Awareness and practices regarding crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever among animal handlers in peri-urban karachi and rural areas of Sindh

Objective: To assess the awareness and practices among animal handlers regarding Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and compare the awareness and practices among different groups of animal handlers in Sindh, Pakistan

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted among 150 animal handlers with the response rate of 93%, including sellers, butchers, transporters, caretakers and veterinary doctors in peri-urban Karachi and rural areas of Sindh. Quota sampling technique was adopted to select the study population. The duration of the study was three months from August 2016 to October 2016; this period includes selling of animals of sacrifice for Eid-ul-Azha in temporary established markets. Data was entered into Epidata 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 23

Results: A total of 150 participants enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 35 +/- 7.5 years. Among the subjects, 48% were uneducated. Overall, 52% of the participants were aware about the Crimean-Congo fever. The hygiene practice among animal handlers was found to be washing; 40.7%, bathing; 27.3% and tick removal; 11.3%. The awareness of Crimean-Congo fever among animal caretakers was 50%, animal sellers; 43.3%, transporters; 36.7% and butchers; 30% [p<0.001]

Conclusion: The awareness among animal handlers was on the lower side among animal sellers, transporters, butchers and animal care taker and there is a need to improve the awareness level among these groups regarding practices, hygiene of the animal as well as handling procedures

Prisoners in Karachi – a health and nutritional perspective

The aim of this study was to assess the health and nutritional status of prisoners in Karachi, Pakistan. This cross sectional study was conducted from September 2012 to February 2013. Convenient sampling technique was used. A sample of 433 prisoners was taken from Karachi prison. Selected inmates were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Prisoners were assessed with measurements of height, weight, body mass index [BMI] status, Blood pressure, Random Blood Sugar levels, dietary pattern, occupational status, source of food, duration of exercise, history of diseases and addictions were recorded. Age of the prisoners varied between 18-65 years. Among 433 prisoners, 39.7% were under weight and 8.3% were malnourished. Exercise was not reported in 80% of prisoners. It was noted that 11.8% prisoners were having respiratory tract infections at time the study was conducted. Among 433 inmates, 386 were addicted to at least one addiction such as smoking, naswar, pan, gutka and manpuri, heroin, ganja [cannabis], charas [hashish form of cannabis], and opium. This study showed that the diet of the prisoners was insufficient and nutritionally imbalanced and has led to malnourished and underweight prisoners. Substance abuse is common among inmates

Tuberculous patients; cross sectional study of BCG vaccination and antibody TITRE in house hold contacts of tuberculous patients

This study was designed to analyze the BCG vaccination status and compare the immune globulins levels in the household contacts of tuberculous patients with non contacts of unexposed healthy peoples. Lahore. Cross sectional study. Investigations like ESR were done and the sera of 200 persons included in the study were tested for anti tuberculous antibodies by ELISA. BCG vaccination present or absent and scars were positive or negative in both groups were included. The combined serological positivity of the household contacts was 65.8% and for non-contacts was 34.1%. BCG scars were mostly absent in the household contacts as well as in non-contacts; But statistically IgG and IgA were present significantly by higher number in the household contacts as compared to non-contacts, where as no significant difference in the IgM levels. These immunoglobulins status were compared with BCG scars in both study and control groups. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 14. Household contacts of tuberculosis patients are more susceptible to tuberculosis as compared to the non-contacts, as shown by positive and negative status of cglitjirculous antibodies in the house hold contacts. More over BCG vaccination has no significant role in humoral evaluation

Efficacy of telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in population of Peshawar, Pakistan

To study the efficacy of telbivudine in 2 years treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in local population of Peshawar. This study was conducted in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from June 2007 to June 2012. 83 patients, 56 males and 27 females of chronic hepatitis B with no other liver problem like hepatitis C and D, alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver, hepatocellular carcinoma etc were included in the study. HIV, pancreatitis and pregnancy was also ruled out before study was undertaken. Base line investigations of CBC, Liver and kidney profile, CPK, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBe antibody, HBV DNA, Ultra sound abdomen and upper GI endoscopy were conducted in the subjects. Each patient was given oral telbivudine 600mg/d for 2 years. Biochemical, serological, virological and clinical follow ups were conducted after one month of starting treatment and then every 3 months. Biochemical, serological and virological end points were observed beside adverse effects of telbivudine. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Mean serum ALT was reduced from 36.9 iu/ml from first visit to 21.0 iu/ml [p value=0.001] after 24 months of treatment. The serum viral load decreased from 165277.82 iu/ml to 3.80 iu/ml from initial to final visit after 2 years of treatment. No viral breakthrough was reported during 24 months of treatment with telbivudine. The drug was well tolerated without any significant adverse effects. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with telbivudine shows statistically significant reduction in viral load and serum ALT with no significant adverse effects

Association of urinary calcium and phosphate with bone mineral density among postmenopausal women

Development of peak bone mass and premenopausal bone loss is determined by the menstrual status of a women. Objective of this study was to determine the association of urinary calcium and phosphate with bone loss in post-menopausal women. This study is cross sectional. It was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Females [n = 90] were assessed with measurements of Body Mass Index, 24 hour urinary excretion of calcium creatinine ratio, Phosphate creatinine ratio. Bone mineral density of women was evaluated by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometrey [DEXA] and its association was analyzed with urinary calcium creatinine ratio and urinary phosphate creatinine ratio. Twenty two [44%] postmenopausal women were found to be osteoporotic while 24 [48%] were osteopenic on the basis of BMD measurements. The mean urinary calcium creatinine ratio and phosphate creatinine ratio was increased in postmenopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women [p < 0.001]. A significant negative correlation was found between BMD [hip] and urinary calcium and phosphate [r = - 0.65, p < 0.05] [r = - 0.58, p < 0.01] respectively in post-menopausal osteoporotic women. Urinary calcium and phosphate creatinine ratio appears to be a valuable markers for assessing bone loss in postmenopausal women

Frequency of tetanus toxoid immunization among college/university female students of Karachi

Tetanus is a deadly infectious disease for which immunisation is available in EPI at both infant level and for females of reproductive age. More than 95% of patients who develop tetanus have not been previously immunised. Objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of tetanus vaccination and to access the awareness of immunisation among females studying in 11 girls' colleges of Karachi and University of Karachi. A cross sectional study was conducted among 1,407 females studying in colleges and University of Karachi from April to August 2007 using a prescribed questionnaire. Among 1,407 female students who were interviewed for the study, 232 [16.48%] were not aware about tetanus immunisation program for females of reproductive age. Only 560 students [39.80%] received at least 1 of 5 recommended doses. Only 41 female students [2.91%] received complete course of 5 doses. Coverage of tetanus immunisation among literate females in most populous city of the country is far behind satisfactory. There is need for awareness and crash programs of tetanus immunisation