Comparison of cognitive professionalism in residents of public and private hospitals of Karachi

Objective: To evaluate and compare the cognitive professionalism in resident medical officers [RMOs] of public and private hospitals of Karachi

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey

Place and Duration of Study: Civil Hospital and Ziauddin Medical University Clifton Campus, Karachi, from August to December 2014

Methodology: This survey was conducted in one public and one private medical college. All residents from Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medicine and Surgery departments were included with non-probability purposive sampling. A validated tool [Barry Challenges to Professionalism questionnaire] was used to assess professionalism, containing six challenges to professionalism [acceptance of gifts, conflict of interest, confidentiality, physician impairment, sexual harassment, and honesty] with multiple-choice responses. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 17 and chi-square test was used for determining significant difference between public and private institutes

Results: Forty-three residents from both the places responded. The frequency of acceptable answers to the six scenarios ranged from 0% to 55.8%. Acceptable responses were more from private-sector institute residents than public-sector residents, but no statistical significant difference was seen

Conclusion: Most residents did not provide appropriate responses to professional challenges. The postgraduate training programs are very stringent on medical knowledge and skills. However, it is needed to address formally professional attitudes and behaviors and include them as a competency in the training program

Atrocious dietary habits leading females of Karachi towards polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] is the most common chronic endocrine disorder that is responsible for imbalance of hormones affecting women of reproductive age leading to difficulties in period cycle and getting pregnant. The aim of study was to evaluate the routine eating habit of the patients. The study was conducted in Gynecology ward of Tertiary care hospital. This analytical study was performed after taking consent including those patients, who came to the clinic to report their problem of infertility [married women] and irregular periods problems [unmarried girls], targeted age group was between 25 to 35. Interview based study was conducted which include all the questions related to their eating habits like; food typically eaten in breakfast, lunch, dinner and amount of snacks taken per meal. High intake of carbohydrate and fats also investigated per meal. There BMI and FBS was also calculated. Total 300 patients were studied out of which 50 patients were included in the study and the results showed that in PCOS patients the frequency of obesity and overweight is [92%], followed by [66%] of patients had excess carbohydrate/sugar craving while 34% patients had normal eating patterns. High rates of these complications were seen in the series. From the results it is suggested that obese women with PCOS requires more attention toward the appropriate management of their dietary habits, as their high BMI and high fasting blood sugar is correlating with abnormal clinical and biochemical features. Calorie intake should be restricted. Diet control along with exercise was suggested to the patients

"Ratio of gender dependency", a comparative study between Karachi and Hyderabad's populace

Karachi and Hyderabad both are metropolitan cities of Pakistan but Karachi is more developed and mobilized city than Hyderabad. This difference may possibly bring change in the gender dependency ratio. Gender is the socially and culturally shaped characteristics for males and females [sexes] of any society; both genders have to perform the roles which are expected from them. Gender dependency is the result of the cultural practices in any society while the culture in developing societies is masculine by its nature and men are the one who lead, secure and are responsible for bread earning for their families. To confirm this fact, data from 500 respondents was collected from Karachi and Hyderabad, age between 25 to 40 years, Questions about respondent's experience, hesitation, insecurity, independency in decision making were also the part of detail questionnaire. This study shows that the ratio of educated population was high in Hyderabad. In both cities females were more dependent than males, Females of Karachi were more confident and independent in their lives and the level of insecurity was high in females of Hyderabad. Findings proposed the importance of education, development and mobility on the road to independent life

Early marriages leads to low self-esteem of young girls

The focus of this study is to be acquainted with the level of trust and reliance regarding reproductive health concerns among early married females. Many females around the globe are subjected to early marriage with immature minds and bodies, and they are forced to shoulder heavy duties, early pregnancies, harsh family behaviors, family disputes, behavioral problems and understanding problems. Early pregnancies and other health problems have a great impact on their self-esteem, confidence level and their trust on elders to share their problems. When females are married at early age, they are not only deprived of their education but they are also not aware of the health consequences and their solutions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Karachi and data was collected through detailed interview among 100 subjects [married and unmarried females]. 41.98% of the unmarried girls relied on lady doctors for their reproductive health problems whereas 37.50% of married girls approached mothers and few talked to lady doctors while most of them were not sharing theirs obstacles with anyone. It is concluded that females in their teens before marriage had normal self-esteem and courage to share their problems, on the other hand early marriages were found to cause a decline in their levels of self-esteem due to domestic pressures, less social buck up, fears of in-laws and husbands