Journal of Nurse Midwifery and Maternal Health

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the cancer arising from cervix and is the most common gynecological cancer in women. It’s the most common cause of cancer death in developing countries, whereas in developed countries it is markedly reduced as a result of massive screening and early identification. The present study aims at exploring the awareness and risk factors of cervical cancer among rural women in the reproductive age group.

Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted among hundred women of the age group 15 to 49 years in selected villages of district Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, India, selected by one stage clustering of accessible villages. The data was collected by semi-structured interview.

Result: Among the 100 women who participated in the study only 34 had heard of the term cervical cancer and five had heard regarding the screening of cervical cancer. The level of awareness regarding cervical cancer and its prevention was good in three, average in 66 and poor in 31 women. The mean awareness score was 10.43+/- 4.13 (max score 24). The risk factors of cervical cancer common among the sample are, no screening (100), diet low in fruits and vegetables (52), overweight (40), history of more than two full term pregnancy (30), low income (19), pregnancy before 19 years (9), history of genital infection (9), sexual activity before 17 years (5), use of oral contraceptives for more than one year (4), poor genital hygiene (2), and smoking (1).

Discussion: The findings of the study reveal that the awareness of cervical cancer is inadequate in rural women and many known risk factors of cervical cancer prevalent among them. The findings of the study indicate the need for creating awareness regarding cervical cancer and promoting screening and health promotion activities among the women.

Keywords: Cervix; Cervical Cancer. 

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth have a way of changing the coping ability. Hormonal changes during pregnancy appear to make one more prone to anxiety and panic attacks, simply because they allow certain parts of the brain to become activated during periods of intense stress.

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the anxiety regarding labour process among primi parturient mothers.

Methods: The study was conducted at Government General hospital, Kancheepuram district. Cross sectional study design was adopted for this study. 60 primiparturient mothers were selected by simple random sampling technique . The tool consists of two sections. Section A consisted of Structured questionnaire to elicit demographic variables of primi parturient mothers and Section B pertained to assess the anxiety of Primiparturient mothers by Standardized Zung self rated anxiety scale.

Results: The study results showed that, regarding the level of anxiety regarding the labour process of primiparturient mothers, 9 (15%) of them were normal, 18 (30%) had mild to moderate level of anxiety, 26 (43.3%) had marked to severe level of anxiety and 7 (11.7%) had extreme level of anxiety.

Conclusion: The study concludes that, among 60 primipartuient mothers, majority 26 (43.3%) had marked to severe level of anxiety regarding labour process. So child birth preparation classes should be taken for the primiparturient mothers to alleviate their anxiety during labour.

Keywords: Anxiety; Labour Process; Primi Parturient Mothers. 

Introduction: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhance bone fragility, thus increasing the susceptibility to fracture.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledgeregarding prevention of Osteoporosis among middle aged women in Mamandur and to associate it with their demographic variables.

Methods: Quantitative approach and non-experimental descriptive research design was used. The data collection tool included two parts: Part A: Demographic variables, Part B: A Structured questionnaire to assess knowledge regarding prevention of osteoporosis among middle aged women in Mamandur. 130 middle aged woman who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected as samples using non probability Purposive sampling technique. The study was conducted at Mamandur, Kancheepuramdt.

Results: The data were analyzed and interpreted based on the objectives using descriptive and inferential statistics. Among 130 middle aged woman, 68 (52%) middle aged woman had moderately adequate knowledge, 54 (42%) middle aged woman had inadequate knowledge, 8 (6%) middle aged woman had adequate knowledge. There is a significant association between age and type of family with Knowledge levels at 95% (P < 0.05). There is no association with respect to other variables.

Conclusion: Osteoporosis is 8 times more common in women than in men for several reasons such as lower calcium intake, early bone resorption, pregnancy and breast feeding also increases the likelihood of osteoporosis.

Keywords: Osteoporosis; Prevention; Middle Aged Women.