Identifying barriers to early diagnosis of breast cancer and perception of women in Malwa region of Punjab,India

Objective:The aim of present study is to identify the breast cancer screening barriers among the women with breast cancer of Malwa region of Punjab,India.The study was conducted at three government hospitals representing almost all districts of Malwa region.Methods:The quantitative research design was followed using empirical research methods.Study was carried out by one-to-one interview by the field investigator and research assistant.Total of 363 breast cancer patient has been interviewed through the scheduled questionnaire and results has been recorded for further analysis.In this study,five barriers are described namely as personal barriers,socio-cultural barriers,economic barriers,health­system barriers,and treatment barriers which contains various questions regarding barriers to breast cancer screening.Univariate analysis methods have been used for the analysis to access the socio-demographic profile of women.Data has been obtained with the help of 5-point liker scale.Binary logistic model was chosen.Results:Majority of participants were in the age groups 50-<60 years(3&6%,140/363)and>60 years(31.1%,112/363).Majority of these women(47.4%,171/363)were illiterate and most of them were housewives.The major barriers to breast cancer screening faced by most of the women were having no knowledge about screening services(90.9%,329/363),the importance of early diagnosis(90.9%,329/363),different screening methods(95.5%,347/363)and place of availing screening services(91.2%,330/363)misguided belief in God and fate(81.5%,295/363)and preferring duties than taking care of health(70.2%,254/363).Education qualification(odds ratio[OR]0.74,β'=-0.309,t=-5.357,P=0.000)and socioeconomic class(OR 1.43,β’=0.354,t=3.399,P=0.001)were found to be significant determinant of the barriers among women.Conclusion:The survey was conducted in the women between the age 40-60 years and as an outcome,the unawareness about screening services,fatalistic attitude,fear of being diagnosed with the cancer,low per capita income was found out significant factors that restricted the women for early check-up for the breast cancer.

COVID-19 pandemic effects on the distribution of healthcare services in India: A systematic review

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has brought fundamental changes to our problems and priorities,especially those related to the healthcare sector.India was one of the countries severely affected by the harsh consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.AIM To understand the challenges faced by the healthcare system during a pandemic.METHODS The literature search for this review was conducted using PubMed,EMBASE,Scopus,Web of Science,and Google Scholar.We also used Reference Citation Analysis(RCA)to search and improve the results.We focused on the published scientific articles concerned with two major vital areas:(1)The Indian healthcare system;and(2)COVID-19 pandemic effects on the Indian healthcare system.RESULTS The Indian healthcare system was suffering even before the pandemic.The pandemic has further stretched the healthcare services in India.The main obstacle in the healthcare system was to combat the rising number of communicable as well as noncommunicable diseases.Besides the pandemic measures,there was a diversion of focus of the already established healthcare services away from the chronic conditions and vaccinations.The disruption of the vaccination services may have more severe short and long-term consequences than the pandemic’s adverse effects.CONCLUSION Severely restricted resources limited the interaction of the Indian healthcare system with the COVID-19 pandemic.Re-establishment of primary healthcare services,maternal and child health services,noncommunicable diseases programs,National Tuberculosis Elimination Program,etc.are important to prevent serious long-term consequences of this pandemic.