Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Burden Of Care As Perceived By Informal Caregivers Of The Patients Receiving Chemotherapy In Tertiary Care Hospital Of Karachi, Pakistan, Asher Ghori, Rubina Barolia, Naghma Rizvi, Ghulam Qadir

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Almost 32.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer annually. The huge number of cancer patients with deteriorating health renders a far greater number of informal caregivers bearing the burden of care in different forms and magnitude. The main purpose of the study was to explore the types of burden perceived by the informal caregivers and the factors associated with the caregiving burden.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to answer the research questions from April to May 2016. Around 200 informal caregivers were recruited from one of the tertiary hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. The modified ZBIS …

Burden Of Ileal Perforations Among Surgical Patients Admitted In Tertiary Care Hospitals Of Three Asian Countries: Surveillance Of Enteric Fever In Asia Project (Seap), September 2016-September 2019, Saqib Hamid Qazi, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Irum Fatima Dehraj, Rozina Thobani, Afshan Akhtar, Abdul Momin Kazi, Aneeta Hotwani, Najeeb Rahman, Junaid Mehmood, Farah Naz Qamar

Section of Paediatric Surgery

Background: Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) and can lead to systemic illness and complications. We aimed to characterize typhoid-related ileal perforation in the context of the population-based Surveillance of Enteric Fever in Asia Project (SEAP) in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
Methods: Between September 2016 and September 2019, all cases of nontraumatic ileal perforation with a clinical diagnosis of typhoid were enrolled from 4 tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, 2 pediatric hospitals in Bangladesh, and 2 hospitals in Nepal. Sociodemographic data were collected from patients or their caregivers, and clinical and outcome data …

Pharmacy Newsletter : December 2020, Pharmacy Department

Pharmacy Newsletter

Content:

• COVID-19 Pandemic & the Vaccines trial | Global progress
• ToxTok | Hand Sanitizer, How poisonous they are
• Drugs Safety & Management in Lactation
• Amiodarone Induced Thyrotoxicosis (AIT) | A Case
• Myths & Reality | Flu Vaccine

Validation Of A Swahili Version Of The 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (Phq-9) Among Adults Living With Hiv Compared To A Community Sample From Kilifi, Kenya, Paul Mwangi, Moses K. Nyongesa, Hans M. Koot, Pim Cuijpers, Charles R.J.C. Newton, Abubakar Abdillah

Institute for Human Development

Background: Depression remains under-investigated in people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa due to paucity of adequately validated measures. This study aimed to validate an adapted version of the 9-item Pa- tient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) among adults living with HIV compared to those from the community in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods: Analysis of data from 450 adults living with HIV and 337 adults from the community was conducted examining the reliability, factorial structure, measurement invariance and discriminant validity of interviewer- administered PHQ-9, Swahili version.

Results: Internal consistency of the Swahili PHQ-9 was good overall, in adults living with …

Long-Term Neurocognitive And Educational Outcomes Of Neonatal Insults In Kilifi, Kenya, Dorcas N. Magai, Hans M. Koot, Paul Mwangi, Esther Chongwo, Charles R. Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development

Background: There is little data on the long-term neurocognitive and educational outcomes among school-aged survivors of neonatal jaundice (NNJ) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in Africa. This study investigates the long-term neurocognitive and educational outcomes and the correlates of these outcomes in school-aged survivors of NNJ or HIE in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on neurocognitive and educational outcomes among school-aged survivors (6–12 years) of NNJ (n = 134) and HIE (n = 107) and compared them to a community comparison group (n = 134). We assessed nonverbal intelligence, planning, working memory, attention, syntax, pragmatics, wordfinding, …

Evolving Nurse Leadership Role In 2020, Nasreen Rafiq, Farida Bibi Mughal

School of Nursing & Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Nursing Education Amidst Covid-19: Obstacles And Way Forward, Farida Bibi Mughal, Nasreen Rafiq, Bibi Hajira Irshad Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

No abstract provided.

Response To Comments On Aisha Sheikh Et Al (J Pak Med Assoc. 70: 1477, 2020) Changing Prevalence Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus During Pregnancy Over More Than A Decade, Aisha Sheikh, Lumaan Sheikh

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

No abstract provided.

Effect Of A Mobile Phone Intervention For Female Sex Workers On Unintended Pregnancy In Kenya (Whisper Or Shout): A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial, Frances H. Ampt, Megan S. C. Lim, Paul A. Agius, Kelly L'Engle, Griffins Manguro, Caroline Gichuki, Peter Gichangi, Walter Jaoko, Marleen Temmerman, Stanley Luchters

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Female sex workers in low-income and middle-income countries face high risks of unintended pregnancy. We developed a 12-month, multifaceted short messaging service intervention (WHISPER) for female sex workers in Kenya who had the potential to become pregnant, to improve their contraceptive knowledge and behaviours. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the intervention to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancy among sex workers in Kenya compared with an equal-attention control group receiving nutrition-focused messages (SHOUT).

Methods: Our two-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial was done in sex-work venues in two subcounties of Mombasa, Kenya (Kisauni and Changamwe). …

Training Needs Assessment Of Health Care Professionals In Reproductive, Maternal And Newborn Health In A Low-Income Setting In Tanzania, Columba Mbekenga, Eunice Pallangyo, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Kahabi Isangula, Loveluck Mwasha, James Orwa, Micheal Mugerwa, Michaela Mantel, Leonard Subi, Secilia Mrema, David Siso, Edna Selestine, Marleen Temmerman, Grace Edwards

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Healthcare delivery globally and particularly in low-income setting is challenged by multiple, complex and dynamic problems. The reproductive, maternal and newborn health (RMNH) care is among the most affected areas resulting into high maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity across the Sub Saharan region and Tanzania in particular. However, under-investment in adequate education and training of health care providers (HCPs) is reported worldwide and contributes to the critical shortages, and lack of adequate knowledge and skills among HCPs. The aim of this study was to assess the training needs among HCPs of RMNH care in selected health facilities …

Imagining A Lean And Agile Digital Health Ecosystem - A Measure Of Pandemic Responsiveness, Zainab Samad, Sana Mahmood, Sameen Siddiqi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Section of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency Causing Neonatal Seizures And Global Developmental Delay, Sundal Aziz, Javeria Raza Alvi, Tipu Sultan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT: Molybdenum cofactor deficiency is a rare degenerative brain disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. It presents early in neonatal life with seizures, feeding difficulty and spasticity, sometimes misdiagnosed as neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Neuroimaging findings are consistent with loss of white matter and volume along with cystic encephalomalacic changes. Most of the patients have mutations in the MOCS1 and MOCS2 genes causing imbalance in the sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism leading to progressive neurological damage and early childhood death in majority of cases. We report a case of a 7 months old child, product of non-consanguineous marriage with history of neonatal …

Early Marriage And Early Childbearing In South Asia: Trends, Inequalities, And Drivers From 2005 To 2018, Samuel Scott, Phuong Hong Nguyen, Sumanta Neupane, Priyanjana Pramanik, Priya Nanda, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Kaosar Afsana, Purnima Menon

Woman and Child Health

Early marriage (EM) and early childbearing (ECB) have far-reaching consequences. This study describes the prevalence, trends, inequalities, and drivers of EM and ECB in South Asia using eight rounds of Demographic and Health Survey data across 13 years. We report the percentage of ever-married women aged 20-24 years (n = 105,150) married before 18 years (EM) and with a live birth before 20 years (ECB). Relative trends were examined using average annual rate of reduction (AARR). Inequalities were examined by geography, marital household wealth, residence, and education. Sociodemographic drivers of changes for EM were assessed using regression decomposition analyses. We …

Change In The Spectrum Of Orthopedic Trauma: Effects Of Covid-19 Pandemic In A Developing Nation During The Upsurge; A Cross-Sectional Study, Pervaiz Mahmood Hashmi, Marij Zahid, Syed Arif Ali, Hammad Naqi Khan, Anum Sadruddin Pidani, Alizah Pervaiz Hashmi, Shahryar Noordin

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great impact on orthopedic surgery with a significant curtailment in elective surgeries which is the major bread and butter for orthopedic surgeons. It was also observed that the spectrum of orthopedic trauma injuries has shifted from more severe and frequent road traffic accidents (high energy trauma) to general, low energy house-hold injuries like low energy fractures in the elderly, pediatric fractures, house-hold sharp cut injuries and nail bed lacerations. The aim of this study is to appraise the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopedic surgical practice, both inpatient and outpatient facility.
Materials …

Challenges For Dementia Care And Research In Pakistan, Fatima Siddiqui, Qurat Khan, Mohammad Wasay

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a decline in cognition and memory severe enough to interfere with daily life activities and is one of the major causes of disability and dependency in elderly worldwide with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common cause of dementia (1). 703 million individuals (9% of the world’s population) are more than 65 years of age and this number will double by the end of 2050 reaching 1.5 billion (16% of the world’s population) (2). Ageing has been the fastest in Eastern and South Eastern countries (3). Despite being a global health priority, with significant social …

Acute Ischemic Stroke Treatment Barriers In Pakistan, Saima Ahmad, Umair Rashid, Ossama Mansour, Sohail Akhtar

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Worldwide stroke is the second most common cause of death and the third most common cause of disability (1). No large-scale epidemiological studies are available to determine the true incidence of stroke in Pakistan. There is only one published stroke prevalence study which was conducted in a community residing in Karachi, the prevalence was 4.8%, however the results of the study should be interpreted with caution as a non-validated questionnaire was used. (2). Another community-based survey suggested as estimated 21.8% prevalence of stroke in an urban slum of Karachi (3). These studies although published in local journals but do not …

Spectrum Of Fugitive Diagnosis Of Neurological Disorders In Elderly, Safia Bano, Ayesha Aslam, Adnan Tariq, Adnan Mahmood, Rashid Imran, Ahsan Numan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Fugitive diagnosis “escape from true diagnosis” of neurological disorders is very common in elderly patients. It’s not always an underlying disease symptom or progression in old age. Aim of this study is to determine the frequency and nature of fugitive diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain disorders in old age. MATERIAL AND METHODS STUDY DESIGN A study was conducted in private Neuro-clinic in Lahore. Study duration is 3 years from to 1st January, 2017 to 31th December, 2019. It was a prospective, cross sectional study. Inclusion criteria: 1) Age >60years 2) Neurodegenerative brain disorders including vascular dementia 3) with or …

Prevalence Of Depression In Patients With Migraine, A Cross-Sectional Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital, Zuhaib Ahmed, Umar Farooque, Aijaz Ali, Syeda Urooj Riaz, Muhammad Ramzan, Vijaya Chaitanya Bollampally, Ehtesham Zahoor, Omer Cheema, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Rizwan Farooque, Muhammad Daim Bin Zafar

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

BACKGROUND Headache is one of the most common presenting complaints in patients attending primary care centers and the majority of them have primary headache syndromes. Depressive disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally and can further complicate the clinical manifestation if coupled with other comorbidities. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of depression in migraine patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital to better understand the leading causes of the disease. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2019 and June 2020 (six months) including 66 migraine patients between 18 …

Factors Affecting Treatment Compliance In Psychiatric Setting, Yasirah Gohar, Uroosa Talib, Nasir Mehmood

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Post Therapy Functional Status And Residual Weakness Of Patients With Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Iqra Athar, Anam Anis, Mansoor Iqbal, Sumaira Nabi, Mazhar Badshah, Syeda Rida

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The annual global incidence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome is approximately 1–2 per 100,000 person-years. Data on Guillain-Barre Syndrome is very rare from Pakistan, we conducted a retrospective study to assess the clinical presentation, and treatment response of these patients.

Obturator Nerve Block With Aqueous Phenol Reduces Hip Adductor Spasticity – A Single Centre Experience, Sarah Razaq, Fahim Anwar, Muhammad Aleem Arshad

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT

Aim: Spasticity is a cardinal symptom of upper motor neuron disorders. It affects different individuals differently.

Spasticity in the hip adductor muscles can be very painful and may result in postural abnormalities and hip deformities

that interfere with walking, transferring and perineal hygiene. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of phenol

obturator nerve block on hip adductor spasticity caused by the upper motor neuron lesions.

Materials and methods: This is a single-centre retrospective study of all patients with known spasticity in the hip

adductors who were assessed suitable for phenol nerve block of the obturator nerve. All patients …

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis And Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Tertiary Care Centre Experience, Safia Bano, Muhammad Athar Javed, Ahsan Numan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and Causes of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis METHODOLOGY: A Cross-Sectional, retrospective study was conducted at Neurology Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. Patients were included from inpatient with history of weakness of lower limbs/all four limbs with or without visual disturbances. History and clinical examination was consistent with transverse myelitis. Neuroimaging (MRI brain, (orbit in case of optic neuritis) and spinal cord) was done followed by LP/CSF, Vasculitis screening.

Assessment Of Dementia Caregiver Burden In Karachi, Pakistan Using 10/66 Protocol, Qurat Ul Ain Khan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Care arrangements and caregiver burden of people with dementia (PWD) are different in low and middle income countries (LMICs) than in developed countries. This is the first study in Pakistan assessing caregiver burden using the 10/66 protocol. METHOD: PWD were recruited from outpatient clinics and from the community in Karachi and were diagnosed according to DSM-IV TR. Three scales were used: 1. Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess caregiver burden. 2. Caregiver Activity Survey (CAS) to assess activities that the caregiver engaged in the last 24 hours to care for PWD and 3. General Health Questionnaire- 12 (GHQ …

A Case Of Heroin Induced Toxic Leukoencephalopathy, Sidra Sattar, Saba Zaidi

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ABSTRACT: Heroin-induced leukoencephalopathy comes under the category of Toxic leukoencephalopathies. We report the case of middle-aged gentleman with the history of polysubstance abuse who presented with recurrent falls, difficulty in walking and drowsiness. Diffuse white matter changes were appreciated on MRI Brain with sparing of cerebellum. In context of his history of inhalational heroin abuse with extensive symmetrical white matter changes in cerebrum, a diagnosis of heroin induced toxic leukoencephalopathy was made.

Hemichorea Associated With Type 2 Diabetes: A Rare Neurological Complication, Waleed Shahzad, Tehmina Inayat, Fibhaa Syed, Mohammad Ali Arif, Muhammad Hassan, Haris Majid Rajput, Mazhar Badshah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Diabetic hemichorea/hemiballism is a spectrum of hyper kinetic, involuntary, irregular, purposeless, non-rhythmic, rapid and unsustained movements flowing from one part of the body to another. It involves contra lateral basal-ganglia and often striatum of the brain. Here we are reporting an un-usual case of choreiform movement disorder which was sudden in onset. It was accompanied with abnormally high values of blood glucose. Our patient had a complete remission of symptoms after an adequate control of blood glucose was achieved. This case illustrates the importance and rarity of hyperglycemia as a rare cause of hemichorea. It recovers rapidly and has a …

Critical Social Determinants Of Childbirth Outcomes In Remote Mountains: Voices Of Women From Nepal, Sabitra Kaphle, Lareen Newman

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Objectives: Despite efforts made by the Government of Nepal to reduce maternal and newborn mortality nationally, the rate is still significantly higher in remote mountain areas. This research aimed to fill a gap by asking women about socio-cultural factors influencing childbirth outcomes in remote mountain areas of Nepal.
Methods: This study used a qualitative approach guided by the principles of social constructionist and feminist critical theories to derive factors influencing women’s experiences of giving birth and childbirth outcomes. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 pregnant and postnatal women. A thematic approach was used for data analysis.
Results: Childbirth outcomes in …

Inspire : Vol 3, Issue 12, Department Of Medicine

INSPIRE

Content

• Message From the Chair
• Medicine at National and International Forums
• In Depth- Section: featuring Dr Saad Shafqat
• Featured Faculty: Dr. Sara Khan “…always try to look at the bright side, do things with a smile, stay optimistic …”
• What are Academics Around the World Reading This Month?
• Publications

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis: A Sub-Saharan Conundrum, Antonina Obayo, Sylvia Mbugua, Sayed Karar

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Spinal cord schistosomiasis is a rare, underdiagnosed manifestation of schistosomiasis. We present the case of a 36-year-old male who presented to our institution with a one-week history of low back pain with rapidly progressive lower limb weakness, loss of sensation, and flaccid paraparesis. An MRI of the spine showed a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis from T6 to L1, with enhancement at the cauda equina region. Further review of the images and serological tests eventually led to diagnosis of spinal schistosomiasis. He was treated with praziquantel and high-dose steroids, with minimal improvement in his symptoms.

Loss To Follow Up Of Pregnant Women With Hiv And Infant Hiv Outcomes In The Prevention Of Maternal To Child Transmission Of Hiv Programme In Two High-Burden Provinces In Papua New Guinea: A Retrospective Clinical Audit, Angela Kelly-Hanku, Claire Elizabeth Nightingale, Minh Duc Pham, Agnes Mek, Primrose Homiehombo, Mary Bagita, Justine Nankinga, Andrew Vallely, Lisa Vallely, Stanley Luchters

Population Health, East Africa

Introduction Despite early adoption of the WHO guidelines to deliver lifelong antiretroviral (ARV) regimen to pregnant women on HIV diagnosis, the HIV prevention of mother to child transmission programme in Papua New Guinea remains suboptimal. An unacceptable number of babies are infected with HIV and mothers not retained in treatment. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of this programme and to investigate the factors associated with programme performance outcomes.

Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical records of HIV-positive pregnant women at two hospitals providing prevention of mother to child transmission services. All women enrolled in the prevention …

Frequency Of Hypocalcemic Fits In Children 2 Months To 2 Years Of Age, Presenting With The First Episode Of Afebrile Seizures At Hospital Settings In Urban Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study, Waseem Rahman, Heeramani Lohana, Sarwat Urooj, Sheraz Ahmed, Abdul Moeed, Khadija Nuzhat Humayun

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Seizures are common in the pediatric age group, occurring approximately 10% of children. Hypocalcemia is one of the most common metabolic causes of afebrile seizures. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of hypocalcemic fits in children presenting with the first episode of afebrile seizures from 2 months to 2 years of age.
Methods: The study was conducted at the Aga Khan hospital Karachi and its three secondary hospitals including the following sites of Kharadar, Hyderabad, and garden. It was a cross-sectional study. The duration of the study was of 6 months from 18th July 2017 …