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Background The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of obstetric fistula in the rural area of the south eastern community of India and the training of community health workers for its prevention. Methods A population-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the south eastern rural community of India. A total of 3939 women were included in the study and Probability proportional to size sampling was used in the study. Frequency distribution and logistic regression were computed to analyse the data using STATA version 11.2. Results Out of 3939 participants interviewed, 23.7% women reported obstetric fistula symptoms whereas after clinical diagnosis and speculum examination the obstetric morbidity pattern was: Obstetric fistula 0.3%, stress urinary incontinence 20.0%, pelvic inflammatory diseases 1.2%, uterine prolapse 1.4% and urinary tract infection 3.8%. The awareness level of the rural women regarding the obstetric fistula was assessed by a structured knowledge questionnaire and found to be very poor, hence community based fistula training was implemented among community health workers as a health system based strategy for its prevention. Obstetric fistula found to be more prevalent among women of poor educational level, low socioeconomic status, less no of antenatal visits, delay in accessing the emergency obstetric care and prolonged labour (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Finding of the study indicated that the prevalence and risk of developing obstetric fistula was associated with less number of antenatal visits, prolonged labour, delay in timely intervention, delay in accessing emergency obstetric care and more number of movements from home to the delivery place. Finally, our study suggests that emphasis needs to be placed on training of community health workers to facilitate early screening for identification and referral of women with obstetric fistula.

Objective:Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates remain high in developing country due to low levels of awareness on preventive measures. The main study objective was to sensitize the young girls on the prevention of cervical cancer.Study Design:Quasi-experimental pretest and posttest design was used.Methods:A total of 240 young girls enrolled and 60 were selected randomly for the sensitization program. The preparedness for prevention of cervical cancer was assessed through structured preparedness criteria and perception toward vaccination was ascertained through rating scale.Results:Changes in knowledge level and intention to be vaccinated and for developing positive attitude to be screened in future were assessed using paired t-tests and found to be statistically significant. There is been an improvement in knowledge score noticed from pretest to posttest. The greatest improvements were observed in responses to questions on knowledge on symptoms (60%) and prevention (88%) that is maximum responded vaginal bleeding is the most common symptoms of cervical cancer and avoiding early sexual intercourse is the preventive measures of cancer cervix. Out of the 60 girls, 52 (86%) shown their agreement for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, 35 (58.33%) took the HPV vaccine as a preventive measure.Conclusion:Study concludes that periodical sensitization through educational intervention may act as a cascade for girls and help them to be more aware about the preventive aspects of cervical cancer.

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Background: Uterine fibroid is the most common pelvic tumor in women of reproductive age and are asymptomatic in at least 50% of affected women. Various risk factors are associated with development of uterine fibroids during this reproductive age. The present study established various associated risk factors increases the prevalence of uterine fibroid among reproductive age group and clinical symptoms burden of diagnosed case.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to collect samples for a period of six months in an OPD basis. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the 362 sample of reproductive age group (15-45 years) women in a tertiary care hospital, Southeastern India. Women diagnosed with uterine fibroid by ultrasonography were included as cases. Symptomatic features and associated risk factors of UF were collected through structure interview schedule.Results: Point prevalence of uterine fibroid among women in reproductive age group during the period of six months was 20%. Majority of them were in the age group of 30-39 years. Demographic factor such as overweight and obesity and consume dairy products daily has increased the prevalence of UF, whereas use of oral contraceptive pills and normal BMI had inverse relationship with UF risk. Most of the cases reported of having menstrual disturbances like heavy bleeding, passes blood clots during menstruation, prolonged period, urinary symptoms and pressure symptoms were considered independent predicting factors for the occurrence of uterine fibroid.Conclusions: Uterine fibroid is more prevalent among women of reproductive age causing various bleeding and renal symptoms that can have negative impact on quality of women’s life.