Dengue fever; knowledge and practices of preventive measures among students of Bahawalpur city, Pakistan

To assess the knowledge and practice of preventive measures against dengue fever among medical students of Quaid-e-Azasm medical college and engineering students of Islamia university, Bahawalpur. Cross sectional descriptive study. September 2012 to December 2012. Quaid-e-Azam Medial College and Engineering wing of Islamia University Bahawalpur. Sample size calculated for study 8 by expecting prevalence of knowledge 78% in population of 1000 in each group with 5% margin of error and at 95% confidence interval was 263; by adding 10% response error sample became 290 for each population. Individuals for study were selected by simple random sampling and interviewed by using preformed questionnaire. Obtained data was analyzed by using SPSS version 11. For categorization of knowledge and preventive practices against dengue fever into good, satisfactory insufficient and poor scoring was done. knowledge of protective measures against dengue fever was found significantly better among medical than engineering group [p<.000]. Knowledge of personal protective measures against dengue fever was adequate i.e. more than 90% in both groups had knowledge. Knowledge regarding environmental protective measures as screening and spraying of rooms was adequate i.e. >85% while this knowledge with regard to covering of collected water, disposal of broken bottles and tins, daily change of water in room cooler and space spray was 50% or less. However, knowledge of biological control for mosquito breed with regard to use of snail was very poor i.e. 20% or less. As for as the practices of preventive measures were concerned both groups had no significant difference which were very poor in all aspects except screening of rooms which was more than 90%. There is dire need for improvement in both knowledge and practices of preventive measures against dengue fever among students and general population

Risk factors of overweight and obesity among females of bahawalpur city

Background: Obesity specially among females is on rise and results in different chronic diseases

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult female population of Bahawalpur city

Material and Methods: Study design: Cross sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration: Satellite Town, Bahawalpur from 1[st] September, 2012 to 31[st] March 2013. On the basis of obesity prevalence of 35-40% among females, sample size of 400 was calculated, with 5% margin of error and at 95% confidence interval. The study subjects included 15-64 years aged females and were selected by simple random method. Data was collected by face to face interview using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 17

Results: Out of total 400 females, 48% were obese and highest level of obesity was found in 26-35 year age group. Significant association was found between walk [p<0.001], work out [p<0.001], calories consciousness [p<0.05] and BMI

Conclusion: It is the time to educate the people on healthy life style especially about different types of foods, calorie awareness and importance of physical activity to maintain the weight within normal limits

Risk factors of overweight and obesity among females of Bahawalpur City

Background: Obesity specially among females is on rise and results in different chronic diseases

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult female population of Bahawalpur city

Material and Methods: Study design: Cross sectional, descriptive study. Place and Duration: Satellite Town, Bahawalpur from 1[st] September, 2012 to 31[st] March 2013. On the basis of obesity prevalence of 35-40% among females, sample size of 400 was calculated, with 5% margin of error and at 95% confidence interval. The study subjects included 15-64 years aged females and were selected by simple random method. Data was collected by face to face interview using a structured questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 17

Results: Out of total 400 females, 48% were obese and highest level of obesity was found in 26-35 year age group. Significant association was found between walk [p<0.001], work out [p<0.001], calories consciousness [p<0.05] and BMI

Conclusion: It is the time to educate the people on healthy life style especially about different types of foods, calorie awareness and importance of physical activity to maintain the weight within normal limits

Effect of women empowerment on their fertility behaviour

The objective of the study was to: [1] find out the association between women empowerment and number of children, [2] evaluate any association between women empowerment and use of contraceptives. A cross sectional study. The study was conducted in selected areas of Bahawalpur City. The data was collected from March to June 2003. A total number of 872 households were selected by systematic random selection from upper, middle and lower class. Data was collected from eligible respondent [currently married women of reproductive age group 15-49 year having at least one child of 3 years age] through a pre-designed questionnaire. Independent variable empowerment of women was calculated by giving score to education, occupation and autonomy at micro level. Dependent variables [fertility and use of contraception] were assessed for significance by applying chi square test. 41.9% high empowered women were in the opinion that birth of a male child did not provide security [p < .001]. A strong positive association between level of empowerment and contraception use [p < .001]. There is negative association between women empowerment and number of children [p < .001]. Efforts should be made to change the attitude of men that empowering woman is ultimately empowering the whole family

Malnutrition; determinants in children between six months to five years of age in Bahawalpur

To find-out the determinants of malnutrition in children between six months to five years age in Bahawalpur. This was an observational descriptive cross - sectional study. At Paediatric Medicine out - patient department in Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. From Feb. 2005 to March 2007. Eleven hundred children with malnutrition having ages six months to five years. Main outcome measures. Determinants of malnutrition in children under - 5 in Bahawalpur. This study consists of 1100 sick children between the ages six months to five years brought by their parents [mother] to the Pediatric Medicine out-patient department in Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur. Only the children with malnutrition [undernutrition] were included in the study population. Mothers of these children were interviewed and clinical examination of each child was carried-out to find-out the causes of malnutrition in them. According to Gome's classification, 39.45% of them had first degree malnutrition, 37.10%, second degree and 23.45%, third degree malnutrition. The major causes of malnutrition found in our study population included: Illiteracy; food-fads; poverty; lack of breast-feeding; improper weaning; diarrhea and respiratory diseases. All these factors were statistically significant