Binu Margaret

Acupressure and physical stress among high school students

Acupressure has been found to be effective in a number of conditions. This study aims at determining the effectiveness of acupressure on physical stress among high school students. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest control group design was used. Statistical analysis of data revealed that acupressure was effective in reducing physical stress among students within the study group (Z = −5.803, P < .001) and among students between the 2 study groups (Z = −7.409, P < .001).

Factors Influencing the Sleep Quality among the Undergraduate Nursing Students of Udupi District

Background: Sleep is a physiological phenomenon and is very essential for the healthy functioning of the individual. Many factors like study habits, personal factors, life style, mass media, usage of electronic media, academic schedules can influence the quality of sleep. Objective: To find association between sleep quality and factors influencing sleep quality. Material and Methods: The study was done among undergraduate nursing students who were in the age of 19 to 24 years from Udupi District, Karnataka. The study used a cross sectional design. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data. Result: There was an association between sleep quality and selected factors like duration of sleep at night, did not often wake up at night, no difficulty in falling asleep, good environment, studying till late at night after 11 pm, writing assignments late at nights, did not work continuously the whole night, get enough sleep before examination, performance in the current year II Sessional examination, not engaging in social activities late at nights (p<0.05). Conclusion: Sleep quality was dependent on selected factors influencing sleep quality. Interventions promoting heath awareness for the undergraduate students to adopt good study habits and to manage the time effectively is utmost recommended for developing good sleep habits.

Television viewing pattern among adolescents of udupi district

Introduction: Television is an audio visual media and technology which serves multiple purpose of disseminating information, education and entertainment. Viewing television can cause both positive and negative effects which influences their attitude and behavior. This study investigates the pattern of usage of television and its influence on attitude and behaviour among the adolescents. Materials and Method: The study included 400 adolescents in the age group of 13 to16 years studying in selected CBSE and ICSE schools of Udupi district, Karnataka. This cross sectional survey used structured questionnaire to collect data from school children. Data analysis was done using SPSS v16.0. Results: All the 400 adolescents were viewing television and most had positive attitude towards it. With regard to television usage, majority 257 (64.2%) had moderate usage, 107 (26.8%) had low usage and 36 (9%) had severe usage. Majority had poor eating, sleeping behaviors while viewing television Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the adolescents view television and it has an influence on their attitude and behaviour. Awareness on the negative effects and health problems associated with the sedentary viewing of television need to be addressed.

Practices during Common Cold and Ear Ache in Children among the Koraga Tribes: A Descriptive Survey

Background: Common cold and ear ache are one of the major problems which occur due to infection in children. Tribal populations use different practices to get rid of these infections. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the practices of the Koraga tribes during common cold and ear ache in children. Materials and Method: The study used a descriptive survey approach to collect data from 200 Koraga tribal care takers using a practice questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results: Majority 110 (55%) of caretakers were using pepper, 49 (24.5%) were using lemon and honey mixture and 19 (9.5%) were using ginger for common cold. Other practices include applying Vicks vaporub over forehead, nose and neck 156 (78%), using pepper and black cumin kashayam 21 (10.5%) and samabarbelle leaves 23 (11.5%). Practices during ear ache in children includes, 96 (48%) of caretakers were not practicing any home remedies, 58 (29%) putting oil into the ear, 14 (7%) putting water into the ear and 32 (16%) of sample were observing and cleaning the ear with soft cotton. Other practice includes dry fish water into the ear 11 (5.5%). Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of Koraga tribes still practice many home remedies to treat the children with common cold and ear ache.

Maternal anxiety and family support among mothers of neonates admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Birth of a newborn requiring admission to NICU represents traumatic experience for some parents. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the maternal anxiety and family support experienced by mothers of neonates admitted in NICU and to find the relationship between them. Materials and methods: A survey approach using descriptive correlative survey design was adopted for the study. Data was collected from 20 mothers of neonates admitted in NICU of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal using purposive sampling. The data collection instruments include: Demographic Proforma, State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Family Support Scale Results: Findings of the study revealed that majority 65% of mothers had state anxiety whereas 80% had trait anxiety. Mean state anxiety was 52.55± 18.15, trait anxiety was 53.55 ± 14.46. Majority 80% of mothers had high family support.(M=38.4 ± 8.8). Maternal state anxiety (ρ= -0.655, p<0.05) and maternal trait anxiety (ρ= -0.638, p < 0.05) with family support was negatively correlated and it is inferred that as family support increases there will be decrease in the anxiety level of mothers. Conclusion: Mothers exhibit high levels of anxiety during their neonate’s hospitalization. Early identification of anxiety level has implications for support of mothers during hospitalization of their newborns.