Background: Breast cancer is an increasing health problem in India. Screening for early detection should lead to a reduction in mortality from the disease. It is known that motivation by nurses influences uptake of screening methods by women. This study aimed to investigate knowledge of breast cancer risk factors & early detection methods and the practice of screening among nurses in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, early detection methods and practice of screening methods among 457 nurses working in a Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla-H.P. Chi square test, Data was analysed using SPSS version 16. Test of significance used was chi square test. Results: The response rate of the study was 94.9%. The average knowledge of risk factors about breast cancer of the entire population is 49%. 10.5% of nurses had poor knowledge, 25.2% of the nurses had good knowledge, 45% had very good knowledge and 16.3% of the nurses had excellent knowledge about risk factors of breast cancer and early detection methods. The knowledge level was significantly higher among BSC nurses than nurses with Diploma. 54% of participants in this study reportedly practice BSE at least once every year. Less than one-third reported that they had CBE within the past one year. 7% ever had mammogram before this study. Conclusions: Results from this study suggest the frequent continuing medical education programmes on breast cancer at institutional level is desirable.

Green tobacco sickness (GTS) is the condition that mainly affects the tobacco harvesters. The condition is prevalent in Asian and South American tobacco harvesters. The present review was conducted to discuss the etiology, epidemiology, symptoms, and prevention of GTS. It is caused by the absorption of nicotine through the skin while the workers are engaged in handling the uncured tobacco leaves. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pallor, dizziness, headaches, increased perspiration, chills, abdominal pain, diarrhea, increased salivation, prostration, weakness, breathlessness, and occasional lowering of blood pressure. The prevalence of GTS varies from 8.2 to 47% globally. The use of personal protective equipment like water-resistant clothing, chemical-resistant gloves, plastic aprons, and rain-suits with boots should be used by the tobacco farmers to prevent its occurrence. An international-level awareness campaign has to be taken up and more stringent workers safety regulations have to be formulated.

Context:Breast cancer incidence is increasing rapidly in India. The lifestyle, built, genetic makeup, reproductive and breastfeeding patterns are quite different in Indian females when compared to the Western population. Generalizing the Western data to the population residing in the Himalayan region would breed inaccuracies.Aim:The aim of our study was to identify risk factors in our own population in a Western Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, India.Subjects and Methods:A case–control study with 377 cases of invasive breast cancer and 346 hospital-based controls was conducted for 1 year. The data were collected by interviewing the individuals during their visit to hospital using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using standard statistical techniques using SPSS version 17 software.Results:Factors found to have strong association with invasive breast cancer on multivariate analysis are late age at first childbirth >30 years, which is the strongest risk factor associated, late age of menopause > 50 years, high socioeconomic class, and age of female above 50 years.Conclusion:In our females, age >50 years, late age of menopause (>50 years), late age at first childbirth (>30 years), and high socioeconomic status were found to be major risk factors associated with breast cancer. Several factors implicated in the Western data were not found to be significant in our study. We need to identify such aspects in reproductive and breastfeeding patterns of women and spread awareness regarding the same.

The prison population is a challenging one with many health problems including oral health. In a country such as India, the information regarding the oral health status in prisoners is scant. So, a cross-sectional study was carried out among a 311 prison inmate population of Kanda model jail, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, to assess the dental caries levels, periodontal health status, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Dental caries was present among 71.8% of the population and the mean decayed missing and filled teeth index (DMFT) of the population was 5.1 ± 2.1. Calculus was seen among 54.9% of the population. The mean severity score, summed for the 14 items in the scale was 14.57. Dental caries, periodontal disease, the number of missing teeth were significantly associated with OHRQoL. The population had a higher level of oral diseases and one half of the population reported that their oral condition had negatively impacted them in some way, thereby affecting their quality of life.

Aim:The aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among undergraduate dental students about oral cancer.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among undergraduate dental students between the 3rd and 5th years in H.P Government Dental College, Shimla. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions, five each on knowledge, attitudes and practices. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., version 16 for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA).Results:The response rate of the study was 90.6%. There were 23 (21.5%) males and 84 (78.5%) females in the study. There was a predominance of females (78.5%). The average knowledge percentage for the entire population is 81.9% (excellent knowledge). Tobacco and alcohol were correctly identified by 63.5% of the subjects. Squamous cell carcinoma was described as the most common type of oral cancer by 105 (98.3%) of the students. 60.7% of the subjects strongly disagreed that their knowledge regarding the prevention and detection of oral cancer is current and adequate, and 99% agreed that there is a need for additional training/information regarding oral cancer. About 92.5% of the subjects used to educate their subjects about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol.Conclusion:The study implies that the knowledge, especially about the etiological factors of oral cancer needs to be reinforced throughout the undergraduate dental courses so that they can use the same in educating and motivating the masses to adapt healthy lifestyles.

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The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the knowledge and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS among dental students in H.P. Government Dental College, Shimla, India. In November 2011, a survey was conducted of all the dental students of the college using a forty-ive-item, self-administered questionnaire. The total mean knowledge score was 68.3 percent (good knowledge). The mean knowledge score was statistically higher in the clinical group than in the preclinical group. A majority of the students were aware of the association between HIV and oral candidiasis (89.1 percent), major aphthous (83.2 percent), and Kaposi's sarcoma (68.9 percent). Only 4.9 percent had professional attitudes about treating patients with HIV/ AIDS. Male students had signiicantly fewer negative attitudes and higher positive attitudes than female students. The overall attitude score was signiicantly higher in the clinical group than in the preclinical group. Although a majority of the students had good knowledge, there were some inadequacies in their knowledge; those were more frequently seen in the preclinical students. It is important that dental students, as future dentists, develop not only the necessary practical skills but also knowledge and attitudes that will prepare them to treat patients with HIV/AIDS.

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