clinicopathological study of urethritis in males

To determine the etiology and frequency of different types of urethritis in adult males. A case series. The Dermatology Department of PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, from June 2004 to December 2007. One hundred male patients having complaints of urethral discharge and dysuria reporting in the skin OPD were included in the study. Patients who had received systemic treatment for their complaints and those who had other systemic infections were excluded. A detailed history including history of sexual contact was taken. Dermatological examination including examination of external genitalia was also performed. All these patients were subjected to complete physical examination, complete urine examination, urethral pus for gram staining and culture, endo-urethral swab with urethral loop for seeing Chlamydia antigen by fluorescent microscopy, cultures for ureaplasma and Wet mount specimen microscopy for trichomonas along with HIV [serum ELISA] test. Non-gonococcal urethritis was diagnosed on the presence of more than five polymorphonuclear leucocytes per high power field in at least five fields of Gram stained urethral smear, in the absence of Gram negative diplococci. The mean age was 29.2 +/- 5.8 years. Seventy [70%] cases were diagnosed as gonococcal urethritis and 30 [30%] cases as non-gonococcal urethritis [NGU]. History of illicit sexual exposure was available in 25 [25%] patients. The interval period between initiation of symptoms and reporting of patient in gonococcal urethritis was 4 to 30 days [mean 12.8 days] and 4 days to 2 months [mean 20.7 days] in non-gonococcal urethritis. The patients with gonococcal urethritis presented with purulent discharge in 66 [84%] cases, and dysuria in 49 [70%] cases. In the NGU group, 25 [80%] cases had mucoid discharge and 18 [65%] had dysuria. in 70%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated, Chlamydia trachomatis in 16%, ureaplasma in 8%, and Trichomonas vaginalis in 4%. No organism could be detected in 2% cases. HIV test was negative in all cases. Gonococcal urethritis was the commonest urethritis seen followed by Chlamydia infection in the studied group of adult males

Comparison of smoking behaviour among medical and other college students in Rawalpindi

To assess the frequency of smoking among students in medical and non-medical colleges of Rawalpindi and to explore the differences in smoking behaviour of the two college students. A cross- sectional comparative study. Random sampling of students from a medical college and non-medical college of Rawalpindi was carried out in October 2006. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used for the study which inquire about gender, number of daily smoked cigarettes, feeling addicted, attempt and success or failure at quitting, most important factor that helped in quitting smoking and reasons of smoking were compared between the medical college and non-medical college students. The total medical college students in the study were 444 and among them 32.7% were smokers. The total non-medical college students were 405 and among them 41% were smokers [p=0.012]. Nine point seven percent medical students and only 6% non-medical students were successful in quitting their habit of smoking [p=0.231]. There was significant difference in smoking behaviour among the group. Being medical students it had effect on the decision to smoke, which may have modified their consumption level

Immunogenicity and economic evaluation of different recombinant hepatitis-B vaccines in different dosages, schedules, and routes of administration

To measure the immunogenic response produced by recombinant DNA derived vaccines in different dosages, schedules, and routes of administration. Another objective was to evaluate the minimum dosage and compliant schedule of recombinant DNA derived vaccine required to produce effective immune response and its economic evaluation in the adult population. Five hundred fifty eight healthcare workers in the age group of 20-50 years from Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan and other sister institutions were enrolled. Two hundred fifty eight were excluded due to serological evidence of HBV infection. Remaining three hundred were divided into five groups each having sixty volunteers with equal male to female ratio and age groups 20-29,30-39, 40-50. First four groups were injected with Heberbiovac vaccine and last group-V was given inj. Engerix-B. In Heberbiovac arm: Group-I received standard dose of 20Microg at standard schedule of zero, one and six months intramuscularly. In Group-II, dose was reduced to half [10Microg] intramuscularly. Group-III was given only two standard doses of 20Microg at zero and one month interval intramuscularly and Group-IV received intradermal dose of 3Microg at zero, one and six months. Group-V was given Engerix -B in standard dosage and schedule, [i.e., 20Microg at zero, one and 6 months]. Immunogenic response was measured in all the groups eight weeks after the last dose. Response was measured with MEIA/IMX system by ABBOTT. Both the vaccines were equally immunogenic but higher titers of Anti HBs was achieved with Heberbiovac. In Heberbiovac arm of study, seroprotection rate was 96.36% in Group-I, in Group-II it was 94.64%, in Group-III 95% and in intradermal group 98.14%. In Engerix -B group it was 92%. Two doses/Half dose schedule/intradermal route of 3Microg of Inj. Heberbiovac is equipotent to that of standard dose/schedule of Inj. Heberbiovac or Inj. Engerix-B in terms of seroprotection rate achieved

Frequency of helmet use among motorcycle riders in Rawalpindi

To find the frequency of helmet use as a safety tool and to investigate how many of the motorcyclists are aware of the beneficial effects of using a helmet. A cross sectional study. In Community Medicine Department of Foundation University Medical College, Rawalpindi from March 2007 to September 2007. A total of 1000 questionnaires were randomly distributed among motorcyclists during visits to Lalkurti, Saddar and Karchi chowk in Rawalpindi. Inclusion criteria included those motor bike rider volunteering to participate in the study. 44 responses were invalid and the total valid responses were therefore 956. No incentive was offered for participation in the study and no individual follow- up was possible. From a total sample size of 956 riders 541 were putting on a helmet and 415 were without the helmet. The frequency of helmet use was therefore 56.6% and that the use non user is 43.4%. A bog majority i.e 80.7% of the respondent s left that use of helmet while riding a motorbike should be mandatory while only 19.3% left that it should be the discretion of the riders. 57.6% of the riders left that in case of pillion riding both the riders should put on the helmet while 42.4% did not support the idea. The study implies that we need to enact and enforce policy intervention for mandatory use of helmet, effective traffic law enforcement and imparting awareness among our masses especially the younger generation to reduce Road Traffic Accidents. Print and electronic media should be utilize extensively to disseminate basic traffic knowledge at all levels of the society