Antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms isolated from sputum culture of Karachi, Pakistan

Our study aims to contribute to developing antibiotics prescription guidelines at a national and a regional level directed by the antibiotics susceptibility patterns and rapidly emerging resistant organisms. This study is designed to observe the antimicrobial susceptibility in sputum culture isolates and drug resistance patterns against various antimicrobials. This was a retrospective cohort study; data was collected from two laboratories from 1st Jan to 15 July 2007. All laboratory reports were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0.The sputum culture was found positive for microbial growth in 217 reports out of 864 total [25.11%]. The leading organisms were 25.8% Klebsiella pneumoniae, 23.5% Streptococcus pneumoniae, 18% Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 12.9% Staphylococcus aureus. S.pneumoniae and S.aureus were sensitive to the combination of beta lactam antibiotics and anti-beta lactamase while K.pneumoniae and P. aureginosa were susceptible to fluoroquinolones, macrolides and aminoglycosides. The total yield of sputum culture was 25.11%. The gram positive cocci which were isolated were mostly resistant to beta lactam antibiotics alone i.e. only 45% of S. pneumoniae and 33% of S.aureus were sensitive to Amoxicillin alone. Sensitivity to Co-amoxiclav was still high. 90% and 85% of S. pneumonia and S.aureus respectively were sensitive to Co-amoxiclav. The P.aeruginosa resistance to Amikacin in our study is 10%

Tendency towards developing adhd among children of grade 3 - 5 in various schools of Karachi

This study aimed to describe the frequency of children at high risk of developing ADHD and its association with psychosocial factors in children of grade 3-5 in various schools of Karachi. Descriptive study. This study was coducted in various schools of Karachi from January to June 2008. This study was done using pre-tested self administered questionnaire. The study population was composed of 553 children from grades 3 to 5. The parents filled the questionnaire on assessment of children behavior. All ethical considerations were taken into account in this regard. Data for demographic variables for frequencies and association between variables was analyzed on SPSS version 12.0. Significant level was p<0.05. Among a total of 553 children from three different schools, the suspected children were 131; among them 111 had a score of 20-29 on the behavior rating scale and 20 had a score of 30 and onwards. There were 89 males out of 319 [27.8%] and 42 females out of 234 females [17.9%] who were found positive. This made a total 23.6% students of both the genders who showed strong tendency towards ADHD. Among the differences which were observed gender, father's occupation and different schools were statistically significant [p-value <0.05] which made the strength of this study. Children with ADHD are frequently encountered in the primary care setting. It is important that the diagnosis of this condition by primary care providers be based on procedures supported by evidence from empirical investigations. Clinicians should use ADHD-specific rating scales completed by caregivers and teachers in their efforts to identify children suspected for ADHD

Perceptions and practices of fasting in Ramadan during pregnancy in Pakistan

Islam clearly exempts fasting in Ramadan during sickness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Yet, some women prefer to fast despite realizing their increase in nutritional demand during pregnancy. Nurses and other healthcare providers face a difficult task of providing appropriate medical advice to Muslim women regarding the safety and impact of their fasting. The present study was conducted to examine the concepts and practices of maternal fasting during pregnancy in Pakistani Muslim women. A cross sectional study was done in 2008 on 353 females from gynecology departments of hospitals in major cities of two provinces of Pakistan. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used and a questionnaire was used to collect data from females who had experienced pregnancy during Ramadan at least once in life. Questions related to perceptions and practices of fasting in pregnancy along with demographic data were asked. Analysis was done on SPSS version 16. Chi square test was used to assess associations and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All ethical considerations were taken into account for the respondents. Out of the total, 309 [87.5%] fasted during their pregnancies while 43 [12.5%] did not fast at all. Among those who fasted, 42.5% [n = 150] fasted for the whole month, 23.8% [n = 84] fasted on alternate days, 10.5% [n = 37] fasted only on weekends/ holidays, and 10.8% [n = 38] fasted on particular special days. The majority perceived no harm and risk caused by fasting to them or to fetus during pregnancy. Although adverse effects during fasting were frequently reported, only 24% break their fast. A significant association was found between gravida and education with fasting [P < 0.05]. A total of 88% of women believed that fasting during pregnancy [in good health] is "obligatory" while 12% thought otherwise. Pakistani Muslim women showed a strong compassion for fasting in pregnancy despite overall decrease in maternal health indicators. There is a need for nurses and other healthcare providers in all Muslim countries and especially in non Muslim countries with cultural diversity to be fully aware of the effects of fasting in pregnancy so that they can act promptly ensuring safe and healthy delivery.

Seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in hospital workers compared to aged matched healthy blood donors

As study was planned to document the seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in hospital workers compared to age-matched volunteer healthy blood donors. The study was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi from November 2001 to October 2003. Study group comprised of 305 voluntary hospital workers including 60 doctors, 101 female nurses and attendants, 116 male nurses and attendants and 18 sweepers. Control group comprised of 300 aged matched volunteer blood donors, 90 males and 30 females. A performa was designed to record various findings. Sera of subjects were tested by a standard method for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Study group comprised 70 [23%] doctors, 60 males and 10 females. HBsAg was positive in 1[1.43%] and HCV antibodies in 2[2.85%]. Among 101[33%] of the female nurses and attendants, HBsAg was positive in 03 [3%] and HCV antibodies in 8[8%]. Among 116 [38%] male nurses and attendants, 04 [3.44%] were HBsAg positive and 07 [6.03%] HCV antibodies positive. Among 18[6%] khakrobs and sweepers 1[5.56%] was HBsAg positive and 2[11.11%] were HCV antibodies positive. In total 10[3.27%] hospital workers were found positive for HBsAg and 18 [5.90%] positive for HCV antibodies. In voluntary blood donors, HBsAg was detected in 2.4% and HCV antibodies in 3.2%. It is conduced that the seroprevalence of HBsAg is marginally higher in hospital workers while seroprevalence of HCV antibodies is reasonably higher in hospital workers compared to general healthy population