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D. R. Vedapriya ¹, Mittal Anuj ¹, P. Mahajan ¹, V. Kavita ¹, S. Balamuruganvelu ², K. Umamaheswari ³

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Community Medicine, Shri Venkateshwara Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry-607 402, IN
2 Dept. of Microbiology, Shri Venkateshwara Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry- 607 402, IN
3 Dept. of Physiology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry- 607 402, IN

Abstract

The global epidemic of overweight and obesity -"globesity"-is rapidly becoming a major public health problem in many parts of the world. Rapidly changing diets and lifestyles are fueling the global obesity epidemic. It is associated with an increased risk of developing various non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some forms of cancer. These diseases occur a decade earlier in Indians and affect even poorer segments of population and also those in rural areas. Since very few studies have been done among rural adult population in Southern India, it was sought to determine the prevalence of overweight.

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S. Shanmuga Priya ¹, S. Aruna Sharmili ¹, J. Anbumalarmathi ¹, K. Umamaheswari ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Biotechnology, Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai, IN
2 Department of Biotechnology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, IN

Abstract

The present study investigates the phytochemical constituents, the antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, the functional groups by FT-IR and the presence of bioactive compounds by GC-MS analyses of leaves of Solanum torvum, rhizome of Acorus calamus and whole plant of Mollugo pentaphylla. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the solvent extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, saponins, glycosides, coumarins, quinines. The solvent extracts showed antibacterial activity against E.faecalis, E.coli S.aureus, B.subtilis. K.pneumonia and C.albicans. The total phenolic content was 0.3430 GAE/g DW whereas, the total flavonoid content varied between 4.928 - 7.751mgQE/g DW. DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the diethyl ether extract of S. torvum recorded the IC₅₀ at a concentration of 7.23μg/ml. In the hydrogen peroxide assay of the M. pentaphylla aqueous extract the IC₅₀ value at a concentration of 3.295μg/ml was recorded. FT-IR studies showed the major functional groups alcohols, alkane, amines, aldehydes, alkyl halide and GC-MS studies showed 20 compounds with phytol being the major constituent.

Keywords

Solanum torvum, Acorus calamus, Mollugo pentaphylla, Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity, Antioxidants Assay, GC-MS.

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K. Umamaheswari ¹, M. K. Suja ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Social Work, Amrita School of Enginnering, Coimbatore, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, IN

Abstract

Introduction: One in every ten Indians is a young girl. Consequently, India hosts nearly 20% of the world’s population of young girls in age of 14 to 21years, and each and every one of them has the potential to contribute to India’s future economy¹. Yet, work participation rates for women remain dismally low¹. Denying girls the opportunity to finish their schooling and build income-generating skills, keeps them from realizing their economic potential³. Life skills development empowers learners to observe the process involving “what to do, why to do, how to do and when to do”. It encompasses the ability to build sound, harmonious relationships with self, others and the environment, the ability to act responsibly and safely, the ability to survive under a variety of conditions, and the ability to solve problems⁴.

Aim: To measure the level of life skills in young girls working in organized sectors, Coimbatore.

Results: The statistical measure of central tendency the mean age of the respondents is 17.42 years and there is no difference between the mean median and mode. Regarding the global score of life skills, the majority (40.8%) of the respondents had average level of life skills. There is significant association between education level of the respondents and their life skills levels, between experience and of problem solving skill of the respondents, association between educational qualification and of coping with stress level of the respondents.

Conclusion: Through this study it is evident that majority of the respondents had only average level of life skills. And it is understood that majority of the respondents had average level of life skills, so this is the main reason for young girls to become vulnerable in working environment. Vulnerable in the form of low wages, over work load, verbal abuse and suffering from occupational hazards. Through the promotion of life skill education to these young girls their quality of life and quality of work environment can be improved.

Keywords

Young Girls, Life Skills. Organized Sectors, Mental Health, Vulnerable.

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