ABSTRACT
We investigated gender differences in knowledge of and attitude towards tuberculosis [TB] in urban and rural communities in Sindh province, Pakistan. Knowledge of symptoms was generally deficient, particularly in rural females. Regarding TB prevention, 22.4% of rural and 14.4% of urban males said completing treatment was important; only 9.8% of rural and 7.1% of urban females agreed. Doctors were an important source of information in rural areas and 60.9% of rural males said they would only stop treatment on a doctor's advice. In contrast, > 65% of respondents in urban areas said they would stop treatment when symptoms ended. Our study highlights the need to increase population awareness about TB in Sindh
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , BCG Vaccine , Cross-Sectional Studies , Directly Observed Therapy , Educational Measurement , Men/psychology , Needs Assessment , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Urban Population , Women/psychologyABSTRACT
community-based intervention study was conducted in a Katchi Abadi [slum area] of Karachi with the objective of improving optimal breast feeding practices, including promotion of exclusive breast feeding and giving of colostrum to newborns. Sixty-seven mothers were registered in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. Health education to promote exclusive breast feeding was provided in the form of flip-charts, videos and photographs. Sixty-six% mothers in the control group gave prelacteals as compared to 31% in the intervention group [P <.0001]. Colostrum was given by 97% mothers in the intervention group and 3% in the control group. Majority [94%] of intervention group mothers continued exclusive breast feeding till four months of age against 7% in the control group. It was concluded that health education programmes in the antenatal period as well as after birth can promote exclusive breast feeding practices
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Milk, Human , Nutrition Surveys , Colostrum/immunology , Health Education , Lactation/physiologyABSTRACT
A prevalence survey of antibodies to hepatitis A, B, C, in children of Karachi is reported. The study was carried out in children from Civil Hospital, Karachi between September 1990 to October 1991. The prevalence of IgG antibodies to hepatitis-A was very high; with 5 year old children showing 94% positivity of exposure to Hepatitis A virus Antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBS] was found in nearly 2% of children upto 14 years of age. The prevalence of Hepatitis C [anti-HCV] was negligable being 0.43% upto 14 years of age