Over 500 college students across educational institutions in Goa, were informed about endometriosis recently through the GiveGoa Initiative of the Sanquelim-based Goa Institute of Management (GIM). The outreach initiative was part of World Endometriosis Awareness Month observed in March.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows abnormally. This results in medical issues arising in the female reproductive system during the menstrual cycle when the lining shed monthly does not exit the body correctly.
As part of the ‘GiveGoa’ initiative, seven students attached to the service learning and immersion course offered at the Institute namely Divya Singh, Jane Thomas, Aastha Asati, Lokesh Aswani, Asmita D, Piyush Balasaheb Dawkar and Sumanshu Aggarwal, created an informative presentation to students about the chronic and painful gynaecological condition and its implications.
“The sessions began by gauging the college students’ basic understanding of endometriosis, followed by a brief presentation by our students and a subsequent interactive session with the audience. The same set of questions asked at the sessions’ beginning was reiterated to note if the points made during the presentation were understood,” said Dr Supriya Phadnis, faculty, GIM, who works in the field of endometriosis.
The awareness programme took place at the Institute of Hotel Management, Porvorim; Sridora Caculo College, Mapusa; Goa College of Home Science, Panaji; Goa College of Engineering, Ponda; Don Bosco College, Panaji; ITI Farmagudi, Veling; ITI Honda Sattari, Honda; P.E.S College of Arts and Science, Ponda; Ravi S. Naik College, Ponda; Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Mapusa; Chowgule College, Margao; St. Xaviers College, Mapusa and Goa College of Pharmacy, Panaji.
“Generating awareness about endometriosis among the general public is the first step towards creating an inclusive society where diagnosis, treatment and living a good life are easy. The campaign successfully educated over 500 students about this painful chronic condition that is frequently misdiagnosed,” stated Dr Rohit Mutkekar, faculty, GIM, who provided mentorship throughout the programme.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in ten women is affected by endometriosis globally and 10 percent of Indian women of reproductive age suffer from the condition, underscoring the significance of GIM’s awareness campaign.
