Study on child labour in automobile workshops of Peshawar, Pakistan

To determine the characteristics of children working in car workshops in Peshawar, a descriptive survey was conducted from June to November 2005 of 200 boys [6-15 years] randomly selected from 32 workshops. A questionnaire was used to collect socioeconomic and work-related data. The majority of the boys had no or little education, had started work before the age of 10 years and earned < 700 rupees/month. Most of their fathers had little education and were in poorly paid jobs, unemployed or deceased. About 40% of the boys were engaged in mechanical work. Watery eyes [31%], chronic cough [29%] and diarrhoea [22%] were the commonest symptoms reported by the boys and 38% had had a major injury

Psychological autopsy study of suicide pattern and its relationship to depressive illness

Suicide with respect to the high risk individuals is emerging as an important entity in our society requiring research and evaluation. The following study was conducted at CMC Hospital Larkana by doing a psychological autopsy, to see the pattern of suicide and its relation to depressive illness. A total of 52 suicide cases were reported by police authorities for autopsy examination during the months of November 2002 to October 2004. The autopsy records of these cases were consulted along with the police inquest reports. The relatives were traced with the help of police records and interviews were held using a structured interview form with at least two informants including a near relative or a friend. The results demonstrate that the act of suicide is more prevalent in males than in females. The high risk age group is 30 - 39 yrs. Firearms and Hanging is the most commonly employed mean. Most of the victims were married. Only 4 were widow / widowers. The trimester from August to October occasioned for abou t 53.8% cases. 71% of the victims were assessed to be suffering from major depressive illness. Recognition of high risk individuals and their treatment at a psychiatric hospital may save precious lives. The study also calls to repeal the law concerning suicide

Oesophageal dilatation as palliation for irresectable carcinoma oesophagus

The primary therapeutic goals in patients with advanced oesophageal malignancy are the re-introduction of an enteral diet and early discharge. The endoscopic dilation has been proposed as an alternative technique for palliation in patients not suitable for surgery. To review our experience with oesophageal dilation for the palliation of malignant oesphageal obstruction. A retrospective review was conducted of the notes of all patients who underwent palliative oesophageal dilation in our unit. 100 patients [age range 30-90years] underwent oesophageal dilation for malignant oesophageal obstruction 48% of patients had obstruction at lower one third of esophagus. Median survival was 6 weeks [range 1week to 03 months]. Successful dilation was possible in 70% of cases. During follow up 20% returned to solid diet, 50% required a soft diet and 30% were unable to tolerate any enteral nutrition. The use of oesophageal dilation achieves, good palliation allowing earl y discharge from hospital, re-introduction of an enteral diet

Medical and socioeconomic aspects of road traffic accidents

Road traffic accidents leave medical and social repercussions on families and individuals involved. Moreover, it is saddening that the most vulnerable are from the youth and middle age groups. This deprives the society of much needed and precious human resources. Hence, the mean which was originally designed to serve mankind has become a means of destruction, cause of disability and sometimes death. The medical profession has to assume a key role not only in the management of the injured, but also in the prevention of accidents and road safety measures. In order to reduce the incidence of road accidents it is important to establish an efficient organizational set-up, highlight the role of mass-transit, periodic checkup of the vehicle for its road worthiness and education of masses with the hope that they will adhere to the rules while on road

Exhumation; a tool to establish cause of death

Exhumation is disinterment of the dead body that has already been buried. From January 2004 to December 2005, Thirty-Five cases were exhumed and subsequently autopsied in the rural and urban areas of Sindh by the Standing Medical Board of District Hyderabad for establishing the cause of death. The results revealed that out of the total thirty-five cases, [60%] twenty-one were subjected to autopsy examination first time on exhumation [Primary] whereas the remaining [40%] fourteen were re-examination cases [Secondary]. The cause of death was established in [66%] fourteen of the primary examination cases and [24%] five of the secondary examination cases. Male/ Female ratio was 2:51:1 and the maximum number [62.8%] were in between 21-40 years of age. Rural population [77%] is more frequently involved than urban population [23%]

review on present status of chemical or oncogenic transformation and tumor study methodologies

The possible causative interactions responsible for mutagenesis are discussed, with reference to chemical induction or oncogenic transformation. The chemical or carcinogenic induction upto microsomal level is prior stage of genotoxicity, inducers are of two types,[1] initiators and [2] promoters, initiators are involved in inheritable changes of genetic material. There are number of pathological biochemical and microbial methods useful for development, and estimation of tumor. The different methodologies to study the tumor are reviewed

Management of carcinoma hypopharynx and upper oesophageus

Twenty five cases of total Laryngo-Pharyngo-Oesophagectomy were done for carcinoma-hypopharynx and upper oesophagus. Methods of re-construction and management are discussed