Frequency and predictors of depression among elderly of Rawalpindi Pakistan

Objective: To determine the frequency of depression and identify predictors of depression in elderly

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi during a three months period from October 2013 to December 2013 among elderly coming to outdoor patient department Patients and their attendants of age 64 or above were included in the study. 209 patients were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Questionnaire included so-cio-demographic profile and geriatric depression scale [CDS] scale consisting of 15 items. Analysis was done by utilizing SPSS16. Descriptive statistics were performed. The results were recorded as frequencies. P-values were obtained and results were depicted in form of tables and figures. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were applied to the data to calculate the association

Results: A sample of 209 was studied and depression was found to be present in 28.71%. There was no statistically significant relationship between education, intimacy, sleep, having children or having not financial support and depression [P-value > 0.05]. The analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between gender, people ever diagnosed for depression in life, persons having suicidal ideas at least once in life, poor marital relationship, monthly income between Rs10,000 to 30,000, elderly having no care giver and depression [P-value < 0.05]

Conclusion: High frequency of depression was found among elderly community and diversity exists in predicting factors

Mental health challenges and solutions in low and middle income countries -a health system perspective

There are many gaps in establishing an active mental health system in low and middle income countries. In this article we have reviewed multiple studies focusing low and middle income countries to explore the barriers, challenges, solutions and opportunities regarding improvement of mental health system in these countries. Literature emphasizes political with good financing ,effective policies ,multi-sartorial and holistic approach encompassing linkage between health and non-health sectors leading to equitable access of mental health to populations in low and middle income countries

Frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among students of a private medical college

To determine the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among students of a private medical college. This study was conducted at Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad from April to September, 2013. A close ended questionnaire was administered to find out the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among medical students and their knowledge about hazards of smoking. In this cross sectional survey, 255 MBBS students from Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad were selected. The mean age of students was 21.83 +/- 1.657 years. The frequency of cigarette smoking was 33%, sheesha smoking 36%, and smoking of both was 24.3%. There were 16[6%] students who were ex-smokers of cigarette, 4% of sheesha and 1.6% of both. Greater part of students 32[12.5%] smoke 6 -10 cigarettes per day. Parents of 42 [34.7%] students know about their smoking. Majority of the students 45 [17.6%] started smoking just for fun or 25 [9.8%] to release stress. The main cause of quitting smoking in 15 [39.5%] students was medical advice or due to advice by elders in 11 [28.9%] students. 226 [88.6%] students had awareness about the ill effects of smoking. According to the bulk of students 105 [41.2%] the most effective way to control smoking epidemic is health education. Some students 46 [18%] had an opinion of high tax on cigarettes and 27 [10.6%] compulsory pictorial warnings on cigarette packs. Sheesha and cigarette smoking is very popular among medical students. Most of the students know about hazards of sheesha smoking.

Effect of demographic characteristics on patient's satisfaction with health care facility

To assess the patients' satisfaction level and effect of demographic characteristics on patients' satisfaction with health care facility in a tertiary care hospital. This Descriptive Cross sectional survey was conducted from June through October, 2012 in Out Patients Department of Punjab Social Security Hospital [PESSI], Rawalpindi. Participants were interviewed by trained inter viewers [students of 4th year MBBS class] using pre tested questionnaires. The patients were interviewed for their satisfaction and experience in the healthcare facility regarding interaction with doctors, paramedical staff, and facilities in the institution. Demographics like age, gender, educational status, marital status and monthly income were recorded. A five point scale of Strongly Agree [5], Agree [4], Uncertain [3], Disagree [2], and Strongly Disagree [1] was used. The percentage score was calculated for each patient and patient satisfaction was measured in terms of mean percent score. In sample of 110 patients, age of patient showed significant [p-value= 0.033] relationship with satisfaction score, with maximum satisfaction level [79.86%] in older age patients of > 55 years. Gender and occupation of patient did not show significant effect on satisfaction score. The illiterate or less educated [p-value = 0.003] and married patients were significantly [p-value= 0.003] more satisfied. Patients with less monthly income were significantly[p-value < 0.001] more satisfied. Older and less educated patients with lower income bracket were more satisfied with healthcare facility as compared to younger, highly educated patients and having higher income levels

Awareness and practices regarding waste management in health care staff of hospitals of Rawalpindi

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practices of health care staff including administrators, doctors, nurses, para medical staff, housekeeping staff regarding hospital waste management

Study design: A cross sectional study

Place and duration: It was conducted in Social Security Hospital, Islamabad and Ahmed Complex Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1[st] October 2012- 31 December 2012

Methodology: A total of 96 health care workers were included by purposive sampling technique, including 8 administrators, 40 doctors, 27 nurses, 5 para medical staff, 16 housekeeping staff. The data was collected on a structured questionnaire for afterwards statistical analysis

Results: Health care staff aware of biomedical waste were 82.4% [n=84].There was significant difference [p=0.003] in knowledge of hospital staff of different designations regarding biomedical waste, hazards related to sharps [p=0.000], improper waste disposal [p=0.000]. Health care staff aware of level of segregation of hazardous and non hazardous waste were 65.4% [n=66]. Health care staff aware of mode of health care waste transportation was 65.7% [n=65] and its disposal was 80.8% [n=80]

Conclusion: Awareness regarding biomedical waste management was satisfactory in health care staff but when compared amongst themselves it was better in doctors, nurses and administrative staff and less in para medical and housekeeping staff

Prevalence of depression among elderly visiting outdoor patients department of holy family hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan

Objective: To determine prevalence of depression and to identify associated demographic characteristics among elderly

Study design: A cross sectional study

Place and duration: The study was undertaken in Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi during a three months period from 1st October 2013 to 31st December 2013

Methodology: All the subjects, patients and their attendants of age 64 or above were included. A total of 209 males and females were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Questionnaire includes socio demographic profile and GDS, scale. Analysis was done by utilizing SPSS16

Results: In the sample of 209 males and females depression was found to be prevalent among 28.71% [n=60] .Males were 56.5 % [n=118] and females 43.5 % [n=91]. Married were 47.3 % [n=96] and single, separated or divorced were 18.3% [n=37], widows or widowers were 34.5% [n=70], nuclear family 33% [n=69] and joint family 67% [n=140], employed 25.1% [n=50] and unemployed 73.9% [n=147] Prevalence of depression was more common among females [49.4%] compared to males [12.7%], among unemployed [35.3%] compared to employed [12%] among those living in nuclear family [72.5%] compared to those living in joint family [28.4%] and among elderly with history of childhood parental loss [57.8%] compared to those without history of childhood parental loss [34.2%]. Results depict that mean differences between the males and females, employed and unemployed, nuclear family and joint family for depression are significant

Conclusion: There is high prevalence of depression among elderly community and diversity exists in predisposing factors

Self medication patterns amongst undergraduate medical students of a private medical college

To determine the pattern and preferences of self-medication practices among the undergraduate medical students of Islamabad Medical and Dental college Islamabad. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at Islamabad Medical and Dental College Islamabad during a three months period [October 2012 to December 2012]. The study population consisted of medical students from first to final year, selected by consecutive sampling method, within the age group of 17-29 years with mean age 21.4 years and SD 2.4. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to them. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and summarized. Percentages were used in the analysis and interpretation of the results. Out of 100 students a total of 88 students [40 [45.5%] female participants and 48 [54.5%] male participants] said that they practiced self-medication. Among these 54.2% attributed their source of information to electronic media 18% to print media and 27.9% to drug promotional activities, 62.9% said that they have sufficient knowledge regarding self medication. The leading percentage that is 51% used analgesics, 44.3% used antibiotics, and 4.5% used psychiatric drugs. Out of those who used psychiatric drugs, 75% used short acting anxiolytics and 25% used long acting antidepressant drugs. There is high prevalence of self medication among under graduate medical students and diversity exists in its pattern