ABSTRACT
Background: Breast cancer is a public health problem worldwide and in India as well. Early diagnosis of this problem needs knowledge of the women. Further, belief on this disease also has been reported playing a role in taking steps in the early diagnosis and treatment.Methods: A total of 165 participants of this study include first year students pursuing various courses such as Agriculture, Medicine and Dentistry. The knowledge was assessed in terms of risk factors, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and self-breast examination. Belief on breast cancer was also assessed. After pre assessment, intervention with video and power point presentation was carried out. Then assessments were made at immediate and 24 hours after interventions.Results: Significant improvements in the knowledge and belief were observed from pre intervention to immediately after intervention. Knowledge gained was sustained at 24 hours after intervention. Significant improvements in belief were observed between immediate and 24 hour assessments.Conclusions: The intervention was found to be effective. As regards the belief on breast cancer, it was observed that temporal dimension of belief was revealed by the improvements between the assessments.
ABSTRACT
Background: The use of plastics made life easy in day to day life. However, the disposal of it remains a public health problem worldwide. Plastic waste are major cause of environment pollution becomes carcinogenic to human, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, development and reproductive effect. Raising the awareness of the different stake holders is suggested by United Nations Environment Programme. Assessing the knowledge and practice of the student community, especially of the professional courses, in this regard is considered as a vital one.Methods: A total of 563 students of professional courses were included in the study. Their knowledge in terms general aspects, ill effects, reuse and practice in terms of usage and disposal were assessed with a questionnaire.Results: 46% of the students found having good knowledge. Only 27.6% were found to have good practice. Though the students have good knowledge on ill effects of plastics, their practice in terms of disposal was less. Significant variations were observed among the students of different courses.Conclusions: Addressing the gap between knowledge and practice in terms of designing messages for proper disposal and avoiding usage of single use plastics at individual and collective level is required.