Family Medicine Commons^™

Correlation Of Respiratory Symptoms And Spirometric Lung Patterns In A Rural Community Setting, Sindh, Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Survey, Imran Naeem Abbasi, Adeel Ahsan, Asaad Ahmed Nafees

Community Health Sciences

Background: Symptom-based questionnaires can be a cost effective tool enabling identification and diagnosis of patients with respiratory illnesses in resource limited setting. This study aimed to determine the correlation of respiratory symptoms and spirometric lung patterns and validity of ATS respiratory questionnaire in a rural community setting.
Methods: This cross sectional survey was conducted between January - March 2009 on a sample of 200 adults selected from two villages of district Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. A modified version of the American thoracic society division of lung disease questionnaire was used to record the presence of respiratory symptoms. Predicted lung volumes i.e. …

Respiratory Symptoms And Illnesses Among Brick Kiln Workers: A Cross Sectional Study From Rural Districts Of Pakistan, Shiraz Shaikh, Asaad Ahmed Nafees, Vikash Khetpal, Abid Ali Jamali, Abdul Manan Arain, Akram Yousuf

Community Health Sciences

Background: Occupational risk factors are one of the major causes of respiratory illnesses and symptoms, and account for 13% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 11% of asthma worldwide. Majority of brick kilns in Pakistan use wood and coal for baking the bricks which makes the brick kiln workers susceptible to high exposure of air pollution. This study was designed to describe frequency of chronic respiratory symptoms and illnesses and study the association between these symptoms and different types of work.
Methods: This was a questionnaire based cross sectional survey conducted among the brick kiln workers in Larkana and Dadu …

Experience Of Devolution In District Health System Of Pakistan: Perspectives Regarding Needed Reforms, Shiraz Shaikh, Imran Naeem Abbasi, Asaad Ahmed Nafees, Aysha Zahidie, Zafar Fatmi, Ambreen Kazi

Community Health Sciences

Objective: To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the devolved district health system from the experiences of different stakeholders, and recommend direction for reforms in the existing system.
Methods: Using qualitative exploratory design, the study was conducted in 3 cities of the province of Sindh in Pakistan--Karachi, Khairpur and Larkana--from January to March 2010. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders (District Coordination Officer, Executive District Officer, Medical Superintendent, Medical officers, Health system experts) of the district health system. Interviews included questions on autonomy in decision-making at the district level and the effectiveness of the devolved health system. Data …

Sindh Health Sector Strategy 2012 – 2020, Shehla Zaidi

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Analysis Of Metabolic Syndrome: Prevalence And Distribution In Executive Population In Urban Pakistan., Niloufer Sultan Ali, Ali Khan Khuwaja, Adnan Ur Rahman, Kashmira Nanji

Department of Family Medicine

Background. Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a major public health concern.

Objective. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of MetS, its components, and factors associated with MetS amongst apparently healthy individuals in Pakistan.

Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the executive Clinics of Aga Khan Hospital, Pakistan. Medical records of patients aged ≥18 years visiting the clinics from July 2011 to December 2011 were consecutively reviewed. Records in which either MetS components data or 10% of overall data was missing were excluded. A total of 1329 participants’ records was included in final analysis. Data was …

Fiber And Bulking Agents For The Treatment Of Chronic Constipation, Kashmira Nanji, Bilal Ahmed, Safia Awan, Waris Qidwai, Saeed Hamid

Department of Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Hypertension In A Young Boy: An Energy Drink Effect, Asma Usman, Ambreen Jawaid

Department of Family Medicine

Background: Use of energy drinks has significantly increased in recent times. Besides athletes, teenagers and students are among the most common consumers. However, popularity is also increasing among the younger and older age groups. Most of the users believe that they are a good source of instant energy and are unaware of its high Caffeine content resulting in harmful effects on health.Case Presentation: We report the case of a young boy who presented with palpitations and high blood pressure as a result of energy drinks usage. He had been consuming a "Sting" energy drink on regular basis while studying …