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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

A Systematic Review Of Measures Of Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Confidence, Kofoworola Akinsola, Ayobami Bakare, Elisa Gobbo, Carina King, Claudia Hanson, Adegoke Falade, Sibylle Herzig Van Wees Mar 2024

A Systematic Review Of Measures Of Healthcare Workers’ Vaccine Confidence, Kofoworola Akinsola, Ayobami Bakare, Elisa Gobbo, Carina King, Claudia Hanson, Adegoke Falade, Sibylle Herzig Van Wees

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Healthcare workers (HCW) perceptions toward vaccines influence patient and community vaccine decision making. In an era of rising vaccine hesitancy, understanding HCW vaccine confidence is critical. This systematic review aims to review instruments that have been validated to measure HCW vaccine confidence. We conducted a search in five databases in June 2023. Data was descriptively synthesized. Twelve articles describing 10 different tools were included. Most tools included dimensions or items on vaccine knowledge (n = 9), safety (n = 8), vaccine usefulness (n = 8), recommendation behavior (n = 8), and self-vaccination practice (n = 7). All, except one study, …


Impact Of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Use On Patient Referral Decisions In Rural Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study., Grace Wanjiku, Gregory Bell, Sonja Kapadia, Benjamin Wachira Feb 2024

Impact Of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Use On Patient Referral Decisions In Rural Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study., Grace Wanjiku, Gregory Bell, Sonja Kapadia, Benjamin Wachira

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is recognized as a key imaging modality to bridge the diagnostic imaging gap in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). POCUS use has been shown to impact patient management decisions including referral for specialist care. This study explored the impact of POCUS use on referral decisions among trained healthcare providers working in primary rural and peri-urban health facilities in Kenya.

Methods: A concurrent mixed methods approach was used, including a locally developed survey (N=38) and semistructured interviews of POCUS trained healthcare providers (N=12). Data from the survey was descriptively analyzed and interviews were evaluated through the framework …


Women In Health And Their Economic, Equity And Livelihood Statuses During Emergency Preparedness And Response (Wheeler) Protocol: A Mixed Methods Study In Kenya., Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Bilali Yusuf Mazoya, Pauline Oginga, Ferdinand Okwaro, Norah Matheka, Irene Kibara, Rhoda Otieno, Michaela Mantel, Robert Lorway, Marleen Temmerman Feb 2024

Women In Health And Their Economic, Equity And Livelihood Statuses During Emergency Preparedness And Response (Wheeler) Protocol: A Mixed Methods Study In Kenya., Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Bilali Yusuf Mazoya, Pauline Oginga, Ferdinand Okwaro, Norah Matheka, Irene Kibara, Rhoda Otieno, Michaela Mantel, Robert Lorway, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction: Kenya reported its first COVID-19 case on 13 March 2020. Pandemic-driven health system changes followed and unforeseen societal, economic and health effects reported. This protocol aims to describe the methods used to identify the gender equality and health equity gaps and possible disproportional health and socioeconomic impacts experienced by paid and unpaid (community health volunteer) female healthcare providers in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties, Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods and analysis: Participatory mixed methods framed by gender analysis and human-centred design will be used. Research implementation will follow four of the five phases of the human-centred design approach. Community …


Challenges And Opportunities For Improving Access To Adolescent And Youth Sexual And Reproductive Health Services And Information In The Coastal Counties Of Kenya: A Qualitative Study., Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Abdu Mohiddin, Flaura Kidere, Anisa Omar, Job Akuno, Violet Naanyu, Marleen Temmerman Feb 2024

Challenges And Opportunities For Improving Access To Adolescent And Youth Sexual And Reproductive Health Services And Information In The Coastal Counties Of Kenya: A Qualitative Study., Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Abdu Mohiddin, Flaura Kidere, Anisa Omar, Job Akuno, Violet Naanyu, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Globally, adolescents and youth experience high unmet need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services. In Kenya, evidence shows that more than half of teenage pregnancies are unintended and that half of all new HIV infections occur in people ages 15-24-year-olds, with the majority of those being female. The coastal counties in Kenya record a relatively high adolescent pregnancy rate and higher rates of unmet need for contraception for all women of reproductive age compared to the national average. This study focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the existing challenges to and opportunities for accessing SRH …


Editorial: Care During Pregnancy And Early Childhood For Growth And Development In Low- And Middle- Income Countries, Ranadip Chowdhury, Ravi Prakash Upadhyay, Bireshwar Sinha, Nita Bhandari, Sunita Taneja, Jai K. Das Jan 2024

Editorial: Care During Pregnancy And Early Childhood For Growth And Development In Low- And Middle- Income Countries, Ranadip Chowdhury, Ravi Prakash Upadhyay, Bireshwar Sinha, Nita Bhandari, Sunita Taneja, Jai K. Das

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.


Exploring The Willingness Toward Hiv Immediate Test And Treat Among Msm In Nairobi And Its Environs: A Cross-Sectional Study., Kingori Ndungu, Peter Gichanga, Marleen Temmerman Jan 2024

Exploring The Willingness Toward Hiv Immediate Test And Treat Among Msm In Nairobi And Its Environs: A Cross-Sectional Study., Kingori Ndungu, Peter Gichanga, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: In the test and treat initiative, high-risk populations are screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and start early treatment if diagnosed positive. This study explores factors associated with willingness to initiate testing and immediate treatment among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nairobi and its environs. The study was informed by a conceptual framework combining the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM) and the Modified Social Ecological Model.

Methods: This cross-sectional exploratory study targeted MSM (aged 18–60 years) reporting active engagement in anal or oral sex with men in Nairobi and its surrounding areas. Purposive sampling was …


Inequalities In Use Of Hospitals For Childbirth Among Rural Women In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Analysis Of 18 Countries Using Demographic And Health Survey Data., Manuela Straneo, Claudia Hanson, Thomas Van Den Akker, Bosede Afolabi, Anteneh Asefa, Alexandre Delamou, Mardieh Dennis, Luis Gadama, Nyika Mahachi, Welcome Mlilo Jan 2024

Inequalities In Use Of Hospitals For Childbirth Among Rural Women In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Analysis Of 18 Countries Using Demographic And Health Survey Data., Manuela Straneo, Claudia Hanson, Thomas Van Den Akker, Bosede Afolabi, Anteneh Asefa, Alexandre Delamou, Mardieh Dennis, Luis Gadama, Nyika Mahachi, Welcome Mlilo

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction; Rising facility births in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) mask inequalities in higher-level emergency care— typically in hospitals. Limited research has addressed hospital use in women at risk of or with complications, such as high parity, linked to poverty and rurality, for whom hospital care is essential. We aimed to address this gap, by comparatively assessing hospital use in rural SSA by wealth and parity.

Methods; Countries in SSA with a Demographic and Health Survey since 2015 were included. We assessed rural hospital childbirth stratifying by wealth (wealthier/poorer) and parity (nulliparity/high parity≥5), and their combination. We computed percentages, 95% CIs and …


Too Hot To Thrive: A Qualitative Inquiry Of Community Perspectives On The Effect Of High Ambient Temperature On Postpartum Women And Neonates In Kilifi, Kenya., Adelaide Lusambili, Sari Kovats, Britt Nakstad, Veronique Filippi, Peter Khaemba, Nathalie Roos, Cherie Part, Stanley Luchters, Matthew Chersich, Jeremy Hess Jan 2024

Too Hot To Thrive: A Qualitative Inquiry Of Community Perspectives On The Effect Of High Ambient Temperature On Postpartum Women And Neonates In Kilifi, Kenya., Adelaide Lusambili, Sari Kovats, Britt Nakstad, Veronique Filippi, Peter Khaemba, Nathalie Roos, Cherie Part, Stanley Luchters, Matthew Chersich, Jeremy Hess

Institute for Human Development

Objectives; To understand community perspectives on the effects of high ambient temperature on the health and wellbeing of neonates, and impacts on post-partum women and infant care in Kilifi.

Design; Qualitative study using key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant and postpartum women (n = 22), mothers-in-law (n = 19), male spouses (n = 20), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 22) and stakeholders from health and government ministries (n = 16).

Settings; We conducted our research in Kilifi County in Kenya’s Coast Province. The area is largely rural and during …


The Alignmnh 2023 Conference: Progress In Raising Parents’ Voices In Stillbirth Advocacy., Grace Mwashigadi, Treasure Lwantale, Aleena Wojcieszek, Hannah Blencowe, Susannah Hopkins Leisher, Caroline Wanjiru Kiunga, David Wanjala, Claire Storey Jan 2024

The Alignmnh 2023 Conference: Progress In Raising Parents’ Voices In Stillbirth Advocacy., Grace Mwashigadi, Treasure Lwantale, Aleena Wojcieszek, Hannah Blencowe, Susannah Hopkins Leisher, Caroline Wanjiru Kiunga, David Wanjala, Claire Storey

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.


Pattern And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among The Muslim Women In Wajir And Lamu Counties In Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study., Batula Abdi, Jerry Okal, Gamal Serour, Vincent Were, Marleen Temmerman, Peter Gichangi Jan 2024

Pattern And Determinants Of Contraceptive Use Among The Muslim Women In Wajir And Lamu Counties In Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study., Batula Abdi, Jerry Okal, Gamal Serour, Vincent Were, Marleen Temmerman, Peter Gichangi

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background; Improving access to family planning (FP) is associated with positive health benefits that includes averting nearly a third of all maternal deaths and 10% of childhood deaths. Kenya has made great strides in improving access to family planning services. However, amid this considerable progress, regional variation has been noted which begs the need for a clearer understanding of the the patterns and determinants that drive these inconsistencies.

Methods; We conducted a cross-sectional study that involved 663 Muslim women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from Wajir and Lamu counties in Kenya between March and October 2018.The objective of this study …


Determinants Of Immunization In Polio Super High-Risk Union Councils Of Pakistan, Ahmad Khan, Imtiaz Hussain, Dale A. Rhoda, Muhammad Umer, Uzair Ansari, Imran Ahmed, Caitlin Clary, Rana Muhammad Safdar, Sajid Bashir Soofi Dec 2023

Determinants Of Immunization In Polio Super High-Risk Union Councils Of Pakistan, Ahmad Khan, Imtiaz Hussain, Dale A. Rhoda, Muhammad Umer, Uzair Ansari, Imran Ahmed, Caitlin Clary, Rana Muhammad Safdar, Sajid Bashir Soofi

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: The current polio epidemiology in Pakistan poses a unique challenge for global eradication as the country is affected by ongoing endemic poliovirus transmission. Across the country, 40 union councils (UCs) which serve as core reservoirs for poliovirus with continuous incidences of polio cases are categorized as super-high-risk union councils (SHRUCs).
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 39 SHRUCs using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. 6,976 children aged 12-23 months were covered. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17.
Results: Based on both vaccination records and recall, 48.3% of children …


Comparing The Effectiveness Of Mother-Focused Interventions To That Of Mother-Child Focused Interventions In Improving Maternal Postpartum Depression Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Divya Kumar, Waqas Hameed, Bilal Iqbal Avan Dec 2023

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Mother-Focused Interventions To That Of Mother-Child Focused Interventions In Improving Maternal Postpartum Depression Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Divya Kumar, Waqas Hameed, Bilal Iqbal Avan

Community Health Sciences

Background: Most empirically researched interventions for postpartum depression (PPD) tend to target mothers' depression alone. Harmful effects of PPD on physical and mental health of both mother and child has led researchers to investigate the impact of interventions on PPD and child outcomes together. So far, the evidence is limited regarding how these interventions compare with those focusing only on mothers' depression. This review compares the effectiveness of PPD-improving interventions focusing only on mothers with those focusing on mother and child together.
Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched. Thirty-seven studies evaluating mother-focused (n = 30) and mother-child focused interventions (n …


Unravelling The Potential Mortality Benefits Of Mass Drug Administration With Azithromycin In Niger, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta Dec 2023

Unravelling The Potential Mortality Benefits Of Mass Drug Administration With Azithromycin In Niger, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

No abstract provided.


Morphological And Metabolic Criteria Of Covid-19 Vaccine Associated Axillary Nodes On 18-Fluorodeouxyglucose Pet/Ct Imaging In Breast Cancer Patients, Nosheen Fatima, Unaiza Zaman, Areeba Zaman, Sidra Zaman, Rabia Tehseen, Maseeh Uz Zaman Dec 2023

Morphological And Metabolic Criteria Of Covid-19 Vaccine Associated Axillary Nodes On 18-Fluorodeouxyglucose Pet/Ct Imaging In Breast Cancer Patients, Nosheen Fatima, Unaiza Zaman, Areeba Zaman, Sidra Zaman, Rabia Tehseen, Maseeh Uz Zaman

Department of Radiology

Background: In the current era vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy (VAL) is not an uncommon presentation on 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations in patients inoculated with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. In this study, we are presenting data of VAL on 18F-FDG PET/CT regarding its prevalence, temporal response to vaccination and imaging characteristics of VAL.
Methods: Seventy-eight (78) consecutive vaccinated breast cancer (BC) patients who had 18FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had COVID-19 vaccine shots in contralateral arms and none in breast cancer site axilla (BSA). In 35 patients 18FDG avid nodes were found in vaccine site axilla (VSA). In 25 patients 18FDG …


Sars-Cov-2 Seroprevalence In Pregnant Women In Kilifi, Kenya From March 2020 To March 2022, Angela Koech, Geoffrey Omuse, Alex Mugo, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Moses Mukhanya, Onesmus Wanje, Grace Mwashigadi, Geoffrey Katana, Marleen Temmerman Dec 2023

Sars-Cov-2 Seroprevalence In Pregnant Women In Kilifi, Kenya From March 2020 To March 2022, Angela Koech, Geoffrey Omuse, Alex Mugo, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Moses Mukhanya, Onesmus Wanje, Grace Mwashigadi, Geoffrey Katana, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Seroprevalence studies are an alternative approach to estimating the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of the pandemic in different geographical settings. We aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from March 2020 to March 2022 in a rural and urban setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Methods: We obtained representative random samples of stored serum from a pregnancy cohort study for the period March 2020 to March 2022 and tested for antibodies against the spike protein using a qualitative SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kit (Wantai, total antibodies). All positive samples were retested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (Euroimmun, ELISA kits, NCP, …


Facility-Based Audit System With Integrated Community Engagement To Improve Maternal And Perinatal Health Outcomes In Rural Pakistan: Protocol For A Mixed Methods Implementation Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shanti Chohan, Arjumand Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta Nov 2023

Facility-Based Audit System With Integrated Community Engagement To Improve Maternal And Perinatal Health Outcomes In Rural Pakistan: Protocol For A Mixed Methods Implementation Study, Zahid Memon, Wardah Ahmed, Shah Muhammad, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Shanti Chohan, Arjumand Rizvi, Paul Barach, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Maternal and newborn mortality in Pakistan remains as a major public health challenge. Pakistan faces significant infrastructure challenges and inadequate access to quality health care, exacerbated by sociocultural factors. Facility-based audit systems coupled with community engagement are key elements in achieving improved health system performance. We describe an implementation approach adapted from the World Health Organization audit cycle in real-world settings, with a plan to scale-up through mixed methods evaluation plan.
Objective: This study aims to implement a locally acceptable and relevant audit system and evaluate its feasibility within the rural health system of Pakistan for scale-up.
Methods: The …


Maternal And Perinatal Outcomes Of Women With Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section Compared To Repeat Cesarean Birth In Select South Asian And Latin American Settings Of The Global Network For Women's And Children's Health Research, Lester Figueroa, Margo Harrison, Manolo Mazariegos, Shivaprasad Gouda, Avinash Kavi, Richard Derman, Archana Patel, Prabir Das, Sarah Saleem, Farnaz Naqvi Nov 2023

Maternal And Perinatal Outcomes Of Women With Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section Compared To Repeat Cesarean Birth In Select South Asian And Latin American Settings Of The Global Network For Women's And Children's Health Research, Lester Figueroa, Margo Harrison, Manolo Mazariegos, Shivaprasad Gouda, Avinash Kavi, Richard Derman, Archana Patel, Prabir Das, Sarah Saleem, Farnaz Naqvi

Community Health Sciences

Objective: Our objective was to analyze a prospective population-based registry including five sites in four low- and middle-income countries to observe characteristics associated with vaginal birth after cesarean versus repeat cesarean birth, as well as maternal and newborn outcomes associated with the mode of birth among women with a history of prior cesarean.
Hypothesis: Maternal and perinatal outcomes among vaginal birth after cesarean section will be similar to those among recurrent cesarean birth.
Methods: A prospective population-based study, including home and facility births among women enrolled from 2017 to 2020, was performed in communities in Guatemala, India (Belagavi and Nagpur), …


Trends And Determinants Of Modern Contraceptive Utilisation Among Adolescent Girls Aged 15-19 Years In Sierra Leone: An Analysis Of Demographic And Health Surveys, 2008-2019, Emmanuel Olal, Fassou Mathias Grovogui, Ritah Nantale, Quraish Sserwanja, Chola Nakazwe, Lilian Nuwabaine, David Mukunya, Eric Nzirakaindi Ikoona, Lenka Benova May 2023

Trends And Determinants Of Modern Contraceptive Utilisation Among Adolescent Girls Aged 15-19 Years In Sierra Leone: An Analysis Of Demographic And Health Surveys, 2008-2019, Emmanuel Olal, Fassou Mathias Grovogui, Ritah Nantale, Quraish Sserwanja, Chola Nakazwe, Lilian Nuwabaine, David Mukunya, Eric Nzirakaindi Ikoona, Lenka Benova

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

Modern contraceptives are effective interventions for preventing unwanted pregnancies, but their use remain low among adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa. First, we aimed to assess the trends of modern contraceptive use among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in Sierra Leone in the period 2008-2019. Second, we explored how individual and contextual determinants of their use changed during this period.

Methods

We used a combined sample of 8,774 adolescent girls aged 15-19 years from the 2008, 2013, and 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys (SLDHS), respectively, to estimate the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (MCPR) and unmet need for family …


Determinants Of Quality Contraceptive Counselling Information Among Young Women In Sierra Leone: Insights From The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey, Quraish Sserwanja, Lilian Nuwabaine, Kassim Kamara, Milton W. Musaba May 2023

Determinants Of Quality Contraceptive Counselling Information Among Young Women In Sierra Leone: Insights From The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey, Quraish Sserwanja, Lilian Nuwabaine, Kassim Kamara, Milton W. Musaba

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background

The quality of contraceptive counseling information received by prospective clients of family planning services can greatly influence both the uptake and continued use of contraceptives. Therefore, an understanding of the level and determinants of quality contraception information among young women in Sierra Leon could inform family programs, with the aim of reducing the high unmet need in the country.

Methods

We analyzed secondary data from the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS). Participants were young women aged 15–24 years, who were using a family planning method (n = 1,506). Good quality family planning counselling was defined …


Long-Term Safety And Efficacy Of Non-Absorbable Abdominal Mesh For Apical Prolapse Surgery: A 10-Year Experience At Tertiary Care Hospital, Samia Aijaz, Novera G. Chughtai, Urooj Kashif, Summera Malik Mar 2023

Long-Term Safety And Efficacy Of Non-Absorbable Abdominal Mesh For Apical Prolapse Surgery: A 10-Year Experience At Tertiary Care Hospital, Samia Aijaz, Novera G. Chughtai, Urooj Kashif, Summera Malik

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objectives: To evaluate the complications of apical prolapse correction with abdominally placed mesh and to assess the long-term efficacy of Sacrohysteropexy and Sacrocolpopexy.
Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aga Khan University Hospital. All women who underwent apical prolapse surgery using abdominal mesh from January 2010 to December 2019 at AKUH were included. Patients with missing routine follow up visits and incomplete data up to one year post op were excluded. Patient notes were reviewed, and subjective and objective success and complications were analyzed. Safety was measured by incidence of intra, early …


"Women Are Again Unsafe": Preventing Violence And Poor Maternal Outcomes During Current Floods In Pakistan, Sarmad Muhammad Soomar, Abir Arefin, Salman Muhammad Soomar Jan 2023

"Women Are Again Unsafe": Preventing Violence And Poor Maternal Outcomes During Current Floods In Pakistan, Sarmad Muhammad Soomar, Abir Arefin, Salman Muhammad Soomar

School of Nursing & Midwifery

No abstract provided.


Metabolomics Of A Neonatal Cohort From The Alliance For Maternal And Newborn Health Improvement Biorepository: Effect Of Preanalytical Variables On Reference Intervals, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib Khan, Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Javairia Khalid, Hafsa Majid, Aneeta Hotwani, Fyezah Jehan Jan 2023

Metabolomics Of A Neonatal Cohort From The Alliance For Maternal And Newborn Health Improvement Biorepository: Effect Of Preanalytical Variables On Reference Intervals, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib Khan, Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Javairia Khalid, Hafsa Majid, Aneeta Hotwani, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: The study was conducted to determine reference interval (RI) and evaluate the effect of preanalytical variables on Dried blood spot (DBS)-amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone of neonates.
Methodology: DBS samples were collected within 48-72 hours of life. Samples were analyzed for biochemical markers on tandem mass spectrometer at the University of Iowa. Comparison of RI across various categorical variables were performed.
Results: A total of 610 reference samples were selected based on exclusion criteria; 53.2% being females. Mean gestational age (GA) of mothers at the time of delivery was 38.7±1.6 weeks; 24.5% neonates were of low birth weight and …


A Single Centre Experience Of Local Perforator Flaps In Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sana Zeeshan, Lubna Vohra, Uzma Shamsi, Nida Zahid, Danish Ali, Nargis Asad, Cristina Garusi Dec 2022

A Single Centre Experience Of Local Perforator Flaps In Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study, Sana Zeeshan, Lubna Vohra, Uzma Shamsi, Nida Zahid, Danish Ali, Nargis Asad, Cristina Garusi

Section of General Surgery

Background & objectives: Various oncoplastic techniques have emerged over the years to preserve breast cosmesis and symmetry without compromising the principles of tumor excision. One of the newer techniques for breast volume replacement to achieve symmetry and cosmesis is the use of fasciocutaneous pedicled chest wall perforator flaps or local perforator flaps (LPF). The objectives of this study were to document the details of the surgical procedure as well as patient-reported satisfaction and well-being following the procedure using a validated BREAST-Q tool among Pakistani women.
Materials & methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2021 enrolling …


Perpetuation Of Gender Discrimination In Pakistani Society: Results From A Scoping Review And Qualitative Study Conducted In Three Provinces Of Pakistan, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Shahnaz Shahid Ali, Sanober Nadeem, Zahid Memon, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Falak Madhani, Yasmin Karim, Shah Mohammad, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta Dec 2022

Perpetuation Of Gender Discrimination In Pakistani Society: Results From A Scoping Review And Qualitative Study Conducted In Three Provinces Of Pakistan, Tazeen Saeed Ali, Shahnaz Shahid Ali, Sanober Nadeem, Zahid Memon, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Falak Madhani, Yasmin Karim, Shah Mohammad, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Gender discrimination is any unequal treatment of a person based on their sex. Women and girls are most likely to experience the negative impact of gender discrimination. The aim of this study is to assess the factors that influence gender discrimination in Pakistan, and its impact on women's life.
Methods: A mixed method approach was used in the study in which a systematic review was done in phase one to explore the themes on gender discrimination, and qualitative interviews were conducted in phase two to explore the perception of people regarding gender discrimination. The qualitative interviews (in-depth interviews and …


Anticancer Effect Of Illicium Verum (Star Anise Fruit) Against Human Breast Cancer Mcf-7 Cell Line, Asra Khan Pahore, Shagufta Khan, Nasim Karim Dec 2022

Anticancer Effect Of Illicium Verum (Star Anise Fruit) Against Human Breast Cancer Mcf-7 Cell Line, Asra Khan Pahore, Shagufta Khan, Nasim Karim

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To investigate the anticancer effect of Illicium verum against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line.
Methods: An experimental study was conducted in Multidisciplinary and Tissue Culture Laboratory, Aga Khan University in collaboration with Pharmacology Department of Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2021 to June 2021. MCF-7 cells of Luminal-A breast cancer were seeded in 96-well plate and treated with I.verum methanol extract. After incubation, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) dye was used for cell viability and cell proliferation assays to determine the number of dead and viable cells, and the absorbance was measured using an enzyme-linked …


Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices (Kap) Towards Covid-19 Pandemic Among Pregnant Women In A Tertiary Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Sumaira Naz, Syeda Dur E Shawar, Shamila Saleem, Ayesha Malik, Amir Raza Nov 2022

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices (Kap) Towards Covid-19 Pandemic Among Pregnant Women In A Tertiary Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Sumaira Naz, Syeda Dur E Shawar, Shamila Saleem, Ayesha Malik, Amir Raza

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the pregnant population during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. KAP towards COVID-19 was assessed using 21-item questionnaires. A score for each category was calculated and points were summed. The outcome variables of KAP were compared with demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 19.
Results: A total of 377 patients participated in the study. The majority of the patients were multiparous (36.8%) in the age group of …


Psychometric Properties Of The Sindhi Version Of The Mood And Feelings Questionnaire (Mfq) In A Sample Of Early Adolescents Living In Rural Pakistan, Janavi Shetty, Florence Perquier, Susan C. Campisi, Yaqub Wasan, Madison Aitken, Daphne J. Korczak, Suneeta Monga, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Peter Szatmari, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta Nov 2022

Psychometric Properties Of The Sindhi Version Of The Mood And Feelings Questionnaire (Mfq) In A Sample Of Early Adolescents Living In Rural Pakistan, Janavi Shetty, Florence Perquier, Susan C. Campisi, Yaqub Wasan, Madison Aitken, Daphne J. Korczak, Suneeta Monga, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Peter Szatmari, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

There is a need for reliable and valid screening tools that assess depressive symptoms in adolescents in Pakistan. To address this need, the present study examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of a Sindhi-translated and adapted version of the child-report Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ-C) and the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-C) in a community sample of adolescents living in Matiari, Pakistan. Questionnaires were translated into Sindhi and administered by study psychologists to 1350 participants (52.3% female) 9.0 to 15.9 years old. Measurement structure was examined using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was estimated, and convergent and divergent …


Pregnancy Outcomes Of Patients With Ultrasound-Indicated And History-Indicated Mcdonald Cervical Cerclage, Zaibunnisa Memon, Naureen Anjum, Zahra Hoodbhoy Nov 2022

Pregnancy Outcomes Of Patients With Ultrasound-Indicated And History-Indicated Mcdonald Cervical Cerclage, Zaibunnisa Memon, Naureen Anjum, Zahra Hoodbhoy

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To assess pregnancy outcomes of patients with ultrasound-indicated and history-indicated McDonald cervical cerclage.
Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant women who had cervical cerclage performed at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karimabad campus. We obtained Institutional Review Board approval and reviewed the medical records of patients. A purposive continuous sampling technique was used. A total of 88 patients were included. There were no exclusion criteria. Outcome data were collected from the medical record of patients from January 2010 to December 2016.
Results: Analysis reported a statistically significant lower gravidity and parity in the scan-indicated group as …


Resilience And Prenatal Mental Health In Pakistan: A Qualitative Inquiry, Shireen Shehzad, David Arthur, An-Sofie Van Parys, Nicole Letourneau, Gail Wagnild, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Nargis Asad, Olivier Degomme Nov 2022

Resilience And Prenatal Mental Health In Pakistan: A Qualitative Inquiry, Shireen Shehzad, David Arthur, An-Sofie Van Parys, Nicole Letourneau, Gail Wagnild, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Nargis Asad, Olivier Degomme

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Women in Pakistan suffer from a high rate of depression. The stress of low-income, illiteracy, exposure to violence and living in a patriarchal society are predisposing vulnerabilities for depression, particularly during and following pregnancy. The resilience of an individual plays a significant role in promoting prenatal mental health, but this has yet to be thoroughly researched. In this article, our objective is to identify the core characteristics of resilience among pregnant women, which will then help us in developing an intervention.
Methods: The exploratory-descriptive study was conducted over 6 months in five different antenatal hospitals in Sindh, Pakistan. A …


Effect Of Dexamethasone On Newborn Survival At Different Administration-To-Birth Intervals: A Secondary Analysis Of The Who Action (Antenatal Corticosteroids For Improving Outcomes In Preterm Newborn)-I Trial, Who Action Trials Collaborators, Olufemi T. Oladapo, Joshua P. Vogel, Gilda Piaggio, My Huong Nguyen, Fernando Althabe, Rajiv Bahl, Suman P. N. Rao, Shabina Ariff, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Lumaan Sheikh Nov 2022

Effect Of Dexamethasone On Newborn Survival At Different Administration-To-Birth Intervals: A Secondary Analysis Of The Who Action (Antenatal Corticosteroids For Improving Outcomes In Preterm Newborn)-I Trial, Who Action Trials Collaborators, Olufemi T. Oladapo, Joshua P. Vogel, Gilda Piaggio, My Huong Nguyen, Fernando Althabe, Rajiv Bahl, Suman P. N. Rao, Shabina Ariff, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Lumaan Sheikh

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: The WHO ACTION-I trial demonstrated that dexamethasone significantly reduced neonatal mortality when administered to women at risk of early preterm birth in low-resource countries. We conducted a secondary analysis to determine how these benefits can be optimised, by evaluating the effect of dexamethasone compared to placebo on newborn mortality and severe respiratory distress outcomes at different administration-to-birth intervals, and identifying the interval with the greatest benefits.
Methods: The WHO ACTION-I trial was a multi-country, individually-randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It was conducted in 29 hospitals across Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Women with a viable singleton or multiple …