Résumé
Background: Breastfeeding is regarded as a perfect, natural and protective food for newborns. Early initiation of breast feeding within first hour of birth along with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months followed by continued breast feeding for up to two years is the most appropriate feeding strategy.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 89 children in the age group one year six months to five years in Malapuram district. Convenient sampling technique was used to interview mothers. Results were expressed as percentages and proportions. Chi square test was used to test the association between the variables.Results: A total of 89 children were studied out of which 51.7% (46) were females. All the mothers are educated and Most of them are homemakers. Normal vaginal delivery was the common mode of delivery in 55.1% and colostrum was given to 97.8% children. Breast feeding was initiated within half an hour for 47 (52.8%) children. Only 62.9% of the children were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. Only 1 child was unimmunized and 96.6% of the children were fully immunized.Conclusions: The children who were exclusively breastfed had less infections compared to children who were non-exclusively breast fed. It is had less infections, not handless infections.
Résumé
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is estimated that 5,08,000 women died due to breast cancer in 2011 globally. Late detection of breast cancer decreased the survival rate to 56% and the 5-year survival rate reached 85% with early detection of breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an inexpensive tool which helps women to detect any early changes in their breasts and thus helps to reduce the breast cancer mortality and morbidity. The present study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding BSE among women aged 25 years and above. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in rural North Kerala, among 206 women aged ?25 years selected by cluster sampling. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The participants were aged between 25-94 years (mean age 40.15±13.17). 62.6% have heard about BSE. Among the 206 participants, 12% had good knowledge while 10.6% knew the correct technique of doing BSE and only 0.06% knew that BSE must be performed once a month. Though 80.5% have good attitude regarding BSE, only 36% practised BSE and only 0.04% performed it every month. Educational status (high school and below vs higher secondary and above) was found to be significantly associated with knowledge (p<0.001) and practice (p=0.003). Knowledge regarding BSE was significantly associated with practice (p<0.001) while family history of breast cancer was not (p=0.072). Conclusions: The respondents had good attitude regarding BSE but knowledge and practice on BSE were very poor. Educational status has an influence on the knowledge and practice while family history did not have any influence.