Are rural women aware of breast cancer and do they practice breast self?examination? A cross?sectional study in a rural hospital in South India

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

Ocupación como proceso subjetivante: experiencias de mujeres rurales vinculadas con organizaciones sociales / Occupation as a subjectivizing process: experiences of rural women linked to social organizations / A ocupação como um processo subjetivizador: experiências de mulheres rurais ligadas a organizações sociais

La investigación tuvo como propósito comprender el aporte de la ocupación al proceso subjetivante de cinco mujeres rurales vinculadas con organizaciones sociales de los departamentos de Caldas y Boyacá, en Colombia. Toma como fundamento teórico lo planteado por el grupo de investigación Ocupación y Realización Humana en el libro Ocupación: sentido, realización y libertad; diálogos en torno al sujeto, la sociedad y el medio ambiente. Se utilizó un diseño metodológico cualitativo en un entorno virtual, con estrategias participativas de interacción, diálogo y vínculo. Los resultados se organizan en dos categorías: ser mujer y hacer cotidiano. Se proponen seis premisas para contribuir a la comprensión del aporte de la ocupación al proceso subjetivante de las mujeres participantes: los haceres significativos reconfiguran lo que se es y desea ser; por medio del hacer el sujeto transforma y trasciende a su propósito de libertad; el sujeto tiene capacidad de decidir sus ocupaciones; la ocupación es una forma de semiotizar formas culturales de ser; la persona se construye en su interacción con el entorno por medio de su actuar ocupacional.

The research aimed to understand the contribution of occupation to the subjective process of five rural women involved in social organizations in the Caldas and Boyacá departments in Colombia. It is based on the theoretical foundation of the Occupation and Human Fulfillment research group in its book Ocupación: sentido, realización y libertad; diálogos en torno al sujeto, la sociedad y el medio ambiente (Occupation: meaning, fulfillment and freedom; dialogues around the subject, society, and the environment). A qualitative methodological design was used in a virtual environment, with participatory interaction, dialogue, and linkage strategies. The results are organized in two categories: being a woman and daily doing. Six premises are proposed to contribute to the understanding of occupation as a subjectivizing process of the participating women, as follows: significant doings reconfigure what one is and wishes to be. Through doing, the subject transforms and transcends their purpose of freedom; the subject has the capacity to decide their occupations; occupation is a way of semiotizing cultural ways of being; a person is constructed in their interaction with the environment through their occupational acting.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi compreender a contribuição da ocupação para o processo subjetivo de cinco mulheres rurais pertencentes às organizações sociais nos departamentos de Caldas e Boyacá, na Colômbia. Esta investigação tem como base teórica as ideias apresentadas pelo grupo de pesquisa Ocupação e Realização Humana no livro Ocupação: significado, realização e liberdade; diálogos sobre o sujeito, a sociedade e o meio ambiente. Um desenho metodológico qualitativo foi utilizado em um ambiente virtual, com estratégias participativas de interação, diálogo e vínculo. Os resultados estão organizados em duas categorias: ser mulher e fazer no cotidiano, o que permite propor seis premissas a fim de contribuir para a compreensão da ocupação como um processo subjetivo das mulheres participantes, tais como: fazer atividades significativas reconfigura o que se é e o que se deseja ser; através do fazer, o sujeito transforma e transcende seu propósito de liberdade; o sujeito tem a capacidade de decidir suas ocupações; a ocupação é uma forma de semiotizar formas culturais de ser; e, por fim, a pessoa se constrói em sua interação com o meio ambiente por meio de suas ações ocupacionais.

Determinants of the use of family planning methods among rural women in Plateau state, Nigeria

This study aimed at determining the factors that influence family planning practice among rural women of Pankshin district inPlateau state, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study using a simple random sampling method was conducted from October to December 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection among 302 respondents. Among respondents, 48.3% had practised family planning and the most popular family planning method ever practised was injectables (57.5%). The determinants of family planning practice were age group 29-39 and 40-49 years old (AOR=4.373, p<0.001; AOR=5.862, p<0.001), discussion with partner (AOR=9.192, p<0.001) and partner's approval (AOR=2.791, p=0.007). Findings showed an encouraging family planning prevalence with the main determinants involving male partners. Further efforts need to be made to promote family planning practice among male partners and to empower women of all reproductive age groups by providing them with relevant information that is needed for them to make informed decisions. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[4]: 32-41).

Determining influential factors in the formation of environmental awareness of rural women: the case of Diyarbakır-Ergani, Turkey / Determinando os fatores que influenciam a formação da consciência ambiental das mulheres rurais: o caso de Diyarbakır-Erga, Turquia

ABSTRACT: In this study, it is determined the factors that affect the environmental awareness of rural women, who constitute the other half of the society and are intermingled with nature, which is a prerequisite for developing environmentally sensitive behaviors. The data of the study were collected through face-to-face surveys in Ergani, the district with the largest surface area in Diyarbakır. Logistic regression methods were used in addition to descriptive statistics in the analysis of the data. In the study, it was reported that rural women's environmental awareness is scientifically important at the level of women's diseases (0.003) which dramatically increases environmental awareness by 25.5%. Contrary to the early marriage behaviors of women in rural areas, an increase in one year of marriage is positive and scientifically significant at the level of (0.025), and it increases the environmental awareness by 2.5%; an increase in the educational level of the husband is 2.2% effective in the formation of environmental awareness of these women. In addition, it has been determined that women having agricultural activities are scientifically significant for the formation of environmental awareness at a level of (0.046) and the level of religiosity has marginal effect on environmental awareness scientifically.

RESUMO: Neste estudo, pretende-se conhecer os fatores que afetam a consciência ambiental das mulheres rurais, que constituem a outra metade da sociedade, o que é condição para o desenvolvimento de comportamentos ambientais. Os dados do estudo foram coletados por meio de pesquisa presencial em Ergani, o distrito com a maior área de superfície em Diyarbakır na Turquia. Métodos de regressão logística foram utilizados, além da estatística descritiva na análise dos dados. No estudo, constatou-se que a consciência ambiental das mulheres rurais é cientificamente importante no nível de doenças femininas (0,003) e ter a doença aumenta drasticamente a consciência ambiental em 25,5%. Ao contrário dos comportamentos de casamento precoce das mulheres nas áreas rurais, um aumento em um ano de casamento é positivo e cientificamente significativo (0,025), e aumenta a consciência ambiental em 2,5%; o aumento da escolaridade do marido é de 2,2%, efetivo na formação da consciência ambiental dessas mulheres. Além disso, foi determinado que as mulheres com atividades agrícolas são cientificamente mais significativas para a formação da consciência ambiental (0,046) e o nível de religiosidade tem efeito marginal na consciência ambiental cientificamente.

Challenges encountered in community-based physiotherapy interventions for urinary incontinence among women in rural areas of Anand District of Gujarat, India

Background: It is necessary to understand the way women think about their health. There is a 揷ulture of silence� among women regarding urinary incontinence (UI). Physiotherapy is proven effective mode of therapy in case of UI. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the attitude of the women toward UI, to understand the related sociocultural factors and health-seeking behavior, and to ascertain the challenges encountered in community-based physiotherapy interventions. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among women who refused to participate in a physiotherapy intervention for UI in the rural community of Gujarat, India. Fourteen in-depth key informant interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The responses were noted and compiled into a composite interview script. Interviews were not recorded due to nonavailability of consent. Interviews were reviewed by investigators and content analysis was carried out. Key themes were identified after multiple iterations. Results: Most of the women were unaware of the UI and believed that it may be due to their gender or due to aging. Physiotherapy interventions were disregarded due to various reasons such as shy nature, lack of priority and privacy, dependency, self-neglect, and influence of social and cultural norms. Conclusion: Cultural and social systems were more important determinants of health seeking than health systems themselves particularly when sensitive issue such as UI in women of rural Western India was concerned.

Change in awareness levels of cervical cancer among rural women after intervention by health education: a community-based study

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The prevention and control of cervical cancer depends on awareness about the disease, screening procedures, and preventive measures. Objectives of this study was to assess the awareness levels on various aspects of cervical cancer among women aged 25-65 years, and to assess the impact of health education intervention among them.Methods: This community-based interventional study was conducted for a period of 15 months among 250 women aged 25-65 years by cluster sampling method in a rural population. Data on all aspects of awareness about cervical cancer, i.e., risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and prevention were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured proforma. This was followed by a post-test 2 months after health education.Results: Overall awareness for cervical cancer was found to be very poor among the study subjects in the pre-test. Awareness on risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and prevention of cervical cancer was found to be 6%, 3.6%, 1.2%, and 1.6% respectively. A significant increase in the knowledge level was found after health education.Conclusions: As the awareness levels regarding the cervical cancer was poor among the study population, health education programme and campaigns, along with periodic screening is need of the hour to effectively prevent cervical cancer.

Association of the behaviors of playing mahjong and watching mobile phone with depression in rural women in Hubei Province / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To analyze the association of the behaviors of playing mahjong and watching mobile phone with depression in rural women in Hubei Province, so as to provide suggestions for improving their physical and mental health. Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was used to investigate 1367 adult women in 8 administrative villages of 7 counties/cities in Hubei Province. The depression status was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10 (CESD-10) and the percentage conversion was carried out. The higher the score was, the lower the degree of depression was, and the better the mental health status was. Results The CESD-10 scores of 15-44 years old women（77.63±13.95)were higher than those of 45-64 years old (73.17+17.01) and over 65 years old (69.25+18.16) (P0.05). Conclusions There is a correlation between watching mobile phone and depression of rural women in Hubei Province, reducing the use of mobile phones by rural women, especially middle-aged women, is worthy of attention in the future work of health education and Women’s Federation.

Devir Margarida: narrativas de si em experienciafetos / Becoming Margarida: narratives of self in experienceaffections / Devenir Margarida: narrativas de si en experienciafectos

Neste ensaio rizomático, evocamos cenas, imagens e afetos acionados com a participação das mulheres trabalhadoras rurais da V Marcha das Margaridas. A experiência e a narração articulam ferramentas potentes na transmissão de histórias em sua singularidade, diferença e multiplicidade. A escrita demarca um registro possível, uma abertura para estar junto na produção de uma escuta implicada e sensível dos efeitos da experiência de um "devir Margarida". O caminho percorrido irrompe entre fragmentos, recortes descontínuos, impregnado por experienciafetos em sua dimensão ética, estética e política. Com alegria e colorido, as mulheres vêm à público performatizar um ato-manifesto na luta contra os retrocessos e pela garantia de direitos. Em marcha, as margaridas protagonizam ações políticas em prol do bem viver de suas comunidades e questionam os estereótipos tradicionais de gênero.(AU)

In this rhizomatic essay, we evoke scenes, images and affections triggered by our participation, with rural women workers, in the 5 th Marcha das Margaridas . Experience and narrative are powerful tools in the transmission of stories, in their uniqueness, difference and multiplicity. Writing demarcates a possible record, an aperture to be together in the production of an implicated and sensitive hearing of the effects produced by the experience of "becoming Margarida ". The traveled path bursts among fragments, discontinuous cuts, marked by experienceaffections in their ethical, aesthetical and political dimensions. With joy and multiple colors, women perform, in public, an act-manifesto in the fight against retrocessions and for the guarantee of rights. In their march, the Margaridas play a leading role in political actions for their communities' welfare and question traditional gender stereotypes..(AU)

En este ensayo rizomático evocamos escenas, imágenes y afectos accionados con la participación junto a mujeres trabajadoras rurales de la V Marcha das Margaridas . La experiencia y la narración constituyen herramientas potentes en la transmisión de historias en su singularidad, diferencia y multiplicidad. La escritura demarca un registro posible, una apertura para estar juntos en la producción de una escucha implicada y sensible de los efectos de la experiencia de un "devenir Margarida ". El camino recorrido irrumpe entre fragmentos, recortes discontinuos, impregnado por experienciafectos en su dimensión ética, estética y política. Con alegría y colorido, las mujeres vienen a público a performatizar un acto-manifiesto en la lucha contra retrocesos y por la garantía de derechos. En marcha, las margaridas protagonizan acciones políticas para el bien vivir de sus comunidades y cuestionan los estereotipos tradicionales de género..(AU)

Association of biomass fuel smoke exposure and hypertension among rural women of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Exposure to biomass fuel smoke has detrimental health effects causing chronic diseases. This study investigated the relationship between biomass fuel smoke exposure and hypertension among the rural Bangladeshi women. A total of 410 women aged 19–60 years were enrolled in this study during April–May 2017 who regularly cooked with biomass fuel in traditional cook stove for the past ?1 year. Self-reported daily cooking hours and lifetime cooking experience of the participants were recorded, and their blood pressure was measured. Participants' age ?40 years, parental history of hypertension, body mass index ?25 kg/m2, and cumulative exposure to biomass smoke were found to be the significant risk factors of hypertension. Every 1 year increase in cumulative exposure to biomass smoke eventually exacerbated the risk of hypertension by 61% (adjusted odds ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.22; P < 0.01). This study provides evidence that long-term exposure to biomass fuel smoke is associated with hypertension.

Prevalence and factors related to the unmet need for family planning among married women in the rural community of South India

Background: Family planning program was implemented in India since 1952 so that the couples can exercise control over their own fertility. As per NFHS-4, unmet need for family planning in our country was 13%. However, in rural areas, this prevalence might be high. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of unmet need for family planning method and its associated factors among the rural married women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural community of South India for 1 year. By the cluster sampling method, 1024 married women in the reproductive age group were selected. After written informed consent, each subject was interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire and the data were collected. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 31.07 ± 4.6 years. Unmet need for the permanent method of family planning was 34%, and for spacing, it was 69.7%. Factors such as age, parity, and education of participant and husband influenced the unmet need for the permanent method; for the temporary method, socioeconomic status was significantly associated. Conclusion: Unmet need for family planning was high among the rural women in this community and many factors were related to this. Health education and motivation by community health workers are needed to bring a positive change in this regard.

Prácticas alimentarias de las mujeres rurales: Desarrollo del concepto / Food practices of rural women: Development of the concept

Problema: Los conceptos son la base para el desarrollo del conocimiento disciplinar y es de vital importancia conocer los atributos para que el concepto pueda ayudar a resolver el fenómeno que se presenta en la práctica. Se encontró que el concepto de Prácticas alimentarias de las mujeres rurales, no estaba desarrollado y que de las distintas disciplinas se referían a él como consumo de alimentos, hábitos alimentarios, patrones alimentarios y conocimientos sobre alimentación, entre otros; por lo tanto, al no estar desarrollado el concepto de prácticas alimentarias de las mujeres rurales y no haber claridad en su definición se desarrolló el concepto de Prácticas Alimentarias de las Mujeres Rurales, bajo la estrategia de Meleis (2012), para darle precisión al concepto, facilitar y mejorar la comunicación entre los sujetos de cuidado, comprender el significado de las palabras y como parte del desarrollo continuo del conocimiento de la disciplina de enfermería. Método: se utilizó la estrategia de enfoque integrado para el desarrollo de conceptos, propuesto por Meleis (2012). Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante revisión de la literatura y entrevistas a mujeres rurales, analizados mediante el análisis de contenido dirigido a partir de los elementos de la teoría de la práctica social. Resultado: las prácticas alimentarias de las mujeres rurales son acciones que surgen de la interconexión de elementos materiales, competencias y significados. Conclusión: El concepto de prácticas alimentarias de las mujeres rurales, es un foco para el desarrollo de la teoría permitiendo explicar y describir un fenómeno de interés para la práctica e investigación en enfermería.

Problem: Concepts are the basis for disciplinary knowledge development. Knowing concept attributes is extremely important so that the concept helps to solve the phenomenon that occurs in practice. It was found that a concept for feeding practices of rural women had not been developed, and different disciplines referred to it as food consumption, eating habits, eating patterns, food knowledge, among others names. Therefore, since a concept for feeding practices was not developed, and its definition was not clear, the concept of feeding practices was developed using Meleis' strategy (2012) to specify de concept, facilitate and improve communication among subjects of care, and understand words' meaning; this as part of a continuous development in nursing discipline. Method: An integrated approach to concept development proposed by Meleis (2012) was used as methodology. Data was obtained from literature review and interviews with rural women; it was analyzed through content analysis based on elements of the Social Practice Theory. Results: Rural women' feeding practices are actions that emerge from the interconnection of material, competence and meaning elements. Conclusions: The concept of feeding practices of rural women is a central point for theory development allowing explanation and description of a phenomenon of interest for nursing practice and research

A Construção do ser mulher na agricultura familiar: uma perspectiva lo goterapêutica / The construction of being a woman in family farming: a logotherapeutic perspective / La construcción del ser mujer en la agricultura familiar: una perspectiva logoterapéutica

Este trabalho buscou investigar a relação do "ser mulher" no contexto da agricultura familiar a partir de uma perspectiva logoterapêutica desenvolvida pelo austríaco Viktor Emil Frankl. Por meio de uma revisão narrativa de caráter qualitativo, buscou-se definir o perfil do Ser Mulher na agricultura familiar com o descritor "mulheres rurais" nas bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD). Foram utilizados materiais do período de publicação do ano de 2011 a 2016. Os materiais foram analisados por meio de análise de conteúdo resultando em duas categorias. Em "Ser mulher: uma construção autoral ou um destino a cumprir", identifica-se o ser mulher vinculado aos papeis de mãe, esposa e cuidadora, fruto de uma construção social. Por sua vez, "Mulheres agricultoras: sobre trabalho e parentalidade" trata das formas de trabalho não valorizadas vinculadas ao ser mãe e esposa. A partir do referencial da Logoterapia pode-se entender como constroem sentidos de vida e as alternativas de uma liberdade de sentido para uma escolha autêntica que promova saúde. A partir dessa compreensão, esperou-se possibilitar ao profissional da saúde reflexões que vislumbrem alternativas de intervenções logoterapêuticas para promoção de saúde e de existências mais plenas de sentido.

This work investigated how "being a woman" is cinstructed in the context of family farming from a logotherapeutic perspective developed by the austrian Viktor Emil Frankl. Through a qualitative narrative review, it was sought to define the profile of "being a woman" in family farming with the descriptor "rural women" in the databases Virtual Health Library (BVS) andBiblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD). Materials published from 2011 to 2016 were used and analyzed by content analysis resulting in two categories. "Being a woman: an authorial construction or a destiny to fulfill" identifies the construction of being a woman tied to the roles of mother, wife and caregiver, resulted from a social construction. In turn, "Women farmers: work and parenting" approaches undervalued types of work related to being a mother and wife. From the referencial of Logoterapy it can be understood how they find meanings of life and the alternatives of a freedom of meaning for an authentic choice that promotes health. From this understanding, we hope to promote reflections to health professionals to envisage alternative logotherapeutic interventions to promote health and more meaningful lives.

Este trabajo busca investigar la relación del "ser mujer" en el contexto de la agricultura familiar a partir de una perspectiva logoterapéutica, desarrollada por el austríaco Viktor Emil Frankl. Por medio de una revisión narrativa de carácter cualitativo, se buscó definir el perfil del Ser Mujer en la agricultura familiar, con la expresión "mujeres rurales" en las bases de datos Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) y la Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD). Fueron utilizados materiales con publicación en el periodo de 2011 a 2016. Los mismos fueron analizados por medio de su contenido, resultando en dos categorías. En "Ser mujer: una construcción autoral o un destino a cumplir" se identifica el ser mujer vinculado a los papeles de madre, esposa y cuidadora, fruto de una construcción social. Por otro lado, "Mujeres agricultoras: sobre trabajo y la crianza de los hijos" trata de las formas de trabajo no valorizadas vinculadas al ser madre y esposa. A partir del paradigma de la Logoterapia se puede entender como se construyen sentidos de vida y las alternativas de una libertad de sentido para una elección auténtica que promueva salud. A partir de esta comprensión, se espera posibilitar que los profesionales de la salud reflexionen y vislumbren alternativas de intervenciones logoterapéuticas para promoción de salud y de existencias más llenas de sentido

Population-based study on infection and genotype distribution of high-risk human among women in rural areas of China, 2014 / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To explore the epidemiologic characterization of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and genotype distribution of HR-HPV among women in rural areas of China.@*Methods@#This study used multiple layers of stratified cluster random sampling method. During January to December in 2014, 117 counties of 27 provinces were selected as the HPV test screening pilot project counties. The women aged 35-64 years with rural areas Hukou in these project counties were selected as the study subjects. A total 457 799 women received HPV DNA test. Among them, 118 237 women from 32 counties in 11 provinces received qualified HPV DNA test by fluorescent PCR to detect HPV genotypes.@*Results@#Among 118 237 rural women, the overall HR-HPV positive infection rate was 7.8% (9 249/118 237). The infection rate increased with age and reached an infection peak at the 60-64 age groups (9.9%, 831/8 394). The HR-HPV positive infection rate in western regions (6.9%, 2 144/31 130) was statistical significantly lower than in central regions (8.2%, 1 894/23 023) and eastern regions (8.1%, 5 211/64 084) (χ2=51.46, P<0.001). Among 9 249 women with specific genotypes of HR-HPV, 6 496 (97.6%) cases were infected with single HR-HPV type, and 163 cases (2.4% ) were infected with multiple types. HR-HPV type 52, 16 and 58 were the most common infection types in rural areas of China. The single infection rates were 20.9% (1 355/6 496), 18.7% (1 215/6 496), and 11.2% (725/6 496), respectively. The multiple infection rates were 47.2% (77/163), 17.8% (29/163), and 18.4% (30/163), respectively.@*Conclusion@#The HR-HPV positive infection rate in rural areas of Chinese woman was 7.8%, western region has lower infection rate compared with central and eastern regions. HPV 52 was first of the most common genotypes in rural areas of China.

Partner violence in married women.

Introduction: Violence against women is the highest in Australia, Canada, Israel and South Africa and women make up 40 to 70% of homicide victims. Forced marriage is still practiced in the parts of South Asia, East Asia and Africa and among immigrants to the West from these regions. The objectives of the study were to explore and compare the violence in the married women living in urban and rural areas Material and methods: The study adopted a comparative research approach. The study was conducted on married women of age group between 16-40 years. The population comprised of 60 married women (30 subjects each from urban and rural areas respectively) was drawn by convenient sampling technique. Data was collected through interview, by using socio demographic proforma and structured intimate partner violence questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The overall prevalence of violence among women was high. There was no significant difference between rural and urban area with respect to psychological and physical violence. The findings showed that majority of violence in urban area women were more than the rural area women. Conclusion: Women are more frequent victims of violence. Violence is a universal phenomenon, so effective actions should be taken to stop intimate partner violence at no time.

Effect of Biomass Smoke on Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Functions in Rural Non-Smoking Indian Women.

Background: Majority of women living in rural areas use biomass fuels for production of domestic energy. Biomass fuels are an enormous source of indoor pollution when burned in closed space with no ventilation. Combustion products have deleterious effect on lung functions. Aim: To Study the effect of biomass smoke on respiratory symptoms and lung functions in rural non-smoking Indian woman. Materials and Methods: A comparative study was conducted among women visiting hospital ›18 years of age belonging to rural areas of Bareilly, to study the effect of biomass smoke on respiratory symptoms and lung functions. The study group comprised of 100 subjects who were exposed to biomass smoke and 100 aged matched subjects who were not exposed to biomass served as controls. A standardized respiratory questionnaire was administered to all subjects and pulmonary function tests were evaluated by MIR SPIROLAB 3. Results: The lung functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR) were significantly lesser in the study group, exposed to biomass fuel than the controls. Conclusion: Women cooking with biomass fuels have increased respiratory symptoms and have marked reduction in lung functions compared with those cooking with gas.

Marital Adjustment among Urban and Rural Women.

In today’s life, adjustment is necessary aspect when we talk about a relationship. This study was conducted to assess and compare the marital adjustment of women in urban and rural areas of Lucknow. It’s a comparative study, conducted in urban and rural areas of Lucknow district over a period of 3 months. Thirty women were interviewed by purposive sampling, 15 each were taken from urban and rural areas of Lucknow. Out of each 15 women, five women had married life between 5 to 10 years, five had 10-15 years and remaining five had married life of above 15 years. The tool used for the data collection was a questionnaire constructed and standardized by PRAMOD KUMAR & Km. KANCHANA ROHATGI. Data was analyzed by using the software SPSS, version 17.0. and Students’t Test. The result indicates that urban women have good marital adjustment and rural women have poor marital adjustment and this finding is statistically significant as well as meaningful. It is also found that marital adjustment was better in women having short married life of 5-10 years and those belonging to higher socio-economic status.

Enhanced care by community health workers in improving treatment adherence to antidepressant medication in rural women with major depression.

Background & objectives: Depression remains largely undiagnosed in women residing in rural India and consequently many do not seek help. Moreover, among those who are diagnosed, many do not complete treatment due to high rates of attrition. This study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of enhanced care with usual care in improving treatment seeking and adherence to antidepressant medication in women with depression living in rural India. Methods: Six villages from rural Bangalore were randomized to either community health worker supported enhanced care or usual care. A total of 260 adult depressed women formed the final participants for the analysis. The outcome measures were number of women who sought and completed treatment, number of clinic visits, duration of treatment with antidepressant, changes in severity of depression (HDRS) and changes in quality of life [WHO-QOL (Brev) scale]. Results: A significantly greater number of women from the treatment intervention (TI) group completed the treatment and were on treatment for a longer duration compared to the treatment as usual (TAU) group. However, there were no significant differences in the severity of depression or quality of life between the TI and the TAU groups or between treatment completers and treatment dropouts at six months. Interpretation & conclusions: Enhanced care provided by the trained community health workers to rural women with major depression living in the community resulted in greater number of women seeking help and adhering to treatment with antidepressants. However, despite enhanced care a significant number of rural women diagnosed with depression either did not seek help or discontinued treatment prematurely. These findings have significant public health implications, as untreated depression is associated with considerable disability.

Study of Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services by Rural Women in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) care is an essential component of the primary health care services. The overwhelming reason for the low utilization of government health care is lack of proper facilities, which in turn limits the utilization of the resources available such as the staff. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the health seeking behavior of rural women for obstetric care in the rural area and the reasons for seeking care and treatment for delivery at urban teaching hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the rural women admitted in the postnatal ward of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital, Mumbai during the period of September 2007 to November 2007. A total of 73 rural women were included. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used for the study. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0. Results: Out of 73 rural women from the study, 58 (79.5%) women were registered during antenatal period. 49 (67.1%) women were referred directly from the primary health centre to the tertiary health centre, followed by 48 (65.7%) women believed strongly in the health care provided in the tertiary centre. Conclusion: The study concludes that a large number of cases worth treating at the primary care level are also included in reported cases, increasing avoidable patient load at the tertiary care level.

INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF RURAL WOMEN′S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SITUA-TION IN LUOKENG TOWN OF JIANGMEN CITY / 现代医院

Objective To study the health situation of the rural women in Luokeng town of Jiangmen city and provide the reference for the prevention and control of rural women to disease .Methods The 2 000 cases of rural women in Luokeng town of Jiangmen city during the period from Jan 2012 to Dec 2013 were received the routine gyne-cological examination and questionnaire survey .The data were retrospectively analyzed .Results The 1066 women were gynecological diseases (53.3%) in the 2 000 cases including 504 cases of vaginitis, 344 cases of cervicitis, 72 cases of uterine fibroids , 66 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease , 52 cases of cervical polyp and 28 cases of others . The high prevalence was in the 20~35 age group .The rural women′s health knowledge was low and the treatment compliance was relatively poor .Conclusion The prevalence rate of ural women in Luokeng town of Jiangmen city is relatively high .The gynecological health education should strengthen and improve the levels of prevention of gyneco -logical diseases .

Vida cotidiana de la mujer rural en la etapa de climaterio / Daily life of climacteric women in rural areas

Resumen:

Objetivo: existe escasa información respecto a la vida cotidiana de las mujeres rurales en la etapa de climaterio. Comprender esta cotidianidad fue el objetivo de esta investigación fenomenológica bajo el análisis de la hermenéutica heideggeriana. Material y método: los sujetos de estudio fueron 19 mujeres en etapa de climaterio residentes en la zona rural del sur de Veracruz, México. La recopilación de datos se obtuvo a través de entrevistas en profundidad. Se realizó análisis vago y mediano, y análisis hermenéutico. Resultados: lo que la mujer expresa en su vida cotidiana, es el modo de la presencia impersonal. Vive siendo inauténtica. Por otra parte la extrema violencia en que se desenvuelve el Dasein hace que se impregne de angustia y se manifieste en el no-ser; es decir, el ser-para-la muerte. Es necesario que se implemente el cuidado profesional de enfermería a la mujer en este proceso, a través de la expresión del ser-con.