Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Feasibility Of An Internet-Based Intervention For Chinese People With Mental Illness: A Survey Of Willingness And Attitude, Xiu-Y Yao, Zheng Li, David Arthur, Lili Hu, Gen Cheng

David Arthur

Background: The easy accessibility, increasing usage, and low cost of internet make it a desirable way of providing health information and delivering interventions for health consumers. Studies in other countries have verified and confirmed the effectiveness of internet-based interventions among people with mental health problems. Similar programs have yet to commence in China. Purpose: This study investigated the willingness for, and attitude toward internet-based intervention in Chinese mental health service users and explored the feasibility of such an intervention. Methods: A cross-sectional survey utilizing a self-developed questionnaire was administered to 186 mental health service users in Beijing, between April and …

Self-Management Education Interventions For Persons With Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis, Haiou Zou, Zheng Li, Marie T Nolan, David Arthur, Hongxing Wang, Lili Hu

David Arthur

Although self-management education programs for persons with schizophrenia are being developed and advocated, uncertainty about their overall effectiveness remains. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine outcomes of self-management education interventions in persons with schizophrenia. Six electronic databases were searched. Manual searches were conducted of the reference lists of the identified studies and major psychiatric journals. Randomized controlled trials of self-management education interventions aimed at reducing relapse and hospital readmissions, as well as improving symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and adherence to medication treatment were identified. Data were extracted and the quality of included studies were rated by two authors independently. …

Nurses Attitudes Towards Perinatal Bereavement Care, Chan Moon Fai, David Arthur

David Arthur

Aim: This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the factors associated with nurses and midwives’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care.Background: Caring for and supporting parents whose infant has died is extremely demanding, difficult and stressful. In some situations nurses may experience personal failure, feel helpless, and need to distance themselves from bereaved parents because they feel unable to deal with the enormity of the parental feelings of loss.Method: A correlational questionnaire study using convenience sampling was carried out in Singapore in 2007 with 185 nurses/midwives in one obstetrics and gynaecology unit.Results: Regression models showed that nurses/midwives …

Investigating Factors Associate To Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Perinatal Bereavement Care, Moon Fai Chan, Feng-Lan Lou, David Arthur, Feng-Lin Cao, Lai Har Wu, Ping Li, Miharu Sagara- Rosemeyer, Loretta Yuet Foon Chung, Li Lui

David Arthur

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ attitudes towards perinatal bereavement care and to identify factors associate with such attitudes. Background: Caring for and supporting parents whose infant has died is extremely demanding, difficult and stressful. It is likely that the attitude of nursing staff can influence recovery from a pregnancy loss and nurses with positive attitude to bereavement care can help bereaved parents to cope during their grieving period.
Method: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire; 334 nurses were recruited (63% response rate) from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit in five hospitals in …

A National Survey Of New Zealand Registered Nurses Caring Attributes, Professional Self Concept And Technological Influences, A O'Brien, David Arthur, M Woods, P Watson

David Arthur

No abstract provided.

Child Labour: A Public Health Issue, S. A. Gulzar, Samina Vertejee, Laila Pirani

Samina Vertejee

Child labour is a global practice and has many negative outcomes. According to International Labour Organization, child labour is the important source of child exploitation and child abuse in the world today. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has estimated the number of Pakistani working children to be around 11-12 millions, out of which, at least, half the children are under the age of ten years. It portrays the society's attitude towards child care. It is therefore, essential to break this vicious cycle and hence, enable the society to produce healthy citizens. This article analyzes the determinants of child labour …

Interaction And Cognitive Engagement In Online Discussions In Professional Development Leadership And Management Course At A Private Nursing Institution, Nimira Asif, Samina Vertejee, Sharifa Bashir Lalani

Samina Vertejee

In the Post RN BScN curriculum, one of the courses “Professional Development and Leadership (PDLM)” was offered as blended mode for the first time. In order to explore the students’ interactions and Cognitive Engagement (CE) in Online Discussion Forums (ODFs), the research team conducted a retrospective study for the first time at a private nursing institution of Karachi-Pakistan. The study was conducted by utilizing the retrospective qualitative paradigm of discourse analysis to understand student’s CE in ODFs. The study has addressed the following one main and three subsidiary research questions: How do threaded discussions (in the part of online forums) …

Women Trafficking: Causes, Concerns, Care!, Shaneela Sadaruddin Khowaja, Ambreen Tharani, Ajmal Agha, Rozina Karmaliani Professor

Ambreen Tharani

Pakistan is both a country of origin and destination as far as women trafficking is concerned. Poverty, gender discrimination, lack of education, and ignorance about legal rights are some of the underlying causes. Available data suggest several areas of concern, like, for instance: direct health effects, maladaptive coping leading to the use of illicit drugs, and inaccessibility to healthcare facilities. Therefore, numerous interventions would be required at three levels: the prevention of trafficking, the protection of victims and the prosecution of the traffickers.

Teachers’ Perceptions And Practices Of Written Feedback In Higher Education., Raisa Begum Gul, Ambreen Tharani, Arusa Lakhani, Nusrat Fatima Rizvi, Syeda K. Ali

Ambreen Tharani

This mixed-methods research aimed to understand the practices and perceptions of teachers regarding writtenfeedback. For this purpose, a survey was administered to 150 teachers forming a non-probability sample, who wereworking in various universities in Karachi. The disciplines chosen for the study included nursing, applied linguistics,medicine and education departments in institutes of higher education situated in Karachi. Before sampling, initialscreening was done to obtain a list of institutes which provide written feedback on students’ assignments. Twohomogenous groups of teachers by discipline (nursing and education) were then selected for focus group discussions.It was found that most teachers consider written feedback an important …

Factors Associated With Stress Among Adolescents In The City Of Nawabshah, Pakistan., Yasmin Parpio, Salima Farooq, Saleema Gulzar, Ambreen Tharani, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Fawad Javed

Ambreen Tharani

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors of stress among school-going adolescents in rural Nawabshah, Pakistan. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005, comprising 800 school-going children of 10-16 years of age in Nawabshah, through simple random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to assess the potential risk factors of stress. A modified version of Perceived stress scale was utilized to measure stress level. SPSS 12 was used for statistical analysis, while multiple linear regression analysis was run to identify the factors associated with stress in the study population. RESULTS: Of the total, 529 (66%) children belonged to …

Community Mental Health Services: A Way Forward To Rehabilitate Chronic Mentally Ill Client., Ambreen Tharani, Salima Farooq, Anila Naveed

Ambreen Tharani

Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses produce devastating effects on a clients' personal and psychosocial wellbeing. Besides the sufferer, it has irrevocable impacts on the lives of their loved ones. With advancement in the treatment modalities, researches have proven that hospital based care and psychotropic drugs are not the sole solution in managing the client symptoms. Deinstitutionalization is the paradigm shift from hospital based to community based care model that allows client/s to spend rest of their lives in the community setting. A well-structured community care based programme that focuses on psychosocial interventions has significant contribution in treatment and rehabilitation of …

Compliance To Antipsychotic Medication: A Challenge For Client, Family And Health Care Providers., Ambreen Tharani, Salima Farooq, Faiza Saleem, Anila Naveed

Ambreen Tharani

Compliance with anti-psychotic medications plays a significant role in managing clients with schizophrenia. It not only helps in controlling the symptoms, but also decreases the risk of relapses and ultimately improves quality of life (QoL) for the clients. However, compliance with anti-psychotic medication remains a challenge for the client, family and healthcare providers. Identification of these associated factors is vital to make appropriate plan to enhance medication compliance. In this paper, various factors are highlighted that are associated with medication compliance in clients with schizophrenia.

Validity And Reliability Testing: Urdu Translated Modified Response To Symptoms Questionnaire., Saleema A. Gulzar, Tazeen S. Ali, Khurshid Khowaja, Aamir Hameed, Debra Kay Moser Debra Kay Moser Debra Kay Moser

Tazeen Ali

OBJECTIVE:

To determine validity and reliability of the Urdu translated, modified "Response to symptoms questionnaire" (RSQ) among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in Karachi.

STUDY DESIGN:

A qualitative, tool validation study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:

Two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi and the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, from December 2010 to April 2011.

METHODOLOGY:

After making certain modifications, the original tool in English was translated into Urdu. Next, five cardiology experts evaluated the tool for its content and face validity. Test retest and inter rater reliabilities were computed for the RSQ using …

Women’S Perception And Attitude Towards Male Dominancy And Controlling Behaviors, Tazeen S. Ali, Noureen Karamali, Omer Malik

Tazeen Ali

Introduction/Background: The study was conducted in urban Karachi, Pakistan to investigate women’s perceptions and attitudes towards male dominancy, female autonomy, and controlling behavior of husbands. Method: This was investigated in a population based study with a cross-sectional design, involving married women aged 25 to 60 years. A Structured questionnaire developed by World Health Organisation (WHO) on violence was used. Community midwives interviewed these married women living in pre-selected low, middle and upper socio-economic areas of urban Karachi, Pakistan.Findings: This study revealed women’s overall perception regarding male dominancy and controlling behavior and highlighted this attitude, as being acceptable to women. It …

Understanding Of Puberty And Related Health Problems Among Female Adolescents In Karachi, Pakistan, Tazeen S. Ali, Parveen Azam Ali, Humaira Waheed, Azam Ali Memon

Tazeen Ali

Objectives: To understand the level of knowledge, a community based study conducted with the objectives as follows: To estimate the proportion of common facilities available and accessible and frequency of utilizing of it. To estimate the proportion of female adolescent utilizing the availability of facilities. To assess the level of understanding related to puberty and related health problems among female adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the understanding and level of knowledge related to puberty and related health problems among female adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was collected from 150 female adolescents between 10-19 years of age. The …

The Patterns Of Health Seeking Behavior Among Patients With Hepatitis C In Karachi, Pakistan, Shahina Sabz Ali Pirani, Tazeen S. Ali, Saleema Allana, Faisal Wasim Ismail

Tazeen Ali

Background: The study aimed to assess the patterns of health seeking behavior and the level satisfaction with the health care providers among hepatitis C patients in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 hepatitis C patients, who were recruited from the Aga Khan University Hospital and the Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, between March and May 2013. Results: The patterns of health seeking behavior showed that a majority of the study participants approached a medical doctor (n=359), followed by spiritual healers (n=103), and a few participants approached traditional healers (n=38) and homeopaths (n=11). The pattern of health …

Reproductive Tract Infections Among Married Women In Peri-Urban Areas Of Karachi, Pakistan: A Population-Based Study, Neelofar Sami, Tazeen S. Ali, Erum Khan

Tazeen Ali

Background: Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) is a major public health problem. In Pakistan, there is dearth of information about the prevalence of RTIs among women and their health seeking behavior. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence, number and types of RTIs among women residing in squatter settlements in Karachi and their health seeking behavior. Methods: The respondents were married non-pregnant women aged 15–49 years residing in peri-urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan. The interviews with women were followed by their physical and pelvic examinations. Samples swabs collected from vagina and endocervix were tested in laboratory. Results: Overall, 23.8% of …

Rapidly Progressive Periodontal Disease Associated With Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Khalid Al Hezaimi, Fawad Javed, Tazeen S. Ali, Mansour Al Askar, Abdulaziz Al Rasheed

Tazeen Ali

Severe periodontal inflammation with generalized dental plaque accumulation, spontaneous and severe gingival bleeding, fungal infection, and interdental papillae necrosis are presented in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Bite-wing radiographs revealed a generalized horizontal alveolar bone loss of 7-8 millimetres in both arches. Erythematous patches were noted on the gingival mucosa in both jaws. DNA testing was performed to indentify the periodontopathogens. The patient had no signs or symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This case-report presents the massive periodontal destruction that occurred in a patient infected with HIV. Therefore, it is highly recommended that patients infected with HIV …

Prevalence Of Perceived Heavy Postpartum Hemorrhage And Its Associated Factors Among Married Mothers In Squatter Settlements Of Karachi, Tazeen S. Ali, Fazal Ather

Tazeen Ali

Objectives; To estimate the prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and identify its associated factors among the married women of 15-49 years, residingin the Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was carried out in five squatter settlements of Karachi during 2000-2001. Information was collected regarding age, gravida, education, antenatal, natal and postnatal care, with perceived puerperal morbidities from 525 mothers, who were in their 42nd to 56th post delivery day. Univariate and multivariate analyses were computed using multiple logistic regression method. Results: The estimated prevalence for perceived PPH was 7.24%. Three hundred and ninety six (75.4 %) women received ante-natal …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Maternal Postpartum Haemorrhage In Khyber Agency, Pakistan, N Gani, Tazeen S. Ali

Tazeen Ali

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the main causes of maternal mortality globally. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of PPH and identify factors associated with PPH in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was selected to estimate the prevalence and associated factors for PPH among married women aged 15–49 years, residing in the Khyber Agency, FATA, Pakistan. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was adapted with some modifications to interview 1,000 women. Results: Prevalence of PPH was 21.3% in the study population. Factors associated with PPH were age, number of pregnancies, duration of …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Postpartum Vaginal Infection In The Khyber Agency Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan, Nasreen Ghani, Rafat Jan Rukanuddin, Tazeen S. Ali

Tazeen Ali

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and to identify the factors associated with vaginal infection among the married women between the ages of 15-49 years residing in the Khyber Agency (FATA), Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the month of July 2005 on 1084 mothers by using random sampling strategy in Khyber Agency Pakistan by trained nurses. The descriptive and multivariate statistics were computed.

Results: The multivariate analysis showed that the associated factors with vaginal infection were the use of unhygienic material to soak up the lochia [aOR=3.45, 95% CI (1.36, 8.75)], bathing after 40 days [aOR=2.10, 95% …

Misconceptions And Mismanagement Of Menstruation Among Adolescents Girls Who Do Not Attend School In Pakistan, Naghma Rizvi, Tazeen Saeed Ali

Tazeen Ali

Background: Menstruation is perceived and interpreted differently under different social and cultural norms. There are a number of different practices, conceptions and misconceptions that have been reported in studies conducted in various countries. In Pakistan, there is a dearth of knowledge related to hygienic and unhygienic practices, discomforts, misconceptions related to nutrition, and restrictions imposed during menstruation. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objectives to identify the conceptions and misconceptions about menstruation, explore hygienic and unhygienic practices during menstruation along with the socio- cultural and religious restrictions imposed, and the discomforts with its management among adolescents who do not …

Lifetime Prevalence Of Emotional/Psychological Abuse Among Qualified Female Healthcare Providers., Azmat Jehan Khan, Rozina Karmaliani Professor, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Nargis Asad, Farhana Madhani

Tazeen Ali

The purpose of this study was to determine the lifetime prevalence of emotional/psychological abuse among married female healthcare providers in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 350 married female nurses and doctors, recruited from three tertiary healthcare hospitals (one public and two private). This study used the self-administered modified truncated WHO multi-country questionnaire. Descriptive and univariate analysis was performed. Of the total sample of 350 female married healthcare providers, 97.7% (n = 342) were reported with one or more forms of domestic violence at some point in their married life, …

Factors Associated With Stress Among Adolescents In The City Of Nawabshah, Pakistan., Yasmin Parpio, Salima Farooq, Saleema Gulzar, Ambreen Tharani, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Fawad Javed

Tazeen Ali

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors of stress among school-going adolescents in rural Nawabshah, Pakistan. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005, comprising 800 school-going children of 10-16 years of age in Nawabshah, through simple random sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to assess the potential risk factors of stress. A modified version of Perceived stress scale was utilized to measure stress level. SPSS 12 was used for statistical analysis, while multiple linear regression analysis was run to identify the factors associated with stress in the study population. RESULTS: Of the total, 529 (66%) children belonged to …

Frequency And Determinants Of Vaginal Infection In Postpartum Period: A Cross Sectional Survey From Low Socioeconomic Settlements, Karachi, Pakistan, Tazeen S. Ali, Fariyal F. Fikree, Mohammad H. Rahbar, Sadia Mahmud

Tazeen Ali

Objective: To determine the frequency and factors associated with perceived vaginal infections among married women in their postpartum period. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2000 to October 2000 in five squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan. These squatter settlements were selected on the basis of an existing surveillance system run by female community health workers for maternal and child healthcare which identified women who had delivered 42-56 days prior to the date of interview. Vaginal infection was considered present when a mother perceived foul smelling vaginal discharge during the postpartum period. Mothers were interviewed to gain insight into …

Dowry Practices And Their Negative Consequences From A Female Perspective In Karachi, Pakistan —A Qualitative Study, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Gunnhildur Árnadóttir, Asli Kulane

Tazeen Ali

Aim: To assess the pattern, demand and opinion of dowry among women in urban Karachi, Pakistan and their perceived negative consequences of dowry. Setting: Pakistan is a low income country, predominantly Muslim, with around 190 million inhabitants. Karachi is the biggest city with roughly 13 million inhabitants. Method: Qualitative study, using content analysis of five focus group discussions with women. Results: The theme “Dowry practices and their consequences” emerged, along with five categories and 14 subcategories, describing the “burden of dowry”, “dowry in society”, “dowry problems created by parents-in-law”, “negative consequences of dowry practice” and “good intentions”. Conclusion: Problems due …

Domestic Violence Among Pakistani Women: An Insight Into Literature, Azmat J. Khan, Tazeen S. Ali, Ali K. Khuwaja

Tazeen Ali

The objectives of this search were to estimate the burden of domestic violence, its contributing factors and strategies based on literature review for the prevention and control of domestic violence. Published literature about domestic violence in Pakistan during the years 1998 to 2008 was analyzed and scrutinized. This article is based on the searched result of 200 articles published in the English language from which finally 13 articles were selected. Search terms included “Violence”, “Domestic violence”, “Domestic violence in Pakistan” and “Strategies and Recommendations for Prevention of Domestic violence”. According to these studies, the intimate partners' violence is reported as …

Evaluation Of A Cancer Awareness Campaign: Experience With A Selected Population In Karachi, Tazeen S. Ali, Sanah Baig

Tazeen Ali

The incidence and prevalence of cancer is rapidly increasing in both developed and developing countries. The most common cancers reported in Pakistan are breast and cervical cancers in females, and lung and oral cancers in males. Public awareness of cancer can play a vital role in its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. A pilot survey conducted by the Cancer Support Group (CSG) of Aga Khan University Hospital from 2001 till 2004 to gauge the public awareness of cancer in Pakistan revealed that people were afraid of cancer and had little knowledge about its prevention and early detection. The survey also …

Evaluation Of Efficacy Of Self Breast Examination For Breast Cancer Prevention: A Cost Effective Screening Tool, Sanah Baig, Tazeen S. Ali

Tazeen Ali

Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm among females and every year the number of associated deaths increases so that there is a dire need for implementation of cancer screening and early detection. A survey conducted by various locally organised cancer registries indicated breast cancer to be the most prevalent cancer among females and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among Pakistani women. Since Pakistani females do not generally engage in screening practices we argue that nurses and lady health workers should team up to educate women for the possible early detection of cancer using Self Breast Examination …

Associations Of Controlling Behavior, Physical And Sexual Violence With Health Symptoms, Tazeen S. Ali, Aamir Abbas, Fazal Ather

Tazeen Ali

Controlling behavior is often manifested as monitoring, coercing or threatening the partner. Globally, it has been experienced by the women (in range of 5.2% to 56.6%) and often results in their physical and mental ill health. To the best of our knowledge there is no published research on controlling behaviors. Therefore, a cross sectional study was conducted to measure the magnitude of the controlling behaviors and its association to some physical stress symptoms of women. The study was conducted in urban settings of Karachi, Pakistan, using simple random sampling technique. The data was collected by trained midwifes from the 759 …