Abstract:Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and is influenced by reproductive factors perceived by women worldwide. Aims: To identify the reproductive risk factors of breast cancer in newly diagnosed cases and to find out the strength of association of the risk factors with the breast cancer. Material and Methods: A hospital based case-control study was conducted in Satara district, India during year 2009 to 2011 among newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer and matched controls. A total of 434 participants including 217 cases and 217 controls were enrolled by purposive sampling technique from selected hospitals of study area. The information was collected by employing pre-tested questionnaire by utilizing interview method. Statistical Analysis used: Descriptive statistics, Odds ratio and Chi-square test was used to find out strength of association and statistical significant difference. The proportions of cases were higher as compared to the controls with respect to risk factors like unmarried status, nulliparity, history of abortion, post menopausal status, absence of breast feeding and the history of exposure to hormonal contraceptives. The risk of getting breast cancer as indicated by Odds ratio was 8 times higher in unmarried women, 2.8 times in nulliparous women, 2.4 times with post menopausal status, 10.4 times with absence of breast feeding, 1.5 times with exposure to hormonal contraceptives and 4.5 times with history of ovarian disease respectively. Conclusion: The reproductive risk factors such as unmarried status of women, nulliparity, menopause, absence of breast feeding, history of ovarian disease and use of contraceptives were strongly associated with breast cancer. Introduction:Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. It is reflected as an important public health problem for adult women residing in developing countries like India.1 Breast cancer alone accounts for 16% of all female cancers 2,3 with 14% mortality, of which about half of the cases and 60% deaths are estimated to occur in economically developing countries.4 It is estimated that by 2030 the global burden of breast cancer will increase to over 2 million new cases per year.

Menstruation is a natural part of women's reproductive cycle. However, in most parts of the world, it remains a taboo and is rarely talked. Cultural practices and taboos around menstruation negatively impact the lives of adolescent girls and women, and also reinforce gender inequities and exclusion. 1 Adolescent girls constitute a vulnerable group, particularly in India where female child is neglected as indicated by sex ratio. Menstruation, though natural process, still regarded as something unclean or dirty in Indian society and linked with several misconceptions and practices which results in adverse health outcomes. Moreover, studies have proved a direct link between poor menstrual hygiene and urinary or reproductive tract infections and other illnesses. 2

Objectives: Cancer is a major life-threatening disease and has its impact on both patients and their family members. Caregivers also play the very important role in the care of the patients with cancer. (1) Asses the burden among caregivers of patients with oral cancer using burden inventory. (2) Assess the perceived stress among caregivers of patients with oral cancer using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). (3) Identify the correlation between burden and perceived stress with selected sociodemographic variable. There is mounting evidence that during advanced stages of illness, changes in family roles, and the burden placed on family caregivers may negatively affect quality of life for cancer patients, as well as their caregivers. Attending to the needs of the families of patients not only will benefit family members but also may help patients with their own emotional responses and management of their disease. The study objectives were to asses the burden and the perceived stress among caregivers of patients with oral cancer patients. Methods:Quantitative nonexperimental approach with descriptive survey design was selected for study. 40 caregivers of patients with oral cancer were selected through convenience sampling technique. The study included the caregivers of 21-50 years age group who is providing care patients with oral cancers, who are responding and interested to participate, and available at the time of the study. Caregiver's burden was assessed using caregiver burden scale. A stress of the caregiver was assessed by the PSS.Results: Demographic variable shows that maximum sample belongs 40-50 (40%) years of age group, male gender (65%), married (90%), nuclear family (65%), house wife by occupation (60%), spouse to the patients (45%), below graduated education (72%), 6 months to 1 year in providing care (47%), having health benefit from government (52%), and accompanying patient regularly to the hospital (72%). In this study, 3 (7.5%) caregiver were said that no burden, 13 (32.5%) samples shown mild burden, 15 (37.5%) relative indicated moderate burden, and 9 (22.5%) samples shown severe burden; 4 (10%) samples shown low stress, 22 (55%) caregiver presented moderate stress, and 14 (35%) samples had high stress. Conclusion:Caregivers are often patients' primary source of support, many experience significant burden, particularly with respect to their physical and psychological well-being, economic circumstances, and social and personal relationships.

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Abstract:Background: Depression, a universal problem for individuals with HIV/AIDS because the disease creates uncertainty and disruption in every aspect of their lives. Objectives: To assess the level of perceived stigma and depression among women with HIV/AIDS infection and to determine relationship between perceived stigma and depression. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bel -Air hospital located at Panchgani, state of Maharashtra, India during year 2013 among the women with HIV/AIDS infection. By purposive sampling technique, 50 women were enrolled and interviewed by utilizing Standardized data collection tool i.e. stigma perception scale by Sowell et al and CES-D by Radloff after institutional ethical clearance certificate. Statistics: Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and correlation coefficient was used to analyze the data. Results: The out of a total 50 HIV infected women maximum, 26(52%) were belonged to the age group of 28 -36 years. All the women were married out of which majority were widows 28(56%). Among the study subjects, maximum, 25(50%) were having secondary education, followed by 46(92%) as housewives. 38(76%) women were aware of HIV status ranging from 1 month to 2.5 years. However, 43(86%) reported that they had acquired HIV infection from their husband. Almost all women perceived stigma at some or other time of which majority, 26(52%) perceived stigma frequently whereas 19(38%) and 5(10%) perceived stigma always and occasionally respectively. Similarly all the women have some sort of depression and majority, 37(74%) experienced depression most of the time whereas 13(26%) experienced depression occasionally. The perceived stigma and depression have a significant positive correlation as indicated by correlation coefficient. Conclusion: Moderate to severe degree of stigma and depression was perceived by women with a status of HIV/AIDS infection. A significant positive relationship is also existed between perceived stigma and depression among the women with HIV/AIDS infection.