Prevalence of cigarette smoking among Peshawar university students

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among University students in Peshawar. A simple random sample of 511 students was invited to participate in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on demographics, smoking habits, media influences and health histories from the participants of the study. The smokers in the sample population were 77 [15%] among them 99% were male and 1% were female with a mean age of 21 years. Seven% of the smokers started smoking before the age of 10, 26% at ages 11-16 and 57% at ages 17-21 and 10% after age 21. The influencing factor of smokers in the family was evident with 10% of fathers, 14.3% brothers and 13% cousins being cigarette smokers. The brand of cigarette favored by 42% of the smokers was Gold Leaf and 91% of the smokers claimed that they were influenced by cigarette advertisements. The social smokers were 14%, and 25% smoked due to peer pressure and another 25% smoked only in College. Less than 40% of the smokers had a hobby or did regular exercise to keep fit and 26% complained of illnesses related to ear, nose and throat. However it was encouraging to note that 56% of the smokers wanted to quit the habit. The information gathered in this study facilitates the understanding of various influencing factors that revolve around young smokers. It also highlights the need to help young smokers quit the habit, by providing them healthy choices that may include counseling, and nicotine replacement therapy, among many others

Patient satisfaction survey at emergency satellite hospital, Nahaqi in rural Peshawar

A survey was conducted to assess the current status of Emergency Satellite Hospital [ESH] as compared to its function before July 2001. The management of this hospital has been taken over by Abaseen Foundation on the basis of public/private partnership with the health Ministry of the Government of N.W.F.P. A structured questionnaire was developed to elicit information on patient's satisfaction on the quality of health care services, hospital staff interactions, hospital environment and also to determine areas for improvement at ESH, through patient opinion on OPD fee structure, staff appraisals and hospital infrastructure. The survey revealed that almost every department of the hospital has shown improvement, in particular, the improved X-Ray facility and Laboratory facility enhances the diagnosis and treatment procedures at the hospital. The participants suggested that the hospital needs an Eye specialist and a Surgeon to be added to its clinical specialties so that the rural patients need not travel to the city for these services. This rural population dwell below the poverty line and their urgent demand is for free medicines. In this article the authors have attempted to acknowledge the patients experiences, values and preferences and document this information to effectively use it for improving services in the hospital and establish good governance for clinical practice through shared decision making between patients and health care providers