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BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Every year, millions of cancer patients could be saved from premature death and and suffering if they had timely access to early detection and treatment. There are two main components of early detection: early diagnosis and screening. In India, cancers of cervix, breast, mouth/oropharynx are the most frequent cancers in women. These cancers are amenable to early detection. More than two third of the cancer patients are already in an advanced and incurable stage at the time of diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed with the aim to know the reasons for non availment of cancer screening procedures and early diagnostic facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was planned in Sangli, Miraj and Kupwad Corporation area during October 2013 - March 2014 by a pretested questionnaire. Women of 25 years and above were study subjects selected randomly from a cluster sample of ward with estimated sample size of 559 women. Statistical analysis was done with the help of IBM SPSS 22. RESULTS: Nearly 74% of women said that cancer is curable. For awareness about signs and symptoms, risk factors and screening test 82.3% women scored less than 50% of total score. Only 17.7% women had awareness score more than 50%. But their attitude score was > 50% in 85.2% of women. For practice score, 24.4% women scored > 50%. Significant association was found between awareness, attitude and practice scores and education, occupation and history of cancer in family, friends and neighborhood of respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Low awareness is the main barrier for undergoing cancer screening and early detection. There is a need of effective health education programme.
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CONTEXT: Breast and cervical cancer are the most common causes of cancer mortality among women worldwide, but actually they are largely preventable diseases. Healthcare providers in developing countries regularly see women with advanced, incurable cancers. Health of a rural Indian women and her access to health facility is compromised due to sociocultural, economical, and environmental factors. AIMS: To know the problems associated with early detection of cancers in rural women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Rural area and cross-sectional. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: STUDY SUBJECT: Women of 35 years and above. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Not willing to participate. SAMPLE SIZE: All eligible women of selected villages. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Random selection of villages. Study duration: 2 months. Study tools: Pretested questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Percentages, χ(2) test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Awareness about symptoms, possibility of early detection, available tests, possibility of cure of disease was low. Main barrier for screening was cognitive, that is, 'don't know' answer by 83.99% women for cancer cervix, 84.93%, for cancer breast, and 67.26% for oral cancer. Awareness score was significantly associated with age (χ(2) = 17.77, P = 0.001), education (χ(2) = 34.62, P = 0.000), and income (χ(2) = 16.72, P = 0.002); while attitude score with age (χ(2) = 16.27, P = 0.012) and education (χ(2) = 25.16, P = 0.003). Practice score was significantly associated with age (χ(2) = 11.28, P = 0.023), education (χ(2) = 32.27, P = 0.003), and occupation (χ(2) = 10.69, P = 0.03). Awareness, attitude, and practice score of women having history of cancer in family or relative was significantly high than women without history. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive barrier was the important barrier which has to be taken care of.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Various studies across the globe have emphasised that students undertaking professional courses, such as medical and dental studies, are subjected to higher stress. Excessive stress could lead to psychological problems like depression and anxiety. The objective of the current study was to assess stress among students of various professional colleges and its association with various academic, social and health-related factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2011 to February 2012 among students of medical, dental and engineering colleges from the urban area of Sangli district, Maharashtra, India, using a convenience sampling technique. The calculated total sample size was 1,200. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. Analysis was done using percentage, the chi-square test, binary logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of the 1,224 respondents, 299 (24.4%) experienced stress. Among them 115 (38.5%), 102 (34.1%) and 82 (27.4%) were dental, medical and engineering students, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between stress and the field of education. Stress was observed in 187 (27.7%) females and 112 (20.4%) males; the association with gender was statistically significant. By applying binary logistic regression, medical studies, health and lifestyle factors, and academic factors were the significant predictors for stress. CONCLUSION: Students from all the three fields studied were exposed to stress. Academic factors were one of the most important stressors. The introduction of stress management education into the curriculum could prove useful in combatting this problem.
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BACKGROUND: Marriage of girls just after graduation is common in Western Maharashtra. This study was planned to know the views of final year graduation student towards reproductive carrier. AIM: To interact with final year girl students of various streams to know their preferences on various aspects of reproductive carrier and contraceptive awareness. STUDY-DESIGN: Cross-sectional. STUDY-SETTING: Academic institutes of Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Corporation area. Study-subject: All willing final year Girl students. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Married girls. SAMPLE SIZE: All final year girl students Sampling Technique: Cluster sample Study-Duration: 7 months. Study-tool: Pretested questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Percentages, Chi-square test. RESULTS: All girls who have responded prefer marrying and having first child at right age. All feel spacing is needed, at least of 2 years. Two children was the most common choice (52.3%). Forty-three percent girls feel male child is must and 52.3% of total girls will like to have sex determination done if required. Total 47.24% girls were unaware about any contraceptive methods but 88.2% girls knew the place of its availability. Most common source of information about contraceptive was school and friends. E-pill was known to 41.5% of girls. All girls felt the need for more information about reproductive health and according to 81.3% right age for it is 15-18 years. CONCLUSION: Girls have correct reproductive preferences except sex of child. Sex preference and Low contraceptive awareness needs strong intervention.
