Background: Cervical spondylitis, a degenerative condition of the cervical spine, is a growing public health concern due to sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen time, and poor ergonomic practices. As an increasingly prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, it significantly impacts the quality of life and productivity of affected individuals. Despite its clinical importance, public awareness and knowledge of cervical spondylitis remain inadequately explored in urban and semi-urban Indian populations. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, and preventive practices regarding cervical spondylitis among the general public in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Material and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2024, involving 400 adult residents of Gandhinagar. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling to ensure diverse representation. A structured, pre-validated questionnaire comprising two sections was used: socio-demographic details and a knowledge assessment with 20 questions on risk factors, symptoms, management, and preventive strategies. Awareness levels were categorized into "Very Good," "Good," "Fair," and "Poor" based on correct responses. Data were analyzed using Epi Info V7, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess knowledge scores in relation to socio-demographic variables. Results: The study cohort included 45% males and 55% females, with 68% residing in rural areas. The largest age group was 26–35 years (33%), and 28% of participants had undergraduate degrees. Awareness of key risk factors, such as poor posture (78%) and prolonged screen time (82%), was encouraging, while gaps were noted in understanding obesity (65%) and ergonomic practices (72%). Knowledge of preventive strategies, such as lifestyle modifications (64%) and physiotherapy (76%), showed variability. Knowledge scores revealed that 27% of participants had "Very Good" awareness, 38% "Good," 27% "Fair," and 8% "Poor." Conclusion: The study highlights a foundational understanding of cervical spondylitis among the public in Gandhinagar but identifies significant knowledge gaps in prevention and ergonomic practices. Targeted educational campaigns, workplace wellness programs, and community outreach initiatives are crucial to improving awareness and reducing the burden of cervical spondylitis. Addressing these gaps can lead to better health outcomes, enhanced productivity, and reduced healthcare costs.

Background: Hernia is a prevalent condition characterized by the protrusion of an organ through a weakened area in the surrounding tissue or muscle wall. While surgical repair is the most effective treatment, public understanding of hernia—its symptoms, causes, and surgical options—remains limited, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions of India. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge levels regarding hernia and its surgical management among the general public in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adults from Kangra using a structured, pre-validated online questionnaire available in Hindi and English. The survey collected socio-demographic data and assessed knowledge through 20 multiple-choice questions focused on hernia symptoms, risk factors, complications, and surgical treatment options. Knowledge levels were classified into four categories: very good (≥80%), good (60–79%), fair (41–59%), and poor (<40%). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses. Results: Among the 400 respondents, 51.5% were male and 48.5% female, with the majority aged between 26–45 years. While 40.5% demonstrated very good knowledge and 41.0% had good knowledge, 14.0% showed fair awareness and 4.5% fell into the poor category. Most participants (≥75%) correctly identified common symptoms, causes, and basic surgical procedures. However, knowledge gaps were evident regarding hernia recurrence (68.0%), risk of bowel obstruction (69.0%), and the long-term benefits of laparoscopic repair (76.0%). Conclusion: The findings highlight a generally favorable awareness of hernia in the Kangra population, though misconceptions persist regarding complications and surgical outcomes. There is a need for targeted, community-based educational programs to bridge these gaps, particularly among rural and less educated individuals. Raising awareness through both digital platforms and grassroots initiatives can improve timely diagnosis and enhance health outcomes related to hernia management.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in India, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Despite being largely preventable through Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and regular screening, the disease continues to claim thousands of lives due to poor awareness, late diagnosis, and sociocultural barriers. In hilly districts like Shimla, where healthcare access and health literacy can be limited, understanding the public's awareness levels is crucial for guiding targeted interventions. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 women aged 18 years and above in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, from January to March 2025. Data were collected using a structured, bilingual (Hindi and English) questionnaire comprising 20 knowledge-based questions along with demographic and attitudinal components. The survey was disseminated digitally through social media platforms and local networks. Participants were scored based on correct responses and categorized into four knowledge levels: very good (≥80%), good (60–79%), fair (41–59%), and poor (<40%). Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were used to analyze the data. Results: The study revealed that 35.0% of respondents had very good knowledge, 38.5% good, 18.0% fair, and 8.5% poor knowledge regarding cervical cancer. High awareness was observed on major risk factors such as HPV infection (78.0%) and symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding (82.0%). Awareness of preventive measures such as HPV vaccination (75.0%) and Pap smear screening (77.0%) was also encouraging. However, knowledge gaps persisted on less visible aspects of the disease, such as asymptomatic onset (70.0%) and recurrence potential (60.0%). Rural participants and those with lower educational attainment showed notably lower awareness levels. Conclusion: While foundational awareness of cervical cancer among women in Shimla is commendable, notable gaps remain in understanding early disease progression and recurrence. These gaps are particularly evident in rural and less-educated populations, highlighting the need for context-specific health education campaigns. Strengthening community-based outreach, improving vaccine accessibility, and integrating cervical health literacy into school and primary care settings can foster early detection and prevention.

Background: Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and iodine deficiency-related diseases, are significant yet frequently overlooked public health concerns. Despite the thyroid gland’s vital role in regulating metabolism and physiological balance, subtle and nonspecific symptoms often delay diagnosis and treatment. India, with over 42 million affected individuals, faces a substantial thyroid disease burden, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions where awareness remains limited. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based survey was conducted online from January to March 2025 among 400 adult residents of Shimla district. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, participants were recruited through social media and email networks. A structured, bilingual questionnaire assessed socio-demographic data, knowledge of thyroid disorders, risk factors including iodine intake, symptom recognition, management practices, and misconceptions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and knowledge scores were categorized into "Very Good," "Good," "Fair," and "Poor" levels based on correct responses. Results: Among the 400 participants, 53.3% were female and 64.8% resided in rural areas. Although 79.0% correctly identified thyroid dysfunction and 75.8% associated weight gain with hypothyroidism, only 60.3% recognized iodine as essential for thyroid health. Awareness about routine thyroid screening (81.0%) and the role of healthcare professionals in diagnosis (83.3%) was encouraging; however, gaps persisted regarding disease curability and the lifelong nature of thyroid medication. Overall, 30.5% demonstrated "Very Good" knowledge, 43.0% "Good," 19.5% "Fair," and 7.0% "Poor" understanding, highlighting that approximately one-fourth of participants lacked adequate thyroid health literacy. Conclusion: While a strong foundational awareness about thyroid disorders exists among residents of Shimla district, critical misconceptions regarding iodine intake, symptom diversity, disease chronicity, and medication adherence persist. Targeted, culturally sensitive educational interventions, community-driven campaigns, and integration of thyroid health services into primary care are urgently needed to bridge knowledge gaps, improve early detection, and enhance management outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved populations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease shows significant geographical, racial, and demographic variation in incidence and clinical behavior. This article reviews the clinicopathological characteristics of CRC, analyzing demographic patterns, risk factors, clinical presentations, histological variants, and tumor staging. Understanding the diverse profile of CRC patients is essential for early diagnosis, appropriate therapeutic planning, and improved prognostic outcomes.

Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) constitutes a major public health challenge with increasing incidence in developing countries. Early detection and accurate clinicopathological characterization are critical to improving outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological profile of CRC patients at a tertiary care center in North India, focusing on demographics, tumor characteristics, stage at diagnosis and associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over one year, enrolling 50 histologically confirmed CRC patients. Data regarding demographic profile, lifestyle factors, tumor site, histological subtype and staging were collected and analyzed. Results: Males constituted 64% of the cohort, with the highest incidence in the 51–60-year age group. Rectal tumors were predominant (54%), followed by left-sided and right-sided colon cancers. Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was the most common histological subtype (58%). Advanced-stage presentation was common, with 44% at stage III and 24% at stage IV. Emergency presentations such as obstruction and perforation were noted in 20% and 8% respectively. Curative resection was feasible in 68% of patients. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer in this study showed late-stage presentation and strong association with modifiable risk factors. Focused strategies on prevention, early detection and multidisciplinary management are essential to improve survival outcomes in the Indian setting.