Study of reproductive health problems in adolescent girls at ESIC PGIMSR, MGM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai: a retrospective study

Background: There are almost 200 million adolescents in India. It is estimated that the adolescent group constitutes about one fifth of India’s population and it is estimated that this age group will grow to over 214 million by 2020. The period of adolescence for a girl is a period of physical and psychological preparation for safe motherhood. Several factors contribute to the adolescents' growth. A vast majority of adolescent girls in India are suffering from menstrual problems, reproductive morbidities and nutritional deficiencies such as dysmenorrhoea, pre-menstrual syndrome, irregular menses, heavy menstrual bleeding, amenorrhoea, white discharge per vagina, UTI, anaemia etc. So, the present study was carried out to assess menstrual problems, reproductive health problems and nutritional status of adolescent girls coming to our hospital.Methods: It is a Retrospective study to find about the menstrual problems, reproductive health problems and nutritional status among the adolescent girls of 10-19 years age group who attended O.P.D. for various health problems. Data was collected retrospectively for two years from December 2015.Results: Mean age of adolescent girls were 14.38 Mean age to attain menarche was 12.93. About 386 (96.34%) adolescent girls were literate. 62.04% and 29.58% of adolescent girls belonged to class IV and Class V respectively. 62.56% of them live in poor housing and environmental status. The source of health information for the majority 123 (32.2%) was from mass media. Frequency and percentages of common menstrual problems like dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and primary amenorrhoea were 29.58%, 26.39%, 16.49%, 24.34 and 1.57% respectively. Other Reproductive health problems white discharge per vagina, itching in private parts, pain in lower abdomen, backache, urinary tract infection, lump in abdomen and others (boils, ulcers, warts etc.) 26.7%, 8.11%, 18.06%, 12.3%, 7.32%, 4.97% and 1.57%. Under weight were 21.98%. Anemia was observed in 57.84% of adolescent girls.Conclusions: Present study concluded that most of the adolescent girls suffer from various types of menstrual problems, reproductive morbidities and nutritional problems. The findings of the present study recommend that awareness should be created among the adolescent girls, so that they will be able to take appropriate decision on medical care and treatment

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare providers on cervical cancer, human papilloma virus and it’s vaccine at ESI PGIMSR, MGM Hospital Parel Mumbai, India

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in females Worldwide and nearly 85% of the cervical cancer cases are diagnosed in developing countries. The health care providers can play an important role in promoting cervical cancer screening and knowledge about HPV vaccination. So this study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination and to analyze the factors influencing the knowledge about HPV vaccination, among nursing staff.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 nurses and 75nursing students (total 218) at ESIPGIMSR MGM Hospital, Parel Mumbai. Data was collected using Questionnaire, designed based on the study objectives.Results: 73 (33.49%) of the nurses did received education on cervical cancer and HPV in the past. Most of the nurses, 184 (84.4%) considered that they were at no risk of cervical cancer. 143 (65.60%) nurses knew that Pap smear can be done to screen patients. Out of 141 married nurses, only 39 (27.28%) regularly had a gynaecological examination and 105 (74.47%) had never done Pap smear. In addition, 119 (54.59%) participants did not know at what age Pap smear should commence. Only 73 (33.49%) nurses knew about the route of transmission of HPV and 57 (26.15%) knew about HPV vaccine. 215 (98.62%) nurses did not receive an HPV vaccine.Conclusions: The nurses and nursing students did not have prior adequate education on cervical cancer, HPV, and vaccine and the desired level of knowledge on risk factors and signs of cervical cancer and prevention of the disease