ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the wake of growing c- section rates around the developing world and likewise in Pakistan, there is paucity of knowledge about the preference of Pakistani women for the mode of delivery. Therefore, this study explored the reasons behind their preference. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probability consecutive sampling technique including 232 pregnant women. RESULTS: Majority (87.5%) would prefer a vaginal delivery because it is the natural way of giving birth and its recovery is faster. Moreover, women perceive that it would be easier to provide immediate care and breastfeeding to the newborn. Fear of surgery was the main deterrent for a c-section. Nonetheless, there were 12.5% women in favour of caesarean section, among whom a majority feared birth trauma to the newborn, labour pain, or complications of vaginal delivery such as possible faecal or urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Pakistani women at large prefer a normal vaginal delivery and therefore the rising trends of c- section cannot be attributed to the demand of the expecting women. Hence, there is a need for elucidating and explicating the real and perhaps the undisclosed reasons for the rising rates of caesarean section as a mode of delivery in Pakistan.
Subject(s)
Cesarean Section/psychology , Delivery, Obstetric/psychology , Patient Preference , Adult , Birth Injuries/etiology , Breast Feeding , Cross-Sectional Studies , Fear , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pakistan , Pregnancy , Tertiary Care Centers , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental students are exposed to various infections and infective sources during their training, and on this aspect, their level of knowledge is suboptimal and practices are risky. Therefore, improving their knowledge and practices would contribute significantly to infection control. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the level of understanding of senior dental students regarding the infection control in the dental practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students (3rd year and 4th year) of the Foundation University Dental College, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 100 third year dental students and 88 fourth year students. A self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection which consisted of fourteen close-ended items. Frequencies of knowledge, attitudes, and practice were calculated separately by using SPSS 21.0 software. RESULTS: Almost half of the students would not use any antiseptic for sterilizing their hands, and only two-third would ask their patient to use an oral mouth rinse before starting the treatment. Many students did not the optimal temperature of the autoclave for sterilization of the instruments. Only one-third would wear the personal protective equipment during a procedure. Around one-third of the study participants reported that ineffective sterilization during clinical practice can transmit infection from one patient to another. CONCLUSION: Knowledge on infection control among the dental students is though weak, practices are not as per standards but attitudes are positive and encouraging for taking steps and complying with measures on infection control.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Infection Control , Students, Dental/statistics & numerical data , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitals, Teaching , Humans , Male , Pakistan/epidemiologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of side branch (SB) occlusion during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting of bifurcation lesions and to assess the predictors of side branch occlusion in local population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, from July 2016 to January 2017. METHODOLOGY: A total of 200 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study with non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Variables like diameters and lesion lengths of main vessel and side branch were recorded using quantitative coronary analysis software (QCA). The SB occlusion was defined as <3 TIMI score following main vessel PCI with stenting. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS: Mean age (years) of the study population was 52.27 ±13.33 including 180 (90.0%) male and 20 (10.0%) female patients. SB occlusion was observed in 15 (7.5%) of cases. Mean SB diameter was significantly larger in cases without SB occlusion than those with SB occlusion (2.06 ±0.09 vs. 2.17 ±0.26, p=0.003). Similarly, SB lesions were significantly shorter in length in those without SB occlusion than those with SB occlusion (3.53 ±0.51 and 4.66 ±3.11, p<0.001). However, mean MV diameter (mm) and mean MV lesions length (mm) in both the groups were statistically not significant. CONCLUSION: Mean SB diameter and lesion length are useful predictors of SB occlusion during stenting of bifurcation lesions in the local population.
