Concept of Sarat Ritucharya- A Practical Approach

Ayurveda- The science of life, has two aims, firstly it aimed at to preserve and protect the health of a healthy individual and secondly to cure the disease. As Ayurveda gives first priority to the preventive aspects to preserve and protect the health, it described preventive principles under the heading of Swasthavritta. Swasthavritta classically includes Dinacharya, Nishacharya and Ritucharya. These Charyas if followed properly, brings the balance in Thridosha (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) and thus maintains the Samadoshavastha (Homeostasis of humours/health). Thidoshas are always dynamic in nature, especially during seasonal variation. Adaptation to each Ritu is always a challenging to human beings, more in modern era, where people are running with mechanical life and exposing to pollutants. Ayurveda beautifully described Ritucharya prescription to be followed to bring balance in Tridoshavastha and also prevent morbid matter accumulation. There are six Rutus namely Sisira, Vasantha, Greeshma, Varsha, Sharat & Hemantha, among these, Sharat Ritu (mid-September - mid November) comes under the Visargakala constituting of Ashwini and Karthika Masa. In this Ritu physiologically Pitta undergoes Prakopa, if not followed Ritucharya properly, the Pitta will get vitiate and causes Pitta related diseases. In this article an honest attempt has been made to gather information regarding Sarat ritucahrya from all possible literature from Ayurvedic classics with practical aspects.

Evaluation of Adjustment Methods Used to Determine Prevalence of Low Birth-weight Babies at a Rural Hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Accurate reporting of prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is important for monitoring health of a population. LBW is often underestimated in developing countries due to heaping of the data at 2.5 kg. UNICEF uses an average adjustment factor of 25% to re-classify babies listed as exactly 2.5 kg into the LBW category. From October 2009 to February 2010, we weighed 859 consecutive live births at a rural hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India, using analog and digital scales to evaluate the relative validity of the adjustment factor. Signifi cantly more babies weighed exactly 2.5 kg on analog (13.4%) versus digital (2.2%) scales, showing heaping. Percentage of LBW by digital method (29.5%) was signifi cantly higher compared to the analog method (23%) and with adjustment factors (26.4%). Conventional methods of adjusting birth-weight data underestimate the prevalence of LBW. Sensitive digital weighing machines or better adjustment methods are needed to monitor LBW in developing countries.

Reasons for seeking HIV-test: evidence from a private hospital in rural Andhra Pradesh, India.

This study sought to describe the development of HIV counselling and testing services in a rural private hospital and to explore the factors associated with reasons for seeking HIV testing and sexual behaviours among adults seeking testing in the rural hospital. Data for this study were drawn from a voluntary counselling and testing clinic in a private hospital in rural Andhra Pradesh state in southern India. In total, 5,601 rural residents sought HIV counselling and testing and took part in a behavioural risk-assessment survey during October 2003-June 2005. The prevalence of HIV was 1.1%. Among the two reported reasons for test-seeking--based on past sexual behaviour and based on being sick at the time of testing--men, individuals reporting risk behaviours, such as those having multiple pre- and postmarital sexual partners, individuals whose recent partner was a sex worker, and those who reported using alcohol before sex, were more likely to seek testing based on their past sexual behaviour. Men also were more likely to seek testing because they were sick. The findings from this large sample in rural India suggest that providing HIV-prevention and care services as part of an ongoing system of healthcare-delivery may benefit rural residents who otherwise may not have access to these services. The implications of involving the private sector in HIV-related service-delivery and in conducting research in rural areas are discussed. It is argued that services that are gaining prominence in urban areas, such as addressing male heterosexual behaviours and assessing the role of alcohol-use, are equally relevant areas of intervention in rural India.