Sexual health among young sexually active females with vaginal candidiasis

Background: sexual health among females in a low middle income country like Pakistan substantially affects quality of life. Vaginal Candidiasis is a common infection found among the females leading to discomfort and pain during the sexual intercourse

Objective: to determine the sexual health, among young sexually active females with vaginal candidiasis

Methodology: it was a cross sectional study conducted in Nawaz Sharif Social Security Teaching Hospital, Lahore from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2015. Two hundred sexually active married females between 16 - 22 years of age were selected by non- probability convenience sampling after obtaining their informed verbal consent. Three groups of study subjects were selected, Group A, Candida Positive, Group B, Candida negative and Group C with Vaginitis due to other cause. Complaints which were recorded and analyzed were dyspareunia, itching, vaginal discharge and vulvar soreness. Data through a pretested questionnaire was collected, entered in and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social sciences [SPSS] version 16

Results: in group A, 54% have dyspareunia, in group B, 17% were having dyspareunia and in Group C, 29% have dyspareunia. Growth of candida and oral contraceptive use was significantly associated with dyspareunia. [p<0.05]

Conclusion: this study showed that candida infection affects sexual health and is the major factor that hinders sexual intercourse due to dyspareunia. Use of oral contraceptives is an associated contributing factor in dyspareunia due to recurrent candidiasis

Knowledge, skill and attitude of community midwives regarding intrauterine devices for family planning in Lahore

Objective: Study was designed to assess the knowledge, skill and attitude of community midwives before and after three days training workshop on the subject insertion of intrauterine device, as a tool for family planning

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Community Medicine, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Jati Umra, Lahore and Department of Public Health, The University of Lahore from January 2015 to June 2015

Materials and Methods: An intervention study was conducted by collecting data from designing structured questionnaire which was answered by the midwives taking part in the training to evaluate their basic knowledge, skill and attitude towards use of intrauterine devices. This study was based on three phases. 1] assessment 2] intervention 3] evaluation. Thirty community midwives in the community based maternity homes of Lahore was selected as subjects. Data through a pretested questionnaire was collected and analyzed by statistical package for social sciences [SPSS]

Results: 50-70% of community midwives had the basic knowledge of IUD, insertion skill and its benefits, before going through the training. After the training, knowledge of IUD, its insertion skill and advice to women increased up to 85-100% among the participants. Results clearly show that the knowledge of the community midwives regarding use of IUDs use as a family planning tool was minimal and increased after getting the training

Conclusion: Study finding suggested that training is essential for the community midwives for improving their knowledge, technical skill for insertion of IUD, and aptitude for counseling to the families upon follow up visits

Frequency of healthy overweight adult females in a cluster

Objective: To find out the frequency of healthy overweight / obese females as determined by body mass index in a cluster

Study Design: Descriptive / cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Out-Patient Department of CMH Landi Kotal hospital from 1[st] Jan 2016 to 30[th] June 2016

Materials and Methods: non-probability convenience sampling between 18-24 years of age was taken. They were subject to anthropometric and body mass index measurements. Blood pressure and resting heart rate were taken. Further data was collected by a questionnaire, based on socio-demography, physical activity, self- perception of body weight and health status. Informed consent was taken prior conducting the study

Results: Among 500 females, mean age was 19 +/- 1 year, and age range was 18 to 24 years. 436 cases belonged to rural areas and 64 cases belonged to urban areas. 104 individuals [20.8%], belonged to group 1; 320 [64%] individuals belonged to group 2; 60 [12%] individuals belonged to group 3; 16 [3.2%] individuals belonged to group 4. Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded under standard conditions in all groups [Table 1]. None of the individuals had irregular pulse. All females responded to the pre-tested questionnaire. According to the collected data, 89% knew that overweight was related to diseases. About losing weight; 18% individuals replied as dieting, 22% individuals replied as exercise, 54% individuals replied both dieting and exercise and 6% individuals did not know the way to lose weight

Conclusion: Frequency of overweight / obesity was 15% among healthy adult females. Health awareness campaigns to deliver the message for healthy eating habits, regular exercise and maintaining ideal weight will be extremely helpful in controlling the obesity in the community