Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF WOMEN DISEASES IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS

K. P. R. Chowdary*, M. Usha and G. Anusha

ABSTRACT

The objective of the observational study is to evaluate the prevalence of commonly occurring women diseases in rural and urban areas, their clinical features, pharmacotherapeutics and treatment options for each and also to create awareness and patient counselling about women diseases. The study was conducted in the general medicine and gynaecology departments in tertiary care hospitals in rural and urban areas in Rajahmundry (AP) over a period of six months. A total of 165 women patients in the group of 18-80 years were included in the study. The study indicated that diabetes, hypertension, cerebrovascular stroke, UTIs, LRTIs and hypothyroidism are more prevalent disease (15-29%) among women. The occurrence of diabetes, hypertension and cerebrovascular stroke is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in rural areas than urban areas. Diabetes and hypertension were more observed in women patients of above 55 years of age. The clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, treatments adopted along with patient counselling given to women patients with respect to each disease are discussed.

Keywords: observational study, women diseases, rural and urban areas, patient counselling.