RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is one of the fourth most common cancers in females. Although screening and early intervention are preventive and a part of national programs, cervical cancer is attributed to a large number of deaths due to late-stage presentation and late diagnosis. To better understand this phenomenon, this study analyzed the sociodemographic characteristics of cervical cancer patients and assessed their health-seeking behaviour. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 230 cervical cancer patients from the cancer ward of a tertiary care hospital. Detailed information about the onset of symptoms and previous gynecological problems along with sociodemographic details were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 230 cervical patients included, 70% were from rural areas and the majority presented at Stage III and IV. Additionally, 173 out of 230 patients previously had gynaecological problems, of which more than 50% did not initially seek any treatment. The common reasons for not seeking treatment were embarrassment, loss of daily wages, and the thought that it would heal by itself. The majority of those who took treatment went to traditional healers, and a Papanicolaou smear was not conducted on any patient. CONCLUSION: Lack of awareness about the importance of screening programs along with the embarrassment of addressing any problems leads to unwillingness to access health care for cervical health.
RESUMO
Musculoskeletal disorders constitute 1,194 prevalent cases per 1,00,000 among children aged 5 to 19 years in India. School bags with a weight exceeding 10% of the bodyweight is a common cause of backache in school children. Methods: School children aged 8-15 years from four private schools of Bhopal were included, resulting in a sample of 934 participants. An author-assisted questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The school bags were 16.5% of the average weight of students. 55.9% of the students experienced pain in the last 12 months, 41.6% in the last ten days and 21.3% had visited a doctor for the same. On analysis, bags with ³ three compartments (AOR: 3.7), using both shoulders to carry bags (AOR: 0.10), and the absence of lockers in schools (AOR: 17.80) were significant predictors of pain in the last ten days (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Massive advocacy and orientation are required at all levels for educational administrators, teachers, parents and students.
