Pattern of addiction and its relapse among habitual drug abusers in Lahore, Pakistan

This study assessed the pattern of drug abuse and the reasons for relapse of addiction among male drug addicts seeking rehabilitative services in different centres in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on male drug abusers from April to December 2016. Nonprobability purposive sampling was done to collect a sample of 119 participants. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Out of 119 participants, 71.4% were in the age group 15-35 years. Educational levels were low in the majority, with 68.1% below secondary education. Unmarried [51.3%] and unemployed [44.5%] participants were at the greatest risk of using drugs. The age of addiction in 45% of patients was 5 years. Reasons for starting drug abuse were recreation [37%], curiosity [34.5%], and life-changing events [14.3%]. Reasons for relapse included association with former addicts, negative reactions from family, inability to manage the craving and work/social stress

Sleep patterns; among medical and non-medical students of university of Lahore, 2010-11

College students experience a number of sleep problems, which impact academic performance, health, and mood. University students are exposed to pressures due to academic demands. To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among college students and look into their sleep patterns and life style. A cross-sectional study. Sample was comprised of 141 medical and non-medical students. The study was conducted at University of Lahore and period spanned from Dec 2010 to April 2011. The age ranged 18 to 26, with 42.6 to 57.4 Male-female ratios. Both groups were almost similar in use of sleeping pills [medical: 97.2, non-medical: 82.2%]. They differed in percentages for studying academic books, listening MP 3 player and late night parties/hangouts, wherein medical students outnumbered non-medical students almost by half. Both groups differed in their usual time to sleep, medical students who sleep later than 12 pm was higher [66.2%], compared to 46.6% non-medical. In taking day naps [medical: 70.6%, non-medical: 37.0%], awakening due to noise often [medical: 41.2%, non-medical: 30.1%], nightmares during sleep often [medical: 23.5%, non-medical: 19.5%] and sometimes [medical: 44.1%, non-medical: 30.1%], difficulty in falling sleep sometimes [medical: 50.0%, non-medical: 32.9%], feel sleepiness in the class often [medical: 45.6%, non-medical: 28.8%], feel tired or sleepiness during the day [medical: 36.7%, non-medical: 23.4%]. Both groups also differ regarding worry about "sleep disturbance to some extent". [medical:51.4%, non-medical: 35.6%]. Our study found that medical students had more disturbed sleep patterns than the comparing group including delaying sleep time at night, awakening due to noise, experiencing nightmares, difficulty in falling sleep, feeling sleepiness in the class and during the day

Patient satisfaction; OPD services in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore

Patient satisfaction is a relative phenomenon, which embodies the patients perceived need, his expectations from the health system, and experience of health care. To determine the level of patient satisfaction towards OPD services with reference to doctor-patient interaction, registration desk, waiting area, and overall health facilities. Descriptive cross sectional study. Tertiary care hospital of Lahore. April 2013. A sample of 250 patients was selected by employing systematic random sampling technique. The patients were interviewed and data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences [SPSS] version 16.00. Data was presented in figures and tables. It was described using frequencies, percentages and mean. Majority of the patients i.e 232 [94%] reported being satisfied with the doctor. A vast majority agreed that hospital was clean 233 [94%] and adequately ventilated 224 [90%]. The hospital staff in the waiting area was found to be respectful 220 [89%] and fair 198 [80%] towards the patients. The patients had no difficulty locating the reception desk of the health facility 235 [95%]. A large proportion of patients i.e.220 [89%] said they would re-visit the hospital. The patients were highly satisfied with their doctors and were ready to re-visit the hospital. It is recommended that further studies should be conducted to assess patient satisfaction in the secondary and primary care health facilities and efforts should be made to get regular feedback from the patients

Effective lecture delivery; The medical students' perspective

To assess the perceptions of medical students regarding characteristics of effective delivery of lectures. To make suggestions to promote active listening during Iecture. To give recommendations regarding organization of lecture. Primary data collected by administration of Structured Questionnaire. Descriptive Cross-sectional. University Medical College, University of Lahore. August to September 2011. The study population comprised of 580 students studying at University Medical College of University of Lahore. The study sample was comprised of 123 students, 63 male and 62 female. The sample was determined by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. The study variables included socio-economic demographic and characteristic related to teaching skills and delivery of lectures. The most important effective lecture delivery characteristics noted by the respondents of this study in order of were prior knowledge of the topic [87.8%], subject knowledge [82.9%], basic lecturing skills [77.2%], organization of the lecture [76.5%] and clarity [74%] of the lecturer regarding the underlying concepts. Majority of respondents reported the onset of boredom 20 minutes after the beginning of the lecture [37.4%] and during last 20 minutes [41.5%] in a lecture spanning over 60 minutes. The majority of respondents [78%] felt that they are motivated by the lecture. The most frequent characteristic required for effective teaching was prior knowledge of topic by students before the delivery. This study concludes promoting the friendly atmosphere during the delivery of the lecture.

Dog bites; assessment of burden, determinants and public services available for their victims in district Lahore

Every day, 25-30 new cases of dog bites are treated at the civil hospital in Karachi. In absence of accurate number of rabies deaths, Infectious Disease Society of Pakistan suggests there are around 2000-5000 rabies deaths per year[2]. The estimated prevalence of dog bites in Punjab is 0.03%, but no such estimate is available for Lahore[3]. A community-based survey was carried out to assess the burden, determinants and public services available for dog bites in Lahore district, Pakistan. The prevalence of dog bites in the study population was 21.3%. The most common site of bites was the legs [68.4%], followed by the abdomen or trunk [12.1%], and hands or arms [5.6%]. Among respondents to an exit interview administered to clients seeking care from an antirabies centre, the most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years [53.4%]. The majority of respondents had been bitten by stray dogs [63], while 47 respondents were bitten by their own or others' pet dogs. Six respondents reported bites from rabid dogs. One hundred and seven [107] respondents said they had received vaccination at dog-bite centers; 89% of respondents confirmed the availability of vaccine, while 74.1% respondents said that they did not pay fees for services. The life-time prevalence of dog bites among respondents was 21.3%. The most frequent age group of victims of dog bites was 16-60 years. Both stray and pet dogs had bitten the victims