ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is globally prevalent and the leading cause of death due to cancer in females. Due to changes in risk factor profiles, improved cancer registration, and cancer detection, its incidence and death rates have risen over the past three decades. Both modifiable and immutable risk factors for BC make up a sizable portion of the total risk factors. Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Surgery, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. Consecutive sampling was done with a complete enumeration of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer >15 years old. Those who consented to participate and those who were extremely ill, deaf, or dumb were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were included. Maximum patients diagnosed with breast cancer belonged to the age group of 40-50 years (37.5%), Hindu by religion (76.1%), non-tribal (80.68%), illiterate (89.8%), married (98.9%), housewives (92%), and of class IV socio-economic status (SES) (65.9%). CONCLUSION: Regular training of Sahiya (the local name of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) in Jharkhand), empowerment of screening clinics for cancer, and upgraded diagnostic facilities for timely referral should be stressed upon.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the tribal state of Jharkhand, there have been very few studies on micronutrient deficiency and how it is addressed among school children. This study was conceived and undertaken to assess the effect of milk supplementation on the micronutrient status of school children. DESIGN: A comparative observational study was conducted among school children of a tribal district in India during 2017-2018. Two groups of schools/clusters were randomly selected, one with milk supplementation and the other without supplementation. A total of 318 children from the two groups of schools were recruited for biochemical analysis of certain micronutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron (haemoglobin level), using cluster random sampling. Data were analysed using SPSS V.20.0 software, and multiple logistic regression analysis was done to determine the predictors of serum calcium and vitamin B12 level among school children. RESULTS: Almost all children from both groups had vitamin D deficiency. A higher risk of lower serum vitamin B12 level (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.16) and calcium level (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.74 to 6.49) was observed in children of the control group. The difference in the proportion of anaemia in the two study groups was found to be statistically insignificant. Milk consumption was found to be the only significant predictor of normal vitamin B12 and calcium level in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was concluded that milk consumption may help in improving the calcium and vitamin B12 status of school children of a tribal state, whereas it does not have any significant effect on vitamin D level.
