ABSTRACT
Background: Blood transfusion is a risky procedure due to transmission of various infections and reactions of unmatched blood transfusion. Many blood transfusion related problems can be prevented to some extent if patients and their family members are involved in transfusion related procedure
Objectives: To determine patients' perceptions for the recall of consent process, risks, benefits and attitude for blood transfusion
Study design, settings and duration: Hospital based cross-sectional study done on adult patients admitted in Orthopedic and Surgical wards of Civil Hospital, Karachi from November 2014 to January 2015
Patients and Methods: Using convenient sampling, a total of 350 patients who were admitted and received blood transfusion were included in the study. Variables included age, gender, educational status, language spoken, recall of consent for blood transfusion, risks, benefits and attitudes for blood transfusion. Questionnaire based instrument was used for data collection. SPSS version16 was used for descriptive frequencies
Results: Of the total 98% patients were neither asked nor recalled for the consent of blood transfusion. Only 19 [5%] patients were informed about the risks and 77 [22%] about the benefits of blood transfusion. About 236 [67%] patients were of the opinion that blood of family members, if transfused, carries fewer chances of risk/reactions and 213 [61%] patients stated that they will prefer to receive blood transfusion from their family members. Only, 16 [5%] said that would refuse blood transfusion even if it was needed and will prefer blood alternatives. Overall 326 [93%] patients had poor perception and 262 [75%] good perception for blood transfusion
Conclusion: The consent for blood transfusion was missing in majority of the cases and risks and benefits were not explained to the patients
Policy statement: Institutional Bioethics Committees should take notice of these shortcomings
ABSTRACT
The pattern and outcome of neonatal diseases varies not only in different geographical settings and time spans but it also changes within the same unit at different times. Moreover, it can also be used to determine the availability, utilization and effectiveness of mother and child health services in the community. To determine and correlate the pattern and outcome of neonatal ailments in a tertiary care children hospital Karachi. Descriptive observational study carried out at National Institute of Child Health Karachi from 1st February 2011 to 31st January 2012. Subjects and The data regarding the demography, diagnosis and outcome of all admitted neonates was obtained from the patient's files. The data was entered and analyzed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences 17 to find out the frequency and mortality rate of various diseases among the patients. [p value of <0.05 was taken as significant]. A total of 4747 neonates were admitted during the study period. The male to female ratio was 1:0.6. Majority [66.2%] were referred within 72 hours of birth. The major causes of admission were sepsis [29.2%], low birth weight [23.4%], birth asphyxia [11.3%], prematurity [9.8%], meconium aspiration syndrome [8.9%], neonatal jaundice [7.0%] and pneumonia [6.4%]. Almost 55.6% cases were discharged after improvement, 29.9% expired, and 12% left against medical advice [LAMA]. Sepsis and low birth weight showed strong correlation [>/= 57.81] with overall mortality rates. Sepsis and low birth weight were the major causes of death. Public awareness and use of MNCH facilities by the communities need to be further stressed to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. Policy message: Monitoring of high risk pregnancies at the antenatal checkups, timely referral and availability of resuscitation facilities at delivery sites must be ensured. Regular awareness workshops for health care providers and community especially mothers could also be helpful