Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and it is found to be increasing. Breast cancer survivors are threatened with various problems due to disease itself or its treatment and might exist for a long period even after treatment. The existing knowledge on experiences and needs among breast cancer survivors in India is very limited. The present study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of breast cancer survivors. Methods: In the present study qualitative study design was used and 17 breast cancer survivors, post six months of completed cancer treatment were selected using purposive sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted, the data was transcribed and translated and codes and theme were developed. Results: The study explored the needs and experiences of breast cancer survivors. The experiences of breast cancer survivors were as follows; awareness, psychological expressions, spirituality and misconceptions, economic burden, confinement, body image and bashfulness, maintaining secrecy, family support and physical burden. The needs of breast cancer survivors were identified as financial, informational, breast reconstruction surgery, help in household activities, family support, counseling and emotional support. Conclusion: Recognizing the experiences and needs of the breast cancer survivors by the family members, health care workers, community members and policy makers after the end of treatment is important to facilitate optimal delivery of health care at the community settings to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors.

Introduction: Fast food is processed and prepared in an industrial fashion. Vitamins, minerals, fibre and amino acids are low or lacking in fast food but has high energy (calories).The present study was done to assess the knowledge and practice of fast food consumption among Pre-University College students. Materials and methods: The study design adopted was cross-sectional. Semi-structured self-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data. Time bound enumeration was used to recruit the participants and total 160 Pre-University students were included in the study. Result: About 51(31.87%) of the participants had inadequate knowledge, 67(41.88%) of the participants had moderate knowledge and 42(26.25%) of the participants had adequate knowledge about the effect of fast food consumption. The majority of the respondents 116 (72.5%) reported that the main reason for their consumption is a delicious taste of fast food. Conclusion: Though fast foods are tasty they have low nutritive value and high calories. Nutrition counselling regarding the significance of a balanced diet and harmful effects of fast foods may help to curb the fast food addiction.

Background: Chronic pain is very common in Asian communities. It is a major cause of activity limitation and has a significant impact on individuals and society. One of the most common ailment for which patients seek for medical care is pain. This study was performed in the urban area to study the association of some of the modifiable risk factors of chronic pain. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic pain among adults residing in the Urban area of Udupi Taluk in Karnataka, India. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 360 participants of above 18 years of age. The participants were recruited using Simple Random Sampling technique from January 2017 to June 2017. Descriptive and analytical methods were used to estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated risk factors. Results: It was observed during the study that prevalence of chronic pain for adults older than 18 years was 62%. Low back pain and knee pain were the common ailments reported. About 50% of those who reported chronic pain, had the complaint for more than 5 years and reported more than six in Visual analogue scale. The postural factors associated with chronic pain were lifting weight, bend trunk heavily during work, repetitive movement of neck, trunk and shoulder, lifting hand above shoulder level and experience of fall. Conclusion: Present research revealed that higher prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain exists in the urban population of Udupi Taluk, which was influenced by repetition of same joint movement, trauma and depression irrespective of the other risk variables.

The objective of this systematic review was to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression among schoolgoing adolescents in India by using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI 1 or BDI 2). A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Google Scholar to identify cross-sectional school-based studies published during 1990-2020. Studies with pre-identified mental illness were excluded. Heterogeneity between studies were examined and estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were performed. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plot and Egger’s test. We included 13 studies in the meta-analysis. The random effect meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of depression among school going adolescents was 53% (95% CI: 41% - 65%). By gender, the prevalence was 50% (95 % CI: 38%–62%) in males and 57% (95% CI: 46% - 69%) in females. The subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence increased with the education levels (High school: 42%; High school and pre-university: 55%; and Pre-university: 67%). In this review we found that more than half of the school going adolescents in India suffered from depression that ranged from mild to severe. These results draw attention to re-look at the mental health policy and newer public health approaches to address depression. Further, strengthening school-based mental health services, along with the community and center-based care is crucial to prevent and effective management of depression among adolescents.

Background and Objectives Compliance with dietary, fluid, and medication instructions is a critically significant factor for the health and well-being of patients undergoing hemodialysis for an extended period. The current study assessed the correlation between noncompliance behavior and biochemical parameters of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study's objectives were 1) to assess patients' noncompliance behavior using a questionnaire, 2) to determine the biochemical parameters of CKD patients having noncompliance behavior, and 3) to find the correlation between biological parameters and noncompliance behavior. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 12, 2018, to February 10, 2019. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the participants, and 100 participants were included in the study. The End-Stage Renal Disease–Adherence Questionnaire was used to assess the non-compliance behavior. Results Most dialysis patients (70%) were compliant with the therapeutic regime, while 30% failed to comply. The study revealed a significant positive correlation between noncompliance behavior and biochemical parameters of CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis (r = 0.578, p < 0.05). Conclusion Noncompliance behavior is significantly correlated with the biochemical parameters among patients with CKD on dialysis. Optimal health is possible through fluid and dietary compliance in these patients. Hence, adherence behavior plays a significant role in the health and recovery of dialysis patients with CKD.