Sexual problems amongst married females

Objective: To find out frequency of sexual dysfunction [SD] and related risk factors in married women

Study design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of study: Al-Mustafa Medical Centre Karachi, from June 2016 to December 2016

Methodology: The Golombok Rust inventory of Sexual Satisfaction [GRISS] questionnaire was administered to married women attending Gynaecology Out Patient Department. The participation was voluntary after taking informed consent. The variables recorded were the age group, marriage duration, addictions, type of marriage etc. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out the association

Results: Total of 250 married women were approached and questionnaire was distributed. All were residents of Karachi. The dropout rate was 20% [n=50]. The final study sample was 200. The age ranged from 20 - 55 year. Sexual dysfunction was reported in 43.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that sexual dysfunction was more likely to have higher scores of dissatisfaction, dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, and vaginismus. Multivariate model adjusted showed dissatisfaction and dyspareunia as high risk variables. Cases of female sexual dysfunction [FSD] had higher scores for dissatisfaction, vaginal dryness and vaginismus

Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction affected nearly half of the sexually active females. A strong association was found between addiction and sexual dysfunction

Knowledge about osteoporosis in women of child bearing age (15-49 years) attending fauji foundation hospital rawalpindi

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge on symptoms, risk factors, preventive measures and treatment options for regarding osteoporosis in healthy women of child bearing age [15-49 years] accompanying patients, in Fauji Foundation Hospital [FFH] Rawalpindi

Study Design: Cross sectional survey

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in FFH Rawalpindi from February 2015 to October 2015

Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted using a validated questionnaire i.e. OKAT [Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool] from 385 women attending OPDs of Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, for a period of Feb-August 2015. The data was analyzed using SPSS [version 21]

Mean knowledge scores were calculated and compared with socio demographic variables

Results: Total knowledge score mean was 8 [total max score achieved 14]. Mean scores were found for knowledge regarding symptoms 0.85 [total score 2], and treatment options were 0.82 [total score 2] for the disease. Comparison of knowledge scores between respondents of different age, residential status [p<0.009], and educational status [p<0.056] was found statistically significant

Conclusion: Women lacked knowledge regarding osteoporosis, especially older uneducated ones, belonging to lower socioeconomic class residing in villages. Community based educational interventional programs targeting this population can help reduce the knowledge gap and contribute towards disease prevention

Tranexamic acid in decreasing blood loss during and after caesarean section

To determine the effectiveness of tranexamic acid [TXA] in reducing blood loss during and after caesarean section [CS], as well as its safety. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study. The Lyari General Hospital, Karachi, from March 2009 till April 2011. Women undergoing lower segment caesarean section [LSCS] were enrolled. The patients were randomized to receive either injection TXA or distilled water just before the surgery. Blood loss was collected and measured. First from the time of placental delivery to the end of LSCS and later from the end of LSCS to two hours postpartum. Haemoglobin, urine analysis, liver and renal functions were tested in both the groups. Mean values blood loss were compared using t-test with significance at p < 0.05. Tranexamic acid significantly reduced the quantity of blood loss from placental delivery to the end of LSCS which was 356.44 +/- 143.2 ml in the TXA group versus 710.22 +/- 216.72 ml in the placebo group [p < 0.001]. It also reduced the quantity of blood loss from the end of LSCS to 2 hours postpartum which was 35.68 +/- 23.29 ml in the TXA group versus 43.63 +/- 28.04 ml in the placebo group [p = 0.188], was not significant. No complications or side effects were reported in either group. Tranexamic acid significantly reduced the amount of blood loss during the LSCS, but it did not reduce the blood loss significantly after the caesarean section. Its use was not associated with any side effects or complication like thrombosis. TXA can be used safely and effectively in women undergoing LSCS to reduce intraoperative blood loss

Women beliefs and practices regarding food during pregnancy- a hospital based study

The aim of the study was to assess the existing beliefs and practices regarding food during pregnancy. Cross-sectional study. The present study was conducted in Antenatal Clinic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. This study was conducted in four months time from September 1[st] to December 31[st], 2008. Sample size was 189 pregnant females who were attending the Antenatal Clinic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. This was calculated by computer software called Raosoft- a sample size calculator by keeping confidence level 95%, margin of error 5%, and response rate 86%. Simple Convenience Sampling technique was used. 89% believed that there is an effect of food on pregnancy and 11% did not. Despite of high literacy rate [93%] there are certain strong food beliefs regarding pregnancy which have been practiced by pregnant ladies, which were effecting their food intake like hot, cold, badi and having difficult labour. All available resources for creating awareness among the masses regarding the importance of diet during pregnancy should be used properly by using all means of communication [especially mass media]

Infant feeding; beliefs and practices of mothers

To evaluate the infant feeding beliefs and practices of methods in our setup. A cross-sectional study. Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. From Jan 2007 to September 2007. 336 mothers of infants attending Fauji, Foundation Hospital were interviewed by using pre-tested questionnaire. Data was collected for Mothers beliefs and practices regarding infant feeding. Descriptive statistics like percentage, mean and range were obtained by using SPSS version 11. 366 mothers from rural and urban areas attending hospitals were interviewed. 63.9% mothers believed that breast milk should be given as first feed. Pre-lacteal feeds were given to 56% of infants. Major source of information for giving pre-lacteal feeds was relatives. At birth, 43.7% mothers discarded clostrum considering it harmful and useless for baby. Frequency of breast feeding was high initially at birth but decline rapidly by early supplementation with bottle feeding. Inadequate weaning in terms of timing, quality and quantity was observed. Cultural beliefs and taboos like hot and cold food influenced 61.5% of mothers due to which they restricted important food items. A targeted health education campaign should stress the main advantages of breast feeding. Messages should stress on protective benefits of clostrum and encourage mothers to start breast feeding immediately after birth. Potentially hazardous practices including pre lacteal feeding should be discarded. Local cultural and traditional practices and beliefs regarding different food items should be identified. This help to improve the food intake of infants by strengthening the useful beliefs and discontinuing harmful ones

Knowledge, attitudes and practices to lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] and diabetes amongst South Asians in North Kirklees, England - a focus group study

The aim of the study was to identify and explore main issues relating to knowledge, attitudes and practices to lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] and Diabetes amongst South Asians in North Kirklees, UK. A comparative study. The study was conducted in North Kirklees, UK from April 2001 to March 2002. A focus group approach from qualitative research methodology was used. South Asians already attending community centers for different activities were selected randomly. Group discussions were taped and translated. Main issues were identified by analyzing these transcripts using qualitative methodology. A variety of attitudes and different levels of knowledge and practices to lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] and Diabetes have been observed. The main issues identified were language barrier, lack of individually tailored information, cultural and religious barriers such as lack of women-only facilities. Other barriers which have been highlighted by the study were diet, lack of physical activity and stress. Stress has also been identified as an important cause of CHD leading to Diabetes especially in South Asians [SA]. The health care professionals need to be aware of knowledge, attitudes and culturally sensitive issues of South Asians to potential diseases in order to undertake effective preventive measures by avoiding being prejudice. Inspite of provision of communication assistants South Asians still face problems accessing health and leisure services due to language barriers. The issue of stress amongst South Asians needs to be recognized as an important issue. Hence it is important to assess the health and social needs of SA independently in order to deliver high quality and effective health care