ABSTRACT
Background: Thalassemias are a group of genetic blood diseases. These patients are blood transfusion dependent because of genetic inability to produce hemoglobin according to body needs. Due to repeated transfusions, these patients are vulnerable to HCV, HBV and HIV like blood transmitted diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine post transfusion HCV frequency in these patients
Objective: To assess prevalence of antibody HCV in multi-transfused Thalassaemia patients. Study Setting: The study was conducted at Thalassaemia Center, DHQ Hospital Faisalabad located in Central Punjab, Pakistan. The record of the Thalassemia children registered in this center during 1[st] Jan 2012 to 31[st] Dec 2014 was reviewed. Study Design
Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 416 Thalassemia children registered in Thalassemia Center DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. Out of these 379 children were included while 37 excluded due to incomplete record. The demographic data, blood transfusion history and lab tests details were taken from patient files. The HCV diagnostic laboratory techniques used were Rapid manual, confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELIZA]
Results: Out of 379 Thalassemia patients, HCV positive found were 123 [32.45%]. The study population age was in range of 1- 19years while age range of HCV affected group was 5-19 years. Out of total 379, male were 235 [62%] and female were 144 [38%] while in total 123 HCV affected group 82 [66.67%] were male and 41 [33.33%] female. In total of 379 Thalassemic children having multiple transfusions, 123 [32.45%] were HCV +ve. Among 353 Thalassemic children having positive blood groups, 111 [31.44%] were HCV +ve while 12 [46.15%] were HCV +ve in 26 children with negative blood groups. Among 235 male, 82 [34.89%] were HCV +ve and 41 [28.47%] HCV +ve in 144 female children. Hepatomegaly was 75% in HCV +ve while 65% in HCV -ve groups. The splenomegaly was almost 80% in all groups
Conclusion: Despite use of screened blood transfusions in this center, still there is alarming proportion of HCV affected blood receiving patients. In this study Antibody HCV prevalence was higher [46.15%] in Thalassemic children with negative blood groups than [31.44%] positive group children. In total HCV +ve patients, 2/3 [66.67%] were male and 1/3 [33.33%] female group. This study warrants attention to improve HCV diagnostic and instrument sterilization techniques to minimize the risk of HCV infection
ABSTRACT
Background: Road Traffic Accident [RTA] is growing public issue and fall among four top causes of mortality and morbidity. Many people [of all age groups], die daily during playing in streets or travelling on roads. Main causes of these accidents are lack of driving skills, distracted and prolonged driving, use of intoxicants, use of mobile phone during driving, defective roads, over loading and inadequate government administrative structure. These accidents are predictable and largely preventable through multi-disciplinary coherent strategies
Objective: To study epidemiological factors, compliance with traffic rules and pattern of accidental injuries
Methods: This study is descriptive cross sectional, carried out at DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. The data was obtained from patients of RTA arriving at Accident and Emergency Department [Trauma Center], from 1[st] January 2016 to 30[th] June2016. During this period 583 patients of RTA were reported to this center. The study variables were socio demographic, human, environmental and time factors. Statistical analysis was done in percentages, linear / logarithmic trends and chi-square test to know strength of association between these variables
Results: Among total 583 RTA cases, male victims were 449 [77.02%] and female 134 [22.98%]. Majority of cases 256[43.91%] were in age group of 15-29 years. Victims of RTA from rural areas were 194 [33.28%] while 389 [66.72%] were from urban / sub-urban areas. People from low economical strata were 198 [33.96%], moderate 310 [53.17%] and victims with illiteracy level were 135 [23.16%] and having education up to school were 304 [52.14%]. Human factor, cell phone user were 29 [4.97%]. Victims observing traffic rules were 93 [15.95%] while only 17 [30.19%] practiced PPM. Human factor regarding casual attitudes was observed in 47 [8.06%] cases. Maximum accidents occurred during office/school and market opening / closing timings i.e. 08-00 to 12-00 hours, 180 [30.87%] with fatality 27 [04.63% of this time events and 24.12% of total fatality] and 12-00 to 16-00 hours 136 [23.33%] with 4.29% fatality of total events and 22.32% of total fatality]. Fatality was maximum during evening, 35 [6.00%] of evening RTA's and 31.25% of total fatality. Environmental factors, worst weather was observed in 35 RTA's [6.00%], narrow and repairable roads shared in 69 cases [11.84%] while in old repairable vehicles were 17 [2.92%]. RTA in two wheeler vehicles/one wheeler were 271+59=330 [56.60%], in auto rickshaw [three wheeler] 106 [18.18%] and in pedestrian 85 [14.58%]. Pattern of head injury was found in 72 RTA's [12.35%] while limb injuries 76 [13.04%]. Mortality occurred in 112 [19.21%] cases while mild to severe morbidity was observed in 471 [80.79%] cases
Conclusion: This study concluded that male youth shared major portion of RTA victims. Morbidity and mortality was high in riders of two wheelers and in persons having head injuries. All the contributory factors were largely preventable through multi-pronged approach
ABSTRACT
Objective: to assess Knowledge, Attitude and preventive measures practiced by semi-urban / rural adult population of central Punjab regarding dengue fever
Study setting: independent University Hospital Faisalabad located in semi urban area of Jinnah Town [District Faisalabad] was selected for this study
Study Design: a cross sectional Descriptive study was conducted among the adult patients and their attendants from semi-urban/rural area attending OPD IUH
Study Population: adult patients/their attendants aged 18 years and above from both sexes and from all economical strata attending OPD of IUH were asked to take part in the study
Materials and Methods: Inclusive criteria: participant should be residing in Jinnah Town Faisalabad for the last one year
Sample Size: 550 adult individuals were taken by convenient sampling from the OPD patients and their attendants of IUH as a representative sample of total population of Jinnah Town. 95% confidence interval, 5% sampling error, assumption of 50% knowledge and attitude prevalence and 15% non-response rate were decided prior to study
Results: 550 individuals were enrolled for study, 50 participants decline to continue study. Analysis showed that 83.8% participants have adequate knowledge about vector, 38.6% know about dengue fever, 83.2% have good attitude about dengue fever, 86.6% participants use some of the preventive measures to protect themselves from mosquito
Conclusion: more Awareness Campaigns regarding dengue fever are still needed in rural area to have adequate level of KAP to control and prevent dengue fever epidemics. Due to low literacy level, there is gap between knowledge and practices. Health services in rural areas are insufficient, understaffed and un-accessible due to lack of roads/transport indicating differential allocation of resources for rural areas
ABSTRACT
Objective: to asses prevalence of HBV and HCV among healthy blood donors
Study Setting: Blood Transfusion Services Center DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. [Blood donation record of blood donors]
Study Design: retrospective review of blood donation record of blood donors, who attended this center from 1[st] Jan 2014 to 31[st] Dec 2014
Materials and Methods: the blood donation record of 32028 persons was reviewed who visited BTSC DHQ Hospital Faisalabad for donation of blood. The donors were selected according to International donor selection criteria. All the blood donors were screened for HBV and HCV by "Rapid Method."
Results: review and analysis of blood donation record of 32028 screened blood donors showed that 11.16% blood donors were female [ n= 3574 ] and 88.84% were male [n=28454].Among total, 609 blood donors were HBV positive i.e.1.90% and 2724 were HCV positive i.e. 8.50%
Conclusion: this study concluded that the prevalence of HBV and HCV among healthy blood donors of this area, HBV to be in low endemic group [<2 %] while HCV in high endemic group [>8%]. Female donors are proportionately less than male donors