Introduction. Self-medication is used every day in the form of self-care of our health. Different studies in India have shown that more than 50% of the adolescent population takes self-medication every day for their health. Self-medication is an important concern at the global level, and it is an important issue in the health area. Aims. To determine the prevalence of self-medication among adolescents, identifying the commonly used drugs as self-medication and finding the association between self-medication and selected demographic variables are important. Materials and Methods. In a descriptive cross-sectional survey, 220 adolescents were enrolled through cluster random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire (developed by the researcher) along with a demographic profile sheet to assess the prevalence of self-medication and commonly used drugs was exercised. In the study, self-medication was defined as the consumption of medication without the prescription of the physician in the past year. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16.0 software, and the significance of p value (<0.05) was considered. Results. Around 120 (54.5%) adolescents were in the age group of 17 years; among them, 123 (55.9%) were females. The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 173 (78.6%). Antipyretics were consumed by 147 (78.6%) adolescents and antitussives by 120 (54.5%). It was observed that 110 (50%) of the adolescents preferred allopathic system of medication. It was also reported that 52 (23.6%) adolescents self-medicated continuously (i.e., for a month). The results also showed that factors like the type of family (χ2 = 9.615, p<0.05), father’s education (χ2 = 13.791, p<0.05), mother’s education (χ2 = 14.633, p<0.05), and distance from a nearest medical store (χ2 = 17.290, p<0.05) were associated with self-medication. Conclusion. The present study has shown that the prevalence of self-medication is high among adolescents, and most of them had taken it without consulting a doctor. The study concludes that it is important to create awareness among adolescents regarding self-medication.

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Background. Antenatal depression (AND) is a common mood disorder that affects both the mother and the child. Objective. The current study is aimed at identifying the prevalence of antenatal depression and the risk factors associated with it in South Indian pregnant women. Materials and Methods. The current study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital where pregnancy and postnatal care are offered. In the study, 314 pregnant women who visited the antenatal clinic for their prenatal checkups were included. To diagnose possible depression, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used. The chi-square test was applied to determine the association between antenatal depression and various socioeconomic, obstetric, and medical factors. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant confounding variables. Results. Of the total 314 women, 69 (21.98%) were suffering from possible depression with the mean EPDS score being 10.61 ± 7.48 . Women of younger age had greater risks for depression than older women ( AOR = 2.01 ; 95% CI: 0.56-7.20). Maternal age ( χ 2 = 0.013 , p = 0.009 ) and the presence of health issues during the current pregnancy ( χ 2 = 5.18 , p = 0.023 ) were the factors significantly associated with antenatal depression. Conclusions. Clinical efforts should focus on screening antenatal depression, early identification, and effective care, thus preventing progression to postpartum depression and its detrimental effects.

Delirium is extremely common in intensive care unit (ICU) patient due to comorbidity, critical illness and iatroogenesis. This complication of hospital stay is extremely hazardous in older persons and is associated with prolonged hospital stays. yet ICU nurses and physicians are usually unaware of the presence of hypoactive delirium and only recognize this disturbance in agitated patients (hyperactive delirium).The aim of the study was to assess the existing knowledge of ICU staff nurses regarding ICU delirium and to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on the knowledge of ICU staff nurses regarding ICU delirium. An evaluative approach with one group Pretest Posttest design was used for the study. Fourty samples were selected by using non-probability purposive sampling method, in selected hospitals of Udupi District. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A significant difference between Pretest and Posttest knowledge was found (t=23.95, p=<0.0001). The study findings showed that there significant increase in posttest knowledge of ICU staff nurses regarding ICU delirium. The nurse can identify the delirium early and prevent the complication by treating well in advance.