ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human fertility is determined by many factors such as customs, morals and habits of social groups with regard to marital obligation of life. Acceptance of family planning methods varies within and between societies and there are many factors which are responsible for such variation at community, family and individual level. Socioeconomic environment, culture and education are few of them that play a vital role. Jammu and Kashmir state in general and Kashmir valley in particular is a Muslim-dominated population with traditionally a conservative society. Apart from family customs and influence of the elders, religious background has always been behind the passive resistance, or at the best indifference towards contraception. This study makes an attempt to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception in rural Kashmir. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception in rural Kashmir. STUDY DESIGN: Community-based Cross-Sectional study. STUDY PERIOD: December 2006 to May 2008. PARTICIPANTS: 1900 currently married women in the age group of 15-49 years of age. SETTING: Rural households. METHODS: 1900 currently married women, aged 15-49 years, selected by multi-stage random sampling technique from three districts of Kashmir valley who were interviewed at home using a pretested oral questionnaire. The assessment of various socioeconomic and other variables made as per the available standard procedures and scales. ANALYSIS: Percentage, Chi square test and Bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Knowledge of the contraceptive methods was fairly good especially for terminal methods i.e. female sterilization (97.7 %). Main source of information on contraception was obtained from mass media (60.4 %). Contraceptive practice was significantly related to number of living children, literacy, socioeconomic status and type of family. CONCLUSION: What is needed is to promote and stress contraceptive methods and their advantages using mass media approach and to explore more and more participation of private sector.
ABSTRACT
Pilonidal sinus is a chronic intermittent disease, usually involving the sacrococcygeal area. This study was undertaken to compare the results of rhomboid excision followed by Limberg flap with that of excision and primary closure in patients with primary pilonidal sinus. A total of 120 patients with pilonidal disease were randomly divided into group A who underwent excision and primary closure (n = 60) and group B who underwent the rhomboid transposition flap procedure (n = 60). Length of hospital stay and postoperative complications in two groups were compared. Duration of hospital stay (P < 0.001) and time to resumption of work (P < 0.001) was less for group B, and postoperative complications were fewer in group B (P < 0.05). During follow-up of 2 years, no recurrence was detected in patients in group B, whereas five patients developed recurrence in group A (P = 0.02). Limberg flap procedure is better than the simple excision and primary closure for the management of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.
ABSTRACT
Avoiding a scar on the breast is an inherent feminine desire. We devised a new approach for breast fibroadenoma excision:Transaxillary approach with use of traction suture (TATS), in 50 patients with breast fibroadenoma. The swelling was present in the outer breast. The wound healed without noticeable scarring and the original shape of the breast was preserved. All the patients expressed their great satisfaction with the procedure.
