ABSTRACT
Background: Information needs of Breast Cancer (BC) and its perceived importance has not been adequately assessed in Sri Lanka. The present study aimed to assess cognitive information needs of BC among the adults. Methods: A household survey was conducted among a representative sample (n=1500) of over 18 years of age resident in the district of Colombo not having BC patients in the families. A validated interviewer-administered questionnaire collected information on general and cognitive information needs. Exploratory factor analysis assessed whether any of the aspects of informational needs are redundant and to group the needs. Results: Mean age of the participants was 37.21 (SD = ±9.7) years. Proportion of females was 51.7%, 82.9% were married and 44.1% had been educated up to General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level. Exploratory factor analysis revealed all items of the questionnaire to form two groups that were named as "Factual information on BC prevention and early detection (screening and early diagnosis)" and "Factual information on BC diagnosis and treatment". Results indicated that both groups of information needs were considered as highly important and the group "Factual information on BC diagnosis and treatment" (mean score 4.20 ± 0.75) was perceived as more important than the other group. The perceived importance of information needs was shown to be significantly different based on the sex of the adults, marital status, level of education and the employment status of the participants. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that cognitive information needs on BC are viewed as highly important by the general public. The study identified specific informational needs that are perceived as more important and some socio-demographic characteristics that are associated with higher perceived needs. The study recommends taking into account the findings of the study in designing the content and target groups for education on BC.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Health Information Systems , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Needs and Demand/standards , Patient Education as Topic , Perception , Access to Information , Adolescent , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Family Characteristics , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Sri Lanka has an exemplary record in maternal and child health care. Provision of free education for over 60 years has helped to empower women. Medical care is accessible and provided free of charge. The maternal mortality ratio and the other indices of maternal and neonatal health have shown uninterrupted improvement since 1930. Midwives and the policy to increase their presence has been the key to success. Public health midwives provide care at the doorstep. Institutional midwives carry out the vast majority of deliveries, of which 99% occur in hospitals. Although on target with the Millennium Development Goals, some challenges that still remain are maternal death from postpartum haemorrhage and unsafe abortion, and perinatal deaths due to congenital abnormalities and prematurity.
Subject(s)
Child Mortality , Infant Mortality , Maternal Mortality , United Nations/standards , Cause of Death , Child Health Services , Child, Preschool , Family Planning Services , Female , Health Policy , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Maternal Health Services , Organizational Objectives , Pregnancy , Sri Lanka/epidemiologyABSTRACT
This paper describes a project funded by DFID (Department of International Development of the United Kingdom) for the establishment of breast clinic in an oncological center in a developing country, Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka the commonest female cancer is breast cancer, with an incidence of 7.7 per 100,000. The project utilized a link with an existing breast clinic at the Royal Marsden UK. The principal methods used for establishing the clinic included, assessment of possible barriers by the exchange of senior staff, the development of guidelines, and regular review of progress by both link partners. As a result of these interactions, the first breast clinic in Sri Lanka was established. In has shown results in an increase in the pick up rate of new patients with breast cancer.
Subject(s)
Breast Diseases/diagnosis , Breast Diseases/therapy , Developing Countries , International Cooperation , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/organization & administration , Women's Health Services/organization & administration , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Program Development , Sri Lanka , United KingdomABSTRACT
This paper describes a project for the establishment of a cancer pain clinic in a developing country. The project was conducted according to guidelines from the World Health Organization and utilized a link with an existing cancer pain clinic in the UK. The principal methods used for establishing the new pain clinic included: an assessment of barriers to effective cancer pain control, teaching programs for nurses and trainee doctors, educational links with a UK cancer pain clinic, and analgesic guidelines and introduction of a pain assessment tool. As a result of these interventions, a new cancer pain clinic was founded. The methods used serve as one possible model for establishing cancer pain treatment facilities in developing countries.
