Epidemiological study of low bone mineral density states in patients visiting center for unclear medicine [CENUM] Mayo hospital Lahore

Objective: the objective of this study is to identify risk factors related to low BMD among patients attending the Centre for Nuclear Medicine [CENUM]

Methods: it was a cross sectional study conducted at the Centre for Nuclear Medicine [CENUM] Mayo Hospital Lahore, from February 2011 to September 2011.A sample of 246 participants aged 50 to 85 years [both male and female] was selected using non probability convenient sampling technique. Magnitude of BMD status was described using T score as WHO criteria. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 17.Pearson Correlation was applied to find relationship between different quantitative variable. Also, an independent sample T test was applied to see the significant difference

Results: the results have shown that out of 246 participants, 24 [9.8%] were men and 222 were women [90.2%] aged 50-85 yrs. BMD has significant correlation with age, weight and height of the patients [p 0.05 for both Left Hip and lumber spine T score respectively] as compared to other patients. The patients who had low backache also showed low BMD [p

Conclusions: based on the study results it is concluded that low BMD is a wide spread public health problem and it needs due importance

Awareness among parents of beta-thalassemia major patients, regarding prenatal diagnosis and premarital screening

To assess the knowledge among parents of thalassemia major patients about prenatal diagnosis, premarital screening for carrier detection and impact of consanguineous marriage on disease transmission. Descriptive study. The Thalassemia Centre, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from July to September 2009. One hundred and fifteen parents of beta-thalassemia major patients were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire was developed and parents were interviewed to assess their knowledge about preventive measures against thalassemia major. Parents of patients with all other types of blood disorder were excluded from the study. There were 74 male [64.3%] and 41 female [35.7] patients with mean age of 9.5 +/- 5.1 years. Eighty-eight patients [76.5%] were accompanied by mothers and the rest by their fathers. Seventy-four parents [32.1%] were illiterate; among the literates only 7 were highly educated [3%]. Ninety-four couples [81.7%] had consanguineous marriage. Fifty-two parents [44.6%] knew that thalassemia is an inherited disorder. Thirty-eight [33%] had heard about the test for detecting thalassemia carrier. Premarital screening and prenatal diagnosis was known to 97 [84.3%] and 88 [76.5%] parents respectively. Ninety-nine parents [86.1%] knew about the termination of pregnancy on positive prenatal test but only 69 considered it acceptable religiously [60%]. Major source of information to the parents were doctors. Parental knowledge about thalassemia and its preventive measures was inadequate; this requires intervention in the form of public health education programs concentrating on high risk/targeted population

Lifestyle factors associated with the risk of prostate cancer among Pakistani men

Age-adjusted incidence of prostate cancer in Pakistan is 5.3 per 100,000 which is relatively low compared to other Asian countries, but increasing numbers of cases are being reported. Data on risk factors associated with prostate cancer risk among Pakistani men are sparse. The objective of this study was to identify lifestyle factors associated with the risk of prostate cancer in Pakistani men. An unmatched case-control study was conducted in Lahore from February to October 2011. The study enrolled 195 histologically confirmed cases of adenocarcinoma of prostate from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore [INMOL] and Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, using purposive sampling technique. A total of 390 hospital controls were selected using convenient sampling technique from different teaching hospitals of Lahore after screening with prostate specific antigen levels. A semi-structured interview form was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. Odds ratio was used as a measure of strength of association and was calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Farmers were found to be at higher odds of prostate cancer [OR=19.76, 95% CI=5.51-70.80, p<0.001]. No significant association was found with marital status, ethnic background, religious affiliation and consanguineous marriages. Level of physical activity was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk [OR=0.05, 95% CI=0.01-0.26, p<0.001]. Positive association was found with increased red meat consumption [OR=11.82, 95% CI=2.88-48.54, p=0.001] and dairy products intake [OR=11.76, 95% CI=4.23-32.67, p<0.001]. Red meat consumption, higher dairy products intake and working as farmers are strongly associated with increased odds of prostate cancer among Pakistani men.

HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst gypsies in Lahore and their preventive practices

To evaluate the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among gypsies in Lahore and their preventive practices. Cross-sectional study. Four gypsy settlements around Multan Road, Lahore were surveyed from July to August 2009. Two hundred and thirteen randomly selected gypsies, aged 15-50 years, were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire based on UNAIDS survey indicators. Socio-demographic information and knowledge about HIV/AIDS, its spread and preventive practices was asked. Scoring systems were devised to categorize the level of knowledge and preventive practices as satisfactory and unsatisfactory. Statistically significant difference between knowledge and preventive practices was calculated by Pearson's chi-square test using Epi Info. version 3.5.1. The mean age of participants was 29.5 +/- 6.5 years, including 60.2% males and 39.8% females. Aggregate score for the level of knowledge indicated that 17 [7.98%] of these gypsies had satisfactory knowledge about HIV/AIDS and its transmission, whereas 40 [18.77%] and 156 [73.23%] were classified as having unsatisfactory and poor knowledge respectively. However, there was a statistically significant difference [p=0.003] when this knowledge was compared with preventive practices. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among gypsies in Lahore was largely unsatisfactory. Improving knowledge about HIV/AIDS among gypsy community may result in positive behavioural change for disease prevention

Brucella serology in abattoir workers

Brucellosis is an occupational hazard with those particularly at risk either living in close proximity with animals or handling them. It is a public health problem in developing countries with adverse health implications both for animals and human beings as well as economic implications for individuals and communities. The Objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis among abattoir workers of Lahore District and to determine the association of brucellosis with nature of job of the workers. Data was collected in April 2008. It was a cross-sectional study in which four main slaughterhouses in Lahore were included. The slaughterhouse workers were divided into seven strata based on their nature of job: meat sellers, slaughterers, animal keepers, drivers, cleaners, loaders and vets/paravets. A total of 360 such workers were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Sampling frames for different strata were prepared and from each frame, proportionate numbers, were selected through simple random method using random number tables. Data was obtained using a questionnaire. Additionally blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-Brucella Immunoglobulin G [IgG] using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique. The seroprevalence of anti-Brucella IgG was found to be 21.7%. A statistically significant difference was observed between the immune status of the respondents and their nature of job [p=0.005], age groups [p=0.013], and duration of job [p=0.003]. The disease is an important public health problem in Pakistan. The disease can be prevented in the slaughterhouse workers through the use of personal protective devices. Public health authorities should educate the general public regarding prevention of the disease with specific emphasis on people working in slaughterhouses

Prevalence of malnutrition in the children 5 to 10 years of age in district Layyah-Punjab

To find out the extent of malnutrition in children 5- 10 years of age An epidemiological survey: Specifically Cross sectional approach or point-in-time. The study was carried out in the 2 Town Committees [T.Cs] and 10 Union Councils [U.Cs] of the District Layyah. The period of study was three months from Feb. 01, 2005 to April 30, 2005. A representative systematic random sample of 684 children 5-10 years of age was obtained. Weight versus age, height versus age, triceps skin fold thickness and clinical examination were used as parameters for the assessment of the nutritional status. There were 312[45.62%] males and 372[54.38%] female children 5-10 years of age in the study population. General overall picture indicated that 227[33.2%] children were normal and 409[59. 8%] under weight and 48[7%] over weight [457[66.8%] were suffering from malnutrition]. Out of The malnourished children 144[35.3%] had 1st degree, 156[38.1%] had 2nd degree, 77[18.8%] had 3rd degree and 32[7.8%] had 4th degree malnutrition respectively. The current study has revealed that malnutrition in children 5-10 years of age is not the result of a single factor; there are multiple factors, which play an important role in determining their nutritional status. These include maternal education, number of children in the family, and socio-economic status of the family

Assessment of socio demographic risk factors of coronary heart disease among patients visiting coronary out patient

The study was conducted to assess the socio demographic risk factors of coronary heart disease among patients visiting cardiology out patient department of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Design: Cross sectional study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at the coronary out patient department of the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. The period of study was 4 months starting from September 1, 2002 and ending on January 31, 2003. Material/ methods: An interview was conducted on systematic random sample of two hundred patients who were selected for the purpose from among the individuals who registered themselves at cardiology out patient department. The information was recorded on a pre designed form. In the study 84.7% of the patients were between the age group 40 to 70 years. 61% patients with coronary heart disease were males. Majority of patients were matric or below. 2.5% of patients with coronary heart disease were having income less than RS 5000/ month. The percentage of patients with family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease were 67.85. Significant number of patients 64.4% was Hypertensive, 33.9% were diabetic, 47.4% were smokers and 72% were sedentary. Conclusions: The study revealed statistical association between coronary heart disease and age, sex, marital status, educational status. Hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity but failed to demonstrate an association between income, family history of risk factors and physical activity