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Introduction: Women's empowerment is crucial for gender equality. This study, utilizing NFHS 4 and 5 data, assesses GBV and women's empowerment, including health indicators in Karnataka and India, aiming to evaluate achievements and challenges impacting women's lives for gender equality. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed NFHS 4 (2015–16) and NFHS 5 (2019–21) data for India and Karnataka, covering health, Gender-based Violence, education, economic and social-political empowerment. Data analysis used MS Excel 365 and Datawrapper tools. Results: Karnataka's female population increased by 7% (NFHS4 to NFHS5), surpassing India's 1%. Health indicators improved, including menstrual hygiene, family planning, prenatal and postnatal care, and reduced early marriages. Educational attainment, economic involvement, mobile phone ownership, and women's participation in household decisions increased. However, Karnataka saw a notable rise in GBV cases among young women, with spousal violence at 44.4% and sexual violence at 11% (NFHS5). Conclusion: This study depicts the evolution of women's empowerment and gender-based violence in Karnataka, India. Results show improvements in health, education, economic involvement, and specific empowerment indicators. However, the documented rise in GBV cases in Karnataka highlights the need for targeted interventions. Karnataka's experience can be a blueprint for achieving gender equality and women's empowerment in India.

Context: Hypertension in youth is increasing, but there is a dearth of data about the knowledge of risk factors in this age group. Aims: To assess the knowledge of risk factors of hypertension among university students and associate it with the blood pressure, physical activity, family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey among students enrolled in the first year, in the four academic programs, with the use of a validated, self-administered questionnaire on physical activity in the past 30 days and knowledge of risk factors of hypertension. A score of 6 on 11 was considered as good knowledge for modifiable risk factors. Blood pressure was also measured. The data was analyzed using PASW-17, Chi square test, and binary logistic regression analysis was done. Results: Of the 110 participants, 69.2% were < 20 years of age, 76.4% were females, and 40% were Arabs. Stress, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking were identified as risk factors by 75.5, 73.6, 77.6, and 71.8%, respectively; 69.1% considered high salt intake and 62.7% considered high calorie diet as risk factors. Energy drink was considered as a risk factor by 64.5%, coffee consumption 35.5%, physical inactivity 47%, and oral contraceptives 13.6%. Half the group did not consider a family history of CVD as a risk factor, 60% did not consider older age as a risk factor, and 88% did not think male gender was a risk factor. Knowledge of modifiable risk factors was better than that of non-modifiable risk factors. Although nationality, course of study, raised blood pressure, and history of diabetes showed significant association with good knowledge, their net effect was not significant by the Adjusted Odd′s Ratio. Conclusions: The study identified some gaps in knowledge regarding both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of hypertension among students. A larger study would enable health promotion activities tailored to the needs of this age group.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess female university students’ knowledge of breast cancer and its preventative measures and to identify their main misconceptions regarding breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2011 and June 2012 and included female students from three large universities in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A stratified random sampling procedure was used. Data were collected through a validated, pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included 35 questions testing knowledge of risk factors, warning signs and methods for the early detection of breast cancer. Participants’ opinions regarding breast cancer misconceptions were also sought. Results: The participants (n = 392) were most frequently between 18 and 22 years old (63.5%), non-Emirati (90.1%) and never married (89%). A family history of breast cancer was reported by 36 (9.2%) of the students. The percentage of participants who had low/below average knowledge scores regarding risk factors, warning signs and methods for early detection of breast cancer was 40.6%, 45.9% and 86.5%, respectively. Significantly higher knowledge scores on risk factors were noticed among participants with a family history of breast cancer (P = 0.03). The misconception most frequently identified was that “treatment for breast cancer affects a woman’s femininity” (62.5%). Conclusion: A profound lack of knowledge about breast cancer was noted among female university students in the three UAE universities studied. The most prominent gaps in knowledge identified were those concerning breast cancer screening methods.