ABSTRACT
Background: Urinary incontinence leaves the sufferer with physical and psychological stresses. Majority of the cases are caused by an underlying treatable condition however the it is under reported to medical care providers. The objective of this study was to explore the psychosocial impacts of urinary incontinence and assess quality of life in patients with urinary incontinence in Pakistan
Methods: This study was conducted at five tertiary care hospitals in the city of Karachi during January 2013 to December 2013. Self-administered questionnaire was prepared and adjusted according to the local social dynamics of the community based on 'Incontinence Impact Questionnaire' and 'The Kings Health questionnaire'. Inclusion criteria included urinary incontinent patients visiting outpatient departments
Results: The study comprised of 280 participants with a response rate of 80%. Overall 89 males and 191 females participated. Majority of the sample population [40.7%] believed that the weak anatomy was the etiology of their Urinary Incontinence. More than 40% of the participants declared that they would rate 'the fear that an embarrassing condition could arise in result of their disease' as 'Moderate' followed by 38.2% as 'Highly'. 39.64% stated that their social life including interaction with people was 'Moderately' affected and 21.7% believed that they their social interaction was 'highly' limited. Regarding travel, majority of the participants asserted that their travel has been restricted to a great extent and rated as Highly [30.7%] or Moderate [29.6%]. In total 28.5% patients stated that their exercise schedule had been 'Moderately' affected as a consequence of their disease
Conclusion: Patients with urinary incontinence should be heard comprehensively by the care providers. Coping techniques for patients and education regarding Urinary incontinence should be provided by the medical practitioner to the sufferers
ABSTRACT
Background: Surgery is a competitive specialty and requires a lengthy and rigorous residency training which necessitates one's passion and commitment. A number of medical students experience their surgical rotation as demanding with extended period of work hours as compared to other medical specialties
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at four medical colleges located in Karachi, Pakistan during September 2013 to January 2014. A self administered questionnaire was made to gain insight regarding students' views of advantages and disadvantages associated with surgical profession. Medical students who have completed at least one rotation of surgery were included in the study
Results: Overall 810 respondents participated in the study, with a response rate of 90.% Amongst the participants 72.8%were females and 27.2% were males. 62.7% of the students thought that surgery is a stressful profession, while 80.8% believed that a surgeon's family life is adversely compromised at some time during their carrier [86.7% females, 65% males]. Majority of the students [55.3%] asserted that surgery is more respectful than other medical field, however 52.7% of the respondents believed that a surgeon's income is higher than any other medical specialty. Overall 17.9% students strongly considered to become surgeon in future [Male/Female OR: 2.0]
Conclusion: Workload, family life, length of residency, income, respect and stress level associated with surgery are some important factors influencing student's choice for profession
ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis [TB] can be traced back to the beginning of the mankind. It is a bacterial infectious communicable disease. Globally, TB is the second major cause of death from infectious diseases. MDR-TB is a type of tuberculosis that is resistance to at least two first line anti-tuberculosis drugs Isoniazid [INH] and Rifampicin [RMP] with or without resistance to other drugs. Multidrug resistant TB [MDR-TB] caught attention, when it emerged in the USA in 1990. Globally 425,000 new cases emerge annually, which is almost 5% of the annual global TB burden. Pakistan is included in 27 high burden MDR-TB countries, with almost 2% to 3.2% for newly diagnosed and 35% for previously treated patients. The overall aim of this study was to assess the burden and the distribution of resistance for four anti-tuberculosis medications
Method: A cross sectional study design was used. Data was collected from the hospital records of microbiology department, for the patients between the duration of January 2008 to December 2011. Forms of 300 patients were collected and analyzed. Epi-data and SPSS software were used for analysis. An outcome variable was developed and analysed. Correlation of resistance was analysed with different independent variables such as age, sex, residence [rural/urban], duration of disease, TB treatment history, smear reports and sensitivity results
Results: The results of this study showed the variation of resistance to four different drugs, but most resistance was found for rifampicin and lowest for Ethambutol. The resistance was found Isoniazid [49%], Streptomycin [52%], Rifampicin [68%], and Ethambutol [25%]. Resistance between male/female and rural/urban was not prominently different. Among the different TB types, MDR-TB patients were found to be more resistant, with the highest resistance for Rifampicin [80%] and the lowest resistance for Ethambutol [31%]. The extent of the lesion had no association with the resistance prevalence. Age was significantly associated with resistance. Previous ZN smear negative reported cases appeared to be more resistant
Conclusion: This study suggests for improvements in the early detection and treatment. Old test techniques such as ZN smear should also be replaced by more reliable and efficient laboratory techniques. There is also a need to improve the record keeping system in order to have complete information about the diseases and patients