Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in Balochistan Province of Pakistan

The objective was to evaluate the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and IgM antibodies to hepatitis core antigen in Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Design of the study: a cross-sectional, population-based study. Place and time of the study: The study was conducted in Balochistan from 1[st] January 2004 to 31[st] December, 2008. The screening areas included Barkhan, Eashani, Khuzdar, Kodi Zikriani, Kohlu, Rakhni and Turbat. A total of 15,260 subjects were enrolled; 11,900 [78%] agreed to undergo screening. Fresh serum samples were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. HBsAg was detected in 1166 [9.8%] while anti-HBc IgM was found in 117 [10.0%]. HBsAg positivity was seen in 875 [12.7%] males and 291 [5.8%] females. The prevalence of hepatitis B in Balochistan varies from 3.3% in Khuzdar to 17.0% in Kodi Zikriani. It is utmost important to educate the public, to take proper measures to control the spread of infection and vaccination in order to interrupt transmission of this threatening public health problem in Balochistan province of Pakistan

Perceptions of menopause among rural women of Lahore

The present study was undertaken to document the perceptions of Pakistani women regarding menopause. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study:. The study was conducted in the suburb of Lahore from 1st July 2000 to 31st August 2000. Subjects and The data were collected from a rural population of 28,419 individuals living in 20 villages outside Lahore. A systematic random sample of 130 women was drawn from those 1337 women, who had reached natural menopause. In-depth interviews were conducted in local dialect. The age of the population ranged from 42 to 80 years with a mean of 59.8'7.4 years. The mean age at menopause was 49.0'3.6 years. Majority of the women [82.3%] considered menopause as a positive change. According to 71.6% women, their relationship with the family had either improved or there was no change. There was an increase in libido among 70.5% women, decrease in libido among 5.7% and no change among 23.8% women. However, 16.9% women reported dyspareunia. Seven% of the women suffered a fracture after menopause. None of the study subjects reported postmenopausal bleeding. Three women [2.3%] had cardiac ailments. The proportion of women showing a positive attitude towards menopause was significantly higher [p<0.005] among our study subjects as compared to those from India, Thailand, USA and Australia. The majority of study subjects did not consider menopause as a negative milestone, loss of time, a partial death or a disease as seen in many western populations. On the contrary menopause is regarded as a natural phase in a woman's reproductive life