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Background: Patient satisfaction is considered as an indicator of the healthcare quality. Information on patient satisfaction based on medical expertise of the physician, interpersonal skills, physician-patient interaction time, perception and needs of the patient allow policymakers to identify areas for improvement. Primary care services and healthcare structure differ between the countries. The present study was done to determine and analyze the determinants associated with patient satisfaction in India, Pakistan, Spain and USA.Methods: This descriptive study was performed in January to August 2019 among students from Mumbai University, India, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain, Texas State University, Texas, USA. On the basis of the eligibility criterion (those who gave a written informed consent and were registered students of respective university) 890 (India: 369, Pakistan: 128, Spain: 195, USA: 99) students were selected for the present study.Results: India had almost similar male (49%) to female (51%) ratio of participants. For other 3 countries (PK, ES, US), female participant percentage was nearly 20% or even more as compared to male participants. Overall participant’s satisfaction score about medial expertise of the doctor were highest in India (71%) and were lowest in Spain (43%). Overall satisfaction score about time spent with doctor were highest for India (64%) and were lowest for Spain (41%). Overall satisfaction score about communication with doctor were highest for US (60%) and were lowest for PK (53%). Overall satisfaction score for medical care given by the doctor was lowest in PK (43%) and was highest in US (64%). Overall satisfaction about doctor, highest number of US (83%) and lowest number of PK (32%) participants were satisfied about medical interaction with doctors.Conclusions: These multi-country findings can provide information for health policy making in India, Pakistan, Spain and USA. Although the average satisfaction per country, except Pakistan is more than 60%, the results suggest that there is ample room for improvement.
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Background: Antimicrobial resistance has become a serious global problem. A potential post-antibiotic era is threatening present and future medical advances. In Pakistan, the usage of antibiotic is unnecessarily high and due to over exposure to these drugs, bacteria are developing resistance against these drugs. It is necessary to improve public awareness about the rational use of antibiotics in order to bring a change in consumer’s behaviour. Therefore, present study was undertaken to assess the existing knowledge, attitude and practices related to antibiotic usage among university students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during May-June 2018. 200 students were approached to participate in the study of which 159 agreed to participate (males: 70, females: 89). Pretested questionnaire was distributed to the study subjects and the collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: Substantial number of (33% and 50%) participants were unaware about the differences in antibiotic: anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic: antipyretics respectively. 29% of the participants thought it is right to stop antibiotics only based on symptomatic improvement. Thirty nine percent and eighty three percent participants believed that antibiotics should always be prescribed to treat flu like symptoms and pneumonia respectively.Conclusions: Participants demonstrated average knowledge about antibiotics. Similarly, their attitude and practice toward antibiotic use was associated with misconceptions. An educational intervention is necessary to make them aware about rational use of antibiotics.
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Background: Oral cancers (OC) are malignant lesions occurring in the oral cavity that include squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), salivary gland and odontogenic neoplasms. Even though it is the eighth most common malignancy globally but in Pakistan it is the second commonest type of cancer. Lack of awareness about ill-effects of preventable risk factors of oral cancer increases the burden of disease due to the associated high cost of treatment, permanent impairment and high mortality. Hence, awareness can be very helpful in prevention, control and early diagnosis of oral cancer.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Karachi, Pakistan during April to May 2018. Three hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 277 agreed to participate. Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: There were 125 (45%) males and 152 (55%) females in the study and response rate was 94%. Sixty one percent (154/250) respondents correctly identified smoking, and tobacco chewing as possible causes of oral cancer. Almost one third (74%; 184/250) respondents correctly responded that oral cancer does not spread from person to person through touch or speaking. Sixty six percent (164/250) respondents believed that oral cancer is curable. Mean score of knowledge was higher in females (61%) than males (53%). Significantly higher number of females compared to male participants answered correctly to questions regarding cause of oral cancer, spread of disease and occurrence of oral cancer in AIDS patients.Conclusions: Participants showed poor knowledge about oral cancer. Female participants showed better knowledge compared to male counterparts. Details about oral cancer should be incorporated in the university curriculum and periodic awareness programs should be organized for students.
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The present study was carried out to investigate, in vivo, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological activities of the methanolic extract of Atropa belladonna. The analgesic activity was measured by acetic acid induced writhing inhibition test. The neuro-pharmacological activities were evaluated by open field, rearing test, cage cross, swim test, head dip and traction tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by formalin induce inflammation on hind paw. The extract showed highly significant [p<0.001] analgesic activity with % inhibitions of writhing response at doses 100 and 300mg/kg body weight were 28.5% and 57.1%, respectively. The extract at both doses showed significant [p<0.05] sedative effect in-cage cross test and highly significance value [p<0.001] in high dose. In-open field test, the extract showed significant [P<0.05] anxiolytic activity at higher dose whereas in rearing test activity shows significant p-value at both doses. The extract also showed significant value for anti-inflammatory activity. The findings of the study clearly indicated the presence of significant analgesic, neuro-pharmacological and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant, which demands further investigation including, compounds isolation
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts , Analgesics , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , NeuropharmacologyABSTRACT
Most of the species of genus Salvia are famous for having medicinal properties due to their chemical constituents. Salvia bucharica [Lamiacea] is found in Balochistan near Quetta in Hannaurak and Kalat. It is used in traditional system of medicine and claims to cure liver ailments. In current study crude methanolic extract [CME] of Salvia bucharica was obtained from the leaves and tested for hepatoprotective activity and possible toxicity in rabbits. Liver toxicity was induced in rabbits by administration of carbon tetra chloride [CCl[4]] and evaluated by biochemical tests and histopathology of tissues. In this study rabbits were divided in to 3 groups [5 rabbit in each group]. Rabbits of group I [control] were administered only vehicle [0.9% sodium chloride] orally. Rabbits of group II were given CCl[4] and group III were treated with CCl[4] and S. bucharica CME orally. For hepatoprotective effect serum enzyme level and total protein level were calculated. Histopathology of liver sections of rabbits was also carried out to observe protective effect. Biochemical, hematological and histoptahological parameters were studied on rabbits for toxicological studies. S. bucharica CME showed significant liver protection with reduction in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase [ALT], Aspartate aminotransferase [AST], Alkaline phosphatase [ALP], gamma glutamyl transpeptidase [gamma-GT]. And decrease in Albumin and globulin. In toxicological studies, biochemical and histoptahological parameters showed no significant toxicity in liver, heart and kidneys. It is concluded that S. bucharica CME showed hepatoprotective effects with nontoxic profile
Subject(s)
Animals , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts , Plants, Medicinal , Carbon Tetrachloride , Liver , Toxicology , Rabbits , MethanolABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of major risk factors like age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, dyslipidemia on coronary artery disease in Karachiites and highlighted the angiographic data of local population like number of vessels involvement, site and severity of coronary lesions. This was a cross sectional analytical prospective study which was carried out at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi from August 2004 - July 2014. We included five hundred [500] consecutive patients [188 female and 312 male] between 26-80 years old, who came for coronary angiography with suspecting ischemic heart disease clinically or otherwise proven by relevant tests like ETT, ECHO, and Thallium stress test. Post PCI and CABG patients were excluded from study. During this study variables like age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and dyslipidemia were taken into account in relation to coronary artery disease in Karachiites. In addition we also assorted some important findings of coronary angiography like: number of vessels involved, site and severity lesions in our population and compared them with existing literature. Our study revealed that in our local population not only old age and male gender are potential threat for an early coronary artery disease but other variables like hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia are also playing important role in coronary artery disease. It is also concluded that our population is more prone to multiple vessels involvement with almost involvement of LAD in majority of population