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A descriptive study on cultural practices about menarche and menstruation was done with the objective to identify the cultural practices related to menarche and menstruation among women and to compare the difference in the cultural practices of different religions. A survey approach was used and subjects aged 18years and above were included in the study. Data were collected using demographic proforma and practice questionnaire on menarche and menstruation. Findings of the study revealed that 37% of the sample celebrates menarche and th 13% of the sample offered special pooja after 7th day of menarche.83% of the sample does not offer pooja/namaz and visit temple during menstruation. 68% of the sample do not apply kumkum which is offered to God. Hindus practice different practices like not applying the kumkum (100%) which is offered to God, do not visit temples (100%), enter the pooja room (92%), attend the religious functions (100%). where as Christians are not following any practices and Muslims (100%) cut nails, shave private part and are not doing namaz for seven days. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed that majority of the Hindus believe that menstruation is unclean and they follow different practices.

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Background: In India, the number of patients with type II diabetes mellitus in 2006 was 40.9 million and is expected to increase by 2025 to 69.9 million. Annually 1,00,000 new patients get diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease and require maintenance dialysis. Diabetes Mellitus and hypertension were the usual triggers of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). A structured education program helps in the prevention of diabetes and hypertension related complications.  Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 88 participants who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or both for five or more years with an objective to find the effect of a Disease Management Program on delaying progression of CKD in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus.   The baseline data were collected on demographic proforma, serum creatinine, blood pressure, and random blood sugar, and the patients were taught the management of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In the fourth and the eighth month, blood pressure and blood sugar were reassessed. At one-year blood pressure, blood sugar, and serum creatinine were tested. Baseline and one-year follow-up blood pressure, blood sugar, and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate were compared. Descriptive statistics and "Wilcoxon signed-rank test" were used to analyze the data.    Results: In one year, the mean systolic blood pressure reduced by six mm of Hg and mean blood sugar by 24 mg/dl. The prevalence of CKD stage three and above (< 60 ml/min/m2) was nine (10.22%). The median decline in eGFR was 5 ml/min/m2 (Z= 5.925, P< 0.001).  Conclusion: The Disease Management Program led to improvements in blood pressure and diabetes control and median progression of CKD was estimated at five ml/min/m2/year.

Introduction: Patients who are undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia may be more stressed than those having general anaesthesia as they are awake during the surgical procedure. Therefore, psychological comfort in the preoperative phase and compliance during operation are very important for postoperative prognosis. This study explored the pre operative anxiety level of patients undergoing cataract surgery and the effectiveness of intra operative hand holding on anxiety and its related physiological parameters. Methods: A quasi experimental pre-test post-test control group design was used to collect data from a purposive sample of 54 patients who were underwent cataract surgery at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Results: Most of the patients in the experimental group perceived intra operative hand holding as a measure to reduce their anxiety even though there was no significant statistical difference in the immediate post operative anxiety score between the groups. It was also found that hand holding was effective in reducing blood pressure and heart rate except the respiratory rate of patients undergoing cataract surgery. Conclusion: The following conclusions were drawn on the basis of the findings of the present study that is, Intra operative hand holding was effective in reducing the physiological parameters such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Also most of the patients perceived intra operative hand holding as beneficial in relieving anxiety.