Ethnic and Gender Diversity in Pathology: A Dream Deferred.

Background Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) remain an elusive dream in the physician workforce in the United States of America (USA). Many studies have documented the tangible and intangible benefits of EDI, including the caregiver, patients, and healthcare organizations. Objective We aim to examine the ethnic and gender diversity trends of the active residents in pathology in United States residency programs. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on the ethnicity and gender distribution of pathology residency trainees from the academic year 2007-2018. The data was compiled from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual report. Data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA). Frequencies and percentages were calculated, and bar charts and pie charts were used for graphical representation. Results Almost 35,000 US pathology residents were enrolled according to AAMC during this particular period. The highest trend of enrolling in the field of pathology was observed in 2010 and remained the same for years. This shows that the field of pathology in the USA had some acceptance all these years. The most popular speciality in which most residents were enrolled was anatomic/clinical pathology (80%) in which females were dominant over other fields. Conclusion Over the years, we have failed to overcome gender and ethnicity diversity. Gender and ethnicity have a significant influence on leadership positions, academic ranks, and research productivity among pathology faculty members in the USA.

Frequency of impaired glucose tolerance and its correlates in females of reproductive age in urban slums of Lahore, 2019.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has almost reached global epidemic proportions. Fortunately, the progress of the disease can be stemmed at the prediabetic level. The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and its predictors in females of reproductive age in the urban slums of Lahore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among females of reproductive age in the slums of metropolitan Lahore. The calculated sample size was 384. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic variables, lifestyle, medical, and dietary history. The oral GT test was carried out on the study participants after a 10 hour overnight fasting. Data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 23). Frequency distributions and percentages were calculated for categorical variables, and the mean and standard deviation were calculated for continuous variables. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, was used to determine the association between IGT and various categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the correlates of IGT after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: The final sample size was 394 women; 17% of whom had IGT, and 8.6% had newly diagnosed diabetics. Results of logistic regression showed increased waist/hip ratio, lower literacy of father or husband, age, and low intake of pulses as significant predictors of IGT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of IGT is high in females of reproductive age living in the urban slums of Lahore. There is a need for targeted health promotion and educational activities to improve the health and social conditions of slum dwellers.

Pulmonary function parameters among marble industry workers in Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Occupational contact with dust particles is a well-known phenomenon, particularly in developing countries of the world. Crystalline silica present in marble dust is the main etiology of a rising prevalence of obstructive lung diseases in marble stone workers, who are in direct contact with marble dust in the surrounding environment during their regular work.  The purpose of this study was to compare the pulmonary function parameters of workers in marble workshops and age matched healthy individuals in the Lahore District of Pakistan. Methods: The study included 164 male individuals, 82 individuals working in marble workshops and 82 healthy individuals from the same community. Data were collected through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire after obtaining written consent. A Spiro Lab spirometry for pulmonary function tests was used to identify any change in the lung function parameters. FVC% (forced vital capacity), FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in first second) and FEV1 / FVC ratio were evaluated. Results: Mean age in the exposed group (marble workers) and non-exposed group (healthy individuals) were 29.92 ± 6.19 and 30.58 ± 6.37 years, respectively. The mean years of work experience of the exposed group was 11.92 ± 5.67 years. A statistically insignificant difference was observed between marble exposed workers & healthy individuals from the demographic variables. Lung function parameters in marble workers exhibited a highly significant (P < 0.001) decrease in FVC%, FEV 1 & FEV 1 / FVC ratio when compared to healthy individuals. Seventy-one percent of marble workers had abnormal pulmonary parameters whereas 34% of workers had restrictive pulmonary impairment. Marble workers who had worked for more than 15 years had a highly significant risk of developing abnormal pulmonary function (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Continuous exposure to marble dust deteriorates the lung function of marble workers.

Water and sanitation risk exposure in children under-five in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Children under-five constitute 11.9% (n = 20,447,628) of the total population of Pakistan. Poor water and sanitation in Pakistan cause 97,900 deaths annually, 54,000 of whom are children under-five. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study calculates an index for water and sanitation risk for children under-5 in Pakistan to give a detailed understanding and insight into the prevalent risks. Data from Pakistan Integrated Household Survey 2011-12 are used. Stata 15.0 was used for data analysis. A risk index was created by integrating hazard and vulnerability factors including toilet facilities, water source, mother's education, and the number of children in the household. Children were ranked according to their risk score in three categories: low risk, medium risk, and high risk. For each level of risk, profiles of children are created at the national, regional (urban, rural), and provincial levels. RESULTS: Out of 20.5 million children under-five in Pakistan, 71.6% live in rural areas. About 24.9% of children benefit from pipe-borne drinking water; 15.5% of children have toilets connected to the public sewerage system; 62.6% of the children have mothers who had no education; and 50.5% of children live in households with three or more children. It appeared that 57.5% of children are at high risk of poor water and sanitation as compared to merely 1.3% of children at low risk. Around 69.9% of children living in rural areas are at high risk compared to 24.6% of children in urban areas. In Balochistan, 77.9% of children are at high risk, the highest of all provinces. CONCLUSION: The majority of children under-five in Pakistan are at high risk owing to poor water and sanitation. A comprehensive public health program is needed to address the key indicators related to child health risk identified in this research such as safe drinking water, improved sanitation, education and mothers' awareness, and population growth.