Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Pakistan: a systematic review

Objectives: Primary aim was to review the literature on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy [DR] and Vision threatening diabetic retinopathy [VTDR] in Pakistan

Methods: A search of the bibliographic databases [Medline, Pub med, and Google scholar] was conducted from 1990 to March 2017. Articles about prevalence of DR and VTDR in Pakistan were retrieved and scrutinized. The studies satisfying the inclusion/exclusion criteria were considered for detail review

Results: Forty one articles on prevalence of DR were traced out. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were met in 29 studies. In selected studies [29], pooled Prevalence of DR was found to be 28.78% with a variation of 10.6% to 91.3%. Out of 29 studies, DR was classified in 19 studies. Pooled Prevalence of VTDR in these 19 studies was found to be 28.2% [variation of 4% to 46.3%] of patient with retinopathy and 8.6% of all diabetics

Conclusion: A great variation in the values of DR and VTDR was observed in this study. Researchers suggest a community based study with uniform methodology to find out a comparable value of prevalence of DR and VTDR in all provinces of Pakistan

Practice regarding promotion of breast feeding among antenatal mothers in a tertiary care hospital, Karachi

To describe the practice of educating antenatal mothers regarding breastfeeding in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi. A cross sectional study was conducted among 50 doctors working in the Gynecology department of a public sector hospital of Karachi. Each doctor completed a questionnaire comprising of questions regarding the delivery of breastfeeding information to pregnant women who visit the ward for their antenatal check-up. Forty four percent of doctors educated their patients during the 3rd trimester, mostly in individual setting

Frequency of tetanus toxoid immunization among college/university female students of Karachi

Tetanus is a deadly infectious disease for which immunisation is available in EPI at both infant level and for females of reproductive age. More than 95% of patients who develop tetanus have not been previously immunised. Objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of tetanus vaccination and to access the awareness of immunisation among females studying in 11 girls' colleges of Karachi and University of Karachi. A cross sectional study was conducted among 1,407 females studying in colleges and University of Karachi from April to August 2007 using a prescribed questionnaire. Among 1,407 female students who were interviewed for the study, 232 [16.48%] were not aware about tetanus immunisation program for females of reproductive age. Only 560 students [39.80%] received at least 1 of 5 recommended doses. Only 41 female students [2.91%] received complete course of 5 doses. Coverage of tetanus immunisation among literate females in most populous city of the country is far behind satisfactory. There is need for awareness and crash programs of tetanus immunisation

Is it necessary to catheterize before caesarian section

To compare the intra- and postoperative complications with or without urethral catheterization in caesarian sections in terms of accidental cystotomy, urinary retention and urinary tract infection. Comparative Study. This study was conducted at Fatima Bai Hospital for one and half year period from June 2007 to December 2008. One hundred and twenty consecutive patients who underwent caesarian section were enrolled and randomly assigned into Group A [with catheterization] and Group B [without catheterization]. Main outcome measures were accidental bladder injury preoperatively [i.e. accidental cystotomy], urinary retention and urinary tract infection [>10 leucocytes on]. Urine Detailed Report. The SPSS version 11 was used to analyze data. Student t-test and chi-square test was used where appropriate. The significance level was set at p value < 0.05. Total 60 patients with Mean+SD age of 31.45 +/- 8.38 years included in group A while 60 patients with Mean+SD age of 29.83+8.53 years were included in group B. Accidental cystotomy was not noticed in both groups. Urinary catheterization when carried out preoperatively, had significantly higher rates of urinary tract infection [28.3%] as compared to women in whom preoperative catheterization was not performed [11.7%; p=0.022]. Same trend was observed in terms of urinary retention in both groups [p=0.047]. Practice of routine catheterization prior to Cesarean section needs to be reviewed skeptically as it is likely to increase the risk of urinary tract infections and retention in women postoperatively