Cost of treatment for cancer: experiences of patients in public hospitals in India.

Background: To assess the treatment pattern and expenditure incurred by cancer patients undergoing treatment at government tertiary hospitals in India.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 508 cancer patients randomly selected from tertiary cancer hospitals funded by central/state governments located in major cities of five states in India, namely Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram, during March - May 2011 was conducted. Information related to direct costs, indirect costs and opportunity costs incurred on investigations and treatment, major source of payment and difficulties faced by patients during the course of treatment was collected.

Prevention of vertical transmission of HIV in India through service integration: lessons from Mysore District, Karnataka.

Meeting the needs of HIV-positive pregnant women and their offspring is critical to India's political and financial commitment to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. This review of the strategy to prevent vertical transmission of HIV in Mysore district, Karnataka, highlights the need to integrate prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) and reproductive and child health (RCH) services. All key officials who were involved in the integration of services at the state and district levels were interviewed by use of semistructured protocols.

Awareness regarding risk factors, symptoms and treatment facilities for cancer in selected states of India.

Objective: To study the level of awareness and knowledge about cancers and associated risk factors among households in selected states of India.

Methods: In the study 3070 households were interviewed from six states viz, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram.

Results: Knowledge of cancers other than those related to tobacco was very low (prostate 8%, colon 11% ) among the communities, with a poor awareness of warning signs and symptoms.

Assessment of utilization of RCH services and client satisfaction at different level of health facilities in Varanasi District.

Objective: To assess the various factors influencing utilization and non-utilization of RCH services and extent of client satisfaction.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during October to December 2008 at two selected blocks of Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh. Principal study subjects were 509 women having children less than 12 months old, selected through a multistage sampling technique.

Indigenous system of medicine lady doctors and general nurse midwives in operationalization of 24 x 7 services under NRHM in selected districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Objectives: To find out the status of utilization of MCH services after the induction of the indigenous system of medicine (ISM) lady doctors and CNMs for 24 x 7 services and the acceptance of this innovation by the health system and the community.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted during October to November 2008 in 10 blocks of 5 selected districts in Uttar Pradesh. Study subjects (CMO, MO I/C, ISM lady doctors, GNMs, PRI members) were interviewed and FGDs were also conducted.