Married Group Research Articles

Association of marital status and marital transition with metabolic syndrome: tehran lipid and glucose study.

Background:Most existing reports indicate that body weight gradually increases following marital status and thereby enhances health status and decreases mortality; however, the association between marital status and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been thoroughly investigated in a longitudinal study.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of marital status and marital transition on MetS during a 9.6-year follow-up in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.Patients and Methods:For this study, 5221 participants (2060 males and 3161 females), aged 15 to 90 years at baseline, were followed for a median of 9.6 years. Marital status was categorized as consistent marital status and marital transition. We measured MetS risk z score and its components and calculated their changes. Then the effects of marital status and marital transition on MetS risk z score and its components were assessed using multivariable linear regression.Results:In comparison to participants who were married, no significant changes in MetS risk z score was found in single participants. Employed females in the transition to married group had significant increase in MetS risk z score than single employed females. No significant changes in MetS risk z score were observed between widowed/divorced subjects and compared to consistently married subjects.Conclusions:Marital status may affect MetS risk z score differently in both genders.

Les hépatites B et C chez les donneurs bénévoles de sang et non rémunérés de l’Est de la République démocratique du Congo

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of hepatitis B and C among voluntary blood donor. MethodsIn the study, 1079 blood donors were included. The investigation was carried out from 1 January till 31 December 2010 in the central Blood Bank of Bukavu in DRC. The median age of sample was 26 years. In total, 72.4% among them were male sex and 54.5% of new blood donors. ResultsThe prevalence of hepatitis B was 4.2% and hepatitis C was found in 3.8% case the coinfection VHB and VHC with 2.2%. VHB was prevalent in blood donor group of less than 30 years (5.0%), new blood donor (5.1%), in medical profession (7.1%) and in the male sex group (5.1%) and was significantly according to the sex (P=0.01) and the place of residence (P=0.002). A strong association was showed between the rural medium and hepatitis B OR 3,1 (1.4–6.5) and VHC OR 2.9 (1.3–6.5). After estimation with logistic regression a higher risk of seropositivity of VHB found in blood donor sex male group, married group, blood donor coming from the rural middle and having less than 30 years. ConclusionFor blood safety, a particular attention must be laid in the selection of donor before a blood donation and in donation in reagent.

A Population-Based Study of Alcohol Use in Same-Sex and Different-Sex Unions.

The present study advances research on union status and health by providing a first look at alcohol use differentials among different-sex and same-sex married and cohabiting individuals using nationally representative population-based data (National Health Interview Surveys 1997-2011, N = 181,581). The results showed that both same-sex and different-sex married groups reported lower alcohol use than both same-sex and different-sex cohabiting groups. The results further revealed that same-sex and different-sex married individuals reported similar levels of alcohol use, whereas same-sex and different-sex cohabiting individuals reported similar levels of alcohol use. Drawing on marital advantage and minority stress approaches, the findings suggest that it is cohabitation status-not same-sex status-that is associated with elevated alcohol rates.

결혼여부에 따른 여성소비자역량의 영향요인

The purpose of this study is to examine the consumer competency of women in their 20-40s after consumer competency is classified into consumer knowledge, consumer attitude and consumer skill. Since these components can show differences based on the areas of consumption life, the areas of consumer competency are classified into financial management areas, trading areas and consumer citizenship areas. The differences in consumer competency based on marital status and the differences in variables affecting consumer competency by marital status are identified. The types of consumers are classified and characterized based on consumer competency and marital status. This sentence can immediately follow the previous one rather than start a new paragraph. The same goes for the other sentences below. First, the female consumer competency levels of the married group were generally higher than those of the single group. Second, consumer knowledge and consumer competency in financial management areas showed significant interaction effects between the marital status and employment status of demographic variables. Third, there were differences in factors affecting significant differences in consumer knowledge, consumer attitude, consumer skill and over all consumer competencies between the unmarried and married groups.

Unmet need for family planning among married women of reproductive age group in urban Tamil Nadu

Context:Unmet need for family planning (FP), which refers to the condition in which there is the desire to avoid or post-pone child bearing, without the use of any means of contraception, has been a core concept in the field of international population for more than three decades.Objectives:The very objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of “unmet need for FP” and its socio-demographic determinants among married reproductive age group women in Chidambaram.Materials and Methods:The study was a community-based cross-sectional study of married women of the reproductive age group, between 15 and 49 years. The sample size required was 700. The cluster sampling method was adopted. Unmarried, separated, divorced and widows were excluded.Results:The prevalence of unmet need for FP was 39%, with spacing as 12% and limiting as 27%. The major reason for unmet need for FP among the married group was 18%, for low perceived risk of pregnancy, 9%, feared the side effects of contraception 5% lacked information on contraceptives, 4% had husbands who opposed it and 3% gave medical reasons. Higher education, late marriage, more than the desired family size, poor knowledge of FP, poor informed choice in FP and poor male participation were found to be associated with high unmet need for FP.Conclusion:Unmet need for younger women was spacing of births, whereas for older women, it was a limitation of births. Efforts should be made to identify the issues in a case by case approach. Male participation in reproductive issues should be addressed.

Thermal Burn: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study

The present retrospective study has been conducted in Varanasi area, cases brought to the Department of Forensic Medicine, IMS, BHU, Varanasi for the period of two years i.e. 2009 and 2010. Of the total unnatural deaths reported during the study period deaths due to burn injuries were 17.98% and 17.07% respectively, showing the more or less steady trend. Burn deaths are usually associated with female and Dowry where female dies in her in-laws house within 7 years of her marriage. Female burn deaths dominated over male in the ratio of 1:4. Most of the deceased were from the married group (73.19%) followed by unmarried (23.55%). Predominant age group found to be 21-30years (45.13%) followed by age group 11–20 and 31–40 years showing almost same rate around 20% reflecting that young adults were more involved in such type of deaths. As regards to place of death only 9.72% died on the spot or on the way to Hospital while 90.28% died in Hospital reflecting the prompt and proper health care services. Whatever the manner of death Female burn deaths are investigated by magistrate as per provision of 176 Cr.P.C. and case registered under 304B IPC (Dowry Death) and Medico legal postmortem examination conducted by panel of Two Doctors, whereas male burn deaths are investigated by police as per provisions of 174 Cr.P.C. as routine case and medico-legal postmortem examination conducted by single doctor.

A study of profile of patients with organophosphorus compound poisoning at a teaching hospital

Background: Organophosphorus compound poisoning forms an important public health problem especially in developing countries and rural population. Apart from its agricultural benefit its increasing use in agriculture, the farmer's and those involved in its manufacture are at increased risk. Objectives: To study the incidence of Organophosphorus compound poisoning and to study the profile of patients admitted with Organophosphorus compound poisoning. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out from September 2002 to August 2003. A total of 200 patients were studied who were admitted to the hospital with Organophosphorus compound poisoning. Data was recorded in a pre designed questionnaire and proportions were used for analysis of the data. Results: Maximum cases of Organophosphorus compound poisoning (41%) were in the 21 – 30 years of age group. Both among males and females, maximum cases were married. It is seen that as the level of literacy increased the incidence of Organophosphorus poisoning is decreasing. Ingestion is the most common route of poisoning as seen in 99% of patients. Maximum i.e. 29.50% of poisoning cases were due to family conflict followed by marital conflict/disharmony. Most common Organophosphorus compound used for poisoning purpose was Roger i.e. Dimethoate in 43.5%. Conclusion: Thus we found that maximum cases were in the age group of 21 – 30 years, married group and among farmers and reported during June to October. Ingestion was the most common route of poisoning and family and marital conflicts were the most common reasons leading to poisoning. Among insecticides, Roger was the most common compound used for poisoning.

Cardiovascular manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus infection is a major global health problem being the second most common chronic virus infection. It is associated with numerous extra hepatic manifestations of which cardiovascular diseases constitute an important but under diagnosed aspect of the infection. Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the association between cardiovascular manifestation and HCV seropositivity patients attending Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, Manipur. Materials and Methods: From august 2009 to july 2011, 50 HCV seropositive patients in the department of Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal were evaluated. They were subjected to thorough physical examination and baseline laboratory investigations. Above that, echocardiogram was done for each patient. For statistical analysis of data, statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS16.0 version) and student's t-test was used. Results: In this study, the average age of patients was 44 years, ratio of males to females was 3.5: 1. HCV infection is more common in males who are in the sexually active and married age group 30 to 49 years. In the laboratory parameters high serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were significant indicators of cardiac chamber (left atrial and left ventricular) enlargement and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in HCV seropositive patients. Conclusion: The result corroborated favorably that the more progressed is the inflammation and liver dysfunction due to HCV infection, the more likely to have cardiovascular changes of cardiac chamber enlargement and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Increasing Loneliness in Old People: A Cross-temporal Meta-analysis from 1995 to 2011

Due to the dramatic social change, Chinese older people may have experienced increasing loneliness in recent decades. Wecomprehensively reviewed 25 studies using cross-temporal meta-analysis which were published from 1995 to 2011 and involved 13,280 old people. Results showed that(1) a positive relationship between loneliness and the year was found with 0.95 SD increased from 1995 to 2011;(2) loneliness scores for married and non-married groups had been increasing significantly,also to male and female groups;(3) the difference was significant betweennon-married and married people, but no difference was found between males and females.

The relationship between emotional intelligence health and marital satisfaction: A comparative study.

Introduction:Marriage is known as the most important incident in everyone's life after birth. The most important purpose of marriage is achieving a life followed with love and affection beside the spouse and providing mental comfort and general health. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence health and marital satisfaction among married people.Materials and Methods:The research method is descriptive- analytic and its design is comparative, done on 226 people including 114 persons (50 women and 64 men) having marital conflicts, and 112 people (58 women and 54 men) having marital satisfaction, by cluster random sampling from 13 districts of the city of Isfahan. Bar-on (with 90 questions) and Enrich marital satisfaction (115 questions) questionnaires were used for collecting the required information. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis, using SPSS software version 19.Results:The results from the research showed that the scores of emotional intelligence in married people group having marriage conflicts who had referred to the administration of justice was 57.3 ± 13.2, and the random sample from the married people in the city of Isfahan as the comparing group had the score of 67.2 ± 9.5, and the difference of the average scores for the emotional intelligence for the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant and positive relation between emotional intelligence and marital satisfaction (P < 0.001, r = 0.529). The results of linear regression also showed that the general emotional intelligence predicts the quality of marital satisfaction. The emotion of the predicting line of the marital satisfaction score (y) is in the form of: y = 14.8 + 0.656x, by using the emotional intelligence score (x).Conclusion:Regarding the close relations between emotional intelligence and marital satisfaction, education centers such as universities, organizations and family clinics could use this variable in micro- and macro-social plans for improving the quality of the married people relations and promoting health of the families and the society.

An Epidemiological Study of Psychiatric Cases in a Rural Community of Nepal

Background: Psychiatric cases are widespread in rural communities of Nepal and there is scarcity of data. The present work was undertaken to study the psychiatric cases and its association with different socio-demographic variables. Methods: A house to house survey was done with simple random method (n=261) in Kusmi Village Development Committee of Baglung District. A semi-structures proforma was used to record the socio-demographic variables and General Health Questinnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was administered to assess the psychiatric cases. Results: The overall prevalence of psychiatric cases was found to be 37.5 percent. The psychiatric cases were found more in age above 30 years, in males and in other caste (Dalit/Nepali). The maximum number of cases was also elicited in unskilled workers, married group and people who were using alcohol. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is high prevalence of psychiatric cases in rural community in Nepal. This also calls the need to strengthen the mental health services in the rural community and to address the risk factors associated with psychiatric cases. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 52-56 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7654

The effect of residual symptoms on clinical characteristics and functioning of patients with bipolar disorder in remission

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the residual symptoms of patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) in remission and their sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics and their effect on functioning. Methods: The study group consisted of BD patients who were in remission and met the inclusion criteria of the study. The patients were assessed in a single cross-sectional interview. Results: A total of 120 patients (54.2% women) were included in the study. Those who never got married had significantly more manic residual symptoms than those who were married and divorced/widowed. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores of the married group were significantly higher than those of the patients who never got married and were divorced/widowed. The GAF scores of those employed came out to be significantly higher than those of the unemployed, housewives and retired. Depressive residual symptoms and having the disease at a younger age had more prominent negative effects on functioning, the last attack experienced had an impact on the residual depressive symptoms and the accompanying anxiety symptoms, and the reasons that made the patients to come to regular doctor monitoring were mostly depressive symptoms and the decline in general functioning. Only 23.4% of the patients were monitored with a single mood stabilizer and 75% of them used at least 2 medications, but no statistically significant relationship was found between the treatment received by the patients and their residual symptoms and functioning. Conclusion: Since BD affects psychosocial functioning to a large extent, it is becoming increasingly important today to identify the characteristics of the disease, to monitor patients regularly and continuously, and to plan their treatment. Many variables that determine the nature of residual symptoms and contribute to functioning alongside residual symptoms are factors that prevent BD patients from forming a homogeneous group and demonstrating a similar prognosis. This makes it important to develop a different treatment strategy specific to each BD patient.

MMPI 척도로 본 한의대생의 형제자매관계와 성격특성의 연관성에 관한 연구

Objectives : This study aims to investigate the correlation between the characteristics of personality on MMPI scale, and the siblings relation, number of current family living with, gender and age of the Oriental Medical University students. Methods : For this study, we carried out the MMPI profiling and gathered information regarding the sibling relation of the subjects. We studied the correlation between the two measures, and the correlation between MMPI scales and the subjects' gender and age. Results : 1. The group without siblings had higher STY figures then the groups with siblings. 2. There was no significant differences in MMPI profiles among the only child group, first-born group, second-born group, and third-born group. 3. The married group showed higher Pd, Pt, Sc, BDL figures than the unmarried group. 4. As the number of family members currently living with increased, the BDL and STY figures decreased. 5. The male group had higher Hs, Hy, Pa, Ma, NAR, BDL, ANT, CPS, PAR, and SZD figures, while the female group had higher D, Pd, Mf, Pt, HST, PAG, and DEP figures. 6. As the subjects' age increased, the figure of Hs, D, Pt, Sc, Si, AVD, and SZD increased, while the HST figure decreased. Conclusions : By the above results, we can assume that the sibling relations and the order one is born in the family does not affect one's personality much in grown-ups; whereas the gender and age affect the personality.

Investigation of major work stresses and coping styles for psychiatric male nurses in grade III class A hospital

Objective To explore the major work stresses and coping styles of psychiatric male nurses.Methods 95 psychiatric male nurses from a grade Ⅲ class A hospital in Beijing were surveyed by Nurse Job Stressors Questionnaires(NJSQ) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ).Results There was no significant difference in the total scores of JSQ among psychiatric male nurses with different position titles ( P＞0.05).However,statistical differences in the scores of work load and work time allocation between nurses-in-charge group,nurses group and nurse practitioners group[ (12.5±2.5) vs (8.7 ±3.7) vs (9.8 ±3.9) ;F=4.311,P＜0.05 ].The scores of married male nurses group in the source of work stress and work time allocation ( 10.6 ± 3.8) were higher than the score of single nurses group (7.8 ± 3.2 ) and showed significant difference (t =-3.198,P＜0.05 ).The scores of experienced male nurses group and unexperienced nurses group in the source of work stress were ( 14.9 ± 4.3 ) and ( 13.0 ± 4.3 ) respectively; the scores in work time allocation were ( 10.8 ± 3.6) and ( 8.5 ± 3.8 ) ; the scores in patients care were ( 19.3 ± 7.0) and ( 16.1± 6.8 ) ; the scores in management and relationships were ( 13.3 ± 5.5 ) and ( 10.7 ± 5.5 ).All the scores of experienced group were significantly higher than the unexperienced group ( t =- 2.230,- 3.021,- 2.229,- 2.268,respectively;P ＜ 0.05 ).There was no significant differences found between the score of coping mode and position title,years of work,marital status,education or age.Conclusions Psychiatric male nurses with different position title,work experience and marital status have more work stress.They should learn self-control,release pressure and cope with it actively. Key words: Psychiatric department; Male nurses; Stress sources; Coping style

성인에서 AUDIT와 손상의 연관성

음주는 손상의 가장 위험 요인으로 정확한 평가를 위하여 세계보건기구에서 개발한 Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (만성음주행태측정 이하 AUDIT)와 같은 도구를 이용하여 성인에서의 음주행태와 손상 발생률 및 손상 세부 특성과의 연관성을 평가하고자 실시 하였다. 본 연구는 2009년도 국민건강영양조사를 이용하였으며 성인 만 19세 이상 성인 중 7,893명이 참여하여 손상에 응답한 7,511명, 그 중 음주행태조사 참여는 6,6362명 설문에 무응답 104명을 제외 최종 6,258명 연구 대상으로 분석하였다. AUDIT범주에 따른 손상 발생률 및 세부특성 즉 신체부위, 유형, 기전별 손상 발생율의 비교위험도를 T-test, ANOVA, Logistic regression 이용하여 산출하였다. 통계분석은 SPSS 19.0 통계프로그램을 사용하였다. 분석결과 체전손상에서 남자가 손상의 발생이 유의하게 높았다. 음주 관련 손상의 경우에서 남자가 여자에 비해 손상의 발생 위험이 8.3배 높았다. 교육은 고등학교 졸업자가 AUDIT이 가장 높은 비율을 보여 유의하였으며, 결혼한 사람과 월소득이 201-300만원인 사람들이 AUDIT가 가장 높게 나타났으며 유의하였다. 문제음주자와 알코올의존자에서 의미있게 증가된 신체부위의 손상은 두 경부에서 0.0371로 유의하게 나타났고 AUDIT와 손상외인 기전에서는 운수사고, 미끄러짐, 기타, 부딪힘, 추락의 순으로 나타났으며, 손상의 유형 분류상 기타(열상, 좌상, 중독, 관통상 등)에서 유의하였다. 음주로 인한 손상 및 손상외인의 기전은 매우 중요하며, 상담자를 통한 동기유발 조정이 이루어 지게 되면 음주횟수를 줄여 음주로 인한 손상을 완화시킬 수 있는 장치가 필요하다. As alcohol use is one of the most important risk factors for injuries, this study was intended to clarify and evaluate any relationship between drinking patterns and the incidence rates/specific characteristics of injuries in adult populations, using a widely accepted tool, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (chronic alcohol drinking behaviors measurement, hereinafter the AUDIT) developed by the World Health Organization to help to assess the behaviors in a more accurate and reliable manner. This study used the data collected from the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), in which 7,511 of 7,893 adult participants aged <TEX>${\geq}19$</TEX> years answered the questions about injuries, and excluding 104 non-respondents, 6,258 of participants in the questionnaire survey of drinking patterns were finally analyzed. The incidence rates and specific characteristics of injuries as classified by the AUDIT categories (i.e., body regions, types and mechanisms) were assessed and estimated in terms of their relative risk using t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. SPSS 19.0 statistical package software was employed for statistical analyses. These analyses indicate that the incidence rates of overall injuries were significantly higher in male respondents than in female respondents. The risks of alcohol use related injuries were 8.3 times higher in male respondents than in female ones. Regarding educational background, high school graduates showed the highest rates in the AUDIT with significant difference from the other groups. The married group and the group of respondents having monthly income estimated at KRW 2.01 to 3 million also showed the highest rates in the AUDIT compared to the other groups, indicating statistically significant difference. Significantly increased in problematic drinkers and those with alcohol dependence, the incidence rate of injuries body regions was 0.0371 in the head/neck, and with respect to the AUDIT and the mechanisms of external causes of injuries, transport accidents ranked first, followed by slippage, others, crash and fall. In regard to the classified types of injuries, it was statistically significant in others (e.g., laceration, contusion, addiction, or penetrating wound). In conclusion, the mechanisms of external causes of injuries as well as injuries attributed to alcohol use are very important, and a strategy is required to reduce such the injuries in the manner of decreasing the frequency of drinking after motivation by professional counsellors.

서울, 경기지역 취업남성의 영양지식과 식습관에 관한 조사연구

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of nutritional knowledge on food habits of male employees in Korea. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 265 male employees of Seoul and Kyunggi area in Korea. The data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA using SPSS (ver 12.0). Regarding the general aspects of subjects, the highest percent of ages were between the age 21-30 year old. Most respondents were graduates from a university. About twenty percent of male employees' average income was 1-2 million won per month. Most of their families were nuclear families. Eighty three percent of the respondents did not experience any education on nutrition and obtained food and nutritional information from television and internet. The respondents had a high level of perceived knowledge (86.2%); yet, the accuracy of knowledge was lower than the perceived knowledge (72.31%). Regarding the nutritional knowledge, single groups showed a lower score than married groups and groups living with family. Higher nutritional knowledge correlated with higher educational levels, among man in their twenties and thirties. With regards to their eating habits, the frequency of food intake within a weekly period was significantly different; a large percentage of respondents had high frequencies of instant food, alcohol consumption, and smoking. The higher scores regarding dietary habits were for age groups ranging from 41-60 year old, married individuals, nuclear family groups and educational groups with university degrees. Based on the results of this study, male employees have problem concerning food habits in that they are unbalanced and have a tendency to skip meals. Therefore, for the improvement of nutritional status and eating behavior of male employees, the importance of nutrition needs to be emphasized with proper nutritional education programs.

Mental health outcomes of widowed and married mothers after war

We assessed prevalence rates of mental disorders in 206 mothers who had experienced the Kosovo war 10 years previously: 100 lone mothers widowed by the war, 71 non-bereaved married mothers, and 35 married mothers bereaved since the war (loss of family other than husband). A total of 96% of widowed lone mothers reported a major depressive episode, an anxiety disorder or a substance use disorder as compared with 54.9% and 60% in the married groups. Furthermore, 45% of widowed lone mothers reported current suicide risk as compared with 16.9% and 22.9% in the married samples. War-related widowhood combined with lone motherhood constitutes a significant factor for elevated psychopathology.

Depression and Quality of Life in Patients within the First 6 Months after the Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveTo evaluate the severity of depression, degree of life satisfaction, level of stress, and resilience among patients in the first 6 months after a spinal cord injury (SCI).Method36 patients with SCI were asked to fill out questionnaires concerning Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF, Stress Response Inventory, and Connor-Davidson resilience scale. All patients had experienced an SCI within the last 6 months before the commencement of this study.ResultsIn our study, the patients who experienced the SCI within the last six months had a higher rate of depression (63.9%) and a higher overall level of depression (13.8 points). The unmarried group had a significantly higher quality of life (QOL; p<0.05) when compared with the married group. In the motor complete group, severity of depression and level of stress were higher, whereas QOL was lower than the motor incomplete group (p<0.05). The mean American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Motor Score (AMS) was much higher in the non-depressive group (p<0.05) when compared with the depressive group.ConclusionWe found the patients within six months after SCI injury had higher rate of depression and higher overall level of depression. Also, patients with motor complete injury had affected significantly on depression, QOL and stress. We found the married patients had poorer QOL and depressive group had lower AMS score of lower extremity. Therefore, there should be emphasis of psychological care who have motor complete injury and are married during the early stage.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Clinical Correlation with Biochemical Status

Objective: To find out the correlation between various biochemical and clinical features of polycystic ovarian syndrome and to determine the best hormonal marker for the same. Material and Methods: The study included 100 patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (50 married & 50 unmarried) and a control group comprising of 50 women (25 married & 25 unmarried) in the age group of 18 - 30 years. The pregnant females and those having hyperandrogenism due to any other endocrine disorders were excluded. Results: Mean age was 27.66 years in the married study group and 25.46 years in the unmarried study group. About 71% of patients had oligomenorrhea. It significantly correlated with raised LH:FSH ratio and raised total testosterone levels. Body mass index was raised (>25 kg/m2) in 66.7% married and 72.66% unmarried patients in study group and in 22% in control group. 95% of the patients in the study group and 4% in the control group were detected to have polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography. 62% of the patients had raised LH levels; total testosterone was elevated in 57.7%. The LH:FSH ratio was raised in 41% in study group patients more in the unmarried group 56% than in married group 26%. 20% of patients in the control group had an elevated LH:FSH ratio. Total testosterone level was elevated in 60% of our patients. None of the patient in the control group had elevated testosterone levels. About 31% of the patients in study group were hirsute. Conclusion: Hormonal values correlate well with polycystic ovarian syndrome and serum total testosterone served as the best hormonal marker for such patients.

Low-income mothers' patterns of partnership instability and adolescents' socioemotional well-being.

The present study investigated the association of family structure and maternal partnership instability patterns with adolescents' behavioral and emotional well-being among urban low-income families. Analyses employed data from the Three-City Study to track maternal partnerships over the youth's life span, linking longitudinal family structure and transition patterns to adolescent well-being (N = 2305). Families were classified into nine mutually exclusive longitudinal partnership groups based on current status at wave 3 (single, married, or cohabiting) and the longevity of that status: always (since adolescent's birth with no transitions), stable (lasting two years or more, preceded by transitions), or new (transpiring in the past 2 years). Adolescents in the always married group displayed less delinquency and externalizing problems, according to both youth and mother reports, than peers in always single-parent or newly married households. In contrast, youth in always cohabiting households had higher maternal ratings of internalizing problems and youth with newly cohabiting mothers reported higher psychological distress than peers in similar stability groups with single or married mothers. Overall, several potential explanatory processes for the family structure and stability patterns surfaced: married parent families reported less economic hardship, more family routines and father involvement, and less maternal psychological distress and parenting stress than their single and cohabiting counterparts. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.