Pattern of ABO and Rh blood groups in Multan region

The discovery of various blood group systems has an immense importance in transfusion medicine and medico legal field. The association of certain blood groups with various diseases like peptic ulcer is well established. ABO and Rh blood groups are the main systems to cause blood transfusion reactions. An individual blood group today, is as important as national identity card. In cases of emergency blood transfusion, the blood group data of a population is very much important. The frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups vary throughout the world. It has been observed that group B diminishes in frequency from East to West. ABO and Rh blood group data is well established in Karachi and Lahore areas, but the data is not available from Multan region. In this study six thousands young healthy voluntary blood donors of either sex belonging to Multan region comprising of 5476 males and 524 females were included from "Blood Transfusion Center Nishtar Hospital Multan" and "Fatmid Blood Transfusion Center Multan". The commonest blood group observed in this study was "B" with frequency of 36.95%. The next common was group "0" with frequency of 33.8% followed by group "A" with frequency of 21.92% and group "AB" 7.33%. The frequency distribution of Rh blood group shows that 92.17% of the subjects are Rh-+ve and 7.83% are Rh--ve

Prevalence and factors associated with practice of modern contraceptive methods among currently married women in district Naushahro Feroze

To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with practice of modern contraceptive methods among currently married women of reproductive age group [15-49 years] in District Naushahro Feroze. A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2000. We interviewed 420 currently married women of reproductive age group [15-49] years. Information regarding socio-demographic factors, economic condition, their source of information for the message of family planning and reason of using any modern contraceptive method. The prevalence of modern contraceptive method was 27.9%. Final multiple logistic regression analysis showed that with husband agreement [OR, 5.4; 95% CI 2.2-13.2], women could go alone to a health care provider [OR, 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-2.4] and women employment status [OR, 2.5 95% CI 1.2-5.2] were significantly associated with practice of modern contraceptive methods. Similarly, those women who had 3 or more children were more likely to use any modern contraceptive methods compared to those who have 2 or less children. In addition, husband's education was also found significantly associated with family planning practice. The practice of modern contraceptive method is low. Socio demographic factors of women were significantly associated with use of modern contraceptive methods. Male and female education and small group discussions of various issues related to family planning and reproductive health may be helpful in creating awareness in the district

Community context of health system development: implications for health sector reform in Pakistan

To describe local sociopolitical and organizational factors that influence health system development in Karachi, Pakistan, we conducted participant observation while working with health providers and communities in one urban district to reorient services towards a primary health care district health system. We found that the community characteristics, particularly the diverse socialpolitical and cultural make-up and organizational complexity that involved multiple levels of government, influenced efforts towards collaboration and shaped the development of the health system. We conclude that for effective implementation of health sector reform there is a need to comprehend fully the community context and complexity of existing health service provision