Prevalence of depression among female medical undergraduate students living in dormitories, in Karachi - a cross-sectional study

Literature indicated that medical undergraduates are more vulnerable to depression than their counterparts and it has adverse effects on their general health. The study was aimed to find out prevalence of depression among the female medical undergraduates residing in dormitories. Cross sectional study was conducted from August 2017 to September 2017. Data were collected from 100 female undergraduates living in dormitories. CES-D 20 inventory was used for measuring self-reported depression. Depression was measured with age categories and muscle weakness. The prevalence of depression was 68 %. There was significant difference of depression prevalence among age categories and students having symptoms muscle weakness. The depression of score was statistically significant with age and positive linear relationship was observed. Elder students were more prone to depression. Muscle weakness was also observed with depressive symptoms

Connotation of Oro-Dental disorders with food and social customs

Objective: To evaluate the existing correlation between Oro-Dental disease occurrences with dietary and social habits among the local dental patients

Methodology:This 30-day cross sectional study was conducted at Baqai Dental College Hospital Outpatient Clinic, Karachi, using pre- designed questionnaires. During the study, age, gender, types of oral disorders [identified by calibrated dental professional], and dietary preferences were looked. After informed consent and ethical approval, prospective and consecutive data of 115 subjects was collected and 15 were excluded because of inconclusive pathological oro-dental condition

Results: Oral lesions were reported as dental pain with bleeding, dental pain with swelling, dental pain only or dental pain with both swelling and bleeding. Only 32% participants admitted to consume Naswar/ Chalia and smoking. 21% patients admitted to consume all types of foods. 67% were suffering from tooth decay. Naswar/ chalia eaters and smokers presented with pain alone, and pain with swelling. Surprisingly those who claimed vegetable consumption were noted to have more dental decay as well as pain

Conclusions: This study suggested that in the absence of dominant abnormal social habits and food, suffering from Oro-Dental disorders may be related to poor quality of vegetables, water, host.s characteristics or activated HPA

axis in the development of pathogenic dental process.

Over prescription of antibiotics by Karachi dentists working in public and private sector

Study was conducted to assess the over prescription of antibiotics by Karachi dentists working in public and private sector. The sample size of the study was 500. A questionnaire was developed and distributed among the Registered Dental Practitioners. This study was spread over 6 months. Data entry and analysis was done on SPSS software version 20. Descriptive statistics were generated. The present study provides evidence of over prescription of antibiotics by dentists of Karachi, Pakistan. Therefore, appropriate guidelines should be provided by regulatory bodies. Local measures should be prioritized by removing the cause. It is necessary to take educational initiatives to encourage rational and correct use of antibiotics

Natal and neonatal teeth- an uncommon oral finding: a cross sectional study in Pakistani subjects

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, types of teeth present at the time of birth and reasons for extraction of natal and neonatal teeth in Pakistani neonates. This cross sectional hospital based study was carried out during the period February 2011 to May 2013 at different dental colleges of Karachi and Hyderabad. All neonates with natal and neonatal teeth referred from different dental sections of Karachi and Hyderabad were included in the study. Their characteristics, common sites of eruptions, complications and reasons for extractions were observed and analyzed. A total of 22 patients were selected for data analysis out of which 8 [36.4%] were males and 14 [63.6%] were females and standard deviation was SD +/- 9.74. Out of 22 subjects studied, 17[77.3%] had natal and 05[22.7%] neonatal teeth which were uncomfortable both for the mother and the neonate. The most common teeth present at the time of birth were mandibular central incisors. It was concluded that it was a benign but rare condition of oral cavity among Pakistani neonates which requires special attention when causing feeding problems for mothers and children

Knowledge and practice of sterilization among different health care workers

Objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness among different levels of healthcare workers about sterilization. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information about knowledge of sterilization among dental house officers, dental auxilliaries and other non teaching staff of different dental colleges of Karachi. The sample size of the study was 500. The questionnaires were filled in by dentists and dental auxiliaries. The was spread over 6 months. The questionnaire contained questions about socio-demographic data and knowledge about sterilization, wearing of gloves, masks, and sterilization protocol. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software. There were 12 questions in each questionnaire. The study group consisted of 182 [36.4%] male and 318 [63.6%] female. The majority of respondents included house officers, teaching and non teaching staff of different medical/ dental colleges of Karachi. Most of the dentists wore gloves while treating patients, 484 [98.6%] of respondents said that they always changed their gloves after each patient where as 11[2.2%] said they did sometimes