Prevalence of zinc deficiency among rural women during childbearing age in Peshawar, Pakistan

Zinc deficiency is a commonly reported health problem throughout the world. This cross sectional survey was conducted in rural Peshawar with an aim to estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in women of child bearing age and find its association with age, marital, pregnancy status and parity. Data was collected from 353 women age 15-45 years. EPI INFO version 6.04 was used for data analysis. Overall 98 [27.8%] women were zinc deficient [

Pattern of cigarette smoking among college students of Quetta

Cigarette smoking habit is developed more at the young age, hazardous to health and causes premature mortality. To determine the pattern of cigarette smoking and factors contributing to the said habit among college students of Quetta. Randomized study. This study was conducted at the Bolan Medical College, Quetta during the academic year 2010-2011. a total of 850 students from different colleges of Quetta were randomly selected during the academic year 2010-2011. Prevalence and influence of factors associated with the cigarette smoking were recorded on a predesigned questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed with the help of statistical procedures. Out of the total, 122 students were smokers, 23 ex-smokers and 705 non-smokers. Smokers had the habit for charm and relaxation. While non-smokers and ex-smokers avoided cigarettes use due to family blame, religion and its adverse effect on health. Besides, the habit was found more common among students whose fathers and brothers were smokers. Majority of them knew the hazards and very little number was smoking in the public places. Young age and transition period from school to college is a critical time to adopt the habit of cigarette smoking, hence needs an immense attention of the authority designing tobacco control policies. Healthy recreational activities, awareness programs related to its hazards, non-smoking home environment, increased tax and ban on its advertisements are the essential measures, which can minimize the habit. In addition, the present basic work would serve as a template to conduct further advanced studies on this line

Diurnal variations in the levels of progesterone during late pregnancy

Progesterone is a C-21 steroid hormone, plays a major role in the occurrence, maintenance and termination of pregnancy. To study the diurnal variations in the levels of progesterone at the start and end of the day during late pregnancy in women having different life set ups. Experimental and Observational Study. This study was conducted at the Department of Gynae and Obs., Khyber Medical College, Peshawar. Blood samples of 50 women between 26-40 weeks of gestation were collected at two different intervals with a gap of 12 hours. Progesterone level was estimated by Serozyme EIA method. The concentration of progesterone was found low in the early morning and high in the late evening in our population. Besides, the magnitude of fluctuations in the samples of two different intervals declined with progress of age and weeks of gestation. Our findings support the recommendation of restricting progesterone measurements to morning hours at all ages particularly during late pregnancy which is important information for clinicians at the time of interpretation of results

Blood lead levels and Occupational Hazards in child labour in Peshawar

To determine blood lead level, calcium and haemoglobin in children involved in auto labour at Peshawar. A total of 150 children; 30 control and 120 working in auto-mobile workshops for 8-10 hours daily without any safety measures, were investigated. We observed that low-income families generally encouraged their children to learn some professional skills at early age. Besides, the nature of work in automobile workshops was hazardous and the long working hours were stressful for the children. Eighty Seven percent of the children were not willing to do the job and 100% were un-aware of the safety measure. As compared to controls, the subject group have had high blood lead levels with a mean +/- 42.4 g/dl [p<0.001]; low haemoglobin +/- 11.2 g/dl [p<0.01] and decreased calcium +/- 8.6 mg/dl [P<0.01] concentration. Furthermore, the younger age group had comparatively raised lead level than old age group. Sixty eight percent children of the study group have had abnormalities like headaches, raised hearing threshold, memory loss and generalized body pain. It is concluded that the high level of blood lead affects the health of children; and poor children specially are at more risk because of inadequate nutrition. Besides, the present study suggests the need of awareness, implementation of laws for child's rights, effective family planning facilities and finally various organizations should play an effective role in child labour prevention programmes

Lecturing in medical education

Undergraduate medical students attend more lectures than they see patients. Lectures provide an entree into a difficult topic, different perspectives on subject, up to date resume of research and relevant clinical and laboratory experience. They also provide hints and guidelines on how to learn a topic or a procedure

Biochemical and haemotological parameters conelate during pregnancy

Biochemical and haematological parameters were studied during three trimesters of 100 pregnant women. Cholesterol, white blood cells and Alkaline Phosphates levels increased, whereas protein, glucose, urea, Hb, red cells, platelets and haematocrit decreased with the progress of pregnancy. However, serum calcium was not changed during pregnancy in the present study

Progesterone decreases calving interval. a preliminary study

This experimental study on 18 cows was carried from February to June, 1995. Progesterone was administered [25 mg] to each cow on alternate days for 11 days and this oestrus symptoms were observed from day 12 to 14. Sixteen [88.9%] animals showed oestrus through physical symptoms and the oestrus of 15 [83.3%] animals were diagnosed with milk progesterone level [<2ng/ml]. Natural breeding was only allowed to animals at proper oestrus. On 22nd day of insemination, milk progesterone >7ng/ml was found in 13 [72.2%] animals while rectal examination on day 60 of breeding showed 12 [66.7%] animals to be pregnant. However, both methods demonstrated that progesterone decreases calving interval by exhibiting early oestrus

Hormonal and metabolic changes associated with long acting injectable contraceptives

The effect of Norigest injection was observed in blood of 55 health women. The change in the level of progesterone before and after injection was not significant [P>0.05]. Whereas, the production of gonadotrophin and estradiol decreased after injection [P>0.001]. The concentration of protein was not affected with Norigest [P>0.05]. However, serum albumin reduced significantly [P< 0.0001]. No significant change was observed in glucose level [P> 0.05], while cholesterol level raised from 178 to 189 mg/dl