Stress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder among general population affected by floods in pakistan

Background: Natural disasters evoke certain distressful traumatic reactions which impede the lives of the survivors. The flood in July 2010 were one of the Pakistan's largest natural disasters

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among adults exposed to 2010 floods in Pakistan

Study type, settings and duration: Cross sectional study done in flood affected areas of Pakistan. Data was collected from February7 2013 to May 2013

Subjects and Methods: Sample of the study comprised of 2000 individuals. The data was collected from highly flood affected areas like Mianwali, Muzafar Garh, and Dera Ghazi Khan from Punjab, Nowshera and Peshawar from Kyber Pukhtunkhwa and Neelum Valley form Azad Jammu Kashmir. Data was collected by using convenient sampling technique. Stress, Anxiety and depression were measured by using Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Posttraumatic stress disorder was assessed using the self-report measure, Impact of Event Scale

Results: Age range of the participants was between 15 to 65 years [Mean 28.7, SD = 7.1], for both genders. After about three years of floods, posttraumatic stress disorder was still present in both genders. However, it was higher among females and unemployed individuals. Moreover, higher exposure to flood was positively associated with posttraumatic stress disorder whereas, age, and education were negatively related with distress and posttraumatic stress disorder

Conclusion: Psychological disorders persists for several years after the disaster and results in significant personal distress

Policy message: The association between psychological distress, gender, age, education and employment status has to be taken into consideration when mental health policies for flood-survivors are planned at the national level

Relationship of emotional intelligence and health locus of control among female breast cancer patients in Pakistan

Objective: To investigate relationship between emotional intelligence and health locus of control in married women with breast cancer disease

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: The data was collected from Nuclear Oncology and Radiology Institute [NORI Hospital] Islamabad [n=210] and from Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Rawalpindi [n=101]. Data collection was completed between the period from Oct 2013 to Feb 2014

Patients and Methods: The sample was selected using non- probability sampling technique. Collected breast cancer patients sample was n= 311 whose age range was from 18-80 years. A biographical sheet that contain personal and disease information of patient, and two scales were used: Self Report Measure of Emotional Intelligence [Khan and Kamal, 2010], and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control [Wallston, Stein, and Smith, 1994] were used to assess the constructs explored in this study

Results: Results depict that there was significant positive correlation between emotional intelligence [EI], including its sub scales Emotional Self-Regulation Skills [ESRS], Emotional Self Awareness Skills [ESAS], and Interpersonal Skills Scale [ISS] with the Internal Health Locus of Control [IHLOC]. Doctors Health Locus of Control [DHLOC] also have significant relationship to emotional intelligence's all sub divisions, whereas external health locus of control including Chance Health Locus of Control [CHLOC] and Powerful Other people Health Locus of Control [PHLOC] both are related to psychological distresses but it was observed in breast cancer population that chance was significantly correlated to ESAS, and ISS and powerful other people locus. Further on group comparison One Way Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] depicted no significant difference on disease stage groups

Conclusion: The strength factors of EI and HLOC are highlighted in current study. It was concluded that Emotional Intelligence [EI] and health locus of control [IHLOC, and DHLOC] have positive direction of relationship, both skills leads to positive adaptation and greater coping strengths

Opinions on age of marriage - perspective from university students in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Child marriages are more common in developing countries, including Pakistan. This study was conducted to determine the perspective of university students on marriageable age in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Cumulatively, 1039 students participated in this cross-sectional survey based on convenience sampling. There were statistically significant differences between male and female students pertaining to opinions about what should be the legal age for women and men. Male respondents were more likely to accept 16 years of legal age at marriage for both males as well as females. Female respondents rejected 16 years as the legal age of marriage for girls on physical and emotional health grounds as well as on having negative impact on girl's education. Results stress the need for better understanding of socio-cultural norms in the country to more effectively address and discourage the practice of child marriage in the country

Light at the end of the tunnel; posttraumatic growth among individuals exposed to flood 2010 in Pakistan

To explore the stress- related growth experienced by the individuals exposed to the highly stressful and traumatic floods in Pakistan began on July 27[th], 2010. Qualitative Study Communities of the flood affected areas, from June 2011 to December 2011 Sample included 300 participants, who were affected in flood in Pakistan that began on July 27[th], 2010, following heavy monsoon rains. Age range of the participants was from 13 to 55 [M = 27.45, SD = 6.94] years, with equal participation of male and females. Twenty Focus group discussions [FGD][5] and 30 key informant interviews [KII] were conducted to gather the information. Each FGD was consisted of approximately 12 respondents. The positive changes were reported to occur in five domains of an individual life including, recognizing new possibilities, perceiving personal strength, increasing spiritual sense, improving relationship, and appreciation of life. The significance of understanding this concept of Posttraumatic Growth helps the mental health professionals in devising the intervention strategies, while keeping in mind the positive changes and strengths of the community

Gender role attitudes and occupational aspirations of pakistani adolescents

Present study was an exploratory study and an attempt to investigate gender role attitudes and occupational aspirations of Pakistani adolescents. Two hundred [100 males and 100 females] adolescents studying at undergraduate level participated in the study by filling out the Occupational Aspirations Scale [Aziz and Kamal, 2009] and Sex Role Attitude Scale [Anila and Ansari, 1992]. Findings revealed significant difference in occupational aspirations of males and females as men aspired more for traditional men occupations and women aspired more for traditional women occupations than traditional men occupations. Moreover, girls were found to have more modern/egalitarian gender role attitudes than boys but this change may only appear in their attitudes, not in their real aspirations. Mean scores and ranking of boys7 occupational aspirations showed their high aspirations for engineering, armed forces, and pilots whereas, girls aspired more for occupations of medicine, lecturer ship, and psychologist

relationship between decision making styles and belief in personal control among army personnel

This research investigates the relationship between decision making styles and belief in personal control among army personnel. The sample consisted of cadets [n=70], lieutenants [n=60, captains [n=60], majors [n=42], and Lieutenant Colonels [n=20]. Urdu translations [Kamal, Batool and Khan, 2011] of the belief in personal control scale [Berrenberg, 1987] and the general decision making style questionnaire [Scott and Bruce, 1995] were used. A direct relationship was found between general external control and all decision making styles except rational style, direct relationship was also found between exaggerated internal control and rational, intuitive, and spontaneous styles, and a negative relationship with dependent style; a direct relationship was also found between God- mediated control and intuitive style, while a negative relationship was found between God-mediated control and dependent style. Finally interpretations were discussed

Over dental anxiety problems among university students: perspective from Pakistan

Oral health seeking behavior is compromised by dental anxiety, and affects quality of life. This preliminary study using convenience sampling was conducted among university students in the cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan, Pakistan, using standardized, valid and reliable scales to determine the prevalence and correlates of dental anxiety. Cumulatively 503 students including 278 males and 225 females completed the questionnaire. High to severe anxiety on Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised was reported by 60 [21.6%] males and 54 [24%] females. Seventy-five [27%] males and 62 [27.6%] females reported being quite afraid to very afraid on Dental Anxiety Question. Results underline the need for population-based representative studies to determine the prevalence and correlates of dental anxiety for better dental health in Pakistan

Translation and adaptation of Eysenck personality questionnaire [Junior] and its validation with laborer adolescents

The present research aimed at translation, adaptation, and validation of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire [Junior] [Eysenck and Eysenck, 1970] with laborer adolescents. After translation in first phase, sample of 60 adolescent students ranged from 13- 17 years [M-15.7]. was selected from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The re-test reliability after 15 days determined the significant correlation coefficients for the all subscales of Urdu EPQ-[Junior], showing consistency of responses in the same language. In phase II Urdu EPQ [Junior] was administered on 200 male laborer adolescents with the age ranging 13- 17years [M= 15.39; SD= 1.55] from different areas of Rawalpindi/ Islamabad to establish the psychometric properties of the scale. The findings revealed satisfactory Cronbach 's alpha coefficients for all subscales of EPQ [Junior] Urdu and some significant findings with demographic variables as education

Internet access and utilization for health information among university students in Islamabad

Internet has changed the way we live and work. Advent of this technology has fundamentally transformed our lives the way invention of automobile changed how our lives and cities looked and worked before. Practically no information is available on the use of internet for health by the people of Pakistan. The Objectives of the study were to assess the access and utilization pattern of internet by university students in Islamabad, with emphasis on the healthcare information seeking. An anonymous, self-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire with questions on the access, and usage pattern of internet, seeking health care information online, and belief about reliability of such information; was distributed to only those students who were enrolled in masters or higher degree programs. A total of 600 students were approached and 598 [99.7%] completed the questionnaires. The mean age of students was 23.5 years [range 19-40]. The majority of students [423] were enrolled in masters program. Four hundred and sixty eight students [78.26%] students had access to the computer either at home or at their university hostel. While 304 [50.84%] students had internet access at home or in their university hostel. Out of 304 students who reported having access to internet in the past three months, one hundred and thirty-nine [43.4%] students replied affirmatively to the question of having used internet for seeking health care information. And 109 [78.4%] thought that such information was reliable. Out of 139 students who had used internet for seeking health information, 35 [25.2%] students replied affirmatively to the question of having discussed health information obtained from internet with their doctor/physician whom they visited for any illness/treatment. Majority of Islamabad university students in this study had access to computer and internet. Young and healthy state of this educated age group perhaps accounts for limited use of internet for seeking healthcare related information. However, high reliability of internet obtained health information needs to be further studied in terms of websites utilized for seeking such information

Prevalence and pattern of smoking in university students - perspective from Islamabad

A cross-sectional survey based on sample of convenience was conducted in university students of Islamabad, from January 15th to June 30th 2001. With 95% confidence level and assuming a hypothetical difference between two population proportions of smoking at 5% in students, with an absolute precision of 5%, on either side of proportion, 5 sample size of 216 for each gender group was calculated. Four hundred and seventy students 249 female and 221 male were selected by convenience sampling and interviewed. Most students, 380 [80.9%], were enrolled in the masters program, 192 [77.1%] females and 188 [85.1%] males, while the rest were either M.Phil or doctoral students. Cumulatively, 72 [15.3%] reported ever having smoked cigarettes, 11 [4.4%] females and 61 [27.6%] males. While 59 [12.6%] students, 9 females and 50 males were currently smoking cigarettes every day. These 59 students were asked further questions regarding their pattern and use of smoking cigarettes and their beliefs about its effects on their health

Three-month prevalence and profile of injuries in university students - perspective from Pakistan

To study the three-month prevalence, type, place of occurrence, body parts involvement and duration of recovery from injuries, as well as health seeking behavior of injured university students of both genders. Setting: The study was undertaken in a university campus in Islamabad. A cross-sectional survey based on sample of convenience was conducted, using a structured pre-tested questionnaire with close-ended questions. Trained student interviewers conducted all the interviews after obtaining verbal consent. Cumulatively 432 students were interviewed, 216 males and an equal number of females. Most students [367=85%] were enrolled in the masters program, 187 [86.6%] females and 180 [83.3%] males. 113 [26.2%] students reported sustaining injuries in the past three months, out of which 72 [63.7%] were male students and 41 [36.3%] were female students. These 113 students reported 155 injuries, as some students also reported multiple injuries in this period. 92 injuries were reported by men, while 63 by women. Injuries in men tended to be more severe in nature requiring physician prescribed medication and longer time to heal. There is a need for population-based studies to determine the prevalence and phenomenology of injuries in graduate students for better and informed public health and health education policies in the country