ABSTRACT
Background: Assessment of knowledge and awareness regarding human papilloma virus and cervical cancer among medical students.Methods: Questionnaire based prospective study of 200 III and IV year consenting medical students willing to be a part of the study. 25 questions were in the questionnaire and they were asked to tick in front of the answer which they felt was correct. 3 questions regarding demographic details were formulated. To assess knowledge, attitude and practice total of 10, 8 and 4 questions were formulated respectively. Score of 0, 1, 2 and 3 were given to answers for statistical analysis.Results: A 110 (55%) belonged to III year and 90 (45%) belonged to IV year. 112 (56%) were females and 88 (44%) were males. 180 (90%) were aware regarding agent causing cervical cancer. 77.8% of IV MBBS and all students of III MBBS knew the etiology. 98% knew the screening technique while 190 (95%) knew that vaccine availability for cervical cancer. 60% knew that the infection was sexually transmitted, and majority knew it is not curable with antibiotics. 70% knew route of administration while most were unaware about age of administration. 91% had not taken the vaccine while 41.5% would if offered. 73% knew the vaccine is ineffective against other STD’s and most agreed that vaccine should be in the national immunization schedule. 40% knew that men should be vaccinated while 79% would recommend it to others.Conclusions: Primary prevention of cervical cancer with vaccination is a novel concept. Health professionals can play a role in propagating this practice. Syllabus in medical schools must emphasize on such topics.
ABSTRACT
Cadmium is one of the most toxic heavy metals and potential for human exposure has generally increased with increase in industrial usage of this element. The purpose of the present study was to determine anti-oxidative role of vitamin C against cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress on rat testis. Adult male rats(n=6/group) were divided into five groups ,one control (Gr.I- 0.9% Saline treated) & two untreated experimental & two pretreated experimental groups. The untreated groups were injected with single dose of 0.5 & 1 mg /kg bw cadmium chloride (Gr.II &Gr.III) intraperitoneally. Vitamin C (30mg/kg bw,ip) was orally administered for 30 days prior to the exposure to 0.5 and 1mg/kg bw(Gr,IIa &Gr.IIIA) of cadmium chloride. In all the groups, rats were sacrificed 15 days after the final cadmium chloride or saline administration and the changes in the testicular weight and testicular level of Melonaldehyde , glutathione & superoxide dismutase were studied. Exposure to cadmium chloride lead to significant decrease in the testicular weight& level of GSH & SOD and increase in the level of testicular MDA compared to normal control. Pretreatment with vitamin C (30mg/kg bw) significantly prevented the increase in MDA level of the testis & ameliorated the fall in GSH & SOD as well as testicular weight compared to 0.5mg/kg bw cadmium chloride group. But pretreatment with vitamin C did not show any beneficial effect with 1mg/kg bw cadmium treated group. The study reports the antioxidative role of vitamin C in ameliorating lower doses of cadmium chloride induced testicular damage.