RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In late 70s, Antonovsky proposed a salutogenic theory. This theory was based on the assumption that the human environment causes stress, and sense of coherence could serve as a stress-resisting resource. This study examined association between sense of coherence and self rated health of medical students. The aim of this study was to determine the association between sense of coherence and self reported health among medical students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted among medical students. The study tool used was a pre-designed, pre-tested, structured and self administered questionnaire (SOC scale and the SF 12 version 2 self-rated health measure). 172 medical students participated in the study. The data collected was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 20. All students were educated about sense of coherence after the study. RESULTS: Among the respondents, there were 99 (57.6%) female students, and 73 (42.4%) were male. The mean age of the students was 20.8 + 1.20 years. The mean (±SD) SOC scale score was 56.15 (±7.83). The mean self rated health score was 53.52 (±7.11). Pearson's χ2 test was used to determine the association and there was significant association between students SOC and self reported health (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: There is a significant association between score of sense of coherence scale and self rated health among medical students.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Reproductive health of adolescent girls is crucial as it determines the health of future generations. School girls when experiencing menarche find themselves in a setting without water, toilets or a supportive female teacher to explain the changes happening in their body. An important concern for adolescent girls is to have adequate, correct knowledge along with facilities and the cultural environment to manage menstruation hygienically and with dignity. Hence, the present study was done to assess knowledge and practices about menstruation in adolescent school girls of an urban slum. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among girls of a Government School located in an urban slum of western Maharashtra. A total of 250 girls participated. Data collection was through a pilot-tested questionnaire. The data thus collected were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the SPSS 20 software. All girls were educated about menstrual hygiene after the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the students was 14.9±1.75 years. The mean age at menarche was 11.97 (95% CI: 11.94-11.99). It was observed that only half (56.4%) had acquired prior knowledge about attaining menarche. Out of these in a large proportion, the knowledge was imparted to them by their mothers (60.7%), followed by friends (31.8%). There was no significant association between educational status of mother and awareness in respondent about menstruation. Regarding the organ of menstrual blood flow, half (50.7%) knew the correct answer (i.e. uterus); whereas the rest believed that it was stomach/kidney, etc. Most of the school girls (90.5%) used sanitary pads. Almost 90% of the young women faced physical complaints or health problems during menstruation. Most of the participants had some kind of restrictions on them during the menstruation and most of these were religious restrictions (69.7%) followed by physical (41.2%) and social restrictions (22.3%). All of them were unsatisfied with the toilets and hand washing facilities available inside the school premises. CONCLUSION: Correct knowledge in adolescent young girls regarding menstruation is lacking. Lack of awareness is a roadblock in adopting safe and hygienic menstrual practices. It also hinders them from overcoming traditional beliefs, misconceptions and restrictions regarding menstruation. This will empower them as they transition into womanhood.
