Assessment of functional health literacy among adolescents of model schools of Islamabad

Objectives: To assess the functional health literacy among adolescents of Model schools of Islamabad. To determine association between health literacy and health seeking behaviour of adolescents. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study

Material and Methods: Multi stage systematic sampling was done and a sample size of 350 using WHO sample size calculator. After taking informed consent from the students data were collected using the newest vital sign [NVS] for assessment of functional health literacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in Model schools of Islamabad, from Jan to Dec 2016

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 15 [SD +/- 0.6] years. There were 181 [52%] females and 169 [48%] males in the study. Out of 350 respondents 73 [20.9%] had very limited health literacy, while 187 [53.4%] had limited while 90 [25.7%] had adequate health literacy. In health seeking 30 students [8.6%] scored 1-2 on the health seeking behaviour score of 1-6 and therefore were categorized as having poor health seeking behaviour. While 164 students [46.9%] scored 3-4 and were categorized as having satisfactory health seeking. One hundred and fifty six students [44.6%] scored 4-5 and had good health seeking behavior

Conclusion: The health literacy among the adolescents was limited and had no association with health seeking behaviour

Comparison of quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a tertiary care hospital, Rawalpindi

Objective: To compare the Quality of Life [QOL] of cancer patients at different chemotherapy [CT] cycles

Study Design: Cross sectional analytical

Place and Duration of Study: Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi

Material and Methods: Study was conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 50 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The patients were grouped in two on the basis of number of chemotherapy cycles, those having 2 CT cycles. After taking informed consent the data was collected using the European Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30] to measure QOL in the patients. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Baseline distinctiveness [demographic and HRQOL] was summarized by descriptive statistics. Mean and standard deviation of individual items in the two scales was calculated in two groups and statistical inference was drawn using Independent T test between the two groups, p value of

Results: The study sample comprised of 31 males and 19 females. Mean age of participants was 43.88 +/- 12.72 [Range 18-70] with the most common age group being 41-50 years. There was a male preponderance [63%] and majority 36% were doing house hold work. Among the 50 subjects, 32% were suffering from lung carcinoma, 26% had genitourinary cancer, 24% had cancer of the oral cavity while 18% had carcinoma breast. As per the QOL scoring, in the Global Health Scale [GHS] the four items of symptom scale that is fatigue [p=0.02], nausea [p=0.00], pain [p=0.01] and appetite loss [0.03] attained a significant difference. Nevertheless, a significant difference was found between the level of QOL in patients with 2 cycles [p< 0.001]. In the functional scale items only role functioning was significant

Conclusion: This study suggests that the quality of life is related to chemotherapy cycles. Although QOL scoring system did not show significant improvement in all areas of our study, but the obtained results indicated a significant association between QOL and number of CT cycles in cancer patients

Outbreak of chickenpox in a military center in northern Pakistan

Objective: To study the outbreak of chickenpox in a military training center in Northern Pakistan

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Attock from 1st Nov 2007 to 30th Jan 2008

Material and Methods: Patients with clinical suspicion of chickenpox during the outbreak were confirmed by laboratory tests including complement fixation test using commercial antigen of Virion/Serion of Germany and Immunoglobulin M for Varicella zoster virus by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of Vircell, Spain. Moreover, direct immunofluorescence using BioRad kit was also done in patients with active lesions

Results: A total of 102 cases occurred in the present outbreak. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 35 years with a mean of 21.16 + 4.47 years. From a total of 102 patients, 60 [58.8%] were positive for antibodies against Varicella zoster virus by complement fixation test, 30 [29.4%] were positive by ELISA and 12 [11.7%] were positive on Immunofluorescence testing. None of the admitted cases developed any complication and their hospital stay remained uneventful

Conclusion: This outbreak of chickenpox in a military training center affected a considerable number of military recruits, led to a number of hospital admissions and had an adverse effect on training activities. There is a need to formulate a policy to offer vaccination against Varicella zoster virus to all unimmunized individuals before induction in the military to avoid unnecessary interruption in training and academic activities

Silicone oil flowability rates through a standard 23g vitrectomy system

To compare the viscosity of silicone oils made by different manufacturers by comparing the flow rates through a standard 23G millennium vitrectomy system. Quasi experimental study. Department of Ophthalmology, Lahore General Hospital Lahore, Pakistan during 2012. Viscosities of silicone oils of l000cs and 5000cs, manufactured by multinational / national manufacturers in Pakistan, were compared. Oils of 1000cs/500cs were placed in 20 ml syringes, marked randomly and placed in water-VVbaths at 25°C, to standardize the control environment. Each syringe was then attached to 23G millennium vitrectomy system and time taken to empty 9 ml of oils at pressures of 40 mrrtHg and 70 mmHg was noted. Oils of same centistokes manufactured by different manufacturers behaved differently in terms of their flowability and rates of emptying. The emptying times for l000cs oils ranged from 112.1 seconds to 144.4 seconds at 40 mmHg and 60.2 to 70.3 seconds at 70 mmHg, whereas corresponding figures for 5000cs were between 335.7 seconds and 802.0 seconds at 40 mmHg and between 169.6 seconds and 348.7 seconds at 70 mmHg. The differences at all levels were statistically significant [p< 0.001]. Silicone oils of similar centistokes behaved differently in terms of their rates of flow through a standard 23G vitrectomy system under standard conditions indicating better standardization of the viscosity of silicone oils available in the market

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]

Frequency of ear problems associated with diving and their prevention in Pakistan navy

To determine the frequency of different ear problems among divers of Pakistan Navy and the factors contributing to them. A cross sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted in three major units of Pakistan Navy where active diving is going on all the times from March 2007 to July 2007. 100 divers were selected by consecutive sampling. They were examined and interviewed following a pre-designed questionnaire by the investigator. The overall frequency of ear problems was 54% including infection, barotraumas and deafness. Frequency of ear problems was more in those having more service as divers. It was about 8% in divers with diving experience 1-8 years, 32% in 9-16 years and about 66% in those with diving experience of more than 16 years [p< 0.001]. There is an association between years of diving and sensorineural hearing loss. Frequency of ear problems was more in smokers [58%] as compared to non smokers [26%] and it was found statistically significant [p<0.004]. Major factors contributing to the ear problems included Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and diving after long intervals. Comprehensive medical examination should be done before selection of the divers for Prevention and early diagnosis

Risk factors in development of multi drug resistant tuberculosis in the hospitalized patients

The emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis [MDR-TB] is becoming a global threat. A study was carried out to determine the frequency and risk factors associated in the development of MDR-TB in the hospitalized patients. It was a retrospective study in which five hundred patients of tuberculosis, admitted in the TB wards of Military Hospitals Rawalpindi, were include. Diagnosis of MDR-TB was established based on susceptibility pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Agar diluted method on Lowenstein Jensen Medium. The isolates which showed simultaneous resistance to INH and Rifampicin either with or without resistance to other drugs were labeled as MDR-TB. Out of 500 diagnosed patients of tuberculosis, 40 [8%] patients developed MDR-TB. Smokers were at high risk to develop MDR-TB [12.9%] as compared to non-smokers [5.6%]. MDR-TB was found more in extra pulmonary tuberculosis [35%], secondary tuberculosis [21.4%] and patients taking irregular anti tuberculosis treatment [36.6%] as compared to pulmonary tuberculosis [6.9%], primary cases [1.8%] and patients taking regular treatment [2.4%] respectively [p<0.05]. smoking, extra pulmonary tuberculosis secondary tuberculosis and poor compliance to the anti-tuberculosis treatment are the main contributing factors in MDR-TB. The development of MDR-TB in community can be reduced by modifying these MDR-TB associated risk factors

Menstrual irregularities with excessive blood loss: a clinico-pathological correlation

To evaluate various histo-pathological features in endometrial curettings of patients complaining of menstrual irregularities with excessive blood loss and correlating them with clinical presentations. A total of 260 endometrial curettings were obtained by Dilatation and Curettage done at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi. All the preserved specimens were processed under standard conditions at the Pathology Department, Islamic International Medical College [IIMC]. The sections were studied after staining with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. The patients presented with menorrhagia in 51.9%, metrorrhagia in 35.4%, polymenorrhoea in 9.2% and polymenorrhagia in 3.5% cases. History of hormonal intake was observed in 0.66% patients. Menstrual disorders were most common in 41-50 years age group accounting for 48% cases. Pathology was diagnosed in 40% of endometrial biopsies. The endometrial lesions included endometrial hyperplasia [24.7%], chronic nonspecific endometritis [13%], endometrial polyp [1.2%], pill pattern endometrium [2.3%] atrophic endometrium [0.8%] menopausal pattern endometrium, squamous metaplasia, squamous cell carcinoma and chorioncarcinoma [0.4% each]. The dilatation and curettage was found to be an appropriate approach with a good diagnostic yield. Fortunately frequency of endometrial malignancy appeared to be very low. Endometrial hyperplasia was the leading causes of excessive menstrual bleeding