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Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) presents a major public health challenge world-over including India. While several risk-factors, early signs and symptoms of BC are known, the knowledge and awareness of this disease remains poor among the population. The present study aimed to determine the extent of knowledge and awareness of BC, its risk factors, early signs and symptoms and breast self-examination (BSE) practice as an early detection method among Indian college-going female students. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey at a University in Delhi-NCR. Data on socio-demographic, knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was performed. All tests were two-sided and significance was set at p < 0.05. Findings: A total of 866 female students participated in the study with mean age of 22.32 (±0.146) years having mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.22 (±3.52). As high as 82.1% of the participants had heard of BC but while 74.8% thought early detection is possible, 70.7% believed BC cannot be prevented. Gene mutations (60.2%) were identified as a significant risk factor, while breast pain (61.4%) was commonly recognized as a sign of BC. Only 29.8% of students ever performed BSE. Increased odds of performing BSE (OR = 3.4) was found among students who recognized gene mutations as an important BC risk factor. Research limitations/implications: Knowledge and awareness of BC including BSE among female college students were found to be below average. It is suggested that there is an urgent need for increasing BC awareness among young girls through workshops and mobile-health interventions. Practical implications: This study provides new information on the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors, sign and symptoms and self-examination practice among young college girls. Moreover, this study advocates the need for design and implementation of a sustainable digital health model for active population BC screening, which is not being done currently. Social implications: BC is a highly aggressive disease, which is now one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India and world over. Although the knowledge of BC risk factors and its signs and symptoms have increased, the awareness of these elements among the general population at large is low and/or missing, especially in India. Furthermore, as a consequence of unorganized screening programs in the country, majority of women are presenting young with locally advanced disease. Understanding the existing level of knowledge and educating school, college and University students of the pertinent factors and screening practices such as BSE could drastically help in improving the self-screening and/or clinical examination rates. This could potentially lead to early detection and improved prognosis, thus ameliorating disease burden. Originality/value: This study is one of the few studies conducted in India among young female college students belonging to non-medical backgrounds, delineating the level of knowledge and awareness of BC risk factors and signs and symptoms along with practice of early detection method such as BSE. The study has a considerable sample size and provides valuable evidence for a need to implement programs incorporating digital health models for accelerating awareness and screening of young girls in both rural and urban settings.

Background: Almost one-third to half of the global population is now under some form of COVID-19 induced lockdown. The objective of this study was to assess the perspective of people in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India towards the COVID-19 induced nation-wide lockdown. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 159 residents of the state of Himachal Pradesh using snowball technique. The questionnaire was prepared through Google Forms and contained 21 perspective based questions. Results: Majority of the participants (96.2%) were found to be fully aware and satisfied (66.7%) with the implication of the nation-wide lockdown. It was also revealed that only few of the participants were working from home or taking online classes (18%). The percentage of participants facing mental and physical health issues were 55.3% and 49.7% respectively. Conclusion: The overall findings of the study revealed that even though most of the participants were fully aware and were satisfied with the implication of the nation-wide lockdown, there were some problems being faced by them. However, most of the participants agreed with the necessity of nationwide lockdown for the control of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the worst global crisis after World War II. Since the vaccine trials are still ongoing, the national lockdowns have been the most effective way to contain its spread. The pandemic has been extremely stressful and full of anxiety for those with comorbidities as they are the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 infections. Various efforts to assess and enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practice, especially the high-risk groups, are critical to managing the COVID-19 pandemic successfully. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out using a self-designed questionnaire. A total of 383 participants who were 30 years or older, with at least one comorbidity, were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 50.63±11.83 years. The most common comorbidities among the included participants were hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders (48.5%, 44.7% and 23.3%, respectively). Our study also showed the education (p=0.004) and occupation (p=0.04) had a significant association with the attitude and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, our study showed that a high level of knowledge, attitude, and practices are the backbone to combat a global crisis like COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This objective of the study was to report the prevalence of internet addiction, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress in undergraduate medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 221 undergraduate medical students at Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Data pertaining to internet addiction, sleep quality, and depressive symptoms were also collected using validated and reliable questionnaires (Young Internet Addiction Test, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21). Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality, severe anxiety, and severe depression was 33.9%, 7.3% and 3.6%, respectively. The place of residence was significantly associated (p = 0.006) with internet addiction. The mean Young Internet Addiction Test score was higher in students residing in hostels compared with students staying with families. Stress was associated with age. The mean stress score was higher in the age group 17-20 compared with the 21-24 age group. Stress and depression were independent predictors of sleep quality. Conclusion: Quality sleep is the key for good health. Based on limited samples, this study showed that poor sleep quality was associated with stress and depression. Hence, continuous counselling is suggested for supporting students managing their stress and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India causing increased mortality. Lack of awareness leads to detection of breast cancer in advanced stages and is difficult to cure then., Objective: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast cancer and its screening among women in India., Methodology: Literature search was done on electronic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar. Specific keywords related to breast cancer were used such as breast cancer or breast carcinoma AND awareness or knowledge or attitude or education or practice AND women or females AND India. Searches were limited to articles published in English language in the last 10 years., Results: Fifteen studies were selected with a total of 7545 women between the age of 14 and 75 years. Study population varied from health-care professionals, rural and urban women to general population. Majority of the women were married with illiteracy levels ranging from 5.6% to 42.8%. The knowledge of breast cancer was seen to be 62.99%. Knowledge and attitude toward breast cancer screening were 78.67% and 71.10%, respectively. Most reviewed studies showed a significant association of the knowledge of breast cancer with the education level, marital status, and age of study participants., Conclusion: Majority of the population knew about breast cancer and had low percentage for practice of screening methods. Programs on information about breast cancer are required. Women from all populations need to be motivated for positive change toward proper screening, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer., Competing Interests: None

Background: Cervical Cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the world leading to 90% deaths in low and middle income countries. About 96,922 new Cervical Cancer cases are diagnosed annually in India., Objective: To study the knowledge, attitude and practice on Cervical Cancer and screening among women in India., Materials and Methods: Health sciences electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between 2012 to March 2020. Keywords used for the search were ("Cervical Cancer screening"), ("knowledge"),("attitude"), ("practice") AND ("India"). 19 articles were included in the review based on the eligibility criteria. Statistical software SPSS-V.23 was used for the statistical application., Results: 7688 women were included in the study. Age of study participants ranged from 12-65 years. Overall knowledge on Cervical Cancer among women was 40.22%. Knowledge of risk factors and signs and symptoms was fairly adequate among the women. 32.68% of women knew that early age of marriage was a risk factor for Cervical Cancer followed by 23.01% women who mentioned that early age of initiation of sexual activity was a common risk factor for Cervical Cancer. Inter menstrual bleeding and foul smelling discharge was the most common sign and symptom reported in 30.75% and 28.86% women respectively. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding Cervical Cancer screening was seen in 20.31%, 43.64% and 13.22% of women respectively., Conclusion: Effective information, education and communication strategies are required to improve the level of awareness of women on Cervical Cancer.

Background: Globally, 570,000 cases of cervical cancer and 311,000 deaths from the disease occurred in 2018. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. About 96,922 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in India., Objective: To summarize the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward screening of cervical cancer among health professionals in India., Materials and Methods: Health sciences electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between 2012 and March 2020. Keywords used for the search were ("CERVICAL CANCER"), ("SCREENING"), ("KNOWLEDGE"), ("ATTITUDE"), ("PRACTICE"), ("HEALTH PROFESSIONALS"), AND ("INDIA"). A total of 22 articles were included in the review based on the eligibility criteria. Statistical software SPSS-V.23 was used for the statistical application., Results: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria with total of 6811 health professionals. The age of the study participants ranged from 18 to 60 years. The overall knowledge of cervical cancer among health professionals was 75.15%. The knowledge toward signs and symptoms and risk factors was adequate among health professionals. The knowledge, attitude, and practice toward screening was 86.20%, 85.47%, and 12.70%, respectively., Conclusion: The health professionals have optimum level of knowledge of cervical cancer and knowledge of screening of cervical cancer with appropriate attitude toward screening with low uptake of practice toward screening.