ABSTRACT
Objective: to access the level of awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among surgical trainees of Pakistan and the fear associated of getting transmitted while working in a healthcare setup
Materials and Methods: a cross sectional study was conducted at 10 hospitals in Sindh. The study was conducted on surgical trainees in those hospitals and a self-administered questionnaire was administered during the period of Jan-August 2015. Chi Square test was applied and P-values were commuted to find the significance. The data was analyzed by SPSS 17
Results: the questionnaire was administered to 400 surgical trainees of whom 310 opted to participate. The level of awareness regarding HIV was significantly high in both male and female surgical trainees, however in comparison females had a greater level of awareness about the treatment [30%], modes of transmission [100%], and knowledge regarding dealing with needle prick injuries [96%] as compared to male trainees. However lack of knowledge about the HAART therapy was seen among both male [26%] and female surgical residents [30%]. Moreover majority of both male [58%] and females [87%] surgical trainees had the point of view that government is not taking affective steps to counter the fight against HIV/AIDS
Conclusion: in spite of significant general knowledge about HIV and its prevention yet lack of knowledge was seen about HIV treatment i.e. HAART therapy in surgical trainees of Pakistan. Furthermore the Pakistani government needs to take proper initiatives to increase the awareness and to counter the fight against this fatal disease
ABSTRACT
Objective: Pakistan has a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The major indication of renal transplantation is end stage renal disease due Diabetes and hypertension, which is also a cost effective treatment significantly decreasing mortality and morbidity in these patients
Material and Methods: this cross-sectional study was carried out in Pakistan to determine the level of awareness among the general population regarding kidney donation and their willingness to donate. The total number of participants who completed a questionnaire was three thousand five-hundred and twenty. 56% were male while 44% female. The sample included people of all ages from all educational and ethnic backgrounds
Results: among participants 63.5% were found to be aware regarding kidney donation and 46.6% showed a willingness to donate to a first degree relative [FDR]. Only 11.5% were willing to donate to someone other than a FDR. Females were found to be more willing to donate to both a FDR and a non-FDR with a male to female ratio of 0.7 [95% C.I]. A small percentage [16.7%] albeit important believed organ donation should be declared illegal
Conclusion: awareness regarding kidney donation and educational status were found to be linked, with people educated at a higher level having greater knowledge about the topic. All stakeholders need to develop a comprehensive strategy to decrease the overall health burden of end stage renal disease and promote legal renal transplantation
ABSTRACT
Background: Urinary incontinence leaves the sufferer with physical and psychological stresses. Majority of the cases are caused by an underlying treatable condition however the it is under reported to medical care providers. The objective of this study was to explore the psychosocial impacts of urinary incontinence and assess quality of life in patients with urinary incontinence in Pakistan
Methods: This study was conducted at five tertiary care hospitals in the city of Karachi during January 2013 to December 2013. Self-administered questionnaire was prepared and adjusted according to the local social dynamics of the community based on 'Incontinence Impact Questionnaire' and 'The Kings Health questionnaire'. Inclusion criteria included urinary incontinent patients visiting outpatient departments
Results: The study comprised of 280 participants with a response rate of 80%. Overall 89 males and 191 females participated. Majority of the sample population [40.7%] believed that the weak anatomy was the etiology of their Urinary Incontinence. More than 40% of the participants declared that they would rate 'the fear that an embarrassing condition could arise in result of their disease' as 'Moderate' followed by 38.2% as 'Highly'. 39.64% stated that their social life including interaction with people was 'Moderately' affected and 21.7% believed that they their social interaction was 'highly' limited. Regarding travel, majority of the participants asserted that their travel has been restricted to a great extent and rated as Highly [30.7%] or Moderate [29.6%]. In total 28.5% patients stated that their exercise schedule had been 'Moderately' affected as a consequence of their disease
Conclusion: Patients with urinary incontinence should be heard comprehensively by the care providers. Coping techniques for patients and education regarding Urinary incontinence should be provided by the medical practitioner to the sufferers
ABSTRACT
Background: Surgery is a competitive specialty and requires a lengthy and rigorous residency training which necessitates one's passion and commitment. A number of medical students experience their surgical rotation as demanding with extended period of work hours as compared to other medical specialties
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at four medical colleges located in Karachi, Pakistan during September 2013 to January 2014. A self administered questionnaire was made to gain insight regarding students' views of advantages and disadvantages associated with surgical profession. Medical students who have completed at least one rotation of surgery were included in the study
Results: Overall 810 respondents participated in the study, with a response rate of 90.% Amongst the participants 72.8%were females and 27.2% were males. 62.7% of the students thought that surgery is a stressful profession, while 80.8% believed that a surgeon's family life is adversely compromised at some time during their carrier [86.7% females, 65% males]. Majority of the students [55.3%] asserted that surgery is more respectful than other medical field, however 52.7% of the respondents believed that a surgeon's income is higher than any other medical specialty. Overall 17.9% students strongly considered to become surgeon in future [Male/Female OR: 2.0]
Conclusion: Workload, family life, length of residency, income, respect and stress level associated with surgery are some important factors influencing student's choice for profession
ABSTRACT
Gonorrhea can be transmitted by oral sex and is known as pharyngeal gonorrhea and appears as pharyngitis. Patients with symptomatic gonorrhea infection or other STDs are commonly seen in outpatient departments. Majority of them seek treatment without having adequate understanding regarding the nature of their condition. It is important for a healthy community that the members have information regarding STDs, their spread and preventive measure. The study was conducted during the time period of six months extending from August 2013-January 2014. The data was collected from four tertiary care hospital after obtaining oral and written consent. Patients attending Urology outpatient department with a history of STD were included in the study. Overall 410 patients participated in the study with a response rate of 82%. 315[76.8%] males and 95[23.2%] female participants. 37.8% of females and 36.5 of males with total 36.8% of participants had knowledge that PID is a complication of Gonorrhea. In total 16.3% of the participants knew the correct mode of transmission of Gonorrhea with 22% females and 14.6% males with Odd ratio F/M 1.5. Regarding the best preventive measure for STD, 60.7% considers avoiding multiple sexual partners and engage in spousal relationship [53.7 and 62.8% of females and male respectively, Odds ratio F/M 0.85] is the best way followed by using condoms [20.7% of total participant with an odds F/M of 1.54]. The knowledge in patients regarding Gonorrhea is scant hence it is essential to counter educational needs of the population regarding STD in effective and timely manner
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Sexual Behavior , Tertiary Care Centers , Knowledge , Pelvic Inflammatory DiseaseABSTRACT
Urinary incontinence can be distressful and may affect the quality of life to a great extent. Common types of UI are stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence. UI is more prevalent in older people and more frequently diagnosed in females than males. Efforts are made to investigate the primary disorder which causes incontinence, as UI is mostly secondary to an underlying medical condition. This study included patients diagnosed with UI and was conducted during one year period extending from February 2013 to January 2014. The data also constituted of a self-administered questionnaire to access the patient's knowledge regarding their disease. Ethical consent was obtained from the hospital where data were collected and oral and written consents were taken from all the participants prior to their participation. The study included 332 patients with a response rate of 73.7%. Overall, 254 males and 278 females participated. 64.9% of the male participants had urge incontinence followed by 26.6% having stress incontinence, while only 8.44% of the males were diagnosed with mixed incontinence. In females 77.2% had stress incontinence followed by urge incontinence [15.1%] and only 7.3% had Mixed urinary incontinence. 24% of males and 44.3% of females believed that pelvic exercises can prevent or treat UI. 34.6% of the total participants [40% females,27.9% males] had an understanding that weak anatomy contributes to the development of UI. Stress incontinence is more common in women, while the dominant type in men is urge continence. All patients, especially pregnant women should be provided information regarding UI in order to efficiently cope up with the condition if encountered