Child labour in relation to poverty- a study in urban settlement of Karachi, Pakistan

Child labour is recognized as worst form of abuse and exploitation of children. The Convention on Rights of Child urges the Governments to take effective measures for its eradication. The fundamental rights of child as survival, education, protection and development are grossly violated by child labour. To collect information on dimensions of working children and to establish relation between poverty and child labour. From July 2006 to November 2006 in Malir district of Karachi, Pakistan. Cross sectional study using structured questionnaire. Respondents were 168 males and 32 female children, who were selected by systematic random sampling. A total of 200 children of 5-15 years of age were randomly selected. Mean age of children was 10.5 years with male to female ratio 5:1.Twenty four percent of children were collecting papers from streets and garbage dumps, 21% were working in auto workshops as helping hands/ learning some form of skills, while 16% were doing street work as car washing, selling news papers, flowers, balloon, hair clips etc. Twenty four percent children earned Rs 20-40 per day. It was observed that 83% children belonged to poor segment of society. Poverty has direct impact and relation with child labour

Family planning: knowledge, attitude and practice among married couples in northern Pakistan

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice among married couples regarding contraceptive measures in Baltistan [Northern Areas of Pakistan]. Cross sectional study The study was carried out in Baltistan, which is a district in northern areas of Pakistan with headquarter at Skardu. Duration of study was from June 2002 to August 2003. A study was done on married couples with female partner of childbearing age. A study questionnaire was designed and response was obtained from 200 randomly selected married couples [females: 152, males: 48], which reported to health care facilities for some other minor ailment. Majority of the study participants [67%] were of the view that rapidly increasing population is a problem affecting socioeconomic development of the country. There is wide gap between knowledge and practice of family planning. The contraceptive prevalence rate of Baltistan is 8.5% much low from rest of the country, which is above 36%. Important reasons for not using contraceptive measures were that family planning was considered against religious, beside illiteracy, poverty and poor communication. Most of the respondents were in support of early marriage for girls. Efforts are required from family welfare programme, besides long-term measures such as enhancement of women literacy

Epidemic adenoviral conjunctivitis report of an outbreak in a military Garrison and recommendations for its management and prevention

The study was conducted to document the cases of adenoviral conjunctivitis, evaluate its clinical patterns, prevent its transmission and reduce its severity and complications during an epidemic. A total of 2968 cases of adenoviral conjunctivitis were documented during the months of June, July and August 2003. By simple randomization, 200 Patients were selected and divided into two groups on the basis of treatment. Group 1 [Treatment group] 40% patients were given topical anti-histamine/decongestant eye drops whereas Group 2 [Control group] 60% patients were managed conservatively by washing eyes with cold water and applying ice packs on the eyes. Highest incidence of the disease was seen in the month of July 2003. In most of cases [90%] both eyes of the respondents were affected. Acute illness lasted from 4.91 days in Group 1 and 7.86 days in Group 2. Commonly observed symptoms included redness, watering, itching, burning, pain in the eyes and photophobia. Duration of the illness was less and severity was mild in Group 1 patients as compared with Group 2 patients this was found to be statistically significant using T test [P< 0.05]. None of the cases reported any complication after complete recovery from adenoviral conjunctivitis. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious disease and often spreads in epidemics, particularly in crowded communities with poor hygiene. Prevention of transmission is the most important therapeutic measure particularly in the ophthalmic clinics of the hospitals. Although the disease is benign and self-limiting, cold compresses and topical anti-histamine/decongestant eye drops reduce the discomfort and severity of the disease