to be intervened to abate discrimination and stigma regarding mental illness in the society.

BACKGROUNDDepression is the commonest psychiatric disorder in women. Menopause is a hormone deficient state in women's life and the symptoms experienced at menopause are quite variable and affect the emotional state of women and leading to depression and poor quality of life.The study aimed to determine prevalence of depression, menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal women attending in a primary health centre in North Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary health centre, North Kerala. Women in the age group of 40-55 years were included in the study. Each subject was assessed using sociodemographic data sheet and screened with PHQ-9 questionnaire. Women who scored ≥5 in PHQ-9 were further assessed using Beck's Depression Inventory. Perimenopausal symptoms were assessed by menopause rating scale. Data was entered and analysed by SPSS Version 20.0. RESULTSThe mean age of menopause was 48.5 ± 3.226 years. Most women were high school educated (38%) and belonged to rural background (89%) and low socioeconomic group (69%). 19% of women were in premenopausal phase, 43% in perimenopausal phase and 38% in postmenopausal period. 37% women was found to be depressed. The most common menopausal symptoms in the present study group were joint and muscular discomfort (77%). There was significant relationship between depression score and MRS scores in all three dimensions (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONThe menopausal transition is a time of increased vulnerability to depressive disorders. The current study highlights the presence of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders in this vulnerable age group.

BACKGROUNDAlcohol Use Disorders (AUD) form a major public health concern especially in a developing country like India. Alcohol is implicated in a wide variety of diseases, disorders and injuries and a multitude of social and legal problems. Drivers are considered as a high-risk population for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and the adverse outcomes of drunken driving may be lethal.The aim of the study to assess the prevalence of alcohol use problems among autorickshaw drivers in a rural community of North Kerala. The secondary objective was to assess the sociodemographic profile of participants and its relationship to alcohol use problems. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study assessed the details of participants (n=83) who were autorickshaw drivers waiting for a trip in 5 auto stands within 5 km radius of Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur district of North Kerala, which were selected randomly through a lot method. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) self-report version-Malayalam translation and sociodemographic data sheet were used to assess the participants. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were and inferential statistical tools like Chi-square test was used. A p value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Study Settings-The autorickshaw stands in a rural area of Kannur within 5 km radius of Pariyaram Medical College, which belongs to Kadannappalli-Panapuzha Panchayath where drivers wait for a trip. Study Design-Community survey. RESULTSAmong the participants, 77% reported of lifetime use of alcohol and 65% had used alcohol within last one year. 18% of participants had total AUDIT scores more than or equal to 8 indicative of hazardous and harmful alcohol use. Those who were divorced/separated from their spouse, those having Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card had significantly high level of alcohol use problems. Among the participants, 84% had heard about alcohol de-addiction treatment. CONCLUSIONThe study concludes that alcohol use problems exist among the study population. Though majority were aware about alcohol de-addiction treatment, most were reluctant to undergo the same, the main reason being fear about adverse effects of drugs.