Résumé
Background: Eating disorders are more common in women, especially in teen age girls and young women are at greater risk as they are more preoccupied with their body shape and diet. Objectives: 1) To identify the presence of eating disorder risk among young females of 16-21 year of age 2) To determine association between eating disorder risk and body image concerns among females of 16- 21 year of age. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study conducted among young female students; in a period of four months. Sample size was 1200 female students 16-21 year of age. Non- probability sampling technique was applied, and purposive sampling was done to recruit the study subjects. Data collection was done on two standard questionnaires: EAT 26 for eating disorder and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8) for body image concerns. Data analysis plan was: descriptive statistics calculated, frequency trends noted for eating disorder, behavior problem, and body image concerns, Bivariate analysis applied to identify association between EAT 26 scores and body image concerns. Results: 58% of the students were found to be at risk of having eating disorder, whereas 42% were not. Behavioral problem was present in 72% of the respondents; whereas absent in 27%. Conclusion: Highly significant association (P-value 0.001) was found between eating disorder and body image concerns, in the study population.
Résumé
Background: Diarrhea is second major killer disease for children less than 5 year of age; and maternal lack of sound knowledge and related correct practices inn this regard conflicts with WHO treatment guidelines for diarrhea. Objective: 1) to assess the level of maternal knowledge and practices regarding prevention and management of diarrhea at home; in children below five year of age 2) to identify association between maternal knowledge and practices regarding prevention and care of diarrhea at home. Materials & Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in three tertiary level hospitals of Lahore selected randomly. Study population was mothers having children less than 5 year of age coming to pediatric Outdoor in these hospitals. Calculated sample size was 296; and non-probability purposive sampling technique used to recruit the sample. Data was collected from 300 respondents; study instrument was KAP questionnaire adopted and modified and data was taken upon the variables of knowledge and practice. Data analysis plan was: descriptive statistics for all variables, Bivariate analysis upon knowledge and practice scores, Pearson Correlation upon the two variable scores. Results: 61.7% respondents had good knowledge score, whereas 32% and 6.3% had average and poor score respectively. 39.3% were found to have good practice score, whereas 54% and 6.7% were found to have average and poor practice level score. Highly significant association (P- 0.000) was found between knowledge and practice levels; and Pearson correlation of 43.8% was found between the two variables. Conclusion: Health education communication should be conducted by health care workers so as to give the right knowledge about ORS intake and its preparation; and adoption of correct dietary practices by the mothers during diarrheal episode of the child.
Résumé
Pakistan is a developing country with a total population of 198.36 million,[1] is categorized among first six most populous countries of the world, and with a high fertility rate. In this overflowing populous country census has never covered the head counting of special needs children of different categories; specifically, the learning disabilities that includes Down syndrome (DS), Autism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In the very recent National Census 2017 for the first-time head counting was done for physically disabled persons. In this scenario one has to dig too hard into the data resources to find exact numbers of our special needs children of various categories; specifically, children with DS. Pertinent question is: when data is not available regarding the number of children/persons with DS of various age categories; how is it possible to make some comprehensive planning for them? Why has the Government not been able to develop a well-coordinated network for life long rehabilitation of these children at national level?
Résumé
Background: Unmet needs for family planning is an important method to evaluate family planning programs hence this study was conducted to assess the unmet needs of contraception and its associated factors and reasons. Objectives: 1) to determine the unmet needs, its determinants and reasons among fecund and sexually active married women 2) to identify association between variables and unmet needs among fecund and sexually active married women. Materials & Methods: It was a community based cross sectional study, conducted in the catchment area of Institute of Public Health Lahore. Sample size was 200 women of Child Bearing Age (CBA) who were fecund and sexually active, with no history of hysterectomy, and living with their husbands. Simple random sampling technique was applied to recruit the sample population. Data was collected upon a structured questionnaire. Dependent variable was unmet needs; and independent variables included socio demographic variables and factors related to reproductive health. Data entered and analyzed upon SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics calculated; Bivariate analysis was applied to identify association of variables with met and unmet needs. Results: About 19.38% women had unmet needs for family planning; 8.59% for limiting and 10.79% for spacing. Family Planning knowledge, discussion about family planning between spouses and Husband’s sole role as a decision maker were significantly associated with unmet needs. Reasons for unmet needs were fear of side effects 29.5%, experience of side effects 21.6% mainly menstrual cycle disturbance and weight gain, Lack of information 13.6%, disapproval from their husbands 20.5% and by their Mother in Laws 9.1%. Conclusion: Our study indicated unmet needs for contraception comparable to latest report by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 2015-2016 (35.5%) but still there is a scope to improve health education system, plan a structured counselling for Family Planning, reduce the impact of obstacles and address current issues to meet contraception needs.
Résumé
Background: Iron deficiency anemia has emerged as a major public health issue in developed and developing countries. According to WHO 29% of all women of reproductive age group are diagnosed to have anemia. Objectives:1) to determine Hemoglobin (Hb) levels among girls 20-21-year-old by Sahli’s method 2) to identify correlation between Hb levels and KAP scores among girls 20-21-year-old. Methods cross sectional study design applied with convenient sampling technique; and sample of 150 girls 20-21 year old was taken. Standardized KAP questionnaire was developed from FAO Guidelines upon iron deficiency anemia, and administered. Hb levels were determined in laboratory by Sahli’s method and classification of anemia was made according to WHO guidelines 2011. Frequency trend of anemia was noted, and Pearson product correlation was applied to Hb levels and KAP scores for risk analysis. Results19.3% had mild, 51.3% had moderate, and 13.3% had severe anemia. Only 16% girls had normal Hb levels. 54% had good knowledge about anemia with Pearson correlation (r) = 0.092, P=0.263. 79% had positive attitude towards self-awareness of anemia as a disease but correlation (r) was found to be in inverse relation (-0.005), P= 0.95. Highly significant positive correlation was found between dietary practices and Hb levels; where 53% had shown desired dietary practices with r= 0.174, P= 0.033. Conclusions: increasing trend of iron deficiency anemia among young girls of reproductive age group was seen; mostly related to life style and behavior towards importance of taking balanced diet. Representative sample study is strongly suggested.
Résumé
Background: Nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is a common problem among females of reproductive age group that leads to low quality of life to a greater extent. Nonspecific LBP is other than any diagnosed pathological or structural cause of back pain. Objectives: 1) to determine trends of back pain in females of reproductive age group 2) to identify association between social determinants and LBP. Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in one town of Lahore, Pakistan; selected randomly. Convenient sampling technique was applied to recruit the study subjects. Sample size was calculated on Sample Size Determination in Health Studies Software by WHO. Calculated sample size was 89, and researcher had taken a sample of 100 females. Target group for current study was females of reproductive age (15-49 years); and age was categorized into two categories i.e.≤30 years and ≥30 years for frequency determination. Data collection tool was self-developed questionnaire and data collection was done through interview method. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20. Results: Age range was 18-46 years; Mean age was 32.59 ± 7.73. 27% females had LBP in the ≤30 year category and 60% females had LBP in the ≥30 year category. A total of 87% females were found to have LBP, whereas 13% females did not have LBP. Chi square application revealed statistically significant association (P-value ˂0.05) between LBP and variables studied: marital status, onset age of menarche, number of children, pressure of daily additional home chores, feeling fatigued by 2pm after doing work since morning, and irregular sleep pattern. Conclusions: Significant association between LBP and social determinants in present study emphasize upon further research in this area with a representative sample of the total population and more detailed and comprehensive questionnaire. This will help to plan and implement health education and preventive plan in this age group.