RESUMEN
Objective: To assess symptoms of anxiety and depression among women reporting to primary health care [PHC women] in Gilgit Baltistan [GB], Pakistan
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on PHC women belonging GB including other three provinces of Pakistan. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to assess anxiety and depression. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied to analyze the collected data
Results: PHC women from GB reported higher level of depressive symptoms [t=7.58, p=0.00] and lower level of anxiety symptoms [t=8.3, p=0.00] when compared with cut-off score. Insignificant differences were found in depressive [t=1.5, p>0.05] and anxiety [t=1.2, p>0.05] scores between GB women and women from rest of Pakistan. However, inter-province differences in depressive [F=5.78, p= 00] and anxiety [F=4.5, p=0.00] symptoms were significant. Increasing age and lack of education were found significant risk factors for GB PHC women's depressive and anxiety symptoms
Conclusions: PHC women from GB have higher level of depressive and lower level of anxiety symptoms like women from other provinces of Pakistan. Their demographics should be considered while addressing their emotional problems
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stem cells have proved to have great therapeutic potential as stem cell treatment is replacing traditional ways of treatment in different disorders like cancer, aplastic anemia, stroke, heart disorders. The developed and developing countries are investing differently in this area of research so research output and clinical translation of research greatly vary among developed and developing countries. Present study was done to investigate the current status of stem cells research in Pakistan and ways to improve it. RESULTS: Many advanced countries (USA, UK and Canada etc.) are investing heavily in stem cell research and treatment. Different developing countries like Iran, Turkey and India are also following the developed countries and investing a lot in stem cells research. Pakistan is also making efforts in establishing this field to get desired benefits but unfortunately the progress is at very low pace. If Government plays an active role along with private sector, stem cell research in Pakistan can be boosted up. The numbers of publications from Pakistan are very less compared to developed and neighboring countries and Pakistan also has very less number of institutes working in this area of research. CONCLUSIONS: Stem cells research is at its initial stages in Pakistan and there is great need to bring Government, academia and industry together so they could make serious efforts to promote research in this very important field. This will help millions of patients suffering from incurable disorders and will also reduce economic loss.