Abstract

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS XENOESTROGENS

Fakhsheena Anjum (Ph.D), Nighat Razvi (Ph.D), Sana Ghayas* (Ph.D), Auj Naeem (Pharm.D) and Ayesha Nisar (Pharm.D)

ABSTRACT

Objective: Xenoestrogens are those chemicals which affect normal metabolism of natural estrogen, consequently acting as carcinogen. This study was conducted to identify the awareness and usage of such chemicals in different forms in the females in Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and non interventional study employing random convenience sampling method was conducted from October 2015 to February 2016 among females living in Karachi city. The questionnaires were filled by the subjects in the presence of researchers after taking their consent which were then analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 16.0). Results: Out of 500 questionnaires, the response rate was 95.60%. The age of the female participants ranged from 25 to 65 years among whom 78.4% were married (n=392). Results revealed that the awareness about xenoestrogens among respondents was insufficient. Grilled food was occasionally consumed by (n=314, 65.69%) respondents while chicken was taken by (n=267, 55.85%) (p=0.00) twice a week or more; eggs were mostly consumed twice a week or more by (n=236, 49.37%) (p=0.00). It was seen that most of the respondents (n=336, 70.29%) consumed fresh milk. Plastic containers for food or drinks were used by (n=375, 78.45%) persons and (n=195, 40.79%) used them on weekly basis (p=0.00). Many respondents (n=191, 39.95%) (p=0.00) reused plastic bottles. It was observed that majority (n=406, 84.93%) used perfumes or deodorants and (n=207, 43.30%) used it once daily (p=0.00). Cosmetic products were used by (n=161, 33.68%) twice in a week or more; majority (n=306, 64.01%) used make up products. (n=217, 45.39%) used DDT/ pesticides among which (n=138, 28.87%) used them monthly (p=0.00). Conclusion: In our city, Xenoestrogens showed greater occurrence which might be a significant reason for the progression of several endocrine diseases and also incidence of breast cancer. Harmful effects due to the usage of xenoestrogensis need to be addressed and awareness is much needed in order to reduce their exposure.

Keywords: Xenoestrogens, carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, female population.