Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of Postpartum Anxiety And Depression On Child’S Mental Development From Two Peri-Urban Communities Of Karachi, Pakistan: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Niloufer Sultan Ali, Sadia Mahmud, Asia Khan, Badar Sabir Ali

Department of Family Medicine

Background

Postpartum anxiety and depression has detrimental effects on the overall mental development of children. This study aims to assess the impact of postpartum anxiety and depression on children’s mental development on all sub-scales in a Pakistani population.

Methods

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in two peri-urban communities of Karachi, a mega city of Pakistan, to assess the impact of postpartum anxiety and depression on children’s growth and mental development. A total of 420 women were enrolled, who had given consent out of 651 pregnant women identified, during February 2004 to December 2005. Data for socio-demographic, home environment and family …

Improvement In Access And Equity For Maternal And Neonatal Health Services: Comparative Advantages Of Contracted-Out Versus Non-Contracted-Out Facilities, Shehla Zaidi, Fauziah Rabbani, Iqbal Azam Syed, Atif Riaz, Peter Hatcher, Gul Nawaz Khan Nawaz Khan, Nousheen Pradhan, Hassan Fazli, Shiraz Shaikh, Yasmeen Khan, Syeda Nida Naim, Unaib Rabbani

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Illuminating The Dark Side--Vitamin D Status In Different Localities Of Karachi., Romaina Iqbal, Lena Jafri, Ali Haroon, Aysha Habib

Department of Medicine

This study was conducted to determine the association between place of residence (grouped into neighbourhoods), and 25-hydroxy D (25[OH]D) levels of individuals of Karachi. Addresses of 4788 individuals tested for 25[OH]D at the clinical laboratory of the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2008 were reviewed. The neighbourhoods were categorized into ten, based on locality attributes. A high overall prevalence (74%) of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was observed. There was a significant difference (p-value < 0.01) between mean log 25[OH]D levels amongst neighbourhoods grouped according to distinct housing structure attributes and localities. A high frequency of VDD in all the studied localities of an urban city warrant dietary vitamin D supplementation and food fortification.

Unintentional Childhood Poisoning, Epidemiology And Strategies For The Prevention And Policy Change In Pakistan, Omer Ul Hassan, Hasana Qadri, Umer Mir, Bilal Ahmed

Department of Medicine

Poisoning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injuries among young children. Agents most commonly ingested by young children include medicines, cleaning substances, hydrocarbons, pesticides and cosmetics. Children with less educated fathers, living in more crowded conditions and from lower income families are more predisposed to unintentional poisoning. Unsafe storage of medicines, chemicals and other hazardous substances is one of the leading reasons for childhood poisoning. Knowledge of parents and caregivers about prevention of poisoning may be the basis to prevent subsequent injuries. This paper is a review of the epidemiology of unintentional poisonings among young children (less than five …

Self-Perceived Health Among School Going Adolescents In Pakistan: Influence Of Individual, Parental And Life Style Factors?, Asad Ali Khan Afridi, Komal Motwani, Saleem Khawaja, Adeel Khoja, Zafar Fatmi, Iqbal Azam Syed, Muhammad Masood Kadir

Department of Medicine

BACKGROUND: Adolescents are at substantial risk of acquiring behaviors which might influence their health status. This study was aimed to assess the proportion of school going adolescents (both males and females) with poor self-perceived health and its associated factors.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three major cities of Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Lahore and Quetta. From each city, six (6) secondary schools were randomly selected (3 public and 3 private). Pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine independent factors associated with poor self-perceived health.

RESULTS: Approximately 29% adolescents (119/414) reported poor …

Needle Stick Injuries--Risk And Preventive Factors: A Study Among Health Care Workers In Tertiary Care Hospitals In Pakistan., Asad Ali Khan Afridi, Ameet Kumar, Raza Sayani

Community Health Sciences

BACKGROUND:

Health care workers (HCWs) are at substantial risk of acquiring blood borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C through needle stick injuries (NSIs). This study aimed to assess the proportion of NSIs and their associated factors among HCWs and also to identify the areas in which preventive efforts might be directed to protect against this occupational hazard.

METHODOLOGY:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan representing both private and public health sector. A total of 497 HCWs (doctors and nurses) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data was collected from January to May …

Need For Multilevel Strategies And Enhanced Acceptance Of Contraceptive Use In Order To Combat The Spread Of Hiv/Aids In A Muslim Society: A Qualitative Study Of Young Adults In Urban Karachi, Pakistan, Syed Farid-Ul-Hasnain, Eva Johansson, Saleema A. Gulzar, Gunilla Krant

Community Health Sciences

This qualitative study explored knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health, focusing specifically on contraceptive use and HIV prevention among young unmarried men and women, 17-21 years, in urban Karachi, Pakistan. The main theme, identified as underlying meaning in the focus group discussions was "Societal norms and perceptions create barriers to knowledge and awareness about sexual and reproductive health matters among young adults". A knowledge gap was revealed concerning HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use among young males and females, who have to rely on media and peers for information seeking. Study participants perceived that HIV/AIDS is incurable and …

Public Private Partnerships For Improving Maternal And Neonatal Health Service Delivery A Review Of The Evidence, Shehla Zaidi, Rehana Salam, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Shahid Ansari, Syeda Subika Rizvi, Beenish Fatima Zehra, Amin Pethani

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Role Of Community Based Savings Groups (Cbsgs) Enhancing The Utilization Of Community Midwives In Chitral District Of Pakistan, Qayyum Ali Noorani, Iqbal Azam, Babar T. Shaikh, Tharanga Ranasinghe, Shazia Abbas, Shakeela Wali, Paul Rippey, Wajiha Javed

Department of Family Medicine

Background: Maternal and infant mortality rates in the district of Chitral in Pakistan are alarmingly high. One of the major reasons for this is the inability of women to access skilled care due to the high costs associated with traveling and utilizing such services. The Aga Khan Health Services, Pakistan (AKHSP) in partnership with the national and provincial Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) program, deployed 28 community midwives (CMWs) in remote villages of Chitral district. This program has also established Community-Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) to support and facilitate access to MNCH services, in particular those delivered by the CMWs. …

Informed Consent, Privacy And Confidentiality Practised By Doctors Of A Tertiary Care Hospital In A Developing Country, Waris Qidwai, Rumina Tabassum, Fahad Hanif Khan, Salman Javed, Syed Mustafa Ali, Kashmira Nanji

Department of Family Medicine

Background: This aim of this study was to assess the degree to which the doctors of a public sector hospital in Karachi adhere to medical ethics during their consultations.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, during April-June 2010. 337 patients from Out Patients Departments (OPDs) and wards were recruited through consecutive sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to the participants and they were asked about their demographic profile, and their doctor’s practices regarding obtaining informed consent, respecting privacy and confidentiality, and treatment modalities. Written informed consent was taken from all the …