Research question: How hygienic are the female population during menstruation?Background: Menstruation is the physiological process, but its physiology and nature are very poorly understood among the female population due to many sociocultural factors which make them to adapt certain practices unknowingly whether it is correct or false. This study was done with the objectives of exploring the menstrual practices followed among urban and rural female population. Materials and Methods: This study was done as a community based -cross-sectional study at the outskirts of Chennai, among the randomly selected females in the reproductive age (15-44) group from both rural and urban fi eld practice areas using questionnaire and interview method. The results were expressed in percentages, and appropriate test of signifi cance was performed. Results: Approximately, a total of 212 from the rural area and 206 from urban slum were randomly selected for the study of which 9% (19) from rural and 5.3% (11) not aware of sanitary pads that can be used during menstruation. Among the study participants, 42.5% (90) of rural and 40.3% (83) of urban were unaware from which organ menstruation is from. The prevalence of better menstrual hygienic practices using the menstrual hygiene index was found to be 63.6% (131) in urban slum and 35% (75) in a rural area which was found to be statistically signifi cant (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study has revealed that most of the females are still unaware menstrual hygienic practices which suggest that appropriate health promotive measures to be implemented for their reproductive well-being. Key words:Knowledge and a itude on menstrual process and practices, menstrual hygiene, menstrual hygiene index, menstrual practices, rural and urban slum, sociocultural restrictions Original Article MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study was conducted as a community-based cross-sectional study among women reproductive age group residing in the fi eld practice areas namely Adayalampattu and Parivakkam of ACS Medical College and Hospital, Chennai in between June and July, 2013. Urban fi eld practice area has approximately Abstract Access this article online Website: www.ijmedph.org

Ph: 0091 9840234857BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder among the elderly which can manifest as major or minor depression. The community-based studies have revealed that the prevalence of depression in geriatric population in India varies between 13% and 25%. In spite of quantum of this problem there are very few studies from India investigating geriatric depression and its associated risk factors. This study aimed to establish the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates and factors associated with geriatric depression in urban slum and rural communities in Chennai. METHODS: This study was done as a cross sectional study in the urban and rural field practice areas of ACS Medical College and Hospital among 60 years and above age group by house to house survey method using Geriatric Depression Scale during July and August 2011.All the houses in the urban and rural field practice areas were surveyed and those who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were interviewed after getting informed consent. The results were expressed in percentages and chi-square test was done to find out the association. RESULTS: Totally 173 study participants were interviewed and the prevalence was found to be 41.1% and 45.8% in urban and rural communities respectively. Geriatric depression is significantly associated with female sex, living without spouse, illiteracy, time spent with children and grand children and dietary habits in both communities but money dependence and health problems were strongly associated with depression in urban community. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depression in the elderly population in our study was moderately high in both areas and a cause of concern.

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Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent noncommunicable diseases in India. The acute and chronic complications of diabetes impact the physical, mental, and social well-being of the patients, thereby, placing a major burden on the health care system. Studies have shown that adequate self-care practices among the patients will facilitate good glycemic control and prevent complications. Objectives: To study the patterns of self-care practice among diabetic patients and the factors associated with them. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 diabetics in the rural field practice area of a Tertiary Medical College and Hospital in Chennai. The participants were interviewed on their diabetic status and various components of self-care practices adopted from The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities (SDSCA) Measure. Adherence to medication was assessed by using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4 (MMAS-4). Results: Our study observed that the overall prevalence of good self-care practices was very low (5.6%). Moderate self-care practices were prevalent in 42% of the study participants whereas the majority (52.4%) of the study population had poor self-care practices. In our study, the association between self-care activity with educational status and occupation was found to be statistically significant. Adherence was high for blood sugar testing (75.2%) and medication (70.4%) in the study population whereas adherence for foot care was poor (17.6%). Conclusion: Our study emphasized on the need for knowledge and awareness to be provided in rural areas regarding diabetes care management and self-care practices. Structured programs need to be planned to improve the attitude and practices of diabetic patients to promote better compliance towards diet, exercise, adherence to drugs, and appropriate foot care.

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