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Background: Adolescents in high school are vulnerable to various health risk behaviors. One of it is tobacco use which is the leading cause of death and disease worldwide today. Educational programs applied in schools can have immense potential in promoting healthy behaviours and help them to refrain from risky behaviours among school going adolescents. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among high school students in the rural field practice area of Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru and to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior change communication using life skills education on tobacco use initiation and cessation of use among high school childrenMethods: An interventional study was conducted in a randomly selected rural high school. A total of 454 students studying in 8th 9th and 10th standard participated in the study. Pretested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Intervention was given in the form of life skills education with interactive sessions involving debates, group discussions, role plays, situational analysis on prevention of tobacco use. Follow up was done at intervals of 1 month, 3months, and 6 months to assess the change in tobacco use prevalence using a questionnaire.Results: Over all, prevalence of tobacco use was 69 (15.2%) with 50 (11%) being male and 19(4.2%) female students. Prevalence of tobacco use reduced from 69 (15.2%) during pre-intervention to 58 (12.9%), 39 (8.7%), and 33 (7.3%) by the end of one month, three months and six months respectively after the intervention.Conclusions: There is lack of awareness regarding dog bite and its management among the rural population.

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Background: Breastfeeding is the unique source of nutrition that plays an important role in the growth, development and survival of infants. Breast feeding is important, particularly in developing countries because of its relationship with child health and birth spacing. The frequency of breast feeding also plays a role in lactational amenorrhea. Though breast feeding is universal in India, the rate of initiation, exclusive breastfeeding and timing of complementary feeds are far from desirable. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Sarjapura, Bangalore from September 2010 to May 2011. Using stratified random sampling method a sample of 118 pregnant mothers who were in 3rd trimester included in this study. Their knowledge and practice with regard to prelacteal feeds, initiation of breastfeeding, feeding colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding and age of introduction of complementary feeds were assessed by interviewing using pretested semi structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of mothers giving prelacteal feeds, initiation of breastfeeding within half an hour after delivery, exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months and age of introduction of complementary feeds after 6 months were 97.4%, 28%, 25.4% and 25.4% respectively. Conclusions: There is a need for educational interventional to promote the breastfeeding and infant feeding practices in the community.