RESUMO
Background: Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second most common cancer among women world-wide and accounts for 17% of all cancer deaths among females aged 30-69 years in India. Locally advanced cervical cancer is rampant in Bihar because of the high prevalence of associated risk factors. However, there is lack of organized screening programmes and treatment facilities for these patients. Thus, the study aimed at screening women for cervical cancer opportunistically during their visit to the health centres and to assess the various socio-demographic and other risk factors associated with positive screening test results.Methods: Using purposive sampling technique, all women aged 18-59 years who visited the centre for any purpose were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. All eligible women were screened using the conventional Pap Smear and evaluation was done using the 2014 Bethesda system. This study is still underway and 71 women have been screened so far. An interim analysis was done.Results: Only 4.23% of the women ever had Pap smear testing in their life earlier. Mean age was 35.3±9.12 years and majority of the women were married and multi-parous. Vaginal discharge (55.74%) was the most common perceived gynecological morbidity. Most (36.62%) smears were reported as inflammatory cervical smears while epithelial cell abnormalities were seen in 4 (5.63%) cases.Conclusions: This study reiterates the need to start organized cervical screening program not only at tertiary center but also at primary health centers which will definitely help to reduce the burden to some extent
RESUMO
Background: Faulty feeding practices and infections have a detrimental effect on an infant’s health. Although, breastfeeding is almost universal in India, rates of early initiation, Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) and timely complimentary feeds are far from desirable. This takes a heavy toll on their health and increases their susceptibility to develop several morbidities including Diarrhoea and Respiratory Tract Infections. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices and morbidity patterns of infants and to determine their association.Methods: It was a longitudinal study on a birth cohort of 99 infants in the rural field practice area of GMC, Amritsar who were followed up to 6 months of birth. Baseline data on sociodemographic profile and breast feeding was collected in the first visit. Weaning practices and any morbidity suffered during six months’ period were assessed at the follow up visit.Results: Breast feeding was initiated in majority 88.87% but it was delayed in more than half (54.02%) of infants. Customs like prelacteal feeding (76.8%) and discarding colostrum (50.57%) were quite prevalent. EBF was practiced by most 65.51%. In around a quarter of infants, delayed or faulty weaning was observed. Diarrhea was the commonest morbidity (49.09%) followed by ARI (32.73%). Significant association (p<0.05) was observed between the feeding practices and infant morbidities especially diarrhoea.Conclusions: Mothers should be educated more effectively regarding benefits of early and exclusive breast feeding and correct weaning practices. Emphasis should also be placed on increasing awareness in the community to bring about a significant change in the deleterious customs and traditions.