Introduction: Human sacral bones are of great interest to the anatomists, forensic experts and anthropologists as it is one of the important bones used for identification of sex in skeletal remains. Various parameters and indices are available based on which the sex can be determined using sacrum. One such important parameter is the SI. Studies shows that SI significantly varies among male and female gender and among different populations. The calculation of Demarcation Point (DP) of SI increases the accuracy of identification of sex. A review of literature showed that many studies are available in the North Indian population whereas there is a dearth of information about the normal SI and DP in South Indian population particularly in the Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Inida region. Therefore, the present study aims to create a database for the SI in the above mentioned population. Material and Methods: 123 bones of known sex (63 males and60 females) belonging to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, India region were studied. Bones with obvious pathology were excluded. The breadth and length of the sacra were measured using vernier calipers based on standard guidelines. The SI and DP were calculated. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 15.0 package. Results:The mean SI for male and female sacra were found to be 96.32 + 5.40 and 102.92 +4.00 respectively. The Demarcating Point was found to be <90.29 in males and >112.43 in females. The mean length of male and female sacra was 97.8 mm and 90.6mm respectively. The mean width was 93.7mm and 92.91mm respectively for males and females. Conclusion:The average SI and DP identified in the present study would be of use to the anatomists, forensic experts and anthropologists of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh population.

BACKGROUND The theme for the 2017 World Health Day campaign is Depression. WHO estimates that a total of 300 million people living in this world suffer from depression. Similar is the case of anxiety which affects 264 million or 3.6% of the global population. Depression, Anxiety and Stress afflict a large extent of the student population, especially during their higher secondary level when they actually need to perform the best. Frequent policy changes by the Government on school curriculum and admission to Professional colleges like the recent National Eligibility and Entrance Examination (NEET) also adds on to this. In states like Tamilnadu, there is widespread criticism that it may be disadvantageous for students coming from rural areas and those studying in State board schools. MATERIALS AND METHODS Random sample of 320 consenting students studying in science groups in Grade 11 and 12 in Higher/Senior secondary schools in Kancheepuram district were enrolled in this study. DASS-42 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) was used to measure their Depression, Anxiety and Stress levels. Data was tabulated and analysed using SPSS-16. RESULTS The mean DASS-42 scores in the three domains of Depression, Anxiety and Stress were 13.18, 12.81 and 17.17 respectively. This corresponds to mild Depression, moderate Anxiety and mild Stress. The mean scores for Depression, Anxiety and Stress of male students were 13.54, 13.02 and 18.03 respectively, and the female students had scores of 12.68, 12.52 and 16.01 respectively. This sex difference was found to be statistically significant (p < .01). Similarly, students who resided in urban areas had significantly (p < .01) more levels of Depression, Anxiety and Stress than those students who resided in rural areas. Their school board did not make a significant difference in their anxiety and stress levels. CONCLUSION This study observed mild-to-moderate prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among the study population. Students are already under pressure from their parents, peers and society to excel academically. Added to this, the frequently changing policies of the government regarding curriculum, assessment and entry to higher education courses may take a severe toll on their health.

INTRODUCTIONIn today's world, Tuberculosis (TB) still remains as a major public health problem. In terms of incidence, the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) accounted for 38% of the global burden of TB. According to the latest estimate in the year 2013, the occurrence of new TB cases were 3.4 million and deaths due to TB were about 4,40,000 each year. Five of the 11 Member countries of SEAR namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand were among the 22 countries in the world with high-burden of TB. India alone accounted for 23% of the world's incident TB cases and 21% of world deaths due to TB. Among all new TB cases detected in 2013 in ABSTRACT Background: This study has been carried out to assess the socio-economic profile and underlying risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients registered under RNTCP programme of India and to find the differences based on their residential place. Methods: The study design was cross sectional consisting of 167 PTB patients from three DOTS centres in Madurai, Tamilnadu during August 2015. Data was collected using a questionnaire that included personal details, socioeconomic and risk factors. Results: PTB was most prevalent in the age group of 35-54 years both in the urban (46.7%) and rural (49.4%) side. In the urban population, 67 (74.4%) were men whereas in the rural population they were 53 (68.8%). Maximum of the study subjects were from nuclear family (67.8% in urban and 89.6% in rural). About 20% of the patients studied were illiterates irrespective of their residential place. Labourers were 37% in urban area and 49% in rural area. Smoking, alcoholism and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) were more common among urban PTB patients while under-nutrition and poor housing among rural PTB patients. Conclusions:The study has concluded that the usual epidemiological pattern of PTB has been observed in both urban and rural setup as reported by other researchers. Socio-economic status and risk factors have played a vital role for treatment success. To eradicate Tuberculosis (TB), a holistic and interdisciplinary approach would be necessary to improve the socio-economic status along with proper screening and treatment of underlying risk factors. More precise health education and proper awareness programmes have to be implemented from the grass-root level to get rid of TB.

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