Type II Diabetic patients; use of camel milk in Karachi: a cross sectional survey

Objectives: To determine the frequency of camel milk users as a dietary adjunct therapy in Diabetes Type 2

Study Design. A cross sectional questionnaire based survey

Period: May to August 2013

Setting: Liaquat National Hospital and Jinnah Medical College Hospital] and one public sector hospital [Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre] in Karachi

Methods: Minimum sample size using 11.1% prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus, confidence interval of 95% and 5% margin of error and finite population correction for large population was calculated to be 152. Using purposive sampling, type II diabetes patients [taking oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin to control serum blood glucose] visiting outpatient departments for diabetes management at two private and one public sector hospital in Karachi, were requested to participate. After obtaining informed consent, a structured pre-coded questionnaire was filled by trained interviewer. Two laboratory assessed fasting blood [FBG] readings from previous three months were also recorded from their files. Those who affirmed the use of camel milk were asked further questions on reasons and consumption pattern. All responses were entered into SPSS version 17.0 and descriptive frequencies and statistics were obtained for camel milk users and non-users

Results: 300 patients consented to participate and filled the questionnaire. 36 forms did not have two FBG lab reports from previous three months and were excluded. In the remaining sample size of n = 264, camel milk use frequency was 35.98% [n=95]. In the preceding three months, the median FBG of users was 121.0 mg/dl as compared to median FBS of non-users [64.01%;n = 169] of 202.06 mg/dl. 90.5% [n=86] of all users considered oral medications as main modality for control and only 15.8% of these patients attributed blood glucose control solely to use of camel milk. Camel milk users were found to use more of home remedies [13.7%, n = 13], homeopathic medicine [15.8%, n = 15] and exercise [45.3%, n=43] as adjunct modalities to control their blood glucose as compared to 6.5%, 8.9% and 31.4% of non-users. 71.6% [n= 121] of non- users used dietary modification to manage diabetes as compared to 47.4% [n = 45] users. 71% [n = 121] non-users were regularly measuring their blood glucose levels as compared to 56.8% [n=54] users of camel milk

Conclusions: Diabetics drinking camel milk showed a marked decrease in mean Fasting Blood Sugar values as compared to non-users. More experimental studies should be conducted on a larger scale and on different regions so as to ascertain the biological plausibility

cross sectional survey to determine the effect of consuming regular breakfast on BMI in medical students of Jinnah medical and dental college

The objective of this cross sectional survey was to determine the effect of consuming regular breakfast on BMI in medical students of Jinnah Medical and Dental College. Cross sectional study. This study was conducted among the medical students of Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from April 2014 to August 2014. The sample comprised of all the students of first to fourth year MBBS students. 374 students actually became the part of our study. The data was collected using a pre tested and pre coded questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Our study reveals that 43% [n=161] were the regular breakfast consumers compared to 57% [n=213] who were irregular breakfast eaters. From this regular breakfast consumers 63.2% [n=102] had normal BMI and 36.8% [n=59] had deviant BMI. From this deviant BMI group 64 % [n=38] of the students were underweight and 36 % [n=21] were obese. The findings of our study support earlier research which suggests that regular breakfast consumption helps to keep our BMI within normal range

Coping Strategies among Adolescent Children of Depressed and Non Depressed Parents

The objective of the present study was to find out differences in coping strategies of adolescents of depressed and non-depressed parents. Comparative cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission [PAEC] Hospital in Islamabad during the period of April 2014 to June 2014. The sample consisted of 130 adolescents including 50 from families of depressed parents and, 80 from non-depressed parents. The data was collected through purposive sampling technique. Brief COPE scale was used to assess coping strategies of the subjects. The results indicate significant difference in coping strategies of adolescents of depressed and non- depressed parents. The adolescents of depressed parents used more dysfunctional coping strategies such as active avoidant coping strategy. The results also highlighted significant gender differences. Results of the study suggest that children of depressed parents use dysfunctional coping strategies as compared to children of non-depressed parents. The findings are important for future research and prevention studies with children of depressed parents to incorporate healthy and functional coping strategies

Frequency and psychosocial impact of acne on university and college students

Objectives of the study were to describe the frequency of acne in late adolescent and adult students and to evaluate psychosocial impact of the disease. It was a cross-sectional study conducted in four institutions, from June to August 2008. Questionnaires with Cardiff Acne Disability Index [CADI] were filled by 950 students. They were examined for presence and severity of acne. Age ranged from 17 to 28 years. Frequency of facial acne was 74.6%. Difference between the genders was not statistically significant. Mean ADI score was 2.67 + 5.35, and range was 0-13. The disease had a greater psychosocial impact on females as compared to males