Awareness and practices regarding waste management in health care staff of hospitals of Rawalpindi

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practices of health care staff including administrators, doctors, nurses, para medical staff, housekeeping staff regarding hospital waste management

Study design: A cross sectional study

Place and duration: It was conducted in Social Security Hospital, Islamabad and Ahmed Complex Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1[st] October 2012- 31 December 2012

Methodology: A total of 96 health care workers were included by purposive sampling technique, including 8 administrators, 40 doctors, 27 nurses, 5 para medical staff, 16 housekeeping staff. The data was collected on a structured questionnaire for afterwards statistical analysis

Results: Health care staff aware of biomedical waste were 82.4% [n=84].There was significant difference [p=0.003] in knowledge of hospital staff of different designations regarding biomedical waste, hazards related to sharps [p=0.000], improper waste disposal [p=0.000]. Health care staff aware of level of segregation of hazardous and non hazardous waste were 65.4% [n=66]. Health care staff aware of mode of health care waste transportation was 65.7% [n=65] and its disposal was 80.8% [n=80]

Conclusion: Awareness regarding biomedical waste management was satisfactory in health care staff but when compared amongst themselves it was better in doctors, nurses and administrative staff and less in para medical and housekeeping staff

Frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among students of a private medical college

To determine the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among students of a private medical college. This study was conducted at Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad from April to September, 2013. A close ended questionnaire was administered to find out the frequency of cigarette and sheesha smoking among medical students and their knowledge about hazards of smoking. In this cross sectional survey, 255 MBBS students from Islamabad Medical and Dental college, Islamabad were selected. The mean age of students was 21.83 +/- 1.657 years. The frequency of cigarette smoking was 33%, sheesha smoking 36%, and smoking of both was 24.3%. There were 16[6%] students who were ex-smokers of cigarette, 4% of sheesha and 1.6% of both. Greater part of students 32[12.5%] smoke 6 -10 cigarettes per day. Parents of 42 [34.7%] students know about their smoking. Majority of the students 45 [17.6%] started smoking just for fun or 25 [9.8%] to release stress. The main cause of quitting smoking in 15 [39.5%] students was medical advice or due to advice by elders in 11 [28.9%] students. 226 [88.6%] students had awareness about the ill effects of smoking. According to the bulk of students 105 [41.2%] the most effective way to control smoking epidemic is health education. Some students 46 [18%] had an opinion of high tax on cigarettes and 27 [10.6%] compulsory pictorial warnings on cigarette packs. Sheesha and cigarette smoking is very popular among medical students. Most of the students know about hazards of sheesha smoking.

Effect of demographic characteristics on patient's satisfaction with health care facility

To assess the patients' satisfaction level and effect of demographic characteristics on patients' satisfaction with health care facility in a tertiary care hospital. This Descriptive Cross sectional survey was conducted from June through October, 2012 in Out Patients Department of Punjab Social Security Hospital [PESSI], Rawalpindi. Participants were interviewed by trained inter viewers [students of 4th year MBBS class] using pre tested questionnaires. The patients were interviewed for their satisfaction and experience in the healthcare facility regarding interaction with doctors, paramedical staff, and facilities in the institution. Demographics like age, gender, educational status, marital status and monthly income were recorded. A five point scale of Strongly Agree [5], Agree [4], Uncertain [3], Disagree [2], and Strongly Disagree [1] was used. The percentage score was calculated for each patient and patient satisfaction was measured in terms of mean percent score. In sample of 110 patients, age of patient showed significant [p-value= 0.033] relationship with satisfaction score, with maximum satisfaction level [79.86%] in older age patients of > 55 years. Gender and occupation of patient did not show significant effect on satisfaction score. The illiterate or less educated [p-value = 0.003] and married patients were significantly [p-value= 0.003] more satisfied. Patients with less monthly income were significantly[p-value < 0.001] more satisfied. Older and less educated patients with lower income bracket were more satisfied with healthcare facility as compared to younger, highly educated patients and having higher income levels

Frequency and common forms of smoking in female students of universities of Islamabad

Objective: To determine frequency and common forms of smoking in female students of universities of Islamabad

Study Design: Across sectional study

Place And Duration: Duration carried out in six months from August 2010 to January 2011, including female students studying in four different Higher Education Commission [H.E.C] recognized universities of Islamabad

Methodology: A total of 380 students were selected by two stage sampling. In the first stage out of 16 H.E.C recognized universities, four universities were selected by simple random sampling and in the second stage female students were selected on the basis of consecutive sampling. Study tool was a self developed questionnaire which was amended in the light of pilot study

Results: Prevalence of smoking in University going female students was 17.6%. The average age of students was 20.43 +1.8 years. Sheesha smoking was the most common mode of smoking 62% [n=42]. Majority of the students started smoking between 15-19 years 63% [n=42] Highest percentage 24.2% [n=9] of smoking was in the students doing bachelors in fashion designing [B.F.D] followed by students doing bachelors in business administration [[B.B.A] 22.6% [n=41]

Conclusion: As smoking is on rise amongst young females, there is dire need to make policies to effectively control its growing rate