ABSTRACT
Infant mortality rate is a serious issue worldwide. Pakistan being a developing country comprises of diverse socioeconomic classes. Various studies have suggested some association of maternal anthropometric parameters with neonatal outcomes. The aim behind this research is to determine the impact of socioeconomic conditions on maternal health indicators and neonatal parameters in the population of Pakistan. This study included 90 pregnant females belonging to different socioeconomic conditions and were grouped according to their socioeconomic classes. Data was collected from the case histories of participants admitted in different hospitals of Karachi. The data of maternal and neonatal parameters was assessed statistically and their associations with the socioeconomic conditions were assessed. Maternal hemoglobin and maternal gravidity have shown a strong association with socioeconomic conditions with high significance [p < 0.05]. However, neonatal parameters have shown diverse results among the three classes. Neonatal gestational age was found to be significant in comparison between upper versus lower [p = 0.001] and upper versus middle classes [p = 0.006], but it was insignificant in case of middle versus lower class [p = 0.88]. Likewise, neonatal birth weight is significant between upper versus lower [p = 0.001] and upper versus middle classes [p = 0.019], but it was insignificant in case of middle versus lower class [p = 0.258]. Neonatal apgar score is found to be significant in upper versus lower [p = 0.001] and middle versus lower classes [p = 0.001] and insignificant between middle and lower class [p = 0.125]. This study concludes that socioeconomic factors play a vital role in determining the maternal health characteristics which in turn affects the neonatal outcomes. It is therefore recommended that antenatal care should be provided to all pregnant females. The whole community should work hand in hand to establish good health care centers, create awareness among the population and play a role in resolving the various social and financial issues
ABSTRACT
Blood transfusion is a life saving procedure in various transfusion-dependent life threatening conditions and donation of safe blood is a prerequisite for achieving this goal. This study was designed to evaluate the awareness regarding [safe blood] in Pakistani population. This study was conducted at a large scale through a population survey. The test population was divided into two groups i.e. general population and students. The Performa was designed for a general and student population and included 20 questions related to awareness of safe blood. A total of 4900 individuals belonging to different ethnic groups were included in this population survey. Results of social survey were analyzed by using Usman and Moin awareness chart. Results of this study revealed profound unawareness about safe blood in Pakistani population. This study found lack of awareness about safe blood as a major factor that is playing a vital role in the propagation of blood borne diseases in Pakistan. To secure the recipients from blood borne complications through blood donation, it is necessary to create effective awareness about safe blood in Pakistani population