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Background: Duloxetine is an antidepressant that is also useful in chronic neuropathic and central origin pain. In this study, the role of duloxetine in decreasing acute postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery is explored. Methods: In this single center, triple blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, 96 patients were randomized for statistical analysis. The intervention group received oral duloxetine 30 mg once a day (OD) for 2 days before surgery, 60 mg OD from the day of surgery to the postoperative second day and 30 mg OD for the next 2 days (a total duration of 7 days). A placebo capsule was given in the other group for a similar time and schedule. The same standard perioperative analgesia protocols were followed in both groups. Results: Total morphine consumption up to 24 hours was significantly decreased in the duloxetine group (P < 0.01). The time to the first analgesia requirement was similar in both groups but the time to the second and third dose of rescue analgesia increased significantly in the duloxetine group. The time to ambulation was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in the duloxetine group as compared to the placebo group. Pain scores remained similar during most of the time interval. No significant difference was observed in the complication rate and patient satisfaction score recorded. Conclusions: Duloxetine reduces postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery with no increase in adverse effects.

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Background: Menstruation and related problems are difficult issues for adolescent girls and are a common reason for consulting healthcare providers. Objectives: To study age at menarche and menstrual problems among school girls in Lucknow district of north India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in urban as well as rural schools of Lucknow district from October 2008 to September 2009. Multistage random sampling was used to select the requisite number of girls. A total of 847 school-going adolescent girls between 10 and 19 years of age were interviewed and examined. Statistical analyses were done using percentage and Chi-square test. Results: Out of 847 adolescent girls, 76.7% (650) girls had attained menarche. The overall mean age at menarche was 12.84 (1.4) years. The age at menarche and duration of menstrual flow were significantly associated with place of schools. About one-fourth of the girls in all the three age groups (10-13, 14-16 and 17-19 years) had irregular menstrual cycle. Overall, 73.7% (479/650) girls had dysmenorrhea, with 74.3% (323/435) girls in urban schools and 72.6% (156/215) girls in rural schools. There was no significant association between reproductive tract illnesses and place of schools. Conclusion: Menstruation is an important milestone for adolescent girls and menstrual problems are common among adolescent girls. So, there is a need to explain everything correctly about menstruation. It was suggested that a strong need exists for strong health educational activities among the adolescent girls, their parents, and teachers for effective management of menstrual problems among all adolescent girls.

Anemia is a serious public health concern in most developing countries and the prevalence of anemia is quite high among adolescent girls.  A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among school going adolescent girls in urban as well as rural schools of the Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh, India from October 2008 to September 2009 with the objectives of studying the prevalence of anemia and the various socio-demographic characteristics in relation to anemia. Multistage random sampling was used to select the requisite number of girls. A total of 847 school going adolescent girls between 10-19 years of age were interviewed. Information regarding their socio-demographic characteristics was collected and the girls were also examined for presence or absence of pallor for anemia. Statistical analyses were done using percentage, Chi-square test, and odds ratio. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 55.6% and 57.9% in urban and rural school going adolescent girls respectively and  significant association of anemia  was observed with religion, caste and socio-economic status (p value<0.05). There is need to develop strategies for intensive adult education, nutrition education and dietary supplementation including anemia prophylaxis.South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 8-12 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15254