ABSTRACT
Background: Epigenetic changes, geography and environmental factors do surpass the genetic factors in the development of breast cancer. This study investigates the association of reproductive factors with the breast cancer in this context. Objective: To detect the association of reproductive risk factors with breast cancer in an urban set up at central India. Study Design: Matched paired community-based case-control study. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for a period of a year from October 2008 to August 2009 in Bhopal (MP). Demographic data and reproductive risk factor related information were collected using structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by Epi-info and SPSS 16. Results: History of using oral contraceptive pills (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.28-7.11), history of not having breastfeeding (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.29-10.16) and family history of breast cancer (OR = 3.98, 95%CI: 1.06-14.826) were associated significantly with the occurrence of breast cancer in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggests that positive family history of breast cancer and history of using OCP may be the epigenetic factors promoting the occurrence of breast cancer while breastfeeding reduces the possibility of acquiring breast cancer.
Subject(s)
Adult , Breast Feeding/adverse effects , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Child , Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal/adverse effects , Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Reproduction/genetics , Reproductive History , Risk Factors , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To find out the current status of the 'prescribing practices' in the Primary Health Care facilities of Madhya Pradesh. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26 Primary Health Care facilities of the Madhya Pradesh. Consecutive random sampling method was applied for collection of prescriptions from the health facilities. OBSERVATION: Overall the average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.8; most commonly prescribed drugs were NSAIDs, antibiotics, multivitamins and antihistaminics. Drugs prescribed by generic name were 48.5% (1409/2906), prescription with antibiotics and injections were 60.9% (641/1052) and 13.6% (143/1052) respectively. Drugs prescribed from Essential Drug List were 66.9% (1944/2906). CONCLUSION: The prescribing practices of the Madhya Pradesh is more of an irrational types like polypharmacy, overuse of antibiotics and injection, less number in generic names and prescribed from Essential Drug List. There is an urgent need for some interventions to improve the situation.