Background Eye diseases are a major global health concern but are often neglected. This study aims to assess the sociodemographic determinants of knowledge on common eye diseases among the adult population in Afghanistan. Methods A cross-sectional survey was designed and conducted between August and October, 2021, including 509 adult population in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Participants' sociodemographics and knowledge of common eye diseases were recorded through an in-person interview. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate factors associated with understanding common eye diseases among study participants. Result The mean age of the study participant was 34.96 years, with males making up nearly 53.4% of the total sample. Of the 509 respondents, 76.8% of them did not have enough information on common eye diseases; 79% of the participants did not know the definition of glaucoma disease. Only 47.3% of the participants of this study knew the meaning of cataract disease. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) revealed that participants over 35 years of age had significantly higher odds of knowledge of eye disease [AOR: 3.629; 95%CI:1.770, 7.442] compared to the relatively younger age group of 18-34 years. A significant association was found between awareness about eye diseases and higher levels of education. Participants receiving higher education were found to have higher odds of being aware of the knowledge of eye disease. Conclusions Results showed low awareness about common eye disease among the younger adult population. The study, therefore, consolidates the need for promoting health literacy regarding common eye diseases in Herat province of Afghanistan. Keywords: Knowledge, awareness, common eye diseases, Herat-Afghanistan.

Background: Abortion as the termination of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation or a fetus born weighing less than 500g. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of women on abortion in Herat city of Afghanistan. This cross-sectional study also serves to fill up the gap of the scarcity of data on abortion. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged over 18 years old from over the 15 districts of Herat city of Afghanistan during 25th March 2021 to 1st June 2021. A total of 419 women participated in this study. Results: 30.3% of them were aged between 18-24 years old. 24.1% of the participants aged between 25-34 years old. 78.8% of the participants were married and 35.8% of the participants were Pashtuns. 41.5% of them heard about safe abortion methods. Only 23.4% of the participants had a good knowledge score on abortion. Good knowledge on abortion among participants were significantly associated with their ethnicity, educational level, father’s knowledge level, mother’s knowledge level, and economic status. Conclusion: A comprehensive campaign on safe abortion covering all the ethical, religious, constitutional, and scientific domains should be considered by the ministry of Public Health. It is recommended that the ministry of education of Afghanistan consider organizing trainings on safe abortion for high school male and female students.

Background: Breast cancer prevalence is observed to be higher in developed economies, but the mortality rates due to the said disease tend to be similar or even higher among lower-income countries. Afghanistan is among these countries where breast cancer mortality has been predominant among the female population. This may be related late diagnosis and the presentation of the cancer at much later stages.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire administered from June 2021 to July 2021 among women living in Herat province of Afghanistan. It evaluated their knowledge and practice towards breast cancer. 534 women answered the survey. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS software.Results: Lower level of knowledge about breast cancer and the limitations to the practice of breast self-examination (BSE) were found to be associated with such late detection and treatment. Using data collected in Herat Province of Afghanistan, this study examined the individual level sociodemographic factors related with the level of knowledge about breast cancer and also with the practice of BSE. It was found that 44% of the study sample of 534 women had high knowledge level. There were fewer still who performed BSE at about 12% of the respondents. Further examination showed that lower education attainment, albeit illiteracy, and the employment status were correlated with knowledge and practice surrounding breast cancer.Conclusion: This entails the need to formulate programs targeting the specific needs of women with lower socioeconomic status to build capacity toward their health and wellbeing.

Background: According to the World Health Organization abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation or a fetus born weighing less than 500g. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of women on abortion in Herat city of Afghanistan. This cross-sectional study also serves to fill up the gap of the scarcity of data on abortion in Afghanistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged over 18 years old from over the 15 districts of Herat city of Afghanistan during 25 th March 2021 to 1 st June 2021. A total of 419 women participated in this study. Results: Total 30.3% of our participants were aged between 18-24 years old and 24.1% of the participants aged between 25-34 years old. Our 78.8% of the participants were married and 35.8% of the participants were Pashtuns by religion. Among 41.5% of them heard about safe abortion methods. Our 56.6% of the participants had a good knowledge score on abortion. Total 57.5% of the participants who aged between 18-24 years old had a good level of knowledge on abortion. Of all the illiterate participants in this study, 46.7% of them had a good level of knowledge on abortion while 76.9% of participants with high school educational level had a good level of knowledge on abortion. Conclusion: A comprehensive campaign on safe abortion covering all the ethical, religious, constitutional, and scientific domains should be considered by the ministry of Public Health. It is recommended that the ministry of education of Afghanistan consider organizing trainings on safe abortion for high school male and female students.