Effectiveness of acupressure on the experience of nausea and vomiting among patients receiving chemotherapy.

The study was conducted for a period of six weeks among 40 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling to explore the impact of acupressure on nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy. Data were gathered using a semi-structured interview schedule, semi-structured questionnaire and Rhodes' index of nausea, vomiting and retching. The research design was a quasi experimental 'post-test only, control group design'. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics involving frequency, percentage, Chi square and independent 't' test. Results of the study showed that the subjects in the experimental group experienced mild (65%) to moderate (35%) nausea and vomiting, whereas the subjects in the control group experienced moderate (35%) to severe (65%) nausea and vomiting, t (38)= 2.693, 8.270, 8.401 respectively for days 1, 2 and 3; p < 0.05). The results point to the fact that acupressure is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Effect of Foot Reflexology as an Add-on Intervention on Pain Among Women Having Undergone Mastectomy.

A single group quasi-experimental study was conducted among 40 women on the flrst day after they underwent mastectomy. Subjects were selected by convenience sampling technique. A single sessionfoot reflexology was administered among post-mastectomy women. Pain was assessed at baseline, post-test I (immediately after foot reflexology) and post-test II (30 minutes after foot reflexology). The findings revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the pain scores at baseline and both the post-tests (t (39) = 2.9, p <0.05 and t ,(39)= - 4.418, p < 0.05). A statistically significant reduction in physiologic parameters was also observed from the baseline (systolic BP at post-test I (t(39) = 2.470, p < 0.05).

Adverse events associated with Covishield vaccination among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in South India.

Background: Vaccination is the most important prophylactic measure taken to curb COVID-19 pandemics. This study was undertaken to throw light on the safety of Covishield vaccine among health care workers (HCWs) and to assess the co-variates associated with incidence of adverse events. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care center in South India as part of the HCW vaccination drive. All consenting HCWs who received the first dose of Covishield vaccine and developed ADRs were included in this study. After vaccination, all beneficiaries were monitored for AEFI for a period of half an hour and later followed up through telephone and google survey forms on day 2 and day 7 of vaccination. The data was subsequently collated into spreadsheet format and analyzed. Results: The study included 1264 consenting healthcare workers who were predominantly youth, aged 15-24 years (n = 583, 46 %) and with a female preponderance of 76 % (n = 960). Past history of COVID-19 infections was reported among 4.6 % (58) of the study population. Postvaccination symptoms were majorly reported during the first (40 %) and second day (44 %) after vaccination with a high prevalence of both local (n = 1083, 85 %) and systemic symptoms (n = 1065, 84 %). The mean duration of symptoms was observed to be 1.4 ± 0.81 days post vaccination. Symptoms were observed significantly high among females (76.7 %, p = 0.013). The prevalence of systemic (88 % vs 80 %) (p < 0.001) and allergic symptoms (7 % vs 3 %; p = 0.03) were observed to be significantly high among respondents with <25 years of age. The systemic and allergic symptoms following vaccination were reported to be low among healthcare workers who had a previous history of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: COVID vaccination has been observed to be safe and well tolerated with more systemic symptoms reported among younger age group and females.