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Background and Objectives: The concept of health literacy shaping attitudes and behaviours is critical in preventing and controlling person-to-person transmission in the spread of infectious diseases. Health literacy is a determinant of health;it impacts the effective use of health behaviour by empowering individuals and communities to prevent epidemics like Coronavirus and Monkeypox. The study aims to assess the association between health-protective behavior and health literacy for preventing the spread of the Coronavirus during the pandemic in adolescents of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in public and private schools of Rawalpindi, 387 middle and high school students. Multiple linear regression was used to find the association between the main explanatory variable, health literacy and the outcome variables, health knowledge and health behaviour. The study was conducted in ten different sessions, each requiring one hour from 1st August to 31st October 2021, the self-administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool, and a total of 387 participants took part in the study. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS Version 27. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant association between health literacy and health knowledge (= 0.04, 95% CI = 0.005– 0.069, p=0.023), and between health literacy and health behaviour (= 0.07, 95% CI = 0.048–0.099, p<0.001). Conclusion: Health literacy is significantly associated with increased hand hygiene knowledge and behaviour. Government should prioritise health literacy policy and practice and make it more sustainable, effective, and integral using the multi-level targeted approach for the national educational sector. © 2023, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
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Background: COVID-19 is essentially an illness brought about by corona virus. COVID-19 is transmitted primarily by close contact between infected individuals. COVID-19 has been related to myalgia and general weakness in one-quarter to one-portion of suggestive patients. Aim(s): To recognize the number of Covid-19 recovered patients who at present complain of musculoskeletal impairments. Method(s): This was an observational study in which 181 covid-19 recovered patients were surveyed. Data was collected from different hospitals of Pakistan, throughself-made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Result(s): After the collection of data, gender differences exist in musculoskeletal disorders after comparison of both genders with age group 20 to 50 years with 48% are males 58% are females and pie chart shows prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among covid-19 recovered patients. According to the findings, around 35% of 181 healed patients (with pain in their body parts) have seen a doctor in the last 6 months, while 65% have not visited a hospital to consult a doctor for MSK disease Practical Implication: Musculoskeletal impairments are leading cause of pain and disability that canlead to deformity if remain untreated or left without prior notice. As Covid-19 infection rate is getting higher day by day and till date vaccinationis not available to everyone here. We must ensure that anyone getting infected by the novel Corona can have least negative effects even after patients get cured. Conclusion(s): Gender differences exist in musculoskeletal problems. We have to compare it with Covid. Here we may say that it may be due to more stress among females, there are more chances of MSK issue among females as compared to males.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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Background: Maternal depression and anxiety can predispose the women to higher risk of complications. The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique stressor which may affect the mental and psychological well-being of pregnant women. Aim(s): To determine prevalence of depression and anxiety and related factors in pregnant women during COVID-19. Method(s): This multicenter analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2021 to December 2021 in six cities of Pakistan. Two stage sampling technique was used to include sample of 400 pregnant women. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Corona virus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used to measure depression and anxiety level along with self-constructed questionnaire to record socio-demographic profile. Data entry and analysis was done in SPSS version 23. Association between variables was assessed by applying Chi square test and strength of association was measured by binary logistic regression. p-value <= 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Result(s): Mean age of participants was 27.25+/-5.22 years. The mean gestational age was 23.5+/-9.6 weeks. About 37.1% had mild depression. Moderate depression was found in 7.8% and moderately severe depression in 0.5% participants. Significant association was found between depression and no physical activity (p value=0.02), not having spouse support (p value=0.03), perceived vulnerability to get COVID (p value=0.004) and fear of infection to baby (p value=0.05). Only 3.25% participants had dysfunctional anxiety. Conclusion(s): Findings of the study would be helpful for policy makers to launch health awareness campaigns about regular physical activity, role of social support and seeking medical advice for mental well-being during pregnancy. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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Background: This cross-sectional study being instrumented by a close ended questionnaire was conducted to evaluate society's affirmation for being jabbed with COVID-19 vaccine, their acquisition towards immunization and associated anomalies in vaccinated people. According to the recent update from WHO, the glob is facing 5th wave of pandemic "Omicron". However, the problem is that vaccines were in trials. Majority of people were demonstrating reluctance for being immunization against COVID-19 due prevailing oddities after vaccination. Aim(s): To measure the possible adverse effects caused by the vaccination and society's participation towards immunization. Methodology: In this study we adapted cross sectional study design by means of convenience sampling. Study instrument was a close ended questionnaire. Data was collected from only vaccinated participants by visiting universities, medical personnel, colleges and other society sectors under the supervision of team members. Data transferred to software SPSS to extract the results. Cross tabulation was used for demographic analysis such as age, gender and vaccine type jabbed. Result(s): The most common adverse effects include inflammation at site of injection, fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, joint pain and numbness of limbs were highlighted. Mostly jabbed vaccine types include Sinopharm and Sinovac. Majority of respondents showed willingness for immunization however, only a small proportion was afraid for being vaccinated. The significance in our study that we have conducted study for acceptance of vaccine, intention of participants towards immunization and adverse events associated with different types of COVID-19 vaccines in vaccinated population residing in different towns of Lahore, Pakistan. Conclusion(s): In our local population, majority accepted the vaccine and didn't deny to administer the vaccine. Pain, redness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, numbness and arthritis were noted to be the most common side effects of COVID-19 vaccine. Copyright © 2022 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness and attitude of covid-19 among Pakistani dental students. Design of the Study: It’s a cross-sectional study. Study Settings: This study was carried out at HBS Dental College, Islamabad & Rawal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS), Islamabad from August 2020 to January 2021. Material and Methods: For collection of data, a validated close-ended questionnaire was used. Response of dental students was taken using an electronic based questionnaire distributed through E-mails, Whatsap and Google forms. A total of 305 dental students completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire contained of three demographic features, 21 questions about knowledge, seven items about attitudes, and seven items about preventive measures, adapted from an earlier published questionnaire about corona virus. Convenience sampling technique was applied for collection of data and a response of respondents was presented as %. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS V-23 taking value of p<0.05 as significant. Results of the Study: Present study included a total of 305 participants out of which 120 dental students (39.34%) were males and 185 (60.65%) were females. The majority of the participants i.e., 160 of them belonged to the age group of 17-24 years (52.40%). Almost 60.65% respondents correctly answered about statement of incubation period “2-14 days”, and 83.60% replied that COVID-19 might be present without symptoms. Out of 305 students 97.70% have replied that frequent washing of hands with soap or alcohol mixed hand sanitizer are satisfactory methods to avoid transmission of Corona virus. Conclusion: In this study dental students are satisfactorily aware from the pandemic and its promising consequences. However in this study fear of transferring the COVID-19 infection to their families and friends was a significant concern. Majority of the dental students looked to have adequate awareness about corona virus and precautionary steps taken to avoid from COVID-19 transmission for both patients and dental students.
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Objectives: To describe the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, severity of the disease, and early outcomes of children with COVID-19 in Pakistan with special reference to underlying comorbid conditions. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, from March 15 to July 31, 2020. Material and Methods: We analyzed data on all laboratory-confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARC-COV-2) infection in children admitted to a single tertiary care center including patient characteristics, clinical course and hospital outcomes with special reference to underlying comorbidity. Results: Of 42 symptomatic children, 19 (45%) had a pre-existing comorbidity, the most common of which was chronic kidney disease (7/19-37%). The median age was 7.75 years (IQR: 1.3–11.2) with a slight female preponderance (55%). Fever (79%), respiratory symptoms (52%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (14%) were the most common symptoms. No direct or indirect contact with COVID-19 positive person was identified in 12 patients (29%). Patients with pre-existing comorbidity required mechanical ventilation and prolonged intensive care monitoring than those without. There were three fatalities in the groups of 42 (7%) patients, and underlying comorbid conditions were significantly associated with a fatal outcome (p=0.032). Conclusion: COVID-19 in children is generally mild with good outcome. Chronic kidney disease was the commonest co-morbidity and the presence of an underlying co-morbid condition is a risk factor for prolonged hospital stay and a poor outcome. © 2020, Pakistan Pediatric Journal. All rights reserved.
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Background: COVID-19 is Corona virus disease that has occurred as pandemic involving more than 210 countries. Objective: To determine risk perception of COVID-19 among pregnant females, fear and anxiety levels about themselves, their pregnancy, and family along with information about preventive measures. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from 10th May, 2020 to 10th June, 2020. Total of 150 patients presenting in emergency and out-patient department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital gynae unit 4, were interviewed after informed consent. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age was 28 years, mean gravidity was 4 and mean gestational age was 34 weeks. About 77 patients (51.3%) had mild to moderate fear and intermediate FCOVID-19 score, 135 patients (90%) had GAD score<7 i.e. they had less level of anxiety about their pregnancy. 15 patients (10%) had GAD score >= 7 i.e. they had high level of anxiety about their pregnancy. Similarly, 61 patients (41%) had GAD score <7 i.e. they had less level of anxiety about their family and 89 patients (59%) had GAD score >= 7 i.e. they had high level of anxiety about their family. Conclusion: Risk perception of COVID-19 among pregnant females about their family was higher than the risk perception of COVID-19 about themselves and their pregnancy.