ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women. Breast self-examination (BSE) remains a feasible screening method in resource-poor settings, yet diagnosis in advanced stages remains common. We aimed to assess the awareness of breast cancer and the practice of BSE among women in a rural area of south India. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study in rural Ramanagara district, Karnataka, with 416 adult women who were interviewed using the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure. Results: Less than one in ten women knew that lump in the breast is a symptom of breast cancer. Majority 338 (81.2%) were not able to state even a single symptom of breast cancer and 365 (87.7%) not able to state even one risk factor of breast cancer. Majority 354 (85.1%) of the women in the study had never heard of BSE. None of the women in the study performed monthly BSE. Only 40 (9.6%) of the women actually performed BSE within the last 6 months. Women with higher education and those who reported a history of a lump in the breast in self or family were significantly more likely to state at least one symptom of breast cancer and were more likely to practice BSE. Conclusion: The rural women in this study had poor awareness regarding breast cancer and poor practice of BSE. Awareness of at least one symptom of breast cancer was associated with an 18 fold increase in the practice of BSE. This study has revealed an urgent need to focus on health awareness regarding breast cancer and BSE among rural women
ABSTRACT
Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is an evidence-based strategy to reduce maternal mortality. Husbands have an important role to play in birth preparedness. There is paucity of data regarding husband’s participation and the use of technology in BPCR. The objective is to assess awareness, attitudes and the use of mass media and technology in BPCR among husbands of women availing obstetric care at a rural maternity hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural maternity hospital in Ramanagara district, Karnataka. Husbands of women of more than 28 weeks of gestation, or postnatal mothers up to 6 weeks after delivery were included in the study.Results: Of the 133 participants, only 37.6% of the husbands had adequate awareness of BPCR, 62.4% had adequate participation in BPCR. Husbands’ participation was highest in saving money for delivery (75.9%), and lowest for arranging a blood donor (27.8%). Commonest source of information regarding BPCR was mobile phone (30.8%). Husbands awareness of BPCR was associate with reading MCP card OR=5.36 (2.47-11.63), seeing BPCR- related posters in hospital OR=6.59 (1.32-33.13) and using mobile phone for accessing BPCR-related information OR=2.28 (1.07-4.85). Husbands participation in BPCR was associated with awareness of BPCR OR=3.72 (1.65-8.41) and accompanying wife for antenatal visits OR=2.84 (2.25-3.59). Only one third of husbands felt it necessary to accompany their wife for antenatal visits or delivery.Conclusions: The MCP card and mobile phone technology may be further tapped to improve husband’s awareness and participation in BPCR, besides encouraging men to accompany their wife for antenatal visits.