Awareness and Attitude towards Breastfeeding among Two Generations of Indian Women: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Present study was aimed to analyze the impact of education, employment and financial independence in breastfeeding practices among Indian women. METHODOLOGY: Present explorative questionnaire based survey included 256 women (128 pairs) in the final analysis. A pair means--a) pregnant lady (in her third trimester) representing younger generation and b) her mother/mother in law representing the elder generation. RESULTS: We found that the overall awareness regarding 'breast milk' being the best food for baby was excellent (overall 97.3%; younger generation: 96.9%; elder generation: 97.7%). Overall knowledge regarding the correct technique (28.9% younger generation and 21.9% elder generation) and frequency of breastfeeding (20.3% of younger generation and 34.4% of elder generation) was very poor. Less than 60% (younger generation: 57.8%; elder generation: 58.6%) were aware that the only major contraindication for breastfeeding is a mother infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). On comparing responses obtained from the two generations of women, difference was not statistically significant among most of the issues related to breastfeeding. With regards to the attitude, despite better awareness, only 94.5% women in younger generation and 89.1% women in elder generation were planning to give mother's milk as the first feed to the newborn. Similarly, less than 75% of women were ready to breast-feed the newborn immediately after birth. This was contradictory to the fact that 86% of pregnant women were aware that the baby should be breast-fed within an hour of birth. CONCLUSION: Awareness with regards to breastfeeding issues had not changed significantly with the educational progress of Indian women. Despite the good level of awareness in the society regarding breastfeeding, attitude to practice the same is lacking.

Leiomyoma in vulva: a diagnostic dilemma.

With the help of this case we summarize some crucial features to be picked up from history and examination before labeling a case as Bartholin's abscess or cyst. A 20-year old unmarried girl, deaf and mute since birth, was initially diagnosed to have Bartholin's abscess. On careful reexamination after inflammation subsided, a decision of excision of this tumor was taken. Intraoperatively it was found to be well encapsulated. Histopathology ascertained the diagnosis of vulval leiomyoma.

An audit of indications, complications, and justification of hysterectomies at a teaching hospital in India.

Objective. Aim of this audit was to analyze indications, complications, and correlation of preoperative diagnosis with final histopathology report of all hysterectomies, performed in a premier teaching hospital. Methods. Present study involved all patients who underwent hysterectomy at a premier university hospital in Southern India, in one year (from 1 January, 2012, to 31 December, 2012). Results. Most common surgical approach was abdominal (74.7%), followed by vaginal (17.8%), and laparoscopic (6.6%) hysterectomy. Most common indication for hysterectomy was symptomatic fibroid uterus (39.9%), followed by uterovaginal prolapse (16.3%). Overall complication rate was 8.5%. Around 84% had the same pathology as suspected preoperatively. Only 6 (5 with preoperative diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding and one with high grade premalignant cervical lesion) had no significant pathology in their hysterectomy specimen. Conclusion. Hysterectomy is used commonly to improve the quality of life; however at times it is a lifesaving procedure. As any surgical procedure is associated with a risk of complications, the indication should be carefully evaluated. With the emergence of many conservative approaches to deal with benign gynecological conditions, it is prudent to discuss available options with the patient before taking a direct decision of surgically removing her uterus.