J Kishore: Beliefs and perceptions about cancers among patients attending

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2008 Jan-Mar;9(1):155-8

2nd National Symposium on "Beliefs and Faiths: A Challage to Public Health"

The Department of Community Medicine in collaboration with Center for Inquery and Center for Media Study is organizing 2nd National Symposium on "Beliefs and Faiths: A challenge to Public Health" on 13th Septermber 2008 in Maulana Azad Medical College, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002, India starting from 9AM till 4PM. Dr. Paul Krutz a world renowed humanist and rationalist has consented to deliver his key note address. Swami Agnivesh as also consented to deliver his talk on the topic. There are many eminent speakers from the institutions of repute are joining to share their experience. The program is going to be beneficals for the public health professionals, medical officers working in government and private sectors at higher level, social scientists, managers and workers of non-government organizations, etc. All interested people are cordially invited to attend this symposium. There is no fee.

Health Expenditure at House Level in DelhiPresenting

Authors: Surbhi Batra, J Kishore, GK Ingle,
Introduction: In the present era to allocate resources judiciously in the health sector the policy making bodies need to have a deeper understanding of the health seeking behavior of the common man, which has two components: 1) utilization of the available resources 2) expenses on treatment. Information on these issues is not extensively studied. Objectives: To study the health expenditure and utilization of resources by the people in Delhi Methods: 200 families chosen by stratified random sampling from 4 out of 9 districts according to socioeconomic status. After obtaining voluntary informed consent information on family size, loans, savings (total), insurance, expenditure per month on food, clothing, education, luxuries, housing, recreation and health including self-medication, indigenous medicine, treatment of chronic illness, was obtained using pre-tested questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using computer software package Epi-Info and ANOVA test and Mann-Whitney were used for statistical significance at 5% level. Results: A higher mean age of head of household and per capita income in posh and middle class colony was observed. There were significant differences in savings, insurance cover, per capita and total incomes, and expenditure on food, clothing, housing, transport, recreation in different areas of Delhi. Expenditure on smoking was more in middle class and posh colonies in spite of lower smoking rates. Both areas had more health seeking behavior and expenditure on health particularly over the counter medicine, on alternative system of medicine, private health care compared to slum and resettlement areas. It was also observed that upper strata of Delhi spent more for their chronic diseases whereas people from slum and resettlement prefer more government hospitals for tuberculosis, and other lung diseases. Conclusion: Residents of posh and middle class colonies spends more on their health which could be due to their higher per capita income, suffering from chronic diseases and preference to private health care set up. This study concluded that more expenditure does not ensure freedom from illnesses and special emphasis is required on preventive health services.

Beliefs and perceptions about cancers among patients attending

Authors: J Kishore, Irfan Ahmad, PK Mohanta, GK Ingle

Introduction: The prevalence of beliefs and myths amongst cancer patients is a reflection of the level of knowledge available in the community regarding cancer. Since a cancer patient has the capability of influencing opinions amongst others more forcefully. This information could be utilized in preparation of cancer awareness program. However, not much information is available particularly about Indian cancer patients.
Objectives: To study the belief system and perceptions of the cancer patient about the disease.
Method: A face-to-face interview was conducted among 95 patients of cancer attending the out-patient-department of Oncology & Radiotherapy, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, regarding their beliefs and perception about cancer and their outlook towards its treatment. The questionnaire was designed and pre-tested. It contained 42 items on various aspects such as patient’s own idea of his disease, about its causation, its early diagnosis and its prevention, the impact of treatment whether successful or futile beside demographic information. The data was analysed using Epi-Info software package.
Results: Majority of patients were misinformed about the cancer. 27.3% believed that cancer is contagious and can be transmitted by contact. People get cancer due to ill wishes (58%), spirit (48%), God curse (59%), evil eye (60%), past/present sin (38%), and immoral behaviour (34%). Only 15% of patients believed that cancer can be prevented. 48% believed that death is certain in cancer. Wrong views were significantly more in illiterate than literate patients.
Conclusion: Beliefs in myths are common which is associated with illiteracy. Such wrong views are hindrance in accepting proper health services and need to be removed through mass awareness program.

Lifestyle Diseases in School Children In Delhi (Aged 8-12 years): Prevalence, Risk Factors and Awareness

Research Question: What is the Prevalence and Awareness Levels with regard to Lifestyle Diseases amongst school going children (Aged 8 -12 years)?What are the associated risk factors? Objective: To assess the Awareness levels and Prevalence with regard to Lifestyle Diseases amongst the children and to study the associated risk factors.Type of Study: Cross sectional study. Participants: A sample of 293 children studying in Government and Public Schools (6th – 8th Std) in Delhi. Tool: Questionnaires inquiring about eating habits, physical activity, sleep habits, opinions on right living were used to gather the data. Result: 10% of the population was obese and 39% were underweight. 90% of the population opines that physical activity is needed for good health but as much as 45% rarely on never indulges in physical activity. The most preferred pastime activity of more than 70% falls under the sedentary category. Although the awareness levels with regard to right eating habits are high (90%), however 50% consume soft drinks, chips and chocolates as frequently as 3 times a week. 8% experience problems with sleep very frequently and 45% experience sometimes. Conclusion: The high prevalence of both obesity and underweight reminds of the predicament that a developing country like India faces. With the huge lag between awareness levels and actual practice amongst the children, the onus is on the family, education and the media to mould productive and healthy lifestyle patterns for the children.

Authors: Phalguna, J Kishore, N Bhagat

J Kishore: Role of Beliefs in Public Health

J Kishore: Role of Beliefs in Public Health

Role of Beliefs in Public Health

A symposium on "Role of beliefs in Public Health" was organized in collaboration with Center for Inquiry, Delhi Branch at Conference room of Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi 16th Nov 2007. This symposium was attended by around 100 Public Health Experts, faculty and postgraduate and undergraduate students of all medical colleges (All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Lady Harding Medical College, University College of Medical Sciences, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Mualana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and Delhi University from Delhi. Symposium was inaugurated by Dr. AK Agarwal, Dean MAMC. In the introductory remark organizing secretary and Professor Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director (Hony) of Center for Inquiry Delhi said that there are various systems prevailing in India due to wide range of cultures, customs, religions, castes, etc. Many beliefs are detrimental to public health and need to be handled in a scientific way where social health specialists must work with medical professionals. Some beliefs are hindering proper health seeking behavior and people suffer. Strong believe in past karma and GOD help people to remain stay at home and do not seek medical care because GOD is going to solve their problem. Pregnant women have belief that planets and sun can affect their baby in their wombs. Dr. Innaiah N, Chairman of Center for Inquiry, India spoke on role of religion and belief systems on child abuse. People impose their faiths and religions on their innocent children at the age when they do not know about its validity. When you have accepted the United Nations resolution on Child Charter then why child still have to be forced to accept parental religions and faiths. Dr. Sanghamitra from JNU spoke about various beliefs system prevalent throughout the world and how these beliefs systems are important in making decision to accept health. It was wonderful presentation. Dr. YK Tekhre from National Institute of Health & Family Welfare highlighted some of the beliefs which are becoming stumbling block success of Reproductive and Child Health program. In the concluding remark of chairman Dr. RC Jiloha and Dr. GK Ingle, stated that this symposium is first of its kind in India and need of the hour. Such discussions are fruitful for the development of public health and community psychiatry in India. There was hot discussions on how parents can take steps to make their children free from burden of religion, till they become mature. The program was started at 2PM and finished at 5.00PM.