RESUMO
Objective: To assess the risk of acquiring cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] in tribal areas of Pakistan. Study Design: A cross sectional observational study. Place and duration of study: Combined Military Hospital, Okara, from Oct 2014 to Mar 2015
Material and Methods: A total of 4500 persons between the ages of 22 to 50 years, who were moved from central areas of Punjab to Waziristan on duty, were studied for the occurrence of CL. All cases was developed cutaneous lesions and were confirmed as having CL were included in the study. During the same period, 4300 persons living at Okara, who did not have any exposure to the Federally Administered Tribal Area in same age group, were also observed and studied as control group
Results: A total of 36 patients suffered from CL in the study population, while one case from the control group developed the disease [p<0.05]. This patient was resident of Sindh and had repeated visits to his home station. The risk of developing CL was greater in Waziristan as compared to central Punjab as odds ratio [OR] was calculated as 30.79
Conclusion: There is substantial risk of developing CL in persons exposed to tribal areas of Pakistan
RESUMO
To asses the high altitude as a risk factor for cerebrovascular stroke in people residing at a height greater than 15,000 feet above sea level. Design: A case control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from June 2000 to May 2001. Patients and Four thousand persons between the ages of 20-40 years, residing at the height of 15,000 feet or above, were studied for occurrence of stroke. All cases of stroke referred from Northern areas of Pakistan, with positive CT scan, were included in the study. They were then investigated at Military Hospital, Rawalpindi to find out any other risk factor for stroke. During the same period four thousand persons living at Rawalpindi [height-2,000 ft] in same age group were also observed as control group. Ten patients suffered from stroke at high altitude while just one case had stroke in indexed age group at lower heights [p-value<0.05]. Relative risk was 10 times greater at high altitude. High altitude is a risk factor for stroke in persons residing at altitudes of over 15,000 ft