Classification of Control and Neurodegenerative Disease Subjects Using Tree Based Classifiers

Background: The medical researchers are developing different non-invasive methods for early detection of Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDDs) when pharmacological interventions are still possible to further prevent the disease progression. The NDDs are associated with the degradation in the complex gait dynamicsand motor activity. The classification ofgait data using machine learning techniques can assist the physiciansfor early diagnosis of the neural disorder when clinical manifestation of the diseases is not yet apparent. Aims: The present study was undertaken to classify the control and NDD subjects using decision trees based classifiers (Random Forest (RF), J48 and REPTree).Methodology:The data used in the study comprises of 16 control, 20 Huntington’s Disease (HD), 15 Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and 13 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) subjects, which were taken from publicly available database from Physionet. The age range of control subjects was 20-74, HD subjects was 36-70, PD subjects was 44-80, and ALS subjects was 29-71. There were 13 attributes associated with the data. Important features/attributes of the data were selected using correlation feature selection -subset evaluation (cfs) method. Three tree based machine learning algorithms (RF, J48 and REPTree) were used to classify the control and NDD subjects. The performance of classifiers were evaluated using Precision, Recall, F-Measure, MAE and RMSE.Results:In order to evaluate the performance of tree based classifiers, two different settings of data i.e. complete features and selected featureswere used. In classifying control vs HD subjects, RF provides the robust separation with classification accuracy of 84.79% using complete features and 83.94% using selected features. While in classifying control vs PD subjects, and control vs ALS subjects, RF also provides the best separation with classification accuracy of 86.51% and 94.95% respectively using complete features and 85.19% and 93.64% respectively using selected features.Conclusion:The variability analysis of physiological signals provides a valuable non-invasive tool for quantifying the system of dynamics of healthy subjects and to examine the alternations in the controlling mechanism of these systems with aging and disease. It is concluded that selected features encode adequate information about neural control of the gait. Moreover,the selected featuresalong with tree based machine learning algorithms can play a vital for early detection of NDDs, when pharmacological interventions are still possible

Gross and fine motors functional impairments in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

Objective: To assess prevalence of gross and fine motor functional impairments in children with CP

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore from October, 2014 to September, 2015. Atotal of 100 CP patients were taken to assess for gross and fine motor functional impairment, using Gross Motor Functional Classification System [GMFCS] and Bimanual Fine Motor Function [BFMF] scales. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 20

Results: In this hospital-based study comprised 100 children with a diagnosis of CP with 2 to 8 years of age were ascertained. The mean age of patients was found as 4.090 +/- 1.672 years. Study group included 32 females and 68 males. GMFCS was found at level I in 5% patients, level II in 18% patients, level III in 16% patients, level IV in 15% patients and level V in 46% patients. The corresponding percentages for BFMF were 21.7% patients, 18% patients, 15% patients, 13% patients and 33% respectively. Among oral musculature problems, drooling was the most common problem [68 %]. Larger proportion of gross motor functional impairment were associated with the spastic type of cerebral palsy [p=0.03], more specifically quadriplegic cerebral palsy [p=0.000]. Also a larger number of patients with fine motor functional impairments were associated with spastic type of cerebral palsy [p=0.009], more precisely quadriplegic cerebral palsy [p=0.000]

Conclusion: It is concluded that quadriplegic spastic CP was the most frequent type that had the worst motor impairment hence making patients functionally dependant in activities of daily livings

Hypovitaminosis D and its association with lifestyle factors

The present study was designed to determine the serum vitamin D levels and their relation with demographic features and life style factors in young adults. It was an analytical cross-sectional study on 88 subjects aged 18-40 years. Relevant information about physical activity, job place, duration of sun exposure, educational status and socioeconomic conditions was obtained.Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D were measured by ELISA. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Mean serum vitamin D level was 8.44+/-0.49 [Range: 1.00-21.08] ng/ml in participants. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 98.86% of the population. Mean vitamin D levels were significantly lower in females [p=0.0001], physically less active [p=0.006], indoor job holders [p=0.0001], less sun exposed [p=0.001], highly educated [p=0.020] and high socioeconomic status [p=0.007] bearing and in subjects having relatively fair skin complexion [p=0.041]. Serum vitamin D levels of study population were below normal and were associated with female gender, less physical activity, indoor jobs, less sun exposure, higher education and higher socioeconomic class and relatively fair skin complexion

Cheiloscopy; a tool for sex determination

Identification of human being is always a problem for scientists and is based upon scientific principles. Finger prints, dental data, anthropometry and DNA analysis are the tools used for identification purposes. The new arriving tool in the field of personal identity is cheiloscopy i.e. study of lip prints which are unique for every individual and behold the potential for identification purpose. If lip prints are found at scene of crime, the presence or absence of a person can be ruled out from the scene of crime. The present study comprises of 150 students of SKZMDC in the age group of 20-23 year out of which 50 are males and 100 females. Lip prints were collected and matched according to Suzuki and Tsushihashi's classification. The most common pattern found in female was II, while type III was predominant among males. Conclusion: Studies show lip prints have great potential to establish individuality, show gender variation and remain unchanged forever

Histomorphological features of placentae in pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction

Fetal growth retardation is most commonly caused by placental letdown to meet the increasing demand for oxygen and nutrients of the developing fetus. Intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR] is common happening in Pakistani setup especially in rural areas. Current literature suggests that placental causes are more common than the maternal causes in intrauterine growth restriction. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of placenta can help us to identify the patho-physiology of placental involvement. This is reasonable especially in those cases of intrauterine growth retardation which are not perplexed by maternal causes. To identify macroscopic and microscopic features of placenta in pregnancy complicated with IUGR. Descriptive study. This study was conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan in collaboration with Department of Pathology Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur and Anatomy Department, Nishtar Medical College, Multan. Study duration was two years from July, 2010 to June, 2012. One hundred and fifty placentae, 85 from cases of intrauterine growth retardation and 65 from normal [control] were enrolled for the study. Fetal and placental weights and placental diameter and thickness were measured. Tissue for histological examination was obtained from: i] Umbilical cord ii] membranes and iii] three placental zones. The tissues were processed and stained with Haematoxlyin, Eosin and Mallory's Trichrome. The prepared tissues were studied microscopically for villous and intervillous lesions utilizing various criteria. Macroscopically there was significant decrease in placental weight, fetal weight, and placental diameter and thickness. Microscopic findings were increased fibrinoid necrosis [46.7%], increased perivillous fibrinoid deposition [16.7%], increased syncytial knots [60%] and increased placental infarction [1.8%]. These findings document comparatively higher frequency of fibrinoid necrosis and perivillous fibrinoid deposition. This draws ours attention to the predominant role of placental causes in cases of idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation

study of serum zinc levels among patients of coronary artery disease conducted in a tertiary care hospital

Zinc is an important trace element that has been increasingly implicated in coronary artery disease. The study was designed to compare serum zinc levels in patients of coronary artery disease and healthy controls. It was a prospective, case control study. A total of 125 male participants were divided into healthy controls [n = 25], Ischeamic subjects without myocardial infarction [n = 50], and Ischaemic subjects with previous or present infarction [n = 50] were included in the study. The serum zinc was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometery. The mean age in the ischaemic heart disease patients without infarction [Group - A] and with infarction was comparable to the mean age of control group. Family history of ischaemic heart disease and history of smoking were more common among disease groups as compared to controls. Serum zinc levels were found to be significantly low in study sub-group B[2] [83.68 +/- 5.55 micro g/dl] as compared to control group [99.16 +/- 5.18 micro g/dl] and remaining study groups showed insignificant differences. Decreased serum zinc levels are associated with coronary artery disease especially the acute myocardial infarction

Neovascularization in herniated lumbar disc: a histological study

Inter-vertebral disc is the largest avascular structure in human body, which is primarily a load bearing and stabilizing unit of the human spine. Degenerative disorders and disc herniation causes proliferation or in growth of new blood vessels in this structure. Lumbar disc herniated tissues were studied microscopically in comparison with the cadaveric lumbar disc tissue, to evaluate the changes particularly the formation of new blood vessels. It was a case control study in which 45 lumbar herniated disc tissues [L[4] - L[5] and L[5] - S[1]] and 45 dissected, fresh cadaveric disc tissues of same level and almost of same age groups were collected and in reference to age were divided into groups. Both sets of tissues were processed, sectioned and stained with Hemotoxyllin / Eosin, to observe the architecture of annuli fibrosis and nuclei pulposus parts of disc and the micro-vessels under light microscope. Cadaveric discs, group A, B and C compared with herniated discs A[1], B[1] and C[1], Annuli fibrosi in herniated discs [A[1], B[1], and C[1]] showed significant reduction of cells, disorganized lamellar pattern of collagen, formation of cysts, clefts and numerous new micro-vessels as compared to fresh cadaveric disc tissues [A, B and C]. Disc degeneration and herniation results in the formation of micro-vessels which may not only serve as source of nutrients but also contribute in the healing process of discal tears

Accuracy of sonographic features to diagnose malignancy in ovarian cycsts- in a tertiary care hospital Bahawalpur- Pakistan

Ovarian mass is a common clinical problem in reproductive age women, and ovarian malignancy presents late and thus at an advanced stage. That is the reason for its poor 5 year survival despite all advances in gynaecological surgery and oncological chemotherapeutics. It is extremely essential to estimate the risk of malignancy before deciding on the type of surgery for a patient with an ovarian cyst or mass. Objective was determine the sensitivity and specificity of individual sonographic features to predict malignancy in ovarian tumours. It was a cross - sectional study. Clinical and sonographic evaluation of 220 patients presenting with ovarian cysts to Department of Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur was followed by histological examination at Department of Pathology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur. We analysed 220 cases of ovarian masses. Mean age of patients was 47.3 +/- 3.8 years. Most common [57.3%] presenting complaint among these patients was abdominal pain followed by distension and palpable mass [21.8% and 19.1% respectively]. On ultrasonography, ecogenicity, papillary projections and multilocularity were commonly observed in malignant cases. Colour Doppler was used to estimate the blood flow. On histopathology, 207 [94.1%] were diagnosed as benign and only 13 [5.9%] as malignant. Among benign, most common diagnoses were follicular / luteal cysts [34.8%] followed by serous cystadenoma [24.6%] and serous cysts [15.4%]. Among malignant, 6 [46.2%] were serous cystadenocarcinoma, 3 [23.1%] were mucinous adenocarcinoma and 2 [15.4%] were granulose cell tumor. Most of ovarian masses are diagnosed as benign. Sonographic features especially increased ecogenicity, solid component, papillary projections, multilocularity and increased blood flow do predict malignant behavior but their sensitivity is low

Gestational diabetes mellitus and obesity: an experience at a teaching hospital in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

To compare the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in second and third trimester in obese and non-obese women. It was a prospective study conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Sixty two obese and 62 non-obese women having singleton pregnancy were included in the study at their booking visit at tilde 14-20 weeks of gestation. Women having family history of obesity and chronic ailments and those with age >35 or parity > 5 were excluded. Mean age was 28.12 +/- 2.72 years among the group of obese women as compared to 27.89 +/- 2.34 years in non-obese group. Commonest parity among the obese women was 3-4 [n=31, 50%] compared to 46.8 % [n=29] in non-obese group. Development of gestational diabetes mellitus was 22.58% [n=14] in obese group which was significantly higher than 6.45% [n=4] in non-obese group [p=0.001]. Gestational diabetes mellitus developed in significantly higher number of obese women as compared to non-obese women

Risk factors of retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care hospital, Bahawalpur Pakistan

Objectives: To find out the risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study involving 300 patients of type 2 diabetes. Clinical history, relevant examination including fundoscopy and lab investigations were done. Data was analysed with SPSS 17.0. T-test and chi square/Fischer exact were applied to determine significance

Results: Mean age of the patients was 49.04 +/- 0.69 years with slight female predominance with male to female ratio of 3:4. Average duration of disease was 7.17 +/- 0.38 years. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in [74, 23.9%]. Mean HbA1c was 8.15% in patients with retinopathy and 8.884% in those who had no retinopathy [p=0.08]. However, duration of DM, age of patients, male gender, high total cholesterol, high LDL and microalbuminuria were significantly associated with the development of retinopathy

Conclusions: Diabetic retinopathy was found in 23.9% of type 2 diabetics. It was associated with duration of disease, age at presentation, male gender, high total cholesterol, high LDL and microalbuminuria. A single high level of HbA1c was not associated with retinopathy

Malignant and benign lesions of female genital tract - an experience at a tertiary care hospital in Bahawalpur - Pakistan

Frequencies and incidence rates of site - specific cancer and other pathological lesions are reported regularly in different studies, but mostly not by the histological type within site. This study reviews 3 years data of female genital tract tumours from 2008 - 2011, at Quaid-e- Azam Medical College / Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Data of the surgical specimens of uterus, ovary, vulva, vagina and cervix submitted to the Department of Pathology was reviewed and analysed for the type of specimen, tissue of origin, different diagnosed histological types and finally the behaviour of tumour i.e. benign or malignant. A total of 1373 surgical specimens of female genital tract were submitted in 3 years, out of which 101 [7.4%] were malignant. Twenty nine percent and 28% of the neoplasms were from cervix and vagina respectively followed by vulva [17%], and then ovary and uterus [12% each]. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common invasive malignancy of the cervix [86%], vulva [77%], and vagina [71%]. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent malignancy in the uterus [53%] and ovary [61%]. The 73% of the burden of benign disease was contributed by uterine lesions, 3/4th of them being leiomyoma and endometrial hyperplasia. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most frequent malignant tumour of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Adenocarcinoma was the most common malignancy in ovary and uterine corpus. Epidemiologic studies may provide more definite information by considering the effect of these subtypes in examining risk factors

Current knowledge and practices among mothers a bout acute respiratory infection in children below 5 years of age in rural community, District Bahawalpur

Objective: to determine the knowledge and practices of the mothers regarding management of acute respiratory tract infections in children below 5 years of age

Material and Methods: respondents were residents of a rural community. It was a descriptive, epidemiological study. 250 mothers with at least one child below 5 years of age who suffered from at least one episode of ARI were interviewed with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed with the help of Epi info statistical program

Results: among the mothers interviewed, 90% mothers were below 35 years of age, 54.8% were illiterate and 72% mothers belonged to nuclear families, 89.2% had 1-2 children below the age of 5 years. Among the children between 12 to 59 months, 64.24% were completely vaccinated. The symptoms identified by the mothers included cough in 68.4%, running nose in 22.2%, fever in 50%, blocked nose in 11.2%, sore throat in 9.2% and difficulty in breathing in 23.2%. Whistling was present in 34.4%, earache in 9.2%, ear discharge in 21.2%and chest indrawing was present in 31 .2%. 44.4% mothers considered difficult breathing as a dangerous symptom, 40.3% mothers considered whistling as dangerous and 33.1 % mothers considered chest in-drawing as dangerous sign. The main causes of ARI as described by the mothers included "exposure to cold" by 73.2% "intake of sour or cold food" by 0.4%, "after bathing" by 17.6%, and, 0.4% "due to germs" by 16%, "evil eye" 3.2% and "change of weather" by 2.0%. 62.4% mothers consulted private doctors and 10.8% mothers consulted government health facility for treatment while 11 .6% mothers used various types of home remedies like 55.17% used Joshanda, 86.22%used Vicks vaporub, 20.68% honey, 31.03% soanf [aniseed] water and 41 .38% gave tea. 62.07% kept the child warm and 6.87% gave eggs to their children, Urq by 27.59% and brandy by 24.13%. 76% mothers consulted a qualified doctor for ARI treatment. The mothers who did not consult doctor for ARI treatment, 55% reasoned that illness was minor, 8.3% blamed lack of time etc. Among the mothers belonging to families with 9 or more family members, with 4+ children and with income per month Rs. 3000 or below, a statistically significant association was observed with using home remedy

Conclusion: these results indicate that mothers are the main decision makers regarding the management of the diseased children and there is strong need for a comprehensive health education program for the parents especially the mothers

Demographic and clinicopathological parameters in lung cancer in a chest hospital, Lahore - Pakistan

We are presenting the clinical and pathological characteristics of lung cancer among patients reporting to Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore, the largest and the oldest health care facility for chest diseases including lung cancer in Pakistan. It was a cross - sectional, descriptive study conducted at the department of histopathology, Gulab Devi Hospital Lahore between March 2011 and February 2012. A sample of 293 patients of primary lung cancer was taken. The demographic and clinical details i.e. age, sex, history of smoking and presenting symptoms were collected after the informed consent. Histopathological diagnosis and tumour grades were added in respective columns. Data was analysed with the help of S.P.S.S. version 17.0. Mean age was 53.19 +/- 0.92 years for male and 47.36 +/- 1.92 years for females. Male to female ratio was 3:1. History of tobacco smoking was present in 2/3[rd] of the patients. Smoking was strongly associated with squamous and small cell carcinoma of lung. Most common histological diagnoses were squamous cell, small cell and adenocarcinoma respectively. Majority of squamous cell carcinoma were poorly differentiated as compared to adenocarcinoma in which well and moderately differentiated tumours constituted 25% and 45% respectively. Most of patients presented at inoperable stage. Smoking is most strongly associated with the two most common histological entities of lung cancer viz. squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma. Bronchial biopsy was the commonest diagnostic procedure in practice and surgical resection is offered to only a few cases

Reports of gastrointestinal cancers at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur - Pakistan

Gastrointestinal [GI] cancers are amongst the common tumours showing a rise in incidence globally. This study aims to establish the pattern of gastrointestinal malignancies in southern Punjab - Pakistan. This is a retrospective tumour record data analysis based upon histopathology. It was carried out from January 2004 to December 2006 at the Department of Pathology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College / Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur - Pakistan. Data of all the biopsy proven malignancies of gastrointestinal tract was retrieved from individual case files from the record of Pathology Department. The epidemiological data was reviewed and analysed for the site of involvement, age, sex and the histological types of cancers. During 3 years of study a total of 151 patients were diagnosed having gastrointestinal [GI] tract malignancies. One hundred two males and 49 females were affected [M: F ratio 2.1:1]. Majority of the cancer stricken patients in our population were relatively young, falling in the age range of 45 - 65 years. Colorectal carcinomas were most frequent [35%], followed by oesophagus [13.9%], liver and bile ducts [11.9%], stomach [11.2%], gall bladder [5.2%], tongue [4.6%], pancreas [3.9%], small intestine [3.3%], and lip [2.6%] malignancies. One case of malignant tumour of the appendix in a male was also found. Colorectal cancer is the commonest GI tumour reported in south Punjab - Pakistan. Cases less than 25 years of age were more frequent and peak incidence was in a younger age group in our population when compared to different Western studies. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma were the most frequent histological subtypes in colon and rectum, oesophagus and liver respectively

awareness and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in medical community of Bahawalpur

We investigated the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome and evaluated the level of awareness about this condition in medical community [healthcare workers] of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out over a period of one year [June 2008 to May 2009]. The following institutions took part in the study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-eAzam Medical College, Paramedical and Nursing Schools and Female Jubilee Hospital, A total of one hundred and ninety four [194] Doctors and Paramedics [Nurses and Dispensers] working in the institutions included in study were selected by simple random sampling technique. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded, lifestyle features were inquired about, and the level of awareness regarding MetS was surveyed. The criteria recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III were used for the diagnosis of MetS. The presence of MetS was evaluated in all [194] subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29 participants [14.95%], and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women in this respect. At least three criteria of MetS were correctly listed by 36 participants [18.56%], with physicians showing significantly higher awareness levels [p<0.001]. The frequency of abdominal obesity was 22.68% and it was significantly higher in males than in females [29.29% vs 14.74%; p<0.001]. Current study shows that only a minority of medical community are aware of MetS as a clinical entity. Nurses and other paramedics are unaware of the problem

Efficacy and complications of prostaglandin F2 a [alpha] for second trimester pregnancy termination in primigravida vs multigravida

To compare the efficacy and complications of extraamniotic instillation of Prostaglandin F2 Alpha [PGF 2alpha] [Pharmacia] via a Foley's catheter for second trimester pregnancy termination among primigravida and multigravida. It was a prospective study conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. The study was done in the period from June 2008 to February 2009. One hundred pregnant women at 14-24 weeks of gestation divided into two groups viz. Group 1: Primigravida and Group 2: Multigravida. The mean age of primigravida was 23.12 years as compared to that [27.97 years] of multigravida. The mean gestational age was comparable in both groups. The mean induction expulsion interval found in primigravida was 16.90 hours and in multigravida .10.13 hours. The complications like dead fetus, pelvic infection, coagulopathy, rupture, incomplete abortion were less among multigravida as compared to primigravida. Our study concludes that Use of PGF 2alpha for second trimester pregnancy termination is cost effective and safe way among primigravida and multigravida. The complications like pelvic infection are less common among the multigravida

Epidemiology and management of intra-abdominal injuries due to criminal abortion

To collect data about different aspects of epidemiology of intra-abdominal injuries due to criminal abortions and devise a plan of management for various categories of intra-abdominal injuries. This observational case series study was carried out in Surgical unit 2, Bahawal Victoria hospital, Bahawalpur, from January 2006 to December 2007. A total of 40 consecutive patients were studied. All patients of abdominal injuries due to criminal abortion were included in the study. Patients of criminal abortion having only gynaecological complications i.e. per vaginal bleeding, septicaemia and acute renal failure were excluded from the study and only the patients with abdominal injuries were included. Relevant history and appropriate physical examination was performed and necessary investigations were done. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and injuries were treated accordingly. The most common age group developing intra-abdominal injury due to criminal abortion was of 25-34 years [77.5%]. Most of these abortions were in first trimester [70%], in women belonging to poor socio-economic status [80%]. Sixty five percent of these abortions were induced by semi-skilled persons, mostly by dilatation and curettage [70%]. The most common clinical presentation was painful abdominal distention [57.5%]. On laparotomy, gut injury was found in 20 [50%] cases, out of which 12 [60%] cases underwent gut exteriorisation. Isolated uterine injury was observed in 13 [32%] cases, out of which 12 [92%] patients underwent primary uterine repair. Intra-abdominal injuries due to criminal abortions are a definite entity. They usually present as acute abdomen. Exploratory laparotorny is mandatory; viscera most commonly injured are gut and uterus

Prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems among primary school children in Karachi, Pakistan - Multi informant survey.

Objective. To determine emotional and behaviourable problem among school going children in Pakistan. Methods. A cross sectional survey of school children of certain towns within Karachi metropolitan area, aged 5 to 11 years during 1st half of 2006. SDQ was filled out by parents and school teachers for the same children. Demographic data of parents, teachers and children were also collected using a separate performa. Results. 7 private and 8 community schools agreed to participate. 1488 consent forms were sent to 700 parents of private school and 788 parents of community school children. A total of 675 parents agreed to participate in the study. The response rate was 45.3%. Assessment of children’s mental health was conducted using Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Parents rated 34.4% of children as falling under the “abnormal category on SDQ, slightly higher estimates 35.8% were reported by the teacher. The findings suggest a striking difference between the informants’ ratings as well as gender wise difference in prevalence of common child mental health problems. Conclusion. In the present study prevalence of child mental health problems was higher than reported in studies from other countries. There was also a gender difference in prevalence; boys had higher estimates of behavior/externalizing problems, whereas emotional problems were more common amongst females. There is a need for developing programs to train, sensitise and mobilize teachers and parents regarding child’s psychological, emotional and behavioral problems.

Comparison of urdu version of strengths and difficulties questionnaire [SDQ] and the child behaviour check list [CBCL] amongst primary school children in Karachi

To compare CBCL [Child Behaviour Check Llist] Urdu, with the validated Urdu version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ] used as "gold standard" among school children in Karachi, Pakistan, and to develop local cutoffs for CBCL using SDQ as a gold standard. A cross-sectional study. Schools of Karachi metropolitan area from January to December 2006. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ] and Child Behaviour Check List [CBCL] was completed by parents of 5-11 years old primary school children in Karachi. Appropriate cutoff points for total problem, internalizing and externalizing scales were obtained for CBCL. A total of 556 parents filled out both the SDQ Urdu version as well as CBCL. Scores from the parent rated total SDQ scores were highly correlated with the total CBCL scores [r=0.589]. The local cutoffs derived for CBCL were considerably lower than USA norms. Slightly higher cutoff for males was found as compared to females for the total CBCL scores. Like the original English version, the Urdu version of CBCL and SDQ are both equally valid assessment tools to be used for both clinical and research purpose in Pakistani settings, where Urdu is widely spoken and understood

Frequency of HCV seropositivity and its association to risk factors among healthy blood donors reporting to blood bank at Bahawal Victoria hospital-Bahawalpur

The study was carried out to assess the frequency of HCV sero-positivity and to see the risk factors associated with it. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted at Blood Bank in Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Bahawalpur. The study was done from July to December 2008. One hundred [100] healthy blood donors of either sex, age between 18 and 50 years, who reported for blood donation were enrolled for this study through convenience sampling method [non-probable technique]. Persons with high blood pressure and H/O previous major surgeries were excluded. The anti-H.C.V. one step Hepatitis "C" Antigen Test Device, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis "C" Antigen in serum or plasma-was used. Data were recorded in the structured Performa for further processing of data. Results were compiled by using SPSS [version 12.0] and Microsoft office to process the data. Most [94%] of the healthy, volunteer blood donors were male. Out of 100 subjects, eight [8%] were found to be HCV sero-positive. The independent risk factors associated with HCV sero-positive cases were post-transfusion history of jaundice, history of surgery, dental procedures, needle prick accidents, sexual promiscuity, tattooing, intravenous drug use and razor and scissors sharing. The frequency of HCV sero-positivity among the healthy blood donors is 8% which is quite high and alarming. Most of the risk factors associated with it involve parenteral route of viral transmission