IMPORTANCE OF PERIODIC HEALTH CHECK UP FOR INDIAN WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: In the past women's health care services were focused mainly on the health problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Although these are major contributors of morbidity and mortality in women life and require to be addressed in correct perspective, but at the same time the question arises that why should women's health remain limited to traditional Maternal and Child Health issues, as they are also exposed to strong risks of lifestyle diseases and specific conditions like certain cancers, anaemia, besides hazards of pregnancy/ child birth. Due largely to asymptomatic nature of these conditions, women may not be aware that they are at risk for non-communicable diseases, therefore screening for these diseases are important for assessing risk of future medical problems and to encourage a healthy lifestyle by women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: At the outset, to sensitize the women regarding importance of health check-up, health awareness campaign was run, followed by health examination including anthropometry, general medical checkup, blood tests for haemoglobin, blood sugar, ( Random), serum cholesterol, urine test for albumin and sugar, clinical breast examination for presence of lump and PAP smear for cervical cancer. Subjects with abnormal results were counseled by counselor and referred for further managements. SAMPLING: 1760 females married to Armed Forces personnel between the ages of 22 years to 55 years of age were selected for screening excluding pregnant women. 1384 women participated in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of various parameters studied was comparable to national figures and other studies. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that women are vulnerable to lifestyle diseases, certain cancers and non-communicable diseases. Strict preventive measures and health education is mandatory to limit this menace; a formalized periodic health check up for women in different age groups is strongly